Harry Fennell, praised as one of our capital city’s most captivating singer-songwriters, has roots in the rural blues, old-time folk, and early jazz styles of Americana music. Fennell dares his audiences not to sing, dance or weep to his Cohen inspired ballads and Shakey Graves inspired sounds. Raised on a strict diet of Bob Dylan, Fennell takes the mundane and shines a light on all parts beautiful and violent, raising our appreciation for the good and bad in life. Drawing from experiences of his own and observing the world around him, he speaks candidly on the reality of being a young person in Ireland today and the hardships of love and loss.
He is set to make his debut with his release ‘Lack of Light’. Fennell has been quietly sharpening his tools and defining his voice as a regular support artist for musicians around the country. Harry Fennell is making both his debut headline and debut release on the 6th of May 2022 celebrating his single launch with a headline show in Dublin’s The Sound House.
Harry Fennell’s debut single ‘Lack of Light’ is a bold first step that is a statement of his developed style and capabilities as a songwriter. Fennell introduces his music to us with a delta blues dark folk anthem unveiling the truth and hardship of loss narrated by the self-doubt and blame that come with it. The ever-evolving structures of each stanza allow the lengthy song to seamlessly fly by, with the listener constantly discovering
Harry Fennell’s wondrous ensemble consists of some of Ireland’s most passionate musicians with Sky Atlas’ Lughaidh Armstrong Mayock and Ryan McClelland on lead guitar and drums, Bala Blake on bass and Gareth Quinn Redmond on strings and harmonium. Fennell’s delta blues Travis picking riff and Mayocks iconic fretwork relate to each other with grace and precision. We hear the bird sounds of Bala Blake opening the song which is juxtaposed with his attacking dark playing to bookend the song. Ryan McClelland’s patience as a drummer is demonstrated by his ever so gradual dynamic build, which allows for the climactic signature cymbal work at the end of the song.
This exceptional ensemble gathered in Station Studios over four blistering hot days and efficiently recorded five tracks with intervals of hooliganism in the surrounding beaches and fields. Jejune Records, Daniel De Burca was the engineer in the studio with help from Jack Kelly. De Burca went on to mix the track as it is heard now with mastering handled by Simon Francis.
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