The Wild Aethonans
An Irish wizarding folk band named after the winged horse native to Ireland formed in 1999 as a response to "bringing cheer back into the world" after the Second Wizarding War. Famous for their pub tours and tavern music, which often forms the backdrop to pub brawls on occasion. They feature all characteristics of Irish folk music; their lyrics often celebrate the green of the hills, the trickster nature of the leprechauns and the wisdom of the Sidhe, though they can be called on to provide sorrowful caoineadh songs on occasion.
They don't often tour in England, but are happy to be booked in advance to perform at public places. They can also be heard on the Wizarding Wireless Network.
On occasion they sometimes include New Age elements into their music. It depends on which band member is in charge.
Band Members
Brother and sister duo Séamus and Aoife Mac Lochlainn play the fiddle, flute and uilleann pipes.
Niall Breckenridge plays the banjo and is one of the two vocalists of the group. He's also the de facto leader of the group despite him denying it.
Ciarán and Siobhán Ó Domnhaill, related by marriage, play the bodhrán and accordion. Siobhán is the female vocalist of the group as well. If the Ó Domnhaills are the producers, the track is definitely going to turn out New Age along the way.
Previous members are Aodhan Caomhánach, who left in 2001 to get married and now owns a wizarding pub in Dublin where the Aethonans frequently play and Caitlín O'Shea, who is now a solo New Age singer. She sometimes collaborates with the Aethonans.
Discography
The Wild Aethonans are known for long gaps in their discography, preferring to take their time to create tracks true to the Irish spirit and their musical tastes. When they do release albums, the albums often feature roughly 15 tracks each, and each track is a good 10 minutes long.
In early 2012 the Wild Aethonans broke their 5-year intervals of silence to release a full album based on music inspired by Irish dance. While the tracks are markedly shorter than their usual fare (around 5 to 6 minutes), the album also features 30 tracks as a result.
- (2000) For Years to Come - A light, lilting combination of ethereal Irish music composed to uplift the spirits and look ahead for the new year. Directed by the Mac Lochlainns.
- (2005) The Sea Runs Free - Refers to the manes of wild horses galloping across the moors, this album encourages adventure and courage. Directed by Niall Breckenridge.
- (2010) Land Under Wave - The most New Age of the albums, it features both Breckenridge and Siobhan as vocalists in optimistic and beautiful tracks meant to be danced to. Directed by the Ó Domnhaills, for obvious reasons.
- (2012) Around The Sun - This particular album caused a wave through the Irish music community for breaking the band's long intervals between releases and features a wide variety of inspirations from Irish folk heritage musics from those played at ceilidh to those used for Irish dance competitions. It is a collaboration between the Wild Aethonans and wizarding Irish dance band Leprechauns Allegro!, which had been rumoured for a while. The first edition cover states, "A love letter to those who wanted to dance to our music. Here is our gift to you. Love, Ireland." and signed by all the members of both bands.
For writers
The Wild Aethonans are inspired from Riverdance, Feet of Flames, Irish folk music, ceilidh and Irish dance. The music is usually uplifting, something that makes you get up and dance.
On Absit Omen
Arcturus Hollingbury listens to them on the radio.
The band performed at Rover's Fancy in February 2011, and Arcturus Hollingbury and Cepheus Gamp went to hear. [1] [2]
