Dolittle Presents August Wells

Date: 11 Mar 2017

Time: 8pm

Ticket Price: €13 BUY TICKET

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Dolittle Presents

August Wells

‘Madness Is the Mercy’

Irish Tour 2017

August Wells are pleased to announce they will return to Irish shores

this coming Spring to play an 11 date tour.

August Wells is a musical project formed in New York by Dublin native Ken Griffin (formerly of highly underrated cult Irish band Rollerskate Skinny, Kid Silver and Favourite Sons) and New York pianist John Rauchenberger.

Griffin’s lyricism is something to be admired, he has stories to tell veiled in metaphor and eccentricity with Drowned In Sound describing Griffin as an ‘undiscovered genius’ in a recent feature, whilst Glen Hansard introducing August Wells as his guest at a show recently told the audience how in awe of Ken Griffin he is, describing him as “such a presence, such a power”.

‘MADNESS IS THE MERCY’ is the glorious follow up album to last years critically acclaimed A ‘LIVING AND A DYING GAME’ from August Wells.

Twelve tracks sung back to us from the edges of a twisted life, songs songwriter Griffin says are ” from the blood of my real story ” August Wells music has been described as ” Marvellously evocative and deeply original ” a ” shadowy Sinatra singing lost Willie Nelson and Lou reed songs “

Elevated by Ken Griffin’s baritone — moving effortlessly from a rumbling growl to soaring heights, and John Rauchenberger’s graceful keys a wistful eye is cast over life. In parts New York speakeasy, yet unquestionably drawing from a heritage of musical storytelling, Madness is the Mercy has a timeless feel. Strange strings and horns, complex and brutal piano, raw unvarnished words, take us wandering into the melancholic corners yet somehow leaves us refreshed by the experience.

On the back of singles ‘She Was A Question’, ‘A Little Too Real’, along with breakthrough tracks ‘Come On In Out Of That Night’ and ‘Here in the Wild’, August Wells have quickly found critical recognition and recent sold out shows around Ireland, as well as tours of the UK and Germany has seen the band reach a new receptive audience. Griffin’s lyrics bring a poignant touch to the tragic – ” I don’t mind waking up on the kitchen floor, men like me we kind of think that’s what a kitchen floor is for, Monday morning hits me like a hammer from the back of my soul ” at once heart-breaking, yet warm and comforting – August Wells embraces the story of the individual and makes it speak universally.

August Wells’ music has just begun to make its mark, already having appeared on Other Voices and having recorded coveted sessions for the BBC, RTE Radio 1, RTE 2FM and Today FM as well as their excellent Windmill Lane Session for Independent.ie which they recorded in February of this year.

Ken Griffin and pianist John Rauchenberger have met in the middle of differing musical pasts to form a band who would sit easily at the same table as Scott Walker or John Cale.

Madness is the Mercy is out now on FIFA Records

Tour Dates

Feb 23rd Roisin Dubh Galway

Feb 24th Tricky McGarrigles Sligo

Feb 25th McGrorys Culdaff, Donegal

Feb 26th Bennigans Derry

Mar 2nd Coughlans Cork

Mar 3rd Coughlans Cork

Mar 4th Levis’ Ballydehob

Mar 5th DeBarras Clonakility

Mar 9th Cleeres Kilkenny

Mar 10th Spirit Store Dundalk