Join us for an afternoon of songs, sounds and melodies indebted to history, community, spirits and storytelling. There will be an ocean of ideas with Ireland’s Choice Music Prize winner Adrian Crowley. Rachel Kitchlew music draws from the past and present to create its own future sound and lastly we dig deep into the cultural roots and rhythms of Indian Classical music with tabla player Dhanraj Persaud Pandey.
Adrian Crowley is an award-winning songwriter, singer, and composer and writer who has, in over two decades, created a deeply affecting body of work. The Dublin -based artist is noted as having a uniquely dark poetic sensibility and an arrestingly resonant voice. His songs have led him to being described as a master storyteller and the rich tapestry of his expansive recorded output is proof that he is an endlessly inspired and inspiring artist.
On the cusp of releasing his tenth studio album, Crowley is making a handful of intimate appearances this winter, to preview new material. Attempted comparisons with Adrian Crowley’s powerfully emotive, complex and contemplative songs range from Walker to Cave and Reed to Cohen but the potency of his rich baritone voice and haunting lyrical narratives, amid settings that alternate sweeping sonic majesty with ghostly starkness, is uniquely his own.
Rachel Kitchlew is a contemporary harpist and composer known for her unique approach to the harp, blending traditional playing with modern electronic techniques often with jazz influences. As a session musician, Rachel has collaborated with notable artists like Alexis Taylor (Hot Chip), Francois Kevorkian, Matthew Halsall, Jasmine Myra, SHOLTO, Robohands, MATTERS UNKNOWN, L’Eclair and Vegyn. Her contributions span live performances at venues like Glastonbury Festival, The Roundhouse, The Barbican and Jazz Cafe. Her contributions can be heard on albums, in live performances and in film soundtracks, most recently recording for ‘Toy Drum’ for the film score of ‘Timestalker’. She has performed internationally at both Montreux and Montreal Jazz Festival and has just finished touring around Europe with Robohands.
Dhanraj Persaud Pandey began his training at the age of 14 under the tutelage of Pandit Rajkumar Misra. In keeping with the lineage of his Guru, Dhanraj follows the playing style of the Jaipur and Farukkhabad gharanas of tabla. Not only is Dhanraj an accomplished tabla player but also an experienced vocalist, currently receiving training from Srimati Chandrima Misra of the Kasur-Patiala gharana. Dhanraj has performed extensively around the UK and is fast becoming a much sought after performer within the Indian classical music scene in this country.
For our second outing in ARK we once again embark on an expedition – this time with three distinct but interweaving musical voices – a marvellous mixture of musical medication, mirth and crisp winter wonder this December. Join us!