Quality line-up of acts at Purple Sessions

The next Purple Sessions in Boyles Of Slane take place on Friday 30th September, with the line up once more demonstrating the quality of this live music night. Whanau hail from Lisburn, Co Down, with Ashley Smith (vocals and guitar), Polly McGarrigle (vocals), Nathan Miller (lead guitar/backing vocals), Mark Heffer (bass guitar) and David Millen (percussion). Friends for a number of years, the five have each pursued their own musical projects and ventures. Ashley decided late in 2010 that the time was right to put a band together to explore the music that had been forming in his head since returning home from travelling around New Zealand. A few jam sessions later and Ashley, Nathan, David, Polly and Mark became Ash Smith and the Funkin' Headaches. The band are looking forward to packing as many gigs as possible in before Christmas, as well as working on new material to bring to the studio in 2012. Frantic Jack consists of five musicians native to the Offaly/Kildare areas, Daragh Fitzgerald on vocals and guitar, Mark Kelly on lead guitar, Pauric Hurst on bass, James Kearney on keys and percussion and Mick Holton on drums. With their anthemic blend of Acoustic Rock, Frantic Jack are one the most exciting bands to come out of Ireland in recent years. With influences ranging from Matchbox20 to Dave Matthews Band, they have seamlessly molded their own unique sound and captured the attention of audiences across the country. The band's debut album 'Independence' received rave reviews from Hot Press amongst others and was tipped as one of the best Irish records of 2010. The album boasts two Top 20 singles in 'Firefly' (which was also 2fm's single of the week) and 'Free' as well as the bands first Top 10 single 'Hold On'. The Guilty Folk are Aidan Comerford and Sarah Williams, two people who get 'sexually-excited' by the sound of applause. Aidan writes catchy, witty, big acoustic songs, does his best to sing those songs with aplomb, and fervently hopes that Sarah will one day accidentally sleep with him. Sarah does spot-on harmonies, loves a cheesy duet, and continuously and politely rebuts Aidan's advances (but will one day accidentally sleep with him). Add in a bit of tongue-in-cheek between song banter, and you've got a wonderfully entertaining acoustic duo suitable for almost everything that isn't a kids' party. NamaNaya is from Mullaghbawn in the hills of South Armagh. Having travelled far and wide his lyrics reflect his experiences gained from travelling and his music is a blend of pop/ rock and of course a tinge of the traditional Irish music he was brought up on. His debut album Shine On is due for release in November 2011. Admission is free and the music starts at 9.30pm.