Formidable Galway-based folk duo Niall Teague and Padraic Joyce release their new single ‘What Will We Be’, on Friday, March 3rd. ‘What Will We Be’ is the title track from their latest album, which is set for release on Friday 24th of March. This latest offering turns over new ground in folk, Americana and acoustic music with the best of past and present folk and traditional songwriting at its core.
Niall and Padraic have honed their craft as songwriters and performers since their partnership began in the musical melting pot that is Galway city. With the success of their well-received 2020 release ‘Taobh le Taobh’, as well as recent successes at the Pan Celtic and Oireachtas Song Contests, the duo were spurred on to record this new album which represents many years of their artistic development.
The album Features Niall and Padraic on commanding vocals, exquisite harmonies, and well married acoustic guitars, Maidhc O'hÉanaigh on double bass and a deft Neil Fitzgibbon on fiddle. Their catchy title track ‘What Will We Be’ features contributions from percussion wizard Jim Higgins (The Stunning, Christy Moore, Paul Brady) and haunting, driving melodies on vocals, guitar, and fiddle. There are touching themes of love and hope threaded throughout the track ‘Come Away with Me’ which features a beautiful interplay between piano and fiddle as well as rich vocal harmonies. People, places, and broken dreams are celebrated and lamented on the tracks; ‘Martin and Tom’, ‘Guitar Gold ‘, ‘Memories of You' and 'Achill Island'. The influence of David Henry Thoreau's novel 'Walden' looms large on the tracks 'Simple and Wise' and 'Walden', with the beauty of nature, escape and simple pleasures at their core. The album moves seamlessly from minimalistic folk ballads such as ‘Galway Ghost’ to swirling, string-laden arrangements on the song 'Neptune', both influenced by maritime tales from Galway. Throughout the album each small scene, each line has been thoughtfully painted both lyrically and melodically, resulting in a rich and beautiful acoustic sound. Much of the albums collaborative work and development was supported by the Arts Council of Ireland, including work with musical arranger Eoin Corcoran and the string ensemble 'Treo'. Recorded at Paddy Jordan Recording Studio, Labane, 'What Will We Be' is available from March 24th.

A tour marking the release of ‘What Will We Be’ commences on March 30th at Matt Molloy’s, Westport, March 31st at Saint Thomas’s Church, Dugort, Achill followed by Kilworth Community Centre, Cork on April 20th, and a very special Galway performance at An Taibhdhearc with string ensemble ‘Treo’ on May 19th. Shows also at Saint John’s Theatre Listowel and Sea Church, Ballycotton, Cork.

"The sound is absolutely beautiful, melodic and beautiful, I’m blown away” (Keith Finnegan, Galway Bay FM).
"Gifted singers and musicians and really great songwriters” (Sharon Shannon)

Contact Niall and Padraic for interviews and info
www.niallteagueandpadraicjoycemusic.com
[email protected]
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0877437737 – Niall Teague
0879561199 – Padraic Joyce