The Gloaming: Iarla Ó Lionaird, Thomas Bartlett, Caoimhín Ó Raghallaigh, Martin Hayes & Dennis Cahill

THE GLOAMING is Irish music super group Iarla Ó Lionaird, Thomas Bartlett, Caoimhín Ó Raghallaigh, Martin Hayes & Dennis Cahill.

The Gloaming carves new paths connecting the rich Irish folk tradition and the New York contemporary music scene. From haunting sean-nós songs to rousing instrumental medleys, they make music that is both ancient and utterly new.

This group of extraordinary virtuoso musicians each have their own highly successful individual careers, but came together with a shared musical aesthetic to form a band with a sound all of its own. The five players met to explore new music at Grouse Lodge Studios is West Meath, Ireland, in early 2011. At once they made music that is sparse and beautiful, authentic and tune-filled.

Featuring New York pianist Thomas Bartlett (aka Doveman), Chicago guitarist Dennis Cahill, fiddle master Martin Hayes, hardanger innovator Caoimhin Ó Raghallaigh and Irish singer Iarla Ó Lionaird — well known for his contribution to the legendary Afro Celt Sound System.

The band performed their first tour in Ireland in August 2011 including a sold out debut show at The National Concert Hall, Dublin. Summer 2013 saw their welcome return with concerts in London, Amsterdam, Paris & New York.

The debut album, entitled simply ‘The Gloaming’, was produced by Thomas Bartlett (Glen Hansard, Sam Amidon) and mixed by Patrick Dillett (David Byrne & St. Vincent). Set for release in January 2014, ‘The Gloaming’ has already been heavily touted by the Irish Times, NPR and The New Yorker Magazine, who recognized that The Gloaming "moves the music of Ireland in captivating new directions."

"Their live performances so far have been revelatory… Future dates are likely to cement them as one of the great forces in Irish music." – The Irish Times