Download this entire kit as a PDF by clicking here.
Biography
Hailing from the occupied territories of the Songhees, Esquimalt and WSÁNEĆ nations (Victoria, BC in Canada), Clanna Morna breathes life into their unique take on the Celtic Folk genre. Their sound is rooted in the traditional Irish, Scottish and English music that many love, and features carefully crafted arrangements, rhythmic spirited energy and captivating storytelling. Clanna Morna focuses on telling the stories of those less fortunate throughout history; the rebels, underdogs, women, and queer people whose voices were silenced. Comprised of an ensemble of multi-instrumentalists, their collective musicianship and attention to detail contribute to a unique audience experience featuring both familiar and lesser known folk ballads and tunes.
Members of Clanna Morna have been arranging and performing traditional Celtic and original music for 3 years together and for over a decade in other projects, sharing their melodic arrangements and stories both locally and internationally. Since their formation in the fall of 2020 Clanna Morna has toured the North-Western USA, and British Columbia and Alberta unceasingly, delivering nearly 300 performances in their first three years together as an ensemble. Notable performances include the 2022 Vancouver Celtic Festival, the 2022 BC Highland Games, the 2021 - 2023 Victoria Highland Games, 2022 Woodstove Music Festival, the Oceanside Folk/Roots club in Qualicum Beach (2021 and 2022 seasons), the Pender Harbour Music Society (2022/23 season), and Peace Valley Folk Fest 2023.
The band is comprised of Cody Baresich (guitar, mandolins, Irish bouzouki, tenor banjo, percussion, vocals), Finn Letourneau (fiddle, banjo, harmonium, vocals), and Mark Leigh (accordion, tin whistles, harmonium, vocals). With the combination of traditional instruments featuring strong melodic leads, rhythmic guitar accompaniment and foot percussion, the band covers a wide swath of musical ground. From high-energy instrumentals to slow ballads, drinking songs to sea shanties, Clanna Morna brings a unique west coast influence to Celtic & English folk. The band pays tribute to and takes inspiration from legendary predecessors including The Dubliners, The Pogues, The Bothy Band, Planxty, and The Clancy Brothers. Their live shows are dynamic and diverse, with audiences dancing along to upbeat jigs and reels and singing along to rebel songs and heartfelt ballads. Clanna Morna effortlessly bring songs and tunes which are hundreds of years old into a modern context, sharing relatable stories of our collective past with the audience.
Their debut album "From the Lowlands to the High Seas" was released on CD and all streaming services in June 2023.
Releases
From the Lowlands to the High Seas (2023)
Released June 16, 2023
Clanna Morna’s debut album is a fanciful journey from the sublime airs of Ireland and England, to the rollicking reels and jigs of Ireland and beyond – with original material as well! Featuring ballads of love, loss, rebellion and revelry, this snapshot of Clanna Morna’s first 2 years as an ensemble will not disappoint!
Recorded at Fiddlehead Studios – SḴŦAḴ / Mayne Island, BC
Engineered By Adam Iredale-Gray
Additional parts (Tenor Banjo, Bodhran, Percussion) Recorded at Circle A Studios – Lekwungen Territory / Victoria, BC, Engineered by Cody Baresich and Mark Leigh
Mixed by Cody Baresich at Circle A Studios
Mastered by Brad Boatright @ Audiosiege Mastering
Album Art by Annika of Pitchblack Illustration
Album Layout by Cody Baresich
Ensemble Members
Press Photos
Clanna Morna 2021
Photo Credit: Ryan Macdonald
Click to download full size print resolution version
Clanna Morna 2021
Photo Credit: Ryan Macdonald
Click to download full size print resolution version
Videos
|
Live Performance of “Virginia / Martin Wynne’s #2 / Morning Dew (Reels)” |
Live Performance of “Maid On The Shore & Scatter the Mud (jig)” |
|
Live Performance of “McAlpine’s Fusiliers” |
Session video for “Factory Smoke / Cooley’s Reel / The Wind that Shakes the Barley” |
|
Session video for “Bonnie Ship the Diamond” |
Session video for “The Foggy Dew” |
Performance Highlights
- 2023 Peace Valley Folk Festival
- 2023 Richmond Maritime Festival
- 2023 Penticton Scottish Festival
- 2022/23 Season Pender Harbour Music Society
- 2022 BC Highland Games & World Music Festival
- 2022 Vancouver Celtic Festival, BC
- 2022 Tourism Ireland Presentations Vancouver & Victoria
- 2022 Woodstove Music Festival
- 2021 Victoria Highland Games & Celtic Festival, BC
- 2021 & 2022 seasons, Oceanside Folk/Roots Club, Qualicum Beach, BC
For a complete listing of all 250+ past performances, please see: Past Shows
Logos/Wordmarks
Any of the following logos may be used in promotional materials. They may be used as-is or color inverted (black on white)..
Full Page Logo
Designed by: Sean Fitzgerald
View/Download full size print resolution
Horizontal Overlay Logo
Designed by: Sean Fitzgerald
View/Download full size print resolution
Horizontal Medium Logo
Designed by: Sean Fitzgerald
View/Download full size print resolution
Square Logo
Designed by: Sean Fitzgerald
View/Download full size print resolution
Reviews
Clanna Morna at CelticFest!
CelticFest Vancouver were delighted to have Clanna Morna at this years festival and they certainly delivered! Their set was lively and fun and the audience enjoyed every minute! A very talented group of musicians who I would be delighted to work with again.
Brentwood Bay Village Empourium
As technically proficient as they present on video, it only hints at the energy this culturally diffuse band generates during a live show. When disciplined musicianship is infused with the joy of performing the experience is palpable magic. Clanna Morna live takes you on a roller coaster of sonic emotion: from wistful ballads to traditional reels to pulse-pounding shanties and fight songs. You needn’t be a disciple of Celtic music to become immersed in the experience – big fun for all ages!
Oceanside Folk / Roots Club
Clanna Morna….what can I honestly say that captures the enjoyment felt by our audience…? Joyful….? Rollocking…? Sure, they are that and much more. They are a brilliant bunch of young musicians who take their mission of carrying forward the beloved sounds of The Dubliners, The Clancy Brothers, and Planxty very seriously…..One of the most enjoyable bands we’ve had and one that has a standing invitation to return. We love ’em!
Fantastic celtic folk music performance
From start to finish, Clanna Morna has been a delight to work with. Our Irish wedding was held June of this year and I contacted them after I found them on the Irish times website. Communication was excellent prior to the event, price was very reasonable and they showed up on time with all equipment required. Their instruments and presentation was very professional and they were all very personable and friendly. I was looking for and Irish music performance for our wedding and I got so much more! This band provided exceptional traditional folk music as well as brief history on the songs about to be played during the performance which really added a unique element to the concert and kept it interesting for the audience. I very much appreciated the brief history lessons a lot – very interesting. This band is spectacular – they play a combination of ballads and upbeat tunes to delight their listeners. They have a variety of traditional instruments and their vocals are very good. If you are looking for a professional Celtic folk music band in the Victoria BC area, look no further than Clanna Morna. You will not be disappointed.
In the Media
Seaside Magazine – April 2023
https://seasidemagazine.ca/arts-scene-clanna-morna-in-the-chord-of-celtic/
The X 92.5 FM Kamloops – July 2023
Contact Information
Clanna Morna
Tel: 1 (250)-888-7918
Email: info@clannamorna.ca
www.clannamorna.ca
Contact Information
Social Media
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ClannaMorna
YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/clannamorna
Instagram: instagram.com/clannamorna