Karan Casey
Encyclopedia
Karan Casey is an Irish
folk
singer, and a former member of the Irish band Solas.
, County Waterford
, Ireland
. Her family encouraged her to sing in the house, in a church choir and at school. At Waterford Regional Technical College she studied piano
then took music at University College Dublin
in 1987. Having learned to copy Ella Fitzgerald
's scat singing
, she performed in a Dublin bistro several nights per week while still a student. At the Royal Irish Academy of Music
she studied classical music and sang in a jazz band, then a folk-ballad band, then another jazz band. She also fell under the influence of Dublin folk singer Frank Harte
. During this time she also formed her own band, called "Dorothy".
. There she studied jazz at Long Island University
. When she began to frequent Irish traditional sessions
in New York, she started singing Irish traditional music
again. During this time she mostly sang in bars and local centres. During 1994, she sang with Atlantic Bridge before joining Solas. She sang five songs on their début album in 1996 while also performing jazz and folk material herself in Tramps club in Manhattan
, accompanied only by a percussionist. In 1997, Karan recorded a solo album, Songlines, inspired by the novel of the same name
by Bruce Chatwin
. It was produced by Séamus Egan and included several members of Solas. The album featured both Irish traditional and contemporary folk songs.
and America. In 2000 Karan collaborated with several other vocalists on Seal Maiden: a Celtic Musical. It was a musical version of the film "The Secret of Roan Inish
", designed for children. It concerned the mythical creature called the selkie
(in this case, a seal
-woman). Casey's songs were arranged by her friend and regular collaborator Iarla Ó Lionáird
.
In 2001, Casey finished working on her second solo album, The Winds Begin to Sing (2001) which was well received by critics and propelled Casey into a stable solo career. She released Distant Shore in 2003 and toured extensively throughout the Americas and Europe. In 2005, Casey released Chasing the Sun featuring Irish traditional and folk songs which she learned from her mother and maternal grandmother. Chasing the Sun, included a number of songs written by Casey herself as well as songs by young Belfast
musician Barry Kerr. The album was well received and was the last to be released on the Shanachie
and Vertical
labels so that Casey, husband Niall Vallely
and other associated acts could release her music independently.
In 2006, Casey joined her previous band Solas to guest on their live DVD and album, Reunion: a Decade of Solas. On the recordings, Casey was joined by all of the band's past members and current members from the period. She joined Deirdre Scanlan (Solas vocalist 2000-2007) and Antje Duvekot
along with the male vocalists from the band.
In 2008, Karan Casey and her husband set up Crow Valley Music to release Karan's latest album, Ships in the Forest in Europe. The album was released on Compass Records
in the Americas.
player Niall Vallely
and has collaborated frequently with the Vallely brothers and their bands. She has two daughters (Muireann and Áine) and currently lives in Coome, County Cork.
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
folk
Folk music
Folk music is an English term encompassing both traditional folk music and contemporary folk music. The term originated in the 19th century. Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers....
singer, and a former member of the Irish band Solas.
Early years
Casey was born in Ballyduff Lower, KilmeadenKilmeaden
Kilmeaden is a town in County Waterford, Ireland. It is on the N25 road between Dungarvan, County Waterford and Waterford City. The town is 23 miles from Dungarvan and 5 miles from Waterford....
, County Waterford
County Waterford
*Abbeyside, Affane, Aglish, Annestown, An Rinn, Ardmore*Ballinacourty, Ballinameela, Ballinamult, Ballinroad, Ballybeg, Ballybricken, Ballyduff Lower, Ballyduff Upper, Ballydurn, Ballygunner, Ballylaneen, Ballymacarbry, Ballymacart, Ballynaneashagh, Ballysaggart, Ballytruckle, Bilberry, Bunmahon,...
, Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
. Her family encouraged her to sing in the house, in a church choir and at school. At Waterford Regional Technical College she studied piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
then took music at University College Dublin
University College Dublin
University College Dublin ) - formally known as University College Dublin - National University of Ireland, Dublin is the Republic of Ireland's largest, and Ireland's second largest, university, with over 1,300 faculty and 17,000 students...
in 1987. Having learned to copy Ella Fitzgerald
Ella Fitzgerald
Ella Jane Fitzgerald , also known as the "First Lady of Song" and "Lady Ella," was an American jazz and song vocalist...
