The Rend Collective are indeed worth all of the fuss.
By Colleen Taylor
I’ve always thought Irish musicians have a special knack for jubilance. Northern Irish band the Rend Collective provide the perfect example. Each of their songs transforms into a mini celebratory ritual. As such, it’s no coincidence the group of five from Bangor define themselves as a “celebration band.” The mix of joyful chorus, acoustic string instruments, folk spirit, and genuine enthusiasm all converge to make the Rend Collective’s music infectious. Many, including myself, were impressed by the band’s 2015 album, “As Family We Go.” Now, they are quickly following up with another. “Campfire Sessions II: Simplicity” is due out next month.
Okay, time to confess: I deliberately omitted a crucial piece of information. The Rend Collective is a Christian band. They self-identify spirituality and worship as crucial elements of their music, and more often than not, the Rend Collective plays to audiences of a similar persuasion. I admit, this turned me off at first. I felt uncomfortable, an unwilling outsider, listening in to music that was outside my realm of familiarity. However, I am glad I moved past my initial discomfort because it brought me musical reward. The Rend Collective itself says they hope their latest album “Campfire II” will invite outsiders in. No doubt the band would be loathe to inadvertently exclude any potential listeners—religious or not. I myself review the Rend Collective in a more secular and cultural context. To me, their Irish identity is as apt a framework for enjoying and understanding their music as the religious one. So, if you’re feeling skeptical, you’re not alone. But like me, you might be be happily surprised as well.
Since the release of their alt-pop project “Homemade Worship by Handmade People,” the Rend Collective have become forerunners in their transatlantic musical community, paving the way with their modern sounds. This band incorporates raspy vocals, powerful rock rhythms and even, from time to time, some electronic reverb. They have become renowned for their animated live shows, drawing in fans in Ireland, the UK, and the States alike. Their most recent album before “Campfire II” was number 19 in the overall UK album charts, making it the highest ranking Christian album to debut in the UK. These statistics undoubtedly speak for themselves, but I think you have to hear the Rend Collective to truly be convinced they are worth the fuss, so to speak.
What I love about the Rend Collective is that their music sounds particularly earthy and particularly – for lack of a better word – real. For a band that aims their sights upward, to a higher power, they also manage to capture the essence of grounded, earthly materiality. Their music comes across as spontaneous, organic and, well, human. It doesn’t sound like the product of a recording studio or synthetic musical devices – and it’s not. The band recorded “Campfire II: Simplicity” quite literally outside in the earth’s open unknown, surrounded by trees rather than soundproof walls. The band has had success with this live, outdoor recording experience before, with their first campfire album, “Campfire Christmas,” also released last year. The natural atmosphere of both campfire albums harkens back to the way music has been played and heard historically in Ireland up until the mid-20th century. It recalls the long tradition of crossroads ceilis, country dance halls, and even the piper or traveling bard on the road. Natural Irish atmosphere is a hallmark of the Rend Collective. Their music videos, such as “As Family We Go,” capture the landscape of their home turf, featuring gorgeous coastal scenery at Giant’s Causeway. You can see why the Rend Collective’s Irish background is as crucial as any other identity they hold.
“Campfire II” is alive with various instrumentation—banjos, strings, soulful brass, and even the rhythm of a live, clapping audience. It is folksy, energetic, and entirely animated. You can hear the joy of the campfire audience enjoying each and every song. The listener can’t help but emulate that enthusiastic response. I was particularly taken by the acoustic, new rendition of the band’s major hit “You Will Never Run,” which is sounding even better, and, if possible, even more vibrant on this album. I also loved “Free As a Bird” and an original, new track, “Ocean.”
The Rend Collective have many American fans, and they’ll be spending the Autumn with them, playing a series of shows on the West Coast, then making their way to the Midwest and the South.
My suggestion? Give the Rend Collective a try and enjoy the music of the great outdoors—especially if you’re an urban New Yorker. Find out more at rendcollective.com.
