Ireland's musical roots reach far beyond what you might hear during a random pub session. For the past three decades, Eire has produced some of the greatest names in popular music: Sinead O'Connor, My Bloody Valentine, David Gray, Damien Rice, that little band with the two-character name.
For such a sterling pedigree, though, the scene in Ireland is a little thin on the ground, with "live music" bars booking cover bands most nights. But, when I was in Killarney last Tuesday, I was able to talk my way into Mick Flannery's sold-out show at The Granary. Flannery, a 25-year-old from Cork, has a distinctive, rough-hewn voice developed during some time spent wandering around the States: part Tom Waits, part Kenny Rogers, even a bit of Bullet Bob. Flannery also played piano and guitar, and was supplemented by a six-piece band that included violin, guitars, drums and backup vocals. Apparently, one of the guitarists, Ciaran Foley, was playing his first gig with them. "We picked him up on the way here," Flannery said. As if musicians graze like sheep on the Emerald Isle.
For such a sterling pedigree, though, the scene in Ireland is a little thin on the ground, with "live music" bars booking cover bands most nights. But, when I was in Killarney last Tuesday, I was able to talk my way into Mick Flannery's sold-out show at The Granary. Flannery, a 25-year-old from Cork, has a distinctive, rough-hewn voice developed during some time spent wandering around the States: part Tom Waits, part Kenny Rogers, even a bit of Bullet Bob. Flannery also played piano and guitar, and was supplemented by a six-piece band that included violin, guitars, drums and backup vocals. Apparently, one of the guitarists, Ciaran Foley, was playing his first gig with them. "We picked him up on the way here," Flannery said. As if musicians graze like sheep on the Emerald Isle.
I'm sure it won't be long before we see these guys on the stateside festival circuit. (More pics below.)
(Speaking of that band with the two-letter name, my New Year's Day could have used some of this craic.)
