Captain Kennedy

Fiddle Dee-Dee

2011-08-22T23:10:00.003+01:00

The whole of Captain Kennedy would like to wish our fiddle player of numerous years, Laura Kerr, all the best as she heads for Qatar!

I've lost count of how many shows we have played together but probably one of my favourites was the most recent gig as part of the Forfey Festival on the outskirts of Enniskillen.

Have a great time over there Laura and we will all see you soon enough!

PS. Check out Roll Ramona to hear some of the great sounding fiddle...

Grip n' Grin

2011-06-23T11:42:00.012+01:00

Here's some of the band photographs we had taken recently!

We're heading to the SeaSessions (www.seasessions.com) this Saturday in Donegal to play one of our biggest shows to date! Rehearsals have been going well so expect something special!

Catching up is hard to do

2011-05-06T21:11:00.005+01:00

I was going to give a huge run down of all the things we did for the release of the album, but I'm just not in the mood for reminiscing.

The next chapter's coming up, we've been working on demo's, and it is work! You ever tried picking what you think will be the best 4 or 5 songs out of 25 or 30 for a short album?

It's been a good laugh though. I recently got a beat-up recording device and threw together a makeshift studio that we've all been using to put down a few songs that we can work on as a band and bring to the studio with us for the next recording. There have been a couple of strange remixes that Mo has came up with too.

A few friends are in the middle of recording a video for some of the album tracks and we had a bit of a "photoshoot" the other night. I use that term loosely. I'll get my hands on the evidence and put them up.

So we've been busy in between doing all the album promotion stuff.

I just got word today that we will be playing at SeaSessions this year in Donegal. Never mind the dreaded Oxegen stealers, this is where a real festival actually happens.

So anyway, if you do want to reminisce, check out the picture of Ciaran & me when we played the Open House Festival a year or two ago.

For now,

Stephen McGurk

Debut Album Release Date Confirmed!

2010-09-13T21:32:00.002+01:00

Captain Kennedy officially release their eagerly anticipated debut album “See You When I See You” on Monday 11^th October 2010. The album, produced, recorded and mixed by well renowned producer Mudd Wallace (Therapy?, Andy White, Pat McManus) and mastered by Jon Astley at Close to the Edge (Led Zeppelin, The Who, Ash), sees the band play on their strengths, namely the ability to deliver a catchy, melodic tune whilst maintaining their edgy, raw sound, an enduring feature of Captain Kennedy’s live shows. The album cover also features original artwork by designer/artist Dermy McConaghy www.manchini.co.uk

The band released two singles from the album earlier this year, “Stretch That Penny / Sweetest Friend”, and “No Friend of Mine”, with both receiving widespread airplay and press attention.

The official album launch is scheduled for 11^th October at Auntie Annies, Belfast with support coming from a number of the country’s finest acts including La Faro front-man Jonny Black, Americana artist Junior Johnson and Special Guests. A number of other gigs have been lined up across the country including Derry, Dublin, Cavan and Lurgan. Full details are available at www.captainkennedy.co.uk

BBC Introducing Acoustic Tent

2010-07-28T20:18:00.002+01:00

At the recent Glasgowbury Festival a few members of Captain Kennedy took time out to record a couple of acoustic tracks for BBC Radio One Introducing and BBC Radio Ulster's ATL. You can see the results HERE

Harp Ice Cold Big Gig

2010-07-28T20:15:00.002+01:00

As the Glasgowbury hangover's are well and truly out of the system we'll be playing the Harp Ice Cold Big Gig in association with The Big List NI on Friday 3oth July in Belfast's Spring & Airbrake alongside Cara Cowan and Leeward Side. Hope you can make it down!

Glasgowbury 2010

2010-05-25T21:48:00.002+01:00

Captain Kennedy will play this year's Glasgowbury Festival on 24th July! For further details on how to buy tickets, camping and line-up, please click HERE

No Friend of Mine

2010-05-15T15:02:00.001+01:00

The new single "No Friend of Mine is now available over at our BandCamp website. ALL proceeds will go to the Brian Kerr Wish Fund. Please visit the BandCamp site for more details!!

<a href="http://captainkennedy.bandcamp.com/track/no-friend-of-mine">No Friend of Mine by Captain Kennedy</a>

Hot Press Review

2010-04-06T17:13:00.002+01:00

Vol 34 Issue 06

"On April 5, seven-piece whiskey soaked troubadours Captain Kennedy release their new double A-Side single ‘Scratch That Penny’/’Sweetest Friend’ via all major download sites as a pre-cursor to their hugely anticipated debut record which comes out in the summer. Last month Hot Press became the first ones to hear the single besides the band (yes, get us) and both tracks really are songs to fall in love to and ‘Sweetest Friend’ in particular has greatness stamped all over it, so make sure you (virtually) pick it up. For more information on the Lurgan lads and lass, check out www.myspace.com/captainkennedy."

