Clann Zu

With Clann Zu, nothing seemed easy and predictable. Even their geography was curious and strange — a band from Australia with songs based on Irish and Celtic folk and distributed via a Canadian label is definitely not something you come across every other day. That same sense of unpredictability was evident in their music as well — mixing elements of post-rock and electronica with folk-inspired melodies and arrangements, they created a sound that was imaginative, passionate, and wholly their own.

They first came together in 1999 in Melbourne, Australia. Singer Declan DeBarra and guitarist Benjamin Andrews were already playing together in a band called Non Intentional Lifeform, yet they sought to break free from the rather traditional rap-metal sound championed by their band. They met violinist and keyboard player Russel Fawkes, and the trio became the core of Clann Zu. Soon they were also joined by bass player Nathan Greaves, and their recording engineer Lach Wooden followed suit soon after, becoming a permanent member credited with programming and sound manipulation. As early as 2000, without a single record to their credit, they earned a rather large local following due to their moving performances.

In 2001 they recorded and self-released an eponymous five-song EP, which was met with such positive word of mouth that it helped Clann Zu secure gigs well into next year, including some European clubs and venues. While performing around Ireland in 2002, Clann Zu recorded their debut LP, Rua, in Dublin. The record was picked up by independent Canadian label G7 Welcoming Committee and released in 2003. Due to DeBarra's background in animation, Clann Zu were also frequent participants of animation festivals, such as the Cork International Film Festival, where they presented their animated video for the single "Five Thousand More" and also performed two special concerts at the Cork Opera House.

By 2003 the band had returned to Melbourne to finish the follow-up to Rua. Meanwhile, Nathan Greaves had been replaced by Liam Andrews. Black Coats & Bandages was released in June 2004 and offered a new take on the Clann Zu sound, simultaneously more epic and refined. After a number of performances in support of its second record, the band quietly called it quits. The members of the band have remained musically active — DeBarra released an elegant solo record, Song of a Thousand Birds, in 2005, recorded partially with input from Clann Zu members, while Benjamin and Liam continue to play in a band called My Disco.