In Tua Nua

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In Tua Nua (roughly translated from the Irish as "Into The New") was an Irish rock group who achieved a modicum of fame and success in both Ireland and Europe throughout the late 1980s. The group was formed by Leslie Dowdall, Jack Dublin, Vinny Kilduff, Ivan O'Shea, Martin Clancy, Paul Byrne and Steve Wickham in the early 1980s. Although the group's focus was Irish-oriened rock, its inspirations originated within the more traditional environs of folk and traditional Irish music via the uillean pipes and acoustic guitars laced together with raw vocals and electronic violin.

In 1983 the band were the first to sign to U2's Mother label and released their first single "Coming Thru". Shortly afterwards Island records signed the band. A number of singles were released and a debut album recorded. The first Island single was the critically aclaimed "Take My Hand", co-written by a very young Sinéad O'Connor.

In 1985 Steve Wickham left to join forces with The Waterboys which allowed Island to drop the band. The album recorded for Island remains unreleased to this day. A compilation of singles and b-sides was packaged together and released as an album in Italy under the title "Somebody to Love".

Vinnie Kilduff also departed from the band around this time. Undeterred the remaining members recruited replacements - Aingeala de Burca on violin and Brian O'Briain on uilleann pipes.

In 1986 the new look In Tua Nua played the Self Aid concert and were considered by many to be one of the highlights of the day. Newly signed to Virgin Records the band released "Seven Into the Sea", one of their most popular recordings. A debut album "Vaudeville" was released in early 1987.

After extensive touring to promote the album the band reconvened to record a follow-up album. Shortly sfter the recording was completed both Aingeala de Burca and Ivan O'Shea decided to call it a day. Two new recruits were found in the form of Lovely Previn on violin and Matt Spalding on bass.

The follow up album "The Long Acre" was released in 1988. It spawned two popular radio hits "All I Wanted" and "Don't Fear Me Now".

The band decamped to LA to record a third album. Before it could be released the band split up. Virgin have never released this album.

Although officially dispanded in the early 1990s some original members of In Tua Nua reformed in 2004 to occasionally play live together again.

Leslie Dowdall, the blonde and beauteous lead singer, who always dressed in black continues to perform, be it solo or guesting with other Irish and international singers. She released to well-received solo albums in the 1990's.

At its height the band had a cult following and an international, albeit limited, appeal and although the band never truly made its mark on the world stage, it did create a musical genre all its own that appealed to the more reflective and pragmatic listener.