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David Moore performs with Jackdaw

Why you should know who he is: For the past six years, David Moore has been a member of Buffalo’s most beloved Celtic rock group, Jackdaw. As the group’s accordionist and multi-instrumentalist (his other featured instruments include highland and uilleann pipes, tin whistles, vocals and many others), Moore provides the more traditional elements to the group’s boisterous mix of punk and Irish sounds. Along with winning multiple local honors for its live shows and recordings, Jackdaw has amassed a solid fanbase in areas ranging from South Buffalo to Northern Ireland—virtually any place where barnstorming, uptempo music is enjoyed.

Along with providing the group with a highly visible presence onstage—where he can be seen tearing it up while sporting a kilt and baseball cap—Moore is responsible for providing the group with its striking, iconic imagery. As a visual artist, Moore combines archival photos with a vibrant background of pastel colors, eye-catching graphics and direct, frequently tongue-in-cheek catchphrases and slogans. Moore has created the artwork for all of Jackdaw’s posters, CD jackets and merchandise—examples can be seen online at www.brokencans.com and in the group’s new career-spanning CD collection, Brilliant, Sad and Guilty.

However, Moore’s artwork is not limited to the band’s ongoing campaign and catalog. As a freelance designer, Moore has created the posters and graphics for all of the Kavinoky Theatre’s productions for the past five years. He has also designed work for such local events and businesses as Shakespeare in Delaware Park and Quill’s Apothecary, to name just two. For his efforts, Moore’s work has been rewarded with several national and regional design awards and citations.

Being St. Patrick’s Day weekend, the musician has a busy performance schedule for the next few days. You can see Moore perform with Jackdaw on Friday (March 17) at 11pm at the Crocodile Bar and on Sunday (March 19, parade day) starting 4pm at the Cozumel.

Hometown: Born in Boston, Massachusetts. Raised in Detroit, Michigan. Has lived in Buffalo since 1999.

Education: Yale University, Class of 1998. Graduated with an art degree with a concentration in graphic design.

Musical background: “My mom was a symphony violinist and my dad played all sorts of instruments. They got me started with piano lessons when I was five or six and I stayed with that straight up through high school. But I got bored with it and when I get bored I pick up a new instrument.”

So, in light of all the different instruments that you play, I take it that you’ve been bored quite a bit. “Yes, that’s true!”

How did you become interested in playing Celtic music? “I was drawn to the music, to the traditions, and drawn to the scenery”.

Were there any musicians or bands in particular that attracted you to this style? “The Pogues definitely. I think that anybody who is doing this kind of Irish rock thing has to admit that. The Clash, too, and the Chieftains. Those three bands are probably the most consistent influences.”

Was Jackdaw your first experience playing with a band? “Yes, other than bagpipe corps, or unless you count the Erie County Sheriff’s Department as a band…”

How did you land that gig? “I used to practice the bagpipes out in front of City Hall on my lunch hour. One day the sheriff came by and I thought that I might be in for some trouble, but he just said, ‘You need to call this guy I work with, he needs more bagpipers.’ I was pretty relieved because bagpipers don’t get much respect in the joint from what I hear.” [laughs]

How do you manage your dual roles as a band member and artistic director for Jackdaw? “It’s time-consuming…you end up throwing a lot of time into it because it’s something you love and it’s your name and it’s your work and it’s your passion.”

As an artist, what has been the most satisfying work that you’ve done? “I loved doing the Shakespeare in Delaware Park posters. Every once in a while I’ll get an e-mail from someone who is collecting them or is missing a year and wants me to send them one. Artistically, that’s very rewarding.”

As a musician, do you prefer playing live over recording, or vice versa? “They’re both great, but I think with our music the live connection is where it’s at. There’s a connection with the audience that’s hard to beat…I think if anyone wants to see the best Jackdaw show, they need to come see us at the Irish Feis in Caz Park or some unplugged show at the Swannie House, where you have people who know every single word to every single song. That’s hard to beat.”

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