David Dondero

David Dondero, August 24th, Upstairs at Whelans

David DonderoHefty Horse bring American singer songwriter (but don’t let that put you off) David Dondero to Whelans on August 24th.

Hefty Horse bring American singer songwriter (but don’t let that put you off) David Dondero to Whelans on August 24th.

David Dondero is a modern-day troubadour, a minstrel, a bard, a rolling stone, a traveling wilbury — he gets around, and wherever he goes, he makes music. He’s been getting around to odd parts of America, making music — of a primarily transient, narrative, and acoustic variety, in the tradition of great American troubadours of decades past — since the early ’90s. Originally he did it with a band called Sunbrain, with whom he recorded three albums, before opting to go it alone. Since that decision, Dondero has recorded seven studio albums and one live one. In 2006, NPR’s All Songs Considered named David one of the “best living songwriters” alongside Bob Dylan, Paul McCartney and Tom Waits. Dondero has toured with such acts as Crooked Fingers, Jolie Holland, Against Me!, The Mountain Goats, David Bazan, Preston School Of Industry, Bright Eyes, Tilly and the Wall, Spoon, and Willy Mason. Dondero currently resides in Austin, TX.

Most striking about Dondero’s music is his voice — which isn’t the most tuneful, but is confident, varied, emotional, and direct, nicely suiting his musical style — and his great guitar fingerpicking, which sometimes sounds like it came straight out of the Appalachian mountains, sometimes sounds bluesy, and sometimes even sounds vaguely classical. Other stark instrumentation — lonesome accordion, harsh echoing percussion, and most of all, lots of fiddle — connects Dondero further with the American folk tradition. Some songs are rock-minded, some desolate and hushed, some are detached, some extraordinarily confessional, some are twisted, some straightforward, some are happy, and some sad. But all bear the mark of a quality songwriter who knows a thing or two about living.

[youtube url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNxtTYYTSHQ&rel=0 ]

Locals You Kiss By The Book & Biggles Flys Again are also on the bill.

[vimeo 13122998]

[youtube url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJyUqwHvFfE&rel=0 ] 

Hefty Horse Presents:
David Dondero
You Kiss By The Book
Biggles Flys Again
Tuesday August 24th
Upstairs @ Whelans, €8 

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