Sarah McQuaid - Live in Mick Murphy's, Ballymore Eustace.

Photo: Colm Henry www.colmhenry.ie

Sarah McQuaid plays Mick Murphy's, Ballymore Eustace, Co. Kildare, Monday April 22. Doors 8:30pm; Admission €12 on the door.

Folks, we're in for a treat with this show - superb musicianship, beautiful voice, and a wide range of styles in her repertoire. Highly recommended.

http://www.sarahmcquaid.com/

Rising star Sarah McQuaid’s voice has been likened to malt whiskey, melted chocolate and “honey poured into wine” (Minor 7th). A captivating performer, she seduces her audience with cheeky banter and stories from the road, as well as with stunning musicianship; in her hands, the guitar becomes much more than merely an accompanying instrument.

Her musical output reflects her own eclectic background: Sarah was born in Spain, raised in Chicago, holds dual US and Irish citizenship, and now lives in rural England. Refusing to be pigeonholed, she spans the genres with both her beautifully crafted originals and her interpretations of material from around the globe and down the centuries. Sarah’s third solo album The Plum Tree and the Rose has drawn critical acclaim on both sides of the Atlantic: “Impeccable,” wrote fRoots (UK), while Midwest Record (USA) called it “low key but glorious and incendiary” and Hot Press (Ireland) said it “should feature on many end-of-year best-ofs.”

For videos of Sarah performing live click on this link: http://www.youtube.com/sarahmcquaid

Paul Tiernan - Live in Mick Murphy's

http://www.paultiernan.com/

Paul Tiernan plays Mick Murphy's, Ballymore Eustace, Co. Kildare, Monday April 8th. Doors 8:30pm. Adm: €12 on the door.
The following review of Paul Tiernan's 2012 release gives a good insight into Paul, and his music, so I'm borrowing it!

Album Review for ‘Painkillers’(Hot Press)

Paul Tiernan has been around in various guises for almost three decades, including stints in outfits like Flex & The Fastweather and Interference, as well as performing with ‘60s legend, Donovan. With a following in Europe, particularly in Germany and France the sometime Cork resident does most of his playing outside the country. His style has, over the years, varied but Painkillers is a largely pastoral, almost elegiac affair, with sumptuous arrangements and more than enough well wrought songs to make it his best work in aeons.

With gently plucked banjo and Beach Boys (Smile-era) instrumentation and Tiernan’s voice barely rising above a whisper, ‘Driver’ is a breathtakingly beautiful tune with a gorgeous melody. ‘Boneseekers’ is carnival music, while ‘Flowers’ is another low-key gem. Elsewhere, the poignant, ‘Painkillers’ and evocative, ‘Shooting Fish’ are standouts, while ‘Boxcar Ballerinas’ with electric guitar and heavenly harmonies makes for yet another highlight. Powerful stuff.

Colm O'Hare

Hot Press, June 2012.

Videos:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2mGefGQo2s&feature=player_embedded

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxKzTNhe3OY&feature=player_embedded

JOHN SPILLANE - Upstairs At Cunningham's - Tuesday March 26.

John Spillane plays 'Upstairs At Cunningham's' in Cunningham's Bar on the Main Street, Kildare Town on Tuesday, March 26. Doors 8pm. Gig 8:30pm sharp. Admission is €15 on the door. Enquiries to: 086 3270780

This marks the beginning of an exciting new collaboration between BAG and Cunningham's, to bring quality musicians and singer/songwriters, from home and overseas, to this super venue.




http://www.johnspillane.com/

JOHN SPILLANE is a musician, songwriter, performer, recording artist, storyteller, poet, dreamer – a canvass filled with color and brilliance.  His music transports the listener; his live performance captivates the audience.  In a world filled with strife and upheaval, a time-out with John Spillane is enough to ease the load a bit on anyone lucky enough to bask in his light. The man and his music are pure magic.
Two-time Meteor award winner, John is one of the most accomplished songwriters in Ireland today.
John's performances shimmer with the magic realism that permeates many of his songs as he effortlessly flits between beautiful poetry tinged with melancholy to roguish, irreverent Cork humour. If you are looking for a night of good ‘craic’, a John Spillane show should not be missed.

What the Press have said:

“ … some of the most skillfully crafted, vividly realized songs anyone has written in Ireland over the past dozen years.” Earle Hitchner, premier writer/reviewer for Irish Echo and The Wall Street Journal.

“ … funny, quirky, massively entertaining. John is a story teller, a shanachie.” Dan Regan, Founder, Kansas City Irish Festival.

“Why isn’t John Spillane a major star? [John] writes catchy, heartfelt folk-pop songs with the bonus of actually meaning something.” The Sunday Business Post (My Dark Rosaleen & The Island of Dreams).

“He’s carved a niche writing melodic, compelling, simple songs. Spillane is at his best when his delivery is unforced and lyrical.” Oliver P. Sweeney, The Ticket, Irish Times (“My Dark Rosaleen & The Island of Dreams).

 

Branching Out - Onwards and Upwards.

Well, it was maybe inevitable that BAG would grow and spread its wings. And that's just what's happened.

I am delighted to announce that I have teamed up with Nigel Flanagan and the team at Cunningham's Bar in Kildare Town, to bring live Roots Music gigs to their rather lovely new venue upstairs over the bar - 'Upstairs at Cunningham's'. Cunningham's Bar is a long established Bar and Restaurant in the centre of Kildare Town. It has a history of live music in the bar (indeed, yours truly played a Sunday evening residency there for a couple of years in the early 00's) featuring Irish Traditional sessions, acoustic singer/songwriter sessions, and covers bands. This new venture is an extension of that musical tradition.

