Oisin Leech’s debut solo album Cold Sea has been announced today as Cerys Mathews’ Album Of The Year at BBC 6 Music.
The prestigious award adds to the album’s already growing critical acclaim. On the week of December 16th BBC 6 Music will be playing tracks from the album and looking more in depth at the Cold Sea album.
Cold Sea was released in March this year on Outside Music and Tremone Records. It was produced and recorded in Donegal by Brooklyn based musician Steve Gunn. Written and performed by Oisin Leech the album also features contributions from many luminaries including Dónal Lunny, Tony Garnier (Bob Dylan’s long time bassist) M Ward and Roisin McGrory. The album has seen over 2.9 million streams worldwide since March.
The LP has been receiving widespread positive reaction with both MOJO and Uncut including it in their Albums of 2024 this month. Earlier this year The Irish Times listed the album in their “Top Ten Irish Albums Of 2024 So Far”.
In March this year Oisin performed live in session from Maida Vale studios in London on the Cerys Matthews Show on BBC 6 Music. What followed were sold-out shows in Paris, London, Dublin, Cork and Belfast.
Leech also received positive reviews for his recent UK and Irish gigs with Ron Sexsmith joining him on Leech’s headline Union Chapel gig which ended with a standing ovation.
Of his recent Whelans gig No More Workhorse described the gig as “superb” and the album being “one of the understated gems of the year.” While KLOF stated the Whelans gig was “impeccable…” describing Oisin as “a songwriter of the highest order.”
This week Oisin is in Dingle to perform as part of Other Voices then on Sunday December 1st he plays his first hometown show at The Solstice Arts Theatre in Navan Co. Meath. A small number of seats remain for the concert this Sunday December 1st. Book HERE (https://solsticeartscentre.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/873648398)
At the Solstice Arts gig this Sunday duo Perlee will open the show, Roisin McGrory will play fiddle, Graham Heaney will play bass while Sinead Smyth who painted the album cover will also make a vey special appearance.
Later in December Oisin travels to play Barcelona and returns to gig the Christmas YULE gig at Dalymount Stadium in support of the Dublin Simon Community arranged by Siobhan Kane of Young Hearts Run Free.
Cold Sea is available on vinyl and cd at Tower Records Dublin, Freebird Records Dublin, Spindizzy Records Dublin, Rollercoaster Records Kilkenny, ODE in Navan and other selected stores. It is also available on Bandcamp. More info at www.oisinleech.com