Dance a jig with Irish lads, An Deise
It’s their first time touching down on New Zealand soil and while here Irish musicians An Deise hope to experience the country’s indigenous culture.
‘‘The Maori people here and the Irish people are very proud of their culture and they’d never let it die out, it’s really been pushed to the forefront,’’ says Derek Morrissey, who plays Irish button accordion for the group.
‘‘We’re very aware of it but we need to be schooled on the Maori traditions a bit more.’’
He says the original folk musicians, best known for their work with Caladh Nua, want to learn more about Maori waiata and were keen to meet and play with as many artists while in the country on their three week tour.
‘‘That’s part of Irish music, we love meeting other musicians and it doesn’t matter what music they play.’’ A trio of Ireland’s top traditional talents, An Deise comprises Morrissey in addition to Paddy Tutty who plays fiddle and bodhran - an Irish frame drum, and Caoimhin O Fearghail on guitar, vocals, flute and uilleann pipes, or bagpipes.
The group has performed at many of the world’s leading folk festivals, including Lorient, Mood Indigo (Mumbai) and the Winnipeg Folk Festival.
The men arrived in New Plymouth on Tuesday as part of the Taranaki Arts Festival where they will play three shows, one of which has already sold out.
They will be joined by contemporary singer songwriter, Roesy, who is a critically acclaimed Irish musician with lyrics said to be like poetry.
He pens tunes that are honest and heart-felt and has seven albums under his belt which have landed him a string of awards for his offerings.
While in the country An Deise will also play the Christchurch International Arts Festival, as well as squeezing a few additional gigs in between.
Morrissey said they looked forward to performing a stripped down version of their music which celebrated their traditional sound and concert customs.
‘‘The three of us play in a band full time called Caladh Nua and we decided that for this tour, because we all grew up in the same area, that we’d go back to our roots for this one,’’ he said.
‘‘It’s going to be simply about tunes and not over complicating the music.’’
Morrissey likened the coming shows’ vibe to that of the famed Irish house gigs, where in an intimate setting musicians get together and have a jam and go with the flow.
He said the audience would be treated to a mix of jigs and reels.
‘‘That would be what the people in Ireland would dance to, it’s dance music essentially.’’
Concert-goers could also expect to be taught a few traditional ceili dance moves, Morrissey said.
‘‘The dancing and the music and the song are all linked together so the idea is that everyone will learn some simple Irish dance to take home themselves.
‘‘And they are simple, it’s not like Riverdance which everyone knows now.’’
An Deise with special guest Roesy will perform a sold out gig at 7pm on Friday, August 18 at Kakaramea Hall, South Taranaki, 7.30pm on Saturday, August 19 at Crystal Palace, New Plymouth and 7pm on Sunday, August 20 at Waitoetoe Hall in Urenui. Tickets are available at Ticketek.co.nz.