|
|
Siúcra
is pronounced 'shoo-kruh',
and it means 'sugar' in Irish.
Siúcra
is Coloradoan Beth Leachman (lead vocals, bodhran) with Boston-based
Matt (guitar/vocals) and Shannon Heaton (Irish flute/whistles/vocals).
Formed in 1998, the band is sweetly polished and razor-sharp, offering
a mix of traditional and original songs and tunes that the Boston
Globe calls “pulsing and vibrant!”
Danny Carnahan from Acoustic Guitar wrote, “Siúcra is
full of hot musicianship, confidence, and unstoppable energy. A
five-piece band would be hard-pressed to match the amount of music
these three musicians produce..”
Siúcra (‘sugar’ in Irish Gaelic) formed during
Matt & Shannon’s three year stint in Colorado. Their initial
tours taking them through the midwestern and western United States.
When Matt and Shannon moved to Boston in 2001, the trio expanded
their touring scope to the East Coast. In May 2002, the group launched
its second cd here among strangers, a kickin’ follow
up to their first release, a place i know. Sing-Out magazine
called this “solid album sweet and satisfying... disarmingly
infectious!”
Both Matt and Shannon have music roots in Chicago. Shannon learned
to play Irish flute in sessions on the North Side of the city, with
yearly trips to Clare, Galway and Boston. Matt was exposed to a
wide range of musical styles early on - his father is noted organist/composer
Charles Heaton. From garage band beginnings, through university
degrees in classical guitar, he has developed a powerfully rhythmic
and resonant style of guitar playing. Matt and Shannon also perform
as a duo, with George Keith (fiddle), and with traditional singer
Aoife Clancy.
Beth grew up in western Colorado. She learned about sean nos
singing in the West of Ireland. Her clear and tonally inventive
bodhran playing has developed over years of sessions; and she has
more recently added the harp to her line of talents, which she performs
with harpist Margot Krimmel.
With a very Siúcra spin on old and new traditional tunes,
Siúcra’s shines brightest on stage. Their live show
brims with high energy and enjoyable camaraderie, attracting new
fans with every performance with the band’s generous and affectionate
spirit.
|
