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The Full Story

Meet The Band

Sásta was formed in 2011 in Brisbane, Australia.

Irish Music & Irish Festival, Australia

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Mick (Frontman/ Singer/ Guitar/ Bodhrán/ Didgeridoo)

Mick founded the band in 2011. He has a deep love of Irish music from his family in County Laois and County Armagh. Mick grew up in the London Irish scene, then lived in Dublin for a decade, where he met his wife. Soon after he moved to the Sunshine Coast, Australia. As well as being a Hilton-trained chef and a professional property auctioneer, Mick fronts popular 10-piece ska and reggae band The Sunny Coast Rude Boys and is also the front man of 90's Britpop band Cool Britannia. He has spectacular eyebrows and gets wicked heartburn after drinking booze.

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Rocky hails from Kilmovee Co.Mayo and is the Squeeze Box player. He started playing at the age of 9 and went on to join their family band as a drummer playing across the west of Ireland throughout his teens .He is a qualified grease monkey and has a passion for restoring classic vehicles .He and his wife Cathriona had a spell in Philadelphia before moving to Australia where he now runs his own retro campervan hire company based in Brisbane . He loves “The Beatles “and also gets heart burn from drinking booze
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Hailing from Cairns, Far North Queensland, Fred and his teenage fascination for Irish fiddle began with lessons from fiddlers passing through. After cutting his teeth performing with local groups, Mangrove Jack, and The Barron River Drifters, he and his wife Adriana moved down to Brisbane. Graduating from The Brisbane Conservatorium of Music in jazz violin, his passion for all things fiddle led him to co-found multiple ensembles, including Mystery Pacific (Jazz Manouche), Mystrel (newgrass) and Tulca Mor (traditional Irish). Dr.Fred (PhD) is also a nurse, working and researching with people living with dementia. He joined the band in 2015 because he loves to cook them pizzas in his woodfired oven, play tunes on the back deck and Mick wouldn't take "no" for an answer!
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Kevin Higgins (Flute / Whistles / Uilleann Pipes / Keyboard) Kevin hails from Downpatrick, Co Down and began learning music through influences on both sides of his family. He immigrated to Australia with his family at a young age, and, whilst starting his musical journey on the piano, he developed his interest in playing and composing traditional Irish music after listening to early recordings of Planxty and the Bothy band. Kevin has appeared as a soloist at multiple events including with the Queensland Pops Orchestra and Woodford Folk Festival’s ‘Fire Event’. Whilst he is kept busy with his wife & their 3 daughters, he stills finds time to enjoy a fine whiskey.

Fun Facts - Kevin has written most of the Sásta original trad tunes, played soundtrack music for 'Bluey' (the kids TV cartoon) & he is also a whizz bang accountant. Unlike the rest of the band, he will only drink posh whiskey. Fancy pants.
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