The Story
About Ranagri
Ranagri are an indie folk band whose sound brings together Irish and world traditions. Their music is deeply rooted yet boldly exploratory, with cinematic arrangements, strong songwriting and exceptional acoustic playing. Named Band of the Year by Fatea Magazine, they are known as one of contemporary folk's most compelling live acts, with soaring vocals, rich harmonies and a rare mix of instruments: flutes, whistles, harp, bodhrán, hammered dulcimer, percussion and guitars.
The name
Ranagri (pronounced Ran ag rye) is a stretch of farmland in County Carlow, Ireland, which has belonged to lead singer Dónal Rogers' family since 1658. For the band, it stands for heritage, belonging and stories that travel across time.
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Say Hello, the new album
Say Hello follows the people who left Ireland in search of a new life: the hopes they carried across the oceans, the hardships they faced and the ties they kept with home. Drawing on family letters and on the memories of Dónal's mother Lena, who still lives at Ranagri, the songs explore the excitement of leaving, the pain of separation and the wish to stay close to the place that shaped you. It is one family's story, but it speaks to everyone.
On stage and on record
Ranagri have toured across Europe, Australia and North America, playing major festivals and concert halls. They have released five studio albums (Fort of the Hare, Voices, Tradition, Playing For Luck and Tradition II) and two volumes of The Great Irish Songbook with Tony Christie.
The musicians
The members of Ranagri have each built remarkable careers across a wide range of musical worlds, from traditional Irish sessions and folk ensembles to concert halls. Between them, they have performed at the Royal Albert Hall, Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Celtic Connections and the Edinburgh Fringe, and appeared live on BBC Radio 2's Folk Show with Mark Radcliffe, BBC Radio 3's In Tune and BBC TV's Later with Jools Holland. They have toured with Peter Gabriel and worked with leading orchestras, including the London Symphony Orchestra and the BBC Concert Orchestra. Their work also includes the West End productions The Lion King and The Great Gatsby, and film soundtracks by composers such as James Horner, Daft Punk, Ennio Morricone and Hans Zimmer. They have recorded with Paul McCartney, The White Stripes, The Divine Comedy, First Aid Kit and Florence and the Machine.
