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“On the record” - Conal Montgomery, Black Dog Moon and The Corner Stone Fest 2024 on the Down about Down Podcast with Chris Scott

The latest Down about Down Podcast features Killyleagh’s very own talented singer/songwriter Conal Montgomery.

Chris talks to Conal about his rock group – Black Dog Moon who are due to launch their debut album on Friday 19th July 2024 at The Pavilion Bar, Ormeau Road, Belfast. Support acts include Philip McCarroll, John Devlin and the Revolvers and Arc Dakota.

Conal dreamt of forming his own rock group which would eventually record their own material. That dream has now come true and the guys are now taking the local rock scene by storm. In Conal’s own words, “There’s a tornado going on and it’s blowing us in the right direction.”

Conal talks to Chris about how the group first formed. Black Dog Moon consists of Conal Montgomery, Stephen Glackin, Daniel Martin, Nicky Brown and Dylan Kelly.

The new album consists of nine pieces of original material which is available not only on streaming platforms and CD, but on vinyl! Why name a debut album using the group’s name? Well Conal talks about that and a lot more in this podcast.

Conal explains the background to some of the new material. There is everything from heavy rock to a celtic bluesy rock number titled River Maiden. This song was penned by Conal after a memorable experience in Dublin whilst attending a Who concert in June 2015. Conal had accidentally fallen into the River Liffey. “I fell in between the pontoon and a wall off a ladder. I had a couple of bangs before I hit the water. I was in the water and I remember coming to…. I was underwater and I was looking up and I could see a light.” Thankfully a friend pulled him out before a tragedy unfolded. Conal goes on to explain that this gave him the idea for the song which encapsulates a mermaid rescuing him and bringing him to the surface. There are three titles of Who songs in the chorus. Recently one of the group’s videos featuring the song “Rainy Night in Belfast” appeared on Ulster Television’s UTV Life programme.

In part two of the podcast Chris talks to Conal about his third annual Corner Stone Fest. This year it will be held at Sunflower Cottage, Loughinisland Road, Annacloy, County Down. It will feature ten acts with a lot of local talent including Every March, First Ted on The Moon, Short Circuit, Rikki Jordan Band, Take it Easy, Charlie Hanlon, The Thing Is, Zac Mac and Black Dog Moon. This unique music festival runs from 12noon to 9pm. Tickets, priced £30, are now on sale and money raised will be donated to local charity LCCL Pop Up Art, based in Downpatrick. This charity supports those affected by mental health, addiction and isolation. The Corner Stone Fest starts the sunflower season at the Sunflower Cottage during which a series of Sunflower Sessions will commence. Monies raised from these sessions will be donated to Northern Ireland Chest Heart and Stroke and Cancer Fund for Children.

Exciting times ahead!

For further information on the album launch check out the Black Dog Moon facebook page at

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090149589998

or Conal Montgomery Music facebook page at