Téada

“This is a solid contender for Instrumental Album of the Year.” - IRISH AMERICAN NEWS

Téada has been called "one of the most exciting traditional groups to emerge in recent years" (Irish World). The Irish quintet was voted "Best Traditional Newcomers" in Irish Music Magazine, and have released two highly-regarded albums on Green Linnet. "A new and fresh face in Irish music, Téada is a band to watch out for," says The Irish Voice.

Téada first came together in 2001 on the innovative Irish television series Flosc. Led by Sligo fiddler Oisín Mac Diarmada, the young musicians shared a passion for the deeply traditional approach. After a first gig opening for the Sharon Shannon band at an Irish festival, Téada was off and running. A self-titled debut CD in 2002, téada, brought popular and critical raves. Dublin's Irish Times applauded the band for "keeping the traditional flag flying at full mast," and Scotland's Edinburgh Evening News wrote, "If there is a better new band on the Emerald Isle, they must be very, very good."

Most of the group's members grew up in rural Ireland, learning traditional music through local classes and by listening to older musicians. "It was really a very organic process," says Oisín Mac Diarmada. "With Téada, we wanted to capture some of that rawness and individuality of the solo artist within the dynamic of a full band." Oisín, called "one of the most talented fiddlers in Ireland today" by the Irish Echo, is joined in the band by Seán McElwain from Monaghan on banjo and bouzouki, Paul Finn from Co. Laois on accordion, Dubliner Tristan Rosenstock on bodhrán (Irish drum), and Sligo flutist Damien Stenson. Damien comes on board in 2005, as founding member John Blake departs for other pursuits.

Téada's fresh take on tradition continues to sound a chord. Their new CD Give us a Penny and Let us be Gone (Green Linnet, 2004) has garnered high praise. Irish Music Magazine calls it "one of the most deeply satisfying works to come our way in a long time." "A priceless collection" adds the Irish Voice, and Sing Out says it's "a smashing second release from the young lions of Irish music!" The future looks bright for this young band, whose fierce familiarity with the old ways makes for inventive music for a new generation.