New Breadwinners in France, 30 July-3 Sept. 2015

Following on last Thursday's post, thanks again to John Denby for the latest news from the New Breadwinners - shown in the photo (l-r: John, mandolin/ vocals; Luke Coffey, 5-string banjo/ vocals; Niall Hughes, guitar/ vocals) two months ago at Kilworth, Co. Cork.

On 1 July the band announced that they will begin on 30 July a five-week tour of France, taking in Normandy, the Alps, and Alsace. For the northern leg of the tour they will be joined by Gab Faure (fiddle), who played with them in concert at the Westport Folk and Bluegrass Festival last month. The tour schedule is at present as follows:

Thurs. 30th July: Morlaix 29600, Ty coz
Fri. 31st: Santec 29250, le Dossen

Sat. 1st Aug.: Gomené 22230, Pub Follette
Sun. 2nd: Guern 56310, Les Anges
Tues. 4th: Moncontour 22510, le Contretemps
Fri. 7th: Tremargat 22110, La Pépie
Sat. 8th: Douarnenez 29100, Café des Halles
Thurs. 13th: Valjouffrey 38740, L'église de Valjouffrey
Fri. 14th: Moulin Vieux 38350, L'église de Moulin Vieux
Mon. 17th-Sun. 23rd: Morzine 74110, The Dixie Bar (7-night residency)

Wed. 2nd Sept.: Rennes 35000, Le Hibou Grand Duc
Thurs. 3rd: Soulvache 44660, Le Papier Buvard

John adds: 'We may add more dates in Alsace around 25-28 August. If anyone knows any French bluegrassers out there, tell them to get in touch with us!' The band's last two gigs in Ireland before their tour are:

• Wed. 22nd July (TONIGHT): Chancery Inn, Inns Quay, Dublin 1, 9.00 p.m. (Facebook)
• Sat. 25th: The Little Blue Room, John Browne's Bar, Market Square, Longford town, with Vincent Cross; doors 9.45 p.m. 10.00 p.m.; €5 at the door (part of Longford Cruthu Arts Festival)

The New Breadwinners decided on Monday last week to record an album, and had finished work in the studio by lunchtime next day, so we half-expected to see reviews in Bluegrass Unlimited by now; however, it'll be something to look forward to. Photos from the session can be seen here.