Some of the biggest names in Irish traditional music are forming a supergroup. The Gloaming, which includes Martin Hayes, Caomhín Ó Raghallaigh, Iarla Ó Lionaird and American musicians Dennis Cahill and Thomas Bartlett, have recorded an album together and plan to make their live debut at Dublin’s National Concert Hall on August 20th.

The idea for the band first sprouted when sean-nós singer Ó Lionaird met Hayes in New York in January 2010. The pair had long planned a musical project that would incorporate frequent Hayes collaborator Dennis Cahill. In the following months it crystallised, with the inclusion of fiddle player Ó Raghallaigh and New York-based pianist Bartlett, who has played with David Byrne, The National and Yoko Ono.

"We went to work in Grouse Lodge one year later, and I love the results of that week-long encounter," Ó Lionaird said. "New songs, new tunes, old songs made new, and a cohesion and naturalness to the sound that surprises and delights equally."

"I wasn't familiar with Caoimhín or Iarla's music, but I've worshipped Martin from afar since I was a little kid," said Bartlett. "So when he approached me with the idea of starting this band, I didn't hesitate." and7.org