It may come as no surprise to those that follow their music that Julie Byrne and Michael Chapman are mutual admirers of each other’s musical creations. In his review of Byrne’s latest offering ‘Not Even Happiness‘, Thomas Blake drew light on her “most important lyrical gift”, namely “her ability to combine the personal and universal mythmaking properties prevalent in American folk music and wrap them all up in terse and surprising expressions that often approach epiphanies.” While younger, Byrne’s music tackles themes of travel and belonging with a wisdom beyond her years. Watch Julie’s new video performing live at Carmine Street Guitars in New York who make and sell custom made instruments built from scratch out of 200-year-old reclaimed lumber from some of New York’s most famous landmarks :
Like Byrne, Chapman is no stranger to travel, something we were reminded of on EB=MC² on which he teamed up with Ehud Banai of Israel. In Richard Hollingum’s review, he highlighted how the combination of these two players added another dimension to their music.
Now the mutual appreciation is set to continue as Byrne and Chapman share the bill at what will be a special night at the Union Chapel on November 13th. Another personal favourite, Jim Ghedi, will open proceedings on both nights, his new album ‘A Hymn From Ancient Land’ will be out early 2018 on New Basin Rock. Listen to him performing Home for Moss Valley which we recently premiered on Folk Radio UK
Both Byrne and Chapman shine in the live arena. Chapman, in full flow, is a spellbinding experience as he builds hypnotic finger picked instrumentals on his acoustic guitar, combined with his impressive back catalogue of songs. Whilst Byrne enchants, leaving crowds mesmerised by her voice and warm presence, who find a real connection with Byrne’s intimate songs. This feeling is often shared: “When the show has that magical spirit every person has contributed, even unknowingly, in creating a space of responsiveness to each other through vulnerability, through our unified experience and honesty about our sorrow and our emergence.”
Monday 13th November is sure to be one of those magical nights. Julie Byrne also plays Band on the Wall (with Jim Ghedi) in Manchester on Sunday 12th.
MICHAEL CHAPMAN remaining live dates in 2017
Nov 4 Newcastle, The Cluny 2
Nov 8 Nottingham, The Running Horse
Nov 9 Chester, St Mary’s Creative Space
Nov 10 Todmorden, Golden Lion (with Jim Ghedi)
Nov 11 Allendale, High Forest Community Centre
Nov 13 London, Union Chapel (with Julie Byrne)
Nov 17 Brighton, Komedia, Studio Bar
JIM GHEDI remaining live dates in 2017
Oct 29 – Atlow Village Hall, /with Toby Hay & Nick Jonah Davis
Nov 10 – Golden Lion, Todmorden /with Michael Chapman
Nov 12 – Band on the wall, Manchester /with Julie Byrne
Nov 13 – The Union Chapel /with Michael Chapman & Julie Byrne