Showcase 20th Jan 2023 with – John Rush / Ape House / Neev / The Poachers / Evie Waddell
The 6 Danny Finalists chosen at Celtic Connections 2022 are back to showcase their talent on Friday 20th January 2023 in The Exhibition Hall of the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall between 5 – 7pm
Not the Running order on the day – Mishra not appearing on on the 22nd Jan
John Rush
The Oler The Grape/ Gold & Green / The Applie Doesn’t Fall Far From The Tree / Drink With Me annThe Older The Grape / Gold & Green / The Apple Doesn’t Fall Far From The Tree / Drink With Me
Glasgow based singer/songwriter (originally from Paisley) with his, “folk tinged pop songs” ~ (TENEMENT TV), has played some of Glasgow’s greatest venues such as the Barrowland Ballroom (four times), King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut, O2 Academy, O2 ABC, Royal Concert Hall, Kelvingrove Bandstand, Room 2 and Saint Luke’s & The Winged Ox as well as many more venues and festivals across Scotland, England and the USA.
Through the years he has racked up some highly acclaimed support slots with Paul Weller, Ocean Colour Scene, Hipsway, The Silencers, Rick Astley, Finlay Quaye, Stone Foundation, Chris Helme (The Seahorses), Steve Pilgrim (Paul Weller’s drummer) and Johnny Lloyd (Tribes).
John took a selection of songs across the pond to New York City in late September 2018 where he showcased his new music in a quick mini NYC tour consisting of four gigs in five nights including a secret rooftop Sofar Sounds show. This new music would go on to become his debut album Beneath The Apple Tree which was released in November 2019 with a sell-out album launch gig in Room 2, Glasgow after John had joined the 23 Music Management family. The pandemic was obviously a difficult time for music but John played two of the pioneering Immersive TV gigs in Room 2 in early 2021 which were broadcast to an international audience and continued to play many online gigs to keep his fans entertained on lockdown.
As 2021 lockdown one restrictions eased, John was able to travel around the country again, playing at one of the UK’s first outdoor festivals to restart at Capers In Cannich in the Highlands, Upside Doune (The Rabbit Hole) on Cardross Estate in Stirlingshire, Lindisfarne Festival in the North-East of England, Craft Beer & Food Truck Festival in Rouken Glen Park in Glasgow and sandwiched in between these was his headline and sell-out gig in Saint Luke’s & The Winged Ox.
John returned to the Barrowland Ballroom in November 2021 to support Hipsway for the Glasgow CeilidhFest where he announced the release of his newest single ‘The Apple Doesn’t Fall Far From The Tree’. The single subsequently peaked at Number 2 on the iTunes UK Singer/Songwriter Chart. John then received the nod from The Modfather himself and living Legend, Paul Weller, to support him on the Scottish legs of his sold out tour where he played to a packed Barrowland Ballroom and Music Hall Aberdeen in successive nights to fulfill a lifetime’s dream of supporting a true musical hero. This was then remarkably followed by being asked to support more of his musical heroes, Ocean Colour Scene, again in the Barrowland Ballroom at the iconic venue’s last gig before Covid restrictions were imposed again.
John had an amazing early xmas present when he was presented with two Awards at the inaugural Paisley Music Awards in The Bungalow; Best Solo Artist and Artist Who Has Risen Above Adversity of Covid-19. John had another busy year of gigs and festivals in 2022 playing Eden Festival, Doune The Rabbit Hole, Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival, ButeFest, Party At The Palace, Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Dunbar Music Festival and FrewFest and is working on his second album.
Upcoming gigs
20th Jan DKOS Showcase at Celtic Connections 2023 – Exhibition Hall
4th Feb Hug & Pint Glasgow with Chris Helme
17th Feb Hug & Pint Glasgow with Chris Helme
Neev
Originally from Glasgow, singer-songwriter Neev writes beautiful songs that stay with you.
Whilst her lyrics set out on broad themes – relationships, existential angst, quarter-life-crises – Neev has a remarkable knack for discovering beauty in the small details.
Her EP ‘Currants’ was released on Trapped Animal in 2021. Tracks from Currants have been played on BBC 6 Music, BBC Intro Scotland and most recently BBC Radio 1 on Sian Eleri’s Chillest Show and Power Down Playlist. Neev performed tracks from Currants live and televised for the BBC Introducing x Celtic Connections Showcase at Saint Luke’s in Glasgow in January 2022.
Neev has spent 2022 embarking on her biggest projects yet, the first release from this project, ‘Seawall’, was released in September and recieved support from the likes of Earmilk, Backseat Mafia, Sian Eleri & Roddy Hart.
“A woman with unrivaled passion for her craft” – The Soundsniffer
“Neev’s talent for unearthing beauty in the finer details in life makes her a stand-out artist” – 1883 Magazine
“Neev showcases her delicate touch and effortless ability to create beautiful, warming folk soundscapes” – Backseat Mafia
Upcoming Gigs:-
Fri 20th Jan DKOS Showcase at Celtic Connections
Sat 21st Jan Celtic Connections in The Drygate with Grant-Lee Philips
Thurs 16th March at St Pancras Old Church in London
Ape House
Ape House BIOG
Ape House is a trio of musicians specialising in Contemporary Traditional Music. The band was brought together by Trad sessions in Glasgow, where they all studied as students. They create a lively, energetic sound, always striving to be expressive and curious with their musical arrangements.
