Ken Nolan has teamed up with fellow Carlow musicians to produce his new album, On The Edge Of A New Swell. We asked Ken the BIG questions . . .
The album is a collaboration between Ken as composer and other songwriters - all Carlow-based musicians such as Gala Hutton of Azure Days and Fans of Adventure, who recently released his new book on the history of Carlow Castle.
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Adrian O'Connell, Joanne Stanley, Justin Kelly and Paul Galbally also feature on the album.
"I gave them 85% finished song and gave them the task of writing the lyrics and melody and performing the song," says Ken.
"The album was partly funded by Creative Ireland and myself and recorded completely in my home studio in Carlow. It was launched in Scraggs Alley in Carlow and the first single, Neverland, was co-written by myself and song writer and author David Donohue also from Carlow but living in Ballyavughan in Clare."
Tell us three things about yourself . . .
I've been a musician for almost 35 years and play double bass, bass, guitar and piano. This is the first time I’ve realised an album under my own name, I’ve always done other bands or artists’ work as either a band member or session musician. I had iTunes No 1 with a Christmas song in 2022 called Get Your Jingle On. It was a Motown-influenced track.
How would you describe your music?
My style of music is probably best described as folk/rock with strong emphasis on melody.
Who are your musical inspirations?
The Beatles first and foremost, The Rolling Stones, a lot of sixties music, The Band, Steely Dan, Tom Waits, Neil Young etc Jazz and Blues, like BB King, Freddie King, Bobby Bland, Americana and laterally The Staves, jazz, new grass music from artists like Sarah Jarosz and Gillian Welch and The Punch Brothers.
What was the first gig you ever went to?
There first club sized gig I went to was The Stunning in their pomp about 1990, the first very big gig was U2 ZOO TV in the RDS in 1993.
What was the first record you ever bought?
Born in the USA by Bruce Springsteen.
What’s your favourite song right now?
Good question, It’s not new but it’s a song called You Do by Aimee Mann from her 1999 album Bachelor No 2 (Or, The Last Remains of The Dodo).
Favourite lyric of all time?
"And I need you more than want you, and I want you for all time" - Wichita Lineman by Glen Campbell.
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Wichita Lineman by Glen Campbell.
Where can people find your music/more information?
From 22 January on iTunes and Spotify and all music platforms, Bandcamp very shortly. Single from the new album is released on Friday 19 January on all streaming platforms.
Alan Corr
