Avatar to play Samhlaiocht Easter Festival March 22nd 2008

Dub Reggae at Samhlaiocht Easter Arts Festival Saturday, March 22nd, 10:00 pm

"We don't often publish reviews of new music from unknown bands or artists, but having made an unprecedented executive decision, I hereby offer you a fabulous album Summa Iru. The album is essentially an instrumental dub album, but also contains strong melodies and a diverse array of instrumentation. The album is enchantingly soothing, yet motivating and uplifting," reviews don’t get much more clear cut than that and when the review is written by the bible Bass Guitar Magazine then you know the band being discussed offer something by way of substance. The band, then, is Avatar and the album, Summa Iru, was their debut, launched in 2006.

Avatar are James Kennedy on bass guitar and guitar and Tony O' Flaherty on sax, flute and keys with other musicians drafted in to help fill out the rich and beautifully melodic sound where needed, and listening to the completed album it's impossible not to be moved by musicians so obviously on top of their game, with music born of life, love and spirituality.

Avatar frontman James Kennedy is a musician who's speech patterns are every bit as rich as his music. With conversation that floats from Bach to Margaret Thatcher via the smoking habits of Rastafarians and life in Ireland in the 80's, there's a truth to the man as much as there's a truth to the music.

"It's always been about the music," explains James, "and while that sounds cliched, it's nevertheless true. I love music, love playing it, love listening to it and I feel that a musician's ability to listen attentively determines the depth and sensitivity of their music. This quality is present in what we do and I believe it is largely responsible for people's positive response to us. We are all fans of music and we listen to what is going on whether on the stage or in the studio, and react to it honestly allowing it to direct the flow of what we are playing."

Avatar have certainly made an impact on Irish music and, on the back of stellar reviews, have begun to stir up interest internationally. The band was recently featured on one of the most influential and longest running shows in America, Saturday Night Rockers, hosted by the Brixton Hitman while legendary producer and engineer Dr. Dub has expressed an interest in working with the band. "It's an interest that we'll definitely be following up on," laughs James.

As remarkable as all of this International recognition is, James is still firmly rooted in his native Tralee. "I think there's been an absolute explosion in the music scene in Tralee in recent years," says James. "If someone was to tell me 15 years ago that I could start a dub band, get International exposure and do it all from my home in Kerry, I'd a thought they were nuts."

But with a presence on the web and glowing reviews that direct fans from all around the globe to the bands home-site and MySpace site then it’s increasingly becoming, while not exactly easy, then certainly less difficult to break music.

However, equally impressive to James has been the paradigm shift in local tastes. "Having a venue like Club Head Bang Bang on our doorsteps, a venue that brings internationally renowned world music acts to Kerry, while also giving young up and coming musicians from Tralee a chance to perform, is a fantastic resource. And when you take that in consideration with the fact that Keith and Treasa, the organisers, manage to do it all without charging a cover charge is little short of amazing. Not to mention all the great work that Samhlaiocht does in organising and promoting all the Arts throughout Kerry, and in Culloty's Music shop we've a surplus of riches. It's a definitely a good time to be living in Tralee if music is your thing," says James.

"I've always loved living in Kerry, the incredible landscapes, I think, influence our music and to now have a chance to bring this music to other like minded people is a gift," says James with a smile. Well, if it's a gift, it's a gift that will keep on giving - Avatar play in Club Head Bang Bang as part of the landmark Samhlaiocht Easter Arts Festival on Saturday night, March 22nd, at 10 pm and admission is completely free. Club Head Bang Bang is located in the Greyhound Bar on Pembroke Street.

Finnegan’s Hostel on Denny Street Tralee, which is a long time supporter of Samhlaiocht, has offered a discount rate, €16 per person sharing, to those interested in attending the Easter Arts Festival. To book a room please call 066 712 7610 or log onto http://www.finneganshostel.com/

To learn more about Avatar please log onto http://www.amarumusic.net/ or onto the band’s MySpace site www.myspace.com/avatarsound To learn more about Samhlaiocht please log onto http://www.samhlaiocht.com/ To learn more about Club Head Bang Bang please log onto http://www.clubheadbangbang.org/