"Alison Crossey, Emma Robinson and Joanna Boyle formed the group ‘Briste’ at the end of 2015 and since then these Ulster ladies have have travelled all over the world bringing their new fresh and exciting sound to many festivals and venues across the globe. They have also been involved in TV programmes such as BBC’s ‘Trad Ar Fad’ and TG4’s ‘Oíche na mBan’, playing alongside artists such as BBC Radio 2 Folk Singer of the Year Ríoghnach Connolly, Country singer Lisa McHugh, Pop singer Una Healy and the fantastic John McSherry Band and many more", Fleadh Nua 2022
About The Band..
Alison Crossey
Alison Crossey is a Bodhrán and Guitar player from Lurgan, Co Armagh. Playing music from the age of 12 she has competed in competitions to County, Ulster and All Ireland level and went on to teach the Bodhrán to students from her home town for them to reach great Ulster and All Ireland stages.
Alison went on to play with Dance show Rhythm of the Dance and completed an American and European tour with them playing some of the most fantastic venues in the world. She also toured with an 8 piece girl group from Ireland called Gané. Alison is a member of a new project with The PJ McDonald Band who have an exciting future ahead.
Over the years Alison has been fortunate to support and share the stage with some fantastic artists including Four Men and a Dog,
PJ McDonald, Francis Black, Flook, North Cregg, The Dublin City Ramblers, Brian Kennedy and Dick Gaughan etc
Emma Robinson
Emma Robinson is a flute and whistle player from Lurgan, Country Armagh. She had been playing music since the age of 10 and has taken part in many Fleadh Cheoil competitions receiving many medals at county, provincial and All Ireland levels. She is a music graduate from Queens university Belfast and is now a music teacher both privately and in organisations such as the Armagh Pipers Club and local Comhaltas Branches.
Emma was taught by her Granda, flute player Gough Glenn and together they travelled Ireland learning and playing together. Other influences include Brendan Mulholland, Matt Molloy, Michael McGoldrick and Brian Finnegan but also enjoys listening to new and innovative bands such as Flook and Beoga etc.
Emma has been fortunate enough to share the stage with outstanding musicians such as Flook, Four Men and a Dog, Beoga, KAN, The Ollam, The Mairtin O'Connor Trio, Damien O'Kane trio, Mary Dillon and Sí Van among many more. She has also had the privilege of touring the world with her music in bands such as Síoda, The Bernadette Morris Band, The Gráinne Holland Band and The Pj McDonald Band.
Joanna Boyle
Joanna Boyle is from Glaslough, County Monaghan and plays banjo and sings. She started playing banjo at the age of 9 and has been competing in competitions ever since. She has won several County, Ulster and All Ireland titles through the years. Joanna has taken up singing over the last few years purely for enjoyment but hasn’t entered into competitions, yet.
Her main influences are Delores Keane, Tommy O’Sullivan, Enda Scahill , Cathal Hayden.. to name but a few.
Joanna has had the utmost privilege of playing alongside amazing bands and Musicians such as The Mairtin O'Connor Trio, Four Men and a Dog, KAN, Mary Dillon, Sí Van, The Ollam, Damien O’Kane and many more brilliant musicians.
Joanna is a Graduate of Music in University of Ulster, Magee, Derry.
Briste
Briste are together now for over 5 years and have travelled all over the world bringing their new fresh and exciting sound to many festivals and venues across the globe.
The girls have been involved in TV programmes BBC’s Trad Ar Fad and TG4’s Oiche nc mBan playing alongside artists such as BBC Radio 2 Folk Singer of the Year Rioghnach Connolly, Country singer Lisa McHugh, Pop singer Una Healy and The fantastic John Mcsherry Band and many more. Briste are recording their debut album and are excited for the future ahead.
