THERE’LL be strumming on the porches of the log cabins, dancing in the cobbled streets and jamming outside the General Store as some of the finest bluegrass acts in the world coverge for Bluegrass Omagh.
Running from May 4 - 6 at Omagh’s Ulster American Folk Park, this year’s festival promises an unforgettable weekend of music, culture and history.
The folk park provides the perfect atmospheric platform for the festival of foot-tapping music and organiser Richard Hurst is delighted by how the event, in it’s 32nd years, has grown to become one of the biggest of its kinds in the world.
“Bluegrass Omagh offers a one-of-a-kind music event for visitors from both home and afar to delve into history and discover the rich heritage connecting Ulster and America through world-class bluegrass music.
“It’s become a flagship event at the Ulster American Folk Park because we’re a unique location to put on such an event, creating an inclusive and lively atmosphere for everyone while celebrating the shared history and music traditions of the people who emigrated to the heartland of Appalachian America.”
From bluegrass and old-time to Americana and country genres, taking to the stage this year is an impressive array of local and international talent.
The line-up includes European bands such as Rookie Riot and Milkeaters, American groups such as Nothin’ Fancy and Broken String Band local musicians and songwriters such as Four Men and A Dog and Pilgrim Street.
Over the bank holiday weekend, festival-goers can also enjoy an array of entertainment alongside delicious food and traditional craftwork.
Festivities include a Friday night opening concert at the Strule Arts Centre in Omagh, and finish with a bluegrass-themed Family Day at the Ulster American Folk Park on May 6.
Q&A with Dave Holden, songwriter, guitarist and mandolin player with Dublin band I Draw Slow
You seem to be consistently redefining as a group. How do you currently describe your style of music?
We have changed over the years alright. I would describe it as roots music I guess. We can be quite contemporary, but still in an Appalachian/Americana style.
What drew you to the bluegrass genre?
Years ago I was busking in Australia and I met a man playing bluegrass banjo. I had never heard anything like it before and he offered to mentor me. We started busking together around Sydney. When I came home to Dublin I bored all my musician friends about how great this music was and we set up a band. That morphed into a few other bands.
How long have I Draw Slow been together?
That’s debatable; we’re not too sure ourselves! But I think at least 16/17 years with the same line-up which is good going for a touring ban.
Do you still try to keep a sense of identifiable Irish folk influence in your music?
Not consciously, but it definitely seeps in. We have a song in Irish on our latest record.
Some of your songwriting, such as Trouble has a contemporary social commentary - is this a conscious direction you are taking?
A lot of the latest record was written and recorded during lockdown which gave it a very introspective feel. We tour a lot in the southern United States so we have to walk a fine line in terms of political content, but we tend to sneak it in there.
What’s it like working and writing alongside your sister?
It’s great actually. We’ve been in various different bands together for years. We hardly ever squabble, but mainly because I’m so agreeable!
Which of your tracks do you enjoy performing most as a band?
Mmmm.. good question. There’s an old-time fiddle tune called We’ll Die In the Pigpen Fighting that we play around one microphone which is a lot of fun.
What is the most meaningful song you have written?
We have a song called My Portion that we always play in our set. It is about addiction issues and we have found it has really resonated with our audience. Specifically in the US, we get people coming to the shows who have struggled in the past and have found us through that song.
Are you looking forward to performing at Bluegrass Omagh?
We played there many years ago and loved it. It’s a great way to play to lots of different people of all ages. Old time Bluegrass came from the merging of many types of people and music, but Ulster was a big part of the mix for sure.
Are there any groups you are looking forward to seeing perform in Omagh?
The last time we were there we saw a few great bands. I remember catching Mandolin Orange there.
We have shared the stage with them many times since and seen them go on to great things as Watchhouse. I look forward to catching something new again this time
What are your plans for the rest of the year?
We’ve had a busy year so far that included a tour of Alaska which was amazing. We have a few Irish festivals ahead of us and then we are all over the States this summer. It will be one of our biggest tours to date where we will be playing many great festivals. We are also currently writing new songs.
Can you tell us how you came to collaborate with actor Aidan Gillen in the music video for your hit Valentine?
A friend of ours, Hugh O Connor (actor director) who we’ve worked with on a couple of videos knows him. He was on a break from filming Game of Thrones and Hugh played him the song and asked him if he would like to be in the video. He said he liked the song and agreed to do it. It was all filmed in about four hours in a small pub in Smithfield, Dublin.
