Halfset are an electronic quartet featuring Stephen Shannon (producer/engineer) , Jeff Martin (who has released two solo albums to date), Cillian Mc Donnell (formerly of Jubilee Allstars and electro act Hidden Fortress) and Sinead Nic gearailt.
Originally conceived as a studio project to record one song, the dynamic worked so well that the band decided to rise to the challenge of taking their complicated set-up to a live audience. They employ an unusual combination of programmed beats and live instruments - including vocals, drums/persussion, guitars, glockenspiel, harp, trumpet, mandola and old analog synths.
Halfset have played across the country and have performed with many of their contemporaries. in summer 2006 the band performed at several Irish festivals including, The Electric Picnic, The Manchua festival (Roscommon) and the Beamish Experience (Cork).
Halfset released their critically acclaimed debut album "Dramanalog" in April 2005 on Elusive Recordings (home of Jimmy Behan and the Eklectra compilations). Produced, engineered and mixed by the band themselves, it took no less than 3 years to complete.
Album Reviews
+ "A fine release." AddReviews
+ "a mini-epic of a good summertime album." Tasty
+ "Very nice indeed." Smallfish Records
+ "cracking stuff." I Really Love Music
+ "a pleasant mixture of euphoric, synth-driven/organic downtempo music" Barcode Zine
+ "Halfset have created something very beautiful. The Dubliner 4/5
+ brittle, tender melodies effortlessly drive the album Irish Times 3/5
+ beautifully understated collection. Irish Independent 4/5
+ like balm for my soul Totally Dublin
+ plays like the soundtrack to a great holiday RTE.ie 4/5
+ has a nicely atmospheric feel Hotpress 7/10
+ lush, downtempo soundscapes awash with infectious melodies Going Out- The Star
+ stunning album never losing sight of its melodic edge. Beats and Pieces /HP
+ "simply beautiful music that is both soothing and deeply engaging". Sunday Tribune 4/5
+ "an extraordinarily good album" Dan Hegarty 2FM
+ "electronica that comes from the heart and soul" Eclectic Honey
+ "Lose yourself in gorgeous warm electronica" Siglamag.com
The band are very nearly finished 17 new songs for the new album scheduled for a Summer ’08 release
