Meon Eile - Article

15/11/2019

Is é Garbhchríocha na hAlban an áit a bhfuil Brian Ó hEadhra agus Fiona MacKenzie bunaithe. Chasann siad ceol tíre ó roinnt seánra agus réigiún éagsúla; Nordach, Meiriceánach, Gaeilge agus Gaidhlig ina measc. Tá neart clú agus cáil agus meas báinte amach acu ó léirmheastóirí agus lucht éisteachtaí ar fud an domhain. Fuair siad moladh mór don chéad albam ‘TÍR - Highland Life and Lore’ agus beidh an dara halbam seolta acu ag tús na bliana 2020.

Bhuail an bheirt acu lé chéile i 1997 agus d’eagraí siad banna ceoil sular phós siad. Le breis agus fiche bliain anuas, tá an bheirt acu ag taisteal ar fud an domhain ar chamcuairt agus anois tá iníonacha s’acu ag cuidiú leo mar amhránaí an bhanna ceoil.

Thug an teaghlach ceolmhar cuairt ar Éirinn ar na mallaibh agus chuir siad ceolchoirm bheag pearsanta ar siúl in Áras Mhic Reachtain i mBéal Feirste. Bhí an t-ádh ar Meon Eile cuireadh a fháil leis na hamhráin galánta a chloisteáil. Shuigh muid le Brian agus a iníon Órla chun labhairt faoin cheol, faoin chamchuairt agus faoin dinimic ar leith atá ag an bhanna ceoil.

Tá ceol Bhrian Ó hEadhra agus Fiona MacKenzie ar fáil ar Spotify agus Youtube agus is féidir an t-albam ‘TÍR - Highland Life and Lore’ a cheannach ar Amazon nó ó shuíomh s’acu anseo

Ba ceart daoibh fosta, súil a coinneáil amach don albam nua a mbeidh ag teacht sa bhliain úr.

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November Newsletter

5/11/2019

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Newsletter | Cuairt-litir - November

Well, the nights are drawing in and the Celtic quarter day of Samhain has now passed. Our fire is lit and we are enjoying learning new material for future concerts.

We have been busy with concerts in here in the Highlands and in Ulster. We have also been working with our record label Naxos World on the mastering, design and manufacturing of our next album TUATH - Songs of the Northlands. This will be out in early 2020.

One unexpected bit of news is that Brian has been nominated as Gaelic Singer of the Year at the MG ALBA SCOTS TRAD MUSIC AWARDS 2019! He is truly honoured to receive this nomination and we look forward to attending the ceremony in Aberdeen in early December.

We would be very grateful if you would consider voting for Brian. Voting ends on the 24th November. Maybe you'd also forward to friends who might consider lending some support?

Vote Here / Bhòt An seo!

We recently performed at the wonderful Scottish International Storytelling Festival in Edinburgh. Our concert was streamed live on Facebook and available here. The concert starts around 12 mins in.

We will be recording some live video sessions soon and will release them over the coming months. We'll keep you informed.

Brian has also been recording with his trio Mckerron Brechin Ó hEadhra and they will release a new album of tunes and songs in 2020.

We'll be performing in the beautiful Highland village of Lairg on Saturday 15 November hosted by the Sutherland Sessions. More information here.

Check out Fiona and other fine artists singing on the computer game soundtrack The Bard's Tale IV - Barrows Deep (Vol 1 & 2).

That's all for now. Please get in touch if you have any questions on our music or want us to perform at a festival or venue near you.

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October Newsletter

1/10/2019

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October Newsletter | Cuairt-litir An Dàmhair

Greetings from an autumnal Inverness. We have some exciting news... our album TÌR - Highland Life & Lore has been longlisted for Album of the Year at the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards 2019. It is an honour to get this nomination among so many other amazing recordings.

With this in mind, we would be so grateful if you would consider voting for us in the Best Album category. There are other categories such as Gaelic singer of the year and Live act of the year too if you were feeling extra generous. Note that as there are more than one Fiona Mackenzie singers out there you might want to put Fiona Mackenzie (Inverness) down to clarify your vote. Brian's name is spelt Brian Ó hEadhra.

Thanks so much for considering us and fingers crossed that we get nominated for something...

Upcoming Festivals / Fèisean a' Tighinn

We are delighted to be playing at the Belfast International Arts Festival on Saturday 19th October at the wonderful Irish language centre Aras Mhic Reachtain. Beidh an oíche againn!

On the 29th of October we play at one of our favourite venues, the Scottish Storytelling Centre, Edinburgh, where most of the amazing Scottish International Storytelling Festival takes place. The name of our concert is: Stories Old and New Through Our Songs / Sgeulachdan seana is ùra tror n-òrain.

Concerts / Cuirmean ciùil

We'll be playing at the Pier, Lairg, Sutherland as part of the fantastic Sutherland Sessions series on Saturday 16th November. Fiona's people are from Sutherland and it is always a pleasure to play in this beautiful part of the Scottish Highlands.

