Album Notes

What is The Irish Experience?

Could it be "High-impact Celtic music at its finest"?

Or "Refried fiddle, electric guitar, and blazing bodhran"?

How about a festive force? An insatiable jig? Renewed vigor?

Or even, implausibly, a "Blarney Phoenix", that rises up on Saint Patrick's Eve to bring bountiful cheer to all the little people at heart?

We'd like to say The Irish Experience is all of these and more, but really we're JUST A BAND OF MUSICIANS from Seattle who like nothing better than to light up crowds on Saint Patrick's Day.

The Irish Experience play Celtic and Appalachian music on traditional electric instruments:

Joe Bowbeer - electric fiddle
Tom Hotchkin - upright bass
Tom May - electric guitar

Featuring:

Dave Smith - bodhran & zarb
Julian Adamaitis - dumbek

Recorded by Conrad Uno, mixed by Julian Adamaitis and Tom May, and designed by Diana Baker.


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WHAT THEY SAY

"Your CD has literally not left my car stereo since I put it in over a week ago. It's really amazingly good--I think it's perfect driving music for me because it keeps my brain somewhat engaged and keeps my road rage down :) I especially like the tracks 5, 6 and 7 sequence. The electric guitar is really cool." - ErinK


"I heard the tune Morrison's Jig at The Irish and Celtic Music Podcast and decided to buy the CD. I've played it several times already and I like it. It gives me a good time." - JaapW


"After our first set, one excited snowboarder told us that our music will help him through the gnarly turns."


"Folks crowded around us as we played, watching our fingers fly. At one point Tom was spotted dancing a jig as he played the bass. After the show, a young couple said they hoped we could play at their wedding."


"Refried fiddle, electric guitar, and blazing bodhran!"

-- Paula Lynch, Celtic musician and composer


"The Irish Experience is a Blarney Phoenix, that rises up on Saint Patrick's Eve and brings bountiful cheer to all the little people at heart. The Irish Experience is a festive force, an insatiable jig. The Irish Experience is renewed vigor. They perform Celtic and Appalachian music on traditional and electric instruments...The Irish Experience begin the set with a delicate electric guitar when in steps the electric fiddle playing an instrumental version of the 'Rocky Road to Dublin' slip jig. The guitar ends and the fiddle takes off backed by down bass and percussion as the band jumps into a breakneck version of the 'Tam Lin' reel. It stops followed by bass version and back into the reel more fiery than before...When I read the bio of the band, they mentioned how Snowboarders loved their music, and well, I can see that. It's high-impact Celtic music at its finest."

-- Marc Gunn of the Brobdingnagian Bards


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WHAT WE SAY

Why this name?
What do you call it when a fiddler from Seattle plays Irish music with a Wah peddle?!

Do you play live?
You can find us at the Irish pubs in Seattle on Saint Paddy's Day.

We love to get the whole crowd dancing -- and the crowd loves it when our bass player dances along while he's playing.

Your influences?
Electric Celtic & Appalachian Rock influenced by The Bothy Band, The Clash, and The Horseflies.

Favorite spot?
In Seattle on stage at a pub on Saint Paddy's Day!

Equipment used:
Traditional electric instruments.


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IN THE MOVIES

Listen for "Paddy on the Landfill" in the upcoming release of Kill The Irishman.


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IN THE CHARTS

Morrison's Jig reaches #5 in the iTunes world music song chart. (3/18/2010)

The Irish Experience hits #6 in the iTunes world music album chart. (3/17/2006)

The Irish Experience is one of CD Baby's top-selling albums in digital distribution

http://cdbaby.org/stories/05/05/14/6650893.html


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CARDS WITH SOUND

Morrison's Jig was licensed by Hallmark for use in a line of St. Patrick's Day Cards With Sound.

http://newsroom.hallmark.com/Holiday/St-Patricks-Day

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