Biography
Ballycotton originated in 1996 within St. Pölten, Austria, beginning life as an acoustic quartet whose opening pair of releases highlighted a clear affinity for Irish music. Although numerous original compositions appeared in their repertoire, the arrangements were crafted to reveal the ensemble’s thorough command of traditional Irish forms. Their five-track EP Joanna’s Wedding arrived at the start of 1997, with Fairytale following in September of the same year; both projects displayed outstanding musicianship. Fiddler Matthias Jakisic stood out in particular, since the material centered largely on fiddle-led pieces. The remaining members performed at an equally high level, yet their primary function consisted of supporting Jakisic. After his exit the group’s core that stayed intact proved to be guitarist Gernot Strauß, picker extraordinaire Alex König, and percussionist Harald Binder. Jakisic departed in order to launch a solo career and was succeeded by two fiddlers, Christina Gaismeier and Jock Brocks, whose respective backgrounds supplied classical and traditional elements to the band. The lineup shift prompted Ballycotton to revise its musical direction in substantial ways. Traces of Irish influence can still be heard, yet the ensemble embraced a broader world-music approach, due in part to Brocks’ wide-ranging familiarity with multiple folk traditions. The 2001 album A La Cut captures the transformations the group had experienced.
Albums
