The HiBs

Bio:

.. Mariread Ni Mhaonaigh of Altan says of the HiBs new CD: "Solid Irish music played on fiddle and flute, by two people steeped in the tradition. There is no compromise here, the tunes speak for themselves and the musicians play from the heart!"

Rick Anderson of All Music Guide says: ...this is their debut album. It's a beauty. Though both play with masterful skill, they keep the focus firmly on the tunes rather than on their own virtuosity, resulting in a sound that is clean and joyfully energetic, and tempos that are sturdy but never frenetic. Part of what makes this program so satisfying is its nice variety of rhythms: polkas, mazurkas, waltzes. and hornpipes are all scattered among the more common jigs and reels, and many of the tunes are relatively uncommon and singularly pretty. This is an exceptionally fine album.

Tim Leary, whose mazurkas we recorded on the 40 Acre Notch, had this to say after hearing the CD: "In short, its great. A lovely selection of tunes played at a nice steady pace, and with respect and integrity. You've given the tunes space to speak for themselves without being over produced or cluttered and I liked your version of the mazurkas. I've been playing the record a lot."

A band based on musical friendships new and old. Kate and Jode Dowling play Irish Traditional Music with an intimacy and depth gained from over 12 years of playing together. They travel the world to learn their music from masters, well-known and obscure. The Dowlings are known for their great respect for the music, their skilled execution, their devotion to teaching and of course, for their hospitality and great house-party sessions. Their combined passion for the music translates to powerful performances.

Kate and Jode are lucky to perform with many talented friends in the HiBs. Our local community is rich with national and international talent. Our debut CD, which features Daithi Sproule, Martin McHugh, Brian Miller, Paul Wehling, Sean Egan, and Kate's brother Brian Wade, was released internationally on August 12th, 2008. It has been featured on local radio (KFAI, KBEM) and on stations in Boston (WUMB), Alaska (KIAK) and Winnipeg's Prairie Ceilidh (CKJS) among others.

Kate and Jode founded The Center for Irish Music in St. Paul in 2005. Kate served as Executive Director there until August 2009. Kate and Jode were founding members of the Doon Ceili Band, of which they are now alumni.

Jode has his own myspace site at Jodetunes.


Here's a few videos recorded by friends in Atlanta!

Member Since:

July 15, 2006

Members:

Jode Dowling, fiddle. Kate Dowling, flute and tin whistle. Currently touring with guitarist and singer Patsy O'Brien from Co. Cork. The 40 Acre Notch features Daithi Sproule and Brian Miller on guitar, Martin McHugh on accordion, Paul Wehling on bouzouki, Brian Wade on bohdran and Sean Egan on piano.

Record Label:

New Folk Records