New Album / Clàr Ùr

We have finished recording and mixing our album TUATH - Songs of the Northlands. It has been an inspirational journey working again with the multi-talented Mike Vass who has helped produce an album we are very proud of. The album will be released on the Naxos World label in mid-January 2020 and we will have a public launch at the Celtic Connections Festival in Glasgow at the end of January. We'll keep you updated...

TÌR - Highland Life & Lore is also being re-released digitally on Naxos World label.

Well that's all from us for now. Thanks for your interest in our work and please do get in touch if you would like to suggest a venue or festival for us to play near you. Happy voting! Mar sin leibh...

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Naxos World label is relaunched...

20/8/2019

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We are delighted to be signed to the amazing Naxos World record label.

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August Newsletter

20/8/2019

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August Newsletter | Cuairt-litir an Lùnastail

What a busy summer it has been.

We have played concerts in the Highlands & Islands and Donegal and have been recording and mixing our new album called TUATH - Songs of the Northlands with Mike Vass leading on sound design and co-production.

TUATH is a musical and cultural exploration into the connections between Gaels and our nearest neighbours. There are new Gaelic songs written by us especially for the album as well as songs from the tradition. We have also recorded songs in Danish, Norwegian, Irish Gaelic and Galician.

If you liked our debut album TÌR - Highland Life & Lore we think that you will love this new album. We're looking forward to the launching the album in early 2020 when it will be released worldwide on Naxos World Records.

Eden Court is our local theatre here in Inverness. They teamed up with Fèis Rois to host a whole summer of mostly traditional music concerts in a stretched canvas tent on the front lawn of the theatre.

We performed at "Under Canvas" in both July and August and thoroughly enjoyed playing such a novel and welcoming venue. The whole project has been a huge success and we hope that there will be more innovative initiatives such as this in the future.

We loved singing with our family and Còisir Sgìre Bhac (Back Gaelic Choir) at An Lanntair in Stornoway, Isle of Lewis in mid-July as part of the Hebridean Celtic Festival. This was a tribute concert for Fiona's father Rod Mackenzie who was an inspiration to so many on the island.

Listen to a BBC Radio Nan Gàidheal radio programme about Rod here.

Brian's grandmother's people are originally from Cloughaneely parish and islands off the coast of west Donegal in Ireland. We were delighted to spend a week in the nearby area of Gaoth Dobhair in late July and play a concert at the venue Amharclann Ghaoth Dobhair.

It is always a pleasure to meet with fellow Gaels and share our language music and stories together.
Bha deagh chèilidh againn aig an taigh far an robh sinn a' fuireach ann agus chaidh sinn gu Fèile Ghort a' Choirce cuideachd. Tha e iongantach cho coltach ris na h-Eileanan Siar 's a tha an sgìre seo.

Here's a video of us with our daughters Órla and Róise singing the Townes Van Zandt song If I Needed You...

We are looking forward to playing the following concerts over the coming months. Keep up to date with what we're up to via our social media platforms (see links below) and our website.

14 September - Ardersier Folk Festival
19 October - Áras Mhic Reachtain, Belfast
29 October - Scottish International Storytelling Festival, Edinburgh
16 November - Sutherland Sessions - The Pier, Lairg

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May '19 Newsletter

6/5/2019

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Newsletter | Cuairt-litir

Hello everyone. We hope that you have been enjoying Spring wherever you are around the world. The Celtic quarter-day of Bealtaine has just passed and marks the traditional start of our summer. We have been busy of late with rehearsing for upcoming concerts and recordings.

New Album Deal! / Clàr Ùr a' Tighinn!

In just a few short weeks, we’ll begin recording our second album! We are very fortunate to have signed a recording deal with the Naxos music label, which is the worlds largest distributor of classical music. Naxos is establishing a new World music label and is not only releasing our next album but is also taking on the digital distribution of our debut album TÌR - Highland Life and Lore. Naxos will also take on our music publishing which will allow them to find music placements on various platforms and media.

The new album, titled: TUATH - Songs from the Northlands, will be released in early 2020 and will have a mix of traditional and newly composed songs inspired by North Atlantic life. We are delighted to be working again with the acclaimed producer/composer Mike Vass who will co-produce the album.

We'll keep you updated of our progress with this exciting new project.

TUATH - Songs of the Northlands is part-funded through the Creative Scotland Open Project Fund.

Love Village Halls / Talla Coimhearsnachd Àlainn

We had such a lovely evening performing in the beautiful Abriachan Village Hall on the upper slopes of Loch Ness last month. We were joined by our daughters Órla and Róise Ní Eadhra as well as their friend, the talented local fiddler and Gaelic singer Finlay MacLennon. Abriachan / Obar Itheachan is a very special community which supports sustainable living and communing with nature. Check out the Abriachan Forest Trust and Moniack Mhor to find out more about activity in this area.

Upcoming Concerts / Ri Thighinn

We will be performing at the Irish Scottish literary festival Crossways/Trasnú/Comar in Glasgow on Saturday 11 May. Our concert is in the Recital Room at Glasgow City Halls at 5:30 pm. Free entry.

We also look forward to performing at the stunning new Raasay Distillery on 31st May.

