Wednesday 28 May 2014

Sarah McQuaid - Live in Mick Murphy's - June 9 2014

Monday, June 9, sees the welcome return to Mick Murphy's Bar, Ballymore Eustace, of UK based folk-singer/songwriter Sarah McQuaid. 
Last time Sarah played BAG, a small but appreciative audience fell under her spell, and were treated to an eclectic set of folk music, from around the world. This time around, I'm hoping to see a much larger crowd come out to witness this great artiste at work, in this most intimate of venues. Doors 8:30pm. Admission: €12 on the door.

Website: 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.”

“Likely to make the hairs stand up on the back of your neck.” — Aled Jones, BBC Radio 2

“A world class talent ... burns with a brilliant allure.” — Living Tradition

www.sarahmcquaid.com
www.facebook.com/sarahmcquaidmusic
www.twitter.com/sarahmcquaid

Thursday 22 May 2014

Mark Geary - Live in Mick Murphy's

Website: http://www.markgeary.com/

Mark Geary plays Mick Murphy's, Ballymore Eustace, Co. Kildare, Monday, May 26.
Doors open 8:30pm. Admission is €12 on the door.

Mark Geary is a Dublin born musician who has split his time between Ireland and New York City over the last 20 years. He spent his early years performing in NYC at the famed Sin-e CafĂ© alongside other up and coming musicians, including friend Jeff Buckley, garnering respect and attention from both audiences and fellow artists. Of Mark’s time in New York, Time Out NY magazine said “His delicate songs about love and defiance…recall Richard Thompson and John Lennon….one of the East Village’s favorite adopted sons.”

Touring and performing live is Mark’s lifeblood. He has been featured on bills with musicians as diverse as Joe Strummer, Elvis Costello, The Pretenders, Coldplay, The Frames and The Swell Season among others.

Since 2002, Mark has released 4 studio albums and 2 live recordings. His second album, the acclaimed Ghosts, was named 2005′s Album of the Year by the Irish Voice. Billboard Magazine said Ghosts “evokes Van Morrison, particularly his early-1970s era,” and called it “a collection of superb songs delivered with a quiet intensity that will endear itself to listeners.”

To capture Mark’s talents as a performer and storyteller, the 2009 live album Live, Love, Lost It NYC showcases some of his best songs performed in front of audiences at various venues around New York City. Mark’s second live recording, Songs: Vienna was just released in December 2013. It was recorded over one night at Casino Baumgarten in Vienna with Mark’s band Grainne Hunt and Mark Penny.

In addition to his own albums, Mark has composed the score to several films; 2005’s Loggerheads, 2006’s Steel City, and 2010’s Sons of Perdition, a Tribeca Film Festival favorite and one of the first documentaries featured in the Oprah Winfrey Network Documentary Club. His songs have also been featured on various television shows including One Tree Hill and Bones.

In 2013 Mark toured throughout Ireland, the UK, New York, the Czech Republic, Austria and Germany. In November of 2013, Mark collaborated with Glen Hansard on a new version of his song Christmas Biscuits as a charity single for St. Vincent DePaul of Ireland. The song hit the Top 40 and was made the song of the week on TodayFM Ireland’s largest commercial radio station.

In 2014 Mark will be touring in Ireland, the UK, Germany, Switzerland and the Czech Republic while also working on his 5th studio record.


Wednesday 14 May 2014

Kevin Montgomery with Clive Barnes - Live Upstairs at Cunninghams

http://www.kevinmontgomery.com/

Kevin Montgomery plays Upstairs at Cunninghams, Kildare Town, Tuesday, May 20. Joining him on guitar, lap slide etc. will be Ireland's own Clive Barnes. Clive will also open the show.
Doors 8pm. Admission is €12 on the door.

Nashville singer/songwriter, Kevin Montgomery is steeped in a musical tradition - his Dad was a boyhood friend of Buddy Holly, and they wrote songs like 'Heartbeat', 'Wishing', 'Down The Line' etc. He later wrote songs like 'Misty Blue' and 'Baby's Arms'.
Kevin's mother sang on 'Suspicious Minds', 'In The Ghetto', and 'Kentucky Rain' by Elvis. She also sang on 'Everlasting Love', and many others.

