News

Luka will be performing songs from his new album 'ELEVEN SONGS' tonight on the RTE Radio 1 Arts Show at 8pm. For more information please visit - http://www.rte.ie/radio1/

Eleven Songs - Irish Times Review

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Luka Bloom's on his 12th album, and he's sizzling like a neophyte who's just discovered the magic in a newly minted song. Languid and unhurried, Eleven Songs continues on 2004's meditative Before Sleep Comes . Sure, there are traces of Bloom's trademark percussive guitar style and his political instinct on Fire , but the rest is a highly personal journey: fingering stillness and, most of all, what it means to live comfortably in one's own skin.

Acoustically, Bloom has created a space that serves his meditations well. With Trevor Hutchinson's bass, Liam O Maonlaoi's piano and Joe Csibi's string arrangements, this is a collection that doesn't so much assault the senses as infiltrate them, lingering long after the final note has sounded. A quietly triumphant return to his roots.

www.lukabloom.com  

SIOBHAN LONG

Nearly there!

Its the 1st October, and soon I will begin the touring with Eleven Songs. October will be all about Ireland, London and Glasgow, including my first visit to the Bush Hall in London.

Really looking forward to that night as I hear it is a great room, and lately I've been loving my shows in London. But in truth, the same applies to all the towns on this trip. To quote the great Damien Dempsey, 'Its all good'!

This morning as I noted the slight chill in the air, and was stirring my porridge, I decided to share with you my own recipe, to help you start your autumn and wintery days with some good warm stuff in your tummies.

Australians and New Zealanders etc....can ignore, as you lucky duckers are heading into Summer.

Here goes:

Half cup jumbo oats
Half cup quinoa flakes
Fist full of blueberries or blackberries
Half cup water
Half cup soy milk
Teaspoon of cinnamon
A fist of crushed walnuts and or pecans
Sunflower seeds
A good dollop of maple syrup.
Put oats, quinoa, blueberries, water and soy milk into saucepan. Add cinnamon.

Cook slowly, stirring and adding soy milk as necessary.

Dry fry nuts and seeds in separate pan. When the porridge is ready add the crispy warm nuts and seeds. Add some maple syrup and cold soy milk. Yum.

See you soon, Luka

And so it begins:
Tomorrow (Tuesday) at 11am Irish time (roughly), I will be on air with Tom Dunne at NEWSTALK 106 FM, singing from the record Eleven Songs, and having a chat. Tom will be broadcasting from the National Ploughing Championships in Kilkenny, which is entirely appropriate, considering after all, I'm a Bogman... This is the first interview performance for the record, and I'm looking forward to it all. Tune in live here.

See details of the irish release of Eleven Songs here: http://www.imro.ie/

We had an absolute ball in America. Loved all the gigs; especially the World Cafe in Philadelphia, which is truly a fantastic room. And the ICONS festival in Canton Mass, was a great happening in an amazing location.
I visited Ground Zero for the first time since 2001, and was deeply moved by the tributes to all the volunteers in St Paul's church beside the site. Many heroes rose in that dark and brutal time. It was also great fun to witness some of the pre election buzz kicking in. I succeeded in offending someone in Londonderry New Hampshire, with a comment I made about Sarah Palin. For which I apologise.
America is always welcoming, challenging, and most of all, great fun. 
THANKS!
This time next month, Eleven Songs will be on release in Ireland, UK, Germany, Holland, Belgium, Switzerland, Austria, Australia, and New Zealand.
Happy Days,
Luka

Greetings, well we are up and running now, and so far so good!
The record 'eleven songs' will be released in Ireland on October 10th, and here are the shows I am doing to get the ball rolling on the home turf: Can't wait!
Luka

Friday 10th October
Luka Bloom
Birr Theatre, Birr, Co. Offaly
Doors 8pm / euro20
For tickets call 057 9122911 or see www.birrtheatre.com

SATURDAY OCTOBER 11
Luka Bloom
The Dock, Carrick-on-Shannon, Co. Leitrim
Doors 8.30pm / euro20 (euro18 concession)
For tickets call 071 9650828 or see www.thedock.ie

WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 15
Luka Bloom
The Waterfront, Belfast
Doors 8pm / sterling17.50
For tickets call 00044 28 90334455 or see www.waterfront.co.uk

Friday October 17 Luka Bloom
The Forum, Waterford
Doors 8pm / euro20
For tickets call 051 871133 or Ticketlord 24 Hours 0818 220050

SATURDAY October 18 Luka Bloom
The Savoy Theatre, Cork
Doors 8pm / euro20
For tickets see www.savoycork.com

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 1 Luka Bloom
Vicar St., Dublin
Doors 7.30pm / Tickets euro25
For tickets call 0818 719390

or see Vicar St. website.