24 October 2023
Eighteen months since last news update, oops...
Anyway, loads of incredible things happened in the interim I'm sure but for now – very excited to be going on tour to North America again next week with Anna Mieke. I'll be with her and Ryan (and guest support Adelyn Strei) for the east coast leg before they head to the west coast to support Flyte.
Eighteen months since last news update, oops...
Anyway, loads of incredible things happened in the interim I'm sure but for now – very excited to be going on tour to North America again next week with Anna Mieke. I'll be with her and Ryan (and guest support Adelyn Strei) for the east coast leg before they head to the west coast to support Flyte.
18 January 2022
Sophomore Anna Mieke album Theatre was released in November and has been getting rave reviews, hurray! She was named Irish Times 'Best Irish Act' 2022 and has been nominated for RTE Choice Music Prize 'Irish Album of the Year'. We played a load of launch gigs around Ireland and Europe at the end of last year and next month we will be playing all over North America. Come say hi!
Sophomore Anna Mieke album Theatre was released in November and has been getting rave reviews, hurray! She was named Irish Times 'Best Irish Act' 2022 and has been nominated for RTE Choice Music Prize 'Irish Album of the Year'. We played a load of launch gigs around Ireland and Europe at the end of last year and next month we will be playing all over North America. Come say hi!
2nd August 2022
Roamer album 'Lost Bees' was released last Friday 29th July on Diatribe Records. This one was a long time coming but very happy with how it came out. It features Cherry Smyth's stunning poetry, some post-production magic from Petter Eldh (on Haiku) and playing with Lauren, Matthew and Simon is always the biggest fun.
People have been saying nice things about the album including Cormac Larkin's 5* review in the Irish Times:
"an extraordinary record in the true sense of the word, full of meaning and mystery, unafraid of risk, at times unsettling, a joyous challenge to musical orthodoxy."
A limited edition Notebook made by badly made books and featuring Cherry's poetry, Natasha Pike's artwork and a QR download of the audio is available at diatribe.ie/lost-bees and the album is also streaming and available to download at all the usual places
Roamer album 'Lost Bees' was released last Friday 29th July on Diatribe Records. This one was a long time coming but very happy with how it came out. It features Cherry Smyth's stunning poetry, some post-production magic from Petter Eldh (on Haiku) and playing with Lauren, Matthew and Simon is always the biggest fun.
People have been saying nice things about the album including Cormac Larkin's 5* review in the Irish Times:
"an extraordinary record in the true sense of the word, full of meaning and mystery, unafraid of risk, at times unsettling, a joyous challenge to musical orthodoxy."
A limited edition Notebook made by badly made books and featuring Cherry's poetry, Natasha Pike's artwork and a QR download of the audio is available at diatribe.ie/lost-bees and the album is also streaming and available to download at all the usual places
8th September 2020
So, after much deliberation, F-JoB (piano trio with Greg Felton & Cormac OBrien) have decided upon a tactical name change, giving less fuel to the smut-minded degenerates who refused to take us seriously ;) …We are delighted to announce that from today we will be known as ORIGIN STORY
AND... we are independently releasing our debut album, Good Friday on Oct 15th 2020.
You can pre-order the album on digital or CD from Bandcamp now from originstorymusic.bandcamp.com/album/good-friday
So, after much deliberation, F-JoB (piano trio with Greg Felton & Cormac OBrien) have decided upon a tactical name change, giving less fuel to the smut-minded degenerates who refused to take us seriously ;) …We are delighted to announce that from today we will be known as ORIGIN STORY
AND... we are independently releasing our debut album, Good Friday on Oct 15th 2020.
You can pre-order the album on digital or CD from Bandcamp now from originstorymusic.bandcamp.com/album/good-friday
19th May 2020
I did an interview with Ian Patterson for All About Jazz magazine and talked about teaching, playing, releasing records and lots of other stuff. It's pretty long but at least I got to namecheck a lot of friends, colleagues, teachers etc. who are important to me.
And I'm not too sure about "the Bill Frisell of the drums", but I'll certainly take it!
Thanks to Steven Cropper | transientlife for the 📸
Read the full interview here.
