Omagh's Spring Arts Festival 2007 kicks off with an event which has a truly global flavour. 'No Crows' features an eclectic gathering of musicians from different cultures and influences who will perform in the Top of the Town on Saturday 27 January 2007 at 9.30 pm.
The band features Steve Wickham, Anna Houston, Eddie Lee and Felip Carbonell who met up initially for an informal weekly session in 'Shoot the Crows' pub in Sligo in September 2005 – the sessions are still ongoing every Wednesday night! Coming from very different musical backgrounds, they decided to mix it together and see what would come out. 'No Crows' repertoire is truly global as their music includes influences from China to Moldova, from Brittany to Russia, from Venezuela to Greece and beyond. Always on the lookout for a good tune, the band borrows from the classical oeuvre as it does from jazz, traditional, folk and world music. 'No Crows' had a successful summer 2006, performing at Sligo Live Festival as well as at the Feile Lorras in Mayo, Sliabh an Iarann Music and Arts Festival in Leitrim, the Tain Festival in Dundalk and the Westport Arts Festival. Every concert performance has provoked requests for CDs of the band's music and now No Crows have duly obliged. Being such an energetic act, the band felt it would be appropriate to record the first album in a live setting. Eventually they found the time and space in The Strand Bar in Strandhill last September when three live performances were captured by Swiss producer, Urs Lanz, and have become the No Crows debut album. Mallorcan guitarist Felip Carbonell with his flamenco/manouche style guitar provides the engine for No Crows exciting and stylish music.
The quartet's melodies arrive on the wings of the violin, mandolin and cello. The cello and mandolin are played by Anna Houston. Anna's Swiss/Celtic roots are apparent in her intricate and soulful playing. Steve Wickham of 'the Waterboys' is the violinist and his energetic style and repertoire adds spice to the quartet.
Admission £7.00 - Tickets available from the Tourist Information Centre on 028 8224 7831