Craig Harrison is an Irish fiddler from Co. Clare. Currently living in Glasgow, Craig regularly plays ceilidhs, sessions and concerts with various groups, including Ape House. Festivals have long been an important part of Craig’s life, and he makes an effort to take part in Celtic Connections every year.
Lachie Robinson grew up on the Knoydart peninsula, and is the guitarist in Ape House. Immersed in Traditional Music from a young age, his musical ear was developed through local Fèisean, as well as singing Folk songs with his family, and listening to genre-bending artists such as Shooglenify, Martyn Bennet and The Poozies. Lachie has now returned to Knoydart from Glasgow after achieving a first class honours degree in Traditional Music from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, and is living in a yurt, writing music, and working for the local community.
Wallace Calvert began learning to play cello while immersed in both classical and traditional music. Growing up, he was involved in groups such as the Northumbrian Ranters and the Edinburgh Youth Gaitherin, and later began participating in the Morpeth Gathering and Irish Fleadh competitions. As such, upon nearing the end of his studies at the City of Edinburgh Music School, he decided to take on the traditional music course at the Royal Conservatoire. Wallace has become a versatile multi-instrumentalist, seeking to refine his skills and sensitive playing style through the exploration of Irish, Scottish, Northumbrian, and other traditional folk repertoire. Wallace has recently taken a job on the West of Knoydart, where he is Lachie’s next door neighbour (about 1 mile away!).
No longer all living in the same city, and away from the relative freedom of student life, Ape House has had to adapt to challenging logistics and busy schedules. However, Lachie, Wallace and Craig remain passionate, hard working, and committed to making great music. With new material and a debut album in the pipeline, it’s going to be an exciting winter for Ape House. Watch this space!
Upcoming gigs:-
Fri 20th Jan DKOS Showcase at Celtic Connections
Wed 8th Feb The Old Hairdressers Glasgow
The Poachers
Sometimes a duo, other-times a band of gypsies “The Poachers” songbook is like a daisy chain made up from fundamentals in storytelling through song-writing.
The Poachers are a lament to life, purity and love, good songs and of course to your tipple of choice and favourite hideaway.
You’re not going to find a ruse here.
They have 3 EP’s released and a new single ‘Milliionairs’
Up coming gigs:-
Fri 20th Jan DKOS Showcase at Celtic Connections
Mishra
In 2022, global-folk band Mishra met international fusion vocalist Deepa Shri Shakhti. Out of a blossoming musical friendship, they began a collaborative project that takes the soul-stirring euphoria of Deepa’s sufi singing as a starting point, and weaves in the threads of Mishra’s UK folk and Indian classical influences to create a captivating cross-cultural sound. Their joyous performances are a journey of contrasts, from hand-clapping trance-like sufi songs to spacious stillness and reflection.
Over 30 years of studying Indian music and working across genres under the banner of ‘world music’, Deepa Shri Shakhti has forged an international reputation as a vocalist and composer, receiving awards and acclaim in the UK and India. She has worked with artists including Kuljit Bhamra and is currently touring with Opera North’s production of Orpheus.
Mishra are Kate Griffin (The Magpies) on banjo and vocals, Ford Collier (The Drystones) on low whistle and percussion, John Ball (Rafiki Jazz) on tabla and santoor, Joss Mann-Hazell (Auka) on double bass, and Alex Lyon on clarinets and vocals. Since forming in 2018, Mishra have won the Christian Raphael prize, received BBC Radio 2 airplay for their albums ‘The Loft Tapes’ and ‘Reclaim’, and performed slots at festivals including Cambridge Folk Festival, Beardy, Timber, and more. They are 2022 recipients of Celtic Connections’ prestigious ‘Danny Kyle’ award.
Upcoming Gigs:-
Sun 22nd Jan Old Fruitmarket Celtic Connections
Fri 31st March Rondo Theatre Bath
Sat 1st April God’s House Tower – Southampton
Sun 2nd April Taliesim Arts Centre – Swansea
Fri 7th April Glastonbury Assembly Rooms
And on tour in England till 15th April
Evie Waddell
Evie Waddell is a traditional musician, Gaidhlig speaker, trained contemporary dancer and often performs using BSL. Evie enjoys the exploration of multimedia performance and exchange which has been developing through working with organisations such as Solar Bear, Theatre Gu Leor and Magnetic North. She has been hard of hearing for 13 years. Evie recently created her first EP called ‘Leviathan’. She has also turned her hand to directing, producing and touring a show called ‘Failte Gu BSL’ explores opportunities for d/Deaf people to own Scottish culture, and the relationships between Gaelic and BSL, through traditional song and stories, sign and dance.
Upcoming Gigs:-
Fri 20th Jan DKOS Showcase at Celtic Connections
Sun 22nd Jan supporting Savourna Stevenson & Steve Kettley at the Piping Centre Glasgow