Clockwork Apple will be celebrating it's birthday in style on April 10th! With music from Dublin's finest bands Clockwork Noise and Verona Riots as well as pop/punk Belfast band The Varionis.
This week [Monday - Friday] I'm counting down my Top 50 artists in my humble opinion at this moment in time. The artists are to have released an album/ep or played a gig since Jan 2009 in order to qualify for the list.
In 2005 Padraig released an album with his band Wallmark then quickly split the band up. After a break from live performing Padraig got writing again and re-visited old songs. Earlier this year he went to Kerry to record his debut solo album with Karl Odlum. I seen Padraig perform a gig upstairs in Anseo to a jammed packed audience. Padraig's songwriting is amazing and I'm eagerly looking forward to the album.
About a year ago Pearse sent me his debut album to review and I instantly fell for the atmospheric moods of the album. Since then he has gained many fans including a few celebrity fans! Pearse is releasing a new EP in June and has just recorded a session for the Dan Hegerty show on 2fm.
Arrow in the Sky are three lads from Mullingar who write really good Americana folk rock music. They released a debut EP last Summer and are about to go on a nationwide tour as I write!
Lisa made one of the best albums of 2009 with her debut entitled 'has an album'! Lisa's vocals, lyrics and arrangements were outstanding on this album. Check out the Bobby D video.
Now happily settled in Denmark, Sean released his second album 'Time is a Friend' last year. You'd be hard pushed to find a collection of uplifting and positive songs.
According to Andrew in Boyles the best band to have played in the sessions night so far is The Garrett Wall Band. They were perfect professionals who performed a great set even though they were completely knackered and recovering from a stomach bug.
Saramai from Navan is a singer, pianist and songwriter of immense talent. I was only given her debut demo of songs a few weeks back but already it's one of the best cds I've heard this year. Check out her MySpace for the demo songs.
Joe Echo aka Ciaran Gribbin is the former lead singer with the band Leya. Joe however is now a celebrity songwriter writing songs for Madonna and with Francis Rossi from Status Quo! Joe is gonna be huge with his brand of indie pop!
Ellie and Louise recorded their debut album 'Here, not There' two years ago and are still continuing making the most of the great songs on the album. Recently 'Remember When' was chosen as the song for Irish Tourist Board TV ad campaign. Heathers produce perfect acoustic pop!
31. Junah 32. Reader's Wives 33. Pony Club 34. Kiernan McMullan 35. Elder Roche 36. Michael Brunnock/Little Palace 37. The Lonely Schizophrenic 38. Adrian Crowley 39. Keith Mullins 40. Damien Dempsey 41. A Plastic Rose 42. Garry O'Brien 43. Pete Courtney 44. Valerie Francis 45. Dayo 46. Brendan O'Shea 47. Bobby Noonan 48. Entheos 49. BellaJane 50. Andy Delamere
This week [Monday - Friday] I'm counting down my Top 50 artists in my humble opinion at this moment in time. The artists are to have released an album/ep or played a gig since Jan 2009 in order to qualify for the list.
Junah are another act in my top 50 who are preparing the release of their debut album after many years perfecting their sound. Their folk rock music full of big sound is elevated by the great vocal harmonies in their songs.
Reader's Wives released a wonderful EP recently entitled Victor's Mother Juliet. It's full or wit, charm and sensual swagger which makes it essential listening!
Mark Cullen's Pony Club would be much higher in my all time best of list. The Whelans headline show last May was a real highlight last year. The albums are consistently great.
Limerick raised Kiernan McMullen is heavily touring up and down the east coast of America picking up many new friends along the way. Kiernan is one of the best guitarists I've had the pleasure of seeing live in Boyles. A wonderful talent.
Michael is a singer-songwriter and main songwriter for Little Palace. He released two amazing cds last year. Little Palace released 'Invitation Time' while Michael released his 'Live in New york' album.
Anto Kane writes the most disturbing funny lyrics as The Lonely Schizophrenic. It's difficult to explain what he does and why it's so good but you need to see these lads live!
Choice award winner Adrian Crowley's Season of the Sparks was a well deserved winner. The atmospheric moods Adrian creates on his albums are wonderful.
Keith released a great album earlier this year which I have no doubt will be in my best of lists at the end of the year. No other Irish artist has produced 'Americana' music with the same style as Keith this year.
