FIÁROCK

Even the name they have chosen is rather unconventional. Fiárock is a combination of two Irish words: Feabhra, meaning February – the month the band was formed – and Airnéanach, which translates as ‘night visit’, an ancient tradition of visiting friends to share tunes, songs or stories.

Formed in 2021, in the midst of the pandemic, the band began by playing remotely, first with one another, then all four together. It must be said that the musicians come from countries far apart. Whilst Daragh Carey-Kennedy (banjo) and Clíona Halley (concertina) are through-and-through Irish, Evan Powell (piano) is from Texas and Nicolle Fig (vocals and bodhrán) is originally from Mexico, although she currently lives in Germany.
Their album is titled An Tús, which translates as ‘the beginning’: fitting for a debut album. It features thirteen tracks, eight instrumentals and five songs. Although the album is fundamentally Irish, it reflects the group’s diversity with Mexican songs ‘La Llorona’ and ‘El Arrancazacat’, sung in Spanish – naturally by Nicolle – as well as Irish traditional tunes such as ‘The Verdant Braes of Screen’, 'The Banks of the Bann' and “False Lover John”, a song passed down by Karen Casey and John Doyle.
Then there are old-time tunes from the Appalachians, such as ‘Old Yeller Dog’. Finally, the usual traditional favourites: the polkas ‘Brú Polkas’, the hop jigs ‘Pastelles’, and the reels ‘The Green Forest’. We can also recognise a famous Donegal mazurka, ‘Sonny’s’. And among all the tracks is ‘Ionúin’, composed by Clíona.
Although they hail from both sides of the Atlantic, the quartet brilliantly manages to remain true to tradition despite their diverse influences. Musically, the four instruments blend effortlessly across the various dances featured here.
This debut – An Tús – fully showcases the energy of these four young musicians. A name to remember.

Own label - www.fiarock.com