Trostan

Ireland

A fresh new band strongly based in the folkloric traditions of Estonia, Irish and Scottish. Trostan believe that folk music is an evolving art form to which they all contribute through self-composition. From Ireland, Scotland, Estonia and Finland, these friends have travelled a long way in their separate musical developments through genres as wide ranging as jazz, rock and dance music. The musicians have recently banded together to play the folk music that has affected them the most. Trostan have come a full circle to create a new folk idiom infusing influences from each of their lives and experience.

Sandra Sillamaa (Estonian bagpipes, overtone flute, Whistles), 20 years old from Viljandi, Estonia, has been playing Estonian bagpipes for 7 years. She has established herself as the unrivalled Estonian piper of her generation. Her debut album will be released this summer. Her unfailing knowledge of folk music compliments her award winning composition perfectly.

J.P. Kallio (guitar, bouzouki, vocals), from Helsinki, Finland, has been playing the guitar since he was 10 years old. He started his first rock band two years later and played with them until he was 20. At 21, J.P. moved to Ireland and became immersed in the folk traditions of Ireland. Nine years, three bands and five albums later he has brought his passion to this original quartet. His vast experience and musicianship has taken him to festivals of the likes of Folkwoods, Holland.

Barra McAllister (flute, whistles, bodhran, vocals), from North Dublin, 22 years old, is the ground breaking Irish flute player in his time. He was guided to the whistle from his early days but only discovered the Flute at the age of 14 and has since then mastered its playing. He is now the musical director for the Clasac touring dance group and has performed his arrangements at huge festivals all over Europe organized by “Cioff”, the cultural branch of the United Nations. He has played in the National Concert hall in Dublin for the last eight years and was billed last year to perform with singer-songwriter Damien Dempsey supporting Bob Dylan on his two Irish dates.

Andy Leighton (fiddle, backing vocals), 27 years old, comes from Dunfries in Scotland. He came to Ireland ten years ago on holidays and missed his return flight while playing a session. Andy studied music at Ceoltoir in Dublin for two years. His love for Dublin’s eclectic music scene has kept him in Ireland since then. He has been playing fiddle for 12 years and was one of the founding members of traditional group “Shinook”. His energetic style has jumped boundaries while still remaining faithful to the tradition and “broken hearts far a field!”

“Trostan play contemporary folk music rooted in cultural traditions adapting its unique character to modern tastes and influences.”

• Barra McAllister – Irish flute, whistles, vocals, bodhran
• Andrew Leighton – fiddle
• Jari-Pekka Kallio – guitar, vocals, bouzouki
• Sandra Sillamaa – Estonian bagpipes
• Tony Quinn – boudhran

• Sandra Sillamaa: +372 52 464 75 ssillamaa@hotmail.com
• Jari-Pekka Kallio: jpkallio@hotmail.com