Life is full of funny coincidences. I was at a music festival recently. The Doolin Craft Beer & Roots Festival to be exact. I was enjoying listening to the blues of David Hope when I browsed the Twitter feed of the festival which featured pics of performers earlier in the day. I came across some faces I recognised. I thought I recognised those faces. Later in the evening, on my way to the bar, I actually ran into those faces. Claire and Keith, who are part of Randolf & The Crokers.
In a previous life I had worked for a certain health service here in Ireland and one summer Claire was working there too. Ireland is a very small place. You never you know who you might meet that you have worked with in a previous life that has gone on to become of a lovely folk/americana band. So I should declare an interest before writing about Randolf & The Crokers but this blog is mainly here to tell you about great americana music coming from Ireland rather that being critical of it.
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Randolf & The Crokers were formed in 2011. Made up of members Shane Storan, Clare O'Brien, Keith Kelly, Dane Staunton, Jarlath Byrne and Shay Peter. Since their formation, the band have been building up their live reputation with gigs all over the country. They won the UL Battle of The Bands in 2014. As well as that, they have been busy writing. Last year they recorded their début E.P. "Conversations Amongst The Ruins".
Released through (I think) their own Indie Limerick label (also the name of the excellent music blog that Keith runs), the E.P. features four tracks of lovely melodies, beautiful harmonies and excellent arrangements. The release of the E.P. was preceded by the release of their first single "Hangin'" last December. Kicking off with a jaunty guitar lick, the meanders reassuringly. Filled with dashes of harmonica licks with the matching harmonies of Shane and Claire blend into a enjoyable melody reminiscent of John Ritter at his prime.
The E.P. was recorded in Lakeland Studios in Athlone with mastering by Richard Dowling. On the face of it, Randolf & The Crokers are not afraid to tackle the big issues. With track titles like "History" and "Warfare", you might wonder if the songs are going to answer philosophical questions. Instead the big titles focus on the little issues. "Warfare" is the stand out track for me on this E.P. It it a different song from the rest of the E.P. Starting off with its off-kilter timing that grabs your attention from the off, the melody slowly lulls you in. The lyrics help the song in building into a stirring affecting chorus that feels like it should be the theme tune to any bad day.
"History" returns to the americana style set out by the opening "Hangin'" returning to an amiable americana rhythm that is very easy to sing along to. The E.P. concludes with the piano led "The Trace". A sombre pop-americana finish that demonstrates Claire's vocal ability. "Conversations Amongst The Ruins" is a great start for the career of Randolf & the Crokers. The band has certainly found a perfect mix of americana and folk. The harmonies are wonderful. The E.P. certainly suggests that there is something here that they will build upon.
The band plan a further single release soon. You can keep up with all that's going on with them on their Facebook page. The E.P. is available to download on iTunes. If you want to listen to the E.P in full you can stream it on their Breaking Tunes page.
In a previous life I had worked for a certain health service here in Ireland and one summer Claire was working there too. Ireland is a very small place. You never you know who you might meet that you have worked with in a previous life that has gone on to become of a lovely folk/americana band. So I should declare an interest before writing about Randolf & The Crokers but this blog is mainly here to tell you about great americana music coming from Ireland rather that being critical of it.
Released through (I think) their own Indie Limerick label (also the name of the excellent music blog that Keith runs), the E.P. features four tracks of lovely melodies, beautiful harmonies and excellent arrangements. The release of the E.P. was preceded by the release of their first single "Hangin'" last December. Kicking off with a jaunty guitar lick, the meanders reassuringly. Filled with dashes of harmonica licks with the matching harmonies of Shane and Claire blend into a enjoyable melody reminiscent of John Ritter at his prime.
The E.P. was recorded in Lakeland Studios in Athlone with mastering by Richard Dowling. On the face of it, Randolf & The Crokers are not afraid to tackle the big issues. With track titles like "History" and "Warfare", you might wonder if the songs are going to answer philosophical questions. Instead the big titles focus on the little issues. "Warfare" is the stand out track for me on this E.P. It it a different song from the rest of the E.P. Starting off with its off-kilter timing that grabs your attention from the off, the melody slowly lulls you in. The lyrics help the song in building into a stirring affecting chorus that feels like it should be the theme tune to any bad day.
"History" returns to the americana style set out by the opening "Hangin'" returning to an amiable americana rhythm that is very easy to sing along to. The E.P. concludes with the piano led "The Trace". A sombre pop-americana finish that demonstrates Claire's vocal ability. "Conversations Amongst The Ruins" is a great start for the career of Randolf & the Crokers. The band has certainly found a perfect mix of americana and folk. The harmonies are wonderful. The E.P. certainly suggests that there is something here that they will build upon.
The band plan a further single release soon. You can keep up with all that's going on with them on their Facebook page. The E.P. is available to download on iTunes. If you want to listen to the E.P in full you can stream it on their Breaking Tunes page.
