SPOUT DEBUT FOR CAITLIN

Local country singer Caitlin O’Sullivan will make her Kilcullen debut in The Spout tomorrow night, Friday, 2 October, in the first of a series of opportunities for upcoming musicians being organised by the pub, writes Brian Byrne. Caitlin, 20, is the daughter of Lisa Mitchell and granddaughter of Barney and Angela Hillis, and has recently completed a two-year course in Music Performance at the Carlow Institute of Further Education and Training.

Her original song, Too Young, received strong positive feedback when played recently on Emma O’Connor’s Irish Music Scene on KFM. The station's producer and presenter Liam Kett has asked her to have it professionally recorded for future plays.

Caitlin says she was interested in music since she was very young, as there was always music in her home. Her grandfather, Barney, was a particular influence because of his interest in country music. "I just grew up with my family all singing, and it made me want to do it," she told the Diary. She is a former student at CPC, where she sang in the school choir.

In addition to her own songwriting, Caitlin favours songs by Phoebe Bridges, Justin Bieber, and Benson Boone, and says she particularly likes Ella Langley. Her set-list also includes favourites from Elvis Presley, Abba, and Dolly Parton.

The course in Carlow included Music Industry Studies, Music Theory and Practice, Vocal Performance, Sound Engineering and Production, along with live performing at Visual in Carlow and local pubs. While the work included playing in bands with other course participants, Caitlin says she prefers performing solo because “I get to do the songs that I like most.”

The Spout is an established top Kilcullen venue for local and other bands on Saturdays and Sundays. Tommy Dignam says the Friday night initiative for new musicians will initially be two nights a month, kicking off at 9pm. Inseries, a 4-piece alternative rock band, will perform on Friday the 16th.

Caitlin is actively seeking opportunities to perform at gigs, weddings, and parties.

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