's scat singing
Scat singing
In vocal jazz, scat singing is vocal improvisation with wordless vocables, nonsense syllables or without words at all. Scat singing gives singers the ability to sing improvised melodies and rhythms, to create the equivalent of an instrumental solo using their voice.- Structure and syllable choice...
, she performed in a Dublin bistro several nights per week while still a student. At the Royal Irish Academy of Music
Royal Irish Academy of Music
The Royal Irish Academy of Music is a linked college of Dublin City University located in Dublin, Ireland.It was founded in 1848 by a group of music enthusiasts and moved to its present address in Westland Row in 1871. The following year it was granted the right to use the title "Royal"...
she studied classical music and sang in a jazz band, then a folk-ballad band, then another jazz band. She also fell under the influence of Dublin folk singer Frank Harte
Frank Harte
Frank Harte was a traditional Irish singer, song collector, architect and lecturer. He was born and raised in Dublin. His father Peter Harte who had moved from a farming background in Sligo owned 'The Tap' pub in Chapelizod...
. During this time she also formed her own band, called "Dorothy".
Immigration to the USA
In 1993 Karan moved to New York CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. There she studied jazz at Long Island University
Long Island University
Long Island University is a private, coeducational, nonsectarian institution of higher education in the U.S. state of New York.-History:...
. When she began to frequent Irish traditional sessions
Irish traditional music session
Irish traditional music sessions are mostly informal gatherings at which people play Irish traditional music. The Irish language word for "session" is seisiún...
in New York, she started singing Irish traditional music
Folk music of Ireland
The folk music of Ireland is the generic term for music that has been created in various genres in Ireland.-History:...
again. During this time she mostly sang in bars and local centres. During 1994, she sang with Atlantic Bridge before joining Solas. She sang five songs on their début album in 1996 while also performing jazz and folk material herself in Tramps club in Manhattan
Manhattan
Manhattan is the oldest and the most densely populated of the five boroughs of New York City. Located primarily on the island of Manhattan at the mouth of the Hudson River, the boundaries of the borough are identical to those of New York County, an original county of the state of New York...
, accompanied only by a percussionist. In 1997, Karan recorded a solo album, Songlines, inspired by the novel of the same name
The Songlines
The Songlines is a 1986 book written by Bruce Chatwin, combining fiction and non-fiction. Chatwin describes a trip to Australia which he has taken for the express purpose of researching Aboriginal song and its connections to nomadic travel...
by Bruce Chatwin
Bruce Chatwin
Charles Bruce Chatwin was an English novelist and travel writer. He won the James Tait Black Memorial Prize for his novel On the Black Hill...
. It was produced by Séamus Egan and included several members of Solas. The album featured both Irish traditional and contemporary folk songs.
Solo career
Karan left Solas at the beginning of 1999 to pursue her solo ambitions. She then moved back to Ireland, although frequently travelled between her home in CorkCounty Cork
County Cork is a county in Ireland. It is located in the South-West Region and is also part of the province of Munster. It is named after the city of Cork . Cork County Council is the local authority for the county...
and America. In 2000 Karan collaborated with several other vocalists on Seal Maiden: a Celtic Musical. It was a musical version of the film "The Secret of Roan Inish
The Secret of Roan Inish
The Secret of Roan Inish is an American independent film written and directed by John Sayles, and released in 1994. It's based on the novel The Secret of Ron Mor Skerry, by Rosalie K. Fry....
", designed for children. It concerned the mythical creature called the selkie
Selkie
Selkies are mythological creatures that are found in Faroese, Icelandic, Irish, and Scottish folklore....
(in this case, a seal
Pinniped
Pinnipeds or fin-footed mammals are a widely distributed and diverse group of semiaquatic marine mammals comprising the families Odobenidae , Otariidae , and Phocidae .-Overview: Pinnipeds are typically sleek-bodied and barrel-shaped...
