5pm- Paddy’s eve- Grafton Street.
It’s not like Christmas Eve when people mow you down, clambering over each other, in a frantic bid to grab the last pair of Santa-socks from TK Max. No… it’s a different type of buzz altogether. Just a faint waft of people’s pre-booze anticipation is enough to knock any hard core drinker to the floor. Tourists and workers deliriously run out of planes and offices complete with plastic green hats and shamrocks. They throng to the streets ready to soak up all the atmosphere and Guinness on offer. Those who managed to force their way through Grafton’s green army to the very top of the street, that evening, were duly rewarded by Captain Magic and his Wonderland.
These guys are not something out of a Tolkien fantasy although they possess more magic than the ring itself. Their ring was made from prying eyes, swaying hips and tapping feet. Foot tapping aside, they possessed enough magic to entrance every other body part into one deep reverent, silence. Forget leprechaun hats and shiny Irish dancing costumes, these guys represented everything that’s great about a modern day, multicultural Ireland in the most understated way.
Five musicians, each from completely different cultures and backgrounds, sat casually on amps and stools. They were able to effortlessly shake up the pavement. These guys are the type of people who have creativity coming out of their ears. Their instruments aren’t just secondary inanimate objects; they’re extensions of their bodies.
The band itself is made up of three core musicians who’ve been there since day one. They include Duncan from Cork on vocals and guitar, Fernando from Brazil on the bass and Pepe from Spain working the percussion. The band have had to recently replace their violinist and drummer but this made no difference whatsoever to their unparalleled performance. Captain magic have been up and running for a year now. They already have one album under their belt with another in the melting pot. Their varied influences include “Spanish and Brazilian roots” and, according to their MySpace page “Blues, Funk, Jazz, Latin-jazz and Porn songs”. The latter of which might just have influenced the title of their next album, “Nymphosomnia”, which they hope to release on April 5th.
The three musicians state that their music stands out from the crowd due to their varied mix of genres. Their sound is testament to the harmonious and innovative outcome of the fusion of different cultures, styles and backgrounds. Their music’s like a hot pot of New-Orleans Gumbo offered up on a cold Irish day. Full of flavor with enough kick and spice to entice anyone’s taste buds.
Captain Magic prove to be a popular attraction on both Grafton Street and Temple Bar, where you’ll find them in the square. They’ve played at Dunlaoighre festival, our very own Soul festival and hope to make an appearance at Electric Picnic this year also. They’re music gets everyone moving but unfortunately it’s only the kids who, with little or no inhibitions, make full use of the street’s open dance floor.
The band’s cd seems to be selling like hot cakes. It’s definitely good value at €10 for twelve tracks. However Duncan states “Sometimes it’s very unstable to make enough money and we don’t make enough”. The band’s busking excursions are subject to Irish weather conditions but the band do also play live venues.
Judging by this band’s inventive fusing of styles and cultures and the interest passers by show, I reckon these musicians are on their way to the top. Check them out now while they’re still offering up free performances! They’re definitely worth a listen.
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