Roving Crows are an Irish Folk Rock band who deliver the goods with unbounded amounts of riotous energy and banter .The Crows started their journey when a guitarist from Kildare and a fiddle player from Cheltenham, via Donegal, met at a festival in 2007. The music flowed and they’ve not stopped since, with 4 albums under their belt and several national and international awards, this, now 4 piece, are an awe-inspiring force on stage – unstoppable and passionate.This Irish group seamlessly marries humour, provocative lyrics , traditional Irish tunes and rock to entertain and bring the listener on a ride that they won’t want to get off! They make a hell of a noise for 4 people!
The band, now based in Herefordshire & Worcestershire, have wowed crowds at festivals and venues across the UK, Australia, France and the Netherlands! They are a MUST SEE live act; a mix of fiery fiddle playing and conscious lyrics alongside driving drums and bass.
Roving Crows are – Paul O’Neill (guitar and lead vocals); Caitlin Barrett (fiddle & vocals); Laurence Aldridge (drums & vocals) and Jim Smith (bass & vocals).
Their passion and energy on stage is infectious, never failing to deliver a great time with their vibrant live show! Their music pushes the boundaries of the Irish Folk genre, the jumping jigs and reels will get you dancing whilst their enquiring and provocative lyrics will make you think.
The band released their 4th album ‘AWAKEN’ in 2022 and received extensive radio play across the UK as well as 4* reviews for their work. The album was fully funded by a National Lottery Project Grant.
They released their single ‘Wild Atlantic Woman’ back in the summer of this year which gained coverage in RTE Entertainment, The Other Side Reviews, Hot Press, Pure Mzine, Dublin South FM and more, now with their new upcoming album on the horizon the band now hope to break into new media outlets in Ireland and abroad.
With a beautiful Ogham design on the front of the album and a CD full of undeniably catchy and meaningful tracks, the band feel this is their best release yet and one which most closely represents the bands stand on world issues and their feelings on life in general. The songs, all penned by lead singer Paul O’Neill, are intelligent, poetic and thought provoking; it shows clearly the Roving Crows’ beliefs and desires for a better world, without holding back on what they feel should change.
It was important to the band to use Ogham on the front cover as it links music and ideas back to more traditional arts and culture.
Paul wrote most songs on this album in Donegal, “it’s such an inspiring and peaceful place to clear the head and put thoughts into words” he says of the area, “a real paradise”.
The band recorded the album in Pershore, Worcestershire with Dave Draper, producer and engineer extraordinaire, at the helm. Their energies certainly matched as he was able to pull the best out of the Crows and capture their power and passion.
The main themes of the album are ones of highlighting injustices, life reflections, love and unity. There is an organic feel to the way this album has been written, produced and performed with a splash of humour along the way.
FOCUS TRACK BIO – RACIST
RACIST is the first track on ‘UNITE’, the track is calling out racism in Ireland; a country that has historically been ravaged by genocide, apartheid and racism.
Attacks on minorities have seen a rise worldwide; this is an uncomfortable and sad reality that we must confront.
The track depicts the history of emigration from the coffin ships to the present day and speaks about colonialism at its worst.
The powerful, “NOW NOW NOW” refrain is a call to action against all racists, calling people to respect other cultures and races and to find common ground for all humanity.
Cover art by Suzanna Haynes.