New Single out TODAY!

2010-04-03T23:07:00.005+01:00

Just a reminder that our new double A-Side single will be available to purchase from iTunes, Amazon and other online retailers from today!!! (Monday 5th April) Keep an ear out on Radio Ulster on tonight for an acoustic session with ATL to coincide with the release. 94.5 on your FM dial or online at http://www.bbc.co.uk/atl

The single can be downloaded from iTunes. Just click the link and enjoy!!

Giggity Giggity

2010-03-21T21:48:00.002Z

We have announced a whole plethora of live shows for your pleasure including venues in Dublin, Belfast, Lurgan, Ards and a few others. Full details can be found on our Breaking Tunes site. Click HERE for more details...

Some kind words....

2010-03-09T22:23:00.003Z

.....from those lovely folk over at themusicbox blog........."if you prefer your folkies with a little less glitter and a little more beard then have no fear – Armagh men Captain Kennedy play the kind of deliciously warm, woodsmoked blues that mark them out as the Irish equivalent of Mumford & Sons – and true, be-whiskered frontman Ciaran Lavery’s bluesy howl and heartbroken sincerity means he bears more than a passing resemblance to Marcus Mumford, although Captain Kennedy serve their grimy Americana with a twist of gin – their sound is far more enthralled to Old Crow Medicine Show’s dirty ‘hey y’alls!’ than Marcus’s scrubbed-up take on folk. A band of true authentics......"

ReverbNation

2010-03-09T22:18:00.002Z

Captain Kennedy are now on ReverbNation. Head on over and say hello and listen to the tunes. Click HERE for more details.

Breaking Tunes

2010-03-02T23:08:00.003Z

We are now on Breaking Tunes! Head on over HERE and get a listen to the new single.

New Single on Myspace!

2010-03-01T22:58:00.002Z

Following the exclusive play of our new single on Stuart Bailie's show on BBC Radio Ulster, we have now added the double A-Side of Stretch That Penny / Sweetest Friend to our myspace. The single will be available to purchase on iTunes, Amazon etc. from 5th April.

Just go here: http://www.myspace.com/captainkennedy

New Single First Airplay Exclusive

2010-02-24T20:19:00.003Z

Captain Kennedy will step into the BBC Radio Ulster studio on Monday evening as guests on the Stuart Bailie show, where the first exclusive play of their Double A-Side Single 'Stretch That Penny/Sweetest Friend' from the forthcoming album 'See You When I See You' will be aired. The boys will be stopping by for a chat so be sure to listen in on the Stuart Bailie show BBC Ulster 94.5fm from 10pm-12 midnight, 1st March 2010.

2010-02-20T21:52:00.003Z

Ahead of their debut album hitting the shops in early summer 2010, Captain Kennedy will be releasing a download only, double A-side of Stretch That Penny / Sweetest Friend. The single will be available for download from iTunes, Amazon and other online retailers from 5th April 2010.

Stretch That Penny, powered by fiddle and gin-soaked piano, has already been featured as part of the BBC’s Raw Money campaign, providing sound advice for hard times.

Sweetest Friend, often regarded as the band’s signature tune and a firm favourite with Captain Kennedy fans, has been given a new lease of life with this release. Often described as a heartfelt and poignant ballad, Ciaran Lavery’s gravel infused vocals ensure the song keeps its rawness and spontaneity.

Keep an eye out on the site for upcoming gigs....

Album Update

2010-01-04T14:44:00.003Z

Hey everyone. The debut album, as yet untitled, is nearly all finished up. Just a few bits of mixing and then it'll be getting mastered. Keep an eye out on the page for details of gigs and other bits and pieces we'll be doing to promote the album. So, just to keep you interested, here's the final tracklist:

1. Bring it all Home

2. Stretch That Penny

3. Sweetest Friend

4. Factory Whistle Call

5. Hard Time Wakin

6.No Friend of Mine

7. Roll Ramona

8. Burn it Down

9. Suppertime

10. After the Crowd Have Gone

Keep checking the site for more updates!!

In the Studio

2009-11-26T18:13:00.001Z

We are currently in the studio with Mudd Wallace recording our debut album, due out early next year. Keep an eye out on the site for further details!

BBC Raw Money Gig Footage

2009-11-13T18:24:00.003Z

Hey y'all. Had a great gig on Friday night for BBC Across the Line. You can view the whole gig online HERE. We played an acoustic version of "Stretch That Penny", a song from our forthcoming album. (We are on at about 1hr 15 mins in if you want to skip!)

