CARA  - A new breeze in irish music

"Anam Cara" is Irish for "soulmates", "Cara" means "friend".

Cara is a newly formed band, rooted in Irish and Scottish traditional music, but with ambitions to create a new and unique sound. Each of the four musicians has made a name for themselves at home and abroad through their involvement in various projects and got together in this line-up to create the music of their dreams. The list of bands in which the CARA members have played with reads like a "who-is-who" of the local folk scene: More Maids, Adaro, DeReelium, Steampacket, La Marmotte - not including countless guest studio and stage appearances. CARA has got everything it takes to for a folk band to connect to it's audience

Sandra Gunkel (vocals, piano, flute) and Gudrun Walther (vocals, fiddle, viola) are in perfect command of their instruments but above all it is their voices that enthral the audience. They bring new life to traditional ballads and their interpretations of their own songs are guaranteed to raise goosepimples! It would be difficult to find a better exponent of the Irish flute than Claus Steinort (flutes, whistles, concertina) - anywhere! His brilliant technique, faultless style, unique tone and expressiveness have earned him a growing reputation in Ireland. Together with Gudrun who was recently described by the German music magazine "Folker" as the "best fiddler on the scene", they are a dream-team when it comes to close playing and spontaneity. Jürgen Treyz (guitars) has his own concept of "backing". His sound is characterised by well thought out and exciting harmonic and rhythmic accompaniment and beautiful solos. Together with Sandra on piano, his playing inspires and lifts the CARA sound. With Rolf Wagels the band adds Germanys best (and biggest) Bodhrán Player as a special guest if he's available. He has played in Germany, Ireland and the US with an ever growing impressive list of well-known musicians and bands.

But it's not just their music that makes CARA so successful: there's the charming and witty performance of the two front women, singing songs and telling tales of jealous lovers, daring young women, water-spirits and other curiosities and playing rousing jigs and reels.