Gráda

Gráda
Genres Irish folk, Celtic
Instruments Flute, whistle, fiddle, double bass, bodhrán, guitar, bouzouki
Years active 2001-present
Labels Compass Records
Website http://gradamusic.com
Members
Andrew Laking, Nicola Joyce, Gerry Paul, David Doocey, Stephen Doherty, Alan Doherty
Past members
Anne Marie O'Malley, Brendan O'Sullivan, Colin Farrell

Gráda is a traditional Irish music band, founded in 2001, whose members are a mix of Irish and New Zealand musicians. Gráda are based in Dublin and Galway, Ireland, but spend much of their time touring internationally. In 2006, Gráda played in 16 different countries.

The group draws from a wide range of influences, which has seen them working with Dave Hingerty (The Frames, The Swell Season); Vyviene Long (cellist with Damien Rice); and, as a producer, Trevor Hutchinson (Lúnasa, Sharon Shannon, The Waterboys). Further additions have included Dublin based trumpeter Bill Blackmore and percussionist Rasmus Skovmand.

Gráda have received critical acclaim, with their latest album Natural Angle being voted as one of the top folk albums of 2010 in the USA by NPR / Folk Alley and the IMA music awards. [1] Their previous album, Cloudy Day Navigation appeared multiple times in Irish Music's Top 10 charts. [2] Gráda have received glowing reviews from Irish Music, [3] Sing Out!, [4] The Irish Times, [5] [6] The Evening Herald [7] and The Event Guide. [8][9]

In 2008, it was announced Colin Farrell had decided to leave the band. Multi-instrumentalist David Doocey is currently touring with the band. In April 2009, Alan Doherty left the band and was replaced by Stephen Doherty (no relation). Alan returned to the group in 2011.[10]

Contents

Band members

Former members

Discography

External links

References