That pedigree filters through, and Kevin's songwriting has been recognised and rewarded by major label artists such as Martina McBride, who recorded 'I Won't Close My Eyes' on the 3 million selling 'Evolution' CD. A further highlight is 'Wishing' - a duet with Mary Chapin Carpenter.

'Some Comfort' - https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Ges_fGFaYTw

Clive Barnes is one of the finest guitarist/lap slide players to have come out of Ireland. He tours extensively at home and abroad, both solo, and as a sideman. He has played with Eric Bibb, Taj Mahal, the Blind Boys of Alabama, and many more. With four studio albums under his belt, and a live recording, Clive is going places.

'Crossroads Blues' - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O95Qd66QcaE

Tuesday 13 May 2014

Kathy Barwick & Pete Siegfried (Laurel Mountain Duo) - Live in Mick Murphy's

www.reverbnation.com/barwickandsiegfried

Mick Murphy's Bar, Ballymore Eustace, Co. Kildare - Monday, May 19. Doors 8:30pm. Admission : €12 on the door.


Kathy Barwick & Pete Siegfried, the hottest new acoustic duo in northern California, combine years of experience into a compelling, highly entertaining duet sound ranging from the Monroe Brothers of the 1930s to the contemporary sound of Gillian Welch and David Rawlings. Kathy and Pete, aka the Mountain Laurel Duo, blend bluegrass, old-time country, trad and folk into an engaging Americana fusion showcasing Pete’s exceptional lead vocals, Kathy’s amazing guitar work and sterling duet harmonies.
Kathy, a native of Sacramento, has been hailed as one of California’s most versatile acoustic musicians. An award-winning multi-instrumentalist who’s adept on guitar, banjo, dobro, bass and mandolin she was a founding member of the All Girl Boys, a popular all-female bluegrass quintet, and has also worked with such bands as Nine-8ths Irish, the Mike Justis Band, and the bluegrass band Mountain Laurel. Her first solo album, In My Life, was released in 2011. Her second album, tentatively titled Braeburn, will be released this spring.
Pete, a Pennsylvania native now resident in Grass Valley, California, founded the bluegrass band Mountain Laurel in 1988 and was their lead singer and mandolin player until they disbanded in 2011.Mountain Laurel performed widely throughout northern California and Nevada, playing the leading festivals in the region and earning Pete a reputation as a peerless, distinctive singer with a soaring and expressive tenor voice. Mountain Laurel recorded three albums: Another Sunny Day in California, Trouble in the Mine and It’s About Time.

Monday 5 May 2014

BAG Gigs - June/July 2014.

Fantastic Live music over the next six weeks in Mick Murphy's (MM), Ballymore Eustace.
All gigs in Mick Murphy's are Monday nights, Doors, 8:30pm; Admission prices, as indicated.

Come along, and support top quality live music in your locality.


June 9   - MM - Sarah McQuaid (USA) - €12. www.sarahmcquaid.com
June 16 - MM - Pat Coldrick (IRL) - €12. www.patcoldrick.com
June 23 - MM - Clive Barnes (IRL) - €12. https://www.youtube.com/user/CliveBarnesMusic
June 30 - MM - Edisons (IRL) - €12. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LOwgdC-AHnA
July 7    - MM - Cormac O'Caoimh (IRL) - €12. www.cormacocaoimh.net
July 14  - MM - Ferguson & Ferguson (IRL) - €12. www.gunnysacksongs.com 
*Please note change to booking for June 23*

From mid-July, for about six weeks, there will be no gigs, as we take our summer break. But, we'll be back in early September with full programme of gigs until Christmas! Autumn artists include: Peter Doran; Ed Deane & Eamon Murray; Dan Walsh; Buddy Mondlock & Mike Lindauer; Clive Barnes; Greg Trooper; Cam Penner & Jon Wood, and more!

Maria Doyle Kennedy - Live in Mick Murphy's

www.mariadk.com

Maria Doyle Kennedy is a singer; a songwriter; an actress (The Commitments; The Tudors, etc.).

Accompanied by her guitarist/producer/songwriter husband, Kieran Kennedy, she delivers truly remarkable live performances.

I'm delighted to welcome Maria and Kieran back to Mick Murphy's, Stage Inn Bar, Ballymore Eustace in Co. Kildare, Monday, May 12. Doors open at 8:30pm. Admission is €15 at the door.

'Stars Above' - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tl8-FHb80LE
'Sing' - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vriAyBN5rHU