Fantastic review of our Lifford gig by Paddy Walsh in Letterkenny Live...

Hard to beat live music and so herself and myself headed off to the Lifford Old Courthouse on Friday night to see and listen to a couple of outstanding acts. The main attraction of the evening was StrawMan fronted by Tommy Bonner from Ballybofey. Not just a singer and musician, but a very accomplished songwriter as well so consequently, we were treated to a set lasting close to two hours and comprising of all original material. “We’re not a tribute band and we don’t do covers,” Tommy indicates at the outset.

And what a show they put on for the audience that included a group ofUkrainians. I don’t mind the odd tribute band myself or indeed any act performing covers but this was a more enriching experience – listening to songs that were the work of the man singing them.

StrawMan has an album out called ‘Fearless’ described by Billy Robinson, a man who knows all about good music, as “the best album from a Donegal artist in years.” I would suggest, going on Friday night’s listening, that it’s one of the best albums from any Irish artist in years. I see on social media a quote from a man in Limerick who declares: “StrawMan has now replaced Tom Petty as the music blaring from my teenage daughter’s bedroom. There is no higher accolade I can bestow on it.”

Indeed.. Before this performance in the Lifford Old Courthouse, I hadn’t been acquainted with any of Tommy’s material but I can safely say I am now and will continue to be. And I am also eagerly looking forward to listening to his latest offering ‘Emotional Kaleidoscope’.

His band, comprising of Adam Hannigan, Kevin Halpin and Adrian Harkin, proved themselves brilliant musicians too – a great night all round. Made also by the performance of Lifford singer-songwriter, Lynn Campbell, who acted as support to StrawMan. She had written a couple of her songs just weeks

before and is surely another artist to look out for.

Towards the end of the evening, she joined the band onstage to perform vocals on another Bonner composition, ‘Wither’ – a beautiful number that deserves to hit the top.

Meanwhile, Tommy revealed that his band had already hit the top, shooting a video for his single 'Krakatoa' at The Steeple located, as he maintained, between Ballybofey and Kilross'... “Stranorlar”, piped up a voice from the audience. Those Twin Towners know their place. StrawMan will be performing upstairs In Bonner's Corner Bar, Ballybofey on December 21st in what promises to be an incredible concert on the mouth of Christmas.

Connie Duffy- ‘Emotional Kaleidoscope’ Press Release November 10, 2023

StrawMan AKA Tom Bonner is an alternative-rock singer-songwriter who hails from Ballybofey, Co. Donegal. He is currently completing his 3rd LP, 'Emotional Kaleidoscope'; 11 tracks that convey various emotions that we all feel such as Unbridled Joy (Drop Tools) Defiance (Krakatoa) Hope (A Rooster's Step) Love (Hook, Line and Sinker) and Respect (I can hear Dan Grimaldi weeping). Tom succinctly describes it as rockout and upbeat combined with a few slower more melancholic tracks so that the listener can both catch their breath and contemplate. 'Emotional Kaleidoscope' is the eagerly anticipated follow up to 2020's acclaimed 'Fearless' which was described by a stalwart of the music scene as 'the best album from a Donegal artist in years.' Tom can assure his fans that it is more than a worthy successor. 

StrawMan's influences include REM, The Verve/Richard Ashcroft, The War on Drugs, Frightened Rabbit, The Slow Show, Bruce Springsteen, Regina Spector and Biffy Clyro to name but a few. So far, the Donegal artist has amassed over 300,000 streams on Spotify and N1M and sees this as a solid launch pad for the release of 'Emotional Kaleidoscope' on November 3rd. 

As with 'Fearless', StrawMan's latest offering was recorded at Valley Music Studio in Ballybofey and produced by the much respected and innovative Terry McGinty. It features some wonderfully talented musicians such as Kevin Halpin (Bass, Keys and Guitar), Adrian Harkin (Drums), Adam Hannigan (Guitar) who are all members of Tom's live band. It also features Joanna Harkin (Vocals) Conor Malone and Rodney Deery (Saxophone). Finally, Terry McGinty plays piano, bass and lead guitar, keys/pad as well as drums/percussion programming. 

"Emotional Kaleidoscope' consists of 11 tracks including the singles 'Drop Tools', 'I can hear Dan Grimaldi weeping', 'A Rooster's Step', 'Krakatoa' and StrawMan's next single 'My Capital', due for release on September 29th. These are accompanied by terrific videos directed by Michael Gillespie. 

This Autumn, StrawMan is set to play a series of gigs in the Finn Valley area and Donegal Town. It kicks off this Sunday at 7.30pm in Browne's Bar, Crossroads. On October 14th, the band travels to Donegal Town to play The Forge Bar (+ Michael Gillespie)  On November 10, they have an album launch in The Alley Theatre in Strabane (+ Brian Hassan) and on December 16th StrawMan will have a hometown launch in The Balor Arts Centre in Ballybofey (support TBC)  

StrawMan hits +600,000 plays!

As of June 1, 2024, StrawMan’s collection of songs exceeded the milestone of 600,000 streams on N1M, Spotify & YouTube

StrawMan- Old Lifford Courthouse 24.03.23 - Viktoriia Artamanova

Spring is a time of renewal, discoveries and new horizons. And this new horizon for many was the performance of the StrawMan group in the old Lifford Courthouse, on the evening of March 24th. Perhaps the first thing that caught our attention was the amazing location. An indie rock concert? In the city court of the XVIII century? Intriguing mix! Unexpectedly, the location helped create an amazing performance for the concert. The spacious summaries of the hall influenced a certain susceptibility and sublimity, while a small hall evoked thoughts of close heart-to-heart conversations. An interesting combination, isn't it? The whole concert by StrawMan can be described as a delicate balance between lyricism and drive, frankness and playfulness, thoughtful melancholy and impetuous rock'n'roll. The concert came out with an optimistic and touching song The benefit of hindsight, dedicated to children of the main performer, Tom Bonner. Warm and personal words, which are elements of an indescribable story, warmed up the cold walls of an old hall. Tom's touching revelation set a special mood for the whole concert - a picturesque journey through the author's personal, existential expanses. The space of the concert is the space of dialogue. It was impossible to remain indifferent to StrawMan's songs, deep and frank, but on the other hand - cozy and motivating. After a slight melancholy, Tom Bonner skillfully changed the mood in the hall. He was a real guide on this journey, setting the accents before the performance of the songs, exchanging jokes with the listeners and the band members. This was followed by a real wave of drive! The last planned song before the encore performance was dedicated to the author's love for the TV series The Sopranos. This message is so close to all die-hard fans of the show, and all fans in general. Indeed, favorite books, films and series exist in order to return to them at different periods of our lives, noticing and rediscovering details that we have never paid attention to before. At the end of the concert, there was a feeling that we have known the author of these songs and this group all our lives - the ideal result of a personal journey-confession. We would like to thank Tom Bonner,the main vocalist and guitarist, Adam Hannigan, lead guitarist and back vocalist, Adrian Harkin, drums and percussion, and Kevin Halpin, keys & bass. And besides, the organizers of the concert for the indescribable experience of a sincere, high-quality concert. Did you miss good music? Listen to StrawMan!