Carmel's Headed To The Big Apple

Mike Fitzpatrick Talks To Carmel Conway Before Her Gig At Joe's Pub

Limerick-born singer Carmel Conway, commonly hailed as one of the most enthralling female artists to emerge from Ireland in recent years, is on her way to New York City, where she'll perform at near-legendary music venue, Joe's Pub, before heading on to Boston for another show.

With the upcoming North American release of her debut album, 'This Beautiful Day', on the horizon, the vocalist oft-described in the Irish music press as 'Limerick's Best Kept Secret' (who knew they kept things to themselves out that way?) will perform a set of her material this coming Thursday (August 21st) at the downtown Manhattan venue.

'This Beautiful Day' is already available for sale online (www.carmelconway.com), though its official release in the US and Canada is slated for January 2009. Having recently completed several concerts supporting The Chieftains, Nanci Griffith and Paul Brady, Carmel looks forward to hitting the States once again, to showcase her new album, and parade her talents before a new legion of fans.

A self-confessed fan of artists such as The Carpenters, Amy Winehouse, Randy Newman and Josh Groban, Carmel Conway will be following in the footsteps of some of the music world's most illustrious performers, when she steps out on stage at Joe's Pub, the venue having enjoyed many sets (some previously unannounced) by some of the world's best-known artists.

Situated at 425 Lafayette Street, the gig at Joe's Pub begins at 7.30pm, and tickets are available on the door.

The Irish Examiner caught up with Carmel recently for a quick chat before she jetted across the Atlantic:

Mike Fitzpatrick (MF): You've just recently completed a set of dates in the US, was that your first visit Stateside?
Carmel Conway (CC): Well, I was there on Saint Patrick's Day, and the day after that, I played with the Chieftains. We did the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia, and I've also performed at the Walt Disney Concert Hall in LA. This time, I will be at Joe's Pub in New York on Thursday and at The Town Crier in Boston on the following Wednesday.

MF: How did American audiences compare to those whom you're more accustomed to at home?
CC: I've always found that they're very welcoming and encouraging. They've been very warm, and quite similar to Irish audiences. It really depends on where you are and whether you're sending out the right signals (during the performance).

MF: You're playing Joe's Pub next week, a Manhattan venue previously performed at by Elvis Costello, Eartha Kitt, Amy Winehouse and Aimee Mann among others, how does it feel to be adding your name to such an illustrious list?
CC: It's such a wonderful opportunity for me. I'm very excited and very much looking forward to it. I've got about an hour to perform. I haven't had the pleasure of being (at Joe's Pub) yet, I do like to get a feel for a venue before a performance.

MF: You also had a stint supporting Nanci Griffith in Ireland, how did that go?
CC: That was lovely, my manager organized it. She's incredible. I've always loved her singing and songwriting. We had three dates altogether, and played to three full houses, two in Galway, and one in (my hometown!) Limerick.

MF: Is she someone you'd listened to at length during the earlier stages of your career?
CC: Yes, very much so, I remember her (from many years ago), I knew all the songs when she started to sing, and having seen her on TV, and bought her CDs, I felt very lucky to work with someone like her.

MF: What other performers have proven to be an influence on you over the years?
CC: Where do I start, I could keep you here all night! I enjoy Kate Bush, Barbra Streisand, Matt Monroe, Neil Diamond, Neil Sedaka, Celine Dion, and in particular, Karen Carpenter, who I was very strongly influenced by. My family also proved influential, and we'd lots of singers and musicians on both sides.
My granddad was a classically trained violinist, and his brother was a tenor, so there was always music growing up. (I remember) singing at my grandmother's house where my Aunt would play her selection of records.
Her house was a place I could sing along to artists as diverse as Neil Sedaka, Blondie and The Carpenters. We would also have great fun dancing to ABBA and The Bee Gees.

MF: Is there any one artist in particular with whom you'd especially enjoy collaborating with?
CC: Having seen him perform recently, I'm hoping and praying to play one day with Josh Groban, it'd be an absolute pleasure.

MF: Tell us a little about your upcoming album.
CC: 'This Beautiful Day' will be released in North America in late January. It's a very inspirational recording, with easy listening and romantic songs. We tried to put a bit of everything there, there's romance, mixed with a lovely edgy feeling. We're fortunate to have some songs by (Irish songwriters) Dawn Kenny and Michael O'Toole, such as 'Beautiful Face', 'January' and 'Hold On', as well as covers (Declan O'Rourke's 'Galileo' and Bob Dylan's 'MakeYou Feel My Love').

MF: What have you been listening to recently?
CC: I've been listening to a lot of Amy Winehouse and Josh Groban and Celine Dion of course, though I enjoy anyone who puts in so much effort,

MF: What does Carmel Conway do, when she's not recording, touring or performing?
CC: I'm very much into swimming, as well as general health and fitness, not that you'd know it by looking at me! I'm also interested in writing poetry, I've not written any songs yet, but one day!