The Remedy Club have been local favourites on the Irish music scene for a number of years now. Over this time, both Aileen Mythen and KJ McEvoy have achieved quite a reputation for their music, which was enhanced with the release of the critically acclaimed Lovers, Legends & Lost Causes album in 2017.
Their live performances have always drawn plenty of interest and their stage presence is fused with an energy and musicality that delivers real quality. This gig at the Hot Spot in Greystones was further evidence of their combined talents and was also a fundraiser for an upcoming trip to Nashville where they are due to record their follow up album.
The full room at the venue was very encouraging, given that the gig was an early one with a 5.00pm start, and the age spread among the audience is proof that their terrific music reaches all ears and all ages. Focusing mainly on their debut release, the duo performs nine of the songs that appeared on the album with I Miss You, Big Ol’ Fancy, When Tom Waits Up and Bottom Of The Hill receiving a warm reaction.
There are always a few cover versions included in their set list and this evening we are treated to Heartbreak Hotel and I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry. Taking on both Elvis and Hank Williams could lead to self-sabotage but not when Aileen and KJ are at the controls. Both deliver performances that are completely convincing and vibrant; whether its Aileen impressing on vocals and percussion or KJ thrilling with his superb mastery of the guitar and his inventive soloing on top of the rhythms created.
A rendition of the old blues standard, It Hurts Me Too, is a stand out and the encore includes a song with support act Conor O’Donnell (guitar) & Robin Kelly (upright bass), followed by a great performance from Aileen on This Is Love, an appropriate sentiment on which to end the show.
Conor O’Donnell opened the evening and included a number of songs from his debut release, Come On In. The album was recorded with producers Garvan Gallagher and Gavin Glass at Orphan Records. Conor is a very assured singer and his Roots/Americana sound is very appealing with plenty of interesting songs, performed with a quiet confidence throughout his set.
The Hot Spot continues to be a very important venue and their motto of ‘keeping live music alive’ is one that deserves full support in order to keep giving local acts the opportunity to bring their music to an audience. Congratulations to Ailbhe on all her hard work and promotion of live music in the Greystones area. It is only a short journey on the Dart from Dublin city centre and deserves all the support you can give it.
And, to finish on support, it is not too late to assist The Remedy Club in their efforts to crowdfund the next album. There are plenty of interesting offers/options to attract your support and full details are available at https://fundit.ie/project/the-remedy-club---new-album.
Review and photograph by Paul McGee