Dísréad (Band)

The members of Dísreád, Mhairi Uasal of the Tribe of Fermanagh (left) and Eileen Íseal of the Tribe of Conn.

Dísréad is a two women band playing Selkie-Rock. Founded in 2013 in Riverwood, the band made up of Mhairi Uasal of the Tribe of Fermanagh and Eileen Íseal of the Tribe of Conn found success within the Free Lands and in some countries abroad. Both together write songs and sing vocals, but both have their own instruments.

Members

Mhairi Uasal of the Tribe of Fermanagh

Mhairi Uasal of the Tribe of Fermanagh is the guitarist, both being able to play the electric guitar and the acoustic guitar.

Her voice is usually described as high,

Eileen Íseal of the Tribe of Conn

Eileen Íseal of the Tribe of Conn is the bass-guitarist and

Her voice is usually described as low,

History

In the Winter 2018/2019, the band made a creative break on the Longbhriseadh-Islands of the Oileánra-Archipelago. While there, they met Isla Saighead of the Tribe of Westmeath and her friends.

During the 2019 Cuan Spring Festival in Cuan, Dísréad played on the Ceol-Square, one of four bands playing on that main stage. Amongst others, they presented some songs from their newest album, Dhá Chrann don Ghrá (Two Guitars for Love).

In Mid-2019, the band tried its hands at harder rock, beginning work on the concept album Saigheada le Fruiliú, Arrows for Hire, covering the many different battles of Selkie-Mercenaries over the many centuries. The song Le haghaidh Grá, Airgid agus Baile, For Love, Silver and Home, premiered during their concert at the 2019 Preetz Mittsommer Festival. The corresponding album is planned for a 2020 release.

Style and Reception

Disréad's style of music is usually seen by critics as an ideal-typical Duo-Rock Band, omitting the drums in favour of two guitars, both girls as vocalists.

Their songs focus on love and loss and being apart, but there are also a few fun-songs, as well as a few songs focusing on Selkie-Politics and commentary on that (an example would be Sula dtéann tú chun cogaidh... (Before you go to war...), a song from 2019). They themselves say, that they got inspired by Ciaróg, another Selkie-Rock Band, their songs usually about love as well, but who had strong pacifist leanings in their later works. Their songs are known to be danceable.

They are often compared to Leannáin, but while both bands admit to certain similarities and a certain bit of competition, there are quite a few differences between them.

Discography and famous songs

• Simplí Album (Collaboration Album, Comedy Rock, 2017).
• Tumadóir (Diver, 2018).
• Díphlugáil (Unplugged, 2018).
• Dhá Chrann don Ghrá (Two Guitars for Love, 2019).
  • Sula dtéann tú chun cogaidh... (Before you go to war...)
• Saigheada le Fruiliú (Arrows for Hire, 2020, concept album).
  • Le haghaidh Grá, Airgid agus Baile, For Love, Silver and Home.
  • Mura bhfuil, cén uair?, If not now, then when?.