Matt & Shannon Heaton

Matt & Shannon Heaton blend Irish traditional music with original songwriting. An unusual blend of material? Sure. But a natural one for this Boston-based husband-and-wife pair, who have played in Irish sessions for years, while becoming involved in Boston's rich songwriting scene. Matt's inventive guitar and bouzouki playing provides a rich framework for Shannon's timeless, evocative lyrics and her stunning Irish flute playing. Their masterfully-arranged songs move seamlessly from full harmony singing, to driving wood flute riffs, to lush guitar lines, creating a big, layered, modern sound.

Matt's inventive guitar and bouzouki playing provides a rich framework for Shannon's timeless, evocative lyrics and her stunning Irish flute playing. Their masterfully-arranged songs move seamlessly from full harmony singing, to driving wood flute riffs, to lush guitar lines, creating a big, layered, modern sound. Like Richard Thompson or Nic Jones, the Heatons' music comes from a traditional aesthetic and a passion for strong traditional bones.

The Boston-based duo has been performing together in various guises for over a decade, having released five CDs. Scott Alarik of The Boston Globe called "Blue Skies Above," their latest release and second CD as a duo, "masterful and inventive, their arrangements city-smart and spacious.. they bring a savvy modernity and American rootsiness to the auld Sod's music, without losing any of its folksy Irish essence."

But Matt & Shannon didn't always perform great Irish music together. They met back in 1991 in Chicago via romance?albeit someone else's?when Shannon needed a guitar player to play at a wedding. She had been learning Irish music on the north side of Chicago, and Matt was studying classical guitar at Northwestern University (and playing with surf-pop band The Flavor Channel by night). Soon after meeting, Matt & Shannon began collaborating: Shannon would bring in trad tunes and songs, along with recordings of Planxty, Bothy Band, Dick Gaughan, and Dolores Keane/John Faulkner. Matt would draw from his varied musical vocabulary to come up with accompaniment ideas, and would then go home to hunker down with recordings. His hard work paid off, and he has become a favorite accompanist for a variety of trad music acts. (Oh, and a few years after their first gig, Matt & Shannon were hiring musicians for their own wedding.)

Matt & Shannon's "Blue Skies Above," was released March 16, 2006. CelticRadio's Paul MacArthur said their newest CD offers "some of the best jigs and reels that we have heard in a long time. Not only that, but these two can sing - with Matt's fresh and commanding vocals, balanced with Shannon's inspiring and flowing vocals blends 'Blue Skies Above' to perfect harmony."

Strong Irish traditional music and great original songwriting. An uncommon ensemble? Perhaps. But one that works. Call it Irish Americana or Celtic Roots, Matt and Shannon's shows feature stunning musicianship that honors the Irish tradition, an easy rapport with audiences, and a selection of music that you won't hear anywhere else.

Band members: Matt Heaton
Shannon Heaton

For more about Matt and Shannon, please see their official website at http://www.eatsrecords.com.