There's a youthfulness abounding in the Celtic music scene these days. It's fresh, energetic and fused with a sound that has a rich international flavour. It's Slainte Mhath (pronounced Slawncha Va). The innovative Cape Breton quintet is keeping its traditional roots firmly planted, with a determination to making 21st century Celtic music and bringing it to a global audience.

The Slainte Mhath (Gaelic for "good health to you") sound draws from a wide range of influences. This high-energy group features traditional instruments associated with the Celtic genre intertwined with grooves, hooks, and sub-bass lines, all augmented with contemporary arrangements.

The diverse and cultural background of Slainte Mhath includes the musical versatility of Lisa Gallant (bodhran/percussion, fiddle and step-dancing), Boyd MacNeil (octave mandolin, fiddle, guitars and percussion), Ryan MacNeil (keyboards and percussion), Brian Talbot (drums and percussion) and John MacPhee (Highland bagpipes, Scottish reel pipes and Irish flute).

Slainte Mhath's new sounds explode on their latest album VA, a title that represents the phonetic pronunciation of Mhath. VA takes the fiercely talented young generation of musicians to another realm of creativity - combining those deep, traditional influences with modern-day nuances that will set popular culture on its ear.

Slainte Mhath has a growing fan base worldwide that keep a close eye on them through their very entertaining and informative website. Having toured extensively in Canada, the U.S.A., England, Scotland, Sweden, Denmark and Mexico, the young group has honed its chops considerably.

With VA, Slainte Mhath embarks on a new part of their musical journey. Jump aboard; get ready to go - it's definitely an enjoyable trip into a new century of Celtic music making.

 

Ryan
Lisa
Boyd
John
Brian
The Facts on Slainte Mhath
  • A featured act in many Festivals; In Canada, Cape Breton's Celtic Colours International Festival, The Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Mariposa, Dawson City, Guelph, Ottawa and Owen Sound Folk Festivals, Toronto Streetfest and Toronto and Ottawa's Winter Festivals (to name just a few); In the USA at Central Park's Summer Stage, California's Strawberry Music Festival, The New Hampshire Highland Games, The Alabama Highland Games, Pennsylvania's Celtic Classic Highland Games, North Carolina's Grandfather Mountain Highland Games, the Chicago Celtic Festival, Milwaukee Irish Festival and Louisiana's Red River Revel; In England, The Cambridge Folk Festival, London's Coin Street Festival, Warwick Folk Festival and the Sidmouth International Folk Festival; In Scotland, Celtic Connections, The Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Speyfest and the Celtic Hebridean Festival in Stornoway; In Denmark, the Tønder Festival and in Mexico, the Cervantino International Festival.
  • Slainte Mhath kicked off the 2003 East Coast Music Awards with 'Annie,' their first release from VA, played their own version of TSN's Silver Cup theme song on a national broadcast during the 2003 Stanley Cup Playoffs, were the subject of a Scottish documentary film aimed at inspiring Scottish school children to embrace their heritage, were featured in a Welsh documentary and part of a Gaelic Television series (MnE Scotland) showcasing local and international talent.
  • Performed with industry greats such as The Chieftains, Steve Earle, Ashley MacIsaac, Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings, Gordon Downey, Dougie MacLean, Suzanne Vega, Buffy Saint-Marie, Bob Geldof, Runrig, The Oyster Band, Danu, Seven Nations, Bullfrog with Kid Koala, Ani DiFranco, Richard Thompson, The Barra MacNeils, Great Big Sea, Bruce Cockburn, Bruce Guthro, Wolfstone, Shooglenifty, Natalie MacMaster, Rita MacNeil, Gordie Sampson, Afro Celt Sound System, Leahy, Jimmy Rankin, La Bottine Souriante, Lennie Gallant, Cherish the Ladies, and Sharon Shannon.