Strong Feelings is the follow up to Paisley’s critically acclaimed 2010 sophomore album Constant Companion, which received full marks in Rolling Stone and MOJO. Constant Companion garnered high praise from many more, including CBC Q, The New Yorker, SPIN, Exclaim!, and Pitchfork, who called the album, “…effortless and insightful, full of songs that draw you in with their peaceful, easy surface and then dump a big load of hurt on you.”
For Strong Feelings, legendary multi-instrumentalist Garth Hudson (The Band) who also appeared on Constant Companion adds his signature keys to the new album. Other guests include Bahamas (aka Afie Jurvanen), bass sax player Colin Stetson (Arcade Fire, Bon Iver), Bazil Donovan (Blue Rodeo), Emmett Kelly (The Cairo Gang) and vocalist Mary Margaret O’Hara. Strong Feelings was produced by Stew Crookes and recorded at Noble Street Studio in Toronto and at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa with Hudson playing a Steinway piano that famously belonged to composer Glenn Gould.
Paisley’s music originates from a foundation of country and folk, but his style has gone far beyond the confines of either genre. The songs on Strong Feelings feature broader instrumentation than his previous work, but the fuller arrangements do not overshadow the depth of the songwriting.
the first Cult to ever be endorsed by CIGF, you too will fall under the pall of The Big Lovin’ charismatic pop guru & spiritual leader ‘Levi Lovell’
Stare, helpless as his hallowed mountain top pop gospel infects your unworthy ears……….crawling into your brain and down your nervous system – dragging your soul toward the blinding light of holy ecstasy!!!!!!
Although the only singer/musician in his immediate family, Daoirí (pronounced ‘Derry’) was introduced to the music at a very early age by his parents who shared a keen interest in artists such as Christy Moore, Andy Irvine, Frank Harte, Planxty and The Bothy Band and more. Daoirí took up music himself at the relatively late age of 16 and only started to perform at 23, but he has come a long way since then and the early release of his accomplished debut album ‘The First Turn’, which he recorded in 2009 while studying music on the Ceoiltoir Higher National Diploma in Irish Traditional Music Performance course, in Ballyfermot College of Further Education (BCFE), Dublin.
‘The First Turn, could well prove to be a winner for Daoirí Farrell’ Irish Music Magazine
Following the release of ‘The First Turn’, Daoirí took an extended break from recording to pursue a degree in Applied Music at Dundalk’s Institute of Technology, followed by an MA in Music Performance at the World Academy of Music in the University of Limerick.
Since Daoirí’s return to the stage, he has regularly performed in the many singing circles and folk clubs around Ireland, from Dublin’s famous Góilin singers club to the All-Ireland Fleadh to name but a few. He has performed alongside some of the biggest names in Irish and international folk music including Christy Moore, Dónal Lunny, Martin Hayes, Dennis Cahill, Alan Doherty, Danú, Dervish, Julie Fowlis, The Young’uns, Paddy Keenan Trio, Matt Molloy, Arty McGlynn, The John Carty Big Band, The East Pointers, Kíla, Sean Keane, Gerry O’Connor (Banjo), Gerry O’Connor (Fiddle), Alan Burke, Lynched and more.
He became the All Ireland Champion Singer at the Fleadh in Co. Derry in 2013 and won the Danny Kyle Award at Celtic Connections in 2015 with the line-up FourWinds.
He has continued to gain in stature among the Irish folk-singing circuit, and has toured in numerous line-ups throughout Ireland and beyond, including dates in France, Germany, America, Canada and India, with his UK launch as a solo artist taking place at Glasgow’s Celtic Connections festival in January 2016.
Daoirí is currently working on his second solo album, due out in autumn 2016, and will tour the UK in May 2016 – including support dates for Cara Dillon and Sam Carter – and November 2016, with festival dates confirmed for this year including Moseley Folk Festival, Broadstairs Folk Week, Costa Del Folk and FolkEast.
DAVID WILL BE SPECIAL GUEST TO GLEN HANSARD UNDER THE BIG TOP AT THE SHOWGROUNDS CLONAKILTY ON TUESDAY 18TH OF SEPTEMBER
David Keenan is a twenty four year old Irish songwriter whose words seem to walk a fine line between poetry and prose with a voice that grabs you by the scruff and takes you by the hand into his world of imagination.
Inspired by escapism and lyrical greats such as Yeats, Kavanagh, Dylan and Cohen he embodied the role of a down and outs young apprentice and scoured the streets of Liverpool and London for experience before taking his notes and embryonic ideas back home to dissect. In Keenan the Irish storytelling tradition is alive and well and his live performances are both spiritual and intense in equal measure. 2017 saw David release his first single Cobwebs through Barrack Street Records with a video directed by Myles O’Reilly.
