Huartan

Since 2023, Belfast-based 'tradtronica' collective Huartan has been breathing new life into ancient words and melodies. This dynamic ensemble consists of three Irish traditional musicians: Catriona Ní Ghribín, Múlú, and Stiofán Ó Luachrain, who also serves as the band’s producer. Their mission is to reintroduce contemporary audiences to the oral singing tradition and native language of Ulster. In a playful re-imagining and rousing reclamation of pagan Ireland, the Huartan live show is immersive and otherworldly, featuring dancers that embody the unsettling presence of the síogaí (fairies/shapeshifters). Their first release is ‘Bean Udaí Thall’ [pronounced: Bahn-addy-hal] (‘The Woman Yonder’) . Revitalising one of the oldest Irish-language murder ballads, it tells the story of two sisters, one of whom drowns the other in a fit of jealousy. Featuring haunting vocals and droning synths in hypnotic repetition, ‘Bean Udaí Thall’ seamlessly blends electronica with traditional singing, winning Huartan the inaugural Amhrán na Laoch competition by HotPress. Winners of the Gradaim Nós 'Newcomer of the Year' award Winners of NI Music Prize 2024 Live Act of the Year 'Huartan have been one of the key voices in a serious 'realignment' of modern Irish music and culture'. -HotPress ‘When you hear Huartan, you start to wonder why people haven’t been putting traditional music and electronica together more: there’s an element of trance about both when done right'. – Dig With It