Cúig:
The Theory of Chaos
This Irish five-piece band , derive their name from the Irish Gaelic word for 5, ( pronounced cooig) with members from Armagh and Tyrone from the North of Ireland are tearing up the rule book with their bold approach to their native musical tradition. Since the release of their critically acclaimed debut album, ‘New Landscapes’, for which Cúig were awarded ‘Best New Irish Band 2016’ by the Irish American News, they have taken both sides of the Atlantic by storm having toured extensively in the US, Europe and Ireland. Comprising of Miceal Mullen (banjo, mandolin), Rónán Stewart (fiddle, uilleann pipes, vocals), Ruairí Stewart (guitars), Eoin Murphy (button accordion) and Cathal Murphy (drums, guitars, vocals), Cúig look set to continue this success with the release of their highly anticipated sophomore album, ‘The Theory of Chaos’.
‘The Theory of Chaos’ features high octane original instrumentals and arrangements with the addition of original songs, a recording first for the talented five-piece. With a keen emphasis on varied production techniques, the new album conveys a powerful evolution in Cúig’s already distinctive sound. ‘The Theory of Chaos’ allows each members’ individual musical flair to shine while simultaneously gelling seamlessly as an ensemble to create a progressive, exhilarating and polished album which places Cúig at the forefront of contemporary Irish music.
‘Carry On’, an original song from the upcoming album, was featured in a social media advertising campaign video for Aer Lingus filmed at Milwaukee Irish Fest 2018, the biggest Irish festival in the world, which has clocked over 650,000 views to date.
Not only have they achieved success as a band, individually these multi-talented musicians can lay claim to several All Ireland titles.
Since then, their performances creating a dynamic and powerful live show which has left audiences on their feet in Ireland, France, Italy, Spain, Holland, Luxembourg and most recently the USA creating great demand and acclaim for Cúig.
Audio
Track 1: Carry On
Track 2: Patient Zero
Track 3: Where To Walk
Track Listing
- Midnight
- Quiet Shores
- Carry On
- The Theory of Chaos Ch 1
- The Theory of Chaos Ch 2
- Patient Zero
- Where to Walk
- Before The Flood
- Change
- Tirolo Nights
Press Reviews
Five youngsters from Armagh and Tyrone playing polished pipe and accordion music with a rock band backing: their material is mainly their own, but draws on the Irish and Scottish piping traditions as well as more modern influences. There's banjo and fiddle in the mix too, so this is unmistakably Irish music: reels and jigs of course, but with a demanding beat and an energy level more suited to the nightclub than the céilí. Starting with the irrepressible pipe reel Lexy MacAskill, a piece which propelled the Peatbog Faeries to greatness, there's a mix of fast and less fast numbers, and a wacky section in the middle with the two-part title track. The Theory of Chaos ends on Cúig's own Tirolo Nights, one of my favourite tracks here, with its lighter fiddle and mandolin melody recalling Elephant Sessions.
This is Cúig's second album, more confident than their first, and also features three of their own songs, a new departure. The vocals are not yet at the same high level as the instrumentals, but with these lads it's probably only a matter of time: album number three could see them challenging Take That! A bit of Moxie, a bit of Mellowosity, echoes of Buille and Bongshang, but mostly this is Cúig's own sound, and it's as sound as a pound.
The Theory of Chaos is right in that new stream of tectonic trad combining great tunes with head-banging accompaniment, but also subtle arrangements which draw the best from both folk instruments and modern music. Give it a try - it will certainly be a fresh experience. © Alex Monaghan
The Living Tradition
This is the second release by a young quintet from the North of Ireland, named after the Irish word for the figure 5. It comes on the heels of their highly-celebrated debut album, which in turn was helped along by a first-place finish in an All Ireland Fleadh (when the band ranged in age from 14 to 18).
This second outing is bold and confident. They are out of the blocks quickly with a set of tunes called Midnight. The guitar and drums set the rhythm, then the pipes, banjo and accordion dance in. They’ve included several original songs this time. One of them, Carry On, already has a considerable following from an Aer Lingus social media campaign. The songs are more thoughtful than the full abandon of their treatment of tunes, but they do bring in their instrumental abilities to colour a song. Throughout, the playing is precise, with some great percussive backing and powerful arrangements.
With so many fine players these days, sometimes it is the seemingly-small dynamics that allows one band to shine through. As the reference to chaos theory in the title suggests, Cúig shows that the band’s refinements in rhythm and arrangement can have grand consequences. The members played together for many years before hitting the stages, and that connection shows in the maturity of their material. This is a quite exciting sophomore release from a band to watch – and to listen to often. Ivan Emke
IRISH MUSIC MAG 2019 ANNUAL
The Theory of Chaos is the latest album from Cúig, one of a daring new wave of groups pushing and pulling at the boundaries of the tradition.
The album kicks off with a belter called Midnight on the M50, a title that will no doubt conjure up images for most musicians of the late-night trip
home after long night’s work. Well, on this occasion, the inspiration must have been a wild night. Full drums replace the traditional bodhrán in the
percussion stakes, providing the backbone for button accordion, uilleann pipes and banjo.
The tunes in the set: Eamonn Coyne’s, Lexie McAskill’s and 12 Weeks and a Day, are played solidly, with the percussion offering
some interesting rhythmic nuances to enhance the vibe.
Each set is carefully arranged with a keen ear on adding plenty of groove and funk around what is essentially an album of contemporary tunes in
the traditional format, structured to create an experience for the listener much in keeping with what this five-piece outfit has in mind for its exploration
in and around traditional music.http://www.cuigmusic.com/live/
Cathal and Eoin Murphy’s composition Patient Zero is the title track for a set, which exemplifies all of the above and Cúig’s approach.
Their ability as musicians is matched by their creativity and their confidence to experiment in the studio. The title track, or tracks, comes in two chapters;
The Theory of Chaos Chapter 1 and The Theory of Chaos Chapter 2, with plenty of texture in each chapter and various moods being applied, again
taking the listener on a journey with the group.
A lot of hard work and effort evidently went into producing this fine record of music. However, a visit to their website will reward the curious in regards
to their inspiration and the origins of the ideas that embody this tight, well-orchestrated album. Derek Copley
