The olllam were formed in 2012 as a collaboration between legendary Belfast piper John McSherry (Lunasa, At First Light, Ulaid), fellow piper/whistler and Grammy-nominated producer Tyler Duncan (Carly Rae Jepsen, Theo Katzman, Scary Pockets), Michael Shimmin (May Erlewine, Joshua Davis, Millish), and Joe Dart (Vulfpeck). The resulting debut album, now considered a cult-classic (the winner of the 2012 Indie Acoustic Music Award for Best Instrumental Album), is lush with trance-like melodies, stunning instrumental virtuosity and a magical marriage of tradition and technology, finding the listener somewhere between Radiohead and Planxty with the ambient emotionalism of Nick Drake or Explosions in the Sky. Since their first album’s release, the band’s inventive musical compositions arrangements have been earning them sold out shows across Ireland, and were awarded RTE’s 2022 Folk Artist of The Year.

“… the result is described by them as Neo-Acoustic Celtic Post-Rock. I’d describe it a little differently – it’s f***in’ deadly!” - The Irish Times

"If Lúnasa set the gold standard for traditional acoustic music, these guys are bucking for platinum. The word ollam is old Irish for a master musician, and there are three master musicians here." - Irish Music Magazine

“...there just seems to be so much soul in playing, that every track finds a way to spike the emotions and tingle the spine.” - Folk Radio UK

"It's a groovy, mystic rock sound that is your go-to Celtic music for people who think they don't like Celtic music." - The Irish Examiner