Nua - reviews


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Steve Derby, who plays five string banjo, guitar, bass and vocals, has been playing music for 30 years.
He’s been in other local bands including Shebeen and Sleeping with Susie.
He’s joined by long time collaborator Mark Haddock, formerly of Mason’s Apron, who likewise has been a fixture on the traditional music scene for more years than he cares to remember.The pair are often seen about town as Sideshow Bob.
Adding a new dimension to Steve and Mark’s traditional music is Steve’s sister Ona Derby.
“I’m only new into this singing thing about a year,” said Ona, whose previous musical experience had been more formal in musical and operatic societies.
She described how the band came about: “We got together at a charity gig - I got up on stage and sung a song with them,” said Ona.
“We decided to just get together for a few sessions just as a hobby then we decided to write some songs together.
She continued: “The other two come from long established bands. With their experience they’ve been fantastic - they’ve really nurtured me. You need to grow a thick skin very quickly in this business.”
On the album Nua sing a song ‘Jigsaw Pieces’ which has been adopted by a charity for children with muscular dystrophy. On it, the three-piece are joined by Ona’s three-year-old son Leo.
Elsewhere on the album the boys showcase their skill on the banjo with a version of ‘Tune for the Found Harmonium’, written by the French Penguin Cafe Orchestra and made popular in an MFI ad.
There’s also a trad-version of Thin Lizzy ‘The Boys Are Back In Town’.
The band has their own take on classic ballad McAlpine’s Fusiliers called ‘Paddy’s Walls’.
“It’s all tongue and cheek,” said Ona.
“The Irish went over to build England - that’s what McAlpine’s Fusiliers was about. Now the foreign workers are over here building Ireland - that’s what our song's about. It’s about the break down in communication in the builder’s yard because there are so many different nationalities.”
“As a group we’re doing really well,” said the female singer.
“It’s a whole fusion of things. There’s a bit of Shebeen, a bit of Mark’s influence. The lyrics are my input; I give the band a more girly feel. We’re trying to be a bit more contemporary. A lot of the traditional Irish music is male-led and we’re aiming for something that’s accessible to all the family, something you can listen to in the car.”

She added: “We’d love to go as far as we can go with the band. We’re a songwriting band and there’s nothing as good as doing your own stuff.”
When they’re not making music Mark is a bus driver and Steve and Ona are in the building trade, as are most of the rest of Derby family.
The full article contains 544 words and appears in Lurgan Mail newspaper.
“They’re all singers as well,” points out Ona.
The band is set to embark on their second tour of Norway at the end of May.
Of the passion for Irish traditional music in Scandinavia, Ona said: “We’re spoiled here for traditional music - in Scandinavia they lap it up. There are five to six hundred people there bouncing around. They queue to pay into shows from eight o’clock."
Before that Nua will be playing at the 125th anniversary celebrations of GAA in Clan na Gael on Saturday, May 9.

