Even before the High Kings’ new album, “Memory Lane,” hit No. 1 on iTunes’ World Chart, Brian Dunphy bubbled with enthusiasm over the reception his band was receiving on its U.S. tour. If the band was surprised that its sophomore album surpassed double platinum status in Ireland, the U.S. success was almost overwhelming.
| Onstage |
| The High Kings |
| When: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday |
| Where: Birchmere, 3701 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria |
| Details: $39.50; 202-397-SEAT; ticketmaster.com |
“We don’t have the rock star kind of crazy fans, but we have very dedicated, loyal fans,” he said from the band’s tour bus as it travelled through upstate New York. “We signed a couple of arms last night and were given a big, massive bowl of rhubarb muffins by another fan. Some of the fans traveled seven hours to see us and then waited in the lobby for four hours because they wanted front-row seats.”
The four-piece band hails from Ireland, but each member comes from very different musical backgrounds. Dunphy, son of the legendary entertainer Sean Dunphy, was in “Riverdance” and in Broadway musicals. Darren Holden was in the Billy Joel production “Movin’ Out.” Finbarr Clancy of the legendary Clancy family and Martin Furey, whose father is the renowned Finbar Furey, have equally impressive credentials.
As the four members got to know each other through various projects, they had opportunities to sing harmonies that brought critical praise. The idea to become a band soon became a reality.
The members perform a style of music they call “folk and roll” with delicious four-part harmonies. Songs range from contemporary tunes to classic such as “Irish Rover.”
“It’s just unbelievable,” said Dunphy of the well-received appearances the band has made. “The people here are so excited about their Irish ancestry and [Celtic music]. In some ways, they embrace it more than those in Ireland. … We are just over the moon about all of this.”
With the early success of the band’s sophomore album, that success will likely continue to grow. Dunphy credits the band’s careful selection of 16 songs that fit the band “right now,” and careful crafting of harmonies for the popularity of the new album.
“Lots of bands always talk about the second album being difficult,” Dunphy said. “We put forward 20 songs each and whittled it down to 16 songs [on the album]. We really concentrated on what we wanted to make of the High Kings’ sound. Folk and roll on!”
