Amhrán Gach Lá - David Hope & The Henchmen

David Hope & The Henchmen are about to embark on an intimate Irish tour with the very promising Swiss artist Baum. Tour details are here:




Having scooped my 'Song of the Year' choice in 2009 for Daybreak Somewhere, David joined up with his Henchmen for a rootsy folk direction. I can't wait to catch both Baum and David Hope live in concert!

http://www.facebook.com/davidhopeandthehenchmen

Introducing: We're Wolves

Ooooo I'm excited about this band and this song! Have a listen to 'We're Wolves', download the song, 'Fan' them on Facebook and make them huge!!!!




'I Was An Ironman For Two Weeks' was self produced in and around a house in Maynooth. The band 'We're Wolves' is made up of ex members of a lot of the Dublin punk rock bands including, Homestar Runner, Born A Ghost, Jody Has A Hitlist, Starters, Little Nightmare and Awake Young Soldiers to name a few.

The band are: Jason Boland - Guitar/Vocals/Audio Scientist
Steve Conneely - Guitar/
Anthony Kelly - Drums/Shark Facts
Sean Reid - Bass/Glasses
Conor Biddle - Synths/Vocals/ Stephen Tyler
Pete Britton - Vocals/

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Were-Wolves/170914409591305

Amhrán Gach Lá - We Go Go

Today's 'Song Du Jour' is from Mullingar's We Go Go from The Bandwagon TV Sessions. It's an acoustic performance of their single Nitpicker.






We Go Go are playing a free gig tomorrow in The Workmans Club in Dublin;


Come get yer act together New music showcase 2011 at The WORKMANS CLUB in Association with Tower Records

We Go Go
The Vibes
Leaving Las Vegas

Showcasing on Monday 31st January,
Doors 8pm, admission free

Amhrán Gach Lá - Garry O'Brien

Garry O'Brien is one superb talent, songwriter and all round sound bloke. His excellent song 'Bumblebee' has just been uploaded onto Soundcloud and it's worth your attention!


Bumblebee by GarryOBrienMusic



More info: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Garry-OBrien/29430958844

Amhrán Gach Lá - Track Dogs

Track Dogs is the band formally know as The Garrett Wall Band. They are playing a few gigs around Ireland in March promoting their single 'Move A Mountain'.

The line up is: Garrett Wall - guitars, piano, vox
Robbie K. Jones - cajón, banjo, vox
Howard Brown - trumpet, piano, percussion, vox
Dave Mooney - electric & double bass, vox


Keeping with a new tradition of posting a Friday Cover here's Track Dogs covering Lionel's Easy!

Easy by Track Dogs

Introducing: Padraig McCauley & The P Affection

There's been very few songs that I've heard recently which has compelled me to instantly blog and share. However Padraig McCauley got in touch to tell me about his album with The P Affection that's on release on February 5th. I found this slice of dreamy pop magic called 'Worries of the World' and I love it. It reminds me of the kind of pop music Lloyd Cole used to write! Blissful!


Worries Of The World by thepaffection


The Album Launch details are here:

Saturday February 5th - The Late Lounge, Kill
Doors @ 9
Admission 10 Euro
7 Euro before 10

Supports:
We Are Losers
Arrow In The Sky

That's a class and diverse line-up for the album launch!

More details: http://www.thepaffection.com/

Amhrán Gach Lá - Groom

We are just one week away from The Digital Socket Awards taking place in The Grand Social on February 3rd. Live music comes from Electronic artist Meljoann, Indie band Groom and a special guest headliner.

Tickets cost €10 from here: http://www.tickets.ie/event.aspx/digital-socket-awards-2011-pravda-dublin-03-February-2011/4D5YE

All profits from the ticket sales go to Aware!


Groom - All the Bored People by popical_island

Midweek Round-up

This last week has been very good for me in the music world. I got to see Ani DiFranco in The National Concert Hall and wrote about it here! I got to see David Ford for the first time on Monday night along with Teddy Thompson. I've been checking out new music by Iron & Wine, Owensie and the lovely sounds of Duncan Maitland!

Here's a few events which are worth plugging!






See live acts like Dervish, Paddy Casey, Fred, Tommy Peoples, Paddy Keenan, Eoin Coughlan, Frances Black, Tommy O'Sullivan, The Calvinists, and many more this weekend in Ballincollig!




More info: http://www.wintermusicfestival.ie/


Get a free download from The Calvinists here:











Indie folkies Norabelle are very close to releasing their debut album. If you don't know about their beautiful harmonies you can listen to their EP here or buy it for 50 cents!














This Sunday you will find this excellent line-up at the Saucy Sunday Sessions in The Grand Social. One Sunday I'll get there I promise!

ANDY EARLY
LISA MCLAUGHLIN
MOB FANDANGO
COME ON LIVE LONG
BRIAN CASSIDY
THE NORTH SEA
ERIC MCGRATH



Mob Fandango - Ghetto Life by RisingStars









Boyles of Slane has a brand new website: http://www.boylesofslane.com/

Upcoming gigs include:


Jan 27th: Don Baker & Band Tickets €20

Jan 28th: Stuart Agnew

Feb 10th: Ryan Sheridan Tickets €10

Feb 17th: Mick Hanley Tickets €15

Feb 18th: The Dirty 9s

Feb 24th: Live at Boyles

featuring: Jezzebelle,
David Hope & The Henchman,
Baum


Feb 25th: The Three Musketeers
Mar 5th: Hudwink

Here's a nice remix of the Ryan Sheridan hit 'Jigsaw'.


Ryan Sheridan - Jigsaw (Hughes & Ballantine Bootleg) by Hughes & Ballantine









I was delighted to see this today for two reasons. Firstly it's great to see Roddie Cleere still having a great influence on Irish music and it's also great to see Katie Kim gigging after a break and supporting Julie Feeney.




