Celtae (band)
| Company type | Musical ensemble |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 2001 in Ottawa, Canada |
| Founder | Nathan MacDonald |
| Defunct | 2008 |
| Headquarters | Ottawa , Canada |
Area served | Canada |
Key people | Nathan MacDonald, Matt Holland, Tyree Lush, Dana Arrowsmith |
| Products | Music albums (including No Regrets) |
Celtae was a Canadian ensemble created in 2001 in Ottawa, focusing on modern Celtic music styles. The band was initiated by Nathan MacDonald, originally from Cape Breton Island, and included Matt Holland from Summerside, Prince Edward Island alongside Tyree Lush of Gambo, Newfoundland and Labrador. Dana Arrowsmith of Sudbury, Ontario succeeded the initial fiddler Jules Sisk.
Their record No Regrets was crafted under the production of Brian Talbot from Slainte Mhath. Reviewer Wes Smiderle of the Ottawa Citizen characterized their sound as "upbeat, post-work acoustic expression," with lyrics that reference East Coast heritage, drawing comparisons to Great Big Sea.
Members
- Nathan MacDonald – vocals, guitar
- Tyree Lush – vocals, guitar, button accordion, mandolin
- Matt Holland – bass
- Dana Arrowsmith – fiddle, vocals
Nathan MacDonald
Nathan Bishop MacDonald, also known as "Nathan Bishop," is a Toronto-based singer-songwriter and one of Celtae's founding members. Born in Sydney and raised in Glace Bay on Cape Breton Island, his composition "Merchant Marine" served as the theme for CBC radio drama On Convoy and was included on Avondale Records' 2004 compilation Singalongs & Shanties 2. MacDonald’s baritone voice and guitar skills are complemented by his proficiency on the bodhran.
He has appeared at prominent Canadian festivals such as the Canadian Tulip Festival and Lunenburg Folk Harbour Festival, as well as performing at notable venues including Ottawa's National Arts Centre and Cape Breton's Savoy Theatre.
Under his solo alias Nathan Bishop, he transitioned from Celtic influences to a style described by the Ottawa Citizen as "funky folk." After moving to Toronto in 2008, he launched Uptown Underground recording studio. His debut solo album, Lovers, Leavers, and Believers, was released in 2011 through Uptown Underground; two songs from this album were featured in the film The Unleashed. His demo track "Without You" was a finalist in the 2008 International Songwriting Competition. Bishop defines his musical approach as 'Chop Music,' a roots rock evolution influenced by post-hip hop.
Education
During his studies at the University of Guelph and the University of Western Ontario, MacDonald distinguished himself as a leading figure in Canadian inter-varsity debating. He secured back-to-back victories at the North American Debating Championship in 1998 and 1999 and held the position of Vice-President for the Canadian University Society for Intercollegiate Debate. Additionally, he placed fifth in public speaking at the 2000 World Universities Debating Championships held in Sydney.
External links
- Celtae official website
- Official website
- Announcement of Nathan Bishop’s debut solo album