JOHN GRANT, who delivered one of the most memorable Galway International Arts Festival Big Top gigs in 2015, is coming back to Galway next year, to play Lesiureland, Salthill.
Grant, who is no stranger to Galway, having played the city a number of times, since the release of his magnificent 2010 debut album, Queen Of Denmark, returns on March 30 2019, for a 'Róisín Dubh presents...' concert.
Last week saw the Iceland based Grant release his new album, Love Is Magic, via Bella Union. It expands on the electronica first introduced on 2013's Pale Green Ghosts, and plunges into that genre fully, to create his most electronic record yet. The album also sees Grant give full vent to his dark and sarcastic humour on such tracks as the disco-funk of 'He's Got His Mother's Hips' and 'Diet Gum'.
“The lyrics, of course, continue to be very important to me,” says Grant. “They’re just snapshots of everyday life where myriad moods and every sort of horrible and hilarious occurrence one can imagine mix with the pedestrian resulting in the absurdity and beauty of life.”
On a more serious note, there is ‘Touch & Go’, inspired by Chelsea Manning, the former US soldier turned WikiLeaks activist who transitioned to a woman while in prison. “I was very intrigued by her incredible story,” says Grant. “What kind of strength does it take to survive something like that while being decried as a traitor and a pervert for whom death is too good."
The album was produced by Grant and Benge (Ben Edwards ) of electronic trio Wrangler, and features bassist Paul Alexander of Midlake (who were the backing band on Queen Of Denmark. “Each record I make is more of an amalgamation of who I am,” Grant has said. “The more I do this, the more I trust myself, and the closer I get to making what I imagine in my head.”
Tickets go on sale today at 10am, and are available from www.roisindubh.net; the Ticket Desk at OMG@Zhivago, Shop Street; and The Róisín Dubh.
