James Vincent McMorrow
New Music this Week
Someone You Should Know
by Nick Parker
We are lucky in Boston to get so many great shows large and small, but there also those frustrating times when we are robbed of the chance to see an up-and-comer before he really takes over. A case in point is James Vicent McMorrow, who is playing a short string of dates ahead - including his SXSW debut, but won't be in Boston for the foreseeable future. If you're lucky enough to be headed to the Festival in Austin, McMorrow should definitely be on your list, particularly if you like Bon Iver or even (if I might be so bold) Jeff Buckley.
McMorrow, who has been getting a lot of attention in his native Dublin for some time now, is still just beginning his mission to steal our hearts in this country. It won't take long it seems, since places like NPRmusic have been taking up his cause in recent weeks.
Singing in a whispering tone that belies his start in hardcore bands in Ireland, McMorrow recorded his "Early in the Morning" debut album, which has been available in the US for a few weeks now (and comes out in Europe on 3/7), alone. The album is certainly as delicate as any solo project you're likely to hear, but it still has huge swells with the help of what sounds like four or five-part harmonies.
The songs are hardly simple then, even though they are at many points slight. This is no cliché of Irish folk music either – it's a sound that is both fresh and inviting. Singing often with his eyes closed I notice, McMorrow gives the impression of a very committed song-writer, and he draws listeners into his music by seeming so disarmingly innocent. I hope he will think to visit Boston soon, so that we can all be drawn to his beautiful songs.
The songs are hardly simple then, even though they are at many points slight. This is no cliché of Irish folk music either – it's a sound that is both fresh and inviting. Singing often with his eyes closed I notice, McMorrow gives the impression of a very committed song-writer, and he draws listeners into his music by seeming so disarmingly innocent. I hope he will think to visit Boston soon, so that we can all be drawn to his beautiful songs.
SxSW Dates:
Wed. 3/16 @ 3pm - KCRW's Radio Day Stage
(Convention Center - Exhibit Hall D) - Badges Required.
Thu. 3/17 @ 1am - Official “Music From Ireland” showcase
(Friends - 208 6th St)
Fri. 3/18 @ 12:30pm - The Full Irish Breakfast
(B.D. Riley’s - 204 E. 6th St.)
Fri. 3/18 @ 2:40pm - Frye Days Powered by Fontana party
(Speakeasy - 402 Congress)
Sat. 3/19 @ 2pm - Purevolume House
(504 Trinity)
TBD: Rachel Ray VIP House performance
Mar 22 – Ames, IA @ The Maintenance Shop at ISU
Mar 23 – Milwaukee, WI @ Mad Planet
Mar 24 – Madison, WI @ High Noon Saloon
Mar 25 – Minneapolis, MN @ First Avenue
Mar 26 – Chicago, IL @ Lincoln Hall
Mar 24 – Madison, WI @ High Noon Saloon
Mar 25 – Minneapolis, MN @ First Avenue
Mar 26 – Chicago, IL @ Lincoln Hall
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