story by Patrick McCarry

For four months every year, thousands of Irish students descend upon America, with Chicago a popular choice. It was here, in the International Hostel, where seven Irish ramblers met up. A few drunken nights and bleary days later the group had an apartment, yet no one is quite sure how this happened. It took a full week to transform a disused shop into a barely inhabitable base. This included the discovery of meat dating 1998, porn magazines with mammoth haired dames and a drawer full of knives. When the laughter died down, it was time to find work. Only the laughter never died down.

What began as in-house camaraderie went a step further when the gang gathered in Johnny O'Hagans pub near Clark & Belmont. As with many decisions made after a few drinks and smokes, the jubilant septuplet approached the manager and were soon up on stage in support of the night's main act.

And so The Moonshine Travellers were born. Eight months later and the band has exploded onto the Irish music scene like a brick in a tide pool. Taking from their experiences abroad while keeping their closely-knit group together, the band set out on the road, initially in their Irish base of Cork, then throughout the country.

McCARTHY'S INNER VIEW "I know a tent in West Cork doesn't sound like the best place in the world for a band to be stuck, but it's a really peaceful place for writing, practicing and even now, recording music. The acoustics in there really rock."

The Travellers consist of Shane Power (vocals and guitar), Eaodaoin Dooley (vocals), Barry McCarthy (harmonica, vocals), Eamon Byrne (piano, dancer), Gillian McCormack (drums) and Aine McKevitt (banjo). Their seventh member, Therese Casey, is now their full-time manager. Although she possesses a commendable singing voice, she modestly admits her musical talent "amounts to me pressing play on my Discman." Their tight bond is epitomized by the fact that they refer to themselves as "The Casey Family."

The Moonshine Travellers are not in legion with a management agency, preferring to set up their own record label, Joob-elation Records. They relied on friends, family and colleagues to produce their first two singles, "My Latest Scar" and "Rosary Beads from Jesus Freaks". The critical acclaim that welcomed those releases has led to a sense of self-expression and freedom, as Therese describes it.

A live appearance on the Irish show "Ceol Na Tire" ("Music of the Country") first garnered the band attention and moved them into the national spotlight. Their cause has been championed by many DJs across the country that have heard their music. The most notable were Cork 98FM and Ray Darcy from Today FM. What began as cult success soon evolved into a growing interest in their music which increased with the release of their first album, Neon Love. However it would be a trip to a friend in France that broadened The Moonshine Travellers' horizons.

Eaodaoin was teaching English in Lyon, France since her return from Chicago. "It was something I always wanted to do", says Eaodaoin, "France is such an intriguing place. The only problem was my appalling poverty. A diet of noodles and water can't be good for you." The arrival of her friends revived Eaodaoin's musical dreams. According to Aine, "we went over to see our good friend and came home with a welcome band member." The inclusion of Eaodaoin (who is fluent in French) has seen the band take a more bilingual tone.

Indeed, the band has lived up to name. Over the Christmas period they went on tour, taking in seven European cities. "We got a really cool reception in all the cities we visited, especially in Prague, they seem to embrace the bohemian spirit." In January of this year their first entry into the French chart "La Vie de Sans Abri" ("The Homeless Life") was a Top 10 performer.

An hour before their homecoming gig at An Brog in Cork, I meet up with lead vocalists Eaodaoin and Shane, who shows up unfashionably on time, armed with his acoustic guitar and a bottle of wine ("I'm early? Controversial".) Eaodaoin describes Shane as the spiritual leader of the band. "When he starts singing you listen y'know, he tells tales, he sings stories, he leads you down paths and you want to follow."

Before they head onstage to a full house, Shane is laid back about the bands' first tastes of adulation. "I just let it roll man, like a penny down your arm." Their lead singer is not the only one who carries the Jim Morrison vibe off, Eaodaoin and Barry take up regular narratives throughout their epic performance.

Conversing with the crowd is just the first in a unique concert experience. The Moonshine Travellers' sessions can often run between three and four hours, with at least five intervals. Band members can be found at the bar shooting the breeze with fellow revelers, whilst the rest of the band plays on. Piano player Eamon takes a 40-minute mid-session break and sits side stage drinking red wine from a mug.

During one of these impromptu breaks I catch a word with Barry, who provides further insight into the band's background: "Well, my parents were never supportive of my music. I suppose they thought my trombone playing wasn't very good, or indeed conducive to sleep. In retrospect they were dead right, hence my abandoning the trombone. So I was kind of forced to move out at a young age, but you know I was broke and 15 wasn't the best age to be heading off into the city alone. So I built a yurt [a wooden, Mongolian tent-type structure] on the farm, far away from the house so as not to be heard. That's where I live to this day, and where we always practice. I know a tent in West Cork doesn't sound like the best place in the world for a band to be stuck, but it's a really peaceful place for writing, practicing and even now, recording music. The acoustics in there really rock."

This summer the band return to where it all began. In June The Moonshine Travellers take in eight venues and three cities in their American tour. First up is Chicago were the group plans to visit some old haunts (Shane: "We always had a blast in Hogs & Honeys. Live karaoke and mechanical bulls, what more do you need?") The Travellers are coming back this time armed with a songbook bursting with tunes and a steady momentum that sees a release of their second album this year.

The Moonshine Travellers will play at Hogs & Honeys June 26.