Multi-instrumentalist Rawney (Ciarán Calnan) is an independent artist hailing from Clonakilty in West Cork. His blend of rock, indie, folk and pop has drawn comparisons to The Frames, Mic Christopher, Incubus, Foo Fighters and Stereophonics, among others.
Renowned for his powerful vocals and energetic live performances, he has honed his craft over the past decade by performing hundreds of gigs in Ireland, UK, Australia, Canada, USA, Vietnam and Spain.
Music is in the blood. Son of the late Billy, drummer of a popular showband in Cork from the late 70s onwards, it’s no surprise that Rawney has continued that legacy, albeit with more focus on original material.
Having played in various bands from the age of 12, most notably Setmaker, he has been focusing on solo endeavours of late and his debut EP, Say It Loud, was released in July ‘22.
The past two years has seen Rawney headline shows in some of the country’s top venues including Little Whelan’s Dublin, Coughlan’s and Winthrop Avenue in Cork, DeBarra’s and Shanley’s Clonakilty, Connolly’s of Leap, Levis’ Ballydehob, Uisce Beatha Waterford, while also taking in Clonakilty International Guitar Festival for the past number of years. He has also performed showcases and support slots in Monroe’s Galway, Spirit Store Dundalk and The Green Room in Dingle.
His two singles, Say It Loud & Red Handed, have been been played on radio stations nationwide, including 2FM, Ireland’s Classic Hits, Cork’s RedFM, Cork’s 96 FM, KCLR FM, WLR FM, LCR FM, along with other local community and online stations.
His first single Say It Loud won The Cork Playlist Song of the Month for June ‘22.
In February ‘23, as part of Hotpress Irish Music Month, Rawney was announced as a finalist with Ireland’s Classic Hits Radio in the ‘A New Local Hero’ competition, which gained national coverage.
With fresh songs in the bank, Rawney has returned to the studio with new releases and shows planned for later this year.