We Banjo 3, an award-winning band from Galway, Ireland, will release their fourth studio recording, Haven, on July 27, 2018, in conjunction with their upcoming U.S. and Canada tours.
Featuring banjo, fiddle, mandolin, guitar, percussion and vocals, We Banjo 3’s sound is an infectious blend of traditional Irish Music with Americana, bluegrass, and a hint of pop, affectionately described as “Celtgrass.”
We Banjo 3 comprises two sets of brothers, Enda & Fergal Scahill and Martin & David Howley, who are among the most celebrated and distinguished musicians to come out of Ireland in recent years. Martin Howley is a 7-time “All Ireland” banjo and mandolin champion. Enda Scahill, an author on Irish banjo techniques, holds 4 “All Ireland” titles. Multi-instrumentalist Fergal Scahill is one of the most acclaimed fiddlers in Irish music, with a growing international reputation, and “All Ireland” titles on fiddle and bodhran. David Howley, with “All-Ireland” titles on guitar and banjo, is the group's vocalist and guitarist known for his showmanship and deeply emotive vocals. Both Howleys now call Nashville home.
We Banjo 3 has developed a loyal following in the U.S., Ireland and other parts of the world, winning over audiences at major music and Irish festivals and prestigious venues with their joyous live show. In fact, in 2016, We Banjo 3 was selected to perform at the annual “Friends of Ireland” luncheon attended by House Speaker Paul Ryan, President Barack Obama and Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny. When the band reached out to their loyal fanbase with a crowd-funding campaign via Pledge Music to fund Haven, the members were pleasantly surprised to reach their goal amount in less than 36 hours!
Their crossover of many genres of music is beautifully reflected on Haven, which is the fifth and most fully realized release from the group. Haven is the follow up to String Theory, which went to # 1 on Billboard’s World Music Chart in August of 2016, practically an unheard feat for a self-released album. The 11 original compositions on Haven take the listener an exploratory, honest and uplifting musical journey. Martin Howley explains, “This album is a mix of songs and instrumental that is informed by a core idea of haven - the idea that music provides a safe space in this increasingly maddening world. We’ve been told repeatedly that people who come to our shows feel we provide an escape and we love the idea of hope and peace being a message, so that became our central theme.”
Haven was produced by We Banjo 3 and co-produced with Frank Marchand (Bob Mould, Gaelic Storm) and Grammy-winning guitarist, Bryan Sutton (Ricky Skaggs, Dixie Chicks, Béla Fleck). Marchand recorded and mixed the record at Waterford Digital Studios in Millersville, MD. It was mastered by Eric Boulanger (Green Day, Neil Young, Selena Gomez) at The Bakery in Los Angeles, CA. In addition to Sutton on guitar, additional guest players include: Scott Mulvahill, Mark Fain and Trevor Hutchinson, upright bass; Jodie Bremaneson, bass guitar; Jeff Taylor, piano, organ; Erin Snedecor, cello; Jon Lampley, trumpet; Dan White, saxophone; Chris Ott, trombone; and Grammy-nominated Sierra Hull, vocals.
Haven will be distributed via Amped, a division of Alliance Entertainment. The digital distribution partner is Kobalt. It is available now for pre-order via Pledge Music.
U.S. TOUR DATES (that can be announced at this time):
Thurs, 6/28--Lakeside, OH--Hoover Auditorium
Fri, 6/29--Owensboro, KY--Romp Bluegrass Roots & Branches Festival
Mon, 7/2--Reno, NV--Artown Art Festival
Tues, 7/3--Sacramento, CA--Sofia Center For The Arts
Sun, 7/8--Chicago, IL--Irish Fest Chicago
Fri, 7/27--Frankfort, NY--Great American Irish Festival
Sat, 7/28--Dayton, OH--Dayton Celtic Festival
Sun, 7/29--Dayton, OH--Dayton Celtic Festival
Fri, 8/3--Dublin, OH--Dublin Irish Fest
Sat, 8/4--Dublin, OH--Dublin Irish Fest
Sun, 8/5--Dublin, OH--Dublin Irish Fest
Thurs,8/9--Marshfield, WI--Chestnut Center for the Arts
Fri, 8/10--La Crosse, WI--La Crosse Irish Festival
Sat, 8/11--St. Paul, MN--Irish Fair of Minnesota
Sun,8/12--St. Paul, MN--Irish Fair of Minnesota
Fri, 8/17--Milwaukee, WI--Milwaukee Irish Fest
Sat, 8/19--Milwaukee, WI--Milwaukee Irish Fest
Sun, 8/19--Milwaukee, WI--Milwaukee Irish Fest
Wed, 8/22--Spring Lake, MI--Seven Steps Up
Sun, 9/2--Pagosa Springs, CO--Four Corners Folk Festival
Fri, 10/5--Skokie, IL--North Shore Center
Sat, 10/6--Janesville, WI--Janesville Performing Arts Center
Sun, 10/7--Denver, CO--Oriental Theatre**
Wed, 10/10--Edmonds, WA--Edmonds Center for the Arts**
Thurs, 10/11--Port Angeles, WA--Port Angeles PAC**
Fri, 10/12--Tacoma, WA--Broadway Center**
Sun, 10/14--Portland, OR--Portland 5 Center for the Arts**
Wed, 10/17--Saratoga, CA--Montalvo- Carriage House**
**Co-bill with SKEERYVORE (from Scotland)
CANADA TOUR DATES:
Fri, 7/6—Oakbank, MB—Winniepeg Folk Festival
Sat, 7/7—Oakbank, MB—Winniepeg Folk Festival
Thurs, 8/23--Toronto, ON--Hugh's Room
Fri, 8/24—Keene, ON—Greenbridge Celtic Folk Fest
Sat, 8/25—Keene, ON—Greenbridge Celtic Folk Fest
Tues, 109—Vancouver, BC—St James Hall
