A multicultural take on the Irish language

MUSICAL duo Phoenix and Wolfe, made up of Ennis singer songwriter Amanda Shannon and Brazilian Cairo Rocha have released a new single.
The Irish language single ‘Slí na Fírinne’, funded by the Clare Arts Office “is a complete collaboration between the Irish and Brazilian communities,” according to Amanda.
She explains the song is equally influenced by the seannós tradition and the Brazilian arrangest and composer Gamela “celebrating the connection of two nations dispossessed of their native languages and traditions”.
Pulsing with percussive rhythms, melting guitar riffs, soundscapes of the wild Atlantic and vocals at times haunting and sensual ‘Slí na Fírinne’ speaks to themes of celebration, destiny and connection with our ancestors and loved ones.
Amanda tells us she was inspired by the connection she feels with her dad after he passed. The song initially came to life in two parts she outlines.
The first was the intro which was inspired by a conversation with another artist who loved the duo’s version of Harry’s Game by Clannad. After seeing a vision of a woman on the beach singing into the waves the song was born.
The duo used this call at the beginning of their live shows until another singer Kathleen Malone from Clare really emphasised the need to complete the songs message.
“We sat down and let the phone record as we tuned into the song and what it wanted to say. It was a profound experience as the message came in Irish. It was my first time writing a song and thinking in Irish. It was so powerful and healing for me. I really felt that the message for me was to hold onto my own history and culture and language. And so since then which lets say early 2022 I have been really mindful about bringing Irish on board more and more. In fact myself and Cairo do as much as we can to include both our cultures in our artistic process and live shows.
The feedback to the Irish is always phenomenal the Irish public are really engaging with the language now and music is really driving it forward which makes absolute sense.
“The newest single was funded by the Clare Arts Office and is a complete collaboration between the Irish and Brazilian communities. Cairo who doesn’t speak much Irish yet is actually singing on this track and sings it live too. The song was produced by Bianca Fachel a Brazilian producer and songwriter living in Roscommon.”
She continues, “We couldn’t have asked for a more perfect collaboration. From the start once Bianca heard the song she was invested and she put her all into this with us which is why the song has been produced so well. Even the percussion she had Flavio Dos Santos record that in Rio De Janeiro. She went all out for us on this and we are so excited for the Irish and Brazilian communities to enjoy it.” There is a radio edit and an original version for those who want to immerse themselves completely in the sounds of the elements included in this track.
There will be a lyric video coming soon so that all people can engage, and people can follow their socials phoenixandwolfe.com or instagram.com/phoenixandwolfe to see more about this track which is available on Spotify.