Recently in Australia I was speaking to Teddy Rooney originally from The Falls in West Belfast about his Irish band by the name of Hot Toddy who are based in Queensland , Australia .
Recently Hot Toddy propelled themselves onto the music charts with one of the country’s best selling albums, entitled “Songs Inspired by The Titanic . With over 150,000 albums sold and a Platinum disc to their credit Hot Toddy have just released the follow up album entitled Celtic Fire . Currently Irish music is on fire in Australia and Hot Toddy have hit a welcome note with their music on this new album Celtic Fire . The energy of the band have electrifed a lively cut of Irish Trad tunes that are really popular with Australian audiences .
I did an interview with Teddy Rooney the bands manager and asked what the band has been doing lately .
“ Well as you know we’ve just got the new CD out , Celtic Fire . The next thing is we’re putting out an independent album , Santa Christmas Ceili , it should be finished within the week .”
“ Teddy are you pleased with the Celtic Fire Album ?”
“ I honestly think this is a good selection of Irish traditional music played in Hot Toddys own style . There is two of the bands own tunes Ciaras Tunes , and Xanthorrhoea , on the album .
If you listen to the first two independent cds “Beyond The Pale” and “The Waking Edge” this is a variation to those . Hot Toddy want to get it across that this band is not just a Celtic Rock band , they can do traditional music as well .”
“ Will the band begin a tour to boost sales for Celtic Fire ?”
“Yes ,we’ve had offers from P.J. O’Briens in Melbourne , who have bought 40 cds of the Celtic Fire to give to their patrons . So we looking at a tour of Victoria in June . We have been asked to play in Cairns in January , and we are booked to play at the City Hall in Brisbane during the St Patrick’s day festivities .”
“ It must be hectic time putting a tour schedule together , especially when most of the band members are kept busy in their other professions . When do you come up for air ?”
“ It is very hectic . For the simple reason that Hot Toddy is at this time semi-professional . In the sense that all the band are teachers and work for the government in well paid jobs . They do this for the love of it , and that’s the beauty of this band . When they go out and play for people they enjoy doing it and it shows in their live performances . I mean its not for the love of money .”
“ I know that Hot Toddy have been getting around the place . Touring can be a bit of a gamble at times . Theres always the chance of anything happening anywhere , anytime .
Sometimes when the cards are falling well its best to let it all ride . Have you found any combination useful for the band ?”
“ Well after I’ve found there are two kinds of musicians . Those who make music and those who make money . Teddy I think Hot Toddy are a band who make music.”
“ They play from the heart . They love the music and believe in what they’re doing ” “ It must be in the blood “ “Its got to be ."
"Recently Hot Toddy soon propelled themselves onto the music charts with one of the country’s best selling albums, entitled “Songs Inspired by The Titanic . With over 150,000 albums sold and a Platinum disc to their credit Hot Toddy have just released the follow up album entitled Celtic Fire . Currently Irish music is on fire in Australia and Hot Toddy have hit a welcome note with their music on this new album Celtic Fire . The energy of the band have electrifed a lively cut of Irish Trad tunes that are really popular with Australian audiences .
e album is without doubt the bands best to date . I'm looking forward to the follow up album .
THE END
By Doctor Write
Originally Posted On Site: 2008-08-21 07:09:41
Last Login: 01.06.09
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