One Take Sessions

The tenth night of the 2008 series of the One Take Sessions with KilkennyMusic.com returns this Thursday night and brings four Wexford acts to the stage.

The foursome of Nick Day, Jimi Cullen, Ian Doyle and Michael Whelan are all previous guests of the ‘Sessions and make a return to Kilkenny for the first of two nights of the music series this month.

Nick Day made his Kilkenny debut in Cleere’s earlier this year, the UK-born singer songwriter impressing crowds with his powerful vocal style and delicate finger-picking technique.

Jimi Cullen is a man pushing for the record of most appearances at the One Take Sessions. With a politically-charged arsenal of tunes in the bag, Cullen returns to the ‘Sessions stage promoting new album ‘The Junkyard Poet’ for his second appearance of 2008.

Jimi is a solo musician from Gorey, South East Ireland. He has been writing and performing for about three years and has built a good reputation as one of the hardest working musicians in Ireland with over 500 gigs to his credit. Needless to say such hard work is resulting in an increasing number of fans who are moved by his music and his song “On the Street” has surely got to be the anthem for all the homeless people in the world. When he sings that song you can almost touch the emotion he arouses in his listeners.

Ian Doyle, last seen at the ‘Sessions in mid 2007 is the frontman for Wexford quintet Chaplin. The band’s sound is all encompassing crossing and mixing styles from country, rock, blues, folk and even ambient and dance and Doyle’s solo performances replicate those of the full band.

Having released the critically acclaimed Swings And Roundabouts EP and last year’s Paint By Numbers, Doyle and Chaplin have enjoyed sharing the stage with Paul Weller, Paul Brady, Jerry Fish, Declan O’Rourke and many more. A technical and talented performer, Ian Doyle has been noted by regular ‘Sessions goers as one of the performance highlights since the launch of the series in 2006 and is not to be missed.

Completing the foursome is Michael Whelan who made a welcome return to Kilkenny earlier in the summer. Michael has been writing songs right the way through his teens, eventually recording and performing them as guitar player with long time friend Gordon Barry as half of Buffalo Whitewater. Following their decision to each pursue their own solo interests Michael lazily gigged solo during his early 20’s until hangning up his guitar sometime around 2004.

After almost a 3 year break from performing he was convinced by friends in early 2007 to get back to performing on the live circuit, a move which as led to a series of new songs and recordings with ‘Walk On’ topping the Newscene Radio Unsigned Charts in November 2007.

The first act takes to the stage this Thursday night at 9:30pm with admission free. For more details check www.kilkennymusic.com or www.onetakesessions.com.

KilkennyMusic.com have also announced 14 more details for the One Take Sessions in 2009, commencing from March 12th. Booking for performers wishing to play at the series in 2009 will commence later this month.

The One Take Sessions return tonight to Cleere’s theatre having taken a mid-season break for the month of August. This time around, the tri-weekly music series features Callan guitarist Peter Brabazon, Dun Laoighare resident Hamlet Sweeney and Carlow’s Joe Cleere.

Described as having “Very catchy, melodic songs that will have you hooked”, Hamlet Sweeney is yet another Irish act making their One Take Sessions debut on the Cleere’s stage.

Speaking about his influences, he said “I am most influenced by the people I meet but in reality there is nothing that I do, see, feel touch or hear that doesn’t influence me. But that’s kind of a cop out, isn’t it? The way I look at it all types of music have their place and if that’s where you are that’s what you want to hear. From legato classical to banging techno to beautiful songs. It’s all good lads, it’s all good”.

Winner of the 2006 2FM National Song Contest, Joe Cleere makes his second appearance at this year’s ‘Sessions series, bringing with him recently released single ‘Queue’.

As a music artist Joe has been traveling a long route to hopeful success. Cleere picked up guitar at 11 years old and played his first gig at 12, under the act “Joe plays Jimmy (Hendrix)”. At just fourteen Joe recorded his first EP in a friend’s studio in Finland. Subsequently a song from this disc, “How Does It Feel”, entered the final of the Jacobs 2Fm Song Contest 2001. Another entry made it through in 2003, with Joe eventually picking up the winner’s gong in 2006.

This year Joe received an Artlinks Bursary Award of €8,000 to help fund his release. The first single “Queue” will be launched on September 13th from Radio City Dublin and the album will be released in February 2009. The band will also be giving away 10,000 free copies of “Queue” in September 2008 to mark the introduction of the act into the music industry.

Cleere and his Band have been gigging around Ireland extensively over the past few years, playing venues such as Eamonn Dorans, Cleere’s Theatre, Voodoo Lounge and support slots for bands such as The Script (2008). They have also traveled as far as Slovakia to play festivals. On releasing the album the band hope to start touring further in Europe and the UK.

The One Take Sessions continue to the end of the year with just four dates remaining between October 2nd and December 4th.

The final One Take Sessions of the year will see the welcome return of four acts selected over the course of the 2008 series. According to KilkennyMusic.com, demand has been so high for this year’s series that bookings for 2009 (March to December) will open in October in order to facilitate the number of requests for coveted performance slots.

Callan resident Peter Brabazon, who recorded over the years with ‘The Connaught Ramblers’ will start the proceedings in Cleere’s at 9:30pm on Thursday night. Admission as always is free and full details can be found by visiting OneTakeSessions.com or KilkennyMusic.com.

Not resting on their laurals gig-wise, KilkennyMusic.com will also be in action next weekend with the long-anticipated return of Vesta Varro to Kilkenny with special guests on the night Chemical Addiction. That show takes place on Saturday September 20th. To be in with a chance of seeing the gig for free, check KilkennyMusic.com for details.