Published: Wednesday, 17th March, 2010 5:00pm

Origins brings us international acts

Shaun Barrowes.

Shaun Barrowes from Utah, USA will perform at McGinnity's Bar, Cavan on Friday, March 26, with support by Australian Ben Drysdale, Mark Conway and local guests.

Doors open at 9.30pm, and there is no cover charge.

Singer, pianist and songwriter, Shaun Barrowes, is best known for his recent climb up the American Idol ladder, but his brief foray into the pop culture trenches is actually among many accomplishments.

While he did make it into the Final 48 during Hollywood Week of the show's 7th season, Barrowes says that losing probably did more than winning could have done to help move him toward crafting his new CD, Big Bang Theory.

Barrowes' release of Big Bang Theory is a significant milestone for this gifted artist, who has been working towards this goal practically since he was a toddler. The album is a solid cross-over CD that bridges the musical span between jazz and pop sensibilities. Featuring 12 original compositions, Big Bang Theory emphasizes Barrowes' talent at crafting songs with engaging melodies and affecting lyrics which reflect the confluence of influences that Barrowes claims as significant to the formation of his own, original style: Billy Joel, early Michael Jackson, Sting and Gershwin. Barrowes' approach to playing piano was greatly influenced by Billy Joel, who, he says, "inspired me to keep pounding on the keys".

Big Bang Theory's tunes range from energetic, swinging numbers (Hop, Skip and a Jump) to poignant ballads (In My Back Pocket and I Still Loved You) to such romantic offerings as When I Take Your Hand. During a recent appearance on the Ellen DeGeneres show, Celine Dion, who is certainly no stranger to well crafted songs, said that hearing "When I Take Your Hand" made her want to renew her wedding vows.

Ben Drysdale has performed in music and theatre for most of his life. His style ranges from soft folky ballads to a rocky contemporary sound, with sincere yet often quite cheeky lyrics.

Mark Conway's debut EP, Steal The First Light, has just been released. What starts like it could be just another guy singing with a guitar turns into something quite sparkling.

• See myspace.com/shaunbarrowes, myspace.com/bendrysdale, myspace.com/markconwaymusic and myspace.com/originscavan.