A fusion of Roots, Folk & Rock from Donnacha Toomey

Here's a quick pop quiz for you: How many times has Bob Dylan hit the top of the Billboard Album charts in America? Before this week the answer was four - this week it's five - now that his latest, TOGETHER THROUGH LIFE, has debuted at the very top of the charts.

This could bode well for Kerry's latest singer / songwriter, Donnacha Toomey. Donnacha's album has also just been released and, while he can't match Sir Bob for longevity, there are very definite similarities between their song writing styles - both write lyrics that speak to the soul while stirring the mind.

The similarities finish there, however, and Donnacha would, while tipping his hat at Dylan, acknowledge the greater influences of legendary John Martyn, the electrifying guitarist and singer whose music blurred the boundaries between folk, jazz, rock 'n' roll and the blues.

"The man was simply one of the most gifted artists of our time," says Donnacha, "the world suffered a huge loss with his untimely passing in January."

The album, titled Carnival of Colours, is Donnacha's debut album release. It's an 11 track studio recording and is the perfect introduction to his thoughtful, intelligent style of roots based material. He has a broad, eclectic mix of influences which he magically yet subtly blends together. Drawing on Irish, US and British folk and inspired by the aforementioned legends Dylan and Martyn by way of Chet Atkins via cult favourites Ron Sexsmith and Kings of Convenience, Donnacha has produced an album that has been hailed for its thoughtful and thought-provoking qualities.

"I know there are a lot of influences in there," laughs Donnacha, "I suppose I've been playing music since I was seven or eight years old. My parents are musically inclined, my Mom sings in a choir and my Dad is a button accordion player who loves traditional Irish music. I was a big fan of all the music they listened to but especially early rock 'n' roll."

Listening to Donnacha expound on music is a near educational experience! He draws from such a rich assortment of influences and diversity of styles, yet is so adept at linking them together and forming interesting and reflective asides that it's no wonder the songs on the album are so perfectly formed!

"Back when I started playing music I was listening to a lot of 50's and 60's music. I’ve been a lifelong fan of Scotty Moore, who played in Elvis' band, and a fan of a lot of fingerstyle guitarists ever since," adds Donnacha. "I listened mostly to Chet Atkins, Mississippi John Hurt, Doc Watson and Ry Cooder. I also listened to a lot of folk musicians, like John Martyn, who is actually Scottish but settled down here in Ireland before he passed away so tragically in January. So, I try to take many elements of roots, bluegrass, folk, country and different kinds of acoustic material and put it together into something of my own."

It's a rich mix that comes to fruition on Carnival of Colours. He's helped out on the album by local Bass legend James Kennedy.

"I loved James's bass playing from the minute I heard it," says Donnacha. "It adds a whole new dimension to the music and has really brought out the best in the songs, I couldn't ask for anything more. The first thing that got my foot tapping when I was a child was Elvis' original 3 piece band with Scotty Moore and Bill Black. There was no drummer, they just used that thumping bass line for rhythm and I hear that energy in the way James plays the bass. To fully appreciate James's music you just have to hear him play!"

And despite its relative newness, Donnacha's debut is picking up quite a bit of radio play. "Emilia" was featured on RTE Radio 1's Late Date programme on the week of its release while the opening track, "Early One", was featured on Roots Freeway, also on RTE Radio 1. The album was recently featured on 4 FM and has gained interest in the UK. Another of the songs, "Been a Long Time Now", has been picked to feature on an American compilation album, "Acoustika", that will be out next month on general release.

Donnacha, who is based in Tralee is taking all this success in his stride. The songs exude a quiet confidence and you get the feeling that it’s only a matter of time before people are listing Donnacha Toomey as an influence!

"Carnival of Colours" is now available on iTunes, CDbaby and Amazon and in all good music stores.

For more information please visit www.donnachatoomey.com or www.myspace.com/donnachatoomey