Old-style charmers
SHELLEY MARSDEN catches up with Mick Teehan, bassist in Wicklow country outfit ‘Bray Vista'… - 11/11/09
A group of nine friends from Co Wicklow with a communal love of all things country began to develop their own style, with the aim of creating that authentic country sound they all loved.
Bray Vista was born, and with it a delicious mix of guitars, banjo, mandolin, pedal steel, harmonica, piano, a classic country rhythm section and complex vocal harmonies.
Their distinct style has nothing to do with Irish Country and even less to do with US mainstream country a la Carrie Underwood – these guys are the real deal.
'Let it Ride' is their latest album, a gorgeous 12 track collection which was co-produced by Grammy Award winning Jim Lauderdale (famous for much production and singing work with the likes of Ralph Stanley, Lucinda Williams and Buddy Miller) and Leo Pearson (who has worked with U2 and Elvis Costello)…
A nine-piece country outfit– there can’t be many of those in Ireland…
You’d be surprised! There’s actually quite a burgeoning rootsy scene in Ireland,
especially in Dublin. People are mad for it over here.
How did you guys get together?
We’ve all been friends since we were kids and started playing music when we were young. From there, we started playing at parties and noticed that people loved dancing to country music and we went from there really. And yes, we’ve always loved playing, listening to and writing country music; we’re all massive fans, really.
Not many country bands outside the US seem to get 100% accepted, but you guys seem to be one of the exceptions.
I suppose our style of music is accepted by those who know us, and they seem to really dig it – although there might not be that many of them!
If new album ‘Let It Ride’ were a night out, how would it proceed?
It would start out smooth and mellow, then things would get a little raucous; but you’d definitely be going home with someone special.
For the full interview, buy this week's Irish World at your local newsagents, or pick up a copy HERE from only 50p!
For more info, visit www.brayvista.com.
Related Articles
Headlines
Rock & Pop
Trad
Country
-
Subscribe
-
Supplements
-
Travel
-
Lifestyle
The day that changed everything
-
Sport
-
GAA
