Declan delights the Glad Cafe set

Musician Declan Sinnott was in town as a highlight of the St Patrick’s Festival on the Southside. But the Wexford man should return for the Comedy Festival as his banter at Glad Cafe delighted the capacity audience.

However, it was his music they’d come to hear and after more than two hours of continuous song with Vickie Keating’s voice being a natural complement, the audience was reluctant to let him go. Only the strict closing hours of the Glad Cafe brought a fine night to an end.

Known for his work as producer, guitarist and musical director for Ireland’s world-renowned Mary Black,Declan has recently gone solo.

As he explained it, he was so nervous singing solo, he decided he needed someone else with him. Which is where Vickie came in.

The emotions covered by the songs cover most human conditions. He modestly suggested that since he’s 62 and can sing ‘Blood is Rushing Through These Veins,’ there is hope for any men of his vintage to experience the same joy. It isn’t only that he sings it, he wrote it with Owen O’Brien and one can only imagine, he’s experienced the feelings it reveals.

Most of the songs on his first album were written with Owen. Declan makes it a point of honour to talk about the songwriters. He also tells the stories of how the songs came to be made and relates the history of the surrounding events to the extent that at least one parent in the audience uses Declan to educate his children.

Declan’s first solo album is titled: I love the noise it makes. Everyone at Glad Cafe last night would rephrase that to read: I love the noise Declan makes. Singing or playing, this man is in a class of his own. Sign up for his next album now.

 

The Union to rock the Cathouse on St Valentine’s Day

St Valentine’s day is sorted for classic rock musician Luke Morley of ‘The Union’.  While he’s gigging at Glasgow’s Cathouse on Thursday 14 February, his missus will receive her bouquet of flowers. And The Union’s drummer – Dave McCluskey from Stepps in Glasgow – will actually bring his other half with him to the gig.

‘It will be a terrific night,’ said Luke from his London workbase. ‘The atmosphere at the Cathouse is fantastic. It’s small and has a lovely stage and the audience in Glasgow always make it a highlight of any tour.’ This will be the band’s only Scottish venue.

While ‘Union’ Facebook fans have a 30-50 year old profile with 60% being male, Luke knows that the appeal of the award winning band is wider. ‘Late teens, early 20s are at the front of the crowd,’ said the seasoned guitarist who was part of Thunder for 20 years till 2009. His ‘Union’ with Peter Shoulder of Winterville has produced three albums with the latest ‘The World Is Yours’ releasing on Monday 11 February 2013 through Payola Music.

Look out for the track ‘Lost to the Wind.’ It’s based on Luke’s own experiences with his grandmother who had dementia. ‘It’s really telling the story through the eyes of an elderly relative,’ said Luke, ‘so it’s pretty unusual.’

When the ten stop tour ends on Sunday 24 February in Bristol, there are plans for Japan where Luke’s music is big and well-established from previous tours and some of the regular summer festivals. There is also another Harley Davidson Childline Rocks ride through the United States. ‘It is an incredible and inspiring experience,’ said Luke who’s done two trips already. ‘We go off the beaten track and cover 250 – 300 miles a day so end up completely nackered. But it is a lovely thing to do – especially since I’m on the pick-up truck with all the photographers!’

As far as his music making is concerned Luke says: ‘It’s good to be making a living doing something I love for 30 years.’

Love is all around Luke…..

 

 

Glasgow wedding band auction one night’s music on eBay

You can buy pretty much anything on eBay these days -from soviet rocket launchers to odd socks and grilled cheese. But one band have decided to play a new tune and auction their services online.

From Monday 18 June 2012, the three piece wedding band, Surround from Glasgow, Scotland will be found among gold rings and old concert memorabilia on the popular auction site.

Bidding starts at a recession busting 99p and the successful bidder will secure the services of the band for a full evening’s entertainment including a four- hour set.

David McSweeney, guitarist and singer explained: ‘Money is tight for everyone at the moment and we wanted to try something a bit different. We thought that putting ourselves up on eBay would be a fun experiment. There’s no strings (pardon the pun) and we’re offering the same service – for a wedding or function – that we would normally charge around £1000 for. It will be interesting to see what we go for. But it will be a bit embarrassing if we don’t get any bids!’

The world’s largest online marketplace, eBay has a global customer base of 223 million. Since launching in 1999, the site has grown to become one of the most recognisable services on the internet with over 10 million live listings at any one time and 14 million users in the UK alone.

Surround have been performing around the UK for over 15 years in venues such as King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut in Glasgow and The Cavern Club in Liverpool.  The threesome are: David McSweeney on guitar/ vocals; Stephen Murray  on bass/vocals and Grant Anderson on drums. For more information on the band and a link to the eBay auction visit www.surroundweb.co.uk

The band has opened up their services to a public auction for one night only.