Biography
Originating in Toulouse, France, Doolin' formed as an eclectic Celtic collective whose command of traditional Irish music quickly drew listeners from many countries. They first appeared in 2005 and have since issued well-regarded recordings, among them the 2016 album Doolin' and Circus Boy in 2023, both situated where Irish and French folk-rock traditions meet.
The group took its name from an Irish fishing village and draws most of its members from two families, fusing assorted traditional and contemporary Celtic idioms with French folk and rock elements. Its roster includes the brothers Nicolas Besse on guitar and Wilfried Besse handling vocals and accordion, their cousin Sébastien Saunié on bass, Guilhem Cavaillé on fiddle, and the brothers Jacob on whistles alongside Josselin Fournel on bodhrán. Since their start in 2005 the ensemble has produced three studio albums as well as the 2013 concert release Live in Lorient. After signing with Compass Records the musicians headed to the United States to cut their fourth, self-titled LP in Nashville, folding American roots influences into their established sound.
They spent the following three years touring extensively and earned prominent slots at major roots festivals throughout Canada and the United States. Recording for the next project began in 2019, yet the COVID-19 lockdown soon curtailed live activity across the music world. Finished in Paris under producers Olivier Lude and Patrice Renson, Circus Boy appeared in 2023 and introduced additional sonic textures while highlighting original compositions.
The group took its name from an Irish fishing village and draws most of its members from two families, fusing assorted traditional and contemporary Celtic idioms with French folk and rock elements. Its roster includes the brothers Nicolas Besse on guitar and Wilfried Besse handling vocals and accordion, their cousin Sébastien Saunié on bass, Guilhem Cavaillé on fiddle, and the brothers Jacob on whistles alongside Josselin Fournel on bodhrán. Since their start in 2005 the ensemble has produced three studio albums as well as the 2013 concert release Live in Lorient. After signing with Compass Records the musicians headed to the United States to cut their fourth, self-titled LP in Nashville, folding American roots influences into their established sound.
They spent the following three years touring extensively and earned prominent slots at major roots festivals throughout Canada and the United States. Recording for the next project began in 2019, yet the COVID-19 lockdown soon curtailed live activity across the music world. Finished in Paris under producers Olivier Lude and Patrice Renson, Circus Boy appeared in 2023 and introduced additional sonic textures while highlighting original compositions.
Albums
Singles
