Atlas comprises of two Cillians; Cillian Doheny (Guitars) and Cillian King (concertina), both natives of Limerick, who first crossed paths through the Irish traditional music festival circuit as teenagers.

Making an album together had always been an aspiration but with Cillian Doheny touring heavily with his Neo-Irish outfit ‘Moxie’ and ‘King on the Circuit’ as a session musician and completing his studies, they decided to use that time to grow as musicians and people, and Atlas was shelved temporarily. However, in late 2014 when the time was right and much to the delight of music fans the country over, the pair began definite work on their debut album.

In late November 2015, Atlas launched a Kickstarter campaign to secure funding to record their album ‘Affinity’ and with popular demand for the record, they reached their target with time to spare. Filmed and recorded in an old church which has become a centre for the arts in Belfast, ‘Affinity’ which sees Atlas accompanied by string quartet and percussion, comprises of delicate string arrangements reminiscent of Sigur Ros and cascades of sound from the ethereal world of Jon Hopkins. Atlas have added an ingredient that is inherently Irish to the mix to create a record that encompasses where they have come from and where they are going.

Atlas play Monroe’s tomorrow night, Thursday 24 November. Doors at 8pm, tickets €10/€8 for students. Support will be from Echo. Tickets from www.monroes.ie