THE VERY best of Galway’s underground, avant-folk, and left-field rock scene will gather in the Róisín Dubh on Tuesday December 22 at 8pm for the Rusted Rail Christmas Party.
On the night there will be performances from Music For Dead Birds, Phantom Dog Beneath The Moon, Paul O’Reilly, Brigid Power Rice, and Yawning Chasm - all are signed to the Galway based independent label Rusted Rail.
Rusted Rail, run by Galwegian Keith Wallace, prides itself on its physical releases - 3” CDs housed in handmade, gatefold sleeves - by artists whose commitment to music and creativity override any concerns for profit and mainstream acceptance.
Music For Dead Birds are Jimmy Monaghan (guitar/vocals ) and Donal Walsh (drums ). Over the last two years, Jimmy has shown himself to be a highly talented songwriter of great potential. His music mixes the rawness and energy of alternative-rock with the gentleness and melodic nature of 1960s folk-pop.
His songs are brief and his lyrics concise. Yet through that brevity Jimmy communicates sharp character studies, humorous stories, rage and confusion, or attitudes from a streetwise young man to a heart on sleeve romantic. The duo released the mini-album And Then It Rained For Seven Days in April on Rusted Rail.
The Christmas party will also see a rare full band appearance by the haunting chamber-folk-rockers Phantom Dog Beneath The Moon (Aaron Hurley, Scott McLaughlin, and Barry Hurley ) in anticipation of their debut CD release The Trees, The Sea In A Lunar Stream in 2010 on Rusted Rail.
In his spare time, Paul O’Reilly is an avid, nay, obsessive fan of heavy metal, who adores Metallica and Slaye. His own music though could not be more different - gentle folk numbers played delicately on acoustic guitar, accompanied by almost whispered vocals. Some of Paul’s very pleasing songs will be featured on an EP for Rusted Rail in the New Year.
An artist and songwriter, Brigid Power Ryce is Rusted Rail’s newest discovery. Hear her earthy folk-blues stylings on the night and prepare yourself for her EP You Are Here which the label will be releasing in February.
Singer-songwriter Yawning Chasm (Aaron M Coyne ) released the very fine EP The Shadow Is That Hidden on Rusted Rail in the autumn. His style is centred around his ruminative voice and lyrics, accompanied by tenor guitar, and includes elements of psychedelia, folk-rock, and maybe a little goth.
Doors are at 8.30pm and admission is €5.
