MICHAEL BRUNNOCK

Born in Kells, Co Meath, Brunnock played the Irish singer-songwriter circuit in Ireland as frontman for his band the "Little Palace" and "The Van Winkles" before moving to New York seven years ago. Since then he has produced two album-length CDs, a live set 'Live at the Red Lion' and his first album 'So I Do' released on Araglin records in June 2007, Having touring extensively in the States, he opened for the Frames and The Swell Season on their recent sold out American tours. Drawing influences from Neil Young's 'Harvest' era, Damien Rice, Fleetwood Mac and others, Brunnock is on the crest of a wave on the singer-songwriter scene in New York, rubbing shoulders with Irish established favorites the Frames, Paddy Casey and Mark Geary but is influenced by a wide variety of artists from Elvis to Planxty, Neil Young and Gillian Welch to Dead Can Dance and AC/DC. Lyrically he is affected by his life experience and world-view but themes vary from love and loss to the wholeness and connectedness of creation, using ballad and the occasional covert political message. Growing up in Ireland had a strong influence on his singing style. "Most nights there would be a big crowd in the kitchen in front of the big open fire. We all took a turn singing. Grandad's 'Sean nós' singing had a huge effect on me". Sean nós is a style of singing peculiar to Gaelic music; soft lilting songs with an eerie quality of unearthliness. The songs are in verse format, usually tell a story and they hold similarities with the roots of American folk music. In Ireland, Brunnock began in the thick of the singer-songwriter scene, playing gigs in Dublin's famous Internationale bar and Whelans, along with other now internationally-renown stars. And here in New York, he finds similar support from fellow Irish musicians in the Fairplay Collective, a small support network for Irish bands in the States, all working together, all supporting one another. "There is an authentic movement in music in Ireland," he said. "I've seen friends rise to ever increasing success since those days in the Internationale (and Whelans) Bar by sticking to their artistic guns and taking a DIY approach." And Brunnock is one of them. Retaining his independence and not signed to any record label, his music is authentic and searing, with an angelic voice at times and building passion at others. His beautiful clear crispness and clipped tones match exquisitely and expertly arranged melodies, driven home with truthful lyrics and a heart-filled soul.