The Belltable Sessions return this Thursday

THE BELLTABLE Sessions returns this Thursday with a strong line-up of local acts, finishing off a superb year for the monthly acoustic gig.
Joining local rockers and headliners Last Days of Death Country are the eclectic local ensemble Noland Folk and guitar slinging troubadour Brian McNamara, formerly of Figment fame.
Last Days.. are not just a band with a great name and Cranberries’ Fergal Lawler helping out on recording duties; no, this band are genuinely worth getting excited about - a rock outfit boasting great melodies and rhythms.
Boasting four Limerick men among their ranks, this quartet offer something rare - they can flit from loud and heavy to soulful and tender in the blink of an eye, or the flick of a wrist from guitarist Dave O’Dowd.
Fellow Last Days men Patrick O’Brien (vocals, guitars), Rob Kelly (drums) and Gary Lysaght (bass) combine to form a tight and cohesive unit that are capable of belting out pulsating and aggressive sleazy-rock, dotted with melodies that are anything but saccharine.
"Moving melodic rock, which will leave you wanting more," is how the band have described themselves, but they would prefer to call it “alternative rock”.
“We are just four guys trying to make music that we enjoy more than anything else,” Patrick explained.
Also playing are Clare/Limerick ensemble Noland Folk, who are set to release their debut album ‘Ghosts Light The Scene’ this week. The predominantly Clare based group are well known in local circles having played here on and off over the last few years, and there rollicking, sea-shanty brand of Irish folk is well worth checking out.
Finally, former Figment frontman Brian McNamara makes a return to the local music scene this Thursday and will be debuting some of his own new material.
The all acoustic Belltable Sessions takes place this Thursday night at 8pm.

Emmet Scanlan and What The Good Thought play October Belltable Sessions

OVER the course of a genial chat with Newcastle West man Emmet Scanlan, the singer-songwriter expresses some regret that he never formed his band in Limerick, instead choosing to pick up sticks and relocate to Galway, where his band ‘What The Good Thought’ were formed in 2004.
Casting an ever so slightly green eye over the buzzing music scene in his home town, he subtly displays a slight hankering for the connections between the various acts in Limerick.
However, the strength of his band lies in the fact that he has assembled an international cast with members hailing from Italy to Sweden, leading to a dynamic and diverse sound that is ear-catching.
“Limerick is a place that has a really good music scene, I was almost envious that I didn't start the band here because there seems to be a lot of really good bands and there is a good connection between them,” says Emmet.
He cites the recent ‘Tonelist’ collection of local artists as proof of this “connection”.
“That sort of thing doesn't happen in Galway as much, in Limerick people seem to come out and support bands and I would love to be able to play at home more often,” he adds.
Formed in 2004 around the Tig Neachtain pub in Galway where the Newcastle West man found himself after a period of travel, Emmet Scanlan and What The Good Thought are a delightfully diverse five-piece featuring Alan Preims, percussionist from Italy, classical guitarist Peter Akerstrom from Sweden, Scottish cellist Nicola Geddes and Irish bass player Cathal Doherty. The group released debut album ‘Hands’ in March, a collection of evocative soundscapes filled with lush instrumentation.
Think Spanish guitar fused with light fingered tabla percussion, gorgeous cello parts infused with Scanlan’s Anthony Keidis-esque vocals. In a word, the international scope of this band has transformed and moulded Scanlan’s undoubtedly strong songs; think of One Day International and you wouldn’t be far off.
“I played in bands over the years with guys that I grew up with, but we all grew up listening to the same stuff - so the ideas were coming from more or less the same source,” says Scanlan.
“But all the lads in the band now, the type of music and artist that they would be into would be quite different from what I would ever have heard of and it has opened me up to new music and opened up a lot of ideas and styles, which is great.
“The formation of the band was all very much coincidence and when it seemed to be turning out that way I was delighted. I was working in a bar in Galway and I had been travelling for a year and writing songs, but I wanted to get an original band together to showcase the songs - I didn't know what I was doing really, except that I wanted to get a bunch of musicians together. I got to know these guys through working in the bar and bombarded them and that is how it all began,” he explains.
The result has been tours of the States with the Saw Doctors, invitations to the International Folk Alliance Festival in Memphis and positive reviews of their eclectic debut album.
This summer also saw the band play support to Femi Kuti in the Big Top in Galway and as part of the Volvo Ocean Race.
The band are now gearing up to play nearly 20 dates from here to Christmas and are hoping to record some new material for release early next year.
First, they play at the Belltable Sessions this Thursday night - a rare hometown gig for Emmet to get his teeth into.
“The idea of the Belltable sessions seems to suit our style, it will be nice because we have worked over the last while on having our set to cater to the environment we play in, so it is nice to be able to do both larger, louder venues and smaller, intimate venues. I’m really looking forward to it.”
Emmet Scanlan and What The Good Thought play the Belltable Sessions this Thursday night, with support from Kev Fox, Sí and Beautiful Rooms. Doors at 8pm.

