MAKING SAND, the debut album from Aran Island singer-songwriter Padraig Jack is released tomorrow, Friday September 25, and comes ahead of two gigs in Galway.
Padraig Jack (Ó Flaithearta ) was born into a musical family from Inis Mór. His father is songwriter Barry Ronan and he is the nephew of the Irish poet and Aosdána member Mary O’Malley. A bilingual artist, his inspirations include James Taylor, Van Morrison, Shane McGowan, Sandy Denny, Jimmy McCarthy, John Spillane and Peadar Ó Riada.
Padraig’s lockdown was a lot more productive than most people could claim. He set up his own home music studio and negotiating a publishing deal with Beautiful World and Downtown Publishing, whose roster includes Joan Baez, Ray Davies and John Prine.
Making Sand was recorded in London and produced by John Reynolds (Sinéad O’Connor, Damien Dempsey, Shane McGowan ). It includes the single ‘Minnie’, which was released to excellent reviews both in Ireland and Britain, and ‘Streetbed Ridden’, from March which tackled the issue of homelessness.
The title track was inspired by Inis Mór, particularly its bronze age stone ring-forts, and ancient monasteries and churches. 'Let It Shine', the album's opening track, has also been released as a single.
Padraic Jack in concert
Padraig Jack plays a solo show, at the Róisín Dubh on Friday October 9 at 7pm. It will be seated and socially distant. Tickets are available via www.roisindubh.net and include dinner and the show.Tickets are sold per table. Government guidelines will be observed: table service only, pay by cash or card at your table; hand sanitisers will be available; face masks must be worn upon entry and exit.
Padraig will also play Joe Watty's, Cill Rónán, Inis Mór on Wednesday September 30 and support Damien Dempsey on his Irish tour. There will be an album launch stream on October 11. Tickets and viewing via www.padraigjack.com
