ADRIAN CROWLEY is originally from Bearna and moved to Dublin in the early 1990s. For years he quietly worked away at this music, but now he stands on the cusp of great things.
Crowley was one of the country’s least well known songwriters among the public, but among musicians his talents were widely admired and much respected. Indeed in an interview with Rolling Stone, Ryan Adams named Crowley as one of his favourites.
It was not until 2007 and the release of his fourth album, Long Distance Swimmer, that he began to achieve wider notice as it was nominated for a Choice Music Prize.
Then, in 2009, after 10 years of recording, writing, and performing, Crowley finally started to receive the recognition he deserved with the release of his fifth album Season Of The Sparks.
The Irish Times called it “Crowley’s most consistently beautiful album yet” while Q said it was “like Leonard Cohen narrating a Tim Burton fairytale. A true magical mystery tour.” The album won the Choice Music Prize for best Irish album of 2009 and this led to a worldwide deal with the respected Scottish indie label Chemikal Underground, which saw the album receive a wide re-release.
Crowley’s ascent has continued unabated since then. If you have not already seen his wonderful live performances, do not miss your chance during the arts festival.
Adrian Crowley plays the Róisín Dubh on Monday July 19 at 8.30pm as part of the Galway Arts Festival. Tickets are available from the festival box office, Galway Tourist Office, Forster Street, and www.galwayartsfestival.com
