SINGER and guitarist Kieran Halpin is performing at Peebles’ Eastgate Theatre on Saturday, January 12, at 7.30pm.
Halpin, who lives in Selkirk, is considered a great modern writer of songs.
“Powerful, passionate, intimate and intense, Kieran Halpin’s music manages to pack life’s best and worst into songs of great intelligence, wonderful melodic style and incisive wit,” writes a spokesperson. “He’s most at home on stage, where his guitar playing and vocals speak loudest of love, loss and celebration.
“There can be few writers on the acoustic/folk scene in Europe today who have had more songs covered. Names like Vin Garbutt, Dolores Keane, The Battlefield Band, Ilse De Lange, John Wright, Flossie, Niamh Parsons, Chris Jones and countless more have recorded his songs.
“His songs can be heard in folk clubs, pubs and festivals all over the world sung by the famous and not so famous. Often the songs are better known than the writer himself. Some have been translated into German, Finnish and Spanish.”
Halpin has recorded albums in his native Ireland, Scotland, London, Nashville, Oxford and Sydney, and 2011 saw the release of his 20th album: The Devil And His Dealing.
“This is a remarkable achievement over a 33-year recording career – consistently prolific and artistically inventive,” said his agent.
The Talk magazine states: “Whilst his albums are always something to look forward to, it is live on stage where Halpin makes his mark. He has managed to marry his intelligent and thought-provoking lyrics with great melodies and has developed over the years into a writer with a unique style.
“All this is underscored by an incisive wit in his introductions which helps an audience understand where the song comes from and hint at where it might be going.
“He has that rare quality which connects with the listener during and between the songs.”
Tickets cost £10, from 01721 725777, or go to www.eastgatearts.com.