Brian Lennon was born into a well-renowned traditional music family, but this month sees the launch of a whole new venture for this Mayo-based Leitrim man, as he launches his debut solo album ‘a matter of time’ at Westival.

Born in Limerick in 1961, Brian started violin lessons at the age of 4, but then went against the strong family fiddling tradition, concentrating on whistle and then concert flute.

He has featured on many traditional albums, including ‘Ceol Tigh Neachtain’ while based in Galway; his father Ben’s album ‘The Natural Bridge’; his brother Maurice’s highly acclaimed album ‘Brian Boru - High King of Tara’ and his uncle Charlie’s ‘Flight from the Hungry Land’, a suite for traditional musicians and orchestra which was performed in the UK, USA and Australia.

He was a founding member of Mayo-based traditional group ‘Céide’ who recorded two albums and toured extensively in the UK and Europe.

In recent years, he has concentrated more on singing and songwriting. He first developed an interest in choral singing and joined UCG Choir while studying there in the early eighties. In 1980, he was a founding member of Galway-based chamber choir Cois Cladaigh; and in 2004, whilst living in Mayo, became conductor of Cór Mhaigh Eo.

It was through meeting friends in the choral setting that the seven-piece vocal ensemble Coda was formed. Coda released their first album ‘Mouthmusic’ in 2011 to critical acclaim. This was followed up with a second album ‘Train of Spirits’ in 2017 and featured the first self-penned songs by Lennon.

When asked about his songwriting influences, he says; “My earliest memories recall my father’s albums of Dean Martin, Johnny Cash; then listening to my brother John’s tapes of the Beatles, Simon and Garfunkel and Neil Young. Later I listened a lot to James Taylor, Clifford T Ward, Joe Jackson and Jackson Browne. One album that I was obsessed with was Paul Brady’s Hard Station”.

This led him to songwriting and to his first solo album ‘a matter of time’. The album features ten songs, most of which were penned during lockdown. Some of the songs are deeply personal, dealing with issues such as loss, love and separation, whilst others deal with climate change, ethnic minorities, faith etc. “You should only write about things that matter you” his friend and co-musician, Declan Askin, once said to him, and that made perfect sense to Brian.

‘A matter of time’ – debut solo album by Brian Lennon will be launched by Tony Reidy in Westport Town Hall Theatre on Sunday, 30th October at 7pm, as part of Westival. Brian will be joined by a super band led by Bart de Boer, who did all the arrangements on the album, and a host of special guests including famed harper and Westport native, Laoise Kelly, Brian’s brother Maurice, renowned fiddle player and composer, ex. Stockton’s Wing, members of Coda, and Brian’s daughter Aifric. It promises to be a memorable night.

Tickets: €18 / €16 from westival.ie