Dervish Takes the Stage with Traditional Irish Music | Spotlight

On February 23rd, Dervish, one of Ireland’s biggest traditional bands, will take to the Boulder Theater stage with a catalogue of iconic traditional songs. A group that’s been together for about 45 years, the band is based in Sligo, which has been known to inspire artists like W.B. Yeats with its Atlantic swells, and luscious mountains.

Dervish formed in 1989 when the four original members met at a pub. Liam Kelly, Shane Mitchell, Martin McGinley, and Brian McDonagh created a group that was then known as the Boys of Sligo. Shortly thereafter, they added Cathy Jordan and Michael Holmes to the team and changed their name to Dervish — “a person who’s excited about music. It comes from the warring Dervishes. Brian saw a documentary and there was a group of poor but spiritual people who became enraptured by music,” said lead singer, Cathy Jordan.

Even now, the description aptly paints an image of the group. “The music unites us, and I supposed the friendship keeps us together,” explained Jordan. “Basically we’ve been fighting the good fight for a long time. This will be maybe our 30th year going to America,” said Jordan, “I suppose we’re all united by the love of the music. We sit and play together when we’re off the road as well when we’re on the road.”

Once described by BBC as, “an icon of Irish music,” Dervish’s success has brought the group all around the globe. But it’s still humbling to go home and play at a local pub. Although music lovers come from miles away to hear Dervish’s sets, at the pub, “We’re part of the furniture,” Jordan laughs, “And that’s good because it keeps you grounded and approachable.”

But the pub experience is also vital to the honing of the musical craft. It’s there, at home, where Dervish tests new material, and determines what to develop for an on-stage audience. While the pub is casual and laid-back, the stage performances are,  far more honed in. And perfected,” said Jordan.

After decades of perfecting their craft, Dervish continues to release new music and new arrangements. Most recently, the group released “Passage West” – a single that features the Indigo Girls. 

Jordan added, “We’re in the process of finishing one album and another.” One album will be the “Great Irish Songbook II.” Volume two is more contemporary, featuring songs that were written in the last 75 years, as opposed to hundreds of years ago. The second album may be available for shows as early as March.

When asked when the albums will be released, Jordan said, “It’s a secret. Even to ourselves.”

The musical sets that the group will play on tour are 90% traditional. “But at the same time, there is a lot of writing within that. You know the intros and the arrangements and the harmonies. The instrumental breaks. All of that is new. And sometimes it’s easier to start from scratch with something rather than try and work within a model that’s already there. So there is a lot of creativity involved in it,” said Jordan.

Unlike the laid-back shows that Dervish plays at home, Boulder Theater goers can expect a buttoned-up show with predominantly traditional songs, and a handful of originals mixed into the set.

Jordan noted that she released new music last year, as well. The Crankie Island album features 32 songs to match Ireland’s 32 counties. Compiling the songs and recording the album took three years, and countless collaborations. But she’s most excited for upcoming shows in Dublin and in Glasgow where they’re expecting 1,000 audience members and a number of musical collaborators.