Actor and playwright Evanne Kilgallon and her partner, singer David Keenan, have teamed up to record a seasonal song, Christmas'll Ruin Me, to raise donations for Dublin Simon Community. We asked them the BIG questions . . .
Evanne is a graduate of the Institute of the Arts Barcelona. She has worked extensively with Rex Ryan's Glassmask Theatre and is currently acting in Chris O'Dowd's series for Sky TV, Small Town Big Story, which is filming in Wicklow.
A prolific output includes two critically acclaimed albums, A Beginner's Guide to Bravery, and What Then? His other works include a published collection of poetry, Soundings of an Unnamed Bird, live album/concert film, Alchemy & Prose, and his new album Crude followed by the EP Crude Boyo.
His fourth studio album is due for release in early 2024.
Speaking about their new track, Evanne and David say, "The song deals with real life struggle that can accompany the holiday season. It explores anxiety, addiction stigma, and the pressures that come with conforming to consumerism around this time of year."
Donations raised by the single will go to Dublin Simon Community, who provide homeless, housing and treatment services to people facing the trauma and stress of homelessness in Ireland, especially vital during these winter months.
Tell us three things about yourself . . .
Evanne: I'm an actor and playwright, I have recently become obsessed with crocheting and I’m a Scorpio baby!
David Keenan: A lover of the sport of boxing, train journeys and anonymity.
How would you describe your music?
Evanne: This is the first song I’ve ever actually released so I don’t have much to go on, but I did write the lyrics for the songs on my debut play AN LÁR (which David wrote the music for) and I would describe that as mythical, existential and bilingual!
David: Personal and universal, full of soul and the seek.
Who are your musical inspirations?
Evanne: I listen to a lot of music when writing and I would say so far I’ve been heavily influenced by Tom Waits, Benjamin Clementine and Sharon Van Etten.
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David: Mavericks, people who went and go below the surface like Billie Holiday and Jinx Lennon. I’m influenced as much by literature as I am by music a la Behan and Rimbaud.
What was the first gig you ever went to?
Evanne: I think it was a Westlife gig, it’s a rite of passage for any Sligo child! The first gig I went to when I started to develop my own taste in music was Florence and the Machine.
David: Rolling Stones in Slane ’06.
What was the first record you ever bought?
Evanne: We only got a record player a few years ago and the first record played was Surrealistic Pillow by Jefferson Airplane, gifted to me by David! First CD I bought was the RENT soundtrack.
David: The La’s by The La’s.
What’s your favourite song right now?
Evanne: I Wish I Was the Moon by Neko Case.
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David: Bless the Telephone by Labi Siffre, just a perfect song.
Favourite lyric of all time?
Evanne: "And in the face of the great farce of the nuclear age, Feminism ain't about equality It's about reprieve" - Reprieve by Ani DiFranco.
David: "He not busy being born is busy dying." - It’s Alright Ma (I’m only Bleeding) by Bob Dylan.
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Evanne: Like I Used to (Acoustic Version) by Sharon Van Etten and Angel Olsen.
David: Looking Glass by The La’s.
Where can people find your music/more information?
Evanne: I’m with Frontline Actors Agency so their website or I share most creative projects on my Instagram @evannekilgallon.
David: My website, all over the interweb and in real time at a show.
Alan Corr
