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​Milwaukee's Rising Contemporary Irish Folk Band
Tallymoore made its debut performance in August of 2012. Since then, the Milwaukee-based contemporary folk band has hit the Irish music scene running, making appearances at major Midwestern Irish festivals, popular bars and restaurants, and as featured artists for annual events and fundraisers. Their modern adaptations of classic Irish folk tunes have made them a favorite among music lovers and festival goers; with their strong vocal harmonies, youthful energy and spirit setting them apart from the traditional style. With much success and an eager gaze on the future, Tallymoore finished out their 2013 summer with the release of their first full length, self-titled album.
The group from Wisconsin is comprised of accomplished musicians from backgrounds ranging from classical and musical theater to bluegrass, jazz and folk. The collaboration features all four musicians as leading players with strong vocals and innovative new arrangements of Irish favorites, providing audiences with a fresh, upbeat and polished sound.
The Band
BA in Lighting Design from Columbia College Chicago, Matt is thrilled to have founded Tallymoore with good friend Sean Ward. Having grown up in the Irish Fest organization, he has grown an endless passion for celtic and folk music and is eager to continue that enthusiasm in future gigs. During downtime he plays piano, cooks, loves to travel, and enjoys catching up with good friends.
Sean Ward grew up in Milwaukee Wisconsin listening to Irish music his whole life. Since the age of 7 he has played instruments such as the Bodhran and the tin whistle. He has shared the stage with some of the most renown folk singers to date such as Tommy Makem and tom Sweeney and continues to share his passion for folk music to this day.
Erin Hoffmann has been playing the violin since childhood. She holds Bachelor's Degrees in both Violin Performance and Music Education, and currently serves as Strings Director for the Pius XI Performing Arts Academy, where she teaches elementary and middle school orchestra in four Milwaukee Archdiocesan Schools. Erin is an enthusiastic teacher and an energetic performer. Onstage, she combines her talent as a classically trained violinist with the passion of traditional Irish Folk.
Dave was born in Limerick, Ireland. He has been in numerous bands (including the Differentials), playing Rock, Country, and Classic Jazz, and has also sang Barbershop and performed in musical theatre. Dave is happy to join the multi-talented Tallymoore crew. He moonlights at Northwestern Mutual.
Karl's musical history extends back to age 5, when he started Suzuki violin lessons. He continued his development as a classical violinist until high school, when he picked up the electric and then stand-up bass. He has played violin in a number of groups, with styles ranging from Irish, bluegrass, to Klezmer. With stand-up bass as his primary instrument, he has focused mainly on jazz in the past few years. He continues to explore other musical directions, most recently with Tallymoore
"Tallymoore is the band to watch out for in the future. Their [Milwaukee] Irish Fest performance this summer won them a fan base that is multiplying with each gig, and their voices, talent, and sheer enthusiasm will knock your socks off."
-Shay Clarke, Blarney on the Air
(WDCB in Chicago)
Milwaukee folk group Tallymoore is aligned with groups such as The Avett brothers and The Lumineers in updating folk music with more modern instrumentation and arrangements, though unlike those groups, they're focused particularly on the Celtic tradition. They use traditional folk instruments such as mandolins and fiddles to reinterpret traditional Irish songs. Thick with rich harmonies and rollicking instrumentation, Tallymoore's authentic sound lends itself to sing-alongs and dancing in the spirit of the centuries of Celtic music it draws from.
-Shepherd Express