In the first summer of the new millennium a group of friends got together to play some old time country music. The line-up evolved naturally and grew quickly as old friends joined in with fresh ideas and new instruments. They soon realised they were beginning a journey of discovery into what country music was all about. Through listening to the likes of Willy Nelson, Steve Earle and a smattering of Appalachian Bluegrass, Bray Vista began to develop their own style of country music, always striving to stay true to that authentic country sound that they clearly love.

Song writing is obviously one of the most satisfying experiences about this band, with Neil generally writing the tunes, bringing them to rehearsals and the rest of the band putting that now unmistakable Bray Vista stamp on them. Through our mix of guitars, banjo, mandolin, pedal steel, harmonica, piano, a classic country rhythm section and some intricate vocal harmonies we have developed an original style we feel is true to our unfaltering belief in country music.

Their first gigs were in the bars and small venues around north Wicklow, and pretty soon they developed a small but devout following that have stuck with the band through thick and thin, and still come to gigs today. From their initial acoustic line-up, a few new instruments really helped to develop their sound and take the music somewhere different. The band recorded a couple of mini-albums in the first couple of years, which now are distinct rarities - only to be found in the collections of the true followers - but it was their third mini-album which grabbed their first real recognition outside of their hometown environment.

The low key 2003 debut EP This Time Around – which was recorded in a mobile studio down the coast in Kilcoole by Terry Meakin - was greeted with enthusiasm by radio and print media alike, with Radio One’s John Kelly describing it as one of the essential releases of 2003, while Jim Carroll of The Irish Times described the band as having “a spirit and soul that would melt the hardest of hearts.”

Bringing the music to a wider audience was the next natural step and the band really got a kick out of playing their kind of music to unsuspecting audiences and watching them dance along in frenzied appreciation of the country grooves. It’s always good to meet new converts and to show people that country music isn’t just about handle bar moustaches and line dancing but it’s more to do with getting back to the roots and letting your soul do the talking.

During the rest of 2003 and into 2004, their live shows continued to gather a cult following, the particular highlight for the band being the opportunity to tip their stetsons to the great man in black himself, when they were invited to be the house band at the Johnny Cash tribute concert in Vicar St. Other ventures outside the garden county included the raucous Rhythm ‘n’ Roots Festival in Kilkenny, a nationwide tour with the weird and wonderful alt-country Handsome Family, and the after show party for Bob Dylan’s Galway show.

Bray Vista returned to the studio in 2004 to record the When I Get There EP, which was produced by Karl Odlum (David Kitt, Mic Christopher), and it came out that summer to whet the appetites of the faithful, while they await the release of the debut album.

The latter part of the year saw Bray Vista reunited with Karl Odlum to record their first full-length album, working over a couple of months in both the Westland studio and a remote West of Ireland hideaway. The as-yet-untitled long-player - a blend of country, bluegrass, gospel and roots, featuring some very special guests, -should see light of day in late spring.

The Bray Vista adventure is fast gathering momentum. So if you get the chance come and see for yourself what Bray Vista’s brand of country can do for you.

Keep It Country……….