Many of us know Conor from his successful tours of the US with the band Connla. While Connla is still a focus for Conor, the shutdown gave him time to work on a solo project that had been percolating for years. The result was, “Unearthed”, a beautiful album that honors tradition while exploring the potential of the uilleann pipes.

Already a favorite showcasing band, Conor is taking Unearthed on the road and will be coming to North America as a 4 piece ensemble starting in 2024. While there is no singing on the album, their live show includes Jack’s silky voice:

“Jack Warnock's voice could entice the birds from the trees” - The Irish News

“Like all great singers he lives inside his songs” - Mike Harding

In Conor’s own words:

“The Unearthed project was created during the 2020/2021 lockdowns. Most musicians, including myself, were unable to perform or channel their creative energy into in-person collaborations. The project itself was created during this reflective period in which I decided to focus my attention into my own compositions and arrangements. 

Unearthed has a number of meanings to me in relation to this project; unearthing my own solo adventure with the project, unearthing the many unique sounds of the Uilleann Pipes and using them in combination as a percussive element within my own original compositions. ‘Unearthed’ nods to traditions from the past, cast from deep passion and respect, to push boundaries of innovation and creativity whilst never losing sight of the source. I composed and recorded original contemporary Irish music alongside more common repertoire, and used the authentic and unique sounds of the Irish Uilleann Pipes as programming samples-as percussion and rhythm underneath the melody of the track.

Music connects us all, no matter of race, religion, or background. Music affects us all individually in different ways, emotionally and physically. Music brings us closer together sometimes when words alone cannot. Music connects us to a moment in time, in the past, present, or looking to the future. This is part of my musical journey; I hope you can connect with it in some way to guide you on yours.”

Conor Mallon from Keady, Co. Armagh started his musical career with the Armagh Pipers Club where he attended Uilleann Pipe lessons. He has progressed through ranks to become one of the senior teachers at the club before touring in a full time capacity. He has been taught by many pipers over the years and they include Tiarnan O Duinnchinn and Jarlath Henderson. Conor has been categorized as the one leading pipers in his generation as described by folking.com, “In the week that we learned of the passing of Liam O’Flynn it was apposite to hear Conor Mallon leading the next generation of Uilleann pipe players.”

Conor was the first recipient of the ACNI/BBC NI Young Traditional Musicians Platform award and subsequently was a guest musician with the Ulster Orchestra and with the award winning Foden’s Brass Band. Conor is a Senior County, Ulster and All-Ireland Champion on Uilleann Pipes in the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann and has won many other awards including the Uilleann Piping Scholarship by the Na Píobairí Uilleann Dublin in 2008 and was the first recipient of the Mark Donnelly Bursary for Uilleann Piping Award in 2010.

A bit about the members of the band:

Conor Mallon from Keady, Co.Armagh started his musical career with the Armagh Pipers Club where he attended Uilleann Pipe lessons. He has progressed through ranks to become one of the senior teachers at the club before touring in a full time capacity. He currently teaches private one-to-one tuition, skype lessons to people all over the world and various music schools across the north of Ireland. He has been taught by many pipers over the years and they include Tiarnan O Duinnchinn and Jarlath Henderson. Conor has been categorised as the one leading pipers in his generation as described by folking.com, “In the week that we learned of the passing of Liam O’Flynn it was apposite to hear Conor Mallon leading the next generation of Uilleann pipe players.”

Conor was the first recipient of the ACNI/BBC NI Young Traditional Musicians Platform award and subsequently was a guest musician with the Ulster Orchestra and with the award winning Foden’s Brass Band. Conor is a Senior County, Ulster and All-Ireland Champion on Uilleann Pipes in the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann and has won many other awards including the Uilleann Piping Scholarship by the Na Píobairí Uilleann Dublin in 2008 and was the first recipient of the Mark Donnelly Bursary for Uilleann Piping Award in 2010.

Mallon’s “Hugely Impressive” debut solo album has been quickly making an impact on the folk/traditional scene. The album having mostly his own compositions and arrangements of some old classics, The Irish Times has praised Mallon’s “High-octane production” debut. The debut solo album released in May 2023 has already received international plaudits as it was nominated for a German Critics Award shortly after release.

Paul Starrett is from Derry City and has been playing the guitar from around the age of 14. In July 2011 he graduated from the University of Ulster with a Bachelors Degree in Music (Bmus). He has been involved in teaching the guitar from a young age, from giving group lessons in the Nerve Centre in the city to private tuition in his home. Paul brings experience from a wide range of styles having played in jazz, rock, blues and other traditional groups.

Paul also enjoys work as a session musician and has played at numerous festivals/events throughout the world including The Fleadh, The Walled City Tattoo, The Olympic Torch and the famous Milwaukee Irish Fest.

Paul holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Music (Bmus) from the University of Ulster. Paul has his own guitar school which he runs in Derry and has vast experience built over a number of years involving group lessons or one to one. Paul brings a unique experience from a wide range of styles having played in jazz, rock, blues and other traditional groups. He also teaches for the Dungannon Comhaltas and teaches privately with teaching experience of over 10 years.

Jack Warnock is a multi-instrumentalist and singer from Maghera, Co. Derry. Throughout his career Jack has performed as a soloist, accompanist, and in groups such as TRODA, Cóiriú and The Doc Flock. He has performed at events, festivals, and venues across the world.

In recent years Jack has been nominated for the prestigious BBC Young Folk Award, won the Senior Accompaniment Competition at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, and received the ‘Young Musician’s Platform’ award from ACNI and BBC NI.

Absorbing music from an early age and playing piano from the age of seven, Jack’s love of trad would really blossom when he picked up the guitar in his teens. He quickly fell in love with the tunes and songs that seemed to surround him, and that was that - his calling was clear. His guitar style has been guided and influenced by many greats, including John Doyle, Tim Edey, Ed Boyd, Tony McManus and Seamie O’Dowd, to name but a few.

An avid Gaeilgeoir, Jack performs songs in both Irish and English. His compositions and selections are steeped in storytelling, as he embraces the lineage of folk music in its truest form.

Nine years have passed since his debut EP, so it’s fair to say his debut album Le Solas Faoithine has been a long-time coming. The name Le Solas Faoithine (translating as By Dusklight) was the product of new routines brought on by lockdowns.

After (what seemed like) endless days spent staring at a screen, Jack would religiously take a walk to watch the light fade in Mid-Ulster. Inspired by his surroundings, dusk would be the start of a new working day as he delved into creative work late into the night. From here Le Solas Faoithine grew.

Unsurprisingly, the album is a masterwork of thought, consideration, and beautiful curation. Recorded and produced by himself and Dónal O’Connor, Le Solas Faoithine features contributions from Toby Shaer, Archie Churchill-Moss, and Conor Mallon, and can comfortably sit alongside any traditional Irish debut release of recent times.

Fintan Mulholland is a multi-instrumentalist from Magherafelt, Co. Derry. Throughout his career Fintan has performed in groups such as Ioscaid, Realta and the Muddlers Club. He is the lead percussionist with the world renowned Irish music and dance show, Celtic Legends. He hasperformed at events, festivals, and venues across the world. In recent years Fintan has won a number of awards including Siansa Gael Linn Winner and also a BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award winner with the band Ioscaid.