I did an interview with Ian Patterson for All About Jazz magazine and talked about teaching, playing, releasing records and lots of other stuff. It's pretty long but at least I got to namecheck a lot of friends, colleagues, teachers etc. who are important to me.
And I'm not too sure about "the Bill Frisell of the drums", but I'll certainly take it!
Thanks to Steven Cropper | transientlife for the 📸
Read the full interview here.
22nd January 2020
ReDiviDeR will be releasing album number 3 - 'Mere Nation' - on Diatribe Records at their stage at New Music Dublin on the 29th Feb at the National Concert Hall, Dublin, Ireland. We will be sharing the bill with UK improv trio BABs and French saxophone duo Stéphane Payen / Guillaume Orti. Hup.
Event info and tickets here.
Album image painting by Serhiy Savchenko.
ReDiviDeR will be releasing album number 3 - 'Mere Nation' - on Diatribe Records at their stage at New Music Dublin on the 29th Feb at the National Concert Hall, Dublin, Ireland. We will be sharing the bill with UK improv trio BABs and French saxophone duo Stéphane Payen / Guillaume Orti. Hup.
Event info and tickets here.
Album image painting by Serhiy Savchenko.
16th December 2019
I was delighted to sit down with Fiachra Kinder and Adam Byrne for an episode of their podcast series 'A Drummer in Dublin'. We talked about so many things that I broke the record for their longest episode so far (mine is episode 16). The lads run a really great show - totally informal and long form so guests are really able to get into some stuff! It has been really interesting listening to a bunch of the other episodes with drummers from very different backgrounds. Episodes are also available wherever you get your podcast.
I was delighted to sit down with Fiachra Kinder and Adam Byrne for an episode of their podcast series 'A Drummer in Dublin'. We talked about so many things that I broke the record for their longest episode so far (mine is episode 16). The lads run a really great show - totally informal and long form so guests are really able to get into some stuff! It has been really interesting listening to a bunch of the other episodes with drummers from very different backgrounds. Episodes are also available wherever you get your podcast.
31st August 2019
Last summer I spent a few days in New York with Irish-Australian saxophonist Daniel Rorke, Oscar Noriega (Time Berne's Snakeoil) and Simon Jermyn (Jim Black's Smash and Grab) playing tunes of Daniel's and mine. We recorded at Figure 8 Recording in Brooklyn and we think it came out nice!
'Naked Allies' is available for preorder on Orenda Records now and will be officially released on the 20th September.
Last summer I spent a few days in New York with Irish-Australian saxophonist Daniel Rorke, Oscar Noriega (Time Berne's Snakeoil) and Simon Jermyn (Jim Black's Smash and Grab) playing tunes of Daniel's and mine. We recorded at Figure 8 Recording in Brooklyn and we think it came out nice!
'Naked Allies' is available for preorder on Orenda Records now and will be officially released on the 20th September.
1st June 2019
It was a pleasure to talk to Mark Graham from the Irish Music Industry podcast series & online resource about. He has put a huge amount of work into talking to people from all over the industry and it is well worth checking out. My episode is here from 44:02 and check out the website at www.timi.ie
It was a pleasure to talk to Mark Graham from the Irish Music Industry podcast series & online resource about. He has put a huge amount of work into talking to people from all over the industry and it is well worth checking out. My episode is here from 44:02 and check out the website at www.timi.ie
1st March 2019
I wrote a 'Musician of the Month' piece for the March edition of Cassandra Voices, an online publication that "aspires to be a nexus for wide-ranging expertise". I talk about early musical experiences and influences. Available to read here.
I wrote a 'Musician of the Month' piece for the March edition of Cassandra Voices, an online publication that "aspires to be a nexus for wide-ranging expertise". I talk about early musical experiences and influences. Available to read here.
11th February 2019
My old friend Ciaran Meister kindly invited me on to his Mines Clarence radio show on Dublin Digital Radio to talk about some of my favourite records and have a chat about music in general. Take a listen here (slot starts around 26:05).
My old friend Ciaran Meister kindly invited me on to his Mines Clarence radio show on Dublin Digital Radio to talk about some of my favourite records and have a chat about music in general. Take a listen here (slot starts around 26:05).