A regular gig will take place on Tuesday nights, but there will be some gigs on other nights, too, in time. Our joint aim is to develop the room as a renowned venue, hosting the very best of Irish and overseas singersongwriters and musicians.
The room can be configured to seat up to 80+ paying patrons, in an intimate space with a warm and welcoming ambience, and is equipped with house P.A. and stage lighting.
I will be announcing details of upcoming gigs in the next while, but I can tell you today, that our first show will be on Tuesday March 26th. Full details will follow in a separate post - it'll be worth the wait, and the suspense!
For more details and info about Cunningham's Bar, search Facebook here: http://www.facebook.com/#!/cunninghams.bar?fref=ts
You can also find the BAG Facebook page at: http://www.facebook.com/#!/BallymoreAcousticGigs

Help spread the word about this exciting development for live music in Kildare Town by sharing this post to your social media pages, and befriending both our FB pages.

If you'd like to be added to the BAG mailing list, or you're interested in a booking, simply drop me an email to ballymoregigs@gmail.com

I look forward to meeting you some night soon, Upstairs at Cunningham's.

Roy Thompson

The Quicksand Band - Monday March 25

The Quicksand Band will play a stripped down acoustic gig in Mick Murphy's, Ballymore Eustace, Co. Kildare on Monday March 25. Doors 8:30pm. Gig 9:15pm sharp. Admission: €12 on the door.

http://www.thequicksandband.com/

The Quicksand Band were formed in 2008 in Dublin. Having played together in 

various forms over the years, the lads grouped together to record what was 

originally a solo project for lead singer Justin Corr. But the sounds and vibes that 

came from that session paved the way for the launch of a new band. With Phil Clarke joining Justin on lead vocals and 

guitars, Shay Cosgrave on drums and Eoin Melinn on Bass, The Quicksand Band was born.

Playing in venues across the country they have developed a unique style and approach to music with songs that bear the i

influence of country, folk and rock but with a very contemporary edge. Their live performances have gained them a large 

fan base, drawn to their compelling, exciting and honest delivery of material. 

The Quicksand Band have had the pleasure of being guests to Declan O'Rourke, Freddie White, Prison Love, Luan Parle, 

Mick Hanly and Eric Taylor amongst others.

The EP "Ten Gallon Drought" (the product of those early sessions) was launched in 2008 and has been well received by 

fans and critics. The follow up EP "Ten Gallon drought Part II" was launched the following year.

In 2011 the band, accompanied by producer Gavin Glass, entered the studio to record their debut Album, Approaching 

Rain. The first single 'Homesong', was released in sept 2011, and the album was release in feb 2012, followed by the launch 

of the singles 'That Voice' (sept 2012) and 'Learning' (feb 2013).

2013 sees the band reunite with producer Gavin Glass to enter the studio to start recording sessions for what will be an as 

yet untitled second album.

Frankie Lane - Monday March 11, 2013

Frankie Lane will play a solo show at Mick Murphy's, Ballymore Eustace, Co. Kildare, Monday March 11, 2013. Doors 8:30pm, Gig 9:15pm sharp. Admission: €12 on the door.

http://www.frankielane.com/

As one of Ireland's best-known performers and traditional musicians of international renown, Frankie Lane is the original front man of the legendary Fleadh Cowboys. During their sparkling career in the 1980s, Frankie's live performances were famed for being fun-filled as well as tremendous - he regularly scaled high balconies in his quest to drive the audience wild, and usually managed! In fact, the "Fleadhs" gathered a huge fan base at the Olympia Theatre (pioneering "Midnight At The Olympia")and went on to support legendary performers such as Bob Dylan, U2, The Pogues, Emmylou Harris and B.B.King.

His regular musical companion, mandolin and fiddle player, Paul Kelly, toured extensively with Frankie throughout Europe in the mid 1990s following their highly acclaimed and diverse album Wahoo! Live at Hughes's.

In January 2004 Frankie was nominated for a prestigious Meteor Music Award in the Country/Roots category.

In 1993 he was nominated for the I.R.M.A. music awards for his much acclaimed album of the time "Dobro" released on the Gael Linn label

For the last number of years, as well as producing and directing some of Irelands leading artists, Frankie has toured extensively with ex- De Danann singer Eleanor Shanley in Ireland , Holland and Denmark to immense critical acclaim.

Sonny Condell - Monday March 4, 2013

Sonny Condell plays BAG at Mick Murphy's, Ballymore Eustace, Co. Kildare on Monday, March 4. Doors 8:30pm, Gig 9:15 sharp. Admission: €12 on the door.

For music, videos, news etc. visit Sonny's website:  

1. www.sonnycondell.com

   
   

An integral part of the Irish music scene since the early `70s, a musical career spanning 35 years, from the heady days with “Tír Na nÓg” which landed him on the biggest stages in the world, to the truly fantastic “Scullion”, numerous solo albums, perhaps one of Irelands greatest songwriters, Sonny Condell is the real McCoy.

Sonny Condell's songs are melodic and thoughtful, often with a breeze of jazz or a rhythmic hint of tradiitional music. “Down In The City”, “Teeside”, the Poptastic “Carol”, stunning lyrics, distinctive driving rhythm guitar. A prolific songwriter with 15 albums to his credit.

"Three decades equals a remarkable repertoire in Scullion's world, most of it drawn from the creative genius of Condell, whose subtle lyricism and matchless melody lines bear scant kinship to anyone else on the planet" Siobhán Long -- Irish Times June 2008