Oldcastle based folk band set to release debut EP
Dark folk trio Saltaire will unveil their highly anticipated debut EP, Only Moonlight on Friday 27th February.
The trio now have two members based in Oldcastle as of the last year.
The EP features two unheard songs alongside their haunting debut original single ‘The Axe’ (RTÉ Radio 1 Recommends List), their compelling rendition of ‘Matty Groves’, and their instrumental arrangement of ‘Slip Jigs and Jenny’s’, Only Moonlight establishes Saltaire as a formidable new presence in the contemporary Irish folk and trad scene.
Self-dubbed ‘a band of backers’, Saltaire’s music is a collective experience, expanding outward via close friendships with some of Ireland’s most talented musicians in the folk and Irish traditional space, with their frequent collaborators, including Ryan McAuley (of RTÉ Folk Awards ‘Best Emerging Folk Artist’ nominated band, Alfi), Eoghan Ó Ceannabháin (2024 ‘Best Folk Singer’ at the RTÉ Radio One Folk Awards), Catherine McHugh (featured on Frankie Gavin & De Danann’s album Port Eireann), Laoise FitzGerald and Alex Borwick (Niamh Regan, Sam Fender, James Vincent McMorrow, Lankum and Catfish & The Bottlemen) bringing nuance and freshness to Saltaire’s carefully selected renditions and originals, steeped in tradition and moreover incredibly inventive.
The EP’s unheard opening song and focus track, ‘Aldborough Parade’, is a stirring original love song, written by member Ian Kinsella about the feverishness of falling quickly, the ache of love stretched across an ocean, and ultimately the sweetness of finding home in another person and their music.
Recorded in Black Mountain Studios, Co. Louth, with co-producer and engineer Alex Browick and mastering engineer Seán Mac Erlaine, Cullen-Verhauz says that creating Only Moonlight, “was like a build-your-own-dream, sleep away camp experience. We had all worked with Alex Borwick on various other projects in the past, so bringing him on board was a must. His musicality, heart, gentle and generous leadership, discerning multi-faceted skillset, and razor sharp focus made the process easy and deeply enjoyable.”
Reflecting tradition and innovation, Only Moonlight emerges as a defining calling card, as Saltaire confidently interlace much-loved tunes and folk classics with bold original work.
To listen to Saltaire, click here.