ON THE LASH
Fireside
Philippe Cousin
Curiously, the four members of On The Lash weren't brought up on Irish music, with the exception of their octave mandolin player Joel Tyrone Myers. They met while studying classical music at the University of Michigan.
Joel soon introduced his three classmates to traditional music. With Elizabeth June LaPeer on flute and vocals, John Robey on fiddle and Patrick Hartson on guitar, Joel formed the band in 2022. Since then, they've been playing the American Celtic music festival circuit.
But they waited three years before releasing a five-track EP, Fireside, which is undoubtedly a fine introduction to a fuller album.
Although they started out in classical music, they quickly melted into traditional Irish music, and are now very much at home in a style reminiscent of Irish-American bands such as Solas and Runa.
For them, each track on the album is an adaptation of a band, author or musician who has, in one way or another, influenced their musical direction. Throughout the five tracks, you'll recognize the work of people like Tim O'Brien on John Riley, Vincent Broderick on Rockery, Michael McGoldrick on Farewell to Whalley Range and Freefalling Reel, or the Scottish band Silly Wizard on Wizard Walk Reel.
Their performance is full of the spirit of their youth, energetic as hell. Flawless musicianship, balanced vocal harmonies, exciting music that will get your toes tapping.
When can we expect the next step, the full album?
Autoproduit - www.onthelashband.com