Téada at CTAC

Feb. 26, 2016

An Irish Extravaganza

With members from several different regions of Ireland, the traditional band Téada got their start in 2001. Performing at the Crooked Tree Arts Center in Petoskey March 5, these musicians were thrown into the scene a lot quicker than they ever expected.

FAST FIDDLE

"2001 was the start of our band – and also, only about five months later, our first American tour," explained the band’s Oisín Mac Diarmada. "It was all quite fast!" They begin by playing in pockets of the U.S. where there are strong Irish populations, but their appeal quickly caught on elsewhere.

"It’s a bit different playing in the U.S., but there are also a lot of similarities," Diarmada said. "What’s great about performing in America is that our two countries are very familiar with each other. So that adds a kind of ease and, of course, there are no language barriers, so that made it easier to meet new people, which is always exciting."

VERSATILE PERFORMERS

Seán McElwain, Damien Stenson, Paul Finn and Tristan Rosenstock make up the rest of the group, with an instrument lineup that includes guitar, bouzouki, flute, accordion and bodhran (a Celtic frame drum), in addition to Diarmada’s skills on the fiddle. They recently added the talents of Séamus Begley, whose unique vocals and mischievous stage presence infuse the group’s sound with another dimension.

"I’d invited Séamus to be a guest on another show I was working on, and thought he’d be a great addition to, " Diarmada said. "He tells lots of stories and he’s a full generation ahead of us, so it adds so much to our show."

STORMY SOUNDS

Begley is also a presence on Téada’s latest album, Ainneoin Na Stoirme (In Spite of the Storm), which has proven a highlight of the band’s recorded career. The production never pushes over the performances; the band’s talents are sharp and on point and the recording captures their innate sense of rhythm and melodic sensibilities on traditional tracks like "The Reel with the Birl," "Porthole of the Kelp" and "The Spinning Wheel."

They’ll be performing tracks from that set and more at their upcoming show in Petoskey, which is inspired by the artistic side of Ireland, as seen through the lens of what’s considered the turning point in Irish independence, the 1916 rebellion.

"There’s a lot of historical and political commentary going on in Ireland this year, but we’re focusing more on the cultural aspects," Diarmada said –"a Gaelic arts revival, if you will."

STANDOUT SHOW

In addition to the show itself, CTAC is presenting an Irish-inspired menu, including Irish farmhouse stew, corned beef and cabbage sliders, shepherd’s pie, Irish soda bread and Irish apple cake, plus a beverage menu with tea from County Emmet Celtic Shop and selections of wine, coffee, Guinness stout and Harp lager.

"For me, the nicest Irish foods are our dairy products – cheese and milks – which are such a big part of the Irish diet," Diarmada said, "but I had all those growing up, so coming to America, I’m more interested in trying other types of food!" Even more so, he and the band are looking forward to the drive Up North. "It’s a longggg way up there," Diarmada chuckled. "And we like to experience those big snow flurries. We’re from northwest Ireland and we’ve had a hell of a lot of rain and high winds this year, so we could do with a bit of nice dry snow."

CTAC/Blissfest After Dark will present Téada in ReAwakening: 100 Years of Irish Freedom on March 5 from 6–10pm. Tickets start at $45. For more information, visit crookedtree. org or call (231) 347-4337.