SoundClick artist: Ockham's Razor - Seattle's hard stompin' Irish folk band. Ockham's Razor has been called Seattle's premier Irish band

NEWS Their new album, "Ten Thousand Miles to Bedlam" was released December 18th. Bedlam unveils an evolved sound, influenced by Irish folk music as well as Balkan gypsy tunes and punk rock. The album takes listeners on an aural journey through various forms of madness including the eeriest rendition of “Mad Tom of Bedlam” yet recorded; a chaotic breakdown represented by “Lanigan's Ball;” and the engulfing events that transpire inside a man's prison cell on the last evening of his life in “The Night Before Larry Was Stretched.” With all things being equal, this is a not-so-simple “Celtic” album from a not-so-simple “Celtic” band.

Ockham's Razor's will be performing throughout the Pacific Northwest for the rest of the year including shows at the Northwest Folklife Festival, Tacoma Highland Games, Whidbey Island Highland Games, Yakima Folklife Festival, the Seattle Waterfront Concert Series, Prosser Scottish Fest & Highland Games and the West Richland Concerts in the Pavilion.

SEATTLE'S HARD STOMPIN' IRISH FOLK BAND

Imagine Irish music with the back beat of a bodhran and a drum kit, intricately weaved guitar melodies, a dreadlocked mandolin and banjo player, the pulsating heartbeat of the bass, a classically trained Violinist with a cascade of curly, flowing, blond hair and an outlandishly quaffed Gaelic-speaking tin whistler raised on sean-nos, new wave, and punk rock. Throw all those ingredients together with a generous amount of frenetic energy and you'll have your first taste of Ockham's Razor. And it only gets better, like really good whiskey.

Their fascinating technique to de-construct traditional songs and recreate them with a modern sound while containing the spirit and soul of what made each song memorable is the attraction to this band.

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What others say:

"A crossbreed of the traditionalism of the Chieftains and the hard stomp of the Pogues, Seattle's own Ockham's Razor take the Gaelic-Celtic genre into the 21st century with a keen sense of the past coupled with a progressive attitude that is entirely fresh." -- Weekly Volcano (2006)

"Mixing traditional Celtic music with their own brand of energy, the band has been hailed for bringing "kind of a Gaelic-Celtic flavor with an interesting pop sensibility" to the Celtic music world. In fact, they are known for adding a youthful twist to traditional Celtic songs." - celticmp3s.com (2006)

Why this name?

Kris Clements says "The term Ockham's Razor just kept showing up in articles I was reading or television shows I was watching and after the third or fourth time, I realized it and thought it fits perfectly."

<The term "Ockham's Razor" refers to the principle attributed to 14th-century English logician and Franciscan friar William of Ockham. The principle states, in English, "entities should not be multiplied beyond necessity." In other words "The simplest explanation is usually the best" or "Keep It Simple Stupid."

Do you play live?

Ockham's Razor is based out of Seattle but has played gigs throughout the Pacific Northwest including Oregon, Idaho and down into Northern California.

Ockham's Razor thrives on the energy their fans produce at their shows. Like an alternator charging a battery, the cycle of energy going from band to audience and back makes every show an event.

During live performances, Ockham’s Razor breaks the fourth wall by taking their show off-stage and interacting with the audience. It wasn’t long before audience members came up with their own classification for the band’s genre-blending style and high-energy performances: “Turbo Celtic” and “Ethno Punk” being among some of the more favored descriptions. Highlighted performances include participating in the 2007 & 2008 Northwest Folklife Festival, headlining the 2007 Schweitzer Mountain Fall World Music Festival, the 2007 & 2008 Yakima Folklife Festivals, 2007 & 2008 Tacoma & Whidbey Island Highland Games, the 2008 Prosser Highland Games as well as numerous St. Patrick’s Day, Oktoberfest and in-town performances. Over 400 people packed the Yakima Valley Museum to see them perform as part of the monthly Concert Series and they have opened for internationally acclaimed Celtic bands The Paperboys and Enter the Haggis.

How, do you think, does the internet (or mp3) change the music industry?

It's a natural progression. The internet makes neighbors of people who were once a country away. From our bedroom, we can share our music with the rest of the world and reach audiences that we never could before.

Would you sign a record contract with a major label?

Depends on the deal.

Band History:

The band began forming after Ben Ireland and Kris Clements met when they were part of another band. Katie Corcoran joined the band next and the three formed an instant bond and had a shared vision of the music. The three began working on a side project when they were introduced to Randy Whitelock and Ockham's Razor was born.

During the summer of 2007, they met Tom Rooney (mandolin and banjo) and Dane Dorning (bass guitar) who joined the band and recorded "Ten Thousand Miles to Bedlam" which was released in December 2007. Randy left the band prior to the album being released to pursue other musical interests. Dave Forrester joined on drum kit and later Oisin Mac Suibhne brought his bodhran talents. Having the two styles of drums has added a fascinating dynamic. Ben Ireland and Dane Dorning left the band in April 2008. After a search to find a new bassist, Nathan Marble joined the fold and Tom took over guitar.

Your influences?

Sinead O'Connor, Lunasa, the Chieftains, Nusa, Kate Bush, Luke Kelly, Shooglenifty, Martyn Bennett, Elvis Costello, Indigo Girls, Donal Lunny, Peatbog Faeries, Leonard Cohen, Tom Waits, the Cranberries, the Smiths, Sharon Shannon, Damien Dempsey, Damien Rice, Emer Kenny, Kila, Capercaille, Cullan's Hounds, Enter the Haggis, The Tinkers, Annie Lennox, 10000 Maniacs, Adrian Belew, Alan Stivell, Alyth McCormack, Billy Pigg, Cocteau Twins, Fiona MacKenzie, Jeannie Robertson, Sheila Armstrong, Ewan MacColl, Girlyman, James, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, the Beatles, Kathryn Tickell, Kirsty MacColl, Lindisfarne, Mary Margaret O'Hara, Myshkin, Paukl Mounsey, The Police, Radiohead, Ryan Adams, Sting, Suzanne Vega, Vic Chesnutt, XTC

Favorite spot?

Seattle, WA

Equipment used:

Katie's violin: 19th century German-made acoustic violin

Tom's mandolin:
guitar:
banjo:

Dave's drum's: Pearl drums, Zildjan cymbals, sticks...whatever I can find

Kris' whistles: Generations, Shaws, Sweetones, Overtons and Chieftains. He also plays a Gemeinhardt and an Artley flute
accordion:

Oisin's bodhran: Cooperman

Nathan's bass:

Anything else...?

Official Website

Myspace Page

If you would like to order our debut CD online, go to
CD Baby.com

If you would like to order Ten Thousand Miles to Bedlam, go to CD Baby.com

...or e-mail us at info@ockhamsrazormusic.com

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Photos