Tullamore The Merrier
Wonderful news for the Offaly town – a top banjo festival is headed its way...
, 25 Sep 2012

So it’s a place full of music history and exceedingly venerable (by American standards anyway). After the launch, Niall will be performing a number of showcases at the International Bluegrass Music Association, and as part of the European Bluegrass Music Association, and also hosting a showcase with a bunch of great bands at the famous Ernest Tubb Record Store, across the road from Jacks (26). After that he’ll be trawling round the country heartlands of Tennessee, Georgia and North Carolina for the best part of October. No shows are planned for Kentucky itself, but there are a few spare days when he’ll be able to go and look at Bill Monroe’s Blue Grass State.
Closer to home, Friday 28 September sees the Quicksand Band take to the stage of Upstairs at Whelans for the launch of ‘That Voice’, the second single to be released off their Gavin Glass-produced debut album Approaching Rain.
The band formed in 2008 in Dublin. Having played in various forms over the years, the lads grouped together to record what was originally a solo project for lead singer Justin Corr. The resultant sounds and vibes coming 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 EP Ten Gallon Drought (the product of those early sessions) was launched in 2008 and received a warm reception from fans and critics. The follow-up Ten Gallon Drought Part II was launched the following year.
During 2011, they headed into the studio with Gavin Glass. They have developed a unique style and approach to music with songs that bear the 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 material.
Downstairs in Whelans on the same evening, Session Americana will be bringing their show back to Dublin. Their approach to making music is refreshing. Strip out the egos, strip out the big production and just play some great songs, gutted to their bare essentials and performed with a real genuineness of spirit and emotional authenticity.
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