Celtic band introduces new genre of sound to local kids
By Molly Ann Howell
Managing Editor
Celtic music is a diverse, tradition-rich genre rooted in the folk music of Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Brittany, and other Atlantic regions, dating back centuries but with traceable forms from the 17th century. It’s characterized by instruments such as the fiddle, pipes, flute, and harp, and often tells stories of heritage and community.
A trio of musicians brought the music genre to the Octavia Fellin Children’s Library Feb. 3 for a kids’ workshop.
Kalos spans three generations, three cities and two countries. Ryan McKasson (violin, viola, voice), Eric McDonald (guitar, mandolin, voice) and Jeremiah McLane (accordion, piano, voice) met over the years at highland games, contra dances and fiddle camps across North America. They made their first recording in 2016 and have been touring together since 2019.
In an interview with the Sun before the Feb. 3 performance, McDonald said that the people who play Celtic music “find each other across the world.”
When asked what drew him to Celtic music, McDonald said it was initially simply the aesthetics of the genre, but it soon grew into more.
“I think what makes people drawn to it is the woodiness of it, the acoustic instruments, that kind of organic sound,” he said. “But also as you become connected with it over time it has such a history, and that creates a depth in the music that can be super appealing and alluring. It’s the way you can connect to this old music that’s been played for centuries and centuries and you kind of create a stream with people who have played it before.”
This was the band’s second time playing in New Mexico, and their first time playing in Gallup. McDonald said that by playing for kids in the community, the band is trying to introduce them to and get them excited about Celtic music.
“It’s really just giving them an exposure and an introduction to what we do and what we love to do. We’re going to show them traditional music and play some games with them to kind of get them into the music,” he said.
The band also played games and talked about the historical connection of the music with the kids.
To learn more about Kalos, Celtic music, and their tour, visit https://kalosband.com/about.
