Sponges to soak up the caf sessions praise

Damian McCarney

Armed with eerie lullabies and feel good folksy tunes, this week’s Café Sessions headliner ‘My Fellow Sponges’ are set to make a triumphant return to Cavan Town’s Chapter 1.
Despite the Galwegians playing big name festivals such as Knockanstockan and Body & Soul, they still burrow beneath the radar but maybe its the best vantage point from which to be adored by those in the know. My Fellow Sponges’ feelgood tunes may be as nourishing as a warm bowl of stew, but it may not appeal to all tastes.

http://youtu.be/DWt4ctOhb6E

With the wide-eyed delight they bring to their playful live performances, they may occasionally stray across the twee threshold. Occasionally they’re sweet enough to warrant an insulin injection. However, there’s no doubting their fabulous musicianship. The five-piece are accomplished on just about everything from the kazoo to flute, and they’re frequently captivating.
“They left us loving them and wanting more the last time they came,” recalls Sessions chief, Joe Keenan, “hopefully they will do the same this time.”

Exquisite
If you have a free half hour check out their half dozen exquisite videos on Youtube - it’ll make better sense of their press bumphf which reads:
“Come with the Sponges as they take you on a bright and colourful journey, with music that will have you falling over with laughter, floating on waves of sadness, and climbing trees of elation. Their trickster melodies will ensnare you like an old crone merrily luring children into a gingerbread house. Whispers in the forest warn that, once you see a live gig by the Sponges, your life will never be the same.”

Blue Valentines presents My Fellow Sponges at Chapter 1 on Thursday: October 9, 8pm. 

Special guests are a pair of Scottish musicians Gráinne Brady (piano) and Tina Jordan Rees (fiddle) who play Celtic airs and some lively trad.