The One Take Sessions kicked off for 2009 last night with three acts taking to the stage. From Sunday onwards over the course of the week we’ll be releasing videos from Nick Day, Kieran Byrne and Bill Coleman. Darragh J Glennon, who was due to perform last night, couldn’t make it at the last minute but we’ll hope to catch up with him again later in the year.
The One Take Sessions continues with show #31 coming on Thursday April 2nd. If you want to join us and support the likes of Diarmuid Comerford, Bailer, The Resistance, Jimi Cullen and Johnny B then you’ll find us all in Cleere’s Theatre, Kilkenny starting at 9:30pm prompt. Admission, as always, is free.
With a quadruple helping of free music in recessionary times, KilkennyMusic.com’s One Take Sessions return to Cleere’s this coming Thursday on what is a double celebration for the popular music night, the series marking its thirtieth outing and also the beginning of the 2009 series.
With a reputation growing since its November 2006 launch, the One Take Sessions is rapidly becoming a staple ingredient in the calendar of many touring acts around the South East and this week is no different with three of the four acts on the cards coming from out of town.
Taking to the One Take Sessions stage on Thursday night are Kieran Byrne (Kilkenny), Nick Day (Wexford), Bill Coleman (Dublin) and Darragh J Glennon (Mullingar).
Native of Kilkenny, Kieran Byrne is no stranger to the One Take Sessions having performed each year since the 2006 launch. Familiar to many in Kilkenny as the front of ‘Frames cover band Silvertape, Byrne returns on Thursday night with a full catalog of new material previously unheard by the ‘Sessions audience.
“It’s a great opportunity for acts, both visiting and local, to showcase new sounds and new material to an appreciative audience and get some good feedback too before taking their music to the bigger stage”, says one of the organisers, Ken McGuire.
“While the opening night features four solo acts, we’ve also got a host of bands lined up for the year, all of whom are eager to bring their sound down to an acoustic level, some having never tried it before – we saw it last year and it can be a real eye opener and give a visiting band access to an audience they thought they’d never have for their music.”
Nick Day returns to the ‘Sessions for his third outing in two years.Born in 1962 in Kent, England and currently living in Ireland, Nick was raised on a jazz and classical diet with a generous helping of musicals. He supplemented this with his own taste for folk and new wave and enjoyed many avant-garde sonic adventures with the friends of his youth. He has performed with bands playing a variety of styles and has latterly undergone an extensive gestation period before venturing out on the solo path.
Nick has been sustained by the magic of Tavener’s mystical liturgical forms and the confessionals of Joni Mitchell alike and finds in writing the compulsion to communicate his corner of the world. He has married this to a guitar style that has developed out of a passion for the instrument’s expressive possibilities. He cites a lifelong love for the sounds of musicians as diverse as John McLoughlin, Pete Townsend, Martin Carthy and Vinnie Reilly.
The night also welcomes Dublin-based guitarist Bill Coleman arrives back in Kilkenny for his first One Take Sessions performance since April 2007. Performing solo on the night, his full band shows have sometimes been compared to those of The Flaming Lips “for the sheer zanyness, and positive, uplifting vibes to come from the music and the persona of Bill himself.”
Making a ‘Sessions debut Darragh J. Glennon was born in Mullingar and has lived there most of his life. He began playing guitar as a teenager and started writing songs at the age of fifteen. He has been actively playing live for the most part of four years spending most of his time in the group ‘Triega’.
He released his debut single ‘For My Love’ on Sounds IndiGo records in October 2008 as a limited edition, which sold out in release week. The single also enjoyed much success in the Irish Independent Download Charts peaking at No.6.
Working to promote music at all levels since 2005, Kilkenny Music is run by Ken McGuire, Ross Costigan, Alan Dawson and Michael Keogh. Local photographer Ross Costigan has a wide range of images on display through KilkennyMusic.com from previous One Take Sessions nights while music fans can listen to past nights via the Sound System Podcast available on KilkennyMusic.com and through iTunes.
The One Take Sessions takes place Thursday, March 12th in Cleere’s Theatre in Kilkenny and admission is free. First act 9:30pm sharp. For more details and information on upcoming nights, keep your eyes here on OneTakeSessions.com and via KilkennyMusic.com.
Issues outstanding with the online booking form have been resolved and we’re now taking bookings for July 16th through to December 2009.
Click here to book a slot.
There’s no room at the inn – at least until July.
Books are coming fast and furious for the One Take Sessions and the inbox has been a little clogged with requests for performance space up to June. While we’d love to fit everyone in, it’s simply not possible. If we haven’t gotten back to you yet, do feel free to pester us but there are no more slots available between March 12th and June 25th, the next available slot (at time of writing) is Thursday July 16th.
We’re also updating the booking form at the minute, had been flagged to a problem in relation to submitting bookings from certain people. You can also email booking requests to sessions@kilkennymusic.com but the available dates will be show on the booking form itself.
We’re almost set to launch the new One Take Sessions site and as we do, now is also a good time to tell you that you can now book online for the 2009 One Take Sessions.
We’ve been taking bookings over the phone / via email to sessions@kilkennymusic.com for the past few weeks which has resulted in the first three shows of the year filling up quickly, along with a selection of acts spread further throughout the year including and right up to November.
Hit the ‘Book A Slot‘ link in the top menu to get started and we’ll get back to you via email before confirming availability.
The 2008 series of the One Take Sessions came to a close last night in Cleere’s Theatre in Kilkenny with Joey Ryan, Bonnefires and Ken McGuire (filling in for Siobhan O’Donnell) taking to the stage. Highlights will be available on the Sound System Podcast next week with video clips available soon on YouTube.
