CUAS

Méabh Ní Bheaglaoich (accordion and vocals), Niamh Varian-Barry, formerly of Solas (fiddle and vocals), Nicole Ní Dhubhshláine (concertina, flute and vocals) and Kyle Macaulay (guitar and bouzouki) came together in early 2023 to form Cuas, a band that interprets and brings to the fore the traditions and wild energy of West Kerry music.Inspired by a lively tradition with moving songs, this friendly quartet places the intrinsic bond between musicians and audience at the heart of each of their concerts.
On 6 September 2023, they invited around fifty family members, friends and dancers to an old school in Cuas a' Bhodaigh for a wild night celebrating the music, song and dance of Kerry. The concert was recorded, mixed and mastered a few months later, resulting in this superb eponymous album. Polkas - the region's dance par excellence - slides, jigs, reels, waltzes and strathspeys follow one another with boundless energy. Fortunately, these are tempered from time to time by a few songs that allow the dancers to catch their breath: Jimmy Mo Mhíle Stór, the last song that S. Begley taught her daughter and on which she uses her delicate voice, or Dusty Little Wings sung by Niamh. And then there's An Laoch Beag, a march composed in April 2023 by Meabh in tribute to her father, who had died three months earlier.
Fourteen tracks in all, guaranteed to get your feet tapping and give you an idea of the energy and warmth shared throughout the evening. Cuas, four musicians who are among the most promising on the Irish scene.
Autoproduit CUAS001 - www.cuasmusic.com