User:Eoin Jordan

Having only joined forces in the summer of 2009, David Hope & The Henchmen have very quickly managed to cause a stir with audiences all around Ireland. Assembled and fronted by the highly respected Co. Clare singer-songwriter David Hope, The Henchmen's dynamic sound is steeped in vintage country blues, foot-stompin' American mountain folk, a pinch of alt.country twang - all soaked in a distinctly Irish whiskey flavour.

David Hope has independently released two critically acclaimed records in recent years. The album 'A Picture' produced in 2007 by Terry Woods (of Steeleye Span and The Pogues) received great reviews and radioplay and was promoted with appearances on national Irish television. The 7-track EP 'Daybreak Someplace' was released in 2009 to favourable reviews. A strong vocalist and performer, David Hope has also been busy with shows across Europe including numerous appearances at festivals in Switzerland, Germany and Sweden encompassing tours with The Duke Spirit, Swiss singer Sophie Hunger, Baum, Andrea Samborski and Irish folk/blues chanteuse Mary Coughlan.

David Hope & The Henchmen derive their influences from the classic rural American recordings of Lightnin' Hopkins and Hank Williams, the Traditional Irish and English Folk of Planxty and Fairport Convention, great songwriters like Tom Waits and Steve Earle, right up towards the contemporary Americana sounds of Calexico and Gillian Welch.

A 5-track demo was recorded in Monorail Studios, Co, Tipperary in late 2009. The band have recorded their first single, 'Hell or High Water' produced by Declan Sinnott which is due for release in April 2011.

So far the band have garnered many new fans with appearances all over Ireland including the Clare Winter Folk Festival, Kilkenny Rhythm & Roots Festival 2010, the Westport Folk & Bluegrass Festival, Kinsale Arts Week 2010 and the Cork Folk Festival 2010. http://www.facebook.com/davidhopeandthehenchmen...