I posted my pick of the Best Celtic Folk Music of 2014 a few months back on the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast website. It's a good list, comparable to my Best Celtic Folk Bands of 2010. I thought about doing another Best Celtic Folk Bands list, but since last year, was the first year I really pushed The Celtic Geek manifesto, I thought perhaps I should take some of that list and put it right here.
4 Great Celtic Geek Bands
The Stubby Shillelaghs
Hometown: Greeley, Colorado USA
The Stubby Shillelaghs describe their musical style as “high energy Celtic folk”. It has a rock energy and sometimes verging on heavy metal speeds, but it's all acoustic and does not typically utilize a drum kit. One critic describes their style as “bawdy and beautiful” the subject matter can get rather risqué but vocal harmonies and sweet melodic lines create a fun and unique contrast.
Poitin
Hometown: Pilsen, Czech Republic
Poitín are an award-winning Celtic band from the Czech Republic. They play all kinds of Celtic music from traditional jigs, songs and reels to completely new material. This album marks their ‘coming of age' as a band – they've now been together for 18 years. They've toured in Germany, France, Poland, Italy and the Czech Republic.
If you listen to their music, you may not notice anything that says “geek”, but Jeremy is a big member of the Celtic Geek community on Facebook since its beginning
Emerald Rose
Hometown: North Georgia Mountains
Emerald Rose is one of the top Celtic folk-rock bands in the US, with a fan base that extends worldwide. A rich “world fusion” sound with influences ranging from traditional folk tunes, classic rock to alternative rock has given this band a thirteen year career and a national following. Blending vocal harmonies, pennywhistle and world percussion with driving guitars and bass, their sound is “rock-n-reel” but not ear-splitting.
Pandora Celtica
Hometown: Denver, Georgia
They are Pandora Celtica, a dark faerie Celtic band from the lands of dream and myth. They have been brought together by the kings and queens of the Fae for your entertainment, and they will transport you with their rich harmonies, tribal drumming and ancient songs of sorrow, loss and longing. Be you pirate or faerie, lord or lady, angel or demon, or some other kith… leave your mortal mask at home and revel with us as you truly are.
I actually was trying to build a bigger list. Matt Hughes is a prime example. But I never got around to finishing the article. So read the manifesto. Then tell me, who do you think should be on this list?