The return of the Belltable Sessions this Thursday

THE FOURTH series of the Belltable Sessions begins this Thursday, with local favourites the Brad Pitt Light Orchestra topping the bill on Limerick’s best acoustic night.

The monthly showcase, which began last year under the direction of local musician and Spin South West DJ Nick Carswell, has gone from strength to strength in the Belltable’s relatively new location of 36 Cecil Street.

The artists perform acoustically, with no mics and “nowhere to hide” as the tagline for the show states.

Returning are local ensemble the Brad Pitt Light Orchestra, who have spent the last number of weeks touring Ireland with Cork band Fred, and have received significant national airplay on Today FM, with Paul McCloone and Alison Curtis hailing their original material. The band performed a stunning set early last year at the acoustic gig, their devilishly theatrical performance winning them many fans in the locality.

The fulcrum of the Brad Pitt’s is sibling trio Ann, James and David Blake - who mix and match their obvious vocal talents throughout their set. A debut album - tentatively titled ‘Lowering the Tone’ - is expected this summer, and after an appearance at last year’s Electric Picnic, great things are expected of the Limerick band this summer.

“We are really looking forward to the fourth Belltable Sessions series, inviting some old friends back and welcoming some new talent to our stage,” explained Nick Carswell. “It is particularly satisfying to have the Brad Pitt’s back, they have had a great year since they last played with us,” added Nick.

Joining the Brad Pitt Light Orchestra are Dublin band The Resistance, local rock band General PM - featuring Paddy Moloney, better known for his NoLand Folk project - and Andy Hickie, interestingly touring Ireland in a camper-van.

“Andy is a folk singer-songwriter who released a debut EP last year and got himself a slot on Glastonbury’s New Talent stage thanks to Q magazine. He is travelling the country in a camper van and is exactly what we want to offer people who come to the Sessions - his brand of folk is very soothing and should appeal to people,” explained Nick.

The Belltable Sessions takes place this Thursday, doors at 8pm.

Photos from the Belltable Sessions last Thursday (January 15)

Opener Emma Small from South Africa. A bit nervous to start, but finished strongly. A song in native African language Xhosa (full of clicks) was a highlight.

Dave Irwin - notably of the Million Dollar Swing band, here laid bare as a fantastic jazz guitarist with a wonderfully soulful voice, reminiscent of Jeff Buckley. Get into that studio Dave.

The Swingettes, special guests on the night, a three-part, jazz vocal, harmony group. Delightful.

Headliner Vertigo Smyth, full of funny throwaway remarks and strong tunes, aided by the double-bass player from the Brad Pitt Light Orchestra (struggling with a name, apologies).

This was the third series of the Belltable Sessions, a wonderfully diverse acoustic night, featuring acts from Limerick and around Ireland, indeed the world. Unfortunately the crowd didn't it justice, people need to get in and see this space, which is ideal for a gig of this nature. Come on down folks....

One seriously cool mofo, plus a seriously good gig..

