The Henry Girls

Submitted by Sinead on January 10, 2012 - 12:37
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€10/€12

This Feb we welcome The Henry Girls to the Half Moon for one night only.
The Henry Girls are fast becoming one of the most talked about folk/roots acts to come out of the North West of Ireland in the last decade , and they are now also developing an international reputation performing overseas, including the US. Hailing from the picturesque village of Malin in the Inishowen Peninsula, County Donegal, they have a unique sound which blends classic traditional Irish folk music with a hint of Americana, a nod to bluegrass and many more in between.
They are renowned for their fine close harmonies and musical arrangements, and have been likened to many other harmonising siblings such as The McGarrigle Sisters, The Andrews Sisters and The Everly Brothers. Their sound has also been compared to such great musical acts as Crosby, Stills & Nash, the Dixie Chicks and the Be Good Tanyas.
They write songs that are tuneful, catchy, and warm. Their repertoire is scattered with old and new and their style reflects many influences and tastes. In addition to playing in the band all three girls are music degree graduates and music tutors and often hold workshops at the festivals they are invited to perform at.
The three musical siblings have been playing and writing music together for more than a decade and have four albums to their credit. Their most recent album, December Moon (2011), was produced by Calum Malcolm (Blue Nile, Heidi Talbot) and features many fine Irish musicians including Ted Ponsonby, Nicky Scott, and Liam Bradley.
The band has been playing and touring nationally and internationally for many years at festivals and venues such as Milwaukee Irish Fest, The Old Town School of Folk, Chicago; Mountain Stage Radio live Broadcast, West Virginia; Celtic Connections, Glasgow; the International Nomad Festival in the Sahara Desert; International Medieval Drama Festival in Camerino, Italy; The Manchester Irish Festival and many, many more.They have worked and collaborated with Irish and International acts such as Donal Lunny, Mary Black, Liam O’Maonlai, Moya Brennan, Larry John McNally, Jennifer Kimball; Session Americana, The Fox Hunt, to name only a few...

'What a revelation, The Henry Girls have finally found their voice and what a happy voice it is…..their original songs have the potential to have a very long life beyond the album. December Moon the title track could be the Galway Girl of 2012'
- Sean Laffey. Irish Music Magazine, 2011
There must be something in the water that allows Donegal to produce family bands whose harmonies are a joy. There’s little of Clannad in The Henry Girls, from Malin in the Inishowen Peninsula, though they’ve honed their sisterly harmonies over four albums to an equally impressive level. The latest offering from Karen, Lorna and Joleen McLaughlin is smartly produced, mixing their country leanings such as Stop Saying Forever and Sing My Sister Down , or the snappy cover, Ol’ Cook Pot.
- The Irish Times, December 2011
{The Henry Girl's] trademarks include delicate harmonies and gossamer playing and these qualities are to be found in abundance over the generous selection of 14 tracks on December Moon... a very engaging record indeed.
- Hot Press, December 2011