Album Notes

Ellery and Ryan's first release, Step Into the Beat received rave reviews from dancers, teachers and critics. Even non-dancers really enjoy listening to the upbeat-yet-traditional feel of their Irish music!

Kick Into the Beat includes 18 tracks of solid, modern Irish dance music at the tempos needed for Feisianna competitions—and practice.

As an added bonus, this time Ellery and Ryan also included two performance pieces: a set of treble reels and a Christmas show medley!

The label rum & raisin records was founded by fiddler Ellery Klein and drummer/percussionist Ryan Lacey, who aimed to produce modern and hip music for competitive Irish dancing. Ryan Lacey adds a contemporary sound with his funky drumming, which provides a strong rhythmic foundation for the dancers. Ellery fiddles away, mostly on original compositions that she wrote with dancers in mind. Kick Into the Beat also features the backing of guitarist Jimmy Stamper (Brace Yourself Bridget) and Step Into the Beat's upright and electric bassist Ian Riggs (Ethan Lipton, Howard Fishman Quartet).

Ellery and Ryan met while both touring full-time with Irish sensation Gaelic Storm. They recorded and toured together in the band for four years. They are featured on the band's 2006 and 2004 recordings, Bring Yer Wellies and How are We Getting Home? as well as the DVD, Gaelic Storm: Live in Chicago!

Ryan Lacey continues to tour full-time with Gaelic Storm. He is featured as a producer and drummer on their new recording, What’s the Rumpus? which debuted at 1 on the Billboard World Music Charts.
Ellery Klein left the touring life with Gaelic Storm in 2007 to start a family, but has continued to perform, with her new band Long Time Courting, and teaches the fiddle in Boston, MA. She published The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Playing the Fiddle, released in October 2008.