Cream of Navan talent in 'Oxjam'

Friday night next sees an array of Navan artists taking to the stage in support of Oxfam Ireland. 'Oxjam" is organised by Joy Booth and the artists performing with the support of the Backroom Sessions at The Lantern Bar. The Whatmans, Joy Booth, Simon Fagan, Clarkie & Beef, Peadar Farrelly, Eugene Donegan and Ruairi Coogan will all sing their hearts out to raise much-needed funds for the incredible work of Oxfam. The Whatmans is a four-piece band from Navan that has supported the Coronas and the Flaws, locally and nationally. The band"s main influences include The Pixies, Stone Roses, The Doors, The Rolling Stones, David Bowie, Dylan, REM, Rory Gallagher, Pink Floyd, Tom Waits and Led Zeppelin. One of the main organisers of the Oxjam charity gig, Joy Booth will take to the stage with new band (Ian Ludlow - bass), (Trevor Ludlow - drums) and Lizzie Oakes (vocals, piano). Joy and co recently supported Cathy Davey in The Backroom and have been gigging regularly in the likes of Whelan"s and The Village in Dublin, The Bagfull of Songs and Purple Sessions in Drogheda as well as various venues around Meath. Simon Fagan recorded three tracks with producer Martin Quinn (Brian Kennedy, Juliet Turner, Turn, Ham Sandwich) in Jam Studios at the beginning of the year and was subsequently approached by Dublin-based record label SiAn Records, who offered to release 'Bring The Dance" in June. This brought him to the attention of a number of DJs throughout the country and secured some festivals. Due to the attention gained from the release of the single and surrounding gigs, SiAn Records signed him to a recording deal. He spent the latter part of the year writing and recording tracks for his forthcoming EP which goes on release in March 2009 with a follow up EP in August 2009. He has also been booking some overseas tours this year which will include the UK and Egypt. Paul Clarke (The Dolldrums - lead singer and co-runner of The Backroom) and Cormac 'Beef" O"Keeffe (vocals, guitar - The Dolldrums) have spent many years gigging with The Dolldrums as well as performing at highly-acclaimed acoustic sessions locally. The musical chemistry on-stage between these guys is something to behold. Oxjam is on Friday 23rd January at 9pm in The Backroom at the Lantern Bar, Watergate Street, Navan, admission €10.