Events
CASEY NEILL is a songwriter from Portland, Oregon performing high energy indie folk, infused with haunting melodies and weather beaten narratives. A prolific road warrior since the late 90s, Neill tours throughout the USA, Japan, and Europe, performing at venues such as Town Hall in New York, San Francisco’s Great American Music Hall, and the Newport Folk Festival. His new album Sending Up Flares was recorded with his longtime band The Norway Rats and produced by guitarist Chet Lyster of Eels. Created amidst chaos and uncertainty, these songs offer a lifeline to a world in need of balance, shot through with stories about resolve, resilience, and wonder.
Where the band’s sound is wide-lens, Neill’s solo performances focus on acoustic guitar artistry and the intimate Americana and Celtic influences that underscore his songwriting. In 1997 Casey Neill began a run of three songwriter albums for folk label Appleseed Recordings as well as contributing tracks to their Pete Seeger Tribute along with Bruce Springsteen, Billy Bragg, and Bonnie Raitt. Following a few years treading the boards in New York City, Neill moved back to the thriving music community in Portland, Oregon. The next record Brooklyn Bridge was produced by late Scottish fiddler Johnny Cunningham with a far more electric bent. The Norway Rats were formed to support it with Lyster, Jenny Conlee (of Decemberists) on keys and bassist Jesse Emerson. Casey Neill & The Norway Rats recorded three records across the 2010’s – the dreamy Americana of Goodbye to the Rank and File, the art rock collection All You Pretty Vandals and the electro-folk and pop explorations of Subterrene.
Critic Marco Rivera described it best for music blog Splendid: “Be it through raucous rockers, fragile acoustic ballads, passionate bursts of punk fury or soulful touches of Irish folk, Neill’s narrative talent and concern for real people’s struggles stand out. (Neill) evokes an epic feel that fits perfectly with the implicit grandiosity of this emotional material, delivered with a raspy, affectionate voice that recalls Life’s Rich Pageant-era Michael Stipe. The results are so evocative, you’ll be tempted to steep further in these memories, the better to share Casey Neill’s particular blend of personal and historical experience.”
“(Neill’s) songs mask their complexities beneath a simple, singalong-worthy surface… these swimming waters have serious depth.” – Rolling Stone
Doors open 7pm. Music starts 8.30pm. The venue is mixed seated and standing. Tables are limited and available on a first come first served basis so, if you’d like a seat, we recommend arriving early!
