Dublin’s James Vincent McMorrow will tour the UK this February, featuring his biggest London show to date (Royal Festival Hall, February 15: sold-out). This follows sold-out shows across the capital at Queen Elizabeth Hall, the ICA, and St Pancras Church, plus breakthrough appearances at ‘Later…With Jools Holland’ and the major UK festivals.
James’ debut album, ‘Early In the Morning’, has received significant critical acclaim, and seen McMorrow become a genuinely self-made success story. The record has already gone Gold, been nominated for the Choice Music Prize – the Irish Mercury – and seen James spend the last two years touring the US and Europe extensively.
All this is far removed from the slow-but-steady route McMorrow took when making music. Having begun his career drumming in hardcore bands, James dropped out of college and spent his teens laboriously teaching himself how to sing and write songs: four years were dedicated to simply learning his craft, whilst making ends meet pushing trolleys at an airport. He then signed to EMI Publishing in 2008, moving from Dublin to London intent on making a record. However, feeling stifled by studios and still unhappy with his material, James returned home to Ireland with his tail firmly between his legs.
Seizing the chance to finally make music on his own, McMorrow accepted the offer of a six-month stint in an isolated house by the Irish Sea. Here, his songwriting finally flourished. An album quickly emerged inspired by everything from Donny Hathaway – James’ high, soulful voice led to him being asked to sing with the girls in the school choir – to the dark, turn-of-the-century narratives of John Steinbeck and F. Scott Fitzgerald.
McMorrow’s pursuit of perfectionism was worth the wait. He is now writing songs and readying work on Album 2, which is expected later in 2012.
February 8 Liverpool Masque
February 9 Gateshead Sage
February 10 Sheffield Plug
February 11 Bristol Fleece
February 12 Oxford Academy
February 13 Norwich Arts Centre
February 15 London Royal Festival Hall *sold out*