26th January 2019
I have curated the next couple months of gigs at the Dublin Jazz Coop - an artist lead initiative, providing musicians in the Irish jazz / improvised music scene a space to play at no cost. These gigs are happening on Sunday evenings at the Vintage Room, upstairs in the Workmans Club in Dublin. I tried to focus on artists from outside of Dublin for my series and am delighted that friends from around the world have agreed to come and play.
I have curated the next couple months of gigs at the Dublin Jazz Coop - an artist lead initiative, providing musicians in the Irish jazz / improvised music scene a space to play at no cost. These gigs are happening on Sunday evenings at the Vintage Room, upstairs in the Workmans Club in Dublin. I tried to focus on artists from outside of Dublin for my series and am delighted that friends from around the world have agreed to come and play.
25th September 2016
A fairly choc-a-bloc few months coming up: extensive A E R I E tours in Ireland and Europe; various gigs with Umbra in Brussels, Paris and an extended 'SuperUmbra' project in Dublin; an Australian tour with Ronan Guilfoyle; short Irish tours with Clang Sayne and Ensemble Ériu and a couple of Christmas dates with new group Roamer. More info on dates page.
A fairly choc-a-bloc few months coming up: extensive A E R I E tours in Ireland and Europe; various gigs with Umbra in Brussels, Paris and an extended 'SuperUmbra' project in Dublin; an Australian tour with Ronan Guilfoyle; short Irish tours with Clang Sayne and Ensemble Ériu and a couple of Christmas dates with new group Roamer. More info on dates page.
21st April 2016
Wonderful film-maker and graphic designer Louise Gaffney has just finished making some lovely videos of my dlr Musician-in-Residence performances from earlier this year. Here is a cut down of the four duos (with Sam Comerford, Linda Buckley, Derek Whyte and Jenna Harris).
Wonderful film-maker and graphic designer Louise Gaffney has just finished making some lovely videos of my dlr Musician-in-Residence performances from earlier this year. Here is a cut down of the four duos (with Sam Comerford, Linda Buckley, Derek Whyte and Jenna Harris).
23rd March 2016
Had a great time at the Tyrone Guthrie Centre last week working on Ronan Guilfoyle's 'A Shy Going Boy' - a new piece using composition, improvisation and audio to explore the life and times of his Grandfather Joe Guilfoyle, who took part in the 1916 Rising and was a member of Michael Collins’ inner circle during the War of Independence. With Nick Smart on trumpet, Izumi Kimura on piano, Chris Guilfoyle on guitar and Ronan on bass. With We premiered at Triskel Christchurch in Cork on Sat 19th March and perform it again on the 30th April as part of the Bray Jazz Festival.
Had a great time at the Tyrone Guthrie Centre last week working on Ronan Guilfoyle's 'A Shy Going Boy' - a new piece using composition, improvisation and audio to explore the life and times of his Grandfather Joe Guilfoyle, who took part in the 1916 Rising and was a member of Michael Collins’ inner circle during the War of Independence. With Nick Smart on trumpet, Izumi Kimura on piano, Chris Guilfoyle on guitar and Ronan on bass. With We premiered at Triskel Christchurch in Cork on Sat 19th March and perform it again on the 30th April as part of the Bray Jazz Festival.
18th January 2016
Happy new year! End of residency performances happening on 29th and 30th January in dlr LexIcon. Booking through www.eventbrite.ie. Lovely artwork courtesy of super-talented Louise Gaffney
Happy new year! End of residency performances happening on 29th and 30th January in dlr LexIcon. Booking through www.eventbrite.ie. Lovely artwork courtesy of super-talented Louise Gaffney
28th October 2015
Very proud to be annouced as the inaugural Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown Musician in Residence from now until January 2016. This will entail developing material in duo settings with long-time collaborators and friends Jenna Harris, Derek Whyte, Linda Buckley and Sam Comerford.
Other artists announced for later residencies are Elizabeth Hilliard and Gráinne Mulvey, The Eidola Trio featuring Anita Vedres, Malachy Robinson and Eamon Sweeney and composer Sebastian Adams.
