About
NOTIFY are a 6 piece Irish based contemporary instrumental ensemble. NOTIFY was originally formed by Pádraig Rynne (concertina) and has well known musicians Tara Breen (fiddle), Davie Ryan (drums & percussion), Adam Taylor (bass), Rory McCarthy (piano and fender rhodes) and Hugh Dillon (guitars) forming the complete line up of the band.
Known for their innovative and experimental approach, blending traditional Irish melodies with jazz and other world genres, NOTIFY creates a compelling and distinctly unique sound which sets them apart from other composers on the neo-Irish traditional landscape. Their instrumentation bridges the past and present, using piano & Rhodes, electric guitar, bass, and drums, to provide a richer depth to the central and melodic core of the concertina and fiddle.
NOTIFY have released three full length albums and one EP. NOTIFY was released in 2013 and it debuted at No 20 in the iTunes World music charts upon its release. In 2015, NOTIFY signed with world famous American jazz label Ropeadope. The band’s second album, released in 2016, premiered at the No. 1 spot in the iTunes jazz charts and at No. 9 in the mainstream iTunes charts. Airnéan is NOTIFY’s third album, released on Liosbeg Records in February 2024. The album has received outstanding reviews and was featured on the RTE Radio One ‘recommended’ playlist. The album features guest musicians Tyler Duncan, Séamus and Caoimhe Uí Fhlatharta and Niall McCabe.
Well known for their High-Profile collaborations, NOTIFY have invited guests such as Seamus and Caoimhe Uí Fhlatharta, Mark Lettieri & Jason Thomas (4 time Grammy award winners with Snarky Puppy), Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh and Kris Drever to perform and tour with them in recent years.
The band delivers an evocative repertoire of original compositions, produced with sensitive electronic overlays and inventive arrangements that are “cinematic in scope” (New York Echo). NOTIFY seamlessly fuses a deep knowledge and respect for the Irish musical tradition with forward thinking innovation presented in a tasteful way that connects with audiences at home and overseas.
This line up of top ranked musicians from backgrounds in jazz, traditional Irish, Avant-Garde and Folk music has naturally established a system of balance that instantly draws listeners to the music. At the crossroads of a new movement in Irish music, “NOTIFY breathes new life into their music, with a musical tapestry that ranges from soft melodies to crashing crescendos” (The Irish Times).
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REVIEWS
“an organic, deeply thoughtful collection infused with a curiosity and appetite for exploration. It bears testament to the depth and breadth of the conversations that are happening these days between traditional and contemporary music”
Irish Times
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“Inquiring, joyful and evocative. Notify create beautiful immersive soundscapes of melody driven music”
Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh, Folk on one
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“The band delivers an evocative repertoire of original compositions, produced with sensitive electronic overlays and inventive arrangements that are ‘cinematic in scope’.
New York Echo
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“NOTIFY breathes new life into their music, with a musical tapestry that ranges from soft melodies to crashing crescendos”
The Irish Times
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"Ambient melodies, traditional compositions and groovy beats with layers of electronic sounds. This is Pádraig and Co at their experimental best"
Tradconnect
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NOTIFY's fearless approach to experimentation has produced yet another beautiful record. In Concept effortlessly couples jazz and traditional music genres. The possibilities offered by such musicianship and passion for music are endless."
Lynette Fay, BBC Radio
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THE BAND
Pádraig Rynne - Concertinas
Described as “one of the freshest sounds in Irish music” by fRoots magazine, Padraig Rynne is a virtuoso musician, prolific composer and is regarded as one of the finest concertina players in Irish music today.
With an MA in Music technology and a passion for experimenting with diverse genres, Padraig is recognised for his refreshing explorations into the Irish Tradition and beyond. Pádraig Rynne's career is marked by both his solo projects and his collaborative efforts. He has been a founding member of several influential bands that have contributed to the modern landscape of Irish music, including Guidewires, Notify, and Atlantic Arc. Each project showcases Rynne's ability to combine traditional Irish music with other genres, creating a unique and captivating sound.
As a solo artist, Rynne has released several acclaimed albums that highlight his virtuosity on the concertina and his inventive musical arrangements. His work is characterised by a deep respect for traditional Irish music while embracing innovation and experimentation.
Pádraig has featured on numerous albums as a performer and producer and has made many high profile TV appearances. He was a featured musician on the Soundtrack to recent successful BBC movie - “After the dance”.
Pádraig works very regularly with other artists and was commissioned to write the music for the opening of TG4 XX with award winning electronic band Aeons. As a sound designer, Pádraig has lent his music and unique creative soundscapes to many albums and productions.
Tara Breen -
Fiddle
Tara Breen is a highly talented multi-instrumentalist from county Clare. She started playing the flute at the tender age of six. A performer with the legendary Stockton’s Wing, and regular touring member of The Chieftains, Tara has won almost every All-Ireland title there is to win on fiddle, including the All-Ireland Senior Fiddle Title, the Fiddler of Dooney competition, the Michael Coleman Fiddle Competition and the Senior Oireachtas fiddle title.
