INEC bound: Acclaimed singer, Tom Baxter
WITH ACCLAIMED MUSICIAN SHOW IN KILLARNEY NEXT MONTH, ‘BETTER’ SINGER’S FANTASTIC CAREER TO DATE SET FOR A SPECIAL ONE NIGHT PREVIEWS THE
WITH endorsements from musical heavyweight’s like Tom Waits and Rufus Wainright under his belt, Tom Baxter - who rose to fame through his heart-stopping originals such as ‘Better’ and ‘Day in Verona’ - will next month make his way to Killarney for one night only.
The acclaimed singer will play in the intimate setting of the INEC’S Acoustic Club on the night of Thursday October 4 with tickets now on sale from the INEC box office for just €20.
Tom, who has been called one of the most distinguished songwriters of the 21st century and last month made his first official release in almost a decade, ‘The Other Side of Blue’.
Speaking about his latest release, Tom said this work is his most searingly personal work to date; performed entirely solo and with gorgeous illustration on guitar and piano.
“I feel like I’ve been though a very slow metamorphosis over the years,” he said, speaking about the song and his transformation as an artist.
“Even I’m not sure into what, but I can say I’m calmer inside, and I thought it was time for a full-on new release.”
The new album is entirely free of “production camouflage,” as he puts it, and is underpinned by ‘The Ballad of Davey Graham,’ the song he was inspired to write after a request to play at the unveiling of a blue plaque for the great guitar pioneer of the title. In a moment of pure serendipity, Davey’s partner had written to request Tom’s contribution because Graham was not only an admirer of his, but she revealed that Baxter’s music was the last that Davey had listened to. Not that of Paul Simon, Jimmy Page or any of the other superstars he had inspired, but Tom Baxter.
What they didn’t know is that the revelation completed a perfect circle, because Davey had been one of the very inspirations for Baxter to pick up a guitar in the first place. Tom duly paid back the compliment by playing at the ceremony, and found that the whole experience refuelled his creative spirits to remarkable effect.
To hear this new album fort yourself, make sure to be in the crowd at the INEC Acoustic Club on Thursday October 4.
For start times, please head over the INEC website.