Meet the Tartan Terrors!

How did you all come together & how did you select Tartan Terrors as your name?

The group was formed in 1996 with siblings, Ellen & Ian Irmisch, as a dance group performing on stage with Celtic musicians. Their father dubbed them “The wee Tartan Terrors”. After he passed, the name was kept as a tribute to him. Over the years, the show developed from just dancing and began incorporating their own musicians, then adding comedy sketches into the fold. Before long, the group was a true variety act. As the years rolled on, the group focused more and more on the musical aspect of the show. As members would leave, and new ones coming in, the band became more and more music forward. Now, 29 years later, we are truly a full on Celtic Rock show. Incorporating bagpipes, fiddles, step dancing, electric guitars and high energy drumming, the Tartan Terrors are now the Premier Celtic Event in North America

What draws/drew you to perform Celtic music?

There’s something about Celtic music that just gets inside you. It doesn’t matter what your general go-to flavour of music is, Celtic music will always get your toes tapping. It becomes part of you.

What has been the most memorable performance for your group thus far?

Honestly, there are too many special moments to pin point one. We’ve been truly blessed to have 29 years of memories. Everything from seeing some of the most beautiful sights across Canada & the US as we drive, sharing the stage with other incredibly talented musicians & dancers, making friends who’ve become family, to picking up after Covid shut the world down by playing our first show at the same place that we ended our run before lockdowns. Pinning it down to “the most” is just not possible.

Are there any pre-performance rituals or routines you all have before taking the stage?

Everyone has their own thing. Some people it’s vocal exercises and stretching, some it’s standing back stage listening to the crowd as they come in and take their seats. Some of us have a pint to get into the mood. Speaking for myself, I make sure I’ve got all my vocal warm-ups done, I’m stretched, and I find everyone individually and give them a fist-bump and wish them a good show. Then I go to where I walk on stage from and let the noise from the audience amp me up.

What to you is the best part of performing for audiences?

For me, it’s taking audiences on an emotional journey with us. Once those doors close and the lights go off, it doesn’t matter who you are, how much money you make, who you voted for, who you love…at that point, we’re all together for the same reason. To forget the world and enjoy music. We write our set lists to incorporate high energy, love songs, singing about the good times, the bad times, and to lift spirits.

Are there any unique instruments utilized during performances? If so, what are they & how do they function?

For starters, we’ve got bagpipes. I’m sure our pipers are going to give me grief if I get this wrong, but the bagpipes have 4 reeds that vibrate as air is forced over them, 3 drones and a chanter. The drone reeds are the pipes that go up from the bag and over the shoulder. I don’t know what notes they’re tuned to but they remain constant. The chanter reed is on the pipe that the hands are over. That has holes in it and, much like the recorders we all loved in elementary school, as you cover the holes you get a new note. The piper has to constantly blow into the bag to keep it inflated enough for their arm to squeeze the bag, at the right pressure, to maintain a constant flow of air over all the reeds. Having watched the pipers take the pipes apart and seeing how many movable pieces are in them, I’m baffled every time they strike up. It, truly, is magic to me.

Part of the show consists of dance, are any or all of you professionally trained Celtic dancers or is it more of an improvisation when on stage?

We’ve got 2 trained dancers who are musicians in the group. Ian, used to dance but hasn’t in years, despite my nagging for him to do it again. Emily Yarascavitch is one of the best in Canada. She’s a multi-award winning dancer and teacher. She is truly incredible to watch. Chance Brough, as well an award winning dancer, is also incredibly skilled. The two of them blow my mind when I see them. Once thing the Terrors love to do is bring out local dance groups to our shows and let them perform as well. It’s how we got our start and so we’re hoping that by doing this, we’re inspiring and validating the kids choices to be dancers. We’re incredibly fortunate to have the Rhodes Academy of Irish Dance joining us at the Hampton Arts Center on March 5^th. We’re incredibly excited to have this group join us on stage!

Does anyone in the group happen to speak or understand the Gaelic language?

I know enough to get me slapped or to find a washroom. Unless someone is hiding it really well, I feel like everyone else is roughly the same.

Is there any part of your show that becomes interactive with the audience?

Yes and no…we do have some songs where we get the audience to shout along with us, there’s some hand gestures that go along with them. We’ve also been known to periodically end up playing and singing from in the audience…gotta love wireless technology!

What does it mean to you to be continuing the proud tradition of Celtic music & dance?

Short version? Absolutely everything. It means everything to me. Putting on the kilt, picking up my guitar or bodhran is when I’m truly happy. Making music with my best friends and sharing our love with every single person in the audience is just the best feeling in the world. Taking traditional instruments and some songs and adding our personal touch to them absolutely gives us a sense of pride.