What is D.F.F? It’s something of a supergroup and they’re starting their tour in Kilkenny on April 2nd.
At the front of the group are three musicians with international reputations across multiple genres. Main songwriter Dave Flynn (guitar/vocals) is as comfortable composing concertos for Martin Hayes (The Gloaming) as he is writing 3 minute pop songs. Vyvienne Long (cello/vocals), famed for her work with Damien Rice, brings her porcelain voice and sultry cello into the mix. The incredible Congolese guitarist Niwel Tsumbu (guitar/vocals) brings an irresistible authenticity to the band’s Kinshasa Chamber Pop style.
Add to this a rhythm section featuring four of the busiest musicians in Ireland, Dan Bodwell (double bass), Ciarán Swift (rhythm guitar), Aidan Dunphy (percussion) and Cion O’Callaghan (percussion) and you have one of the most exciting groups to emerge in recent times. This rhythm section are no strangers to working with renowned artists either! Bodwell has been known to play with Julie Feeney and Duke Special. Dunphy has been spotted on percussion with the likes of Declan O’Rourke and Goats Don’t Shave. O’Callaghan has plenty of credits on his list but most notably recording and touring with Paddy Casey and Mundy, and he has also backed up Shane McGowan and Ronnie Drew on The Late Late Show. And Swift has performed with Fionn Regan and Roesy.
D.F.F.’s forthcoming debut album ‘Pouric Songs’ was recorded in two of the best studios in the world, Peter Gabriel’s ‘Real World Studios’ and ‘Grouse Lodge Studios’ (used by Michael Jackson). The songs are full of glorious pop melodies, poetic lyrics by Pádraic O’Beirn and a truly unique instrumentation of three vocalists, three guitarists, two percussionists, cello and double bass. The album is due for release on the 4th of April.
The band’s upcoming live shows in April 2014 promise to be dazzling affairs where the songs will be stretched in new directions each night through the virtuoso musicianship of D.F.F. The band are not a shy bunch so feel free to ask them questions in between songs at their shows but whatever you do please don’t ask what D.F.F. stands for! Only you can answer that question…
You can get more information on FaceBook here and on twitter here
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