POSTS TAGGED : Barrygruff Presents

BarryGruff Presents #10 w/ Our Krypton Son, Ciaran Lenehan & Sea Area Forecast :: Flanagan’s Bar, Newbridge :: Saturday :: Nov 17th

It’s hard to believe this is the tenth BarryGruff Presents show in Newbridge, how did that happen?

Anyway. BarryGruff Presents #10 returns to Flanagan’s Bar, Newbridge for another fantastic night of  live music on Saturday, November 17th, w/ Our Krypton Son, Ciaran Lenehan (full band) & Sea Area Forecast.

Chris McConaghy aka Our Krypton Son hails from Derry, where he cut his first musical teeth and establishing his song writing credentials sharing stages with David Kitt, Jape and Cashier No. 9. In early 2010 McConaghy gathered close musician friends together to create Our Krypton Son. Our Krypton Son’s muse traverses the songscapes of Wilco, Costello, Bowie, Waits and Orbison; with McConaghy’s voice fragile, tender and touching. This is a first visit to Newbridge for Our Krypton Son as part of their Irish tour in support of their self-titled debut album.

Dublin folk rocker Ciaran Lenehan takes time out from prepping his new album to return to Newbridge, where he has become a firm favourite. Having earned his stripes on the live circuit with the likes of Damien Dempsey, Frank Turner and Wallis Bird, Lenehan is a songwriter to be reckoned with; simple, assured and engaging. Most importantly he has the talent to make wonderful stories into fantastic songs. This is a rare chance to see him perform with his full band behind him.

Meanwhile support comes from Newbridge’s very own Sea Area Forecast who bring their indie folk sounds to the town for the first time since releasing their debut EP. It all promises to be yet another memorable night.

Entry is FREE as always and the show starts at 9.00pm in Flanagan’s, Newbridge on Saturday, November 17th. For more info & Facebook event.

BarryGruff Presents #9: The Statics, Keith Moss & Wayfarer :: Flanagan’s :: Newbridge :: Thursday Sept 27th

I’m very excited about this one, especially after the absolute blast at the last gig in Flanagan’s, I’m not sure the place has recovered yet.

Ready or not BarryGruff Presents #9 is here & returns to Flanagan’s Bar, Newbridge for a special Arthur’s Day show on Thursday, September 27th. There’s a great night of live music ahead with headline performances from The Statics & Keith Moss and support from Wayfarer. There’s more info below & the ‘Facebook Event’ is right here.

Fresh from a storming show at this year’s Castlepalooza, Dublin 4-piece The Statics, bring their jangly infectious indie-pop sound to Newbridge for the very first time. Echoing the likes of The La’s, John Power & The Coral, there’s is heart warming indie-goodness with twangy rhythmic guitars, rich distinctive vocals and sing-a-long choruses, played with energy, refreshing honesty and assured sense of style.

Similarly it’s a first Newbridge outing for Dublin-based Keith Moss, who has been garnering plaudits for his music since winning IMRO’s ‘Young Songwriter of the Year’. Something of a punk poet, Moss’s music is a curious work of rare beauty which positively drips with passion and emotion. A great time to catch him live before his debut album is released in October through Reekus Records. Meanwhile support comes from Newbridge’s very own Wayfarer, whose soft and gentle folk sound is something of beauty.

It’s FREE in as usual and the show kicks off at 8.30pm & as it is Arthurs’ Day expect some Guinness related drinks promotions too.

BarryGruff Presents: Our Krypton Son, Conor Mason and The P Affection :: The Twisted Pepper :: Dublin :: Sat August 25th

 

I’m delighted ‘BarryGruff Presents’ is on its way back to Dublin again, this Saturday, August 25th. We’re taking over The Twisted Pepper on Middle Abbey Street for what promises to be a great night.