Pictured above is iconic folk singer and Woodstock legend Arlo Guthrie, who is Limerick (Dolan's) next Wednesday for a gig. EXCLUSIVE interview in the Limerick Leader this weekend.. read about Woodstock and Arlo's solo tour. In the shops now.

Heading to the Belltable Sessions on this fine evening, Limerick's premier acoustic/music-lovers gig.. No mics, no amps, just performers in the spotlight of the Belltable's off-site venue of 36 Cecil Street (the venue formerly known as Red Cross Hall).

Featured tonight are the rather good Vertigo Smyth, the Swingettes, Dave Irwin and South African Emma Small.

On at 8pm, admission a recession busting 10 bobs. For four acts? Come on, you won't do better than that...

Finally, something worth going to...

January is usually a depressing month but this particular January tops the lot. On top of all the doom and gloom - I'm not going to mention that ubiquitous four letter word, think job losses - there hasn't been a single show worth going to in the first two weeks of the year.. plus I'm nearly finished series five of the Wire, to top everything off.

Well, things are about to change in the coming days and weeks with the arrival of several good shows including the return of the Belltable Sessions this Thursday (more on that shortly), and legendary folk-singer/activist Arlo Guthrie next week, with whom I have an exclusive interview in this weekend's Limerick Leader.

In the meantime, opening this Thursday in the Limerick City Gallery of Art is internationally acclaimed artist Clare Langan's art/video installation (I hope that description is correct) The Ice Above, the Fire Below, and Other Works, 2007-2009. I managed to get a sneak preview from Clare this week in the LCAG when I interviewed her for the paper, and I was blown away, even with the exhibition barely set up properly.

Essentially there will be three separate rooms housing three different works, the centrepiece of which is The Ice Above, the Fire Below - Clare's latest work - a film of the sea shot with high speed digital camera, enabling the use of slow motion. Set to atmospheric music by local composer Jurgen Simpson, this is a sensational piece from the Dublin artist, who apart from exhibiting pieces all over the world, worked as Art Director on, among others, Braveheart and Far and Away. Not only that but she created a video for Sigur Ros' song I Gaer (released on the recent double album Hvarf/Heim) that can be viewed here

This exhibition opens at 7pm this Thursday in LCGA and deserves to be seen. I'll be there anyway.

A still from The Ice Above, The Fire Below. See www.clarelangan.com for more.

Photos from the Belltable Sessions and the Hypnotic Brass Ensemble gigs

David Hope

Size2Shoes

The Hypnotic Brass Ensemble - on Cruises Street

The Hypnotic Brass Ensemble - in Trinity Rooms


Two (or three?) excellent gigs in the city on one night, beginning with the Hypnotic Brass Ensemble playing an impromptu set on a deserted Cruises St early on Sunday evening. Chicago's finest really know how warm up a crowd and impressed with a superb set in the Clubhouse @ Trinity Rooms later in the evening. They have just signed a record deal with Damon Albarn's manager and will hopefully be back for a courtyard show next year (fingers crossed).
In between we caught sets from Richie McCoy, David Hope and Size2Shoes (all local artists) at the Belltable Sessions in the Red Cross Hall, the last montly gig this year. Unfortunately Cork band Armoured Bear cancelled due to "unforeseen circumstances". Windings finished the night off, and we await the return of this rather delightful night early in the New Year.

http://hypnoticbrass.net/
http://www.myspace.com/thebelltablesessions

Super gig taking place tomorrow night, last of this year's Belltable Sessions.

Folk musician David Hope will get proceedings underway, followed by the harmonious O'Suilleabhain brothers in their Size2Shoes guise, who have an album ready for release. Steve Ryan of Giveamanakick fame performs as Windings after an excellent gig at the Body and Soul Arena of Electric Picnic, while Cork band Armoured Bear - responsible for one of the Irish albums of the year with Honeycomb Moons - headline the night.

All acts perform live, no mics, no speakers, just performance and music in the versatile Red Cross Hall. Check it out.

www.myspace.com/thebelltablesessions