The Spook of the Thirteenth Lock play Róisín Dubh on Thursday next, April 26. Named after a poem about a haunted canal lock, The Spook play in the Irish folk tradition while delving into the realms of psych, prog and post rock, and aim to make the familiar sound innovative, the ancient new, and the local sound universal.

The band released their new album The Brutal Here and Now on Friday last, April 13, on Transduction Records. The follow-up to their 2008 self-titled debut was produced and recorded by veteran producer Stephen Shannon and Spook multi-instrumentalist Enda Bates.

The new album expands on the band’s fusion of Irish folk and experimental rock, absorbing the influence of traditional Indian and Italian music with a significantly broader palette of sounds, aided by guest musicians Adrian Harte (violin) and Kim Porcelli (cello).

With songs written in English, Irish and Italian, The Brutal Here and Now finds lyricist Allen Blighe exploring the malleability of memory and history.

Since their well-received debut album, The Spook have played the length and breadth of the country, shared the stage with Donal Lunny and Andy Irvine and even toured Japan.

More recently, guitarist Donnchadh toured as part of acclaimed vocalist Iarla O’Lionaird’s backing band, while Enda has received various international awards and commissions for his work as a composer and completed a doctorate in composition at Trinity College Dublin.

Admission is free for this show and doors are 10pm.