Damien is the perfect professional in the Irish Music Scene. I'm a tad surprised he hasn't tried to break into the European markets or US scenes!
41. A Plastic Rose 42. Garry O'Brien 43. Pete Courtney 44. Valerie Francis 45. Dayo 46. Brendan O'Shea 47. Bobby Noonan 48. Entheos 49. BellaJane 50. Andy Delamere
An interesting band Ghetta Amaretto from Cork are releasing their second EP in Cyprus Avenue. The band are creating a nice buzz, winning contests and supporting some great bands like The Frank and Walters and The Funeral Suits.
This week [Monday - Friday] I'm counting down my Top 50 artists in my humble opinion at this moment in time. The artists are to have released an album/ep or played a gig since Jan 2009 in order to qualify for the list.
The band from equal parts Sligo and Belfast have been featured many times already this year on the blog. Their alternative rock sound coupled with the vocal harmonies of the two singers mean A Plastic Rose is essential listening.
Garry from Ballymun is one great songwriter, guitarist and singer. His performance in Boyles in January was one of the best I've heard in the time we've done the gigs up there. Garry hopes to have his debut album ready for release by the end of the year.
Back in 2001 Pete Courtney was busy making waves in the Irish Music Scene but I only discovered Pete's music in the last few years. In 2005 he had his second album ready to release but he shelved it. Pete is putting the finishing touches to that elusive second album and hopes to release soon!
Dayo is a jazzy folk singer who has this wonderful folk singing voice which reminds me in many ways of 'Astral Weeks' era Van Morrison. Dayo's debut album is also nearly ready for release.
I seen Brendan live for the first time nearly a year ago at the Live Mic gig in the Wicklow Mountains. He was a wonderful entertainer because of his great songs and all round personality on stage. His two albums are wonderful and should be checked out!
Bobby writes some lovely tunes and is an all round sound bloke. He has formed a band called Fat Baby Panda which brings an extra dimension to his well crafted songs. He is going to support Mick Flannery in Dolans on April 9th!
Entheos are a cross between the tradition fusion sound of Kila and grunge! Brian's voice brings the grunge rock sound but the acoustics and violin brings out the fusion sound. A must see live band.
Recently reviewed on the blog the sound of BellaJane's debut EP is enough to sneak into the top 50. I do find it difficult to describe really great music. Sarah Jane's voice is just so pleasant to listen to and the songs are quality.
Andy plays with The Lonely Schizophenic but don't let that put you off checking him out!!!!! Looking at the first batch of ten artists, I have chosen artists who have wonderful unique voices and Andy is one of them. His style reminds me a lot of 70's era Patti Smith!
Fiach has released his debut album [at long last] and it's brilliant. On a whole it contains eleven wonderful songs of joy, hope, despair, wit and charm. It's a collection of great tunes which should elevate Fiach from the comfortable surroundings of open mic nights to the large venues and arenas around Ireland and beyond.
I've listened to 'So I' pretty much non stop since I bought it on Thursday and one of the best things I can say is that on every listen I've chosen a different favourite song. At present track two; 'Stop' is my favourite but it rotates with 'Dignity', 'Every Single Day' and 'So I [Have Fallen Down Again]'.
'So I' is at it's heart a singer-songwriter album. However he is either accompanied by strings or a full band on every song. Fiach also flirts with other genres such as Bill Withers style funk on 'Wake Up Dead' and country folk on the first single from the album 'You Dear'. On some songs the lyrics are full of attitude and underlying aggression. On other songs Fiach uses his insight and charm to write beautifully crafted songs like 'Letting Go'.
All albums should finish on an epic song and 'Home is Where The Heart Is' is truely epic. It merges Fiach's charm and confident swagger with attitude and aggression to produce a song of hope and human strength.
I've connected with this album in many ways. It'll be on regular play in my house for many years to come.
Nearly a year ago to the day inspired by The Irish Times compiled best 50 Irish acts at that moment in time I posted my Top 50 of Irish Artists. The only stipulation was that the artist had to gig or release an album in the last 12 months prior to the compiled list.
My choices last year were based on bands and artists who I connected with at the time.
