Connie Duffy- ‘Emotional Kaleidoscope’ Press Release November 10, 2023

StrawMan AKA Tom Bonner is an alternative-rock singer-songwriter who hails from Ballybofey, Co. Donegal. He is currently completing his 3rd LP, 'Emotional Kaleidoscope'; 11 tracks that convey various emotions that we all feel such as Unbridled Joy (Drop Tools) Defiance (Krakatoa) Hope (A Rooster's Step) Love (Hook, Line and Sinker) and Respect (I can hear Dan Grimaldi weeping). 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 can assure 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 Donegal artist 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 3rd. 

As with 'Fearless', StrawMan's latest offering was recorded at Valley Music Studio in Ballybofey and produced by the much respected and innovative Terry McGinty. It features some wonderfully talented musicians such as Kevin Halpin (Bass, Keys and Guitar), Adrian Harkin (Drums), 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 McGinty plays 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 29th. 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 at 7.30pm in Browne's Bar, Crossroads. On October 14th, the band travels to Donegal Town to play The Forge Bar (+ Michael Gillespie)  On November 10, they have an album launch in The Alley Theatre in Strabane (+ Brian Hassan) and on December 16th StrawMan will have a hometown launch in The Balor Arts Centre in Ballybofey (support TBC)  

StrawMan hits 400,000 plays!

As of the start of 2024, StrawMan’s collection of songs hit the milestone of +400,000 streams on N1M, Spotify & YouTube

StrawMan- Old Lifford Courthouse 24.03.23 - Viktoriia Artamanova

Spring is a time of renewal, discoveries and new horizons. And this new horizon for many was the performance of the StrawMan group in the old Lifford Courthouse, on the evening of March 24th. Perhaps the first thing that caught our attention was the amazing location. An indie rock concert? In the city court of the XVIII century? Intriguing mix! Unexpectedly, the location helped create an amazing performance for the concert. The spacious summaries of the hall influenced a certain susceptibility and sublimity, while a small hall evoked thoughts of close heart-to-heart conversations. An interesting combination, isn't it? The whole concert by StrawMan can be described as a delicate balance between lyricism and drive, frankness and playfulness, thoughtful melancholy and impetuous rock'n'roll. The concert came out with an optimistic and touching song The benefit of hindsight, dedicated to children of the main performer, Tom Bonner. Warm and personal words, which are elements of an indescribable story, warmed up the cold walls of an old hall. Tom's touching revelation set a special mood for the whole concert - a picturesque journey through the author's personal, existential expanses. The space of the concert is the space of dialogue. It was impossible to remain indifferent to StrawMan's songs, deep and frank, but on the other hand - cozy and motivating. After a slight melancholy, Tom Bonner skillfully changed the mood in the hall. He was a real guide on this journey, setting the accents before the performance of the songs, exchanging jokes with the listeners and the band members. This was followed by a real wave of drive! The last planned song before the encore performance was dedicated to the author's love for the TV series The Sopranos. This message is so close to all die-hard fans of the show, and all fans in general. Indeed, favorite books, films and series exist in order to return to them at different periods of our lives, noticing and rediscovering details that we have never paid attention to before. At the end of the concert, there was a feeling that we have known the author of these songs and this group all our lives - the ideal result of a personal journey-confession. We would like to thank Tom Bonner,the main vocalist and guitarist, Adam Hannigan, lead guitarist and back vocalist, Adrian Harkin, drums and percussion, and Kevin Halpin, keys & bass. And besides, the organizers of the concert for the indescribable experience of a sincere, high-quality concert. Did you miss good music? Listen to StrawMan!