I’m especially excited to have three of the best acts in Ireland (and three of my favourites) – ‘Our Krypton Son’, ‘Conor Mason’ and ‘The P Affection’ – with me on this one. There is more details and tracks from the acts below. Doors at 8pm and admission is €7, hopefully plenty of you can make it along to what will be a really special night. [Facebook event]

Our Krypton Son (Smalltown America):

Chris McConaghy aka Our Krypton Son hails from Derry, where he cut his first musical teeth with psychobilly art-rockers Red Organ Serpent Sound. Having graduated unscathed from those rambunctious ranks, Chris established his song writing credentials sharing stages with David Kitt, Gemma Hayes, Jape and Cashier No. 9 around the Irish club circuit. Gathering plaudits as a writer of note, Chris gathered close musician friends together in early 2010 to create Our Krypton Son. Our Krypton Son’s muse traverses the songscapes of Wilco, Costello, Bowie, Waits and Orbison. McConaghy’s voice is at times fragile, tender and touching and on occasion shimmers romantically in rare, Irish sunlight.

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Our Krypton Son – Catalonian Love Song

Our Krypton Son – Nowhere

 

Conor Mason (Armellodie Records):

Also hailing from Derry, music has been present in Mason’s life from a young age. With three albums under his belt, Mason has now found his space on the musical landscape, not dissimilar to that occupied by luminaries Matthew Jay or Elliott Smith. His latest album, Standstill, is a masterpiece in song writing, flowing gently by, amid a sea of soft lilting vocals, whispering lyrical poeticisms and subtle instrumentation. His music is permeated by an air of richness, comforting tranquillity and shrouded in melancholy. This is Conor Mason’s first Dublin show in sometime and one definitely not to be missed.

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Download: Conor Mason – Better Than Nothing

Conor Mason – Out of the Blue 

The P Affection (NIPPI Records):

The P Affection is the brainchild of multi-instrumentalist Padraig McCauley. The Naas based band’s self-titled debut was released to rave reviews and their recently released follow-up Cakes For Occasions has exceeded even their lofty expectations. They have grown as a band, their sound even tighter; a wondrous blend of indie-pop, rock, ska, and folk is formed into a distinct and cohesive sound, all of their own.

The P Affection – My Main Squeeze

The P Affection – Gone Fishin’

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BarryGruff Presents: One Year On | Some Idle Chit-Chat

Saturday last marked the one year anniversary of the very first ‘BarryGruff Presents’ show. Granted, a year isn’t really a long time in the grand scheme of things but I thought I’d share some musings from the year.

As with a lot of ideas, it spawned from chatting over a few pints, where by myself and Stevie decided to try doing some small gigs in our local in Newbridge, Flanagan’s. So, the idea was simple, bring music I’d been pushing on the blog, from the internet into a real world live setting. It has work fantastically well and we’ve been lucky to have witnessed some outstanding performances from some of the finest up and coming talents this country has to offer.

It may come as a surprise to many that while Newbridge has a wealth musical talent (this mixtape is just a small bit of proof), we have been pretty much starved of live original music in recent years (that’s a whole other post). This was our attempt to redress this imbalance. Live music is vital if we are to ever to sustain a vibrant music scene and this problem isn’t confined to Newbridge. I’m sure there are towns like Newbridge the length and breadth of this island, which are virtually starved of live music.

We just utilized what we’ve got and worked with it, Flanagan’s is far from a perfect for these shows but works remarkably well. Now, I’m lucky, not only did I cut my teeth putting on shows with Culture Factory but I have two top guys with me (Stevie & Poggy) who have the equipment and know how to make it possible. Of course we’re not alone and credit is due to the many people putting on gigs and promoting new talent across Ireland. I suppose the point is we’ve opened up a new place, somewhere artists couldn’t/hadn’t played previously which is most important. There needs to be more than 7 or 8 places for bands to tour. Although music is increasingly discovered and consumed online, it is vital to remember music is best witnessed live, as a collective experience. Time and time again when acts play here, people are blown away by music they have, or have not heard before (proving the limitations of my blog  too).

Having the gigs in a pub works and is a pretty natural partner. Not only are the shows free but people are comfortable in a boozer, overcoming the issue of getting people from pubs to venues, which I assume extends beyond Newbridge, to many towns across Ireland. 

