Rogue Diplomats

The Rogue Diplomats are an Irish-American Pub Band based in New York City & Bethlehem, PA. Their unique blend of contemporary folk and traditional Irish music is delivered with charm and off-the-cuff humor. They got their start in Astoria, Queens, playing annual St. Patrick’s Day shows at Blackbird’s Bar. They’ve since gone on to play Bloomsday on Broadway, the annual celebration of the works of James Joyce at Symphony Space in NYC and a multitude of pubs in New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. The Diplomats have also headlined at Musikfest, the Annual Celtic Classic Highland Games & Festival in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and the Celtic Fling & Highland Games at Mount Hope. Their self-titled debut EP is available on iTunes & Amazon Music. They are available for Festivals, Irish Weddings, Concert Shows, and Events.

The Rogue Diplomats are: 

BRIAN DONNELLY (Guitar/Vocals) holds a BA in Theater from DeSales University. The “Best Legs in Kilt” runner-up is the former guitarist of alt-rock band Laura and the Riot and has appeared at a myriad of bars throughout NYC, occasionally playing music in them. He got his start in Irish music when he was four, standing on his parents’ dining room table and singing for company. He hasn’t stopped since.

MATTHEW CULLEN BREINER (Bodhrán/Tin Whistle/Vocals) is a SAG/Equity actor who has appeared on The Sopranos, the motion picture Voiceless, and in the first National tour of “Big, The Musical.” He has a BA in Theater from DeSales University and attended the conservatory program at the Atlantic Acting School. A stand-up comedian who has performed at Comix, Eastville, and Gotham Comedy Clubs, Matthew revels in the history and storytelling surrounding Irish music and culture. www.MatthewBreiner.com

PATRICK MARRAN (Irish Bouzouki/Guitar/Vocals) is a New York-based Actor/Director and Song Writer. A graduate of Hofstra, Patrick is a founding producer of Dreamcatcher Entertainment’s “Talent on Tap” workshop program and has collaborated as both an actor and director on various projects with Classics on the Rocks Theater Company, Turn to Flesh Productions, and Dreamcatcher Entertainment. A life long lover of Irish music and whiskey, his original song, “Old Brown Ale” can be heard on the Rogue Diplomats debut album.  www.PatrickMarran.weebly.com

NATE DIEHL (Accordion / Vocals) is an accomplished musical director, conductor, pianist, and music teacher. He has worked with the PA Shakespeare Festival, DeSales University, Muhlenberg College, and Moravian Academy. Nate holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Moravian College and a Master of Music degree from West Chester University. He currently teaches at the Lehigh Valley Charter School for the Arts in Bethlehem, PA.

CHRISTINE SCHARF BREINER (Vocals) is an equity actress with an extensive musical theater background. A graduate of the Hartt School, she originated the role of Corey/Caller #1 in the Off-Broadway musical Wanda’s World, headlined shows for Carnival Cruise Lines, and has performed with indie rock band Stella Never Sleeps and music collective PostModern Jukebox. Christine is of Irish and Swedish descent and can drink the boys under the table.  www.christine-scharf.com