Black Bank Folk are a 4 piece band from Dublin, Ireland, made up of members James Sheeran, John Colbert, Mark Colbert and Seán McKeon.
The band bring together a plethora of musical influences from Indie rock and Americana to Irish folk and traditional. The mix produces a contemporary feeling that, especially through McKeon’s influence, still has echoes of the ancient. The primary subject matter of their songs and music is a reflection of where they’re from; unmistakably Irish but that of a changing Ireland.
The band debuted in 2016 with the critically acclaimed album Rising, a 1916 concept album, which also saw a collaboration with Irish legend Damien Dempsey. Since their debut the band have performed and toured extensively around Ireland and abroad.
June 2019 saw the release of the band’s second album Last Star Fall. An album recorded through 2018 and early 2019 with producer Gavin Glass at Orphan Studios high in the Dublin Mountains.
After a hiatus brought about by a global pandemic and expanding families, the band have announced that their third studio album, Echoes on the Street will be released in late August of 2024. This album of original songs was again recorded and produced by Glass. The first single from the album, Bricks and Mortar, will be released on Friday 14th June.
Discussing the new single, lead singer Sheeran says, “I suppose Bricks and Mortar serves as a warning that as the city changes it’s important to cherish what has always made the place great. Dublin has always been an inspirational place for creativity but as old traditional pubs and venues become fewer, and house prices make it a tough place for musicians and artists to live, I just hope the soul of the place endures”