Cobwebs “This stopped me dead in my tracks”** Hozier**
David Keenan is one of our best he is extraordinary, it’s our duty to support fine talent when we hear it, see it, experience it ” Glen Hansard
“David has it all,voice,guitar playing,lyrics,he’s a master of all three.Instead of Patrick Kavanagh and Luke Kelly what springs to mind and life for me is Van the Man and Kavanagh with a luscious lilt,growing like a wildflower,sublime” Damien Dempsey
“The first time I heard David Keenan I knew he had something special….a lyricism and musical wisdom that most artists can only dream of. David not only dreams of it, he does t for real. A gifted Singer-Songwriter who has pulled me right in, right where I want to be. It’s a beautiful place”-Fiachna Ó Braonáin Hothouse Flowers
Not just another young lad with an acoustic guitar, Keenan is the sound of Tim Buckley and Brendan Behan arguing over a few jars, while Kavanagh deals Dylan a suspicious hand of cards, and Anthony Cronin and Jack Kerouac furiously try to scribble it all down.Pat Carty Hotpress Magazine
“The 24 year old with the brooding aura, intense gaze and floppy haircut is difficult to figure out but it’s indisputable that he is a excellent songwriter, mature beyond his years with a natural talent for that storytelling tradition” The Sunday Times
Morgan O’ Kane plays banjo like no other. Originally hailing from Virginia; O’ Kane currently resides in Brooklyn when he is not on tour, where he sometimes plays in the subway and on the street. The music is “to bluegrass and old timey what punk was to rock in the late seventies”. Deeply steeped in old traditions, O’ Kane treats the banjo differently than you’ve heard it before and brings a punk sensibility to his music.
His songs are raw, his singing game and his game on both banjo and mandolin at once are inventive and very energetic. With the necessary helping hand services Ferd Moyse of the Hackensaw Boys on fiddle, Ezekiel Healy on dobro and JR Hankins on flugelhorn.
Morgan O’ Kane has released 3 full length studio albums to date. Aside from performing live and recording, Morgan has had multiple television and film placements. He has been featured and appeared in the FX TV show “Louie” (Louie C.K’s comedy drama) and wrote the theme song for WGN’s “Outsiders”.
Paula Bilá, singer-songwriter from Cádiz, arrived in Madrid after five years developing her musical career in Ireland.
There she recorded and edited her first album, “Love and Hate”, where she has worked with Bill Shanley (Ray Davies), guitarist and producer on his first album, and with other musicians such as Liam Bradley (Van Morrison), Binzer Brennan (The Frames) and the Australian guitarist Stephen Housden.
The album, which was warmly received by both the press and the public, led her to tour different festivals in Ireland and Spain, as well as participating in festivals with an international reputation such as the Canadian Music Week in Toronto, Canada, in 2014.
Paula Bila returns now in Madrid to record and produce her second album with the help of great musicians from the international scene and under the direction of producer Manuel Sanz (Cosmosoul). An exciting new project that reflects his influences of folk, blues or black music.
Hanora George is baited and ready to catch some fish. Having released her debut EP in May 2016, George excited audiences to the point where she has had to undertake a ‘catch and release’ only policy for future expeditions. She is currently putting her heart and sole into her first album which will be released in May 2018.
Windings are a 5-piece rock/alt/pop/indie/folk/ (etc…) band from Limerick City, Ireland. Over the past few years, windings have had the pleasure of sharing stages, supporting, and touring with the likes of Daniel Johnston, Smog/Bill Callahan, Bob Mould, Caribou, Iron And Wine, Kurt Vile, The Decemberists, Grandaddy and Modest Mouse, amongst others.
Short rewind… 2012 saw the band ship off to Canada to play at Canadian Music Week, Toronto, for the second year running. After a successful run of shows at the festival, they continued north to Hotel2Tango Studios in Montreal where they recorded Side One of their 3rd album, entitled ‘I Am Not the Crow’ with Efrim Menuck (Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Silver Mt Zion). Side Two was completed on their return to Ireland, with the expertise of Tommy McLaughlin (Villagers, SOAK) at Attica Audio, Donegal. Released (on Limited Edition Picture Vinyl and Digital Download) in October 2012 on Out On A Limb Records, I Am Not The Crow has been lauded by critics both nationally and internationally as one of the top Irish albums of that year, with its lead single ‘This Is A Conversation’ achieving considerable airplay on it’s release. However, the most exciting part was yet to come when I Am Not The Crow was nominated for the Choice Music Prize.
In 2014, Windings released a split 12” Album with their buddies Land Lovers (Dublin), marking a unique collaboration between two of Ireland’s longest running indie record labels; Out On A Limb Records, and Popical Island. Then in 2016 windings released their eagerly anticipated fourth album ‘Be Honest And Fear Not’, recorded once more with Tommy McLaughlin in Attica Audio. Having released ‘Stray Dogs/Helicopters’ (“just when you thought you knew all the answers, windings change the question. A delight” – Hot Press) as a lead single, the album followed in September of that year. It was critically acclaimed from the outset, and further singles and videos were released (Boring, You’re Dead).
(It was around this time that Windings decided that they needed a short break. Time to replenish, review, refresh, rethink, and fuckin relax!)
