One of the most influential – and most imitated – voices in folk music, Karan Casey is a natural innovator. More than a decade ago American audiences were introduced to Casey fronting the Irish “supergroup” Solas. Following their groundbreaking early releases Casey struck out on her own. That decision was based on an independent spirit determined to control her touring schedule and committed to maintaining a family life. That family has now grown (her second child, Áine, was born in May of 2006), as has her solo discography.
As well as touring constantly throughout North America and Europe with her own band, Karan has been involved in many other varied projects and collaborations. A frequent guest on Garrison Keillor’s ‘A Prairie Home Companion’, Casey joined their December 2006 broadcasts from New York’s Town Hall. 2006 also saw her spotlighted on the Solas “Reunion” CD, and as a guest vocalist for another well-known Irish group, Lunasa, as well as joining Peggy Seeger in a special “Songs of Conscience” program at Glasgow’s Celtic Connections Festival. In the first half of 2007 she has appeared with the legendary Liam Clancy and was involved in a DVD project in New York with Mick Moloney and Paul Wagner. Last summer saw more performances with Solas and Lunasa, as well as collaborations with pianist/composer Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin and with Breton guitarist Gilles le Bigot’s ‘Voix de la Terre’ project.
New ventures for 2008 include The Vallely Brother’s Big Band, Karan and Seamus Egan’s new project involving Aoife O’Donovan and Lau, and Niall Vallely’s “Turas na dTaoiseach/Flight of the Earl’s” event, which was premiered in Belfast’s Grand Opera House in November 2007 and is to be repeated during 2008 in Louvain, Belgium.
Casey began 2008 with critically acclaimed appearances at the renowned Celtic Connections festival in Glasgow and will be touring in the US throughout February and March.
Karan has just completed her fifth solo album entitled “Ships in the Forest”. Produced once again by Donald Shaw, the new album focuses largely on the traditional repertoire. The album was recorded at Karan’s home in County Cork and features the members of her current touring band, Caoimhín Vallely (piano), Kate Ellis (cello) and Robbie Overson (guitar) along with some special guests, including Kris Drever and Niall and Cillian Vallely. It will be released in the US on the 8th of May on the Compass Records label.

PRESS QUOTES

"The most soulful singer to emerge in Irish traditional music in the past decade."
THE GLASGOW HERALD

“….the Irish equivalent of Emmylou Harris.”
WASHINGTON POST

”Casey’s voice is among the loveliest in folk music and she’s a wonderful interpreter of both contemporary and traditional material.”
BOSTON GLOBE

“Setting her clear voice in arrangements that mix traditional and modern instruments, she maintains the taut, quivering ornamentation of old ballad style, singing tales of love, war and murder with a gentle gravity.”
NEW YORK TIMES

“Casey has the unique ability to make every song sound true and impassioned.”
GLOBAL RHYTHM

" Vocalist of the rarest quality... "
HOT PRESS