1. The Swell Season/Frames/Glen 2. Terry Sutton 3. Martin Finke 4. Pony Club 5. Lisa Hannigan 6. Iain Archer 7. Brain Canavan 8. Shaz Oye 9. Mark Dignam 10. I Am Not Lefthanded 11. Kiernan McMullan
12. Alphastates 13. The Guggenheim Grotto 14. Nick Kelly 15. Gemma Hayes 16. One Day International 17. Wallis Bird 18. My Brother Woody 19. The Gorgeous Colours 20. Damien Rice 21. Ham Sandwich 22. Angel Pier 23. Sinead O'Connor 24. Perry Blake 25. A Lazarus Soul 26. Susan Enan 27. Foy Vance 28. Bell X1 29. Bill Coleman 30. Mumblin' Deaf Ro
31. Declan DeBarra 32. Fred 33. Armoured Bear 34. Lunasa 35. Miss Paula Flynn 36. Colin Devlin 37. Oppenheimer 38. The Spook of the Thirteeth Lock 39. Mark Geary 40. Padraig Digan 41. Barry McCormack 42. The Hedge Schools 43. Damien Dempsey 44. David Kitt 45. Liam O'Maonai 46. Declan O'Rourke 47. Butterfly Explosion 48. Percolator
49. Groom 50. Emmet Scanlan & What The Good Thought
The new 'Top 50' will be very different. Some of the above acts haven't done anything in the last 12 months and a couple of the bands have split up!
This coming week I'm going to my updated Top 50 in five separate posts and will include some video clips or samples. Check back Monday to Friday folks!
Cork singer-songwriter Maria Byrne has been based in London for the last number of years and has just released a beautiful collection of tunes very much in the same league as Lisa Hannigan and recently reviewed BellaJane.
Produced by Karl Odlum (Gemma Hayes, Fionn Regan, David Kitt) this EP - 'All You Need' was recorded over a few days with a few microphones his living room in Dublin with Dave O' Callaghan on mandolin and guitar, Dave Brunton on percussion and Karl Odlum on bass. Maria sang and played guitar. This EP will be released on 29th March 2010.
Tracklisting:
1. All You Need
2. Another Broken Heart
3. Jack
4. It's Just Me
Tweet Review:
'All you Need' is a catchy folk pop EP with quality harmonies, lyrics and singalong choruses, one to watch, [10 out of 12]
9 Apr 2010 18:00 First Cut Live Session - Dundalk FM100 Dundalk 9 Apr 2010 22:00 WLR FM Live Session Waterford 12 Apr 2010 20:00 The Back Door @ Chaz Bar Wexford 13 Apr 2010 23:00 The Old Oak Cork 14 Apr 2010 23:00 The Grand Hotel Killarney 16 Apr 2010 16:30 The Big Smile - Radió Na Lifé 106.4FM Dublin 16 Apr 2010 20:00 Barry’s Public House & Music Venue Grange, Co. Sligo 17 Apr 2010 20:00 The Stables Mullingar 18 Apr 2010 20:00 Roisin Dubh Galway 21 Apr 2010 20:00 The Spirit Store Dundalk 23 Apr 2010 20:00 THE VILLAGE - EP LAUNCH Dublin 29 Apr 2010 20:00 Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival Belfast 2 May 2010 18:00 Vantastival Festival Annagassan, Co. Louth
Brian Canavan has made his 2008 debut album 'You're An Electron I'm An Electron' available to download for FREE! To celebrate this indiscriminate act of kindness Brian and myself are going to encourage you this week to download the album by posting a few songs, video clips and information about the album!
(Carol Vorderman) Counting Me Down almost made me a huge recording artist. For the first few days it was released, I was out selling The Sugar Babes and was the second highest new entry in the charts. The week ended with the song at number 92 in the Irish charts. Paul Gambuccini from BBC Radio 2 and Ray D’Arcy and Rick O’Shea all loved it but it didn’t take off. The video still gets 400 hits a day – 18 months after Carol Vorderman finished on tele but some of those might be pervs. I used the Countdown theme as the riff without permission but I haven’t been sued yet.
96,000 Youtube hits and counting up ....
http://www.myspace.com/briancanavan
Many thanks to Brian for all the cool info about the songs. Please if you have any comment to make about his album or these posts send Brian a message, befriend him on the usual networking sites and share his music!
Garry O'Brien posted this little video on his facebook page yesterday of Wallis Bird and Rea Garvey [Reamonn] performing Black is the Colour on German TV from 2006. Nice version too!
Brian Canavan has made his 2008 debut album 'You're An Electron I'm An Electron' available to download for FREE! To celebrate this indiscriminate act of kindness Brian and myself are going to encourage you this week to download the album by posting a few songs, video clips and information about the album!
