Asturian band Guieldu are on a mission to recapture the epic, evocative sounds of 1990s Celtic music, and with their debut album, ‘Memores de Deva’, they've done just that. Hailing from the north-western corner of the Iberian Peninsula, this talented group fuses the traditional folk music of their homeland with sounds drawn from Ireland and Brittany, creating compositions that are as atmospheric as they are energetic.
Since forming in 2020, they’ve already made a big splash, gracing the stages of major events like the Festival Interceltique de Lorient and the Festival do Mundo Celta de Ortigueira. It’s a bold start for a young band with an old soul, and we were eager to hear about their journey so far.
Released in April this year, ‘Memores de Deva’ is rooted in traditional music, but its modern, layered arrangements speak to a desire to revitalise the genre. The album is an emotional and mythical journey that explores the cultural connections between Asturias and the other Celtic nations along the European Atlantic coast. We sat down with the band to chat about how the group came together, the cinematic influences behind their debut, and what it felt like to meet their heroes at Lorient.
Guieldu was founded in 2020, but due to lockdowns, you didn't start playing live until 2022, which is also when you began working on the album. Could you tell us a little about how the band came together and what inspired the musical direction?
“The band was formed in Avilés, a small city in the Asturias region, in 2020. However, due to the lockdowns, we didn’t start playing live until 2022, which was also when we began working on the album. Héctor Aneiros, the group’s flute/whistle player, was the one who brought all the members together and, in a way, established Guieldu’s musical direction.”
“Guieldu was born with the intention of recapturing the essence of 1990s Celtic music—that blend of grandeur, emotional depth, and evocative power that defined an entire generation, a generation the band members themselves never actually lived through, since we’re a young group.”
Your debut album is ‘Memores de Deva’. Can you tell us a bit about the release and what it means to you?
“’Memores de Deva’ is an album that works like an emotional journey through the inner and outer landscapes of Asturias and its cultural connection with the other Celtic regions along the European Atlantic coast. Guieldu has crafted a work in which memory—personal, collective, and mythical—becomes music. Each track seems to evoke a fragment of a place, a story, or a feeling tied to these connections, blending tradition with a modern approach that we could even describe as cinematic.
Were there any particular artists or experiences that influenced you when writing the release?
“The album draws from a genre that is inherently broad and diverse, and its influences can be felt on several sonic levels:
“Alan Stivell’s influence is evident in the panoramic vision of all things Celtic: that blend of spirituality, deep traditional roots, and an openness to the contemporary. The album shares Stivell’s drive to bridge past and present, creating atmospheres that feel both ancient and modern at the same time.”
“Clannad—from them comes the ethereal, cinematic sensitivity. Some pieces on the album have that “enveloping,” almost mystical quality where melodies seem to float rather than march forward. The pursuit of vast, emotive soundscapes recalls Clannad’s most evocative period.”
“Capercaillie—their influence shows up in the rhythmic energy and melodic charisma. Certain tracks on ‘Memores de Deva’ strike that same balance between tradition and modern production—lively, polished, and dynamic. The way traditional instruments are paired with a contemporary approach feels very close to Capercaillie’s spirit.”
“Wolfstone—here we find the album’s more epic and powerful side—almost rock-leaning, you could say. When the record opens up and becomes more expansive and vibrant, it edges towards that Celtic-rock aesthetic that Wolfstone made so distinctive.”
“Carlos Núñez—in ‘Memores de Deva’ you can also feel a closeness to the “inter-Celtic” vision that Carlos Núñez brought to Atlantic folk – both discursive and virtuosic in its musical approach. They share the same way of understanding traditional music as a living territory, capable of engaging in dialogue with the epic, the festive, and the profoundly emotional.”
What was your songwriting process for the album?
“The process was slow, almost like traditional cooking. The tracks were born from small root melodies, and from there I gradually developed each piece through arrangements and new compositions. I was always aiming to create atmospheres inspired by the evocations of 19th-century Celtic romanticism: that blend of poetic nostalgia, grandeur, and landscape. In the end, everything came together like a journey in which each song naturally opened the way to the next.”
Your music highlights the deep connections between Asturias and Galicia with the other Celtic regions. Is there a central theme you were trying to convey in ‘Memores de Deva’?
“Guieldu has a very clear vision centred on cultural and musical Inter-Celticism – those deep connections that Asturias and Galicia, in the north-west of the Iberian Peninsula, share with Brittany, Ireland, and Scotland.”
Looking ahead, what are your aspirations as an artist?
“Calmly but with steady steps, we aspire to have our music travel far beyond our own territory. After all, what we do knows no borders and can move people from very different places.”
What’s next for the band after this debut release?
“Right now we’re preparing our first music video, which will be shot in January, and we already have a couple of tracks underway for the next album. Even so, our main priority at the moment is live concerts.”
The album has been very warmly received. Are there any memorable moments that stand out for you?
“The album has been very warmly received, both by the public and by critics. Being able to present it last August at the Festival Interceltique de Lorient – the most important Celtic music festival in the world – is a real milestone for us. There we got to meet our greatest reference, Alan Stivell, in person. Without a doubt, something we’ll never forget as long as we live.”
Is there anything you would like to say to our audience?
“We love getting streams on the digital platforms, and we hope readers will feel inspired to discover us – even if they’re not regular Celtic music fans. Chances are they’ll be very pleasantly surprised.”
As Guieldu looks ahead, with plans for a first music video and new tracks already in the works, their focus remains firmly on live performances, bringing the expansive, evocative sound of ‘Memores de Deva’ to audiences far and wide. The band’s commitment to 'Inter-Celticism' is not just a musical concept but a genuine aspiration to connect people across borders through shared history and emotion.
Having already achieved a huge milestone by presenting their debut at the Festival Interceltique de Lorient and meeting their musical hero, Alan Stivell, the future looks bright for this Asturian septet. Guieldu are a compelling new voice in modern folk, proving that you don't need to have lived through the golden era of Celtic music to powerfully channel its spirit.
You can tune into the new album above, and for more, be sure to connect with the band on Facebook, Instagram, and X.
