COIG
CANADA
Atlantic Canada’s powerhouse Còig has cemented its status as one of today’s most exciting North American Celtic groups. With a fiery Celtic style as its musical core, Còig offers a fresh and exhilarating mix of traditional tunes, lively instrumentals and contemporary songs performed on over a dozen instruments (vocals, fiddles, guitar, banjo, mandolin, viola, bouzouki, whistles, and more) in a lot of non-traditional ways.
Còig’s like no other, thanks to the unique mix of four superb talents. Featuring the fiddling and step-dancing duo of Chrissy Crowley and Rachel Davis, and the musical musings of multi-instrumentalist Darren McMullen, and Zakk Cormier on guitar and driving rhythms on Acadian foot-percussion, the award-winning quartet are an unparalleled music force.
Còig’s latest album, “Ashlar” is full of surprises and flows from lively instrumental sets to tender traditional ballads to fabulous covers, everything Còig is known for and then some. With a growing list of credits, “Ashlar” debuted at #1 on the World iTunes chart and has been recognized with a 2020 Canadian Folk Music Award (Traditional singer, Rachel Davis), East Coast Music Award and Music Nova Scotia Award nomination for Roots Traditional Recording of the Year.
Còig have collected a mantle of awards and nominations for their catalogue of recordings, “Carols Too” (2019), ”Rove” (2017), “Carols” (2016) and “Five” (2014) including a Canadian Folk Music Award, a JUNO nomination and multiple East Coast Music Awards and Music Nova Scotia Awards.
The best in trad music, in a non-traditional way. That’s Còig.
“Acclaimed Celtic/ Roots band combine sprightly instrumental spunk to create a rich evocative sound. Plenty to conjure with here – quality material, dexterous instrumental playing, solid ensemble work and ethereal haunting vocals make for a heady, incandescent rush of robust energetic expertise.” – fRoots
“Dynamic Folk from Cape Breton. A self-professed Celtic supergroup with a new album, Ashlar, hot off the press, Còig are a folky force to be reckoned with. Ashlar means ‘a perfect fit’ and it’s clear these musicians have found a perfect fit in Còig.” – Songlines
“Ashlar is an exceedingly sparkling affair packed with contrast and versatility, every item a different kind of musical experience. And yet the whole ten-track collection possesses a healthy unity of execution and a delightfully purposeful energy. Ashlar is a solid and satisfying listen and a very good example of quality Cape Breton Celtic that you’ll want to revisit.” – folkradio.co.uk
“Coming on stage, the welcome from a well-populated hall was friendly and encouraging, but when fiddle player Chrissy Crowley asked how many had seen them before, just a few hands went up and several of them turned out to be visitors from Germany. If the band had any nerves about bringing some of their music back to its traditional homeland, these were quickly dispelled by the reception given to the opening set of tunes, Time & Tide, two jigs followed by two reels, three out of the four being band compositions. Cheering, whistles and lengthy applause let them know they’d found a home from home.” – www.folkradio.co.uk/2019/06/live-review-coig-an-lanntair-stornoway
