Commissioned in 2019 and written during Andrew Hamilton’s time as composer in residence with Crash Ensemble, ‘Friendly Piece’ alludes to hovering between things, to evade being pinned down. It explores friendliness and kindness giving you a “tiny bit of joy or even infuriating you.” Everything belongs.

Following it's world premiere at New Music Dublin in 2023, two performances at Kilkenny Arts Festival 2023, and workshops and installations at Mermaid Arts Centre, Bray, Co. Wicklow, 'Friendly Piece' the album will be released digitally on Crash Records Friday 27th September 2023.

This live recorded piece from Kilkenny Arts Festival in 2023, features Andrew Hamilton (solo violin and voice), perform alongside members of Crash Ensemble: Larissa O’Grady (violin), Lisa Dowdall (viola), Kate Ellis (cello), Caimin Gilmore (double bass), Susan Doyle (flute), Leonie Bluett (clarinet), Roderick O’Keefe (trombone), Brian Bolger (guitar), Alex Petcu (percussion), and Ruth McGinley (piano), conducted by Ryan McAdams.

Friendly Piece explores friendliness and loving kindness, Andrew says:
"The sound of a bird's wings flapping in Monaghan, a sacred text that helped so much to get through dark times, memories of a childhood obsession with "The Sound of Music" and much more are cut up and thrown into a grid to allow all these elements to intermingle - simplistic answers to be destroyed. Can music be kind? I set that as an impossible question at the beginning of the process, it is good to have no idea what you are doing sometimes. It allows room for freedom and the expanded heart to seep in when your back is turned."

Kate Ellis, Artistic Director of Crash Ensemble, says: “Friendly Piece is one of the happiest soul nourishing pieces we have played. It’s been a pleasure watching Andrew’s ideas unfold through workshopping in the early stages of the piece and then coming to life in front of audiences at New Music Dublin &  Kilkenny Arts Festival. Friendly Piece is the result of Andrew’s fruitful residency with Crash. He is a brilliant human and it has been a joy to work with him during his residency.”

Supported by The Arts Council of Ireland and Dublin City Council.

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