BBC Raw Money Gig Sold-Out!

2009-11-04T19:15:00.003Z

Our gig for the BBC on Friday night alongside Foy Vance, Cat Malojian, Swanee River etc. is now officially sold-out. However, we have 2 free guestlist passes available. All you have to do is email captainkennedyinfo@hotmail.co.uk with your name. We will pick a random winner tomorrow at lunchtime.

Don't worry if you aren't able to make the gig as it will be streamed live on the BBC Radio Ulster ATL site on Friday night from 8.30pm. Hope you can tune in!

2009-10-28T19:16:00.001Z

We're heading up to the North Coast Folk Festival for a headline gig at the Anchor Complex in Portstewart. Doors open at 10pm and it will be free admission! Hope you can make it!

2009-10-19T19:52:00.006+01:00

We are pleased to announce that we will be performing a very special acoustic song for BBC Radio Ulster's ATL programme on Friday 6th November at the Oh Yeah Centre. The gig is being announced on BBC Radio Ulster tonight (Monday) but for further details including how to purchase tickets, just go HERE.

Open House Festival Review

2009-10-09T18:10:00.003+01:00

A nice little review of our gig with Alela Diane appeared HERE recently......here's a quick extract......

"The first act are local band Captain Kennedy, whose blues-tinged folk music has made them somewhat prominent on the local folk scene. They trip casually onto the stage, each member brandishing an instrument and grinning sheepishly out into the crowd. The lead singer, Ciaran Lavery, sports a jaunty trilby, and ominously begins the set by apologising profusely. ‘Sorry, we won’t be long…’

They needn’t have; Captain Kennedy provided a rollicking start to the evening; their grimy brand of Americana – seamlessly combining indie-rock leanings with rootsy, traditional flourishes – is deceptively intelligent, and above all, immense good fun.

The band’s greatest weapon is Ciaran’s remarkable voice – Lavery is blessed with a throaty, bluesy howl, reminiscent of such folk troubadours as Marcus Mumford or The Tallest Man on Earth. The band tore through a foot-stompingly good set, each song intensifying to a strings-topped, rip-roaring crescendo. The bravado onstage sweetly clashed with the band’s between-song banter; they shyly thanked the crowd, and promised brevity (much to the crowd’s dismay)."

After the crowd have gone.....

2009-10-03T13:06:00.002+01:00

Photo by Gareth Stewart Photography

Open House Festival

2009-09-26T16:40:00.004+01:00

Just a little update after our first performance at this years Open House festival. We had a great time playing alongside Alela Diane and seeing the likes of William Elliott Whitmore juggling lemons in the hotel afterwards! There's a review of our performance and a few more photos over at Gigging NI courtesy of Clair McAllister Photography.

Open House Festival

2009-09-08T22:46:00.005+01:00

Tickets for our gig with the fantastic Alela Diane are selling thick and fast. They are available HERE. Alela Diane has also just been confirmed to appear on Jools Holland the week before we share the stage with her at the Open House. Nice.

Last Waltz Revisited

2009-08-31T18:57:00.003+01:00

Here's a little preview of our recent gig at the Last Waltz Revisited. Hope you enjoy! Copies of the dvd are available by contacting adriancooketheactor@hotmail.co.uk

Recent gig

2009-08-30T19:55:00.003+01:00

Here's a pic from a recent headline slot at the Magheralin music Festival.

Last Waltz Revisited DVD Screening

2009-08-14T09:55:00.003+01:00

As part of the Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival we took part in "The Last Waltz Revisited".

It was a chance to re-imagine one of the greatest rock ﬁlms ever. The Last Waltz‚ was a farewell concert from The Band, recorded on Thanksgiving Day, 1976. The event was a checklist of roots, rock and Americana, including Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Van Morrison, Emmylou Harris, Muddy Waters, Ringo Starr, Ronnie Wood and Dr John.

It marked the demise of the original Band line-up, an emotional goodbye after 16 years on the road. Songs like The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down, The Weight‚ and It Makes No Difference‚ still resonate across popular music.

On the night, we played alongside some brilliant artists including Jackson Cage, Katie Richardson, Ten Gallon Hat, John Shelley and the Creatures and the BBCs Gerry Anderson.

Luckily, the whole event was captured on video! So this will be the first screening of the show. You can also get your hands on a copy of the dvd! The show will be held at the Oh Yeah Centre on Monday 24th August at 8pm. Admission is free.

BBC 2 gig photo

2009-08-13T18:52:00.002+01:00

O'Hanlons 5 (Medium)
Originally uploaded by gallan04

Photograph from our recent appearance on BBC 2. Click on the photgraph for more!

