Dublin-based Double Bassist, Caimin Gilmore commissioned Linda Buckley, Benedict Schlepper-Connolly, Sam Perkin and Nick Roth – four of Ireland’s most distinctive and vital youngcomposers – to write four new Double Bass works using funds from the Arts Council of Ireland, Cork City Council Arts Office, and Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council. The 4 track EP, titled ‘String Ogham Live’ is now available on all streaming platforms: https://tinyurl.com/y9dp4xzr
Caimin has extensively toured internationally as a Double Bassist. He worked as bassist and vocalist with Lisa Hannigan for her ‘At Swim’ album tour, and plays regularly with Crash Ensemble, Stargaze, the RTE Concert and Symphony Orchestra’s and Ulster Orchestra.
He has played with Damon Albarn (Blur, Gorillaz), Zach Condon (Beirut), Squarepusher, The Staves, Justin Vernon (Bon Iver), Aaron and Bryce Dessner (The National), Greg Saunier (Deerhoof), Dionne Warwick and recorded with Stargaze and Adam Cohen on Leonard Cohen’s posthumous album at the P-E-O-P-L-E festival in the Funkhaus Berlin 2018. He has played with Irish acts David Kitt, Valerie Francis, Inni-K and recorded for Saint Sister, David Keenan and Niamh Regan.
Before Covid-19, he was scheduled to tour a new project with Damon Albarn (Blur, Gorillaz) in May/June throughout Europe and a new song cycle by Daníel Bjarnason with Crash Ensemble in April. As a result of this cancelled work, he focused his attention on the release of his first solo Double Bass record, ’String Ogham Live’. The live recordings are accompanied by videos from the recording session, and include composer interviews by Kate Ellis (Artistic Director Crash Ensemble), Billy (aged 5), and his pal Ben (aged 12).
The contemporary classical EP comprises of 4 tracks:
<3 by composer Sam Perkin, written for two Double Basses and Tape, consists of the unrestrained joy of children giggling – made in to music; ‘Seancheann’ by composer Linda Buckley, written for Double Bass and Tape, explores a gentle side to the double bass, and envelops the listener in immersive sound; ‘Blackberry’ by composer Benedict Schlepper-Connolly, written for Double Bass and Resonator, softly reshapes and refracts a melody as it steadily echoes itself; and ‘Arris’ by composer Nick Roth, written for solo Double Bass, explores the Irish Ogham script, intersecting with painter John Noel Smith’s concept of ogham as ‘visual rhythm’, and informed by the work of Dr. Nora White, principal investigator of the Ogham in 3D project at the Dublin Institute of Advanced Studies (DIAS).
About the Interviews:
Following the live recording and filming of ‘String Ogham Live’, Caimin sought the help of Billy (aged 5) and his pal Ben (aged 12) to interview the composers via online video conferencing, to have a bit of fun, ask them about their pieces and play the trumpet. The duo conducted interviews with help from Kate Ellis, Artistic Director of Crash Ensemble, Ireland’s Foremost Contemporary Music Ensemble. The videos were premiered throughout the month of June and hosted through the social media pages of performing groups, promoters and labels Caimin works with (Ulster Orchestra, RTÉ Concert Orchestra, Crash Ensemble, Islander, Homebeat, Diatribe, Ergodos).
The EP and Videos are released as part of The Arts Council of Ireland’s Covid 19 Crisis Response Award to provide access for the public to new and original art during the period of COVID-19 isolation.
Stream and watch Double Bassist, Caimin Gilmore, perform four new Double Bass works, from composers Linda Buckley, Benedict Schlepper-Connolly, Sam Perkin and Nick Roth, with composer interviews from Billy (aged 5), his pal Ben (aged 12) and Kate Ellis (Crash Ensemble Artistic Director).
As part of The Arts Council/ An Chomhairle Ealaíon Covid 19 Crisis Response Award.
STREAM
https://tinyurl.com/y9dp4xzr
WATCH
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMLu7EfNZBv3bmcIlx1-evQ
TRAILER
https://youtu.be/GntBCbm65YY
