WINDINGS, THE Ambience Affair, and We Cut Corners, will play Strange Brew at the Róisín Dubh on Thursday January 13 at 9pm as part of The Certain Three 2011 Tour.
Headlining on the night is Windings, led by Steven Ryan. Steven was originally one half of Limerick’s ferocious hardcore duo Giveamanakick, but since 2005 he has run a solo project called Windings, featuring just him, his guitar, and an array of effects pedals. It also allowed Steven to express his more singer-songwriter and classic rock leanings.
Steven released a self-titled debut album on Out On A Limb Records and it received positive reviews and an invitation to perform at Electric Picnic. Three years later, long time collaborator and friend Liam Marley joined in and Windings began to develop as a band.
When Giveamanakick called it a day in 2009, Steven lost no time in expanding Windings into a five member line-up with Aaron Mulhall (drums ) and Patrick O’Brien and Mike Gavin on guitars, bass, and keyboards.
Last year saw the release of It’s Never Night, the second Windings album, and their first as a full band. “The best Irish record in an age,” declared the Limerick Leader; “a compelling album,” said The Irish Times, while Hotpress said, “Windings sound is simple, seductive, and so pared-down that you’ll find yourself being totally bowled over.”
The Ambience Affair are Jamie Clarke (vocals/guitar ), Marc Gallagher (drums ), and for live shows, Galway’s Yvonne Ryan (bass/vocals/keys ), formerly of Disconnect 4.
Their songs are generally comprised by layering looped guitars, keyboards and vocals combined with driving rhythms. They have released two EPs and their song ‘Parting Patterns’ was used in an episode of CSI:NY.
Today FM’s Paul McLoone has praised them as “urgent, original and compelling stuff” while 2FM’s Jenny Huston has described The Ambience Affair as “haunting, urgent and beautiful songs from a band with time and talent on their side”.
When it comes to being able to name drop significant admirers, Dublin duo We Cut Corners hold quite an ace. Former Stranglers front man Hugh Cornwell has called them, “a breath of fresh air with a vitality and uniqueness that grabbed me immediately”.
We Cut Corners are school teachers John Duignan and Conall Ó Breachain. The duo self-released an EP in 2008 and as a virtually unknown act won the JD Set in 2009. Their debut album is due for release this year.
Admission is free. Gugai will be DJing afterwards.