To those who have stepped on the One Take stage throughout the year, and those who have taken in a gig or two (or all, as is the case with some people) we thank you for your support during 2008.
We’re taking a break over the winter period, returning in full swing on Thursday March 12th 2009. To book your date for 2009 at the moment, you can email sessions@kilkennymusic.com. The online booking form for 2009 will be active from next week onwards. Dates are currently available by visiting the Kilkenny Music MySpace or by clicking here.
The final One Take Sessions of the 2008 series, the 29th night in all, takes place this coming Thursday night in Cleere’s Theatre in Kilkenny. Forget the fact that it’s cold outside. Forget the fact that it’s heading into winter. Forget the fact that there’s a recession of some sort taking place (really, I don’t think there is but don’t take my word for it).
You can’t get any cheaper than free music and that’s what you’ll find at the One Take Sessions. Every third Thursday night at 9:30pm we present to you a selection of some of Ireland’s finest up-and-coming and established artists and bands, this Thursday being no different.
Guests on the bill include Joey Ryan (Wexford), Siobhan O’Donnell (Sligo), Bonnefires (Dublin) and more.
Check KilkennyMusic.com this week for details and again here on OneTakeSessions.com
The One Take Sessions return in 2009 on March 12th for the start of a brand new series.
The 29th One Take Sessions due to take place tomorrow night in Kilkenny (Friday November 14th) have been postponed – we’re sorry.
While it would have been interesting for us to test the night on a Friday, we will be back for the final One Take Sessions of the year this coming December 4th.
For those of you who were looking forward to seeing Shane Barry & The Distractions in action, all is not lost as you’ll be able to catch the band live in Ryan’s on Friary Street on Saturday November 28th. Bonnefires, who was also on the bill and a former guest of the One Take Sessions will now feature on the December 4th bill.
Jimmy Trigger, who was part of tomorrow night’s lineup can be seen in full blown action as Itchy Trigger Finger return to Cleere’s on December 6th for their first Cleere’s gig in a long time.
Finally, Teratoria, who were the final act on the bill, announced earlier in the week that the band are going their separate ways.
It’s all action in Kilkenny!
So, we apologise for having to postpone Friday’s gig but hope to see you in Cleere’s this Saturday for Halves, House Of Cosy Cushions, Katie Kim & Beef Supreme, our first gig in association with Problems At The Pancake House.
Chayka, Ginosko and Little Black Wren are the guests for this week’s One Take Sessions at Cleere’s Theatre with KilkennyMusic.com. The popular music series has just three nights left to run this year, starting with this coming Bank Holiday weekend.
Hailing from Kildare, six-piece act Chayka are newcomers to the One Take Sessions. Having appeared earlier this summer on the award-winning Balcony TV, the band comprising of guitarists Ric Panza and Sean De Burca, Ken Richmod (bass), Orlaith Gilcreest (Vocals, Sax), Stevie Byrne (vocals) and drummer Jonny Kelly, bring their soulful indie-rock armoury of music to the One Take stage.
The band currently have two singles on offer, ‘Carrying On’ and ‘Top Of Your Stairs’, both available for download via DownloadMusic.ie. The band’s name, CHAYKA, is of Russian origin, named after a Russian radio navigation system. Translated into English it means ‘Seagull’.
Christopher Ryman a.k.a. Ginosko, made a huge impression at the One Take Sessions back at the start of this year’s series with a haunting collection of piano-driven compositions. While the four-piece Ginosko hail from Dublin, Ryman made his way to Kilkenny as a solo performer under the Ginosko banner and will repeat the same this week. Comparable to the sounds of Thom Yorke’s (Radiohead) solo works, Ryman’s piano style brings a fresh dynamic to the usual acoustic guitar-based performances seen at the ‘Sessions this year. The band are currently in the process of piecing together their new website, Ginosko.tv, for later this year.
No stranger to the Kilkenny music scene, Little Black Wren also makes her One Take Sessions debut this coming Thursday night.
Formerly singer and songwriter of Muse Motel, Little Black Wren (aka Kairen Waloch) began song writing in 1999 and took to the stage for the first time at The Music Club in Kilkenny’s Cleere’s Theatre two years later. Her first support gig was a solo slot with Mundy in that first year. When Muse Motel formed in late 2001 (with Kevin Bruce, Gabby Cullen and Hugh Kavanagh), as well as their own headline gigs the band played supports for Paddy Casey, Turn, Ten Speed Racer and Clayhill plus a festival opener for the Pretenders and Shania Twain at the 2003 Source.
Kairen continued playing solo support gigs along the way for the likes of The Devlins, Joseph Arthur, The 4 of Us, Ezio, The Thrills and David Kitt, with appearances on TG4’s Pop 4. More recently however she can be found on the newly released ‘Songs For Susie’, a compilation of tracks from well known Kilkenny acts including Engine Alley, Kerbdog and Myp Et Jeep. The Little Black Wren track ‘Song For Susie’, written especially for the CD can be found on the album, currently available at Rollercoaster Records and Khan’s Books in Kilkenny.
Thursday night’s One Takes’ mark the first part of a double-header for KilkennyMusic.com in Cleere’s this weekend as The Lions Mane take to the stage on Friday night.
Organisers would also like highlight a change of date for the next One Take Sessions, the second-last of the current series. Previously advertised as taking place on Thursday November 13th, the night has been moved to Friday November 14th and will also feature another debut from local act and recent Battle Of The Bands finalists, Teratoria.
As always, the first act takes to the stage this Thursday night at 9:30pm with admission free.
For more information on the One Take Sessions, visit OneTakeSessions.com where bookings for 2009 are opening shortly.
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.