βAt the Core is a collection of traditional Irish tunes and songs that have had an impact on me during the past decade where I've gotten serious about playing Irish traditional music.
The name was inspired by that feeling you get in your gut when you're playing with another musician and everything just feels so tight and together! Also known as "playing in the pocket" or being in "flow state."
Each of the musicians on this album are people who I've experienced this feeling with while playing. It started with Randy Clepper (bouzouki) at Tune Junkie Weekend 2023, then Jacob McCauley (bodhrΓ‘n) at the O'Flaherty Irish Music Retreat in 2023, and finally with my partner, Alberto Whitmer (guitar) and our good friend CiarΓ‘n O'Connell (button accordion) at sessions in the metro Detroit area in 2024.
I couldn't be happier with the finished results, and hope you find a lot of joy tuning in! There are fiesty polkas, lively reels, and even a few relaxed and lope-y jigs and slip jigs to check your various mood boxes.
Thanks for following along!