Tara Maher
Myrtlevilles' The Lodge welcomed singer and Fountainstown native Cal Twomey and his friends for a night of dancing and clinking glasses as locals enjoyed a wholesome Bank Holiday Saturday night.
Cal grew up in Fountainstown and attended Crosshaven Boys National School but now lives in Helsinki, Finland.
"I got into music the same way I'd say most people do, listening to and enjoying whatever my parents had on," Cal told The Carrigdhoun, "I'd say I'm fairly lucky in the sense that my parents have good taste, so there was always something interesting to listen to"
At the age of 16, Callum embarked on a personal artistic journey, teaching himself to play the guitar. His motivation was purely artistic, with no desire to impress anyone but himself.
David Bowie, Amy Winehouse, and Sinéad O'Connor have all inspired Cal. His involvement in the local underground scene in Helsinki, known for its diverse and experimental music, has exposed him to local bands such as The Whistleblower, Lovers Left Alive, and The Halophones. This experience has given him a different appreciation for his craft and influenced his musical style.
Having seen a pair of old friends from Crosshaven perform at the Lodge, Callum thought it would have been fun for them all to do a gig together. When that wasn't feasible, he asked a friend from secondary school, Adam Walsh, to come along, and he graciously accepted.
Cal's old neighbour from Fountainstown, Dara O'Connell, also made a special guest appearance, and they sang late into the night.
"I enjoyed it immensely! It was a really beautiful thing to see a load of faces in the audience, which I'd not seen since I was small. There were loads of family and old friends there, and the love from everyone was fantastic. When you play gigs in Finland, audience engagement can be minimal. So, playing The Lodge was pretty special".
Following the success of last Saturday's gig, he hopes to try to play a gig or two every time he's home; "ye will be sick of me," he joked.
Back in Finland, Cal gigs regularly and is a member of a few bands, most frequently playing with Faraway Shapes, Trio Grande, and The Tex Mex Restaurant. "I also do solo gigs, which are mostly acoustic, like the one in The Lodge."
Playing in front of crowds regularly has been an unexpected joy for Cal, "If you had told me two years ago that I'd be playing for people as often as I am now and getting to do the types of shows I've been lucky enough to do, I wouldn't have believed it."
Currently, Cal is taking a flexible approach and dealing with things as they come. In September, he will start recording his solo album and release it when the time is right. "We'll see where things go from there".
"I'd like to play gigs for a living, and I'm almost there with that, so if I can write the music I want to write and play it to pay bills, I think I'd be happy with that."
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