A CELEBRATION of the wealth of original music being performed by Clare artists is set to take place in Ennis this Friday.
Originality Clare is hosting a feast for music fans in The Sanctuary from 9pm on Friday featuring three local acts.
There is no cover charge for the gig with Ronan Summerly of Originality Clare explaining the aim of the event is to create awareness of the many talented performers of original compositions in the county.
Taking to the stage at the gig will be Clare bands Scoth, APE and Apprentices Daughter. Ronan has been playing music in the live scene for almost 30 years in various formats and he tells us he “has always seen the need for more of a boost for musicians performing original music over bands performing known songs who are more commercially viable”.
The idea for Originality Clare began over many conversations Ronan has had with musicians who write and perform original music.
“A live platform is needed for the public to get out and hear these bands and support a possible unknown act without the band having to charge an exorbitant cover charge on the door,” he adds.
Scoth consists of Clare men Evan Flaherty and Daragh Purcell and they have recently performed at The White Horse Sessions and the Doolin Folk Festival.
Ronan outlines, “Scoth are musical storytellers, who write intensely personal explorations of love, loss and grief. Their personal mythology provides a leaping point from which they attempt to make sense and meaning of the world – creating some truly universal music in the process. Their unique brand of ethereal folk combines traditional elements with lush production and other-worldy harmonies, akin to Bon Iver and Fleet Foxes.
“Their vast array of influences range from the stripped down folk of Nick Drake and early Sufjan Stevens, to the psychedelic sounds of The Beach Boys and Animal Collective. There’s a healthy respect for narrative folk to be found here, but also a willingness to experiment and embrace genre fluidity.”
APE are an original rock act formed in 2020 consisting of Andy Palfreyman, Eamon McTigue and Kerry Whitehouse. Their debut album Anti Matter is a mix of studio and live music. The live music was recorded locally in Tom Steeles, Ennis during 2022.
“They are disaffected by music scene in general and have taken on a DIY attitude seeking to create a unique yet entertaining sound, not trying to copy anybody at all.”
Apprentices Daughter, which features Ronan himself on bass, have been on the live scene in the West of Ireland for over 10 years, settling on the current and definite line up five years ago.
As well as Ronan, the band consists of Debbie Green on lead vocals and Stuart Green on guitars from Inagh, Ennis’ Louise Summerly on flute and completing the line-up Richard Thackeray from Doonbeg on drums.
The band have commenced recording new material for a future release and are looking forward to continuing to grow a live following with more appearances due in Ireland and on the festival scene in Ireland and the UK in 2023.
“The band’s influences can be described as everything from rock to Mod to Indie, they basically like anything with a good guitar sound and incorporate that into their songwriting with the USP of lead flute standing out at live performances,” says Ronan.
He is delighted to have received support in putting together this event on September 2 with no cover charge from the Community Support Scheme of Clare County Council. He also expressed appreciation to James and his team at The Sanctuary for their cooperation.
Ronan hopes for good support for Originality Clare and is aiming to organise further events with original artists following the September concert. He can be contacted by interested musicians through the Originality Clare Facebook page and will work with interested bands and musicians to get them on a stage as more frequent events are in the pipeline.