The John Byrne Band is led by Dublin native and Philadelphia-based John Byrne. Their debut album,
After the Wake, was released to critical acclaim on both sides of the Atlantic in 2011. With
influences ranging from Tom Waits to Planxty, John's songwriting honors and expands upon the
musical and lyrical traditions of his native and adopted homes. John and the band followed up
After the Wake in early 2013 with an album of Celtic and American traditional tunes. The album,
Celtic/Folk, pushed the band on to the FolkDJ Charts, reaching number 36 in May 2015. Their third
release, another collection of John Byrne originals, entitled "The Immigrant and the Orphan", was
released in Sept 2015. The album, once again, draws heavily on John's love of Americana and
Celtic Folk music and with the support of DJs around the country entered the FolkDJ Charts at number 40.
Critics have called it "...a powerful, deeply moving work that will stay with you long after you
have heard it" (Michael Tearson-Sing Out); "The Vibe of it (The Immigrant and the Orphan) is, at
once, as rough as rock and as elegant as a calm ocean..each song on this album carries an honesty,
integrity and quiet passion that will draw you into its world for years to come" (Terry Roland - No Depression);
"If any element of Celtic, Americana or Indie-Folk is your thing, then this album is an absolute yes"
(Beehive Candy); "It's a gorgeous, nostalgic record filled with themes of loss, hope, history and lost loves;
everything that tugs at your soul and spills your blood and guts...The Immigrant and the Orphan scorches the
earth and emerges tough as nails" (Jane Roser - That Music Mag)
Photo: Suzanne Kulperger
The album was released to a sold-out crowd at the storied World Cafe Live in Philadelphia and 2 weeks
later to a sold-out crowd at the Mercantile in Dublin, Ireland. John has toured with or opened up for
acts as diverse as The Hothouse Flowers, Ian Gillan (of Deep Purple), Gaelic Storm, Murder by Death,
Finbar Furey, Luka Bloom, The Saw Doctors, The Solas, Sharon Shannon, The Young Dubliners and The
Greencards. Both as a solo/acoustic act, and a full 6-piece band, John logs in over 150 shows per year,
building a loyal and devoted following. John spent 2017-18 recording and releasing an album of folk songs
with his father John Sr. Released under the name "John J.Byrne and the Twangmen" the album has been included
in the National Archives in Ireland. His next record, "A Shiver In The Sky" another selection of
originals, was released in Fall 2019. Recorded at Spice House Sound in Philadelphia and produced by long-time collaborator Andy Keenan, it shows this band of multi-instrumentalists vibrantly executing ten new originals. Strings, banjo, accordion and guitars escort Byrne’s vocals through a set of songs about living and pushing forward through negative times.
A Shiver in the Sky focuses on triumph over trauma. Support from radio all over the country pushed the album to #1 on the Roots Radio Report Alternative Folk Chart in January 2020.
For up to date info and dates, go to www.johnbyrneband.com
Email info@johnbyrneband.com - JByrneMusic@gmail.com
Or Call (267)608-6371
What the Critics are Saying
"...a powerful, deeply moving work that will stay with you long after you have heard it" Sing Out
"The Vibe of it is, at once, as rough as rock and as elegant as a calm
ocean..each song on this album carries an honesty, integrity and quiet passion that will draw you into
its world for years to come" Terry Roland - No Depression
"If any element of Celtic, Americana or Indie-Folk is your thing, then this album (The Immigrant and the Orphan) is an absolute yes" Beehive Candy
"It's a gorgeous, nostalgic record filled with themes of loss, hope, history and lost loves; everything that tugs at your soul and spills your blood and
guts...The Immigrant and the Orphan scorches the earth and emerges tough as nails" Jane Roser - That Music Mag
"Up and coming Trad star hits the sweet spot...beautifully played...its Byrne's natural vocal delivery that makes the album stand out from the crowd" Hot Press (Ireland)
...about John Byrne Band's earlier work
"John Byrne's After The Wake is the sort of album that an artist spends their entire career trying to create…. nothing short of a brilliant collection" - Wildy's World
"One of the few musical artists today who truly manage to be traditional and modern at the same time." Philadelphia Inquirer
"He's good, period, with material that's edgy yet accessible in a Luka Bloom meets Bob Dylan kind of way." Philadelphia Daily News
"After the Wake is the perfect combination of Celtic and American folk music."
Record-Journal Newspaper
"Amazing tales of life and semi-autobiographical tunes… You’ll want to listen over and over again."
Reviewer Magazine
Byrne's songs are rich with the sounds and themes of Irish tradition, one that survives in a modern world...full of
"raw strength"... an impressive work throughout... puts me in mind of an Irish Alejandro Escavedo"
Sing Out Magazine
For "fans of Celtic music, Bob Dylan, Steve Earle, Lucinda Williams and other such lyrically expansive folks." Sun Herald
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