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Release Date: Friday 16th May 2025

“Au Revoir Tristesse” is an artistic conversation of music and paintings conducted between two long-time collaborators - musician, songwriter and producer Joseph Chester and member of The Waterboys and latterly painter Steve Wickham. Inspired by Françoise Sagan's novel "Bonjour Tristesse", Joseph created a series of five Bagatelles for solo classical guitar while in the midst of touring his acclaimed 2023 album “Lucia”.

Consequently, Steve created five stunning images inspired by Joe’s music expanding on the theme of what Joe calls “an homage to sadness”. The work has been performed in Smock Alley Theatre and Axis Theatre Ballymun’s Exhibition space where Steve’s paintings are currently on show amidst the background of Joseph’s music.

TRACKLIST

1. Une soie, énervante et douce - A silken web, languid and soft

2. La mer, son rythme incessant - The sea, its incessant rhythm

3. La lune, aimable et tranquille - The moon, kind and quiet

4. La peur qui donne la main au désir - The fear that takes the hand of desire

5. Les yeux fermés, bonjour tristesse - Eyes closed, hello sadness