David Murphy will take Clonakilty Guitar Festival aficionados on a deep-dive into the world of the steel guitar. Discussing the history and evolution of this unique instrument from its origins in Hawaiian music, bluegrass and country into experimental and ambient music in the 21st century. This talk and exhibition will feature performances on the weissenborn acoustic lap steel, dobro and pedal steel guitars.
John Spillane returns to Clonakilty International Guitar Festival this year as a participant of the Acoustic Forum Hosted by George Lowden on Fri 22nd of September and then again on Sunday where John Spillane & the Band of Wrens will perform as part of the legendary guitartown Session trail!
John Spillane is a musician, songwriter, performer, recording artist, storyteller, poet and dreamer. Rooted in people, place and story, his music transports the listener and his live performances captivate audiences around the world.
After his acclaimed release of 100 Snow White Horses in 2021, in October 2022, John will released ‘In Another Light’ a career spanning album recorded live at the Right Here Right Now Festival recorded at Cork Opera House in November 2021.
LEARN A SONG WITH THE KATES.
Learn to sing and harmonise the song Ketchum ID by Boygenius.
Familiarise yourself with the song then join The Kates on Saturday September 10th. They’ll guide you through the song, split it into harmonies and perform it together at the end.
Don’t miss it!
The Kates are Liz Clark (elec gtr), Mide Houlihan (drums), Eve Clague (elec gtr), Mary Beth O Mahony ( keys) & Paula K (bass).
KETCHUM ID.
By Boygenius.
Back in the States now
In a college town
I would walk around
But it’s really coming down
Mesmerized by double lines
Two yellow tightropes
I’m making good time
I am never anywhere
Anywhere I go
When I’m home, I’m never there
Long enough to know
Being in love is the same thing as being alone
Giving the sorrows and company
Nothing to say, stay on the phone
No, I’m sorry I do not know
What else you want from me
I am never anywhere
Anywhere I go
When I’m home, I’m never there
Long enough to know
You say, “How are you”
I say, “I don’t know
Let’s dissolve the band, move to Idaho”
Everyone’s around and I hear you smiling
You say, “I love you”
I say, “You too”
I am never anywhere
Anywhere I go
When I’m home, I’m never there
Long enough to know
Ooh
Ooh
I am never anywhere
Anywhere I go
When I’m home, I’m never there
Long enough…
‘We want the impact of our festival to continue to reverberate throughout Clonakilty reaching those most marginalised in our community, We ALL are guitar town’
‘Reverb’ incorporates the educational and community outreach programme that runs parallel with the Clonakilty International Guitar Festival. It ensures that the effects of the festival are experienced by as diverse a selection of our community as possible. You may not hear Reverb, but you’ll definitely feel its effects! The main festival caters to a general audience and takes place in a range of venues across the town. However, there are members of the community who are unable to access these events, for a variety of reasons. The ‘Reverb’ programme brings artists and facilitators directly in contact with these groups so they don’t have to miss out.
Our educational programme brings artists directly into the schools where the future stars of our festival are waiting. This year will see Eoghain O Ceannabhain, Yonder Boys, The Busquitos and more visiting local schools.
We aim to facilitate meaningful artistic participation for a diverse group of people with the ultimate aim of empowering members of the community who are sometimes marginalised. The groups include residents of the Community Hospital, Care Choice nursing home and Bushmount nursing home; residents of the Direct Provisions centre; and clients of the Irish Wheelchair association and CoAction Clonakilty and more. Special guest Liz Clark of The Kates will be visiting local nursing homes as part of Reverb.
Full list of REVERB events coming soon….
Sister Ghost, (winner of Best Live Act at the 2019 NI Music Awards) is the project of Derry-based artist Shannon Delores O’Neill.
Sister Ghost has garnered support slots with internationally acclaimed artists such as We Are Scientists, Shellac, Petrol Girls, Fontaines DC, Pussy Riot, Ratboys and Le Butcherettes as well as airplay on KEXP Seattle, BBC Radio 1, RTE 2FM, Today FM and BBC 6 Music. Sister Ghost has also been featured in high level press such as The Guardian and Hot Press.
As of 2020, O’Neill has teamed up with Gary Lightbody’s Artist Development & Label ‘Third Bar’ to create the debut Sister Ghost album. Set for release in 2023 the album was recorded in Los Angeles, California (July/August 2022) with the world class producer Brad Wood (Smashing Pumpkins, Liz Phair, Veruca Salt and more).
Shannon is also known for mentoring and encouraging other female and gender non-conforming musicians to perform in the Northern Irish scene, having set up the Girls Rock! NI chapter in 2016.
As well as a live performance Sister Ghost will also host ‘ZINESTER GHOST: SISTER GHOST’S ZINE WORKSHOP’
Press Quotes:
“Absolutely massive!” Jack Saunders, BBC Radio 1
“Big guitar hooks! I’m obsessed!” Gemma Bradley, BBC Radio 1
“Feels authentic from the era of Pixies, Breeders and Hole; brilliant music, beautifully made” Tom Robinson, BBC 6 Music
“One of the most gifted songwriters to come out of the North in a long, long time.” Stephen McCauley, BBC Radio Ulster
John Spillane is a musician, songwriter, performer, recording artist, storyteller, poet and dreamer. Rooted in people, place and story, his music transports the listener and his live performances captivate audiences around the world.
After his acclaimed release of 100 Snow White Horses in 2021, in October 2022, John will release ‘In Another Light’ a career spanning album recorded live at the Right Here Right Now Festival recorded at Cork Opera House in November 2021.
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.
JOHN SPILLANE SONGWRITING WORKSHOP
4:30pm // €10 // Clonakilty Community Resource Centre , 21 Western Road, Clonakilty. P85 RW35
One of the most accomplished songwriters in the country today, award winning trad/folk poet John Spillane continues to redefine musical boundaries with his own unique style of playing and songwriting which he likes to call ’Sean Nós Blues’.
“At my workshop we write songs. We do not theorise or talk about songwriting but we work, and follow certain steps to make a song. We lock out criticism and negativity and create an atmosphere where people can make something grow.” – John Spillane