With gritty sonic depth, Irish songwriter Marc O’Reilly attacks his muse with a bipolar verve that swings from reflection to sheer riotous joy. Backed by the tightest band in Christendom, rare and beautiful songs slam into wild blues fragments and effortlessly back to clean vocal harmonies.
Marc has released two critically acclaimed albums to date, ‘Human Herdings’ and ‘My Friend Marx’ and has established himself as one of the most exciting artists within the folk/blues genre gaining comparisons with artists such as John Martyn and Bon Iver.
Marc has toured all over Europe including appearances at major festivals like Glastonbury, Electric Picnic, Beautiful Days, Boardmasters, Shambala and Dranouter. He has also played in the US appearing at the Live in the Vineyard Festival in Napa, California.
His alter-ego side project with his brother Pierre, the electro-pop duo ‘R’, recently receieved excellent radio support for their debut single ‘Change’ from tastemakers such as Steve Lamacq (BBC 6music), Janice Long (BBC Radio 2) and Paul Mcloone (Today FM) and reached Number 1 on the Amazing Radio Chart.
As if that wasn’t enough to keep him busy, Marc has also provided vocals on 3 tracks for the new album by MOBO winning act Karios 4tet which was recorded at Peter Gabriel’s Real World Studios, has received 4 star reviews from Mojo, The Independent and Guardian and has led to the recording of a live BBC Maida Vale session for the Jamie Cullum Show on BBC Radio 2.
For nearly four decades, American fingerstyle wizard Richard Gilewitz has fascinated listeners with 6 and 12-string finger gymnastics while spinning enchanting yarns of a seasoned raconteur. His concert performances around the world spill over with unexpected turns of the funnies, thought-provoking takes on life on the road, and tunes that propel the audience on a magical journey of sight and sound. His signature playing style delivers a technical diversity of banjo style patterns and classical arpeggios with a rhythmic percussive approach, exploring the history of guitar with sounds of folk to Americana, the blues to the classical, ragtime to pop, and somewhere in between.In addition to his concert performances, his GillaCamp Guitar and Ukulele Workshops, Meet the Artist Seminars, Clinics, and Avenues for Success educational program for schools inspire players worldwide, providing opportunities for music lovers to work on their craft and young players to learn fingerstyle techniques and tips of the trade.
Growing up in Cherry Hill, New Jersey and Huntsville, Alabama, Richard embraced such diverse artists as The Beatles, Andres Segovia, Kraftwerk, Leo Kottke, J.S. Bach, Arlo Guthrie, John Fahey and Flatt & Scruggs. Soaking up the wealth of inspiration supplied by the assorted acts featured at the Renfro Valley festivals, “The Dr. Demento Radio Show” and “The Midnight Special”, Richard welcomed the challenge of mastering and adapting many styles of music for the acoustic guitar — a trait that continually places him among a multitude of genres.
Richard began honing his skills both as a performer and composer during the late 1970’s at the University of Alabama, playing the local coffeehouse circuit while pursing degrees in Computer Science, Mathematics, and Music. Following graduation, Richard placed his musical calling in the background and joined the world of flight simulation design, telemetry and satellite systems.
The 1980’s brought Richard to Florida where he released his first LP recording, Somewhere In Between. As the pull of his passion for performing and recording became so compelling, Richard left corporate life to teach and perform full time in a career that has propelled him into an international music arena. He has gone on to release seven more recordings plus a number of educational materials.
Students around the globe attend Richard’s roving GillaCamp Guitar/Ukulele Workshops and Guitars, Gear, and a Bit of Ukulele Clinics. These interactive experiences provide players an avenue to renew their love of the instrument and hone their craft. Designed for all level of player, these events explore a wide variety of topics in a group and individual setting. Richard also has a number of international students that study with him through Skype and is guest instructor at a number of international guitar retreats including Winterbreak in Australia and Guitar Retreats in the UK. Meet the Artist Educational Outreach takes him into the learning environment at grade/middle/high schools, colleges, and universities as this 1-5 day residency program introduces students to the professional musician. Classes include lectures and instruction.He is on the faculty of Master the Possibilities of Ocala Florida, and is a Sherpa Classroom Instructor with TrueFire.
Today, recognized world-wide as a performer who has a quirky take on everything around him, Richard continues to live up to this depiction with rousing shows filled with offbeat observations combined with his right-hand wizardry and heaps of technique. With Richard’s performances teeming with sparkles of mood mastery and wonderment, he shares a fresh impression of sound to the listener during his concert appearances and at his workshops.
Says Spectrum Magazine, “Much of the charm of a Gilewitz performance is in the stories he tells. He wondered aloud to the audience how many ducks he could take out in a fight if he were to be attacked by a flock of the sneaky waterfowl.”
Whether playing solo, conducting guitar seminars and school programs, or sharing the stage with folks such as Stephen Housden of the Little River Band, Brooks Williams, Michael Fix, The California Guitar Trio, John McCutcheon, John Renbourn, Mose Allison, the late John Fahey, Leo Kottke, Norman Blake, Indigo Girls, or John Hammond, Richard always invites the audience to join his journey filled with twitters, twists, and turns at every tune.
