Tuesday 13 June Road Relish Singles Club at Whelans

David Kitt/Dave Cleary/Richard Egan

A drunken conversation about music (of all things) with a friend (who works in a large music retail outlet), resulted in a one sided tirade about how crap the Irish music scene is. My friend could not equate the sales of what he would consider quality music to the pap that is delivered with gusto by many Irish bands. At this point I must point out that we were at an IMRO showcase gig…..or a more correctly an evening with unsigned bands who sound like Travis, Radiohead or, god forbid, Hootie and the Blowfish. Why, he asked, could he sell Flaming Lips and Godspeed by the cartload, and then go see an Irish band who sound like the Stereophonics? Do the consumers of quality music not form bands, he asked?

Drunk and troubled, he shook his head. "I did see one guy, though" he croaked," when I went to see Wheat. Don't know who he was but he was backed by a guy sitting on the floor playing keyboards." "That was David Kitt, Ireland's brightest star!" I exclaimed.

"Better than Twink?" he asked, hope beginning to return to his bloodshot eyes. "Maxi to the Max" I replied. My friend was mistaken though about the state of the Irish music scene. All the cool shit going down, Front End Synthetics, Minimise, and of course the Road Relish singles club.

The club, started last year by 5 music lovers is administered and nurtured by the lovely people in Road Records and the people from Alpha Relish (who I'm sure are very nice too). Every two months or so they release a split 7" single featuring 2 bands. There is a run of 500 only of each single. Each one is individually numbered and pressed on ultra heavy 70g vinyl. They also put on a showcase gig featuring both acts to coincide with the release of the record. This time it's David Kitt and Dave Cleary (that's Mr Deasey Mooneye to you punk!) and the venue is Whelans. Also on the bill is Richie Egan, from Redneck Manifesto (who appeared on Road Relish 1).

We arrive and Dave Cleary is seated behind his equipment, his head bobbing to the bass groove of one of his original tunes. I hate using the word eclectic, I don't want to, but it describes Dave Cleary's set wonderfully. If John Kelly, Donal Dineen and Andy Kershaw compiled a set list it would sound like this. Art Blakely, blended with a Dolly and Kenny duet, a pinch of soul, a dash of Reggae, Cleary's own compositions and a hint of Middle Eastern spice could satisfy any musical appetite.

Mr Mooneye was involved in the Front End Synthetics album, providing a track (and a performance at the launch) under the moniker of the Soul Gun Warriors. His strange and beguiling soundscapes intrigued the audience between acts at Godspeed (it's not everyday you hear a Can song in a club).

When David Cleary relinquishes control of the audience, Richie Egan takes to the stage and begins to unravel an instrumental piece that could file a paternity suit against Papa M. Traditional post-rock motifs give way to Palacesque blues, Richie Egan knows the limitations of his voice, but knows how to work with what he's got. A couple of folk songs later, and Isobel from Chicks is invited to provide Bah-Da-Dahs to Richie's closing tune. A pleasant stroll through Alt. Country meadows, indeed. So good in fact that David Kitt has to rethink his set.

The single may be a double A side, but in reality, everyone's here to see David Kitt. Now the verge of major stardom (he's signed to Warners), it is gigs like this that keep him grounded and endear him to his loving fans. Whelans is hushed as he begins, the clink of glasses being collected is so distracting as he performs a song he wrote at 19 before he took a listener's advise and cheered the f*ck up. The song isn't depressing or sad, it is slow and moving. Performed with tenderness and love. A simple repeated guitar riff and gentle vocals combined with the subtlety of Paul Smith's keyboard skills hold Whelans in rapture. I've seen David Kitt a few times now, the songs are familiar. I recognise most and love them all. Performing for the first time with a live drummer, the songs take on a new freedom. The band he plays with are more seasoned now, there is a feeling that they are improvising. Beneath the fluttering clarinet and vamping piano David Kitt's songs recall epiphanies and memories. Songs like Hope St and the one that goes "it's the morning of my life" recount instances and capture emotions with such clarity, that even the most hardened heart would find it impossible not to be moved.

He plays Kraftwerk again. "Neon Lights" as if it was written for him. He appends it to one of his songs. It's like he is providing a soundtrack to the song. Brilliant. A couple more songs, a free jazz freak out, a dedication to his mother, and it's goodnight and godless.

To cater for demand, it's only two singles per person. The Kitt song is Irma Vap, a song not performed tonight. Mr Cleary provides Mr Butterfly. If there are any left, you can get one in Road Records, if you hurry. Must get the record player fixed.

Hats off to Road Records and Alpha Relish for another success. Roll on Road Relish 5! Check out Dave Cleary interviewing 5ive on the Soundroom very soon and he is a special guest at the Labradford Festival of Drifting on the 22nd of June, which could be the music event of the year! Witness David Kitt at Witness, I won't be there but when he plays Whelan's again, I'll be there early so I get a seat.

Neil Donovan