Irish band’s album influenced by punk sounds, unique percussion
Marques Hunter
Issue date: 5/15/03 Section: Arts & Entertainment
“We started out as very much a joke,” Tonsfeldt said. “Sort of a good scam for a college student.” Tonsfeldt noted the personnel changes in the band have been an overall improvement.
“People come and go and we’ve reached the lineup we have now, which we really like,” Tonsfeldt said.
Amadan has released their first professional CD titled Sons of Liberty. Many of the songs mirror traditional Irish music but their additions of different instruments give their CD a unique sound.
Amore de mes Amores/The Gates of Aberdee, the first song on the new album, sets a traditional tone for the Irish band. A history lesson of the battles fought during 1664 tells a story of the Irish men who fought for their freedom. Amadan’s percussion in their first song sounds like a charge into battle as the beat intensifies throughout the song.
The Republic, another song on their CD, implies resistance, desperation, and the promise of things to come. The Republic is a song with historical reference to the battles fought against the English.
Amadan spent 36 hours recording their CD. According to the group, they scrambled to get this CD out so they could have something to present in the upcoming Irish festivals.
“We realized that you can either spend a lot of time being supremely anal and get everything exactly how you want it, or you can just kick out how you play all the time,” Tonsfeldt said.
Most of the band members in Amadan were born in Oregon. The band has performed in Canada, Washington and Oregon.
While Amadan spends much of their time traveling and playing, it’s not their career goals. According to a few members, playing music is just something they enjoy as a hobby or second job.
“We’re not trying to make a living doing music,” said Tonsfeldt.
“I’m just trying to have fun with my friends,” said Gross.
“People come and go and we’ve reached the lineup we have now, which we really like,” Tonsfeldt said.
Amadan has released their first professional CD titled Sons of Liberty. Many of the songs mirror traditional Irish music but their additions of different instruments give their CD a unique sound.
Amore de mes Amores/The Gates of Aberdee, the first song on the new album, sets a traditional tone for the Irish band. A history lesson of the battles fought during 1664 tells a story of the Irish men who fought for their freedom. Amadan’s percussion in their first song sounds like a charge into battle as the beat intensifies throughout the song.
The Republic, another song on their CD, implies resistance, desperation, and the promise of things to come. The Republic is a song with historical reference to the battles fought against the English.
Amadan spent 36 hours recording their CD. According to the group, they scrambled to get this CD out so they could have something to present in the upcoming Irish festivals.
“We realized that you can either spend a lot of time being supremely anal and get everything exactly how you want it, or you can just kick out how you play all the time,” Tonsfeldt said.
Most of the band members in Amadan were born in Oregon. The band has performed in Canada, Washington and Oregon.
While Amadan spends much of their time traveling and playing, it’s not their career goals. According to a few members, playing music is just something they enjoy as a hobby or second job.
“We’re not trying to make a living doing music,” said Tonsfeldt.
“I’m just trying to have fun with my friends,” said Gross.