California Irish

California Irish is a seven-piece folk rock band from Belfast, led by Cormac Neeson, the lead singer and chief songwriter known from the rock band The Answer. The group draws strong inspiration from the melodic, free-spirited sound of late 1960s America, particularly evoking the Laurel Canyon vibe made famous by artists like Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young and Joni Mitchell. Their music is crafted with analogue recording techniques and often recorded in only one or two takes to capture a raw, authentic human touch. The band originally came together for a Neil Young-inspired theater production called "Re-Harvest," performing classic albums like "Harvest" and "Harvest Moon" live, which sparked the idea to create their own album in this style.

Their debut album, *The Mountains Are My Friends*, scheduled for release in June 2025, features tracks such as "Big Questions," "Something Different," and "Live Fast Die Free." Cormac Neeson hand-picked the band members based on strong shared musical history and friendships within the vibrant Belfast music scene. California Irish blends folk, Americana, and nostalgic 60s influences to create a warm, empathetic sound that feels both timeless and fresh, capturing the spirit of a gentler era in music with a modern twist.

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