Phoenix and Wolfe

"A sensual mixture of Irish soul and Brazilian heart. So beautiful and exotic. I was hooked from the minute I heard them." - Dora Gola

Biography

The Story so far....
Athnaíonn Cíaróg cíaróg eile!

Phoenix and Wolfe are a musical fusion of Irish and Brazilian mystique, wonder and sensuality. Amanda Shannon a native of Ennis, Co Clare and Cairo Rocha who hails from Anapolis, Goias, in Brazil, on the other side of the Atlantic, have been cultivating their unique style since 2020. The distinctive sound and flow of Phoenix and Wolfe can be better understood by taking a glimpse at their respective journeys in music.

Amanda has been singing bilingually since primary school, snatching some prestigious awards at Slógadh as part of her school choir. Growing up Amanda was surrounded by music at home too, her dad a drummer in the tail of the Showband era. Her love of the Irish language and the seannós tradition was nurtured carefully.

Cairo picked up his brothers guitar as a teenager and so began his journey. Influenced by the Brazilian worship music in his locality, he soon found rock and metal where his love of complex arrangements began. Cairo was trained by a protégé of Gamela who a renowned composer and arranger in Brazil is, using both electric and acoustic guitar with delicacy and strength using fingerstyle guitar and jazzistic influences, or mimicking the drone of seannós.
Amanda and Cairo believe in creating music that is both explorative and evocative. They care about connecting with each other and bringing to bear the best of both their countries. These sincere and raw song-writers come to you bringing their love of their own culture and of each others.

Amanda was awarded a place with Glór's aritst to artist mentoring scheme in the summer of 2023, where she worked closed with Domhnaill Ó Braonáin from Connemara a seannós master in his own right winning Féile na bhFear at the Oireactas October 2022. She is also working with the support of Cairo on a seannós project recorded from home, in a bid to honor the old traditions of hosting sessions at homes in Ennis generations back.

A rare and beautiful treat, this duo continue to experiment in the studio and are due to release their new Irish Language single with the support of the Clare Arts Office this September. This project is also in collaboration with Bianca Fachel of Birdland Recording Studios in Roscommon.

‘The aim of our shows/ this music project together is to touch people, we concern ourselves with being sincere and connected on stage. We love singing in each other’s native tongue, cultivating the respect of our ancestors, our roots, our histories. We share our hearts in a bath of music tuned to a healing frequency and we just let go. We have found that by making a show that we love with every fibre of our being it gives more to the audience. We think the use of Irish and Portuguese also brings more to the show, and we are really excited to share our original songs and some Jazz, and seannós greats!.’- Amanda & Cairo

Testamonials

"Amanda and Cairo are two of the sweetest people and artists I've ever come across in all my time producing music. Vulnerable, kind-hearted and brave I'm glad they are making art and putting it into the world. We need more pure hearted music in this world and I am looking forward to all they have to give us" - Enda Gallery

"Phoenix and Wolfe are a mesmerising duo. With luscious and beautiful vocal tones, alongside gorgeous fingerstyle guitar. Melodies full of open hearted emotion. You can feel their connection from the very first note" SAL

'Phoenix and Wolfe ooze creative flair and confidence on ‘We’ll Get Used To It’ a track which draws you in with its haunting verses and uplifts with its reassuring group choruses, a stellar release and one that sets the pace for the duo’s future.'- RGM Press