The Dardanelles
Rhythmic and punchy, young Newfoundland band, The Dardanelles are widely recognised as one of the best ‘live’ acts in the world. With all five musicians still in their twenties, they have become island ambassadors as they have sought out songs and tunes from their culture that were in danger of being lost forever.
Hailing from Newfoundland, Canada, this high-energy 5 piece band have established themselves as one of the leading traditional bands from this part of the world. Their reverence for traditional music as well as their unabashedly progressive approach makes for a dynamic live show that has already shaken many significant international Festivals including Winnipeg, Celtic Connections and Woodford in Australia.
Their latest album “The Eastern Light” was produced by Irish guitar wizard John Doyle and has been garnering rave reviews from critics all over the world. It has been described as a “thoroughly satisfying, dynamic experience from beginning to end” and has remained one of the province’s best sellers since its 2012 release.
With all five musicians still in their twenties, they have become island ambassadors as they have sought out songs and tunes from their culture that were in danger of being lost forever. Armed with a love of jigs, reels and ballads, this 5 piece is out to show that Newfoundland traditional music is alive, vibrant and powerful and that Newfoundlanders can hold their own with the best players the world has to offer.
They are Matthew Byrne on vocals, bouzouki and guitar, Rich Klass on bodhran and percussion, Tom Power on vocals and guitar, Aaron Collis on button accordion and Daniel Payne on fiddle.
