Atlantic Wave takes their name from an Irish reel, and from the fact that they play Celtic music from countries touched by the Atlantic Ocean, with a special emphasis on the traditional music of Ireland, Scotland, and Cape Breton (in Nova Scotia, Canada).
Their sound is based on a duo of fiddlers, Kaitlin Hahn and Ed Paloucek, who are accompanied on guitar by Barry Houlehen and on bouzouki (similar to a mandolin) and bodhran (the Irish drum) by John Karr.
In addition, Barry sings a variety of songs, both traditional and from the canon of contemporary Celtic folksongs.
Atlantic Wave's live performances feature a mix of high-energy jigs, reels, strathspeys, and slip jigs, with some slow airs, classical selections, and other World music influences thrown in. The songs Barry sings range from uptempo Scottish and Irish favorites to slow ballads, ranging in age from hundreds of years old to very recent.
Based in Milwaukee, Atlantic Wave was born in November of 2004, when Ed Paloucek, Kaitlin Hahn, Barry Houlehen, and John Karr joined to form a band that played not only traditional Irish tunes, but performed medleys and songs from a variety of Celtic nations, all of which touch the Atlantic Ocean. Two fiddlers, a guitarist/singer, and a bouzouki/bodhran player put their own feel and interpretation to fast-paced reels and jigs, slow airs, strathspeys, and marches, throwing in some classical, other world influences, originals, and the works of contemporary Celtic artists.
They round out their performances with a mix of Irish and Scottish folk songs and ballads. All can be heard on their debut album, Craicd!.
Celtic Radio Comments:
Atlantic Wave's Craic'd! album is a wonderful compilation of 15 tracks of beautifully arranged jigs, reels, slow airs and more. Not only can this group play fiddle, guitar and other traditional instruments, but they can sing too! "Sleepy Toon" shows off a mix of their traditional and contemporary talents as well as their vocals. "Johnny Cunningham's" and "The Northwoods" are just superb and there is even a bit of fun playing with "Tic O'Tico" - a fast and fun Celtic Mexican tune that will have you humming all day long! In fact, we found their entire CD "Craic'd!" to be an extremely enjoyable and well balanced compilation. Played by musicians that are very experienced and sound very, very good together! Atlanta Wave gets 5 Golden Celtic Radio stars for "Craic'd!" - pick it up today!
