Biography and Reviews

Singer/songwriter

Based in Cardiff,Colum has performed all over the UK Ireland and the US both as a solo artist and with New Druids. New solo album HOTEL released November 2011. It is a 10 track folk/world album, with haunting narratives and stunning musicianship. Some tracks can be heard on www.myspace.com/columregan Debut solo album GO reached top 5 in Wippit Easymusic and Loot Tunes download charts.

Reviews

'What a voice! Colum’s captivating vocals and Lawson’s unique accompaniment was a roaring success at the celebration for Bob Dylan’s 50th Birthday event recently held at Cardiff University. Colum and Lawson enthralled the audience which contained generations young and old with their melodic acoustic set. Both Colum and Lawson were a joy to work with leading up to the event and their set was a fitting end to a fantastic few days, leaving the audience on a real high'
Sarah Gallimore Cardiff Uni.

One of Cardiff’s busiest, hardest working individuals releases Hotel, an album of attractive sounds and intense lyrical expression, rewarding patience and commitment with plenty of wonderful growers. What, on the surface, seem like gentle acoustic numbers are rife with micro-innovations in production and instrumentation, combining to form an edgy, largely linear sound. The bass is thin and winding, the guitar jangly and percussive whilst expertly-executed drum grooves complement exotic zheng, mbira and sitar parts (Life Boat a good example and album highlight.) There are times when this linear style results in a craving for denser, rougher textures to set off Regan’s proclivity for restraint and ‘bare bones’ songcraft. But an engaging, accessible listen, often bypassing parameters in the singer-songwriter genre  4/5.   Miniature Music Press

“Colum Regan and his fantastic band blend in such a way as to take you on many a varied journey, be it mellow and melodic or worldly and exotic. The future for these guys is promising to say the least..."
Scott Travers Cardiff radio.

“The Dylan Thomas Festival event on Bob Dylan and Dylan Thomas was enriched by a lyrical performance from the multi-talented Colum Reagan and Lawson Dando. Sensitive to the venue and the nature of the event, their sparkling set delighted the audience and demonstrated how well different art forms can work alongside each other”
Jo Furber, Literature Officer, Dylan Thomas Centre

“Colum Regan - very talented, sings like a bird and writes amazing songs. This man is destined for great things and I can't stop playing his record"  Alan Thompson BBC WALES

"Intimate themes allied to intricate harmonies. Colum has a way with words and is clearly capable of penning a tune to twist the senses and leave you looking for more. Classy.” MUSICIAN MAGAZINE 
 
 "His lyrics are insightful and his melodies sweet. Colum's powerful stage presence and sizzling voice, backed up by some of the best musos around make his shows a truly moving live music experience."  CIRCULAR MUSIC UK
 
"Colum Regan – a man, a guitar and a dreamy voice that when your mum hears it she’ll get fizzy knickers; what more could you want?"  SENTRIC MUSIC
 
 "When I hear the music I think of the colour: yellows and oranges (no reason, just do!).. If they were a sweet: a classic, like Caramac, nice and smooth.. Makes me dance the: foot-tap, with a little bit of some swaying and groovin'.. Takes me to: a sunset beach party.. Would open for: Gomez, John Mayer.. In the scope of the universe, these guys get: a solar system and a half!.. In other words: Two parts acoustic, one part soul, and one part suave, this stuff is fab!" COFFEE SODA ENTERTAINMENT.

Free flowing and accurate…..stunning song structures
CENTRAL STATION REVIEW
 
This fine artist combines the punch of Luka Bloom with the finesse of Scullion to produce an impressive show…Colum’s lyrics contain the pointed observations of Warren Zevon with the eloquence of Jimmy McCarthy.
WEXFORD SONG CLUB
 
a magical, musical journey through the use of stunning narrative verse and haunting melodies
GIGBYTE
 
Superb
MONO

Sensational talent
TUNETOWN

PAVILLION FOLK SERIES SEES COLUM ATTRACT A YOUNGER AUDIENCE
A new season of monthly folk concerts has started at The Stage Door in Porthcawl’s Grand Pavilion. First to perform was Colum Regan, Cork-born but resident since 1999, who has just embarked on a solo career. Regulars at the Pavilion folk concert series noted that the average age of the audience had dropped about 20 years. Furthermore the gender bias had swung markedly towards the females. Right from the start, it became obvious that that his solo career will showcase his versatility, because he sings in a variety of styles, with a voice that can handle gentle love songs to rousing anthems.In April he is making a start on his solo album, featuring in the main his own songs. On stage, he performs these with his guitar, or occasionally with just percussion. He introduces one song, previously performed by Sinead O Connor, and his voice soars to a climax that brings a huge response from the audience. After years working in different styles, including jazz and funk as well as folk – and in different countries – he is now focusing on his own material. As an accomplished guitarist, with a great voice, he should quickly build up a following.
PAVILLION REVIEW
 
Colum Regan is a brilliant singer/songwriter who has now embarked on a solo career and is eliciting positive responses whenever he plays. We are eagerly awaiting his solo CD hopefully to be out soon. Take a listen - you are sure to love what you hear.
Sher Stec WNTI NEW JERSEY

Colum Regan, who impressed with a wicked Irish wit that probably could have earnt him a cameo role on “Father Ted” a decade ago. Regan is something of a one man band, strumming his guitar whilst keeping a timely beat with his right foot on a bass drum pedal. His sound is somewhere between Damien Rice and the Zutons
ATOMIC DUSTER LIVE REVIEW
 
At last, Colum Regan has released a full-length album and it was well worth the wait. Go is a wonderfully eclectic mix of styles and genres that shows off the huge songwriting and performing talent of this Cardiff based Corkman. The opener "Bring It On" has a cool soul feel, "Don't Think About It" punches the Led Zeppelin buttons, while "Your Voice" evokes the more contemplative side of this fine craftsman. Colum's voice is as clear and vibrant on this album as it is in his enthralling stage shows and the range of instruments in the arrangements make this a really full-on recording.
WEXFORD SONG CLUB

Colum Regan’s ‘Message’ delivers a jazzy upbeat groove-laden track that sounds like it would be the perfect come down soundtrack for the late night ‘Beat Generation’ of 1950s New York.
CLUAS (extract from the review of Southern-Fried II)