25 August 2016

Quickly gaining recognition as one of Irish music’s new “super-groups,” RUNA has been enchanting audiences by pushing the boundaries of Irish folk music into the Americana and roots music formats since their formation in 2008.  Interweaving the haunting melodies and exuberant tunes of Ireland and Scotland with the lush harmonies and intoxicating rhythms of jazz, bluegrass, flamenco and blues, they offer a thrilling and redefining take on traditional music. Receiving lavish praise on both sides of the Atlantic, RUNA recently released their fifth album, RUNA LIVE, which was recorded at the BlackRock Center for the Arts in Germantown, MD on Thursday, March 17th, 2016 and is a cross-pollination of RUNA’s signature roots sound with the overtones of Americana. RUNA consists of vocalist and step-dancer, Shannon Lambert-Ryan of Philadelphia, Dublin-born guitarist, Fionán de Barra, Cheryl Prashker of Canada on percussion, Dave Curley of Galway on mandolin, vocals, bodhrán, and step-dancing, and Maggie Estes of Kentucky on the fiddle.  Members of this esteemed band have played with Solas, Riverdance, Slide, Clannad, Keith & Kristyn Getty, Moya Brennan, Eileen Ivers, Liz Carroll, Ricky Scaggs, Hazel O’Conner, Fiddlers’ Bid, Barcó, Téada, Jonathan Edwards, and the Guy Mendilow Band. Seeking to preserve and continue a traditional culture in a modern age, RUNA creates the backbone of its signature roots sound from the musical and geographical diversity of its individually established band members.  Their strive for excellence and creativity blazes a trail for the future of folk music, earning them the reputation as one of the most innovative Irish folk groups of this generation. The group has been honored internationally, winning Top Group and Top Traditional Group in the Irish Music Awards and three Independent Music Awards including Best World/Traditional Song and Best Bluegrass Song. RUNA’s previous album Current Affairs, was hailed, by Marcene Bronson of The Celtic Crier, as “an incredible masterpiece”, and was nominated in the 2014 Irish Music Awards for “Best New Irish CD” and in the 2015 Independent Music Awards for “Best Bluegrass Song” (Ain’t No Grave) and Best World/Traditional Song (False Knight Upon the Road).