With St. Patrick's Day just hours off, it seems appropriate to start planning where to go on this day of celebration. Obviously, catching a band from Limerick, Ireland, should rank high on your list of things to do. Luckily, Hermitage Green, an authentic Irish group, is heading to Palm Beach for the big day.
"It's our first time here, but we really want to make it a regular trip," the band told us. After being introduced to many colorful characters of our area, they say,
"This experience has really opened our eyes to what a great
place South Florida is."
This is the first band these five musicians have ever played in. They were friends first, and then the band was born in 2010 from a spontaneous jam session. They've developed into an acoustic act with diverse tastes, from Irish folk to metal. Their rhythm section is, according to them, "driven by the tribal combination of bodhran and djembe, rhythmic guitar lines with dobro melodies and four-part vocal harmonies soaring over the top." They draw influence from artists like Mumford and Sons, Terence Rowlands, Florence and the Machine, Fan Club, Birdthistle, John Martyn, and Citizen.
Coming from the vibrant musical scene in Limerick, they're offered many different venues in which to perform at home. They say, "The downturn in the economy has resulted in bars and clubs holding more live music events to draw in crowds, which is great for up-and-coming artists. It is not really an area where you will see ultrafamous artists, but for the indie music scene, it is a great place to be."
They're proud of their homeland and believe that it has influenced music around the world greatly even though Ireland is such a small country. "I think what best describes Irish music is that it is from the heart, with no pretense, just honest, soulful music that mixes beautifully in the rhythm of life."
When asked what St. Patrick's Day is like in their hometown, they said it's "crazy to say the least." People, unsurprisingly, party hardy with parades and festivals. "In fact, the Limerick parade draws 70,000 people -- a lot for Ireland. We hear it is crazier in the U.S., so we are really looking forward to it. It is really a great place for us to spend our St. Patrick's Day, even though we won't be taking a holiday playing at the International Polo Club!"
Hermitage Green will play on Saturday, March 17, at 7 p.m. at International Polo Club Palm Beach, 3667 120th Ave. South, Wellington) for the second-annual International Weekend. The event costs $10. There will be beer and Irish food as well.
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