For the live show it's currently Lynx (lead vocals), Cozy T (drums), Laura (bass + backup vocals), John (Banjo), and K8r (Mandolin / Cello).
3 of the demo tracks we have posted also feature Michael Mullen of Tempest, Greenbridge, and Caliban on Fiddle. He rocks. The drums on our album are all supplied by our former drummer, the very talented Chris Darbeyshire.
Influences
Martyn Bennett, Croft no. Five, Shooglenifty, Silly Wizard, Cannibal Ox, The Coup, Public Enemy, Rage Against the Machine, Ozomotli, Eire Og, Blackalicious, Tempest, Culaan’s Hounds, David Rovics, Dick Gaughan, Dj Shadow, Rjd2, Flogging Molly, Everlast & House of Pain, Manau, Marxman, Spearhead, Paris, The Wolfe Tones, Gruf, Ani di Franco, Ben Harper, Utah Phillips, Michael Franti, lots of others.
The Short Version:
Beltaine's Fire is a five-piece Celtic Hip Hop Fusion project based in the San Francisco Bay area. Our sound blends melodies inspired by the music of the Irish and Scottish diasporas with funk, rock, and hip hop elements.
The Long version:
There is a space where the protest ballads of the Irish and Scottish Rebel Bards and the directness and passion of conscious hip-hop music intersect. Beltaine’s Fire occupies that space.
American music was born out of fusion between African and Celtic musical traditions, brought here by slaves forcibly dragged from their homelands on the one hand and by refugees fleeing the genocidal oppression of English colonial rule n the other. That fusion is at the root of all modern north american music - from bluegrass to the blues, jazz, rock, and hip hop. Beltaine’s Fire taps into that same fusion in a totally new way with a sound that is both deeply rooted in tradition and history and completely original.
If you really want to find out what we're all about the best way is to check us out live.
As for Politics, we're not particularly fond of politicians of any stripe and we don't place much faith in the benevolence of either corporations or self-described revolutionary "vanguards". Basically we're a bunch of pissed-off cynical people who are constantly amazed by the beauty of the world we live in and would like to see our species take a bit better care of it and each other. We're not trying to win any converts here, but if the lyrics make you think and the music makes you dance we can all go home happy.
Last but not least, we are currently booking shows all over the place and trying to build up our street team, so if you like what you hear (1) tell your friends about it and (2) join our mailing list and we'll keep ya posted on shows, releases, updates, and all that fun stuff.
Thanks for the support cousin, you and your group is evolutionary, get at you soon, a little behind scheadule, i mean just running on NDN time Lol. Peace with our mother earth~
hey, thanks for the add... yes I like your music, it's great to ignore catagories and blend that which is not normally blended...keep on Peace from Scotland Innes
Hi Beltaine's Fire, Don't forget Fathers Day - 15th June! The Official Album of The Welsh Rugby Union is available from the Official online shop - click the cover for details. Wales In Union - The Ultimate Welsh Rugby Supporters Album, available from Tesco - click the cover. Shine - The New Album from Paul Child, available from Tesco - click the cover.
Haha. Excellent. And about time. ;) I have been thinking about reminding you to do it, but I guess there's no need to now. Good times! I'll look forward to looking at them later.
By the way, Lynx, I have a recording (of meself) I'd like your input on. Could I send an MP3 to your e-mail? Or should I rather put it up somewhere and send you a link?