Four Foolscap Pages owes itself to a commentary by Micháel O’Muircheartaigh before some GAA match that Dublin lost. He said that in Tokyo, in the shadow of Mount Fuji, the world Sumo finals were taking place. He then said that in Brooklyn, The Yankees were playing the Mets. But the biggest sports event in the world that day was in Croke Park with 80,000 spectators. It occurred to me that at any one time, you could be part of the biggest, fastest or most important thing in the world. The rest is a list of stuff that I’m good at!
The Dirty 9's have just released their debut album 'Stop Screaming Start Dreaming' and is available from here: http://www.thedirty9s.net/shop/
The album is a great start for a young band that should have a massive career. The initial feeling I got from the first listen was that The Dirty 9s have it in them to become a super cool indie rock band like say Placebo or The National. However on this effort they lean towards the power pop of successful Irish bands the Coronas and The Blizzards.
This debut is much better that any album released by either The Coronas or The Blizzards. The vocals remind in many ways of a softer Mark Greaney from JJ72 or Concerto for Constatine. The band can write great melodies such as on tracks like Echos and Weekend Lovers. The album finisher is a really strong track called Trouble with great vocals. Other highlights includes the songs Corridors, Lucky Opus and the sample Something Better.
'Stop Screaming, Start Dreaming' isn't a classic debut at all but it shows great potential for a band in it's infancy. I'm looking forward to hearing how the album sounds live. It's an album I admire for it's ambition, it's big sound and for the great melodies but ultimately it's not an album I've connected with in a major way.
The Dirty 9s - Stop Screaming, Start Dreaming [9 out of 12]
25 Mar 2010 18:00 Tower Records Instore Wicklow Street, Dublin 1 Apr 2010 20:00 Boyles - Haiti Fundraiser Slane with Fiach 3 Apr 2010 20:00 Crawdaddy - Album Launch Dublin 7 Apr 2010 20:00 Imeall Geal - Taping a live session for BBC TV show ’Imeall Geal Newry, Co. Down 9 Apr 2010 20:00 The Late Lounge- Irish Heart Foundation Charity Gig Kill, Co. Kildare 17 Apr 2010 20:00 The Late Lounge, Dew Drop Inn Kill, Co.Kildare 24 Apr 2010 20:00 The Village (Gandhis Single Launch) Dublin 7 May 2010 20:00 The Quays Galway 8 May 2010 20:00 Baker Place Limerick 15 May 2010 20:00 The Stables Mullingar 29 May 2010 20:00 The Cellar Bar Draperstown, Co.Derry
Yeah forget about your Electric Picnics with Irish artists....
THE FRAMES IMELDA MAY THE WATERBOYS AFRO CELT SOUNDSYTEM PAUL BRADY VILLAGERS ADRIAN CROWLEY MESSIAH J & THE EXPERT
or your indie-pendance with the following .....
Reverend & The Makers | The Coronas | Duke Special | Jape | Delorentos | Fred | Codes | The Chapters | Wiggle | O Emperor | Fish Go Deep | The Flaws | Yes Cadets | Abedesi Shank | The Riptide Movement | Panama Kings | Hoarsebox | Disconauts | The Loaded Kings | The Vital Spark | Dashka | Heritage Centre | The Funeral Suits | Sweet Jane | Ghostcat | Pocket Promise | The Hot Sprockets | The Parade | Deaf Radio | Death Disco | DC Tempest | Autumn Owls | Ana Gog | Ladydoll
The big announcement is that you can go see The Divine Comedy in The Sugar Club on May 7th for just €25! WOW
The deal is great. Pay the cash up front and you'll instantly get a copy of Steafan's debut by email. The money collected will be used to finish the second album and you'll get it in the post when it's done!
Sample Mp3 from the debut album Steafan Hanvey and the Honeymoon Junkies
Brian Canavan has made his 2008 debut album 'You're An Electron I'm An Electron' available to download for FREE! To celebrate this indiscriminate act of kindness Brian and myself are going to encourage you this week to download the album by posting a few songs, video clips and information about the album!
Withnail got it’s name because originally I had a sample from the film at the start and end of the song - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zEVZGuU3BU “I have of late, bit wherefore I know not, lost all my mirth”. However my producer told me to forget about putting it on the song – it would cost a fortune and I’d be waiting a year for approval. It’s the oldest song on the album, written after a trip to the World Cup in 2002.