Their debut album is available in HMV Stores now

	NUA – NUA
	New by name, new by nature. A refreshing approach to the Irish genre with the North Armagh trio’s first outing together. Self-produced and mostly self-penned, the album seems to have something for everyone. The songs Fools Kisses, Turned It Out and In Heaven An Angel are extremely admirable compositions, with Ona Derby’s vocals cutting a swathe through the Country and Folk fields to produce songs that wouldn’t be lost on any Woman’s Heart compilation. As for tunes the band have produced a fine effort with their take on the classics including the renamed Tune For The Found Harmonium and The Foxhunters reel, the latter a particular splendid rendition with banjo masters Mark Haddock and Steve Darby going at it hammer and tongs, well worth a listen. Old Lizzy favourite The Boys Are Back In Town gets a Trad makeover, whilst Brick By Brick and Paddy’s Walls are the proverbial sing-a-longs on an album full of varying styles and concepts. The Dougie MacLean cover Ready For The Storm brings a gutsy feel to proceedings, with it’s trance-like qualities and deep lyrics, and sang with real emotion and composure by Ona Derby. The exiting track Jigsaw Pieces is an emotive and reflective song, focusing on the joys of parenthood. Again, well written, colourful and endearing. Indeed these compositions could be the making of Nua, with the creative musicianship of Haddock and Darby being the force behind Ona Derby’s lead vocal. The albums eclectic qualities are quite obviously reflective of the band’s influences, and those of you who like to indulge in something with a bit of variety won’t be disappointed. Considering the self-production and mastering values on the final mix, anyone with an ear for detail should appreciate that the band done good. Fair do’s. Nua could be one to watch in the future… Check out all things Nua at www.nuaband.com Eddie Creaney - Irish Music Magazine
	Not quite a debut Published Date: 07 May 2009 By Lurgan Mail Staff reporter LURGAN band Nua has released their debut album. But don’t be fooled by the word ‘debut’ - this band boasts a wealth of experience. Nua - Gaelic for new - have been around for ages.
	Steve Derby, who plays five string banjo, guitar, bass and vocals, has been playing music for 30 years. He’s been in other local bands including Shebeen and Sleeping with Susie. He’s joined by long time collaborator Mark Haddock, formerly of Mason’s Apron, who likewise has been a fixture on the traditional music scene for more years than he cares to remember.The pair are often seen about town as Sideshow Bob. Adding a new dimension to Steve and Mark’s traditional music is Steve’s sister Ona Derby. “I’m only new into this singing thing about a year,” said Ona, whose previous musical experience had been more formal in musical and operatic societies. She described how the band came about: “We got together at a charity gig - I got up on stage and sung a song with them,” said Ona. “We decided to just get together for a few sessions just as a hobby then we decided to write some songs together. She continued: “The other two come from long established bands. With their experience they’ve been fantastic - they’ve really nurtured me. You need to grow a thick skin very quickly in this business.” On the album Nua sing a song ‘Jigsaw Pieces’ which has been adopted by a charity for children with muscular dystrophy. On it, the three-piece are joined by Ona’s three-year-old son Leo. Elsewhere on the album the boys showcase their skill on the banjo with a version of ‘Tune for the Found Harmonium’, written by the French Penguin Cafe Orchestra and made popular in an MFI ad. There’s also a trad-version of Thin Lizzy ‘The Boys Are Back In Town’. The band has their own take on classic ballad McAlpine’s Fusiliers called ‘Paddy’s Walls’. “It’s all tongue and cheek,” said Ona. “The Irish went over to build England - that’s what McAlpine’s Fusiliers was about. Now the foreign workers are over here building Ireland - that’s what our song's about. It’s about the break down in communication in the builder’s yard because there are so many different nationalities.” “As a group we’re doing really well,” said the female singer. “It’s a whole fusion of things. There’s a bit of Shebeen, a bit of Mark’s influence. The lyrics are my input; I give the band a more girly feel. We’re trying to be a bit more contemporary. A lot of the traditional Irish music is male-led and we’re aiming for something that’s accessible to all the family, something you can listen to in the car.” She added: “We’d love to go as far as we can go with the band. We’re a songwriting band and there’s nothing as good as doing your own stuff.” When they’re not making music Mark is a bus driver and Steve and Ona are in the building trade, as are most of the rest of Derby family. The full article contains 544 words and appears in Lurgan Mail newspaper. “They’re all singers as well,” points out Ona. The band is set to embark on their second tour of Norway at the end of May. Of the passion for Irish traditional music in Scandinavia, Ona said: “We’re spoiled here for traditional music - in Scandinavia they lap it up. There are five to six hundred people there bouncing around. They queue to pay into shows from eight o’clock." Before that Nua will be playing at the 125th anniversary celebrations of GAA in Clan na Gael on Saturday, May 9. Their debut album is available in HMV Stores now

Reviews

Not quite a debut