A musical act of faith

Perry teams up with McClorey for EP launch concert this weekend

Behind the murderous title of ‘Kill Your Darlings’ lies a fabulous collection of folk-infused songs by Rita Perry. Sophisticated accompaniments provide the backdrop for the Ballyjamesduff singer’s glorious voice, brimming with personality. Everything from Perry’s guitar playing to the strings, trumpets, and layers of harmonies are exquisitely measured. An accomplished opening gambit, ‘Kill Your Darlings’ announces the arrival of an exciting talent.

Much of the EP was conceived during Lockdown, Rita explains over the phone from her base in Dublin. “There was a lot of time for focus and writing, and working on things, so by the time I was coming out of that I felt I had a little set of songs to put together as a cohesive project.”

She didn’t rush into recording the tracks, and maybe the tracks benefit from the last four years or so to mature.

“In a practical way but also in a strongly emotional way, it’s proof to myself of my capabilities,” explains Rita of what it means to have these four songs laid down.

“The EP was completely self-produced so there was a lot of first times and first steps involved. You have to have a certain amount of faith in yourself already before completing any project, that you will come to the end of it. Completing it then serves to prove you were right all along, but also to propel you forward into the next act of faith.”

Asked how she would describe the collection she admits to struggling to put it into words for fear of restricting herself.

“I would say they are a kind of retrospective collection, from a particular time in my life. Or a time in my life where I was reflecting on the years that had led up to where I was sitting with a guitar at that moment,” she explains.

“It’s not so much the looking back, but putting a stamp on a particular time, that starts to make you feel that you are moving into the next chapter.”

Rita has an illustrious musical bloodline. Her father Robbie’s roots are marinaded in Dead Can Dance.

Robbie performs percussion with Rita’s studio band, an ensemble that brings together a breath-taking array of talent in Caimin Gilmore playing double bass, Peter Broderick on strings, Pep Gol on trumpet and Jonny Pickett of DUG on banjo. Attracting musicians of this calibre is a measure of the strength of Rita’s songs. However it’s not just Rita’s father’s influence that is apparent in this EP. She is proud of her Catalan heritage, bestowed by her mother, Núria Roldós. Songs such as Atrapada and Tard pel Traball feature portions sung in Catalan.

“If we are looking at the Catalan side of things, I suppose self identity would be a theme that comes up, like that first song I know it’s in half Catalan, half English, so it’s a little hard for a listener to get a grip of the whole song, but I suppose that was the point in a way; to feel somewhat confused – half getting it, then missing it then getting it again, so that feeling of not being totally settled and trying to figure out where you stand with your own identity.”

‘Atrapada’ opens the EP with a lullaby vibe, before momentarily stretching out as the tide of strings, bass and symbols gently lap onto the song’s shores.

For this reviewer ‘Seasons’ is the highlight where again the truly distinctive quality of her voice is to the fore, but against a more jazz infused background.

Beauty and violence

The EP title is a quote attributed to author William Faulkner where he urged aspiring writers to be ruthless in editing first drafts.

“It’s not exactly how he said it but I kind of enjoyed slightly misquoting him,” says Rita.

“It’s a bit of a reference to the intensity or even the loneliness to self edit your work, and just how it can be a bit brutal sometimes. The title came at the very end of it all, so I think by the time I came to the end of the project, I wanted to call it something that reminded me how much work the editing had been. Although, now it seems very violent!”

Locally Rita announced her arrival performing in the Town Hall Arts Centre as part of the extravaganza of Cavan talent organised by Josh McClorey titled ‘The Sound of Time Flying’ as part of last year’s Cavan Arts Festival. A highlight for many that night was Rita and Josh’s duet on the old folk number Red Rocking Chair.

“I usually play it alone, but it was nice playing it with him,” recalls Rita of the event.

She will be reunited with the Cavan guitarist on the same Town Hall stage again this weekend for a concert that also serves to launch ‘Kill Your Darlings’.

“I think it’s going to be a really special night,” she predicts.

“My songs from this EP are going to be performed, but also songs that me and Josh have been writing together.

“And then there’s a couple of his songs, so it’s going to be quite a mix.”

They are intending to release some recordings together.

“Whether it’s an EP or an album I’m not sure how short or long form it will be, but we’ve been working together now for a little while, so I think it would be really nice to share it outside of the live performance realm.”

Rita Perry & Josh McClorey play the Town Hall Arts Centre this Saturday, April 11. For tickets see: townhallartscentre.com