Captain Cameron sets sail for Open House Festival

DRUMBEG singer songwriter Captain Cameron is getting ready to set sail once again, this time he is bound for the Open House Festival in Belfast, where he will be supporting American folk singer Nathaniel Rateliff for his first Irish show next Friday night.

Captain Cameron, otherwise known as David Clements, will be known to local music fans as one of the founders of Belfast band Six Star Hotel.

With the band playing fewer gigs these days David decided to take the opportunity to branch out on his own and has really made a name for himself as his alter ego Captain Cameron.

"Captain Cameron is a bit more country/folk kind of music," explained David. "I prefer playing in a band but there is something nice about playing by yourself as well.

"I have been playing Captain Cameron stuff for about four years or so but I only got serious about it in the last year when I had a little bit more time to focus on it.

"People were always very complimentary about it at every gig I played so I thought I would put a bit more effort into it."

And that effort has certainly paid off, with David getting some high profile support slots in recent months, including one with Northern Ireland's next big thing The Lowly Knights, who are also playing at this year's Open House Festival.

The Open House Festival show with American singer songwriter Nathaniel Rateliff, who has just released his debut album, will be one of his biggest to date and David is eagerly anticipating the gig on Friday September 10.

"I am very much looking forward to it," continued David. "Every gig I get is nice. I am never great at promoting myself and I should be playing a lot more but I really enjoy every show I do."

As well as playing more live shows, David is also eager to get into the studio to start recording his music.

"My biggest priority would be to get recording," he said. "I have a bunch of songs I have been collecting and haven't recorded. When people go to your gig they like to know the songs so it would be only fair to record them."

David will be playing as Captain Cameron at the Open House Festival on Friday September 10 in McHugh's Basement Bar in Belfast.

As well as Nathaniel Rateliff, American duo Matrimony will also be making their Northern Ireland debut on the night. Formed just six months ago, based in North Carolina, and with their debut EP, The Eye and the Storm, released for download only, Matrimony have nevertheless made a big enough noise to get themselves invited to Open House for their Irish debut. Expect beautiful harmonies from this new folk duo, Jimmy and Ashlee Brown.

Tickets for the gig are priced 10 and are on sale now from www.openhousefestival.com.