Irish, Scottish, and Celtic Music Groups in Austin

Head over to 1806 West 35th Street and visit Things Celtic to find Celtic Music CDs from many of the following artists. Find venues as well.

Bedlam Bards
Billing themselves as An Act of Balladry with Violins, the two and a halfmembers of the Bedlam Bards are Austin's wildest renfaire band. Mixingtoe-tapping fiddle tunes with songs on topics ranging from Irish rebellionto ghost ships to young love to bondage and discipline, they're ready toliven up any festival, wedding, private party, church service, or barmitzvah you might have.
Contact: James Hazlerig
Phone: 512.452.0823
Email: fithelere [at] aol.com

Black Irish Texas
Black Irish Texas are an Irish band with a punk rock edge and a rockabilly look.
Contact: James Fitzsimmons
Phone: 512. 294.1538
Email: theblackirish [at] theblackirish.info

Brobdingnagian Bards
The Original Celtic Renaissance duo combining unique instrumentation (autoharp, recorder & mandolin) with a romantic, comical meal that'll leave you hungry for more. Celtic drinking songs for breakfast. Fantasy, filk and dragon sandwiches for lunch. And an extra helping of JRR Tolkien-esque instrumentals for dinner. Over 5 million downloads of their music worldwide. Weddings, office parties, house concerts and computer repair.
Contact: Andrew McKee
Phone: 512.567.3194
Email: booking [at] thebards.net

Capitol City Highlanders Pipes & Drums
Austin's oldest bagpipe band non-competitive, fun and growing!
Email: businessmanager [at] austinbagpipes.com

Cluan
High energy celtic band, specializing in "pure drop" traditional Irish music.
Contact: Erin Bobruk
Phone: 512.626.4285
Email: bookings [at] cluan.com

Sarah Dinan
Sarah is a natural vocal talent being hailed by critics and audiences all over America as "refreshing", "awesome", "hypnotic" and "majestic". Often compared to Mary Black and Sinead O'Connor, Sarah's clear alto voice is perfect for the lilting songs and haunting ballads she sings. Working with some of Texas' most respected Celtic musicians, Sarah has created a versatile ensemble available for a variety of settings from large venues and office parties to weddings and intimate house concerts.
Contact: Sarah Dinan
Phone: 512.468.2265
Email: info [at] sarahdinan.com

Thomas "Doc" Grauzer
Thomas "Doc" Grauzer is a harper and storyteller of the Irish tradition, incorporating in his performances a variety of stately court tunes, lively dance numbers, historical anecdotes and wonder tales. He attempts to present something of the lost traditions of the itinerant Irish harper and seancha in his words and music.
Contact: Doc Grauzer
Phone: 512.448.4702; Voice Mail: 800.501.3755
Email: tgrauzer [at] ireland.com

Gilmer & Moore
Heather Gilmer & Jeff Moore are a traditional Irish music duo, specializing in a variety of tunes and songs that extend beyond the average dose of jigs and reels commonly found within the genre. Particularly interested in dance music from the Sliabh Luachra region of Ireland, they include in their repertoire a generous helping of slides, polkas, hornpipes and slip jigs.
Contact: Heather Gilmer
Phone: 512.833.9481
Email: info [at] gilmermoore.com

Ed Miller
"Ed Miller is one of the best singers to emerge from the Scottish folk revival, a guitar-wielding folkie who wins his audiences over with a sweet but powerful voice, a great ear for material, and equal doses of populist politics and wry humor. He learned his craft in the sessions, clubs, and festivals of the folk revival, both in Scotland and the United States. Miller is also a scholar with an academic degree in folklore and a deep curiosity about history and culture, and his multiple roles and approaches to music and song make his performances and recordings that much more rewarding." Steve Winick, contributor to The Music Hound --The Essential Albums Guide.
Contact: Ed Miller
Phone: 512.472.6036
Email: edmiller [at] songsofscotland.com

Marc Gunn
Marc Gunn performs Celtic songs and offers folk music downloads from a wide array of Irish, Scottish, and old-time American folk music styles, in addition to original music. He performs a capella and on America's folk instrument, the autoharp.
Contact: Marc Gunn
Phone: 512.470.4866
Email: marc [at] thebards.net

Kevin Hendryx
Scottish Highland Bagpipes. A Founding Member of Silver Thistle Pipes and Drums (1977-80)
Performances or Instruction Offered by Appointment -- 25 years  experience.
Contact: Kevin Hendryx
Phone: 512.291.5895
Email: KevinHendryx [at] mail.utexas.edu

O'Malarkey
Take one smidgen of faux-traditional Irish tunes. Add a pinch of the contemporary Celtic stuff. Season to taste (?) with humor and song. Blend well at high speed for 30 minutes or so. Slam it down, chase with Scotch, call it Malarkey.
Contact: Virginia Davis
Phone: 512.847.9975
Email: vedavis33 [at] yahoo.com

Ptarmigan
An Austin original.
"No electronic smoke and mirrors here..."
Contact: Gordon Starret
Phone: 512.926.0342
Email: barney [at] itouch.net

Silver Thistle Pipes & Drums
The only competition-grade band in Austin and Central Texas which has competed successfully at Highland Games in and out of Texas. Founded in 1977, it is known for its lively and entertaining stage performances.
Contact: Ken Liechti
Phone: 512.306.9245
Email: info [at] silverthistle.net

Spot
Austin's most eclectic human; a fine musician and great guitarist
Contact: Spot
Email: spotnyet [at] sbcglobal.net

Steve Rees
A member of Two O'Clock courage, now doing solo work as well. Featuring vocals, guitar, Uilleann and Highland pipes, and bouzouki. Traditional songs of the Isles arranged the Steve way. Also in duo format.
Contact: Steve Rees
Phone: 512.310.8165

The Tea Merchants
The Tea Merchants were formed a few years ago (2002, I think it was) by Chris, Charlie, and Rob as a method by which to procure grocery money and a free evening tab at the bar. Since the little group got together, they have played nearly 200 gigs in just under 3 years and have had their band name painted in golden letters on the wall at Fado.
Contact: Chris Buickley
Phone: 512.771.4722
Email: fiddlechris [at] hotmail.com

Click here for a listing of Celtic music artists who play in Austin.