Album Notes

THE GAELS are an exciting young group of musicians who breathe fresh air and creative new ideas into real traditional Irish music. Their arrangements of both original and traditional tunes and songs offer a dynamic mix of driving rhythms and fast weightless melodies. Their live performances catch them at their best and they consistently receive high marks for emotion and energy in their playing. Working as a tight knit ensemble of fiddle, guitar, and bodhran (Irish drum), they attack their music with a great intensity. It's hard to sit still and listen to the Gaels.

Brian Miller (guitar, vocals, whistles), Karl Espe (fiddle, vocals), and Eric Carlson (bodhran, vocals) began playing together in 1997 as high-schoolers in their home town of Bemidji, Minnesota. Inspired by the revolutionary sounds of groups such as The Bothy Band, Dervish, Solas and Lunasa, The Gaels employ a powerful rhythmic base that borrows from rock and jazz to bring the old tunes to life. Karl's strong lyrical fiddle style leads the way through a variety of tunes from the Irish tradition as well as tastes of Brittany, French Canada and Scotland. The interplay of guitar and bodhran makes for an exciting backdrop and a wide dynamic palette. Both Brian and Eric add original compositions to the band's repertoire that range from instrumentals in the traditional style, to heart-warming songs about life in the North woods of Minnesota.

The Gaels have been a part of the vibrant Twin Cities Irish music scene since their arrival there in 1998. They perform regularly at pubs such as the Dubliner in St. Paul and Kieran's and O'Donovan's in Minneapolis. The magic of their live shows draws a wide variety of fans. In their five years together they have performed extensively throughout their region and have graced the stage at a number of large festivals including Grand Old Days in St. Paul, the New London Folk Festival, the White Oak Rendezvous in Deer River, the Land of the Loon Festival in Virginia (MN), the Summer Plaza Concert Series in Sioux Falls (SD), and the Minnesota Irish Heritage Fair in St. Paul. In June 2000! they made a very successful debut on the main stage of the Silverton Jubilee Folk Festival in Silverton, Colorado.

The trio has self produced three CD's since their formulation the third of which, Bachelor's Quay, was released the summer of 2002. Their debut CD, Bachelor's Quay was rated the #1 new release in the St. Paul Irish Gazette's November 1998 to ten list. The Gazette praises the group's youthful talent and energy dubbing them “one of the hottest new groups in the Twin Cities.” Each of their first two CD's have sold over 1000 copies and they have also earned the band spots on a number of Irish music compilations produced in the Twin Cities. The St. Paul Pioneer Press ! writes: “From the quality of the music on both of The Gaels' albums, it's hard to believe that they have been at it less than three years. They don't just play their music, they make it a part of them.”