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Thanks to the inspiration and talent of its members, Doolin’ is currently one of the most innovative bands of the Irish music scene.
Doolin’, formed in Toulouse in 2005, comprises six accomplished and eclectic musicians who have gained fame through their music. French in origin – though easily mistaken for Irish musicians – this sextet (guitar, bodhrán, violin, tin whistle, accordion/vocals, bass) brings a fresh approach to Irish music. Inspired by the purest tradition, Doolin’ combines instrumentals, vocals and original compositions in a resolutely modern style. The arrangements, at times taking their inspiration from pop-rock, folk, jazz, funk or even rap (and always in the best taste), emit great energy.
That’s Doolin’ – Irish music with a French touch!
Doolin’ is an Irish music group whose name derives from the little village of musical fame in south-west Ireland. Born in 2005 from an encounter between six accomplished musicians, from its inception Doolin’ have perfected a mixture of novel musical genres. Whilst some of the band were immersed in the world of traditional Irish music, and others were active in the jazz scene or in the pop rock wave of the eighties and nineties, they found a common love in traditional Irish music. From ballads to furiously fast jigs, from their own compositions to traditional tunes, Doolin’ offers a rich palette of sound. From the intimate atmosphere of an Irish pub to the spectacle of the concert stage, this sextet has been support act to major names such as Altan, Kevin Burke, Martin Hayes and Mairtín O’Connor. Members of Doolin’ have played with Carlos Nuñez and Dan Ar Braz and the major Irish flute player Desi Wilkinson (De Dannan, Cran) have rejoined the group for a tour in 2006. Habitués of prestigious venues where they seduce the audience by their unassailable energy, this French group plays homage to Irish music throughout France and Europe.
Following on from their success on stage, Doolin’ took to the studio to record the albums: Popcorn Behaviour (2006, distributed by Keltia Musique); Angels are Free (2008); Doolin’ Live au Central Park (2010); Exile (2011) and Live in Lorient (2013, distributed by Coop Breizh). In 2011 the band was invited to support the international Celtic Legends show during its French tour. Doolin’ is at the origin of the cinema concert Man of Aran, Robert Flaherty’s masterpiece which recounts the life of a fisherman’s family on one of the magnificent Aran lslands. The music, permeated by the Doolin’ style, brilliantly accompanies the film. Doolin’ played at the Waterford 2001 Tall Ships Festival, together with Dervish, Sharon Shannon, The Waterboys… Ireland has produced a great number of exceptionally talented groups – Dervish, Altan, Lúnasa, to name but two – and bands have also formed throughout the world to celebrate Irish music Doolin’ forms an integral part of this movement of renewal and is one of its most promising protagonists
