This is a gig and new band that come heavily recommended, featuring the talents of Laura Hyland, Matthew Jacobson (drums), Judith Ring (voice), and Carolyn Goodwin (woodwinds) along with James O’Sullivan. They’re playing around Ireland this month with dates in Dublin and Cork. See what you think of the clip below, quite haunting!

Wednesday 23rd July – 8.30pm – Gulpd Café, Triskel Arts Centre, Tobin St, Cork. Triskelartscentre.ie/gulpd-café

Thursday 24th July – 8pm – The Guesthouse’s Avant festival, featuring Clang Sayne, James O Sullivan and Karen Power and a delicious vegetarian meal!

The Avant 2014, The Guesthouse, 10 Chapel Street, Shandon, Cork. – theavant.wordpress.com

Friday 25th July – 8pm – The Joinery, Arbour Hill, Stoneybatter, Dublin 7. Special guests, David Lacey & Ailbhe Ni Oireachtaigh – thejoinery.org

Sunday 27th July – 7.30pm – James O Sullivan also plays an extended solo set at ‘Listen at Lilliput’ on a triple bill with Sue Rynhart & Dan Bodwell and Alex Petcu.

Formed in London in 2008 by Laura Hyland, Clang Sayne draws on a wide range of influences from sound improvisation to folksong to jazz to create ‘songscape music’, described as “exhilarating in its refusal to conform” (The Wire Magazine UK) and “showing an uncatorgorisable approach to songcraft” (Tokafi magazine DE). Since returning to Dublin in 2011, Laura reformed the group with Dublin-based musicians, Matthew Jacobson (drums), Judith Ring (voice), and Carolyn Goodwin (woodwinds).

Former guitarist with Clang Sayne from its London days, James O Sullivan rejoins the quartet here for all three concerts, as well as performing solo, and with renowned Irish musicmakers, Karen Power, David Lacey, Ailbhe Ni Oireachtaigh.

Using a combination of feedback, conventional guitar techniques, and mechanical instrumental preparations, James exploits the full sonic potential of electric guitar, amplifier and the environment in which both are placed. His interest in improvisation, recording and performance has led him to record and perform internationally, both solo, and with numerous improvised groups including Found Drowned, Syneuma, and Four Seasons Television. His debut solo album ‘feed back couple’, was released on the Forwind  label in 2011, and he has been a regular player on releases from London-based improv label, Aural Terrains since 2009. www.jamesosullivan.co.uk

Drawing her inspiration from the natural world, familiar ‘everyday sounds’ and our responses to them, Karen Power uses acoustic instruments and field recordings to blur the distinction between ‘music’ and all other sound. Her music challenges listeners’ memory of hearing and presents new contexts for familiar sounds. Recent projects include orchestral works, sonic installations, collaborations between sound and dance, image and experimental film, free improvisations and musical happenings. karenpower.ie

Dublin-based improvising musician, David Lacey uses drum set, amplified percussion/objects, cassettes and crude electronics.He plays regularly with Rob Casey, Fergus Kelly, Cian Nugent and Paul Vogel as well as the groups Chip Shop Music and Legion of Two. He is a co-founder of the label Homefront Recordings.

Ailbhe Nic Oireachtaigh is a Dublin based viola player with an interest in improvised, classical and jazz musics. She has performed across Ireland and Europe with various groups including Cian Nugent & the Cosmos and Josephine Foster and regularly collaborates with David Lacey and Anna Clifford. Since 2013 she has been curating improvised music events with other musicians at #12 Rutland Place.