CD - Digipack.
Beside Trawbreaga Bay, in Co. Donegal, on the north coast of Ireland, in an old schoolhouse, with a suitcase full of hired recording gear, Oisín Leech strums gently on an acoustic guitar and watches the tide pull the water away from the ancient inlet. The thickness of Oisín’s voice soothes the room as the sound waves bounce around in the land where his ancestors still live and still wander. With a musical history that led Leech from the street punk bands of yesteryear through an ongoing stint with folk duo The Lost Brothers, he found himself for the first time working on songs to sing alone. In his mind, the songs became imagined vignette films playing behind closed, guitar eyes.
After writing nearly 40 new songs in this fashion, Leech wrote “October Sun” which would become the foundation for his debut solo record, Cold Sea. Cold Sea was produced by guitarist/songwriter Steve Gunn. Leech dreamt of making the record in Donegal, Ireland, a county significant to him because it is the home of his ancestors. Pitching this idea to Gunn sparked the first of several serendipities circling the Cold Sea sessions - Gunn had always wanted to visit Donegal to connect with his own familial roots in the region. Cold Sea is perhaps most notable for its tremendous warmth. Each song was recorded in a few takes and adorned gently with synthesizers and guitar from Gunn. Several songs feature contributions on the upright bass by Bob Dylan band stalwart Tony Garnier. M. Ward plays guitar on October Sun and there are strings by Roisín McGrory and bouzouki by the legendary Dónal Lunny throughout. It is a friendship record but even at its most collaborative, Cold Sea remains centred around the humble acoustic guitar and wool blanket vocals of Leech.
Tracklist:
1. October Sun (ft. Steve Gunn, M Ward, Tony Garnier) 03:29
2. Colour Of The Rain (ft. Steve Gunn, Tony Garnier) 03:59
3. One Hill Further (ft. Steve Gunn, Tony Garnier, Roisin McGrory)
4. Maritime Radio (ft. Steve Gunn)
5. Empire (ft. Steve Gunn)
6. Malin Gales (ft. Dónal Lunny, Tony Garnier, Roisin McGrory)
7. Cold Sea (ft. Steve Gunn)
8. Trawbreaga Bay (ft. Steve Gunn, Dónal Lunny, Tony Garnier , Roisin McGrory)
9. Daylight (ft. Steve Gunn)
Irish Live Dates (2024):
Apr 04
The Sugar Club
Dublin, Ireland
Apr 05
Taibhdhearc Theatre
Galway, Ireland
Apr 06
Regional Cultural Centre
Letterkenny, Ireland
Apr 12
Cleere's Bar & Theatre
Kilkenny, Ireland
Apr 13
Phil Grimes Bar
Waterford, Ireland
Apr 14
Coughlans
Cork, Ireland
Apr 18
Dolans
Limerick, Ireland
Apr 19
Levis Corner House
Ballydehob, Ireland
Apr 26
The Glens Centre
Manorhamilton, Ireland