Very proud to be annouced as the inaugural Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown Musician in Residence from now until January 2016. This will entail developing material in duo settings with long-time collaborators and friends Jenna Harris, Derek Whyte, Linda Buckley and Sam Comerford.
Other artists announced for later residencies are Elizabeth Hilliard and Gráinne Mulvey, The Eidola Trio featuring Anita Vedres, Malachy Robinson and Eamon Sweeney and composer Sebastian Adams.
11th February 2015
Delighted to announce that Chris Guilfoyle's UMBRA have been selected as this year's Irish representative at 12Points Festival, taking place in Dublin's Project Arts Centre 15th - 18th April. Always a great few days with some of Europe's most creative young musicians in town.
Delighted to announce that Chris Guilfoyle's UMBRA have been selected as this year's Irish representative at 12Points Festival, taking place in Dublin's Project Arts Centre 15th - 18th April. Always a great few days with some of Europe's most creative young musicians in town.
27th January 2015
It was announced today that Enesemble Ériu have been awarded the 2015 TG4 Gradam Ceoil award for Musical Collaboration! The award ceremony will take place in the Cork Opera House on the 22nd February, after which EÉ will travel to London for a gig in the Slughtered Lamb and Paris for a gig at the Irish Cultural Centre.
It was announced today that Enesemble Ériu have been awarded the 2015 TG4 Gradam Ceoil award for Musical Collaboration! The award ceremony will take place in the Cork Opera House on the 22nd February, after which EÉ will travel to London for a gig in the Slughtered Lamb and Paris for a gig at the Irish Cultural Centre.
21st January 2015
I am now the proud owner/user of some lovely Jesse Simpson original cymbals! Jesse is an incredibly talented cymbalsmith (as well as a wonderful drummer AND pianist... ugh he makes me sick) and I am delighted with how my custom 22" ride and 18" crash/ride have turned out. Will post some pics and audio/video links soon. The purchase of these cymbals was made possible through Music Network's Capital Scheme Grant and the Irish Arts Council.
I am now the proud owner/user of some lovely Jesse Simpson original cymbals! Jesse is an incredibly talented cymbalsmith (as well as a wonderful drummer AND pianist... ugh he makes me sick) and I am delighted with how my custom 22" ride and 18" crash/ride have turned out. Will post some pics and audio/video links soon. The purchase of these cymbals was made possible through Music Network's Capital Scheme Grant and the Irish Arts Council.
16th November 2014
Heading off tomorrow to Germany, Switzerland and Belgium for a bunch of gigs and recordings with Ingo Hipp's AERIE and then Blowout Fracture. Very excited to play and hang with these great musicians and friends again!
Heading off tomorrow to Germany, Switzerland and Belgium for a bunch of gigs and recordings with Ingo Hipp's AERIE and then Blowout Fracture. Very excited to play and hang with these great musicians and friends again!
3rd October 2014
Haven't posted any news in a while after a pretty hectic summer playing with Ensemble Ériu, Laura Hyland, Francesco Turrisi among others, but have some great upcoming projects to announce. From 5th - 8th Oct I have been invited to represent Ireland at the 3rd version of Melting Pot in Wroclaw, Poland - a three-day laboratory for improvisers representing different European countries. Will also be playing at the Cork Jazz Festival at the end of the month with Enesmble Ériu and Francesco Turrisi and will be touring Switzerland, Germany & Belgium with AERIE and Blowout Fracture in November/December.
Haven't posted any news in a while after a pretty hectic summer playing with Ensemble Ériu, Laura Hyland, Francesco Turrisi among others, but have some great upcoming projects to announce. From 5th - 8th Oct I have been invited to represent Ireland at the 3rd version of Melting Pot in Wroclaw, Poland - a three-day laboratory for improvisers representing different European countries. Will also be playing at the Cork Jazz Festival at the end of the month with Enesmble Ériu and Francesco Turrisi and will be touring Switzerland, Germany & Belgium with AERIE and Blowout Fracture in November/December.
