Top Gigs at Catstrand

Many have commented on the excellence of the gigs that Catstrand are putting on in New Galloway....here are two more:

 

Jarlath Henderson & Ross Ainslie

Thursday 10 October                      7.30pm                 £10/8

Jarlath Henderson & Ross Ainslie

Fortuitously/accidentally formed at Celtic Connections 2012, following a double bill of the two frontline pipers' trio line-ups, the pair have fast become one of the most enigmatic duo’s to emerge from Scotland, these young musicians are not only vastly talented but have created a sound that is bursting with energy. 

A fusion of pipes and flutes the duo push the boundaries of what the instruments can achieve in a performance which is a vibrant mix of new and original compositions along with traditional tunes. 

Two of the fieriest talents in contemporary Celtic piping, Scotland’s Ross Ainslie and Tyrone-born Jarlath Henderson first met back in 2003 at the William Kennedy Piping Festival in Armagh After taking their time to hone and perfect their unique partnership of Scottish and Irish bagpipes, each also playing a variety of whistles, the pair exploded onto the scene with 2009’s stunning debut album, Partners in Crime. Taking a couple of years off, Radio 2 Musician of the Year Award nominee Ross performed with Salsa Celtica, The Treacherous Orchestra and Dougie Maclean whilst Jarlath became a doctor.  Now back recording and performing, a new album is due for release late summer 2013.

 “Two Stupendous young musicians”
* * * *

Mojo Magazine

The Pictish Trail

Saturday 12 October       7.30pm £10/8

Johnny Lynch, aka THE PICTISH TRAIL, is director of Lost Map Records, which he founded in 2013 after 10-years as label manager of Fence Records.  A singer-songwriter in his own right,  Johnny has released a number of LPs, mini-albums,  EPs, and singles under his Pictish moniker.  Critically acclaimed 2008 debut album,  Secret Soundz Vol. 1,  was a gloriously eclectic slice of lo-fi folk-pop that saw Pictish tour the globe.  January 2013 saw the release of its equally well-received sequel, Secret Soundz Vol. 2,  recorded up in his home caravan on the isle of Eigg.   Live, his intimate acoustic-guitar driven songs transform into foot-stomping, elegiac electro-metal rockers - courtesy of band mates (and fellow islanders), The Massacre Cave.  

“THERE’S AN EMOTIONAL PURITY TO THESE SONGS THAT’S INTOXICATING” ★★★★ UNCUT