A youthful exuberance has made Anam a leading force in the evolution of traditional Celtic music. Led by founding member, acoustic guitarist, bodhran player, vocalist, and singer/songwriter Brian OhEadhra (pronounced:O'Hara), the Dublin-based and Edinburgh, Scotland-based band has grown into a highly respected, internationally known, ensemble. While the band's songs have been compared to such groups as Capercaillie and the band has been shared by Malcolm Dalglish and Grey Larsen, their fiery instrumentals forsake the usual accordion and fiddle approach in favor of the unique combination of Dublin-born accordionist Teresa Harkin and Cornwall-born mandolin and bouzouki player Neil Davey. Anam initially came together in 1994 through the efforts of Dublin-born OhEadhra. Inheriting his love of music from his parents, who both sang, OhEadhra was exposed to traditional Irish music during the five years that he spent, as a youngster, living in Newfoundland, Canada. Starting to write songs as a teenager, OhEadhra's skills were further sharpened while studying for a bachelor's degree in English Literature and Irish folklore.