Celtic Connections: Junior Brother + Iona Zajac

About this event

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JUNIOR BROTHER Carefully pushing the boundaries of what modern Irish folk can look and sound like, Junior Brother is an idiosyncratic, challenging, and richly lyrical singer/songwriter from Co. Kerry. His much-anticipated third album, The End is officially out now, via Strap Originals. Following singles Take Guilt, Small Violence, Welcome To My Mountain and A Lot of Love, this album is set to be a defining release for Junior Brother. The End is a deeply instinctive yet carefully considered response to the chaos of modern life, with Junior Brother weaving the recent years of upheaval into the eerie folklore of Fairy Forts. These ring-shaped earth mounds, scattered across the Irish countryside, are known to possess an energy that can bewilder, curse, or even lead the unwary astray. Stepping into one is to risk losing yourself-both physically and spiritually. To Junior Brother, this ancient folklore mirrors the disorienting reality of today's world.   IONA ZAJAC  There's an unwavering resilience coursing through Bang, the masterful debut album from Iona Zajac.  This is evident in the Scottish singer-songwriter's astute articulations of the anger she felt whilst reflecting on personal and global experiences centred on the abuse of women: "Ask her, ask us all," she intones in the atmospheric opener, 'Bowls'. From there, Zajac confronts the emotional impact of toxic relationships and emerges with a renewed sense of worth which abounds. As well as untangling trauma, Bang is an exhilarating celebration of womanhood steered by the enduring influence of Maya Angelou and Emily Dickinson as Zajac delivers an unfiltered portrait of strength. Visceral in its message and delivery, Bang is an essential body of work that not only introduces audiences to Iona Zajac's commanding voice, but provides a collective expression for women with shared experiences.