Captain Kennedy

2009-08-13T18:48:00.003+01:00

Captain Kennedy
Originally uploaded by damian mc cann

Recent photo from the Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival. Click on the photo for more gig photographs.......

Wikifudia

2009-08-13T18:13:00.003+01:00

Hey everyone. We're now listed on Wikifudia, a great resource for Irish bands.

Ards Guitar Festival

2009-08-08T14:22:00.004+01:00

The line-up for this year's Ards Guitar Festival has been announced. Head on over to the Festival Myspace for full details. We'll be playing alongside our buddies John Shelly and the Creatures (see pic) at the Ivy Bar on Friday 2nd October.

Captain Kennedy

2009-08-08T01:01:00.003+01:00

Captain Kennedy
Originally uploaded by damian mc cann

Recent gig photo from "Out To Lunch" at the Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival.

Press

2009-08-08T00:37:00.003+01:00

Here's a nice little review from Stuart Bailie, BBC Radio and former assistant editor of NME:

"If I had to pick a new voice to trust in unreliable times it would be Ciaran Lavery. He's the compelling noise at the front of Captain Kennedy, a band from Lurgan that used to be rather good but are now dangerously close to greatness. He's got a deal of hurt and empathy in his singing. You feel like you know the source of his woe and that with a mutual twist, he can voice your own particular brand of pain.

He does this with hardly any fuss, so you find yourself listening ever harder, picking out the little gems of phrasing, the hesitations, and even the slivers of joy. And to their credit Captain Kennedy never crowd the tunes with their fiddles, their keyboards and the other voices. If you want to check out the online clips, you'll see a band on a series of tiny stages, locking into their roots-rock groove, clearly hip to the sources of Americana, but never forcing the connection.

There's a fine EP out there called 'Factory Whistle Call' that sums up the early potential. On the song 'Bring That Light' Ciaran is hailing an old girl friend who's got a baby and is seemingly at odds with the world. The song is a reassuring hug, a belief that chances will improve and that destiny is up for debate.

Ciaran and Chris played live on my Radio Ulster show a few weeks ago, and while I was expecting something sweet, they made things a little harder on themselves by playing a couple of new songs. I was properly moved.

The final request was that they should bring in a record that meant something to themselves. And so Ciaran fetched up 'It Makes No Difference' by The Band, a song that dips into the very essence of heartbreak. He spoke eloquently about the artists, and in particular the singing of Rick Danko and Richard Manuel, two lamented, lost souls who could make the walls cry. That's something to want to live up to."

Youtube Videos

2009-08-07T15:31:00.004+01:00

We have a number of Videos up on our Youtube Channel for your viewing pleasure! Just click HERE to find live videos and some other random stuff.

Open House Festival

2009-08-07T01:36:00.004+01:00

We are delighted to announce that we will be playing two gigs at this year's prestigious Open House Festival. For further details and to purchase tickets, please visit Open House Festival.

We are supporting the fantastic Alela Diane on the 24th September and will be headlining the Ryan Adams Tribute Night on the 26th September. Both gigs will be taking place in the 2nd Marquee at Custom House Square, Belfast.

Captain Kennedy

2009-08-07T00:16:00.000+01:00

Captain Kennedy, a 7-piece folk rock band from Northern Ireland, are earthy, their music visceral. The past couple of years have seen the band establish their position on the Irish music scene with gigs in high profile venues across the country, including a sold-out Mandela Hall, support slots for the likes of ‘The Broken Family Band’ and appearances at the Out To Lunch Arts Festival, The Botanic Arts Festival, The Bacchanal Festival, The Belfast Film Festival, The Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival, Belfest, The Gasyard Feile, Vibefest 2008 and Gifted at The Empire have helped develop Captain Kennedy’s reputation as an unmissable live act.

The band have received regular airplay on local and national radio including BBC Radio 1, BBC Radio Ulster and Cool FM and have become fan favourites on internet radio stations. They appeared on BBC 2’s Blas Ceoil programme in March 2009 and have also made a number of appearances on Irish TV station TG4.

With a number of high profile gigs coming up including two slots at the Open House Festival and slots at the Ards Guitar Festival and the North Coast Folk Festival, expect to see a lot more from Captain Kennedy in 2009.

The band released their second 4-track EP Factory Whistle Call through Vinnie Lovelace Records. “Factory Whistle Call”, recorded at the Start Together Studios at Belfast’s new Oh Yeah Centre, is not smooth, controlled, or delivered with the glossy perfection of much modern pop music. This is cracked, rootsy material. Their harmonies are sometimes crooked, and singer Ciaran Lavery’s voice can get gravelly to the point of death-rattle. The EP, which has already received airplay national and local radio, captures the true spirit of Captain Kennedy’s live sound.