Brian Canavan has made his 2008 debut album 'You're An Electron I'm An Electron' available to download for FREE! To celebrate this indiscriminate act of kindness Brian and myself are going to encourage you this week to download the album by posting a few songs, video clips and information about the album!
Dogs was written after my last band were treated like fools in Deis Roc. We managed to qualify for the final but we hated the whole experience - we were patronised and left hanging around by a handful of pricks, shitheads, no marks (choose your favourite) It’s a very simple song but I think Stano’s trumpet is brilliant on it!
See BellaJane tomorrow at The Ruby Sessions with Lisa McLaughlin, Doctor Leaves, and
27 Mar 2010 20:00 Lavery’s Bunker Belfast, Northern Ireland
15 Apr 2010 20:00 Upstairs Whelans - EP LAUNCH with support from Little Xs For Eyes Dublin
18 Jun 2010 20:00 Clockwork Apple -Whelans
Brian Canavan has made his 2008 debut album 'You're An Electron I'm An Electron' available to download for FREE! To celebrate this indiscriminate act of kindness Brian and myself are going to encourage you this week to download the album by posting a few songs, video clips and information about the album!
Gin Wars is track three from the album and is the latest single which we hope you'll all download and tell you're friendly radio djs to play! Gin Wars is a song that divides people greatly. Very few people dislike it a little or regard it as OK. It’s either genius or muck. Gin Wars refers to riots in London in the 19th Century (I think) when there were mobs of people wandering around drunk out of their minds when gin was first produced. I spent 2 hours like a bloody fool, down at beach recording seagulls to put on it and we never used then on the song!
The video was filmed in a lift in Bewleys Grafton St just before the place closed, this performance features Simon Dowling, Fergus Gleeson and Niall Ryan!
When someone asks me who impressed me this year I always pick three artists. Henrietta Game who just supported Kila in the Olympia on Wednesday night, Ultan Conlon and The Whiskey Limbs.
Cach Ultan Conlon with support from The Whiskey Limbs on Monday in Whelans. I'll be there and so looking forward to it!
We are celebrating the release of Reader's Wives second EP 'Victor's Mother Juliet' out March 15th by invading 2UIBestow for a week of rare and exclusive unreleased tracks.
We are celebrating the release of Reader's Wives second EP 'Victor's Mother Juliet' out March 15th by invading 2UIBestow for a week of rare and exclusive unreleased tracks.
I've spent considerable minutes trying to come up with a 'theme' for a compilation posted today. I thought I'd just go for a mixtape of great music from artists I haven't featured heavily on the blog. Every one of these songs are beautiful and I'd encorage you to check out the artist if you like what you hear.
Lá Fhéile Pádraig Sona Daoibh .... it's the day in the 'blogsphere' where Irish artists are downloaded and listened to the world over. Here's where to find some excellent Irish music:
Find tracks from The Frames, Horslips, In Tua Nua and The Urges among Gary Moore, Phil Lynott and John Lennon.
Irish Covers:
One of my favourite places on the internet is Cover Lay Down which does wonderful work posting folk covers three times a week. There's two recent posts covering all male and all female singer-songwriters. Find songs by Wallis Bird, Sinead Lohan, Mark Geary, Adrian Crowley and Damien Rice amongst many more.
Another covers site Coverville has a covers compilation available for download. It also includes an interesting ratings system for the songs. Find tunes by the likes of Aslan, The Devlins, Gavin Friday and Luka Bloom.
Popular Blogs:
The Irish Blog Awards Shortlisted music blog 'Town Full of Losers' has two recent posts full of great music. There's an all Irish [Gaeilge] post celebrating 'Seachtain Na Gaeilge' and featuring songs by Lir, Kila, Mundy, The Pale and many more. There's another post for St. Patrick's Day featuring songs with Pat in their name like Uncle Pat by Ash.
The Vinyl Villain honours The Frank and Walters. I love this quote: "There was just something totally irresistable about a trio who wore bright orange tops combined with purple flared velvet trousers who were fond of paying tribute to hip-hop in their own inimitable style..."
Finally there's a Glen Hansard/Frames compilation post over at A Plague of Angels. Find songs like Revelate, God Bless Mom and Fake.
By following all the above links you will have over 100 extra songs for your pleasure! I'll have my own compilation mix on the blog very soon!
oh ...... seen Mark Black in Navan last night and wow ....
