The four Makepeace brothers have been called “The Everly Brothers squared” but their catchy harmonies are only part of their appeal. Aidan, Liam, Finian and Ciaran Makepeace have gained world-wide attention because their songs move people to think, feel, and dance, with lyrics that are both witty and poignant, and which spread the message embodied in their surname – “make peace”.
Growing up in the vibrant music community of Ithaca, New York the brothers were exposed to all musical genres but their commitment to a life of music began during a year-long odyssey with their parents in a small Winnebago motorhome. That tour of the US gave them first hand experience with American Roots music and the musicians who play it, and that inspired the boys to begin writing and performing their own songs.
The brothers’ musical horizons were broadened further at Summer music festivals where they heard all forms of World Roots music, and from their own travels abroad when they lived in Costa Rica, Brazil, and England — immersing themselves in the music and rhythms of those cultures. After years of solo and ensemble projects, in 2007 the boys finally came together again to combine their musical visions and to create the unique sound of The Makepeace Brothers. Now, after release of two self-produced albums, and national tours with Grammy Award winner Jason Mraz, The Makepeace Brothers have a dedicated international fan-base that not only dances to their music but believes in their message as well.
The Makepeace Brothers band, which has always included longtime friend Conor Gaffney on bass, now incorporates various drummers and other accompanists, and their sound has evolved from an acoustic coffeehouse combo into a full-throated stage band. Consequently, The Makepeace Brothers have been booking larger and larger shows, and the best is yet to come for this upbeat, uptempo, and politically conscious band of Brothers because their sweet harmonies and sincere, life-long message of peace, love, and justice are exactly what the world wants to hear right now.
Discography
The Makepeace Brothers have worked on several recording projects
together including their debut full-length studio album "Slow Down Feel
Love", released in 2011. Previously MPB released an EP (the blue
album), and a live recording (Live in San Diego). Before creating MPB,
the brothers released 3 albums (I Dream I’m Sleeping, To Arms, The
Smallest Blue) as Oculus.
CDs available for purchase at online store >>
Roots
"The Makepeace Brothers are progenitors of roots-based power-pop, saturating their listeners with feel-good vibes and delightfully sing-along-friendly hooks. Growing up they've bathed in just about every genre of music we can think of and they bring these wildly diverse influences together for a sound all their own."
Fingerlakes Grassroots Festival
Some of those ‘wildly diverse influences’ were the African, Latin, and Irish bands the brothers heard at Summer music festivals like the ‘Grassroots Festival’ but they were also greatly inspired by the musicians and bands in their hometown including Hank Roberts, Donna the Buffalo, Richie Stearns, and the Horseflies.
The brothers also experienced a broad cross-section of American roots music when the Makepeace family took a year-long motorhome tour of the US and Canada. After meeting musicians who played Old Time music in the mountains of West Virginia, Cajun and Zydeco in Louisiana, Two-Step in Texas, and the Franco-Celtic music in eastern Canada, the brothers were inspired to begin writing and playing their own songs. When they returned to Ithaca they formed their first band, “Oculus” and over the next several years they concentrated on developing that bands’ world-rock sound. In 2005, the brothers decided to go in a more acoustic/roots direction following Aidan, Finian, and Ciaran each spending a year abroad, soaking up the music and cultures of Costa Rica, Brazil, and the British Isles.
All four brothers now contribute songs to the band, and so their live shows have an exciting mix of styles and flavors-- from love ballads to foot-stomping dance tunes, from laid-back ‘beachy’ grooves to anthems for peace and justice -- but despite the diversity, each song has a catchy melody with tight harmonies layered over a roots-based rhythm. Those timeless qualities, together with the energy and charm of the brothers themselves, allows for anyone - young or old - to feel like they are a part of the live shows. The theme and purpose of those shows is simple and direct; be kind, do good, and have fun. As Finian Makepeace states, "We play music that moves us to feel, to think, to act, to dance. If it moves someone even just a little -- politically, emotionally, or physically -- then we believe it’s a good song."
“We play music that moves us to feel, to think, to act, to dance. If it moves someone even just a little -- politically, emotionally, or physically -- then we believe it’s a good song.”
In 2007, the Makepeace brothers brought their harmonies and environmental and political consciousness to the West Coast and have since become an integral part of the vibrant California acoustic music community.
Causes and Contributions
"Making peace" goes beyond songwriting and performing music to uplift and inspire and the band contributes to many causes focused on helping those in need, social justice, environmental sustainability, and peace. Through benefit concerts, campaigning, direct action, and donations, the Makepeace Brothers support many causes, including:
- Free the Slaves
- Feeding the Soul Foundation
- Gulf Coast restoration
- Japan's earthquake victims
- United Way of Tompkins County
- SurfRider, beach protection, clean-up, and restoration
- Public Broadcasting
- Humanity in Motion
- Heal the Bay
- Chelsea's Light Foundation
- Life Rolls On Foundation
- 'Occupy' NYC, L.A., Venice, CA, and Ithaca, NY
- Americana Project
The Brothers
Ciaran Makepeace
Singer/Songwriter
Ukulele
Cajon (Box Drum)
Guitar
Finian Makepeace
Singer/Songwriter
Acoustic Guitar
Djembe
Bongos
Liam Makepeace
Singer/Songwriter
Banjo
Tamborine
Aidan Makepeace
Singer/Songwriter
Guitar
Kalimba, Harmonica, Irish Whistle,
Bodhran, percussion
Their Parents: Brian Makepeace & Emily Makepeace
The Makepeace family began with the synergy of these two dynamic people. Brian was a Portrait Artist and Painter, and Emily was an Activist and Songwriter; together they would embark on a journey that would include changing their last names to "Makepeace", homeschooling four sons, and actively campaigning for a better world. Growing up, the boys regularly found themselves alongside their parents in the legislature of the state capitol, witnessing lobbying efforts for better legislation and participating in community action addressing issues of racism, sexism, nuclear proliferation, environmental protection, peace, human rights and more.