-woman). Casey's songs were arranged by her friend and regular collaborator Iarla Ó Lionáird
Iarla Ó Lionáird
Iarla Ó Lionáird is an Irish singer and producer well known for his involvement with the Afro Celt Sound System. He is one of the most prominent artists of the Irish Sean nós singing tradition, and has released three solo albums through Real World Records, the third being Invisible Fields,...
.
In 2001, Casey finished working on her second solo album, The Winds Begin to Sing (2001) which was well received by critics and propelled Casey into a stable solo career. She released Distant Shore in 2003 and toured extensively throughout the Americas and Europe. In 2005, Casey released Chasing the Sun featuring Irish traditional and folk songs which she learned from her mother and maternal grandmother. Chasing the Sun, included a number of songs written by Casey herself as well as songs by young Belfast
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
musician Barry Kerr. The album was well received and was the last to be released on the Shanachie
Shanachie Records
Shanachie Records was founded in 1976 by Richard Nevins and Dan Collins. According to Harvey Pekar , it is one of the largest independent record labels in the world, and is currently distributed by E1 Music. Starting as a label that specialized in fiddle music, they began releasing work by Celtic...
and Vertical
Vertical Records
Vertical Records is an independent record label founded by Capercaillie member Donald Shaw in 2000, based in Glasgow, Scotland. The label has predominantly focused on celtic and roots music, with releases from Michael McGoldrick , Shooglenifty , Harem Scarem , Karan Casey ,...
labels so that Casey, husband Niall Vallely
Niall Vallely
Niall Vallely is an Irish musician, born about 1970 in Armagh, Northern Ireland. In 1966 his parents, Brian and Eithne Vallely had founded the Armagh Piper's Club, but he chose to learn the concertina instead, from the age of seven. His brother Cillian plays the uillean pipes and low whistle,...
and other associated acts could release her music independently.
In 2006, Casey joined her previous band Solas to guest on their live DVD and album, Reunion: a Decade of Solas. On the recordings, Casey was joined by all of the band's past members and current members from the period. She joined Deirdre Scanlan (Solas vocalist 2000-2007) and Antje Duvekot
Antje Duvekot
Antje Duvekot is a singer-songwriter and guitarist based in Somerville, Massachusetts. holds three top songwriting awards, including the Kerrville New Folk Competition's Best New Folk Award, Boston Music Award for Outstanding Folk Act and Grand Prize in the John Lennon Songwriting...
along with the male vocalists from the band.
In 2008, Karan Casey and her husband set up Crow Valley Music to release Karan's latest album, Ships in the Forest in Europe. The album was released on Compass Records
Compass Records
Compass Records is a Nashville-based independent record label founded in 1995 by musicians Garry West and Alison Brown. Currently home to nearly 100 folk, bluegrass, Celtic, jazz, and new acoustic artists, the label releases about 20 records a year...
in the Americas.
Personal life
Karan is married to Irish concertinaConcertina
A concertina is a free-reed musical instrument, like the various accordions and the harmonica. It has a bellows and buttons typically on both ends of it. When pressed, the buttons travel in the same direction as the bellows, unlike accordion buttons which travel perpendicularly to it...
player Niall Vallely
Niall Vallely
Niall Vallely is an Irish musician, born about 1970 in Armagh, Northern Ireland. In 1966 his parents, Brian and Eithne Vallely had founded the Armagh Piper's Club, but he chose to learn the concertina instead, from the age of seven. His brother Cillian plays the uillean pipes and low whistle,...
and has collaborated frequently with the Vallely brothers and their bands. She has two daughters (Muireann and Áine) and currently lives in Coome, County Cork.
Solo albums
- 1997 - Songlines
- 2000 - Seal Maiden (Karan Casey & friends)
- 2001 - The Winds Begin To Sing
- 2003 - Distant Shore
- 2005 - Chasing The Sun
- 2008 - Ships in the ForestShips in the ForestShips in the Forest is a studio album by Irish traditional singer Karan Casey, and the first to be released primarily on her own label. The album features much of Casey's live band, as well as her brother-in-law and husband, both members of the band Buille. The album features one song in Gaelic and...
With Solas
- 1996 - SolasSolas (album)Solas is the eponymous debut album by Irish-American music group Solas, released in 1996 on the Shanachie Records label.-Track listing:# "Níl 'Na Lá" – 2:20# "The Flowing Bowl / Máire Breatnachs #1 / The Doon / The Mason's Men" – 3:50...
