Below is the link to the recent feature about the band in the local press and we hope to be able to keep you up to date with our travels and music with these links
The music of Bi Beó is heavily influenced by the elements of nature,people and by living on an island surrounded by the restless ocean. Through many of the songs there is reference to the human experience of living in a small gaelic community and how the emotions of such an experience evoke such a strong sentiment and attachement to the place and its people.
At the root of the music influence of Bi Beó, is Runrig and the songs of Calum and Ruairidh MacDonald from Lochmaddy. Their music and songs have been an inspiration for many years and the catalyst needed to inspire the new song writings of Bi Beó. Many of the songs reflect on an interaction with nature and an understanding that everything has its place in the world.
Music to Bi Beó is a pleasure and a way to express what is beautiful and inspiring about the Hebrides and life. It is an opportunity to express the inner feelings that are so often stifled by the stresses of a modern living. Through living in the Uists there is time to make music and an invigorating environment to keep us inspired. the amount of amazing musicians and singers from the Hebrides is a testimony to that.
Sounds Like
The Music of Bi Beó takes you on a journey into the Outer Hebrides and through this magical landscape and into the heart of an island at the edge of the Atlantic Ocean.
The variety of melodies and songs reflect on a living environment enriched by nature and a wonderful people.
Bi Beó wishes all who have shared the beauty and enchantment of the Hebrides to be reminded of that moment and to relive its memory through our music; for those yet to encounter the big skies, azure ocean and endless beaches we hope that this music is the begining of a life long journey and love affair with Scotlands hidden gems.
Bi Beó has its own original sound and material and strives to encapsulate the very essence of the Hebrides through its music and songs and hopes that wherever this music is heard it will inspire all to seek out these shores and to bi beó(be alive
For more information about the Outer Hebrides seek out Visit Hebrides
For more information about the Uists seek out Visit Uist
For the past two years the music of Bi Beò has been slowly and quietly developing in a small corner of North Uist in the Outer Hebrides. The founding members of the band, James MacLetchie and Kevin De Las Casas got together initially to jam out a few tunes as most musicians do, but eventually through their song writing and composing, the sound of Bi Beò was created.
The songwriting of Bi Beó is free flowing and often inspired from a chord , a simple melody that has come to mind or from the elements of nature. This songwriting partnership of Macletchie and De Las Casas caught the attention of Gordon Wells ( now a member of the band) who was working at the time on a video project called Island voices. This project focused on various aspects of island life and as a result Gordon recorded video interviews with James and Kevin regarding their music and songwriting partnership. To view these videos please click below.
James MacLetchie Interview
As the music and compositions developed into a unique sound Bi Beò recognised that they needed to form a complete band and as as a result additional members were sought and the band increased in size to six consisting of a keyboard,lead guitar, drums, harmonica,electric mandolin, base guitar , cittern and lead vocal.
Through this group of musicians the new sound of Bi Beò has developed into something unique and original in the musical scene from the Hebrides. The music of Bi Beó provides all members of the band with new challenges, both musically and vocally; encouraging them at all times to strive and produce a pure and professional sound, while maintaining a certain rawness to the the music.
The music of Bi Beó has different moods and since the release of the album Beó an Dúil the band have been busy writing more tracks for a new album later this year. The songs for the new album are uptempo and more exciting and aimed at providing more dance tracks.
The songs of Bi Beó focus on the living environment and the beauty of life and people in the Hebrides.The band love playing live to an audience and their brand of music is being hailed as exciting, original and the kind of injection needed in Gaelic music by those in the know. To Bi Beó as long as people love and dance to their music they are more than satisfied.
The Start of the Hougarry Reel
The debut Album “Beo an Duil” features 10 brand new tracks which were written,composed and produced in Uist by James MacLetchie and Kevin De Las Casas and all the songs contain the traditional roots of gaelic music and culture. The album was recorded at the Media Hebrides Studios in North Uist.
Inside the album cover are all the lyrics in Gaelic and English enabling all listeners to learn the songs and to encourage learners of our language to see the words as they are written and be able to follow the tracks on the CD.
You can purchase this CD now online . Just click on the link below.
NOUVEAU!!!! Disponible sur Myspace! Un morceau extrait du nouvel album du groupe Maltavern "Douce Tornade" Sorti le 28 Juin 2008 Bonne écoute! A bientôt Et bon vent... Christo pour Maltavern
