MUSIC The Niall McCabe Band to release debut album

NEW TUNES?The Niall McCabe Band, from left: Hugh Dillon, Niall McCabe, David Duffy and Davey Ryan. Pic. John Allen

The Niall McCabe Band to release debut album


Transatlantic soul outfit The Niall McCabe Band might be based in Cork City, but its roots are in Clare Island. Cross-genre multi-instrumentalist and singer Niall McCabe was born and raised on the island, and though he now calls Kinsale home, he frequently comes back to the west, to touch base with his windswept Clew Bay home.
He has played with the other three members of his band in various groups over the last five years – from jazz quartets to big-band soul outfits, to rock and pop cover groups. Now, they are set to release their album ‘Part of the Light’ this spring.
McCabe started out playing traditional Irish music on the accordion and the bodhrΡn, and his songs and musical style are drawn from a mixture of these folk roots and later more ‘transatlantic’ influences of rock and soul.
The singer believes that the insularity of growing up on an island had a profound effect on his song-writing, and thinking in general. “The physical isolation tends to make you think more outwardly and look for connections with the wider world.
‘Part of the Light’ as a collection of songs is consciously reaching out from the insularity of the island to something bigger and more universal,” he says.
Waterford born David Duffy and Davey Ryan from Tipperary form the core of the sound in their respective roles of bass and drums.
Their solid groove has made them the most ‘in demand’ rhythm-section in Cork city over the last number of years.
Hugh Dillon is a widely sought after and much admired guitarist from Cobh who has played the country’s larger venues with the likes of Mick Flannery, as well as keeping very busy with session work.

The Niall McCabe Band’s debut album, ‘Part of the Light’, is due for release on March 21.