Ballina-born Joe Clarke is the feature act at this week’s Music at Lunchtime gig in Ballina Arts Centre, one of many appearances the singer, guitar player and songwriter has made at the venue since returning home to Ireland a few short years ago.
Joe spent some time in Manchester in the last decade, where he played and recorded with the band Adventures of Salvador before eventually taking shape as the solo artist BackinHumanForm, and then releasing his debut eponymous album.
That album revealed guitar-driven songs which ranged across the spectrum from hopeful to foreboding. It’s no surprise that it has attracted an impressive following on You Tube.
Joe recorded his album ‘backinhumanform’ in Vibe Studios in Manchester, which is owned by Mock Turtles’ frontman Martin Coogan. Martin is brother of British comedian Steve Coogan, and their mother was from Mayo.
Joe has been working hard to establish a new fan base for himself back at home and is currently writing material for his second album. He has also been actively involved in other aspects of the music scene in Ballina.
Three years ago, he headlined a concert in Ballina Arts Centre with a band that featured Colm Cahill on drums and John Hanly on bass guitar (all three pictured here).
Joe’s lunchtime gig is from 1.15pm to 1.45pm on Wednesday, August 13 and is free to attend.
Next week it is the turn of local folk singer and guitar player David Walsh, for the penultimate gig in the Ballina venue’s Wednesday afternoon summer series.