What we’re doing is only small but I’m immensely proud of the achievements so far and I’m sure that lads are too. Expanding to Dublin has been exciting too but there is something uniquely special about the Newbridge gigs. I’ll be honest, it was pretty nerve racking to begin with. It had been quite sometime since I had done anything in the way of gigs but it has been a thoroughly enjoyable and rewarding experience. Long may they continue.

The next ‘BarryGruff Presents’ takes place in The Twisted Pepper, Dublin on Saturday, August 25th with ‘Our Krypton Son’, ‘Conor Mason’ and ‘The P Affection’. More info here. (There will be another Newbridge show announced soon too).

BarryGruff Presents: Trap Door, Knoxville Morning & Ginola :: Friday :: June 8th :: The Workman’s Club :: Dublin

The ‘BarryGruff Presents’ shows in Newbridge have been great and long may they continue! I’m absolutely thrilled that ‘BarryGruff Presents’ will be hitting the capital for the first time this Friday (June 8th) in The Workman’s Club.

We’ve got three top bands on the bill; Trap Door, Knoxville Morning & Ginola, followed by Gav (We Are Losers/ADULTROCK) spinning some tunes till the early hours. I really hope to some of you on Friday, it’s going to be a cracking night and best of all it is FREE in. 

Admission Free/Doors 8pm & The Facebook Event Page is here. Here’s a few words on each of the bands. 

Trap Door

Dublin trio Trap Door combine a rich mix of punk, folk, ska and hip-hop with insightful flowing and streetwise lyrics. In a similar approach of one Jamie T, Trap Door take the listener rumbustious rattle through urban life, something borne out on their excellent debut EP, Lata Town. With songs of lyrical depth, plenty of youthful lairiness and rebelliousness; Trap Door are a band to contend with.

Trap Door – Lata Town

Knoxville Morning

Knoxville Morning began life as a side-project of Band on an Island’s Ciaran Dwyer, before in time, growing into something far bigger. Joined by fellow BOAI members, Stefan Murphy, Gavin Elsted, Brian Gallagher, Claire Prendergast, Stephen Fahey and Laura Caffrey, they have created an inviting blend of folk, country and Americana, with an Irish twist. Knoxville Morings’ self titled debut will be released on this summer.

Knoxville Morning – Baseball Song (w/ Claire Prendergast)

Ginola

Like your music loud? Then look no further than Ginola. This ragged Dublin punk trio have hardly put a foot wrong over the past twelve months, impressing with a number of singles, split releases and numerous scintillating live shows. Their forte is loud highly charged punk-rock with hopping basslines and battering drums.

Ginola – Thruster

BarryGruff Presents #6: w/ Sive, Padraig McCauley & The P Affection and Sea Area Forecast :: Flanagan’s Newbridge :: May 25th

So, ‘BarryGruff Presents’ returns to Flanagan’s Bar, Newbridge for its sixth instalment on Friday, May 25th.

The first 5 shows have been fantastic & ‘BarryGruff Presents’ #6 promises to be no less impressive, with the delectable talents of Sive, Padraig McCauley & The P Affection and Sea Area Forecast on show.

Sive, the brainchild of Naas musician Sadhbh O’Sullivan, who’s recent debut album We Are Moving was greeted by rave reviews. Drawing from a wide variety of alternative rock, jazz and folk influences, Sive’s gorgeous sound fuses these influences, with excellent musicianship and charm.

Accompanying them on the bill are Naas-based Padraig McCauley & The P Affection, whose genre hopping sounds of their debut album received notable acclaim last year. Meanwhile Newbridge based Sea Area Forecast take time out from prepping their debut EP, indie, folk and rock sounds. It is going to be yet another memorable night. 

Entry is FREE as always and starts at 9.00pm Friday, May 25th. More info & Facebook event here.

