folk
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C Duncan: Heralding the Midnight Sun
Classical composition and contemporary musical reference points collide in the work of C Duncan. Mike McGrath-Bryan speaks with the composer/performer ahead of his Cyprus Avenue show next week. Independent music is full of stories of self-made musicians pursuing their muses in their own time and space, but very few of these trajectories wind up bisecting…
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Ryley Walker: Walking a Golden Mile
Ryley Walker has, in recent years, become a hot property the world over for his own mathy, odd leanings on the folk oeuvre. Cork in particular seems to have taken to the American troubadour, with repeat sellouts for Leeside excursions over the years. This month’s swing through Ireland is no different, with a full-band Easter…
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Tiz McNamara: “I Haven’t Looked Back”
Ahead of dual Cork dates in Coughlan’s and Levis’ of Ballydehob, singer-songwriter Tiz McNamara speaks with Mike McGrath-Bryan about his adventures in music, sharing studios with legends, and doing things his way. A well-travelled troubadour hailing from Cork, the journey of singer-songwriter Tiz McNamara began in Togher, taking him through garages, venues, and several bands…
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Brigid Mae Power: “The Work Somehow Gets Done”
Quarter Block Party’s Friday night headliner, Brigid Mae Power, speaks about the festival, her recent self-titled “debut” album and the process behind it. Gently swelling drones and metallic sounds punctuate the brittle psychedelic folk of Brigid Mae Power’s making. A cathartic listen at first, Power’s self-titled new album has been marked by the artist as…
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Sillk: Time Immaterial
With their new extended-player releasing on the 27th, and a gig in the Village Hall to accompany, Mike McGrath-Bryan speaks to Chris Schmidt-Martin, cellist of folk trio Sillk. Irreverent, noirish pop nestles warmly alongside familiar folk slowburners in the body of work we’ve seen thus far from Cork three-piece Sillk, comprised of singer/guitarist Orla Travers,…
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Ye Vagabonds: On a Journey
Ahead of dates in Coughlan’s and DeBarra’s later this month, Mike McGrath-Bryan speaks with Diarmuid Glynn of Ye Vagabonds about tours, a new album and online video. There’s a lot to be said for slow and steady progression. Brian and Diarmuid Glynn are Ye Vagabonds, a pair of brothers from Carlow, currently resident in Dublin,…
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Mick Flannery: Owning the Opera House
With his fifth album in the can and the touring underway, Mick Flannery is a busy man heading up to his New Year’s Eve gig in the Opera House. Mike McGrath-Bryan speaks with the singer-songwriter. It’s been over a decade since Mick Flannery first entered the public consciousness, lurching from attempting to write a musical…
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John Blek: Cutting the Light
Ahead of his upcoming solo show at Coughlan’s on the 25th, Mike McGrath-Bryan speaks with John Blek about his new record. Glanmire singer-songwriter John O’Connor, better known as John Blek, has been touring and performing for years, with a knack for whip-smart indie-pop accompanied by friends and collaborators referred to as the Rats, a play…
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Loudon Wainwright III: “There’s Work to Be Done”
Folk legend and actor Loudon Wainwright finishes the Jazz for the Opera House on Hallowe’en night. Mike McGrath-Bryan speaks with him on family, acting, and getting bottled at Páirc Ui Chaoimh. A musician, an actor, the great-great-grandson of a politician, and both progeny & progenitor of an immensely musical family, Loudon Wainwright III has done…
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Marc O’Reilly: No Morality Play
Ahead of a gig in Cyprus Avenue on October 22nd to launch third full-length Mortality Morality, Mike McGrath-Bryan speaks with singer-songwriter Marc O’Reilly. Corkman Marc O’Reilly has been a busy man this past week, getting ready to head off on a comprehensive run of dates around the UK and Europe, and tonight, O’Reilly finally manages…
Mike McGrath-Bryan 