Writers in the Round at Cafe No.9

3 unique songwriters Vincent Cross (New York/IRL), Emily Portman (UK) and Tom Portman (IRL) team up for a night of songs and stories.

Vincent Cross is a singer-songwriter, essayist, and educator whose music bridges continents and generations. Born in Ireland and raised in Australia, he now calls New York City home—a melting pot that fuels his unique blend of traditional Irish folk, Americana, bluegrass, and contemporary songwriting. Over the past two decades, Cross has released five acclaimed full-length albums.

Emily Portman is an award-winning singer and songwriter with a passion for traditional songs, hailed as ‘one of the new British folk scene’s most beguiling presences’ (Uncut).
She has toured widely for over 15 years as a band leader, with The Furrow Collec6ve and in a duo with Leveret’s Rob Harbron. Emily was awarded a BBC Folk award for ‘Best Original Song’ and has released three critically acclaimed albums of original songs that recast old ballads and fairytales into new shapes. Her new album ‘The Dominion of Spells’ puts Emily’s songwriting back into the spotlight in an album of midlife and magic that is sure to delight.

"Portman’s sure command of ancient folklore, spellcraZ and balladry turns them into living forces and entities.”Songlines

“A really great listen... sonically full of interes6ng li_le details.” Mark Radcliffe, BBC Radio 2 Folk Show

Tom Portman is a multi instrumentalist, songwriter, recording artist and composer based in the west of Ireland. He specializes in guitar, Dobro®, lap steel and other strings. With 6 solo albums to his name, Portman has been a consistent eclectic and prolific force in Irish music. His work focuses on our relationships to each other and the natural world; exploring themes of place, mythology, the cycles of life and death and the emotional landscape of life. There’s a wide range to his work – from the Blues, Irish melodies, swing, rag time, classical, Indian ragas to good old rock n roll. His broad skill set along with an eclectic set of musical influences places him in a unique position as a performer composer and recording artist. “If it has strings, Portman can play them. Not only play them but bend them, scratch them, shape ’em and mould them into a collage of beauty. This latest is a gorgeous collection of magical soundscapes that take the listener to other places – this is a melting pot of Americana, Irish trad., world and the magical. There’ll surely be plenty of airings on Blue of the Night
CARL CORCORAN Presenter, Blue of the Night

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Please note this ticket price DOES include a BYOB fee should you wish to bring alcohol to the venue.

All additional purchases of non alcoholic drinks and home baked sweet treats from the cafe counter are always very much appreciated.