snakybus
Well-Known Member
M Stevens & The Ghasts will perform live at Whelan’s Upstairs on November 17th, 2022 to celebrate the release of the debut album 'Birds'
Doors: 8.00
Admission: 10e
Special guest: Danny Carroll
Tickets: M STEVENS & THE GHASTS - Whelan's
About M Stevens & The Ghasts
M. Stevens & The Ghasts is the latest project from Popical Island co-founder Mike Stevens who has previously honed his craft across a string of Irish alt folk & indie pop bands.
Birds emerged in an unexpected fashion. After the sudden death of beloved Silver Jews songwriter David Berman, a tribute night was organised in Dublin’s Sound House with various Irish indie luminaries taking to the stage to perform, including one Mike Stevens. With an alchemy present from the off, Mike, Hugh McCabe (keys/mandolin) and guitarist Mark Jordan (Dudley Corporation) continued to collaborate, joined by bass player Ciaran Canavan (Land Lovers) and drummer Donagh O’Brien (A Ritual Sea, Sweet Jane).
Passing emails back and forth over the course of the pandemic, Birds began to take shape. Funded by the Arts Council’s Agility Award, recorded and mixed by composer/producer Stephen Shannon, the album is testament to the idiosyncratic perspective of Mike Stevens, and the musical sensitivity of the group. The addition of flute and violin adds depth to the album’s more tender moments, while The Ghasts prove they can get loud and abrasive when required. True to form, Stevens is distinctly Irish in his specificity and candour, be it “winding up in Tubercurry”, or imagining the statues of O’Connell and Parnell in conversation. Pervading the collection is a mordant wit and irresistible warmth:
Birds will be released on all major streaming platforms on Friday 28th November and limited edition CDs will be available for purchase at the launch.
M Stevens & The Ghasts
Praise for Mike Stevens
"A gloriously accomplished collection of prime indie-pop"
4/5 The Irish Times, Groom Review
“Groom have blended giddy power pop and wistful balladry to fine effect…deftly touching on personal landmarks and dropping lyrical pins on the map of Michael Stephens’ memory and imagination”
Goldenplec, Groom Review
“Each return visit to the record reveals a flourish, be it lyrical or instrumental that can’t help but make you crack a smile”.
Totally Dublin, Groom Review
About Danny Carroll
Danny Carroll is an embarrassed millennial. Hailing from, and residing in, the extortionate hellscape of Dublin, he writes idiosyncratic songs about fatigue, failure and football. Shifting between sincerity and self-deprecation, infatuation and exhaustion, his “songs encapsulate so much of what it means to be alive in Ireland at the moment; the ennui, uncertainty and the oddly humourous nature of it all” (The Thin Air).
With the band Shrug Life, Danny released two albums, supporting kindred spirits such as Jeffrey Lewis and Pavement guitarist Spiral Stairs. During the pandemic he began work on his debut solo album produced by Chris W. Ryan (New Dad, Just Mustard, Robocobra Quartet). Incorporating a wider sonic palette of classical guitar, lapsteel, and melodica, his latest songs have been likened to softer touchstones - Wilco, Jonathan Richman, and David Kitt.
Beyond his own music, Danny Carroll is co-curator of A Litany Of Failures compilation series, showcasing independent artists from across Ireland, and an award-winning documentary maker, presenting and producing RTÉ radio docs featuring Eric Bell of Thin Lizzy, The National and John Grant to name a few.
https://www.instagram.com/dannycarrollmusic/
Doors: 8.00
Admission: 10e
Special guest: Danny Carroll
Tickets: M STEVENS & THE GHASTS - Whelan's
About M Stevens & The Ghasts
M. Stevens & The Ghasts is the latest project from Popical Island co-founder Mike Stevens who has previously honed his craft across a string of Irish alt folk & indie pop bands.
Birds emerged in an unexpected fashion. After the sudden death of beloved Silver Jews songwriter David Berman, a tribute night was organised in Dublin’s Sound House with various Irish indie luminaries taking to the stage to perform, including one Mike Stevens. With an alchemy present from the off, Mike, Hugh McCabe (keys/mandolin) and guitarist Mark Jordan (Dudley Corporation) continued to collaborate, joined by bass player Ciaran Canavan (Land Lovers) and drummer Donagh O’Brien (A Ritual Sea, Sweet Jane).
Passing emails back and forth over the course of the pandemic, Birds began to take shape. Funded by the Arts Council’s Agility Award, recorded and mixed by composer/producer Stephen Shannon, the album is testament to the idiosyncratic perspective of Mike Stevens, and the musical sensitivity of the group. The addition of flute and violin adds depth to the album’s more tender moments, while The Ghasts prove they can get loud and abrasive when required. True to form, Stevens is distinctly Irish in his specificity and candour, be it “winding up in Tubercurry”, or imagining the statues of O’Connell and Parnell in conversation. Pervading the collection is a mordant wit and irresistible warmth:
Birds will be released on all major streaming platforms on Friday 28th November and limited edition CDs will be available for purchase at the launch.
M Stevens & The Ghasts
Praise for Mike Stevens
"A gloriously accomplished collection of prime indie-pop"
4/5 The Irish Times, Groom Review
“Groom have blended giddy power pop and wistful balladry to fine effect…deftly touching on personal landmarks and dropping lyrical pins on the map of Michael Stephens’ memory and imagination”
Goldenplec, Groom Review
“Each return visit to the record reveals a flourish, be it lyrical or instrumental that can’t help but make you crack a smile”.
Totally Dublin, Groom Review
About Danny Carroll
Danny Carroll is an embarrassed millennial. Hailing from, and residing in, the extortionate hellscape of Dublin, he writes idiosyncratic songs about fatigue, failure and football. Shifting between sincerity and self-deprecation, infatuation and exhaustion, his “songs encapsulate so much of what it means to be alive in Ireland at the moment; the ennui, uncertainty and the oddly humourous nature of it all” (The Thin Air).
With the band Shrug Life, Danny released two albums, supporting kindred spirits such as Jeffrey Lewis and Pavement guitarist Spiral Stairs. During the pandemic he began work on his debut solo album produced by Chris W. Ryan (New Dad, Just Mustard, Robocobra Quartet). Incorporating a wider sonic palette of classical guitar, lapsteel, and melodica, his latest songs have been likened to softer touchstones - Wilco, Jonathan Richman, and David Kitt.
Beyond his own music, Danny Carroll is co-curator of A Litany Of Failures compilation series, showcasing independent artists from across Ireland, and an award-winning documentary maker, presenting and producing RTÉ radio docs featuring Eric Bell of Thin Lizzy, The National and John Grant to name a few.
https://www.instagram.com/dannycarrollmusic/