We are celebrating the release of Reader's Wives second EP 'Victor's Mother Juliet' out March 15th by invading 2UIBestow for a week of rare and exclusive unreleased tracks.
On St. Patrick's Eve we as an Irish nation are meant to feel pride in our country. Normally this wouldn't be a problem. However it's so difficult to do this when the government fail to lead, the good people fail to report the raping of kids and the banks simply fail! A tweet today stated how difficult it is to have pride in St. Patrick's Day when we live in one of the most backward countries in the western world..... hard to argue against this!
We are celebrating the release of Reader's Wives second EP 'Victor's Mother Juliet' out March 15th by invading 2UIBestow for a week of rare and exclusive unreleased tracks.
On the eve of The Cranberries first European Tour for many moons comes one of their first ever singles released 20 years ago in 1990 entitled 'Nothing Left At All'
The band have a deal with http://www.concertlive.co.uk/ where you can buy a well packaged bootleg of the gig you're attending. Hit the link for details!
We are celebrating the release of Reader's Wives second EP 'Victor's Mother Juliet' out March 15th by invading 2UIBestow for a week of rare and exclusive unreleased tracks.
Recording in tandem with Dublin band Pig, for the John Cooper Clark tribute album 'Evidently Chickensounds, a searing story of a dead end town. Written by John Cooper Clark.
Donegal's Mark Black has just released "Live @ The RCC 2009' which is a double CD live concert and bonus concert DVD recorded and filmed in the packed Regional Cultural Centre, in Donegal. This year he set up The Roots Orchestra, a 13 piece eclectic 'rootsy' big band with very unique sound. The Roots Orchestra adds warmth and charm to Mark's solo sound. The live album reminds me of the energy created with the live albums from The Dave Matthews Band.
The album kicks off with the upbeat poppy 'Girl in the Pink Hat'. 'Ramblin on my Mind' showcases Mark's bluesy voice. The Roots Orchestra prove their worth on tracks like 'Devil & The TV' and 'Jesus Never Let Me Down' where the band brings a different dimension to the tracks. Of the eight tracks on the first cd the stand-out track is 'Crazy in the Light'.
The quality continues on the next seven tracks on cd2. Their musical prowess is evident on the extended tracks 'Out on the Western Plain' and the closer 'Each & Everyday'. Here we have a band really getting into these songs and making them their own. There's a 'middle' section of the concert where it's mainly just Mark and his guitar. 'Rough Park' in particular showcases Mark's considerate guitar playing skills. Also on cd2 is the best track on the album; 'Faint Hearted'.
While I'm not someone who is a fan of the blues [in general it's something I admire but barely tolerate] there are many fine tracks on this album. I love the ambition in Mark's sound which with The Roots Orchestra develops into this massive Dave Matthews-esque sound. This is a must buy for any blues fan but well worth a try for anyone interested in big 'rootsy' sounds.
Mark Black & The Roots Orchestra - Live at the RCC 2009: [11 out of 12]
16 Mar 2010 21:00 The BackRoom Navan Navan, Westmeath [with Simon Fagan] 21 Mar 2010 23:00 Voodoo LK Letterkenny, Donegal 27 Mar 2010 22:00 Bridge Bar Ramelton, Donegal 4 Apr 2010 22:00 Voodoo LK Donegal 18 Apr 2010 22:00 Voodoo LK Donegal 30 Apr 2010 20:30 Derry City Jazz & Big Band Festival Derry, Northern Ireland 2 May 2010 22:00 Voodoo LK Donegal 16 May 2010 22:00 Voodoo LK Donegal 30 May 2010 22:00 Voodoo LK Donegal 3 Jun 2010 22:00 Rory Gallagher International Tribute Festival Ballyshannon, Donegal 4 Jun 2010 22:00 Rory Gallagher International Tribute Festival Ballyshannon, Donegal
I adore the sound of A Plastic Rose and this song is just superb. I think out of all the 10 acts that myself and http://swearimnotpaul.blogspot.com/ predicted for greatness, A Plastic Rose will be the one's to break through in a big way.
The Dublin Rocks! Festival in May looks amazing. Some excellent acts and the return of Concerto for Constatine [Smashing Pumpkin fans will remember them] and the return of Cat Dowling formally of Alphastates.
