So Cow is essentially Brian Kelly who is originally from Galway but who has also spent time in South Korea where some of his early records were made. To date he has released an EP called Best Vacation Ever and in 2006 he released two albums titled These Truly are End Times and I Am Siding with My Captors.
His new self-titled album, which is only available on vinyl in a truly lovely sleeve, compiles some of So Cow’s best moments from all his releases. It pushes most of my buttons, owing more than a little to the Pastels, for example, in the same vein as Calvin Johnson, Jeffrey Lewis… but he has clearly got his own point of view.
Just recently So Cow’s album was reviewed in the very popular Pitchfork with a rating of 7.7 from columnist Mark Hogan; he stated that the Irish multi-instrumentalist has songs that will strike exactly a huge emotional chord. So Cow plays rickety guitar-pop that sounds home-made without feeling insular.
Support will come from another Galway/Mayo group, Music For Dead Birds, who have just released a mini eight track EP titled And Then It Rained For Seven Days. The group consists of two members, Jimmy Monaghan on lead vocals and Donal Walsh on drums. The west of Ireland duo initially envisioned themselves as a bedroom recording project yet soon found their way onto a stage and made the acquaintance of the record label Rusted Nail. The EP was harvested from an ever increasing sonic stockpile of song encompassing lo-fi bedroom folk, occasional folk-punk flourishes and attentively upbeat acoustic song writing.
The live alternative music continues next Saturday night August 22 at Bar Ritz (Mulroy’s Bar, Castlebar ) as Finbar Hoban Presents… So Cow with support coming from Music For Dead Birds, If you are in a group and are interested in taking part in this show please contact Finbar on 0868162198 or check out MySpace at www.myspace/finbarhobanpresents com for info and pictures of previous shows etc.
