Shane Barry & the Silver South Ensemble

Waterford-based multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and producer, Shane Barry, released his debut, solo album ‘Songs from the Silver South’ in November 2023. This 10-track album represents a wide range of influences and interests. From ambient country to indie new-wave to folk-rock and soul, Shane creates a number of tapestries to present the stories inspired by small-town living. The album has been chosen as album of the week on Limerick Live 96fm's 'Green and Live’ and on KCLR's ‘Roddie Cleere’s Irish Music Show’ .

Subject matter includes love deliberately taken for granted (‘Love You When You’re Gone’), the cost-of-living crisis (‘This Season’s Roar’, described by Hotpress as an 'eclectic, country-inspired gem'), a lake in France, male toxicity (‘Get the Love’), and even an epic dedication to cycling legends Sean Kelly and Stephen Roche. Whereas song topics may suggest a particular style, rest assured, Shane takes his influences from McCartney, Costello, Wilco, LCD Soundsystem, John Prine and 70s FM pop, ensuring that melodies are the primary driver to deliver the message.

Having had previous success with the soul/indie influenced Shane Barry & the Distractions, Shane has spent the last few years completing a PhD in Applied Linguistics, starting a family, and playing other people’s songs to finance this new solo project. The pause in performance opportunities in 2020 led to a rediscovery of enjoying music and writing songs. In discussions with regular collaborator, mixing engineer and former O Emperor drummer, Brendan Fennessy, enough basic equipment was purchased to self-engineer his album, ‘Songs from the Silver South’. Away from the time and financial pressures of the studio, the album was recorded in bedrooms, hallways and practice rooms over 2021 and 2022, while toddlers slept and neighbours mowed lawns. Drums were the only instrument engineered beyond the bedroom, performed by Brendan Fennessy. All other instruments apart from brass and cello were performed by Shane. The album was also mixed by Brendan, with Slowdive’s Simon Scott drafted in to add his magic to the mastering.

‘Songs from the Silver South’ is available for order on vinyl, CD and digital on Bandcamp, and released independently through Shane’s Distraction Music label. The album will be release on streaming platforms in the summer of 2024.

Please note, there are 2 ticket options for this event:

1. A general admission ticket; or
2. A general admission & return bus ticket. The 16-seater bus will depart the Quay, Waterford from Dooleys Hotel at 6pm, and then leave the Seantí at around 9.45pm, after the show, returning back to the Quay, Waterford.

Support comes from Paul J Bolger, no stranger to the Seantí, as well as the excellent, fast-rising star of E.J. Mae