Tom Bonner's ‘Emotional Kaleidoscope’ ready to go

A lot of music lovers talk about defining moments but it appears every time StrawMan, AKA Tom Bonner, releases a new recording he’s on the cusp of another voyage into exciting new sounds and stories. He continues to create defining moments.

The latest offering from the alternative rock singer-songwriter who hails from Ballybofey plots out a new part of that neverending journey to find perfection - and judging by reaction to date from recent gigs in various parts of the county, he’s well on his way to satisfying himself and his ever-growing audience of admirers.

Tom is currently completing his third LP, Emotional Kaleidoscope; 11 tracks that convey various emotions that we all feel and as in the case with most great songs, the title tells the tale.

Tom succinctly describes it as rockout and upbeat combined with a few slower more melancholic tracks so that the listener can both catch their breath and contemplate.

Emotional Kaleidoscope is the eagerly anticipated follow-up to 2020's acclaimed Fearless which was described by a stalwart of the music scene as “the best album from a Donegal artist in years”.

Tom assures his fans that it is more than a worthy successor.

StrawMan's influences include REM, The Verve/Richard Ashcroft, The War on Drugs, Frightened Rabbit, The Slow Show, Bruce Springsteen, Regina Spector and Biffy Clyro, to name but a few. So far, the he has amassed over 300,000 streams on Spotify and N1M and sees this as a solid launch pad for the release of Emotional Kaleidoscope on November 3.

He first started penning songs while at university in Galway in the mid-90s. He moved to Hungary in 2003 to work as an English tutor. While there, he wrote and recorded his debut album Some Belated Truths under the moniker Urban Hermits. This was released to a solid reception in 2007.

Later that year, the band played at the world-famous Cavern Club in Liverpool. Due to family commitments, Tom took a long break from music in 2008. Fearless (2020) was his second full release.

It charted the journey from bleak despair through defiance and to ultimate redemption. Produced by the much respected and innovative Terry McGinty of Valley Music Studio, Ballybofey it doffed its cap at indie-rock, soulful ballad, minor blues and acoustic-driven pop, as is evident from the singles Cycle the Volcano, Wither and I am Enough. All three songs, along with his later single Drop Tools, got to number one on the prestigious website N1M (Number One Music).

Sight and sound: Tom hard at work in the recording studio

As with Fearless, StrawMan's latest offering was recorded at Valley Music Studio and Terry McGinty. It features some wonderfully talented musicians such as Kevin Halpin (bass, keys and guitar), Adrian Harkin (Drums), and Adam Hannigan (guitar) who are all members of Tom’s live band. It also features Joanna Harkin (vocals) Conor Malone and Rodney Deery (saxophone). Finally, Terry contributes piano, bass and lead guitar, keys/pad as well as drums/percussion programming.

Emotional Kaleidoscope consists of 11 tracks including the singles Drop Tools, I can hear Dan Grimaldi Weeping, A Rooster's Step, Krakatoa and StrawMan's next single, My Capital, due for release on September 29.

These are accompanied by terrific videos directed by Michael Gillespie.

This Autumn, StrawMan is set to play a series of gigs in the Finn Valley area and Donegal Town. It kicks off this Sunday, September 3 at 7.30pm in Browne’s Bar, Crossroads.

On October 14, the band travels to Donegal Town to play at The Forge Bar with Michael Gillespie. On November 10, they have an album launch in The Alley Theatre in Strabane with Brian Hassan, and on December 16 StrawMan will have a hometown launch in The Balor Arts Centre in Ballybofey.

Tom is on a journey, every album a signpost and judging by his upcoming offering, well on his way to a destination that will keep both him and music lovers very happy for a long time.

You can check out StrawMan on social media: www.strawman.ie
facebook.com/ StrawManArtist
insta@strawmanartist
Linkedin Tom Bonner