Solas (group)
Solas (Irish: light) was an American musical group officially formed in 1996, playing Irish traditional music as well as original compositions that dabble in the country, rock, and americana genres. The band announced an indefinite hiatus in early 2017.[1]
Solas | |
---|---|
Solas live in 2010 | |
Background information | |
Origin | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States |
Genres | Folk Celtic |
Years active | 1996–2016 |
Labels | Compass Records Shanachie Records |
Associated acts | Antje Duvekot |
Members | Séamus Egan Winifred Horan Mick McAuley Éamon McElholm Moira Smiley |
Past members | Karan Casey John Williams John Doyle Deirdre Scanlan Mairead Phelan Niamh Varian-Barry Noriana Kennedy |
Their name comes from an Irish word meaning "light". At the time, the band was made up of Séamus Egan, who had already recorded two solo albums as well as a soundtrack to a film; Winifred Horan, a member of Cherish the Ladies; John Doyle, previously a member of Susan McKeown & The Chanting House with Egan; Karan Casey and John Williams.[2]
In June 2008 the band announced Mairead Phelan had joined the group as their new singer. In September 2010, Niamh Varian-Barry[3] from Cork replaced Mairead Phelan as lead singer of Solas.[4] On July 11, 2013, they announced on their Facebook page that Niamh was leaving the band and that Noriana Kennedy would be replacing her.[5]
Discography
- 1996 — Solas
- 1997 — Sunny Spells and Scattered Showers
- 1998 — The Words That Remain
- 2000 — The Hour Before Dawn
- 2002 — The Edge of Silence
- 2003 — Another Day
- 2005 — Waiting for an Echo
- 2006 — Reunion: A Decade of Solas
- 2008 — For Love and Laughter
- 2010 — The Turning Tide
- 2013 — Shamrock City
- 2016 — All These Years
References
- "Solas says it's time to say 'goodbye for a while' But not before a show in Beverly this month, and a five-week tour". Boston Irish Reporter. Retrieved March 27, 2019.
- "John Williams". Johnwilliamsmusic.com. Retrieved October 2, 2013.
- "Niamh Varian-Barry". Niamhvarianbarry.com. Retrieved October 2, 2013.
- "Compass Records". Compass Records. September 21, 2010. Archived from the original on July 7, 2012. Retrieved October 2, 2013.
- "Solas - Important News from Solas: It has been a joy..." Facebook. Retrieved October 2, 2013.
Further reading
- O'Regan, John (April 2001). Anderson, Ian A. (ed.). "Solas Position". Folk Roots. London. 22, 10 (214): 18. ISSN 0951-1326.
External links
- Solas discography at Discogs
- "fRroots Reviews Index: 'S': Solas", frootsmag.com, Folk Roots magazine website