- 1997 - Sunny Spells and Scattered ShowersSunny Spells and Scattered ShowersSunny Spells and Scattered Showers is the second album by Solas, released in 1997 on the Shanachie Records label.-Track listing:# "The Wind That Shakes the Barley" – 2:55# "Big Reel of Ballynacally/The High Hill/Flash Away the Pressing Gang" – 4:30...
- 1998 - The Words That RemainThe Words That RemainThe Words That Remain is the third album by Solas, released in 1998 on the Shanachie Records label.-Track listing:# "Pastures of Plenty" – 3:24# "The Stride Set: The Stride/Tom Doherty's/The Contradiction/Viva Galicia" – 6:09...
- 2006 - Reunion: A Decade of Solas (CD/DVD)
Miscellaneous recordings
- 1996 - Her Song: Exotic Voices of Women from Around the World (Various Artists)
- 1997 - Celtic Tapestry, Vol. 2 (Various Artists)
- 1997 - Holding up Half the Sky: Women's Voices from Around the World (Various Artists)
- 1997 - Her Song: Exotic Voices of Women from Around the World (Various Artists)
- 1997 - Voices of Celtic Women: Holding up Half the Sky (Various Artists)
- 1998 - Africans in America (Original Television Soundtrack) (Various Artists)
- 1998 - Celtic Tides (Various Artists)
- 1998 - Greatest Hits (Paul WinterPaul WinterPaul Winter is an American saxophonist , and is a six-time Grammy Award nominee.- Biography :Paul Winter attended Altoona Area High School and graduated in 1957...
) - 1998 - Legends of Ireland (Various Artists)
- 1998 - Winter's Tale (Various Artists)
- 1999 - Celtic Solstice (Paul Winter)
- 1999 - Holding up Half the Sky: Voices of Celtic Women Vol 2 (Various Artists)
- 1999 - Thousands Are Sailing (Various Artists)
- 2000 - Emerald Aether: Shape Shifting/Reconstructions Of Irish Music (Bill LaswellBill LaswellBill Laswell is an American bassist, producer and record label owner....
) - 2000 - Fused (Michael McGoldrickMichael McGoldrickMichael McGoldrick is a flute and tin whistle player. He also plays the Uilleann pipes and low whistle. He is well known for his ability to skate switch and regular with the same level of ability.-Bands:...
) - 2000 - Fits of Passion - High Spirited Celtic Captured by Starbucks (Various Artists)
- 2000 - Ceol Tacsaí (Various Artists)
- 2001 - Celtic Christmas: Silver Anniversary Edition (Various Artists)
- 2001 - Evening Comes Early (John DoyleJohn Doyle (musician)John Doyle is an Irish musician and songwriter. For four years he served as acoustic guitarist with the Irish/American band Solas. He is now an active solo artist...
) - 2001 - Two Journeys (Tim O'BrienTim O'Brien (musician)Tim O'Brien is an American country and bluegrass musician. In addition to singing, he plays guitar, fiddle, mandolin, banjo, bouzouki and mandocello...
) - 2001 - Lullaby: a Collection (Various Artists)
- 2003 - Brown Girl in the Ring (Various Artists)
- 2004 - Very Best of Celtic Christmas (Various Artists)
- 2004 - Other Voices: Songs from a Room Vol 2 (Various Artists)
- 2005 - Lullaby: 20th Anniversary Special Edition (Various Artists)
- 2005 - 20 Great Kid’s Songs: 20th Anniversary Special Collector’s Edition (Various Artists)
- 2005 - Folktopia (Various Artists)
- 2006 - Acoustic Affair Vol. 1 (Various Artists)
- 2007 - A Christmas Celtic Sojourn Live (Various Artists)
- 2007 - Excalibur: Vol. 2 (Alan SimonAlan Simon (musician)Alan Simon is a French folk-rock musician and composer best known for his rock operas which are performed with collaboration from other noted rock musicians. Simon is associated with Breton Celticism, and his most ambitious works are typically on themes linked to Celtic myth and history...
)