Iontach

Iontach is a word from the Irish language meaning not only wonderful, but also strange… Luckily press reviews at home and abroad have used the former when describing the music of this Irish/British/German trio!

The band consists of the three renowned musicians:  Siobhán Kennedy from Dundalk, Co. Louth, Ireland; Nick Wiseman-Ellis from Norwich, England; and Jens Kommnick from Bremerhaven, Germany.  The group was founded in 2003 and started to perform in this line up 2016.  The colourful mixture of emotional harmony singing together with fine arrangements of lively dance music and lyrical melodies has become their trademark.  The wide range of instruments they play includes flute, fiddle, whistles, concertina, guitar, bouzouki, cello and piano.  This coupled with their warm, open and humorous stage presentation has resulted in Iontach being one of the most sought after Irish traditional bands in the German scene.

The group has enjoyed successful tours and concerts throughout Germany, and in France, the Netherlands, Denmark, Italy, Austria and Switzerland.  The largest German folk publication “Folker” chose Iontach’s first CD “The Half Gate” as CD of the month, and it was thus nominated for Folker CD of the year 2004.

Other enthusiastic press reviews from Dirty Linen (USA), fRoots (GBR), Irish Music Magazine (IRL), Irish Times (IRL) and Hot Press (IRL) followed.  In 2007, Iontach released their second album, “Jiggin’ It,” which again got brilliant feedback (Hot Press/Irland, Irish Times/Irland, Le Canard/Belgien, Folker!/Deutschland, newfolksounds/Holland, etc.).

One year later the band recorded their successful Christmas program “Flight of the Wren,” which was followed by their 4th highly praised album “a new journey” in 2016.

INTERNATIONAL PRESS REVIEWS

“…well worth checking out…you will be impressed”

Irish Music Magazine, Ireland

“The variety of instruments and their combinations provided the audience with a richness of sounds.  Furthermore, Iontach’s beautiful singing ranged from mythical and historical Irish ballads to harmonious a capella singing.”

Darmstädter Echo, Germany

“…there are some marvellous harmonies… There’s plenty of variety in the sound of the tune sets…”

Dirty Linen, USA

“…is a work of discreet observation that makes its moves with a quiet authoritative subtlety”

fRoots, England

“…Iontach have gathered an embarrassment of riches onto their … album. There are no half measures … a considered and accomplished collection.”

Irish Times, Ireland

“Iontach is a trio based in Germany featuring three wonderfully talented singers and musicians…With a diverse trove of instruments at their disposal, the arrangements are as varied as you’d expect, and they’re also adept at putting together unusual combinations of tunes and songs… Also particularly nice are their rich harmonies on a cappella numbers.”

Hot Press, Ireland