The Machine is a song that Sharon first heard sung by Alyra Rose at Acoma Indian Reservation in New Mexico. The lyric and sentiment of the song had a big impact on Sharon. (Alyra and her father were also very involved with the protest against the Dakota Access Pipeline at Three Forks Reservation in North Dakota.)
Sharon’s album was already titled Sacred Earth, so the inclusion of the song on the album was a natural fit. Sharon worked on the song with Alyra and engineer Craig Mulvagh and brought in Susan O Neill on vocals and trumpet, resulting in a trad Irish/ hip hop/ rap hybrid with an important message.
Sharon Shannon has been at the forefront of the Irish music scene for near 30 years. She has successfully managed to help bring traditional Irish music to wider market both in Ireland and internationally.
Recently conferred with an honorary doctor of music degree from NUI Galway, Shannon has been fearless in her collaborations and has recorded and toured with The Waterboys, Bono, Jackson Browne, John Prine, Willie Nelson, Elvis Costello, Jools Holland, The Chieftains, The RTE Concert Orchestra and many more.
Her collaboration with Steve Earle on The Galway Girl (later recorded and released with Mundy) became a number 1 hit in Ireland and is now a global anthem.
Sacred Earth, her 10th studio album was recorded at Peter Gabriel’s Real World Studios in England. Produced by Robert Plant’s guitarist and producer, Justin Adams the album features new material written collaboratively with African musicians including Seckou Keita, the renowned Kora master and percussionist from Senegal and also features classical influences and stunning vocals performances from Irish legend Finbar Furey, Australian duo Hat Fitz and Cara and newcomer Susan O Neill (SON).
The Machine is the debut single from Sacred Earth.
Listen to it here: http://sharonshannon.com/the-machine/
Susan O Neill will join Sharon and band for her Sacred Earth tour of Australia and New Zealand 2019.
Here are the Sacred Earth Tour Dates:
Fri 22 Feb – John Curtin College of the Arts, Fremantle WA
https://www.facebook.com/ events/1152573681574773/
Sat 23 Feb – Albany Entertainment Centre, Albany WA
https://www.ptt.wa.gov.au/venues/ albany-entertainment-centre/whats- on/sharon-shannon-son/
Sun 24 Feb – Mandurah Performing Arts Centre, Mandurah WA
https://www.manpac.com.au/show/the-sharon-shannon-band/
Tue 26 Feb – The Doss House, The Rocks NSW
https://thedosshouse.com.au
Wed 27 Feb – Jack Duggan’s Irish Pub, Bathurst NSW
https://jackduggans.com.au/
Thur 28 Feb – Ainslie and Gorman Atrs Centre, Braddon ACT
http://www.agac.com.au/event/sharon-shannon-band-susan-oneill-son/
Fri 1 Mar – Milton Theatre – Milton, NSW
https://www.miltontheatre.com.au/upcoming-shows/sharon-shannon-band-susan-oneill
Sat 2 Mar – Cobargo Folk Festival, Cobargo NSW
https://cobargofolkfestival.com/sharon-shannon/
Sun 3 Mar – Riverside Theatre Parramatta, Parramatta NSW
https://riversideparramatta.com.au/show/sharon-shannon-band-with-susan-oneill/
Wed 6 Mar – Thornbury Theatre, Thornbury VIC
http://www.thethornburytheatre.com/
Thur 7 Mar – The Caravan Club – East Bentleigh VIC
https://www.caravanmusic.com.au/gigs/sharon-shannon-band-2/
Fri 8, Sat 9 Mar – Port Fairy Folk Festival, Port Fairy VIC
http://www.portfairyfolkfestival.com/sharon-shannon/
Sun 10 & Mon 11 Mar –
WOMADelaide
https://www.womadelaide.com.au/artists/sharon-shannon-band
Wed 13 Mar – The Factory, Marrickville NSW http://www.factorytheatre.com.au/events/2019/03/13/sharon-shannon-band-ire
Fri 15, Sat 16 and Sun 17 Mar – WOMAD – NZ
https://www.womad.co.nz/artists/sharon-shannon-band/
Visit Sharon at
www.sharonshannon.com
Watch/Listen at
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/SharonShannonMusic/videos
Facebook: facebook.com/sharon.shannon1
Please ring Karen Conrad for music servicing and more information on 0400 57 365 or email Karen@karenconradpublicity.com