plus support^ Upstairs ^
Cork artist Yenkee announces headline show Upstairs at Whelan’s
Yenkee is a Pop project formed from the lo-fi bedroom recordings of Cork artist Graham Cooney. Cooney started recording and producing his own music at the age of 15, using minimal equipment purchased with busking money. In early 2015 he released an EP “Adieu Adieu” under his own name. Shortly after, he was given a 70’s reel to reel tape machine as a gift and began using it to write. He studied Music in University College of Cork for one whole month, before deciding to leave to concentrate on producing his own music from the comfy confines of his bedroom.
In the following 8 months, Cooney wrote a collection of songs that would eventually become Yenkee. Inspired by artists such as Marvin Gaye, Rostam Batmanglij and Ariel Pink, Yenkee’s sound was more Pop-orientated – with hooks, catchy melodies, and fun lyrics – all produced using the tasteful palettes of 60’s and 70’s rock. The tape machine he had been given ended up playing a massive part in the sound he was to create – groove-driven Pop coated in gentle tape hiss. Cooney spent the bones of 2 years working on this sound, before releasing a slew of singles in 2018, to much acclaim.
“Are You Alright?”, Yenkee’s first release, has garnered over 35,000 plays on Spotify and was selected in ThePointOfEverything’s top 5 songs of 2018. “Lander” a hip-hop, Kanye West inspired piece of auto-tuned Pop, was selected for Spotify’s “New Éire” playlist, a collection of new Irish urban sounds. This placed Yenkee among the top up and coming Irish bands.
With the momentum of these early releases, Yenkee began working on their live show and went on to sell out shows in their hometown of Cork, Ireland. Their first gig was at Cork’s Quarter Block Party Festival, and since then they’ve played in Bello Bar (Dublin) and Roisín Dubh (Galway).
At the moment, Cooney is working on Yenkee’s debut EP , which is due out in 2019 on his own independent record label “Bride Valley Records”. Their debut EP promises to be full of more jangly guitars, funky bass lines and Cher-esque vocals, creating sincere and soulful Pop.
Yenkee will play Upstairs at Whelans on Saturday 5th October with tickets from €11 on sale Friday 26th July from 10am.
TICKETS
ON SALE FRI 26th JUL, 10AM: €11 available online from WAV Tickets or Lo-Call 01 4780766 (9:30am-7pm M-F)
– 50c per ticket service charge applies on phone, internet or creditcard bookings. Final ticket price may be higher from other outlets.
Strictly over 18′s, I.D. may be required
AFTER THE GIG
Whelan’s Indie Club w/ Late Bar from 10:30pm or check out the bands playing The Midnight Hour in the upstairs venue – Free Entry via front door until 10:30pm | Drinks Promos
ON SALE FRI 26th JUL, 10AM
MCD proudly presents
