The Nots are:
Jeff McMurtery, a Spokane native and band teacher, joined the Nots in 2004 and plays bodhrán (Irish frame drum), cajón (box drum), and other percussion. He also sings.
Carlos Alden, host of the "Nacho Celtic Hour" on KPBX public radio and a well-recognized figure in the local Folk music scene. Carlos plays cittern (a 10-string bass mandolin thingy), guitar, banjo, percussion, and vocals.
James Hunter, a well-traveled Englishman, plays flutes, whistles, uilleann pipes (Irish bagpipes), didgeredoo, percussion, and lots of other things that clearly weren't intended for musical purposes. And he sings. Sort of.
Influences
Planxty, Alan Stivell, Jeff Cairns, Solas, The Chieftains, Jimi Hendrix, Mary Jane Lamond, King Sunny Ade, Mel Mercer, Vinnie Kilduff, Lunasa, Yamaguchi Goro, Jan Garbarek, Flook, Cran, The Who, Weather Report, Fabulous Trobadors, Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, Gentle Giant, Bach...
Sounds Like
Traditional Irish music played untraditionally. Folk music played jazzily. Everythng played energetically on lots of instruments. A real champon...
Celtic Nots is a Spokane-based acoustic band playing music based on the Celtic Music traditions of improvisation, layered harmonies, and interspersed melodies. They draw from folk music traditions from England, Ireland, Scotland, Brittany, Galicia, and America, throw in some Middle Eastern, jazz and rock influences, and add some humorous irreverence for good measure.
The Nots formed in Spokane, Washington in 1995 and have performed hundreds of times in the region, becoming regular features at various local and regional festivals, and collaborators with an increasing number of artists in the region, including Columbia Ballet Theater, The Haran Irish Dancers, and Moments of Clarity. They currently have five CDs in their catalogue, which feature a wealth of original material as well as their unusual treatment of Celtic Traditional music: "Rope Tricks" (1996), "Not Music" (1998), "Deep Midwinter" (1999), "Untied" (2000), and "Why Not?" (2004). They are also featured on two live CDs from the Spokane World Music Summit ('98 & '99). They are currently working on the sixth album, which should be out mid-2007. The Nots' music is driving and powerful and truly manly, based on solid African and Celtic rhythms. Their performances are intense, including furious and complex melodies, soaring improvisational solos, warped humor, and occasional sets of Irish and British sing-a-longs, and they encourage audience participation. In spite of this, there are still some Celtic music lovers who haven't heard them, and the Nots would like to invite them to "get notted" by checking out the music or by coming to a gig...
hey thanks! it was quite a pleasure getting to see you play with An Dochas on new years eve. i love the way you play that didge! other then one show in colville this summer we don't have much planned........twould be grand to play in the can sometime.
i will so be there. James, my family sent me a package for my birthday last week and in it were some cd's from Ceilan. i love them. will you please tell her that, and that i listened to them on my walk in the countryside today. it will be good to see you guys again.
hello Celtic Nots! you better have a show coming up. first night? i will be home the 18th and I will need my dose of the Nots sometime soon. hope you are doing well.
Check out this album, An Ideal Christmas Gift for all.Beautifully played melodies on piano with full orchestra. Very relaxing and sootheing to the ear.
A digital download with full art work suitable for all media formats
We're a finalist for the Indpendent Music Awards! Please support us and vote:
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It would awesome if you could forward this message to anyone else you know who might like to help with the vote!
Hey guys! Really enjoyed your show at the Bing Crosby last Friday (with the unfortunate exception of the two eejits behind me who kept a running commentary). Can't remember the name of the one voice solo sung by the lovely young lady. Was that the "Parting Glass" by any chance? Mish
Hey thanks for the friendship! And don't get me started on Fox aka Fux. They cancelled my favorite TV show (Firefly)and oh yeah, all that other right wing crap. I once saw Craig Ferguson show a picture of Rupert Murdock (he showed a pic of satan instead)giggle. How do you guys feel about having your songs on people's profiles? P.S. great creative on your MySpace page and your website!
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