Barrule

Event information

Rugby Roots is absolutely delighted to welcome this superb new trio to the Midlands.

The unique sound of traditional Manx music is the Celtic World’s best kept secret. This is set to change with the introduction of Barrule, an exciting new trio hellbent on taking the Isle of Man’s music to a much wider audience.

Named after the famous Manx summit where legend says the ancient Celtic God Manannan MacLir stalked his mighty fortress, Barrule fuses three distinct musical forces – gifted 19 year-old fiddle-player Tomas Callister, accordion wizard Jamie Smith (of Mabon) and Adam Rhodes (Mabon and Manx band King Chiaullee)on bouzouki. Together this versatile acoustic unit creates a powerful and wholly distinctive sound.

With bold but sensitive arrangements, the trio presents a fresh take on traditional and contemporary Manx music. While sharing common ground with its Celtic cousins, as well as the English tradition, Manx music has retained its own particular and inherent Manxness: an atmosphere evoked by the music that speaks of the natural beauty of the island and the lives of its inhabitants. The trio’s debut album, self-titled Barrule, showcases a diverse collection of material from rousing marches, jigs and reels to sorrowful slow airs and beautiful songs sung in the Manx Gaelic language. The album had an Isle of Man launch last summer and an official UK release is planned for early 2013.

The trio is off to a flying start in 2012, with festival appearances during the summer including Festival Interceltique de Lorient, Brittany, Yn Chruinnaght festival in the Isle of Man (supporting Scottish group Blazin’ Fiddles) and Lowender Peran Festival, Cornwall. This summer they embark on their first UK tour. Catch them if you can, this is a band to watch.