18th June 2014
Back in Ireland after an amazing nine months in NY. Was a hugely inspirational and productive time for me and I sincerely thank all who I met along the way. Looking forward to getting stuck back into things at home - check out my dates page for upcoming gigs with Luara Hyland's Clang Sayne, Ensemble Ériu, Francesco Turrisi's Taquin Experiments, a couple of sneaky festival appearances with friends from Kammerpop and a trip to London to perform with a transatlantic quartet version of Creepers!
Back in Ireland after an amazing nine months in NY. Was a hugely inspirational and productive time for me and I sincerely thank all who I met along the way. Looking forward to getting stuck back into things at home - check out my dates page for upcoming gigs with Luara Hyland's Clang Sayne, Ensemble Ériu, Francesco Turrisi's Taquin Experiments, a couple of sneaky festival appearances with friends from Kammerpop and a trip to London to perform with a transatlantic quartet version of Creepers!
15th May 2014
After a very busy but productive couple weeks in Ireland I returned to NY for two more gigs at iBeam, the first on the 5th May with Shipping & Receiving, a new quintet featuring Justin Carroll on keys, Ed Rosenberg on tenor, Jeff Hermanson on trumpet and Adam Hopkins and the second with my new trio, alongside Ralph Alessi on trumpet and Simon Jermyn on bass.
After a very busy but productive couple weeks in Ireland I returned to NY for two more gigs at iBeam, the first on the 5th May with Shipping & Receiving, a new quintet featuring Justin Carroll on keys, Ed Rosenberg on tenor, Jeff Hermanson on trumpet and Adam Hopkins and the second with my new trio, alongside Ralph Alessi on trumpet and Simon Jermyn on bass.
photos courtesy of Annika Jermyn
8th April 2014
Lots of exciting things coming up this month including a gig with piano trio JohnsoN / JermyN / JacobsoN at iBeam, Brooklyn, NY on Monday 14th April, an Irish tour with Ensemble Ériu, a Dublin performance with Francesco Turrisi's Taquin Experiments and a recording with Laura Hyland's Clang Sayne. Full details on events page :)
Lots of exciting things coming up this month including a gig with piano trio JohnsoN / JermyN / JacobsoN at iBeam, Brooklyn, NY on Monday 14th April, an Irish tour with Ensemble Ériu, a Dublin performance with Francesco Turrisi's Taquin Experiments and a recording with Laura Hyland's Clang Sayne. Full details on events page :)
8th March 2014
Another new trio project this month and again a performance at iBeam. FarJam features long-time collaborator guitarist Keisuke Matsuno and vibraphonist Patricia Franceschy. Happening on Sunday 16th March at 8.30pm, the set will see us improvise with rhythmic ditties from each of us.
Another new trio project this month and again a performance at iBeam. FarJam features long-time collaborator guitarist Keisuke Matsuno and vibraphonist Patricia Franceschy. Happening on Sunday 16th March at 8.30pm, the set will see us improvise with rhythmic ditties from each of us.
24th January 2014
I will be performing with a fun new trio project alongside two wonderful musicians that I have been working with since I arrived in NY - Christian Li on piano and Michael Sachs on alto. This will take place at iBeam - a great creative music space in Gowanus, Brooklyn - on Sunday 26th January at 8.30pm
(photos by Aimée Gray)
I will be performing with a fun new trio project alongside two wonderful musicians that I have been working with since I arrived in NY - Christian Li on piano and Michael Sachs on alto. This will take place at iBeam - a great creative music space in Gowanus, Brooklyn - on Sunday 26th January at 8.30pm
(photos by Aimée Gray)
5th December 2013
After a whirl-wind five weeks in Europe - including tours with Aerie and ReDiviDeR, performances with George Higgs' Door, launching the Ensemble Ériu album and recording a new Clang Sayne album - I am now back in NY and have my first stateside gigs this Saturday with the Jesse Simpson Trio at Garage from 6-10pm and then hosting the Cleopatra's Needle session from 12.30-3am!
After a whirl-wind five weeks in Europe - including tours with Aerie and ReDiviDeR, performances with George Higgs' Door, launching the Ensemble Ériu album and recording a new Clang Sayne album - I am now back in NY and have my first stateside gigs this Saturday with the Jesse Simpson Trio at Garage from 6-10pm and then hosting the Cleopatra's Needle session from 12.30-3am!
