Brian Byrne Nancy Previs spoke to the awardwinning Irish composer ahead of his new show’s premiere in Dublin

Composer Brian Byrne ( Albert Nobbs and Black ’ 47) is bringing his latest production, Angel of Broadway, to the NCH in June. He spoke to Nancy Previs about a life in music

As we chat, the Navan-born Golden Globe-nominated composer, songwriter and pianist Brian Byrne outlines the tough final weeks of his latest major project, Angel of Broadway, a stage musical he has co-written with his wife, lyricist Kasey Jones. “It’s definitely a passion project, and a project of this sort is a great test of anyone’s relationship. So far it’s been very hard work but happily also a lot of fun.”

Brian explains how each day, having dropped their son Asa (10) and daughter Roxy (4) to school, they’ll each go off to separate parts of their Oklahoma home to write. “I’ve a studio set up at the bottom of the house and Kasey’s is in the mid-level. At certain points I’ll run up the stairs and we’ll talk through stuff and listen. We’ll have the odd fight and whoever wins will get their bit into the score”, he laughs, “but overall, really, it’s very congenial.”

Angel of Broadway is a contemporary musical, set in Ireland and New York in the 1970s and the 1990s, with William Byrne (Brian’s cousin – more family!) in the lead role. The show will have its world premiere, in a concert version, on June 12 & 13 in the National Concert Hall, with Brian conducting the RTÉ Concert Orchestra. The large cast also includes Ian Pirie, Willie Byrne, Lucia Evans, Kaz Hawkins, Naoimh Penston, Montel Moore, Hayley Joe Murphy, Fra Fee, Kevin Fagan, Joe Rooney, Ruth Berkeley, Rory Musgrave, Amy Penston, Megan Pottinger and Adele King.

Brian is delighted to be working again with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra, who he has worked with on many other projects over the years, including

the soundtracks for Albert Nobbs and Black ’47, as well as his own CD Goldenhair.

This concert version of Angel of Broadway will showcase the music, the lyrics and the story rather than action. Years and months of sleepless creativity, reworking, casting and rehearsals – and nerves – will be riding on those two first nights at the NCH. “If we have the audience on their feet by the end, we can take this to a full stage production.”

In the audience, of course, there will be strong support from the Byrne clan, with Brian’s mum, five brothers and one sister coming along to the event.

“In the future I’d love to put on the full version in Ireland; in 2020, maybe, in Bord Gais or one of the big theatres,” says Brian.

Over the years, he has collaborated with a glittering and diverse range of artists: Bono, Barbra Streisand, Kelly Clarkson, Pink, Josh Groban, Kurt Elling, Lisa Stansfield, Van Morrison, Alanis Morissette, The Corrs, Sinéad O’Connor, Gladys Knight and Katy Perry. Brian thrives on a busy schedule – often taking on low-budget projects that pique his interest. That was the case back in 2002 when Tom Petty’s road manager, who happened to be living in Navan at the time, asked Brian to arrange strings on a record he was producing. “There was no money in it but I said to him ‘Okay, just get me down the road’. And he did, he came good on the favour: through him I was introduced to Michel Legrand’s manager who said to me, “I don’t know anything about Ireland but I know a lot of people in the Los Angeles and New York film and music world, and I can help you.” At that point, Brian was making a decent living here, but he wasn’t pursuing his dream. “I was orchestrating or arranging for other people but I was restless, I wanted to be a composer, to write my own songs and film scores. I was ready to go”.

So, in 2003, he relocated to sunny California. “And not long after that I met Kasey, and that sealed the deal,” he recalls happily.

At the time they both happened to be living in the same apartment complex. Because his apartment had no air conditioning he was often out by the pool and, just like in the movies, they took an instant shine to each other. “And here we are, 15 years later with two kids and a dog and a house in Oklahoma,” he announces with delight.

Brian and Kasey’s priority is their children. “We’re hands-on parents. Once we’ve gotten them off to school, we use our time from 8.15am to work. Then when they come home we do kids stuff until their bedtime.

“When we’re not going to fancy gigs or red carpet concerts or films we’re just ordinary folk, raising our kids as best we can.”

The whole family travels to Ireland regularly. “Kasey loves Ireland and the kids love their Irish cousins.”

During his studies at the Royal College of Music in London, Brian gained a solid grounding in classical form, composition and conducting. However, when he’s composing for film he’ll often approach the job more loosely, like a jazz musician, watching a film several times before allowing his fingers drop to the keyboard, and see what happens. This has led him to work with some of the finest musicians in jazz, including his own special hero, Kurt Elling.

“Kurt’s incredible. He’s pushing the boundaries of vocal jazz all the time. If you were to mix Frank Sinatra with Myles Davis and Herbie Hancock, he has that much respect. I’ve written arrangements for him for orchestra, and we’re in regular contact and,” Brian adds brightly, “he wants us to record something together!”

Brian likes keeping himself busy with music: balancing jobs that pay the bills with projects that allow him extra creative space. “When I was younger I thought I should put a lot of weight into trying to be respected by my peers, but now when I get up in the morning and write it’s because it’s a compulsion. I have to do it. If I don’t I’m not complete.”

After the premiere of Angel of Broadway, he says he plans to take a breather for a few weeks: “That will give me enough time to get bored, to get inspired to begin planning another interesting project!”

Angel of Broadway by Brian Byrne and lyricist Kasey Jones, has its world premiere in the National Concert Hall on June 12 & 13, nch.ie