Switchback – authentically Irish music

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Switchback are an Irish-American duo who play authentically Irish music. They’ve played at art centres throughout Ireland and appeared on national radio and TV.

The duo consists of Martin McCormack and Brain FitzGerald. Both are gifted songwriters and performers. They met in 1986 when FitzGerald was a mandolin student of Jethro Burns and McCormack was an award-winning voice student of Whelma Oshiem, and a member of the Star Search selected band Beyond Blue.

Switchback
Switchback

The band list The Chieftains, the Pogues, the Waterboys and Van Morrison among their influences.

They have released several recordings. Their most recent album was Ghosts of the River Folk which came out in 2010.

Performing and helping their community

They play at festivals as well as public and private concerts. The band perform up to 200 gigs per year and have played all across Europe and North America.

They also take part in education al programmes and get involved in Community outreach activities. These include variations on the educational programs as well as experiential workshops on the topics of voice, guitar, mandolin, Irish culture and songwriting.

Joseph Woodruff, director for the Campanile Center for the Arts in Minocqua, WI said: “Marty and Brian established a connection with the audience better than anyone else we’ve had play here. They have such a personable delivery that makes the crowd feel like they are playing to them individually.”

  Switchback performing Danny Boy

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