“Ear-boggling” The Washington Post
“His complex, energetic originals have made Gilewitz popular on the festival and club circuits as a solo performer.” Guitar Player Magazine
”His performance style is very crisp and precise, allowing the personality of the music to shine through.” Dirty Linen Magazine
“His quick wit and twisted sense of humor has made him an entertainer as well as a fine guitarist.” Fingerstyle Guitar Magazine
The Acoustic Forum is an eclectic event unlike anything else you’ve ever seen which sees five of our artists play in an intimate and informal concert in the round, with each artist staying onstage for the duration. Guided by the guest host, each performer gives an insight into their craft and performs a short selection to whet the appetite for the weekend ahead. It’s off the cuff, it’s friendly and it provides the listener with a varied and spontaneous night that never fails to surprise!
In a fresh twist to this year’s Forum guest host will be Internationally renowned luthier & all round amazing guy George Lowden, with guests Celtic guitar druid Tony McManus, Dutch Ragtime virtuoso Leo Wijnkamp Jnr. Jazz pop siren Eve Clague & one more special guest yet to be announced!
The Church, led by electric guitar high priest Matt Churchill is an instrumental, brain exploding, wig out machine that comprises some of the finest session musicians in the country, every lick, chop and lead that Churchill unleashes causes synaptic explosions in the central nervous system!
Their shows are a rare event making their annual Clonakilty International Guitar Festival not only one of the highlights of the festival but a highlight of the YEAR!
Ukulele-le-chéile is part community group, part artistic movement which exists to get people of all ages and levels of musical ability playing the world’s easiest instrument: the ukulele! Established by The West Cork Ukulele Orchestra and run with infectious enthusiasm by Christine Deady & Isobel Towse, the songs and the tuition you need to get up and strumming are provided, picking popular but simple tunes to work on. In this welcoming and light-hearted environment you’ll be surprised at just how quickly you pick up all the skills you need, just bring a uke and join in!
Keep your eyes & ears peeled for the vintage VW “Jam Van” which will be cruising around clon on the Saturday afternoon of this year’s festival.
‘Heavy Billy and the Just-a-Minute Battery Hens’ will be blasting out some blistering psych punk n’ blues as this moveable musical feast rocks up on a few unannounced street corners between 2-5pm!
Do you have the power of The Ink Spots In your life?
either way, join us for Breakfast With The Ink Spots where Ronan Leonard plays a selection from the many records that they recorded and released from the 1930s onwards.
You enjoy the music and food, flick through the papers, talk about what you’ve enjoyed in the festival so far and what is to come for the rest of the Sunday.
The Ink Spots are known to most for their amazing catalogue of songs (that mostly sound the same, but in a glorious depending way, like a good cup of tea you don’t need to tweak everything!)….
they are known to some via classic movies from or set in the 30/40s…
known to others from being the soundtrack to computer games such as the Fallout series or Bio Shock…
but loved by all this is one of the best ways you can start your day!
Songwriting & Music creation workshops with the Music Generation team.
The jolly crew from the treaty city return to this years Clon guitar fest to preside over free workshops for kids covering songwriting arranging and recording.Bring an instrument and enthusiasm!Workshops will start on the hour. for bookings info contact info@clonguitarfest.com Class numbers are limited
Crow Black Chicken have earned a reputation as one of Irelands top blues acts. This power trio of Christy O Hanlon (Vocals, Guitar, Stephen McGrath (Bass) and Gev Barrett (Drums, backing vocals) combine elements of folk and hard rock with the blues rock of bands like Gov’t mule, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Led Zeppelin to create their greasy blues rock sound.
“These guys do the nasty blues like the devil hisself was hurting and rock like they’ll skate come judgement day” Ray Wylie Hubbard
“CBC could save rock and roll” Alvin Youngblood Hart
MEDIA QUOTES
“With their debut album Electric Soup the band shows steely intention to throw away comparisons and make their own mark.” Classic Rock Blues Magazine
“Loving the album, Rumble Shake is stunning”. Classic Rock Blues Magazine
“It’s not often these days for a band to lay down a complete track as a ‘take’ but that’s exactly the approach taken by Crow Black Chicken. This is a very honest album with a lot of feel and solid playing throughout and is a strong promise of things to come.” Guitar Techniques.
“Electric Soup is not only a promising debut, it’s a savage beast of a record: grimy, lean, mean, and soulful.” Allmusic.com
Fintan McKahey is a young Irish singer- songwriter. His percussive style of guitar resonates with the mystic pulse of West Cork.
Fintan is the son of an Irish drummer (Stump) and British actress. Travels through Thailand, the Masai Mara in Africa and studies with Laika shamans in the Sacred Valley, Peru, have influenced his songs. A multi disciplinary artist, he continues to work as a performer in Ireland, having trained as a classical actor at Kinsale’s amphitheatre.
A year in London furthered his experience of music production, while hip hop and down tempo electronic music permeates his recent work. Fintan’s debut EP ‘Two Lifetimes Late’ launches at the iconic DeBarra’s Folk Club on 19th June.
Fintan McKahey’s ‘Two Lifetimes Late’ tours Ireland early summer 2016.