Tony and Una

Irish Independent news paper

Una Walsh's voice has taken her on an amazing journey from singing for the stars at Bunratty Castle, performing at a mob dinner in New York, to appearing at Campaign for Real Ale Festivals throughout England. Originally from outside Castlebellingham and now living in a quaint Derbyshire village, Una makes up half of the duo No Fixed Abode with her partner Tony Dean.  And their first meeting was also the stuff of fairy tales, as their eyes met across the crowded banqueting hall of Bunratty Castle! After doing her Leaving Cert at St. Vincent’s, Una went on to do business studies at Dundalk RTC as it was then. At the same time, however, she was also studying light opera in Dublin with Mary Sheridan de Brun and Ronnie Dunne. Although she confesses that she “never really felt at home doing that stuff”, she also knew that an office job was not for her. And so she found herself joining the Bunratty Castle Singers, singing with them as soloist for seven years.

She was spotted performing by the Managing Director of Miller Beers and he was so impressed that he invited her to become the company’s ‘Miss Danny Boy’. “I went over to the States and sang at trade fairs in Milwaukee, New York, Boston, and San Francisco.” Once she ended up singing in a luxury hotel for what she’s convinced was a mafia dinner! On her return to Ireland, she rejoined the Bunratty singers, performing for stars such as Bruce Willis, James Galway and Terry Wogan. She also appeared on numerous television shows. 

Romance blossomed when Tony attended a banquet in the Castle while on holidays from Manchester, and their eyes meet across the crowded hall. They met up for a drink afterwards in Durty Nelly’s and embarked on a long distance romance. This continued for four years until Una somewhat reluctantly decided to swap the musical landscape of Co Clare for Derbyshire. While Tony worked as an engineer, Una set about trying to find a band to front. A chance meeting with DJ James McCeifey led to the promise of a gig for Una. She needed a guitarist to accompany her, so Tony, who had previously confined his talents to playing at home, found himself on a sharp learning curve.

They began playing gigs in pubs, doing most covers of Irish folk songs and tunes. Then one Friday night, we got a couple of bottles of wine, and started messing around with the guitar and began writing a song. And once we’d written the words to one song, we kept going,” recalls Tony. They then began playing their own material at ‘open mike’ sessions and recorded a single which, while never released, proved an interesting experience. They have since released their impressive debut album ‘Acoustic Attitude’. “We play Irish music in pubs on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights and used that to fund the album and it has allowed us to do it the way we wanted to,” says Tony. He admits that he would love to give up his day job to concentrate on music but is taking a realistic approach that it will take time for them to establish a name. “It’s a bit like building a house, it’s going to take time and we’re giving it give it two or three years.”

The duo have built up a following in the Sheffield, Leicester and Nottingham area and play regularly at festivals organised by the Campaign for Real Ale. Last year they played to a crowd of 8,000 at the Nottingham Real Ale Festival and this year they are hoping to get onto the line up for the legendary Glastonbury Festival - provided it gets the go ahead, that is. Both Una and Tony were delighted the reaction they got when they toured Ireland recently and were particularly pleased to be able to play a gig in The Spirit Store. “It’s great to be able to come home and play to an Irish audience,” says Una.

PHILFY PHIL - Derbyshire times 

 Music from the folky side of rock's dysfunctional family has always been treated with suspicion by some members of the clan. It's the distant cousin politely shunned at the bar; the strange uncle they all hope to avoid as they nervously scan the wedding party seating plan.  
But Derbyshire duo No Fixed Abode is doing more than most to bring about a reconciliation and end the family feuding. New Clearwater album still has all the hallmarks of the genre, including bass provided by guesting godfather of folk-rock Ashley Hutchings. But Una Walsh and Tony Dean have crafted an eclectic series of songs that will also shake a few prejudices and preconceptions. Opener What Did I Do, with its Wonderstuffed intro, instantly showcases Una's angelic voice.  
Clear as winter ice, it is cultured enough to host its own late-night Radio 4 arts show. And for those that thought folk was fit only for fey subjects and whimsy, Kebab Crazed Nutty will catch them like the business end of broken beer bottle. It's a slice of contemporary realism,served in a pitta bread, with extra chilli sauce. Then there's the left-field arrival of Modern Life, a piano-led jazz track that oozes class and features a stunning trumpet line.The intimacy of Absent Friends draws you in impossibly, so you're left holding your breath as though eavesdropping outside the confessional. Then Sunne Days lands, loaded with Pimms and sunny joie de vivre. All the tracks on this collection are underpinned by Tony's subtle and sympathetic acoustic and given extra polish by some outstanding guest contributions. You can sense the craftsmanship that has been put into these songs. Every performer adds only what the song requires, nothing else. And that display of taste and restraint is something which louder, more gregarious members of the family could do well to emulate...

Sandy Satyanadhan Organiser - Woolston and Bursledon Folk Club Southampton

No Fixed Abode gave us a cracking good night at the club and there were many requests for a return visit from them. There were also many comments about Una’s beautiful, clear, lilting voice which has such an unusual and rare timbre and must surely be one of the finest on the folk scene. We will certainly be having them back.”

John Reedman - Chairman - Chesterfield folk club

 No Fixed Abode always get a warm welcome at the Chesterfield Folk Club and have appeared regularly at the CFC and it's predecessor the Attic. Two lovely talented people - Una has a voice to die for and Tony plays a mean guitar. They are committed to their music - writing memorable songs and making other people's material their own. They are always worth watching and always turn in an enjoyable and professional performance.

Fylde Folk Festival - Fylde Folk Festival

I enjoy watching and listening to good performers enjoying their performance and communicating their enthusiasm to their audience. This is certainly true of the duo No Fixed Abode. Una has a beautiful voice, vibrant and true. Tony is the perfect foil and accompanies Una with great strength, with delicate touches which makes their performances so good. No Fixed Abode are a joy to work with and should be booked by clubs and festivals who are looking for new talent and fresh faces