Matt Hughes
Guitar, Vocals, Percussion Karl Greenley
Tin Whistle, Vocals, Percussion Paul Giampaolo
Bass, Backing Vocals,
Keyboards, Percussion Sue Borowski
Mandolin, Irish Bouzouki, Violin, Viola, Vocals
Influences
The Clancy Brothers, Pittsburgh's The Wild Geese Band, Mike Murphy and the Shannon River Band, The Bilge Pumps, The Jolly Rogers, Corsasirs, Hair of the Dog, The Fenians, The Dubliners, Brigid's Cross, Brobdingnagian Bards, Marc Gunn
Ar éigean Gael is Pittsburgh's newest Irish Folk Rock Band. In the Spring of 2007 Matt Hughes had started performing as a solo musician. Matt, however wanted to get a band together to perform in the Pittsburgh area. One evening Karl Greenley asked Matt if he would like to perform with a whistle player. Matt quickly agreed and contacted Paul Giampaolo to play the bass guitar. They started rehearsing together but something was missing. One afternoon Matt was perusing a local forum for Irish musicians and their fans when Sue Borowski posted stating she was looking for local Irish musicians to jam with. Matt contacted her and they started meeting together to play music. Sue was hired shortly afterwards making the band a four piece. The band plays a mix of drinking songs, rebel songs and ballads inspired by Ireland and Scotland. They have just completed their debut CD "Good Drinking Weather".
GREAT shows at Club Cafe and at Geno's in Lawrenceville! Clearly, you guys made new fans at each place. I noticed a couple guys from the Club cafe show who came to see you play at Geno's.
Nice show at the Club Cafe, guys! I enjoyed it and as I watched the crowd I noticed they were enjoying it too. That's the main thing. The girls at the bar who were singing back at you during 500 Miles especially seemed to be enjoying it! Here's to many more gigs in the future. Jim
Great show at the Grove Irish Pub on Saturday afternoon, guys! You sounded good at the Carrick Eagles that night as well, I just wish more people could have been there for you. Here's to bigger and better things... Jim