30th October 2013
Ensemble Ériu album is out now on Raelach Records! We will be launching at Charlie Byrne's Bookshop, Galway on the 18th November and at the Back Loft, Dublin on the 21st November. Was a lot of fun making this record and will be great to play the material again.
Ensemble Ériu album is out now on Raelach Records! We will be launching at Charlie Byrne's Bookshop, Galway on the 18th November and at the Back Loft, Dublin on the 21st November. Was a lot of fun making this record and will be great to play the material again.
7th October 2013
ReDiviDeR meets I Dig Monk, Tuned is now available through the Diatribe website!
ReDiviDeR meets I Dig Monk, Tuned is now available through the Diatribe website!
26th September 2013
Some great reviews coming in of new ReDiviDeR record. Check out four-star Marlbank review here and No More Workshorse review here. Official release date 7th October.
Some great reviews coming in of new ReDiviDeR record. Check out four-star Marlbank review here and No More Workshorse review here. Official release date 7th October.
28th August 2013
Heading down to Electric Picnic this weekend to play George Higgs' DOOR. Myself and Kate Ellis be wheeling it around the Body&Soul Area on Sunday, come find us! 1st September
Heading down to Electric Picnic this weekend to play George Higgs' DOOR. Myself and Kate Ellis be wheeling it around the Body&Soul Area on Sunday, come find us! 1st September
2nd August 2013
Looking forward to playing composer and musical instrument inventor George Higgs' DOOR with cellist Kate Ellis at the Big House Festival, Celbridge from the 3rd - 5th August 2013.
Looking forward to playing composer and musical instrument inventor George Higgs' DOOR with cellist Kate Ellis at the Big House Festival, Celbridge from the 3rd - 5th August 2013.
25th July 2013
Spending three days rehearsing followed by a performance at Smock Alley Theatre with new improvising trio MUGA (Shane Latimer - guitar/electronics, Izumi Kimura - piano, me - drums/percussion) 26th - 29th July 2013.
Spending three days rehearsing followed by a performance at Smock Alley Theatre with new improvising trio MUGA (Shane Latimer - guitar/electronics, Izumi Kimura - piano, me - drums/percussion) 26th - 29th July 2013.
12th July 2013
I was recently awarded a Fulbright Scholar Award in Performing Arts to 'explore the area between composition and improvisation' in Brooklyn, New York from September 2013 - June 2014! I will be affiliated with the School for Improvisational Music (SIM) and am incredibly excited and honoured to have this opportunity to develop my music in the most creative scene with some of the most incredible musicians in the world.
I was recently awarded a Fulbright Scholar Award in Performing Arts to 'explore the area between composition and improvisation' in Brooklyn, New York from September 2013 - June 2014! I will be affiliated with the School for Improvisational Music (SIM) and am incredibly excited and honoured to have this opportunity to develop my music in the most creative scene with some of the most incredible musicians in the world.
25th June 2013
Premiering excellent Irish composer Ian Wilson's piece, The Hours, for jazz trio and string quartet at the Cork Midsummer Festival at Triskel Christchurch, 27th June 2013.
Premiering excellent Irish composer Ian Wilson's piece, The Hours, for jazz trio and string quartet at the Cork Midsummer Festival at Triskel Christchurch, 27th June 2013.
5th March 2013
I will be performing at the EuroJazz Festival in Mexico City on 17th March 2013 in front of a crowd of 10,000 with the Matt Halpin Trio - featuring the super-talented bassist Jared Henderson.
I will be performing at the EuroJazz Festival in Mexico City on 17th March 2013 in front of a crowd of 10,000 with the Matt Halpin Trio - featuring the super-talented bassist Jared Henderson.
10th November 2012
I have been awarded a Music Network Recording Scheme grant to record a second ReDiviDeR album. This will feature four special guests from the UK performing on one tune each, which I will specifically compose for this project. To be released in Autumn 2013.
I have been awarded a Music Network Recording Scheme grant to record a second ReDiviDeR album. This will feature four special guests from the UK performing on one tune each, which I will specifically compose for this project. To be released in Autumn 2013.