Thursday May 13
HASSLE MERCHANTS
READERS WIVES
LADY DOLL
Friday May 14
GRADES OF SHADES
ROBOTNIK
CONCERTO FOR CONSTANTINE
Saturday May 15
THE DC EXPERIMENT
CAT DOWLING (ex-Alphastates)
THE GANDHIS
Here's a great tune from The Hassle Merchants
Want another reason to go to these gigs. I found out there a special 10 X 10 drinks promotion:
All the below are €10
3 Pint Pitcher Bavaria 2 X Cocktails ( Mojito / Long Island Iced Tea / Nina Simone ) 3 x Corona [ L/neck] 3 x Peroni [ L/neck] 3 x Moosehead [ L/neck] 3 x Beamish [ Pint ] 2 x Vodka + Redbull 3 x Sambucca 3 x Jagermeister 3 x Goldschlager
I'll be there with a long island iced tea in each hand!
The Harvest Ministers were a brilliant indie pop band that produced wonderful albums. Formed in 1987 it wasn't until 1991 that they released their first single 'You Do My World the World of Good'. In 1993 they released their debut album 'Little Dark Mansions'. The band released four albums in total with their last 'My Star is Shining' appearing in 2003. Tha band haven't officially broken up and played a gig in Whelans in December 2008.
A Tweet review is a review in 140 characters or less:
T-rex-esque rock music with funny observant lyrics, all 4 songs are quality, super vocals, good time band, must see live! [11 out of 12]
The EP Launch is this coming Tuesday evening and it's just €5 in! Bargain as support comes from Youth Mass (formerly The DLS) and Dublin super-group SuperConductor.
16 Mar 2010 20:00 Whelans Dublin 25 Mar 2010 20:00 The Spirit Store - Supporting The Chapters Dundalk, Louth 23 Apr 2010 20:00 Hotpress Tiger Untamed Contest in Annebrook House Hotel, Mullingar Mullingar 30 Apr 2010 20:00 The Backroom Navan, Meath 11 Jun 2010 20:00 The Backroom Navan, Meath with The Whatmans and Geriko
Entheos released their debut album last year but I feel it's appropriate to review the album ahead of their March 20th Kila support slot in Caffery's Oldcastle and their May 6th headline slot at 'Live At Boyles'.
The most striking feature of Entheos is Brian's quality grungy vocals. These vocals along with the celtic acoustic rock sound makes Entheos a band which stands alone genre-wise. In the past I've compared the band to a modern Horslips.
III contains ten quality tracks. In Each Other's Arms is a really good love song. Six Days Gone is an amazing song live as it has an energetic Kila-esque outro. Dark Matter showcases Brian's vocals. The strong lyrics can be very atmospheric and dark in nature but also show that Brian has much to say.
The best thing about III is that it's full of atmosphere and in many cases charm. The violins is the tracks softens the grungy vocal style and along with the delicate acoustic guitar strumming helps to create the warm atmosphere in the album.
Audio Fiction could well be the next Irish band to break America. The future is looking great for 'Audio Fiction'. Only recently the New York City indie rockers become one of the first independant bands to join Harmonix and MTV Games' just released Rock Band Network Music Store for the Xbox 360(r) Rock Band. This allows bands and labels to author their own songs.
Audio Fiction now joins bands such as Of Montreal, Flogging Molly, The Shins, Smashing Pumpkins, Jonathan Coulton, Stroke 9, Furly and The Hold Steady as Rock Band Network mainstays. To download the song 'Race the Hourglass', all you need is an Xbox, an internet connection, an Xbox live membership and Rock Band 2.
Audio Fiction are playing The Mercury Lounge in NYC on St. Patrick's Day.
17 Mar 2010 21:30 The Mercury Lounge New York, New York 27 Mar 2010 21:00 Private Charity Event Hoboken, New Jersey 30 Apr 2010 18:00 Best Buy Union Sq. In-Store Performance New York, New York 17 Jun 2010 21:00 Webster Hall NY, New York
2 U I Bestow named after the Mundy track on the 'Romeo & Juliet' soundtrack is the music website of an experienced Maths Teacher moonlighting as a Freelance Music Journalist.
I write about Irish artists only on this site. I also have a new website promoting all the free albums I find on bandcamp: http://freeirishalbums.wordpress.com/
This is a hobby not a living! If your music is included here feel free to email me to get it removed. However be aware that your music will be featured on the popular site elbo.ws!
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