We will be performing in part of a special concert called Clann 'ic Choinnich (Mackenzie Clan) at the Hebridean Celtic Festival in July. Lead by Fiona and her sisters Eilidh and Gillie, the concert is a tribute to their father Rod Mackenzie who was an inspiration to so many people. Note, this show is sold out.

Keep in Touch / Bruidhinn Rinn

Thanks as always for your continued interest in our work and please do get in touch if you have any questions or suggestions for concerts or collaborations.

A photo recently taken by Brian of the Cullin ridge on the beautiful Isle of Skye

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New video for Deus Auribus | Glèidh M' Anama

25/2/2019

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Deus Auribus | Glèidh m' Anama.
A Latin psalm and Gaelic prayer for protection from the album TÌR - Highland Life & Lore by Brian Ó hEadhra | Fiona Mackenzie.
https://brianoheadhra-fionamackenzie.bandcamp.com/album/t-r-highland-life-lore

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New Agency

16/2/2019

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We are delighted to announce that we have a signed with Garrison Hill Entertainment who will arrange live concert and festival bookings for us in Canada. The agency is owned and run by the talented singer and art entrepreneur, Shelley Chase who is based in New Brunswick.

Brian is an Irish & Canadian citizen and was brought up in Newfoundland in the mid 1970's. He and Fiona are looking forward to returning to performing in Canada over the coming years having toured in Canada in the past.

See Contact page for information on getting in touch regarding bookings.

Shelley Chase

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New video out now...

3/2/2019

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Newsletter - January 2019

15/1/2019

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Newsletter | Cuairt-litir

All the latest news and reviews of Highland duo, Brian Ó hEadhra | Fiona Mackenzie.

It's been a wee while since we have been in touch so we thought we'd give you an update on what's been happening over the past few months.

Our debut album TÌR - Highland Life & Lore has been receiving amazing critical and public feedback since its release in September. See end of newsletter for some examples.

Our record label has moved some more of our albums to be sold via the Bandcamp web portal. When you buy a CD you also receive a free download of the album too. New albums added are Brian Ó hEadhra - Life and download of Christine Primrose & Brian Ó hEadhra - An Turas.

It's always hard to know where exactly your music is being played or listened to around the world but recent good news has shown that it seems to have been well received by radio stations and audiences far and wide. We are delighted to announce that our debut album TÌR - Highland Life & Lore has been nominated as 2018 Album of the Year by the International Folk Music Awards.

Finalists are compiled from "Best of 2018" radio and print media lists in the US, Canada, the UK, EU, and Australia in addition to the year-end Folk DJ chart.

Voting is open from January 7, 2019 to January 17, 2019. Folk Alliance International members can vote here. Learn more about FAI membership here.

New 2019 video promo for TÌR - Highland Life & Lore

Celtic Connections

Fiona is looking forward to performing with her sisters and other talented artists at the Bard's Tale IV concert at Celtic Connections in Glasgow on Thursday 31 January.

The 1980s Bard’s Tale computer-game trilogy was recently hailed by Steam as “one of the most iconic RPG series of all-time”. Three decades on, The Bard’s Tale IV: Barrows Deep was released in September, with its Gaelic-based soundtrack - created by Simple Minds bassist Ged Grimes - retaining the originals’ signature use of songs to drive the action.

That music works its magic again on tonight’s virtual quest through 18th-century Scotland, incorporating synchronized video, gameplay and live action, with veteran Scottish actor John Buick as the Bard. Together with featured singers Kathleen MacInnes, Fiona Hunter, Eilidh Cormack, Kim Carnie and Mackenzie, Grimes leads a stellar backing line-up of Gregor Philp, Ali Hutton, Innes White, Màiri Chaimbeul, Martin O’Neill, Ewen Henderson and Brian McAlpine.

Check out the wonderful music and gameplay of The Bard's Tale IV

Podcast Nan Gàidheal

Bidh Brian a' craoladh air podcast an dràsta is a-rithist leis an obair aige - Neach-comhairle Ealain is Cultair le Bòrd na Gàidhlig. 'S e Podcast nan Gàidheal an t-ainm a th' air agus lorgaidh sibh e air dìofair làraich.

Brian presents a Gaelic podcast called Podcast nan Gàidheal through his work as Gaelic Arts & Culture Adviser with Bòrd na Gàidhlig. You can subscribe on iTunes and on other platforms.

TÌR Reviews

Songlines Magazine Review - January 2019

Irish Music Magazine - December 2018

Neil Mcfadyen’s Top 10 Albums Of 2018 - Folk Radio UK

TÌR - Highland Life and Lore is available from our website: www.oheadhra-mackenzie.com or from online and streaming sources including....

We are already writing/researching our next album and plan to work again with the multi-talented Mike Vass who is currently promoting a new project called Save His Calm.

Over the new few months, we will upload videos of us singing live sessions. Keep up with our social media platforms for announcements.

We are also always happy to hear from visual/multimedia artists who might be interested in collaborations.

That's all for now. We are currently booking dates for 2019/20 so get in touch if you would like us to play somewhere near you sometime.

Dùrachdan,

Brian & Fiona

For more information work of Brian Ó hEadhra & Fiona Mackenzie, please visit our website and various social media platforms (see links below).

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