Arkadia

Arkadia , not your typical band.

This week was a busy week, but in the middle of it all I had the chance to chat with the members of the local group Arkadia who took a break out of recording their new promo, behind the scenes documentary DVD with Blue Shed Productions in Claycastle Recording studios to come into the studio and talk to me.  Arkadia are a powerhouse group who play in local venues in East Cork and at many corporate, wedding and dance functions and festivals around the country on a regular basis.

 Arkadia are a lively and unpredictable, but fun five piece band with band leader Mike Maher a powerhouse on drums and vocals, Stef Rossi, guitarist, who has the ability to make even the dullest songs rock, Colette Forde on vocals, beautiful and sweet, with the voice of a heavenly choir rockin it,  the wizard George MacDonald on keyboards weaving and casting spells that Harry Potter would be proud of and Owen Twomey on bass, the rock that all else rests on, the one sane member of this motley crew. This group of musicians is supported by a stage crew that many of the international acts would kill to have working around them on sound, lights and transport.

Each member of Arkadia have all come from top internationally recognised acts and have all worked together pre Arkadia so when it was time for this collection of musicians to come together it was no problem musically. In fact Owen and Mike are ex members of the internationally acclaimed Bogus Brothers, renound as being the biggest party band in the world. They would have regularly played to audiences in excess of 70,000 and constantly toured in over fifteen different countries. Their celebrity client list included the wedding of pop star Caroline Corr, the wedding of Irelands rugby legend Brian O'Driscoll, Ronan Keating, Eddie Jordan, Garry Lineker, Sir Alex Fergusson, to name but a few. I know name dropping here, but when you have it as they say why not flaunt it.

You can be assured that the level of experience and pedigree running through Arkadia is of the very highest. Playing a core-rockin, foot-stompin and head-thrashin set of classic rock, soul, R&B and modern hits soon to be spiced up with collaborations between themselves.

Arkadia can be best described as an Intellectual, Classical, Country, Ceili, Jazz, Biker, Showband on fairy dust, poitin and acid, with a touch of sanity thrown in for good measure. (They have the certificate’s to prove there is a semblance of sanity involved. I saw at least one swimming cert from 10 years ago in the midst of  all the doctors reports).  Despite all the fun and wisecracks in trying to interview this group, they are a very serious bunch of musicians who know how to entertain and how to give great value to whomever they are playing for. One thing is assured with this group, professionalism and entertainment at all times. For more information on this great band check out their website on www.arkadiatheband.com or simply go see them play at a venue near you.

The most important thing about Arkadia, apart from the music, the craic, the fun, the hard work is
Colette's winning smile. Its amazing.....................................................

(Click on image for full size smile)

Click below to hear to the actual interview

Shane Supple interviews Arkadia by Shane Supple on Mixcloud