Party: Shameless Seamus to play Canberra Irish Club Saturday 3 September

Party: Shameless Seamus to play Canberra Irish Club Saturday 3 September

Jim Moginie (Midnight Oil, The Break) and his 6-piece Irish rebel band (from Sydney, Blue Mountains & Wollongong) promise a reeling and rollicking show when Shameless Seamus performs at the Irish Club on Saturday 3 September.

Jim’s work with Midnight Oil is well known, and now that they’ve announced their intention to reform next year, it’s on going. What is less well known is the diverse range of musical endeavors Moginie has immersed himself in during the Oils hiatus.

A few months back, Canberra audiences were introduced to Moginie’s production of The Colour Wheel, which combines visual art and a series of self penned musical scores, played on 6 electric guitars, that take inspiration from synaesthesia – the idea that people see colours when they hear sound.

In the last few years, he’s also been a regular guest of the Australian Chamber Orchestra, and the driving force behind The Family Dog, surf band The Break, and the production of recordings for the likes of Sarah Blasko, Neil Murray, The Backsliders and Kasey Chambers.

Jim’s is continually on the lookout for opportunities to explore his creative, philosophical mind through musical pursuits and has won multiple awards for his political savvy songs and creative brilliance. However, inspiration for his latest musical offering with Shameless Seamus is drawn from something personal.

Shameless Seamus is the manifestation of Moginie’s aspiration to explore his cultural background through music; something he is doing with fond affection and a thought-provoking take on traditional music. After discovering his bloodline to County Offaly four years ago, Moginie has returned regularly to Ireland for music festivals and sessions, and is completely bewitched by the timeless traditional melodies of Irish music.

In his Irish Rebel band, Moginie plays guitar, bouzouki, ukelele and harmonium – singing and playing traditional reels, jigs, hornpipes and polkas, ballads and rousing rebel songs. His band is made up of great Irish musicians including Alan Healy (bodhran, tenor banjo, guitar and vocal), Evelyn Finnerty (fiddle and vocals), Bird (bodhran and drum kit), Christine Wheeler (whistle and guitar) and Michael Vidale (bass).

Alan Healy was born in Dublin and is a highly regarded member of Sydney’s Irish music scene. He is also an Irish scholar specializing in Joyce and Beckett and has been involved in the art world for some 30 years, exhibiting his visual art with Australian and international artists. Evelyn Finnerty, from Blarney, Cork in Ireland, is a master of traditional Irish music and well known around the traps as a dervish on the fiddle. The rhythm section comprises Bird (Mental As Anything) and Michael Vidale (alumini of the Bushwackers). Christine Wheeler (whistle and vocals) completes the 6-piece lineup. Christine is a folk singer, musician and choir leader. She led Australian Celtic band Wheelers and Dealers to multiple awards during their ten years working together, and her most recent recording of poems by Henry Lawson set to music was described as ‘a landmark in the interpretation of Australian folk song’ by the National Film and Sound Archive.

Shameless Seamus has released two albums and appeared at special events and festivals all over the country.

They are performing at The Canberra Irish Club in Weston, on Saturday 3 September.

Tickets are $20/$15 and can be purchased online at https://www.trybooking.com/214232



Recent Gigs:

MONA Museum in Hobart,
Aras Eanna (Inis Oírr Ireland),
Marrickville Cultural Festival,
Folk By The Sea (Kiama)
Illawarra Folk Festival,
Nolan on Lovel Gallery Katoomba,
Joadja Winery,
Kelly’s Newtown,
Penrith Panthers,
Chado Hobart,
The Irish Society Ceilidh Wollongong,
The Lark Distillery Hobart.