The One Take Sessions return to Kilkenny this week with four more acts taking to the stage in Cleere’s Theatre this Thursday night from 9:30pm. The increasingly popular music night kicked off its 2008 calendar of gigs earlier this month to much acclaim and returns for the second in the series with guests Joey Ryan, Bonnefires, John O’Hanlon and Brighton’s Nassau Royal.
Hailing from Wexford, Joey Ryan is busy cutting his teeth on the songwriter circuit in a change from fronting Wexford metal outfit Cronus. Since the turn of the year he Ryan has been locked away between performances to record his debut offering Hope In Razorbeams. The album, available now, should get an official launch at the Bailey in Enniscorthy late next month.
Counting such luminaries as Bob Dylan, Tom Waits, Ron Sexsmith and Nick Drake amongst his early influences, Bonnefires makes a welcome debut at the ‘Sessions this week. Bonnefires is the musical alter-ego of Andy M Williams. Returning in 2005 from a six month sojourn in Paris, the following period found Andy delving deeper into the music he had begun to write during his time away. In early 2007 he recorded a handful of demo tracks before introducing Bonnefires to an unsuspecting public in a series of live performances. The songs have been noted for their distinctive atmosphere, with dramatic acoustic guitar melodies in altered tunings and affected vocal style.
John O’Hanlon makes a welcome return to Kilkenny’s live music scene having last stepped foot on the One Take stage in February 2007. The Waterford-based singer-songwriter has been keeping his head down for the past year and returns with a fresh set of tunes following a captivating 2007 performance.
Nassau Royal completes the night’s bill. Born in the Bahamas to British Parents, Nassau Royal resides in Brighton and is the first international act to appear at the One Take Sessions. Having traveled around the world, studied at the Brighton Institute of Modern Music, recorded with Clannad’s Moya Brennan and counting Dire Straits’ Mark Knopfler amongst his critics, Nassau Royal has settled well into a life of music. His current EP ‘Stargazing’ is available from most good online retailers while he also features on upcoming release ‘Sanctuary’ which hits the shelves this June.
As always the One Take Sessions are free (no cover charge), though seating at the venue is limited or those interested in attending are urged to arrive early. The first act takes to the stage this Thursday night at 9:30pm in Cleere’s Theatre
