Kildare musician goes international
Musician Conor Kraus
A YOUNG Kildare musician is to embark on a second international tour – and all before his 21st birthday.
Conor Kraus from Athgarvan departed to Milan on 14 October for four days with the International Workshop, a group that combines youth advice with live music, and have chosen the Newbridge College old boy to accompany them.
“I began doing the International Workshops around Dublin where we would advise teenagers about things like silent bullying and social media,” said Conor before jetting off. Conor's older sister Olivia is a mental health nurse.
“I also sing and play guitar, and I’ve made loads of original music.
“There’s nothing released yet, although hopefully by the end of the year, maybe a single to begin with and build up to an EP.
“The man in charge of the Workshops Paddy Fogarty believed the best way to get through to young people was someone close to their age, and also a musician to sing a couple of songs.
“This is what I’ll do in Milan, but it’s not my first, as I was in Denmark last month on a similar mission.
“It all started for me when Paddy started an acoustic night in the Landmark pub on Camden Street (in Dublin), and then invited me to subsequent, similar gigs”.
“Oh, 100 per cent!” agreed Conor, when the asked if this trip was more youth outreach rather than a gigging tour.
“But it is important to play original music. I have maybe 15-20 of my own songs, though not all are finished”.
He credits his dad Simon’s career as a pub musician around Surrey and London in the 80s and 90s with promoting his embryonic career.
“I was always able to sing a tiny bit thanks to my dad, but then I just got so bored during Covid, and we always had a guitar at home and so I started practicising on that.
“I was not good at the start, but I gradually got better until I then started playing in pubs, with my first ever gig in the Newtown Inn in Maynooth in January last year, and I’ve been full time since.
“Dad’s been a great help, and eventually mam (Olive) came on board!
“The Milan trip is three nights and four days, and is my second international jaunt.
“I’m a little bit anxious but dad used to be a singer, and (sister) Olivia is an amazing singer,” he added
