Whanau

Now entering their 3rd year together, Lisburn six-piece Whanau are beginning to turn heads and make a name for themselves on Northern Irelands buzzing local music scene. Their unique sound has been described as "an experimental acoustic fusion style" packed full of vibrant, uplifting melodies, strong vocal harmonies, catchy songs and a tight, dynamic rhythm section. Brimming with positivity and an honesty in his song writing vocalist and guitarist Ash Smith sings and plays straight from the soul and with vocalist Polly McG electrifying the airways around their melody's the pair fall into cascades to bittersweet tone. Picking in skilled lead licks electric guitarist Ciaran McGrath switches from dreamy sways to a close-knit rhythmic attack, saxophonist Matt "Doc" Doherty with his forever winding sax trails that are easy to get lost in. Bounding in with quirky bass lines full of funked bright tones bass guitarist "Heff" locks in tight with drummer Rob Lindsay whose solid beats provide the perfect backbone for all these sounds to form upon. Whanau's live performance consists of a home brewed melting pot of different genres, with each song lending itself perfectly to that distinct "Whanau sound". This is a band that thrive on live performance, no matter how big or small the venue or audience. Over the past couple of years Whanau's Irish gig diary has been packed and diverse playing at a variety of venues and events both north and south of the border. As well as a few memorable sell-out shows, they are also carving a name for themselves on the festival circuit, appearing at Sunflowerfest 2012, Hilden Beer Fest 2012, Culture Night/Peace Day Belfast 2012, Northern Ireland's Hot Air Balloon festival 2011 and Hillsborough Oyster festival 2011, and the band are never too shy to help "spread the love" at charity events. To date Whanau have released an acoustic seven-track mini album and four singles. The band have also held several successful sell-out launch nights to promote these recordings at venues including The Empire in Belfast, The Belfast Barge and Molly's Parlour in Lisburn. Through this they gained some radio time, doing an interview on Queens Radio Belfast and having their single, "The Beginning," played on BBC Ulster's Across the Line Show. Future plans for the band are big ones! They hope to play a lot of live gigs and festivals in the coming year, not only in Ireland but hopefully across the water as well. And with the promise of two new singles and a few revealing "behind the scenes" videos in the horizon, the "Whanau Sunrise" of 2013 is sure to be a bright one! "Lisburn's best new unsigned band....massively catchy songs and an uplifting vibe throughout." - The Ulster Star www.youtube.com/whanauism for all our videos and songs, radio interviews and more!