Artist description The Drovers uniquely~layered songs take a detour from ordinary rock music and venture into true creativity. Often described as Celtic~Psychedelia, the wandering violins, modal guitars and infectious percussion levitate audiences above the mainstream.

Music Style Celtic, Irish, Folk,

Musical Influences Beatles, Phish, Traditional Irish Music, Charles Mingus, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Dead Can Dance, Dylan, Richard Thompson, Nick Drake

Similar Artists Waterboys, Pink Floyd, Saw Doctors, Led Zeppelin, The Left Bank

Artist History To understand why Chicago begot such a band as the Drovers, you probably would have to consider the multifarious nature of the city's musical world. The group started in 1989 with a sound that drew not only from the polyglot of their city, but from the traditions of jazz, African and Middle Eastern music, mountain music, American folk, British invasion and the avant garde. By 1990, the Drovers recorded their first CD, "World of Monsters": featuring drummer Jackie Moran, guitarist Mike Kirkpatrick on vocals, Sean Cleland on fiddle, David Callahan on bass and vocals, and Kathleen Keane on accordian, flute and vocals. The group began touring the U.S. upon the release of the disc in 1992. When at last they were ready to record again, the band was down to four members and they recorded the "Kill Mice Elf" EP with Callahan stepping over to cover lead vocals after Keane's departure. By this time, the band had drawn the attention of director Michael Apted ("Gorillas in the Mist," "Coal Miner's Daughter") and were cast in the thriller "Blink," performing as themselves with the addition of the fictional character (played by Madeleine Stowe) around whom the story revolved. When the picture was released in 1993, the Drovers were flown to Los Angeles to perform at the Golden Globe Awards post-ceremony reception, a champagne and cake affair hosted by Dick Clark and attended by a stodgy collection of old Hollywood types who immediately protested that the music was "too loud" and that we were ruining their party. Mr. Clark himself looked on in horror as Kirkpatrick flung his guitar to the floor and stormed off stage. The Drovers continued touring and such, then convened in 1995 at the studio of producer Steve Albini (Nirvana, Bush, P.J. Harvey) to record "Little High Sky Show." The group also recorded in Minneapolis with Tommy Roberts and with Chicago engineers Bob Weston and Jeff Moleski. The Drovers replaced Cleland on violin in 1998 with Merritt Lear, who had joined the band a year earlier as vocalist and mandolinist. Her credentials on the mandolin include a couple of lessons by one David "Dawg" Grisman. Tim swings as on-and-off second guitarist and bassist. The Drovers are working on their fourth release.

Group Members Merritt Lear - Vocals, Violin, Mandolin, Guitar Mike Kirkpatrick - Guitar, Tin Whistle Dave Callahan - Vocals, Bass, Guitar Paul Bradley - Drums, Bodhran

Instruments Violin, Mandolin, Guitar, Tin Whistle, Bass, Drums, Bodhran

Albums World of Monsters (1993) Kill Mice Elf (1994) Little High Sky Show (1996)

Press Reviews "What the Drovers do is impressive. The songs on Little High Sky Show metamorphose with absolute control, always elaborate and mesmerizing, finding their own organic structure. The result is a surprise-filled listen" -Riverfront Times"The Drovers take the instrumental polish of traditional music and blend it with the endemic power of rock to create a sound that stands above the usual alternative menu." -Chicago Sun-Times"Unsigned But So Fine: The Irish-ish Chicago-based band the Drovers have been named by critics as local "Best Unsigned Band" at the Illinois Entertainer's Chicago Musician Awards. The four-piece outfit recently released their debut album, World of Monsters." -Spin"The Drovers: Live Chicago-based quartet that combines the powerful instrumental drive and subtle melodic structure of traditional Irish music with the raw emotion of rock." -Option "The best part of the movie 'Blink' was that you get to hear great new music from Chicago's finest alternative band, The Drovers, who put together the movie's soundtrack." -Mademoiselle

Additional Info Contact info. 773-868-4343

Location Chicago, IL - USA

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