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The girls and guy of Siúcra
are aggressive, energetic players with old-school roots and young attitudes.
They're deeply vested in the Irish tradition, and totally committed to
the "Americanisms" in their performance and interpretation of traditional
music.
Siúcra
( which means 'sugar' in Irish) is Beth Leachman - vocals and bodhran,
Shannon Heaton - Irish flute and whistles, and Matthew Heaton - guitar.
Each band member was born and raised in the U.S., and the three came to
Irish music as individuals long before pooling creative efforts as a group.
Beth grew up in Western Colorado.
She learned the sean-nos (old-style) singing tradition in the west of
Ireland, and has been primarily influenced by hard-core traditionalists
who have become her mentors. Shannon learned to play Irish flute in Chicago,
where she played with many fine traditional musicians of all ages and
backgrounds. Trips to Clare and Galway hae helped her develop a unique
approach to playing that is sensitive and powerful all at once. Matthew's
eclectic background includes Irish session and local ceili (set dance)
band playing, as well as playing lead guitar with Chicago rock band The
Flavor Channel, composing and performing for nuevo tango band Orquesta
Atipica, and a master's degree in classical guitar.
Siúcra
formed in Boulder in 1999. Beth explains, "We met at a party, and discovered
that not only did we all play Irish music, but that we were all seriously
rooted in the tradition. We came up with a few impromptu arrangements
of songs we all knew, and our friends really enjoyed it - and we immediately
sensed a musical connection happening."
Although Siúcra's
first performance was for a captive audience in the home of a friend,
the trio has gone on to bring its own brand of quality Irish music to
a variety of audiences. Shannon recalls, "We started small - literally.
One of our first public concerts was at an elementary school sock hop.
The kids loved it- there were even a few who had taken step dancing lessons
and that prompted us to have professional step dancers perform with us
at some of our bigger shows."
Siúcra
followed up its school gym performance with a high society tea in honor
of Pulitzer Prize-winning author Frank McCourt, and a midnight concert
at the Blue Door Tattoo Studio in Denver. Matthew reveals, "Those gigs
were crazy in their own ways, but they suited us - one of us used to teach
school, all three of us have read Angela's Ashes, and two of us have tattoos."
The Siúcra girls agree.
"The band's been together for a short time, but we've done it all as far
as the types of gigs we've played and the audiences we've reached."
Siúcra's
following is now multi-age and represents a wide range of American music
listeners. Siúcra has
shared the stage with traditional acts from Ireland and Scotland, including
Lunasa, Susan McKeown, and the Battlefield Band. More recently, they have
played with several world, bluegrass, and jam bands, including Newfoundland's
Great Big Sea and Boulder's own Yonder Mountain String Band.
As a result, Siúcra
sees its audience growing even more. Says Matthew, "We expect to attract
traditional music fans, and being well-received by fans of other genres
is certainly encouraging. Jigs and reels were made for dancing, and we
enjoy playing for a room full of people dancing, just as much a sit-down
listening crowd. We love it."
Siúcra
was also enthusiastically received by classical listeners when Shannon,
Beth, and Matthew played at the Colorado Springs Symphony's St. Patrick's
Day Gala.
The band continues to play
a vast array of venues, from pubs to theaters, delivering high energy,
quality Irish music with an American groove. Siúcra's
dedication to the melodic tradition of Irish music is balanced with mighty
accompaniments that are packed with rhythmic and harmonic strength.
The trio released its debut
album 'a place i know' in February 2000. Recorded live at Akashic
Studios just west of Boulder, it is a short, sweet offering of some of
Siucra's best. Shannon says, "Most of our repertoire, including much of
what we recorded, was learned in Ireland or from Irish players in the
States. Our American roots come through in our arrangements of traditional
songs and tunes, and in material that we've written ourselves. We are
inspired by the music of our own upbringing- rock, folk, as well as Irish."
Beth adds, "Lots of people
listen to our cd and say that we sound just like a traditional Irish band.
Others say they know right away that we're American. Both, we take as
compliments!"
Siúcra's
music reflects its members' passion for the Irish tradition, and its arrangements
expose the trio's experiences as American performers and listeners. Siúcra's
strong musicianship, deep love of Irish music, and commitment to its own
heritage make Siúcra's
future look sweet indeed.
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