Twenty years on since they became HamsandwicH the Kells trio are marking the milestone by releasing the first of 2 special edition EP’s. Ages, released April 28, is a 5 track EP of reworked singles from their back catalogue. Following up the success of their fourth studio album Magnify, released in 2022, the band are about to embark on a nationwide tour and have just added an Electric Picnic date to the lineup. Ages EP is out April 28, 2023.
Ages sees the band rework and strip back some of the older songs from their catalogue. Featuring acoustic versions of ‘Words’, ‘Animals’, ‘Hold Me Up’, ‘Illuminate’ and ‘Bodies’, the EP gives listeners a chance to see their favourite tracks presented in a new light. The second EP will be released next month while the third will be out later in the year. Ages was Recorded & Mixed by Darren Clarke, Mastered by Peter Montgomery and features Cello by Ailbhe McDonagh.
Speaking on the EP lead singer Niamh Farrell says: ‘We’ve been doing some of these tracks live at acoustic gigs over the years and we thought it would be a good idea to record these versions in their simplest forms. We love how it came out and we can’t to play these songs during our Trio gigs over the next few weeks!’ Founding member Podge added “We probably could have made a whole album of reworked old songs but I think picking a song that represents the band at different stages is probably a better idea. You can see where the band goes through the 20 year journey on this EP. It’s an eclectic mix which is very HamsandwicH”. Guitarist Darcy went on to say “It’s been loads of fun revisiting some of tracks and changing them around a bit so that they work as a trio. I feel like we’ve given a couple of the older tracks a new lease of life also. I think a lot of our listeners will enjoy this EP as it has a warm live feeling with a DIY charm to it.”
HamsandwicH recently announced they will be returning to Stradbally this September to play at Electric Picnic. The band have thrilled audiences at Ireland’s largest music festival on many occasions and are very excited to be bringing their new live show to Electric Picnic this year. Before that they are embarking on an acoustic tour as a trio around Ireland ahead of their full band 20th anniversary show in the Olympia on October 21, 2023.
HamsandwicH began the 20 year anniversary celebrations by releasing poignant single ‘Good Friday’ off their highly acclaimed album Magnify. The track holds lots of sentimental value for the band. Not only did they form HamsandwicH 20 years ago at a “Good Friday Party” but the track itself features the voice of their late manager Derek Nally.
Tour Dates
April 29 – Live at St. Luke’s, Cork (Trio Acoustic)
April 30 – Feile na Bealtaine, St. James’ Church, Dingle (Trio Acoustic)
May 20 – Stables, Mullingar (Trio Acoustic)
May 26 – Mike the Pies, Listowel (Trio Acoustic)
June 3 – Wildroots Festival, Sligo
July 8 – Sult Festival, Donegal
July 21-23 – Latitude Festival, Suffolk
August 6 – Indiependence, Cork
September 1-3 – Electric Picnic, Stradbally
October 21 – Olympia Theatre, Dublin
