That’s right! It’s been quiet a while since I’ve taken myself outdoors*, let alone attempted a live set, but the time has come around.
I’m a big fan of fellow Irishman Andy White and when he invited me out to join him for an evening at Egan’s Ballard Jam House, I was delighted to get on-board.
Hope you can make time on your schedule to come out too!
Egan’s Ballard Jam House
Tuesday evening, March 15th @ 7:00pm
* The grand exception, when it comes to stepping out of the house are my infrequent trips across town to Marty Riemer’s basement in West Seattle for some podcasting antics.
About Andy:
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Belfast-born and now Melbourne-based singer songwriter Andy White is currently touring to promote his new album ‘Songwriter’, released on Floating World Records in Europe and scheduled for North American release by Wildflower Records in June 2010.
‘Songwriter’ was recorded live in the studio in Vancouver, Canada, with members of Po’ Girl, the Be Good Tanyas, and Neko Case’s band. It’s either a new, rootsier musical direction for Andy, or a return to the sound of his early albums, and reflects writing collaborations he has been working on for the past few years. The band also features Andy’s long-standing tour companion, virtuoso pianist and accordion player Radoslav Lorkovic.
There are songs co-written with Allison Russell from Po’ Girl, old friend Stephen Fearing from Canadian group Blackie and the Rodeo Kings, Australian writer Sean Sennett, and one-man Scots hit factory Stuart Crichton.
Reaction to the album has been immediate and positive, with the Irish Times calling it “A recession- beating slice of (wary) optimism.”
The album was previewed by Andy’s appearance at WOMAD UK. He then hosted the songwriting strand of the WOMAD Summer School at Bath Spa University, July 27-31. Andy’s European album release tour was Oct 8-Dec 5, with North American dates starting with an official showcase at Folk Alliance, Feb 19, 2010.
Andy’s colourful career includes ten solo albums, many co-writes and collaborations, and touring with the great and good of the international music scene. Van Morrison, Sinead O’Connor, the Finn Brothers, amongst others.
Best known in his native land for songs such as ‘Street Scenes From My Heart’ and ‘Religious Persuasion’, Andy combines a pop sensibility with social commentary, once earning him the nickname ‘Belfast’s Bob Dylan’.
Andy relocated to Australia after stint alongside Tim Finn as one third of folk super trio ALT, and co-writing Olympic 400 metre gold medallist Cathy Freeman’s Sydney Olympics theme song ‘Coz I’m Free’ with Christine Anu.
He has co-written with the likes of Peter Gabriel (Peter’s latest single ‘Whole Thing’ from the ‘Big Blue Ball’ album is a co-write with Andy), Kieran Kane, Neil and Tim Finn and Angela McCluskey.
Andy has played festivals and concerts all over the world with his acoustic guitar, graced the UK’s ‘Folk Roots’ cover and is a member of the Irish HQ Music Hall of Fame, having won the prestigious Hot Press Irish Songwriter of the Year award.
Every year since my boyhood days in the backwoods of South Central Bray, I’ve committed to deteriorating slightly with the passage of time. I don’t recommend it for others, you’d be meddling with powerful temporal forces to a predictable and morbid end.