However, shortly after making this decision, Windings discovered that they were unaccustomed to short breaks, and not particularly good at them. So now, here in 2018, writing has begun in earnest for the next windings album. Another push forward, another holler into the unknown, another chance for this band to do what they love and hopefully connect with others who might just love it too.
Let’s do this.
What they said about “Be Honest and Fear Not” (2016)
“Vintage, maverick windings, at the peak of their own eccentricity” – Sunday Business Post
“An honest and blithely fearless collection, which is what makes windings a seriously fun and seriously underrated band” – The Ticket (Irish Times)
“Another boundary pushing effort, a really impressive return from one of Ireland’s finest bands” – Hot Press
“Don’t be at all surprised to see this one coming up on the ‘Best Of ‘16’ lists.” – Goldenplec.com
“It all makes for a career record for Windings – one vested in immediacy and relatability, without shirking the weight of the existence and experiences of the trials that brought it about. Superb.”-Headstuff.org
What they said about “I Am Not The Crow” (2012)
“Playing the rough off the smooth is no easy task, but Ryan and his band have forged an impressively sure-footed and enjoyably varied record…windings have become a band to be reckoned with.” The Ticket (Irish Times) – album of the week
“I Am Not The Crow hears them tugging the strings and sticks of rock, pop and folk to create a masterful album of moveable parts… They’ve pulled out all the stops and aimed high. It’s paid off.” harmlessnoise.com
“An impressively artful affair” Hot Press
“Easily one of the best Irish Albums of 2012.” state.ie
Readers’ Poll No 2 Best Irish album of 2012 nialler9.com
Irish Album of the Year wearenoise.com
“I Am Not The Crow flies straight, with near-perfection” Record Collector
Marc returns to CIGF18 for the third time following the release of his blistering L’ ETRE POLITIQUE record – this time round he’s taking care of business the dirty old fashioned way with his Knee knocking three piece…
L’ ETRE POLITIQUE [LP]
LP, meaning “political being” is as it’s title suggests, a political commentary. The album was written over a period of 3 months from Jan to March 2017 and recorded in two weeks in the summer of 2017. It deals with the politics of human interactions, from one on one friendships to more broader global themes of capitalism, war and globalisation. It offers an introspective look on universal issues-political beings, being political and the politics of being.
Marc O’Reilly has released 3 previous albums, ‘My Friend Marx’, ‘Human Herdings’ and ‘Morality Mortality’ and has enjoyed some recent international success with his track ‘Bleed’ streamed almost 2 million times on Spotify and featured on the soundtrack of the movie ‘Whatever Happens’. His track ‘Healer’ was also recently used in the US TV series ‘Salvation’.
Marc is famed for his electrifying live performances and has appeared at many major European Festivals including, Glastonbury, Electric Picnic, The Great Escape, Eurosonic, Reeperbahn etc
6:30pm & 9pm // DeBarras Folk Club // September 14
(9pm show ALSO LIVE-STREAMED)
“Free wheeling, free spirited and powered by an appetite for traditional music’s outer reaches” Séamus Begley & Jim Murray are among the most dynamic duos in Irish Traditional Music.
Jim Murray is one of Ireland’s finest guitarists and his formidable reputation has been established as a player of traditional music – both as a melody player and as an accompanist. Throughout his childhood, Jim who hails from Macroom in West Cork performed with various groups including his father’s celidh band. In his late teens he formed a group with fellow local musicians which quickly lead him to be invited to play professionally with many of Ireland’s renowned artists. Over the last decade, Jim has combined a wide range of music and influences to create a unique and exciting modern sound in guitar accompaniment bringing it to the ‘now’. Jim plays regularly as a member of Sharon Shannon’s band and has also toured and recorded with Altan, Mary Black, Sinead O’Connor, Steve Earle, Donal Lunny and many other musicians.
Accordion player and singer Séamus Begley is one of the most popular Irish traditional musicians, coming as he does from one of the most musically acclaimed Irish families. He is the quintessential Irish musician, an eager storyteller known for his sharp wit and famous for pumping out tune after tune at all night sessions. He plays with an energy that is alarming, bringing a frisky spontaneity to his box-playing, belting out jigs, slides and polkas with rapid sprays of reckless ornamentation before making a sudden key change into a bitter-sweet air, sung or played on the accordion.
His repertoire reflects his own place and his style of playing is much influenced by a now gone generation of accordion and fiddle players who came to céilí in his family home. Seamus’s style is unique and he is considered by many to be one of the finest players of the dance music of West Kerry and is never happier than when people are dancing to his music. Séamus divides his time between his small holding in the West Kerry Gaeltacht and travelling Ireland and the world playing music. He has toured extensively with Jim Murray, Altan, Steve Cooney and Mary Black to name but a few.
In 2001 Séamus and Jim released their first album, the highly acclaimed ‘Ragairne’ which was winner of the 2001 Hot Press Magazine ‘Folk and Trad Album of the Year’ and The Irish Times ‘Traditional album of the Year’. Their highly anticipated second album, Eiri Go La was released in Early 2009 and has received rave reviews to date.