Banish Misfortune focuses on presenting the people’s music, intrinsically rooted in Ireland’s past, its political and social changes and multiple senses of place and the evolution of identities. It strives to have listeners get lost in the beauty of the music, its rhythms, old stories, myths and legends.

Band members all reside in the Pioneer Valley; some having played together for decades. They perform rousing sets of jigs, reels, waltzes, hornpipes, polkas and airs, as well as the occasional inspired song or accompanied Irish poem.

Members of the Band:
David Brule (fiddle, poetry), founding father, retired teacher, fluent in French, Irish Gaelic, and several other languages, published author who brings his love of Irish poetry to the band.
Sean Burke (mandolin, bouzouki, song), born in County Mayo, Ireland, retired Mass DOT, involved in the Valley music scene for over 50 years, roots the group’s sensibilities with his genuine approach to the music and remarkable repertoire of heartfelt songs.
Ellen Redman (flute, whistle, concertina, song), music instructor at Smith College, founder of the college’s “Wailing Banshees and 30+ year member of the Springfield Symphony Orchestra.
David Clopp (guitar, bouzouki, song), Naval Academy graduate, career-retired, brings a cooperative balance to the music with his thoughtful touch, sense of rhythm, harmony and bits of melody.
Anna Wetherby (fiddle, song) orchestra director at Bement School, teaches vocal music and strings, has performed on many stages and streets around the world.

“There are no strangers here, only friends you haven’t yet met.” — William Butler Yeats