TRANSATLANTICKS

Soazig comes from a family of musicians and began learning the violin at the age of five. Over the years, she became increasingly interested in Irish music and went on to study it at the University of Cork, from which she graduated. During her time in Ireland, Soazig met numerous musicians from whom she acquired a solid repertoire. Back in Brittany, she juggled numerous projects, appearing in groups such as Insch, Fahrenheit and the McDonnell Band. She is also part of the collective 'Les Irlandais de Bretagne', which focuses on the history of the Irish diaspora in Brittany.

Simon McDonnell, meanwhile, is a member of the McDonnell Trio alongside his father Michael and his brother Kevin. A talented multi-instrumentalist, he began his musical training on the tin whistle and uilleann pipes before turning to the guitar, songwriting and singing. Outside the family band, he pursued a solo career and produced an album, ‘The Hidden River’, before forming the band Spring Barley.
After four albums with the McDonnell Trio, he formed the band Transatlanticks with Soazig Hamelin in 2015. A self-produced EP, followed by a tour of Ireland, cemented their commitment to the project. To mark the band’s 10th anniversary, they have now released a 12-track album, *Chronicles of Murder and Love*.
It features a selection of traditional songs as well as contemporary folk by artists such as Gillian Welch, Rosemary Short and Mike Waterson, plus two tracks by Bob Dylan: ‘Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right’ and ‘One More Cup of Coffee’. It also includes a traditional French song, ‘La Cour du Palais’, and a suite of Irish jigs, ‘Johnny, Tom and Leslie’s’.
The duo’s favourite themes are social issues such as social protest or domestic violence – serious subjects they sometimes tackle with a touch of lightness – as well as love, of course. Accompanied by an Irish fiddle and a banjo or a guitar, the duo offer beautiful vocal harmonies and a rich sound that has its roots in both Ireland and the USA. A source of inspiration that perfectly reflects the name they have chosen for themselves.

Ride On Music ROM 023 - transatlanticks@gmail.com

https://transatlanticks.bandcamp.com/album/chronicles-of-murder-and-love