Sive – Sunkissed

Download: Padraig McCauley & The P Affection – Lingo

Sea Area Forecast – Marvelous With Tin

BarryGruff Presents #4: Ghost Estates w/ Neon Wolf :: Flanagan’s :: Newbridge :: April 8th

So, it’s gig #4 for ‘BarryGruff’ Presents’ in Flanagan’s, Newbridge on Easter Sunday, April 8th. Entry is FREE as always and judging by the previous gigs, this is going to be one hell of a night!

Dublin 5 piece Ghost Estates made quite an impression in the past 12 months. A number stellar singles and storming live shows, including Electric Picnic and Hard Working Class Heroes, earned them a lot of praise from this blog and earmarked them as definite ‘one’s to watch’.

They are currently readying their debut album for release in June and the band brings their delectably tight indie sound to Newbridge for the first time. Accompanying them on the bill is Thomastown band Neon Wolf, whose own unbridled feel-good indie-pop has caused more than their fair share of a stir and they left quite an impression the last time they were in town.

So, forget about those Easter eggs, this is going to be a great night and one not to be missed! Entry is FREE as always and starts at 8.30pm, Easter Sunday, April 8thth. More info & Facebook event here.

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Neon Wolf – The Good Life

 Download: Ghost Estates – October

Download: Ghost Estates – Forever or Never

(Video) The Last Tycoons – Carmelita | Barrygruff Presents #3

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It may have taken time to get this video done and dusted but it was worth the wait. Here is a quick video of The Last Tycoons playing ‘Carmelita’ from BarryGruff Presents #3, live in Flanagan’s, Newbridge, 14th December 2011. It was a great night with super performances from The Last Tycoons, Sive & Ciaran Dwyer. The video was shot by Joe Dunne and edited by Stephen Connelly.

Don’t forget about BarryGruff Presents #4: Ghost Estates w/ Neon Wolf on Easter Sunday, April 8th in Flanagan’s, Newbridge.

A quick round-up: Barrygruff Presents #2 ‘We Are Losers’ & ‘No Monster Club’

Last month, October 22nd to be precise witnessed the second ‘Barrygruff Presents’ show in Flanagan’s, Newbridge.

It was another huge success on all fronts. The place was packed to the bloody rafters, it was hard to believe it was only a Thursday night. Both performances from No Monster Club and We Are Losers were fantastic, it is not often you get to experience their music stripped back so wonderfully. There are a couple of videos below so you can see and hear for yourself. There’s no definite dates or acts booked for #3 yet but were working on it and when we know, you’ll know.

A massive thank you to Stephen Connelly for all the hard work, Tim Crowley for the sound/recording, Joe Dunne for the videos and to everyone who came down on the night (and anyone I’ve missed out).

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Free Gig: We Are Losers & No Monster Club :: Flanagan’s :: Newbridge :: Sept 22nd

The first ‘Barrygruff presents’ was a huge success, so, we decided to do another one.

We are delighted to welcome We Are Losers for their first headline gig in Newbridge. Fresh from storming sets at Leeds Festival and Castlepalooza this summer, We Are Losers bring their glorious lo-fi fuzz pop to Flanagan’s, Newbridge this Thursday, September 22nd.

Beginning as a solo-side project of Super Extra Bonus Party guitarist Gavin Elsted writing and recording songs in his bedroom, We Are Losers were quickly assembled from former bandmates Gary Clarke and Stephen Conlan and Bronwyn Murphy-White of Grand Pocket Orchestra. Their debut double a-side single ‘Sunset Song / Cheerleader’, released on Leeds Indie label ‘Dance to the Radio’ in July secured their position as one of the most exciting emerging acts in Ireland right now.

Accompanying them on the bill is No Monster Club who’s sunshine surf-rock and hyper rough-a-round the edges Strokes-esque sound has already won over legions of fans and seen them compared to the likes of The Strokes, The Velvet Underground and The Libertines. To boot, they are one of the finest live bands in Ireland right now.

Entry is FREE and the show starts at 9pm, Thursday, September 22nd. Join the event on Facebook & there’s more details below.

 We Are Losers – We Vampires

 We Are Losers – Sunset Song

 No Monster Club – The Last Bottle In The World

 No Monster Club – Wish Me Well