Music
The best kept secret in music
Press
Aspiring songwriter Tommy Bonner from Ballybofey has been shortlisted in the C.A.L.M.S. songwriting contest,the final of which willl take place in the Nerve Centre this Friday (Nov 24).His entry titled, 'Something Beautiful', beat off some impressive competition to make it into the last four.Tommy has been writing songs since He was 17 and has recently completed an album in Hungary, which he intends to launch with his band, 'Urban Hermits' in Sandino's Derry, on December 19th and in the Balor Theatre Ballybofey in the Spring. - Celine McGlynn Finn Valley Voice 21st Nov 2006
Ballybofey man, Tommy Bonner, and his band Urban Hermits are set to release their debut album CD in the next few weeks.
Tommy was in a number of bands in his native Ballybofey during the late 1990's playing a mixture of original songs and cover versions of acts like The Verve, Massive Attack, Oasis, Beck and PJ Harvey.
Coupled with a melodic acoustic strain the tracks feature a mix of rock, ballads and blues and point to a variety of influences that gives it such a unique slant.
The album 'Some belated truths', will be launched at a number of locations around the country at the beginning of December and locally in Mojo Records in Ballyshannon and at Universal Records in Letterkenny around the same time.
He will be accompanied at these gigs by fellow Ballybofey Musicians Jamie Mclean, Paddy Reynolds and Dylan Ramsey. - Connie Duffy (Donegal Democrat/Derry News 30rd Nov 2006)
This Donegal combo appear at the Balor Theatre as part of their North West Tour.The set features songs from their debut album 'Some belated truths' - a collection of 12 tracks penned by local man Tommy Bonner.The band also includes Ballybofey natives Jamie Mclean, Paddy Reynolds and Dylan Ramsey. - The Strabane Herald (April 2007)
Local band Urban Hermits quite simply shook the distinguished rafters of The Balor Theatre last Saturday night (April 21st).Playing to a packed house they stormed the stage showcasing well known tracks from their debut album 'Some Belated Truths', such as Poorbox, Won't You Stay Around?, and 'Wood for The Trees', as well as new material.They were supported by Ground Control and Mark Black, and were joined on stage by Aoife Mclean on guest Vocals and Sean Debney on Harmonica.Their set gave the audience a chance to experience the unique balance between their Indie Rock anthems and a few slow tempo ballads thrown in for good measure.They left the stage to a standing ovation and theatre manager, Conor Malone was quick to remark that it was one of the most successful nights in the theatre's 20 year history.All the local reviewers including my fellow journalists are excited about this group of lads and firmly believe they are going to put the town on the map. - Celine McGlynn Finn Valley Voice (25th April 2007)
Urban Hermits, a Donegal based alternative band hit Kilkenny on Saturday
as part of their tour of the south-east.
Tommy Bonner left for Hungary in September 2003, with an already impressive number of songs penned.It was his aim not only to play these songs, but to make an album proper.
Due to financial constraints,this was proving nigh impossbile at home.
He had plenty of material but to record an album he needed more musicians.This turned out to be easier than expected and a number of
talented local musicians not only blended seemlessly into the music but also proved to have a valuable creative influence on the record.
Tommy stated that it was the synergy between the assembled musicians and the songs themselves that allowed him to make
"the album he could never have made at home".The album 'Some belated truths' was completed in August 2006.
With the album complete, Tommy returned to Ireland and with the help of fellow Donegal musicicans set about introducing a new audience to their
music.Their Kilkenny gig is one of the more anticipated gigs of the tour as Tommy has many friends here and fond memories of the Marble City.
"We're well happy with the way the gigs have gone so far considering the short time the band has been together.Everyone has just
pulled together and clicked really well, we have just got into it for the greater good of the tunes," said front man Tommy.
"I am more than proud of the album, I think it sounds great but there is no substitute for playing these songs live, there is a
real energy about them that has been commented upon", he said.
Their album has been described as a cross between PJ Harvey, The Verve/Richard Ashcroft and Sparklehorse.
For a preview check out http://www.myspace.com/theurbanhermits
The show begins at 9pm and will be opened by local band 'The fundamentals'. - Andrew McGuinness (The Kilkenny Voice, 9th January 2007)
Discography
Promotional single - Poorbox
Album - Some belated truths
BBC Radio Foyle November & December; two tracks were played;Poorbox & Won't You Stay Around?
Telephone(0044) 287190338000
Also, Poorbox was played repeatedly on two Hungarian college radio stations, Cornivus & Nap in late 2006 / 07.
And finally, Several tracks of the album were played on Highland Radio, LetterKenny, Co. Donegal.Throughout the past year.
Telephone - +353 74 912 5000
Phantom FM a Dublin based independent station, has also aired some tracks.
Telephone - +353 1 888 5151
Won't You Stay Around? - Was played on the Sara Cox Show, BBC Radio 1 on Saturday 17th March 2007.
July 22nd, 2007; Makin' Good on a Promise was played on Limerick's 95FM Green & Live Irish Rock show.
A planned EP release early next year.
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
I arrived home from Hungary in Autumn of 2006 with a newly completed album.Finding capable and professional musicians to help me promote the album was no easy task, but I struck gold with Paddy, Jamie and Dylan, who proved to be more than talented enough for the job at hand.Since then, we've worked hard in rehearsal and played several gigs in various venues around the country.Not only that, but guys have had more than their fair share of creative input in tracks I've written since and new ones we've written together.
Links
