Casualties of Retail Now Available! Since its conception in 1996, Enter the Haggis (ETH) has built an international touring and recording career based on its unique approach to Celtic-based music and high-energy performances. After the success of 2002’s ‘Enter the Haggis -Live!’, the group teamed up with JUNO nominated producer Joao Carvalho (Slainte Mhath, Pilate, Hawksley Workman) to record its fourth album, ‘Casualties of Retail’ (2004). The result is a strong album and a sound that ETH can call their own.
Something For Everyone 'Casualties of Retail' features the catchy bluegrass-fusion singles "Another Round" and "Gasoline" as well as driving Celtic-rock instrumentals that showcase the group’s arranging and performance talent. The music is primarily a fusion of Celtic, bluegrass and rock, however, elements of Latin, blues and funk can be heard throughout. The instrumental, "Congress", combines a traditional Irish reel played on electric guitar with Latin percussion as well as a section in which drum sticks are played on acoustic guitar. "Whereas on our earlier records we didn’t spend a long time in the studio, we recorded ‘Casualties of Retail’ over two months" says the group’s bassist Mark Abraham, who originally got a taste of Celtic music while growing up in Cape Breton. "Taking our time gave us the opportunity to experiment, getting everything exactly the way we wanted it. We also worked with some amazing guest musicians."
THE Draw on the Festival Circuit... The group is no stranger to the stage; a look at ETH’s past and present tour schedule makes it clear that they’ve become a big draw at U.S. and Canadian Celtic and folk festivals. "We have a great time sharing our music with audiences" says the band’s Scottish-born bagpiper, Craig Downie, who joined the award-winning General Motors Pipe band at the age of 12. "The music we play crosses so many genre lines that it appeals to a wide demographic. It’s a very satisfying feeling seeing people of all ages connecting to the music we create."
Enter The Haggis Comes to Television! Besides the release of "Casualties of Retail", a special on the group will begin airing on PBS affiliates throughout the U.S. and Canada beginning in June of 2004. The documentary/performance entitled "Live at Lanigan’s Ball" was produced by the New York based company Adirondack Productions and filmed at Plattsburgh, New York’s Hartman Theatre in December of 2003. The special will be available on DVD and VHS.
Source: http://www.enterthehaggis.com/index.php?page=Biography
