About
Catoan do folk-rock-jazz-classical things with music, mostly ...resulting in an exciting fresh experimental folk/rock hybrid - prog-folk! The Belfast-based band made the change to become Catoan in March 2007 after having already played together for over a year as Paddy McKeown...with a band. Members are Paddy McKeown (vocals, guitar, coffee drinkin), Rúaidhrà Mannion (violin, backing vocals, lover of bowls), John Ferris (electric guitar, glockenspiel, purveyor of fine rum), Cavan Fyans (bass, backing vocals, does some other things with games consoles), Rob Baker (drums, dreaming of madonna and luan parle and jam) and are joined frequently by Iain McDougall (tenor sax, wearer of cardigans).
As Paddy McKeown (and band) they've had songs played on Across The Line (Radio Ulster) and various international stations, appeared on the Just Jones Show (Radio Ulster), U105fm and recorded sessions for Raidió Na Lifé (106.4fm, Dublin). Paddy's page was featured on the MySpace homepage. They've played support for Starsailor and Leya, appeared in the Belfast Telegraph a number of times, The Irish News, GO Magazine, Twenty4-Seven, Bad Habit Mag, the BBC's ATL website, AU Magazine, and had a glowing article/interview on www.culturenorthernireland.org. Even more recently they have garnered A&R interest from some of the major labels as well as being asked to perform support for the likes of Jack L and perform at the notable Out To Lunch Festival, which bring with them much publicity.
As Catoan, the band have already been played on BBC Radio 1, Dublin's Phantom FM, Cork's 96-103FM, recorded a session for ATL Radio Ulster, appeared in the Belfast Telegraph and the Belfast Beat, and had a very positive feature in Hotpress. They have played support for Kate Nash and Jack L as well as having played the prestigious IMRO Showcase Tour. The catoan track 'Stranger' was one of the selected tracks on the IMRO Showcase Tour's 'the very best rising Irish talent' CD that went out with the Irish Daily Star to well over 100,000 people around Ireland in April.
Taken onto the roster at Clintons Solicitors, with a mini-album release through Curious Incident Records set for release in Ireland for 10th August with an Irish tour to follow and in the UK for the 19th October with a UK tour to follow, the band is set to make a significant impact this coming year.
The tour, kicking off in Belfast, will be the band’s first Irish tour and will see them perform in Warrenpoint, Carlow and Cork for the first time. The band, who have played support for Leya and Starsailor at the Cinemagic Music Fest as well as for Jack L and Kate Nash, changed over from being known as Paddy McKeown and band to become catoan in March.
Since then the band have already been played on BBC Radio 1, Phantom FM, Cork’s 96-103FM and appeared in various papers and magazines including receiving a very positive feature in Hotpress.
Additionally, the catoan track 'Stranger' was one of the selected tracks on the IMRO Showcase Tour's 'the very best rising Irish talent' CD that went out with the Irish Daily Star to well over 100,000 people around Ireland in April.
“and will i†is now available for pre-order on Amazon.co.uk and Indiestore.com/catoan. It will also be available from catoan.com, iTunes, Virgin Digital, HMV Digital, eMusic and many other outlets.
Catoan have four of the six tracks for preview at www.catoan.com <http://www.catoan.com/> and www.myspace.com/catoan <http://www.myspace.com/catoan> .
The tour dates are:
10th Aug - BELFAST - Laverys Bunker - doors 8pm, entry £3
17th Aug - DUBLIN - Eamonn Dorans - doors 8pm, entry TBC (Support for Stagger Lee)
18th Aug - DRAPERSTOWN - Cellar Bar - doors 9pm, entry TBC
23rd Aug - WARRENPOINT - The Square Peg - doors 8pm, entry TBC
24th Aug - DERRY - Masons - doors 8pm, entry FREE
31st Aug - CARLOW - The Music Factory - doors 8pm, entry TBC
2nd Sept - CORK - An Cruiscin Lan - doors 8pm, entry TBC