One for the Foxes on their way to Spanish Peaks!
One for the Foxes on their way to Spanish Peaks!
(Celtic Fest Sept 20-23, www.CelticMusicFest.com )
Tadhg Ó Meachair (piano accordion, piano)
Dave Curley (vocals, guitar)
Joanna Hyde (fiddle, vocals)
The roots of One for the Foxes go back to when Tadhg Ó Meachair (Dublin) and I began to work on a recording project together after meeting at the University of Limerick and playing together for a while. Tadhg suggested the idea that his friend Dave Curley (Galway) would be great to include in the project somehow, both as a talented singer and multi-instrumentalist. Tadhg and Dave had also met while studying at the University of Limerick, and had worked together on a few occasions. Fast forward, following our collaboration with Dave on a couple of album tracks, the three of us thought it would be great to continue working as a trio in a broader capacity. We began touring in the spring of 2017, and have been working to build that up over the last while.
The name itself One for the Foxes first came about when Tadhg and I were writing a tune at his family home in Dublin; during one of our many tea breaks we looked out the window to the back garden and saw a couple of foxes fully stretched out, lazily sunning themselves right in the middle of the day. We have a fondness for foxes, and thought, “Why don’t we name the tune for the them?!…‘One for the Foxes!’” One thing led to another, and we decided to use “One for the Foxes” as the name for an album track, and, in turn, our entire album. After putting the trio together, we were struggling to come up with a band name that we all liked, and eventually came back around to this one – or as Tadhg likes to joke, we were on such a roll with that name, how could we not use it?!
The three of us share quite a variety of musical interests, very much based in Irish and American folk music, but venturing (at least listening-wise) into anything from bluegrass and oldtime to old swing music, jazz, pop…We still write, arrange and play very much in an acoustic vein, and I would say equally focused on songs as well as instrumental pieces, all the while staying open to any ideas and influences that might come along. Tadhg and Dave obviously grew up with strong backgrounds in Irish traditional music, and through their various musical experiences, collaborations, and travels, have interacted with a wide array of musical styles over time (Tadhg admittedly loves many punk rock bands, dating back to his teenage “skater days”). Being from Colorado myself, I would’ve had a background in more American styles (bluegrass, Texas swing, oldtime). These American folk musics have roots in Irish music, and in the spirit of that connection I eventually found myself going to Irish music camps and workshops and Irish dance classes to take in any Irish culture I could in the Rocky Mountain region. I had no idea I would one day marry an Irishman (Tadhg), and actually have a very transatlantic lifestyle!
In addition to our fondness for a variety of musical styles, I might add that we also share a passion for finding the best coffee shops we can in any given area, to the point that we often do whatever we can to plan our journeys around a good cup of coffee and/or tea. These are the little things that add to the fun and bonding as a trio (and that help me cope with the endless amount of puns these two lads are known to generate).
We are really excited to be a part of the Spanish Peaks International Celtic Music Festival this September. On that note, we want to make a special mention of all those affected by the Spring Creek Fire in that region. Tadhg, my brother Iain, and I had the pleasure of teaching and performing at this Festival last year, and had such a lovely time getting to know all the people there, as well as the region as a whole. Our hearts go out to everyone who has had to endure such devastation and hardship this last while. Tadhg and I are so looking forward to returning, this time with Dave, and alongside so many amazing artists; as part of that, we hope to share an expression of our gratitude to all the folks there for sharing their beautiful community with all of us – it is such a unique musical, cultural, and personal experience.
We highly encourage anyone with any sort of interest in traditional/folk music to come out to the Spanish Peaks region and take in the wonderful people, places, music, discussions, and general festivities – we cannot wait for all of the craic agus ceol over the week. Hup!
More info: https://www.facebook.com/oneforthefoxes/
Spanish Peaks International Celtic Music Festival
La Veta Colorado September 20-23, 2018