SongLives

Curated by Grammy Award-winner Susan McKeown

SongLives showcases some of Ireland and North America’s most exciting contemporary songwriters, bringing the rich tradition of busking on Dublin’s Grafton Street and beyond to New York City.

Leo O'Kelly and Rebecca Hart

Friday, December 11
Doors Open at 7 pm | Show at 8 pm

Leo O’Kelly

Irish singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer Leo O'Kelly has a long history in Irish music and is best known for founding the Irish folk duet Tir na nOg in 1970 with Sonny Condell. Their highly influential albums are still cited today and have never been out of print. They have toured extensively in Britain, Europe and USA, opening for acts like Jethro Tull, The Who, and Procol Harum, as well as headlining their own shows. Reunited, they have just released The Dark Dance. In recent years Leo has recorded three solo albums, and his last collection, Will, achieved RTÉ Radio 1 Album Of The Week. O’Kelly’s vibrant performance will feature his folk rock gems and eclectic songs.

Rebecca Hart

"Rebecca Hart is a fine modern folk-rocker—an impressively well-textured voice, sticky melodies…a potent dose of downtown heat." - Time Out New York

"Broadway voice and a rock star soul... a marvelously startling power." - Earvolution.com

Rebecca Hart once accidentally won a comedy contest in Dublin, Ireland, while appearing as a musical guest. She has been an actress since her first stage appearance at nine months old and a singer/songwriter for only a slightly shorter time. She is a regular at the Rockwood Music Hall and has sold out Joe’s Pub more than once. She is one of the lead singers of the Brooklyn-based Dirty Waltz Band and an Associate Artist and composer for The Civilians theatre company. She has toured Ireland multiple times and very excited to play SongLives after many ’ sundays at seven’ appearances at the IAC. In 2016 she will be recording new tunes in Louisville KY with acclaimed cellist/songwriter Ben Sollee.