The group Ruaille-Buaille (pronounced 'rula-bula'), began in 2005,
when old colleagues from previous musical projects decided to get
together again to enjoy de the folk sessions where they had first
met. Once the repertoire had developed and more complex arrangements
had been fixed they moved on from informal sessions to stage
performances, and since then have travelled widely in the peninsula
giving concerts.
A product of this
first stage of the group’s development was the first studio
recording /īru:lә `bu:lә/ (pronounced "rula-bula"), published by
Several Records which was recorded in 2008, coming out at the
beginning of 2009. This recording reflected the philosophy of the
band from its beginnings: music mainly with Celtic roots, an
acoustic sound, and with songs mainly composed by the singer Duncan
Bennett.
Time and a lot of
work together has allowed the group, sharing experiences and
different backgrounds, to gradually develop and define their own
style, to which the changes in group members and instruments, and
the exploration of new sources of inspiration have contributed.
The result of this
evolution is the second album from Ruaille-Buaille, Blue Jig (2011),
where the new direction the band has taken can clearly be seen.
The group has not
only grown from it’s initial five members to six, but has evolved
from the original acoustic line-up, with no percussion and rhythm
only from the string instruments, to a new sound with a much
stronger rhythmic base thanks to the incorporation of the electric
bass and the drums.
At the same time
the group no longer looks for inspiration only in traditional Irish
and Celtic music, but also through new compositions, and by using
melodies inspired by other sources, both within the world of folk
(Basque, Galician folk, Balkan and country music...), and
incorporating other styles (blues, ska...). The structure of the
pieces is richer and more complex, leaving behind the original
repertoire of tunes used in sessions in the pub.
As far as new songs
go, Duncan continues to be the main writer (his songs have developed
in character and depth), but other members of the band have provided
songs and tunes and the arrangements as always have been the work of
the whole group.
And this work in
common has come out of the harmony in the group, clearly to be seen
on stage, where the rulabularesque members of the group can’t help
but transmit their sense of fun, ensuring audience participation and
the great atmosphere which is one thing that hasn’t been lost from
those original sessions around the table in the bar.
