02 September 2015 - 0 Comments
In November 2014 four of Ireland’s most celebrated musicians travelled to Aotearoa to collaborate with New Zealand’s much loved, platinum selling trio TrinityRoots - opening a contemporary musical conversation which explores the parallels in culture, history and tradition. The project is called Motu :: Oileáin which translates to “Islands” in Te Reo and Irish respectively.
In October 2015 The Motu :: Oileáin project will gather again in New Zealand for a series of unmissable live shows. Performing at some of the country’s biggest arts festivals and treasured live venues.
"Our Irish cousins came over last November and we worked on tracks and a concept,” TrinityRoots’ Warren Maxwell reflects. "There is always that fear or risk that these sorts of collaborations will be shallow or token,” Warren admits openly. "You have to make sure you go deep.”
This truly world music collaboration does just that. Marrying evocative melodies with hypnotic grooves, tribal chants with fragile harmony and ancient languages in psychedelic soundscapes. Journey through their relative histories of love, war, oppression, politics and protest, and discover the deep bond between two cultures and seven seasoned musicians. World renowned vocalist, Pauline Scanlon expresses how special the project and its bonds are, “The soul connection shared by ourselves and the Trinity guys has it’s roots in music but it turns out we share much more than that. Humour, history, indigenous language and culture but above all.. rebel hearts”
After highly successful concerts in New Zealand in 2014, Motu :: Oileáin was chosen to perform at The Celtic Connections Festival in Glasgow earlier this year, to a sell out show in the historic ‘Old Fruitmarket’. The seamless way in which musicians from opposite ends of the globe blended in a nerve tingling performance, struck a chord to all present and paved the way to make this an on-going affair.
As individuals, all four Irish musicians are well known and respected worldwide, having played everywhere from Carnegie Hall to Glastonbury Festival. From Co Kerry, Pauline Scanlon’s voice is described by the Irish Times as a "superb mix of china cup fragility and steely strength” and she has entranced audiences the world over with her distinctly delicate intensity. Dubliner Alan Doherty is well known as the flute soloist on the Lord of the Rings soundtrack and for his delightful onstage charm. Fiddler, Tola Custy is one of Ireland’s leading contemporary composers/ session musicians and Guitarist and the projects organiser., Gerry Paul has an impressive international touring history, playing with many of the greats in the folk world from Tim O’Brien to Sharon Shannon.
One of New Zealand’s best known and loved bands, TrinityRoots formed while at jazz school in Wellington. The forces influencing their celebrated sound draw from reggae, slow-burning funk, to indigenous waiata. The openness and honesty expressed on their new album Citizen, described as “sheer soulful” and ‘politically poignant” illustrates exactly why they are so special to so many people.
“Sharing the gift of music is a privilege. It's such a part of being human”, says TrinityRoots’ bass player Rio Hemopo. “As with all art, music celebrates, commiserates, reveals truths, transcends and transports. When done with sincerity and honesty, it is otherworldly. At it's core it sparks a connection, a narrative. There is a proverb in Maori - He aha te mea nui i roto i te ao. He tangata, he tangata, he tangata. What is the most important thing in the world? It is people, people, people. The Motu :: Oileáin project is a celebration of two distinctly diverse and rich cultures sharing a common dialogue. People and music.”
WATCH THE MOTU :: OILEÁIN PROJECT HERE
LISTEN TO THEMOTU :: OILEÁIN PROJECT HERE
2015 Tour Dates:
THURS,
OCTOBER 22, 8PM
THEATRE
ROYAL, NEW PLYMOUTH (Date TBC)
FRI,
OCTOBER 23, 8PM
OLD ST.
PAUL’S, WELLINGTON
BOOK NOW
AT http://www.eventfinder.co.nz/
SAT,
OCTOBER 24, 8PM
NELSON
ARTS FESTIVAL, FOUNDERS HERITAGE PARK
http://www.nelsonartsfestival.co.nz/
BOOK NOW
AT http://www.ticketdirect.co.nz/
SUN,
OCTOBER 25, 8PM
KOKOMAI
FESTIVAL, CARTERTON EVENTS CENTRE
http://www.kokomai.co.nz/
BOOK NOW
AT http://www.eventfinder.co.nz/
MON,
OCTOBER 26, 8PM
TAURANGA
ARTS FESTIVAL, BAYCOURT ADDISON THEATRE
http://www.taurangafestival.co.nz/
BOOK NOW
AT http://www.ticketek.co.nz/
There are currently no comments for this article. Please log in to add new comments.