The Ultan Conlon Quartet – The Starlight Ballroom London Album Launch

About Ultan Conlon

Irish singer-songwriter, Ultan Conlon has shared the stage with the likes of John Fogerty, Mavis Staples, Jackson Browne, Bryan Ferry, John Grant, Eddi Reader, Patty Griffin, Richard Hawley, among others.

Ultan has also performed duets with John Martyn, Jackson Browne, Mary Coughlan, Grant-Lee Philips, Eddi Reader and Hollywood legend John C Reilly to name but a few.

John Martyn recorded Ultan’s song “Really Gone” in 2004 and Mary Coughlan recorded Ultan’s “A Weak Heart Like Mine” in 2017. Many of Ultan’s critically acclaimed songs have received extensive airplay in Ireland (RTE Radio 1, Lyric FM) and the UK (BBC). ‘The Starlight Ballroom’, Ultan’s upcoming studio album is produced by Grammy Award-winner David Garza and is Ultan’s fifth record.

The Ultan Conlon Quartet

Ultan Conlon and his world-renowned band are performing in The Irish Cultural Centre in Hammersmith on 11 May 2024 for the London launch of Ultan’s Acclaimed 5th Studio Album ‘The Starlight Ballroom’

Ultan, together with Alan Kelly (Eddi Reader, Alan Kelly Gang), Jimmy Higgins (Christy Moore and The Stunning) and Micheal O’Connor (Sharon Shannon), will animate and fascinate audiences with polish and a musical aplomb rarely seen today.

Conlon found a haven for his unique sound and sensibility in Los Angeles, California with Grammy Award-winning David Garza (Fiona Apple) producing Ultan’s 5th record, The Starlight Ballroom, which drops on September 13th, 2023.

Ultan first met David in LA in 2017 while playing some shows with him at Largo, the nightclub where Sean and Sara Watkins host The Watkins Family Hour. Ultan says: “When I met David and we played some songs together I saw his unbridled energy and talent and knew I wanted to work with him.” Fast forward 6 years and The Starlight Ballroom is born.

The formidable group of musicians includes producer and co-writer Garza on numerous instruments, Amy Wood— Drums (Fiona Apple, Iggy Pop, St Vincent) Sebastian Steinberg — Double Bass (Fiona Apple, Iron and Wine, Neil Diamond, KD Lang) Dave Curtis – Strings and Programming (AJ Croce). The Starlight Ballroom is engineered and mixed by John Would (Fiona Apple, Warren Zevon).

“Conlon’s poetically enigmatic songs and “lyrical gems” (No Depression)

The Starlight Ballroom was a Ballroom of Romance in Westport Co Mayo which opened in the early 1960’s and closed in 1981. Thousands of people would pack into the hall to see local Irish Show bands and the best international acts of the day. Roy Orbison played The Starlight in 1969 and Ultan’s song The Starlight Ballroom takes in and ponders the night in question.

With The Starlight Ballroom in tow Conlon headed for Los Angeles and with the aid of David

Garza created a world of characters and misfits (The Old Songs) and dreamers (Susie Gossip).

Whether it be an isolated begrudger (All Sewn Up) or a scorned lover living in the past (Hurts Like Heaven) to a young girl on her bike crossing the gravel dirt roads of 1960’s Ireland looking for a fantastical place (Paradise Lane) at the end of the day you’ll find them all in the one place, The Starlight Ballroom.

About the Album

Vintage is vibing & Ultan Conlon’s “Starlight Ballroom” nails Vintage with a capital V.  Ultan has been paralleled with Willie Nelson, Van Morrison & Roy Orbison on various tracks on this album…quite the accolade which ignites curiosity for well-honed music aficionados.

Irish singer-songwriter ULTAN CONLON anchored his distinctive sound and sensibility in Los Angeles, California with Grammy Award- winning David Garza (Fiona Apple) who produced Ultan’s 5th record, The Starlight Ballroom. It drops on September 13th 2023.

The Starlight Ballroom tour takes in venues across Ireland (see below) where Ultan & his world-renowned band – Alan Kelly (Eddi Reader), Jimmy Higgins (Christy Moore & The Stunning) & Miceal O’Connor (Sharon Shannon) will animate and fascinate audiences with polish & a musical aplomb rarely seen today.

The Starlight Ballroom, a Ballroom of Romance in Westport Co Mayo, opened its doors in the early 60s, hosted international & national acts of the day who thrilled thousands of dance goers until it closed in 1981.

Roy Orbison played The Starlight in 1969 and Ultan’s song, The Starlight Ballroom, takes in and ponders the night in question. With The Starlight Ballroom in tow Conlon headed for Los Angeles and with the aid of David Garza created a world of characters and misfits (The Old Songs) and dreamers (Susie Gossip). Whether it be an isolated begrudger (All Sewn Up) or a scorned lover living in the past (Hurts Like Heaven) or a young girl cycling the gravel dirt-roads of 1960’s Ireland looking for a fantastical place (Paradise Lane) –  they all converge in “The Starlight Ballroom”.

Ultan’s performances have been described as a “rare treat filled with original music, beguiling backstories & loud laughter which make for a wonderful, uplifting evening”