Such is Tara’s complete mastery of the fiddle, she was chosen to play for the Queen of England at Dublin Castle during her State visit to Ireland. Tara’s obvious virtuosity doesn’t stop at fiddle, as she also holds All-Ireland titles for flute and saxophone. A popular session musician, Tara has lent her playing to many recordings and has toured with Dónal Lunny, Heartbeat of home, Carlos Nunez, Stocktons Wing, The Chieftains, Music Network and many more.
Tara released a duet album with Pádraig Rynne featuring Jim Murray, Dónal Lunny and Elaine Hogan which won the best traditional album in the 2022 American Celtic listener supported radio awards.
Tara Breen is celebrated for her ability to transcend musical boundaries while maintaining a deep respect for her roots. Her work is a testament to the power of music as a universal language, capable of conveying emotions and stories across cultural divides. She is not only a virtuoso fiddle player but also an advocate for the preservation and evolution of traditional music.
As she continues to tour, record, and inspire, Tara Breen's journey is a reminder of music's endless possibilities and its capacity to connect us all.
Davie Ryan -
Drums and Percussion
Davie is a graduate of both UCC and of Cork School of Music. He has extensive experience both nationally and internationally as a touring and recording musician in a range of diverse genres including, Jazz, Folk, Pop, Rock, World and Traditional music.
He has played with many recent up and coming Irish artists including, The Hard Ground, The Niall McCabe Band, The Paul Dunlea Group, Cormac McCarthy's Cottage Evolution, Jack O Rourke, Anna Mitchell, John Blek & The Rats and Karl Nesbitt.
Davie's impressive reputation has led to high profile collaborations with renowned studio producers, including Grammy award winning Jay Joyce (Tragedy Tragedy Studios, Nashville), Kieran Byrne (Cauldron Studios, Dublin), Christian Best, and John Fitzgeraldn and artists Ariel Posen, Pa Sheehy, Mary Coughlan and Talos. Davie joined NOTIFY in 2015 and is co producer with Pádraig Rynne on their 2024 release, Airnéan.
Rory McCarthy -
Piano & Rhodes
Rory McCarthy is a piano player and keyboardist from Cork. He has studied piano in Cork School of Music from a young age and graduated in 2012 from UCC with BA hons Maths-Music. In 2022 McCarthy completed his MA in music performance in Cork School of Music with a first class honours.
Rory has worked as a session player for a number of well-established acts such as Brian Deady, John Blek, Marc O Reilly, Talos. The 2 Johnnies, Niall McCabe to name a few. His music has taken him to studios in Nashville and Memphis and various tours across the UK and Europe.
Rory also works as a composer for screen and stage productions, including Screen Ireland Short Films.
Hugh Dillon -
Acoustic & Electric Guitars
Hugh Dillon has been one of Ireland’s leading guitarists for well over a decade. He has a wealth of experience in live performing and in studio recording. Live credits include performances in Vicar St, The Olympia, Cork Opera House, and Cork Live At The Marquee. TV appearances include The Late Late Show, The Saturday Night Show, Other Voices and The Voice Of Ireland.
Hugh has also appeared on many successful albums, including Mick Flannery’s ‘Red To Blue’ which topped the Irish charts, JackO’Rourke’s ‘Dreamcatcher’ which charted at number 5, and Choice Music Prize nominated ‘Placemats And Second Cuts’ by Marlene Enright.
In 2018 Hugh released his debut solo single ‘Harbour’, which has received extensive national airplay on RTE Radio 1. He is looking forward to recording and releasing his first album of original material in 2022.
Hugh has recently taken a position as a senior guitar tutor at MTU Cork School Of Music.
Adam Taylor -
Electric Bass
Adam Taylor is a third-generation bass player. His grandfather is Irish bass legend, Martin Walsh, the Principal Double bassist for the RTE Concert Orchestra and his father, Roy Taylor, is the frontman and bassist with popular Irish band, ‘Jump The Gun’.
Adam’s work as a free-lance bass player and as a music educator is exemplary. Adam has played/recorded with a wide variety of artists and performers: Jason Donovan, Midge Ure, Wallis Bird, Colm Wilkinson, Jason Rebello, Hozier, Zaska, Brian Kennedy, Patrick Bergin, Imelda May, Glen Hansard, Ryan Sheridan, Chris de Burgh, Wyvern Lingo, Donna Taggart, Jimmy Smyth (legendary Irish Guitarist), Paul Harrington, Brian Byrne, Jess Kav, David Brophy, CC Brez, Jerry Fish, Johnny Logan, Dublin Gospel Choir, Fiona Harte, Carly Coonagh, Mark Redmond, Simon Morgan, Suzanne Savage, Gavin Glass, Róisín O, Rebel Rebel, Jack L, Erica Coady. Adam currently plays in Michael Buckley’s ‘House of Horns’ band, The Jake Curran Quartet and Onset.
Adam has also worked extensively in musical theatre as a pit musician, performing a wide variety shows from Evita, Sweeney Todd, Sister Act, The Addams Family, The Definitive Rat Pack, Oklahoma, ABBA Orchestral etc. on electric bass & double bass.
Adam has taught privately since 2012 and teaches at third level. He is a bass tutor at the prestigious, BIMM Dublin. Here Adam teaches bass guitar and double bass. He is also a music theory tutor. His work here focuses mainly on the advanced arrangement and composition modules on the degree course. Adam has previously taught double bass & bass guitar in the Churchtown School of Music.