Davy Spillane

A founding member of progressive Celtic folk-rock band, <a href="spotify:artist:6fRDxctD38zU8NezZxIwqw">Moving Hearts</a>, Davy Spillane helped bring the music of the Emerald Isle up to modern standards. Since the band's breakup in 1986, Spillane has continued to forge a new musical direction while firmly grasping the traditions of the past.

Spillane launched his musical career while still in his early teens. Learning to play the tin whistle, as a youngster, Spillane switched to the Uilleann pipes at the age of thirteen or fourteen and began frequenting weekly sessions (Irish music jam sessions) at local pubs. Spillane had a lead role as a piper in a gypsy band in the 1974 film, Traveller.

Moving to County Clare, Spillane became absorbed by the Doolin music scene. Approached by <a href="spotify:artist:0woo27tBjj7xCWTRTKOPCh">Donal Lunny</a> and <a href="spotify:artist:3Ebn7mKYzD0L3DaUB1gNJZ">Christy Moore</a> to join their experimental folk-rock band, <a href="spotify:artist:6fRDxctD38zU8NezZxIwqw">Moving Hearts</a>, Spillane accepted the invitation. Although <a href="spotify:artist:6fRDxctD38zU8NezZxIwqw">Moving Hearts</a> experienced numerous personnel changes, Spillane remained at the heart of the band's sound for the five years of its existence.

Shortly after <a href="spotify:artist:6fRDxctD38zU8NezZxIwqw">Moving Hearts</a> disbanded, Spillane recorded his debut solo album, Atlantic Bridge. Joined by American musicians including <a href="spotify:artist:2ka8z2lwkcp13fG8Wyv3xU">Bela Fleck</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:4YgACLaoEjPl4kVZ5WmBN9">Jerry Douglas</a> and <a href="spotify:artist:3YMlcBYj21DcMALlALTO7m">Albert Lee</a>, Spillane used the album to focus on the connections between Celtic music and bluegrass. Spillane has subsequently recorded two additional solo albums -- Shadow Hunter and Pipedreams -- and one album, Out of the Air, with the Davy Spillane Band. In 1991, Spillane collaborated with ex-<a href="spotify:artist:37fTum13aTdEbeGGLMUhXz">Bothy Band</a> guitarist and vocalist <a href="spotify:artist:1nVYeUhlYzmXf0Dl9yk8P2">Andy Irvine</a> to record the stunning, tradition-rooted album East Wind. Spillane's first release on a major record label, A Place Among the Stones, was released in 1998 and featured guest vocals by Marie Brennan of <a href="spotify:artist:0BkAYxgwF9VQiid4wI07yJ">Clannad</a> and <a href="spotify:artist:5gxynDEKwNDgxGJmJjZyte">Steve Winwood</a>.

An in-demand session player, Spillane has performed and/or recorded with such artists as <a href="spotify:artist:1aSxMhuvixZ8h9dK9jIDwL">Kate Bush</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:44NX2ffIYHr6D4n7RaZF7A">Van Morrison</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:2BGRfQgtzikz1pzAD0kaEn">Elvis Costello</a>, and <a href="spotify:artist:5s6TJEuHTr9GR894wc6VfP">Emmylou Harris</a>. In 1998, Spillane toured with Canadian rocker Bryan Adams. Spillane also opened his own recording facility, Burrenstone Studios, in Dublin. ~ Craig Harris, Rovi