'Fictitious Richard' from '13 songs' by Julie Feeney by Julie Feeney


Crocodile by KATIE KIM









This is a super line-up for the next Where the Mugic Happens free gig in The Button Factory on Weds 16th Feb!





WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 16TH

Line up:

SOUNDS OF SYSTEM BREAKDOWN
http://www.myspace.com/soundsofsystembreakdown

TUCAN
http://www.myspace.com/tucanmusic

THE RIPTIDE MOVEMENT
http://www.myspace.com/riptideeire

ENDA REILLY
http://www.myspace.com/endaderoad



Tucan - Around the World by A.M.A. Music Agency



Halloween Lady ( Duet) by endareilly







Oh yeah ..... Next Thursday I'm going to be at the http://www.digitalsocketawards.com/ Live Final in The Grand Social! Tickets €10 with profits going to the charity Aware!

Amhrán Gach Lá - Joy Booth

This is another class line-up for the Navan Oxjam gig this February 11th. I've spoken about Saramai & The Swords many times on the blog and The Great Simones are a superb new folk rock band. Here is a song by Joy Booth who is a really great talent. I love her voice which kind of reminds me of Nanci Griffith!

http://www.myspace.com/joyboothmusic

Introducing: Calico Jak

In this small country where I write about Irish artists you would have thought I'd have heard about Calico Jak who released their debut 'Ever Seen A Match Burn Twice' with a launch gig in The Button Factory last January.

Album Cover:



Calico Jak is a Dublin-based band built around the talents of Eoin MacIonmhain. Eoin was also a member of Patrick Freyne & His Bad Intentions. The Calico Jak sound isn't too easy on the ears but there's enough interesting melodies, hooks and twists to keep me interested! Album closer 'You're Not The One' is pure bliss.






In December Calico Jak released a free single entitled LosMmts!

Amhrán Gach Lá - Ash

My partner in crime and best buddy is a year older today.

She's my shinning light! Happy Birthday!


Shining Light - Ash by DirtyTerry

Introducing: Brendan Markham

Limerick's Brendan Markham is due to release his debut album this March. He was the lead singer of The Driven an Irish rock band, possibly best known for their 1996 single 'Jesus Loves You More If You Can Drive'.




'False Witness' is released in Ireland on March 25, 2011. The album will be preceded by lead single and title track 'False Witness' on March 11. Have a listen to the single below! It's a good one!


For media enquiries contact Alan Jacques at Flagship PR.

Brendan Markham - False Witness by 2uibestow

Amhrán Gach Lá - Royseven

Royseven is one of a number of bands performing in The Olympia on Saturday 19th February at a charity night for Bohemians FC. Also on the bill are Karl Spain, Eoin Glackin, Apres Match and an unconfirmed special guest. Tickets are €30 from the club or ticketmaster!


Here's the single Killer from Royseven which was released last month!


ROYSEVEN Killer by user7328447

Amhrán Gach Lá - Wallis Bird

Wallis Bird has announced details of a May solo tour where she'll be hitting the main centres along with a gig in her home county of Meath!




Irish Solo Acoustic Tour Dates

Wednesday 4th – SET Theatre, Kilkenny
Thursday 5th – Newgrange Hotel, Navan
Friday 6th – The Arts Centre, Wexford Town
Saturday 7th – Cyprus Avenue, Cork
Sunday 8th – Roisin Dubh, Galway
Monday 9th – Whelan’s, Dublin

This song from her 2007 debut Spoons is simply stunning!

Wallis Bird - All For You by Darknesia

Introducing: The Difference Engine

Irish bands come up with really bad names don't they? Apparently The Difference Engine was the first computer!

The Difference Engine are

Brian Canavan - Vocals, Guitars
Colin Stanley - Trumpets, Guitars
JP Canning - Basses, Pianos, Vocals
Ciaran Henson - Drums and they have a free download for you to check out!

Elephant Island is a great pop tune. Brian is one of Ireland's best songwriters and I hope The Difference Engine get the break they deserve!

http://www.breakingtunes.com/thedifferenceengine

Amhrán Gach Lá - Fiach

Fiach has a headline gig in Whelans this coming Friday with support from Aoife Scott. If you've read the blog much you know I'm a big fan of Fiach's and his live performances are pretty special! http://www.fiach.net/

Introducing: The Boondalk Saints

The Boondalk Saints from the North East are :

Mada (Guitar, Vox)
James (Lead Guitar, Vox)
Chris (Drums, Vox)
Killian (Bass)

Some of the band are Navan based while others are from the Dundalk area which helps to explain their name. Their music is good time rock music and they've got a few decent tunes.


http://www.myspace.com/theboondalksaints


The Boondalk Saints - Get So Old (Original).mp3 by The Boondalk Saints



The Boondalk Saints - At Least Im Real.mp3 by The Boondalk Saints

Amhrán Gach Lá - Vyvienne Long

Friday's Amhran Gach La is going to be a covers day to help bring on that Friday feeling. Here's a great video for Vyvienne Long's performance of NERD's 'He Wants To Move'




http://vyviennelong.com/



Here I found another brilliant cover version. How good is this? Eddie Grant's 'I Don't Want to Dance' .... performed by Vyvienne Long:

Amhrán Gach Lá - The Walls

I remember making hoax phone calls asking if Danny Wall was at home? What about Joe Wall? Any walls? Haha you don't have a home!


Anyway ..... The Walls are back this year with a new album and have allowed this track 'Carrying The Fire' as a free download through bandcamp!

Also I do love the bands website: http://www.thewalls.ie/

Introducing: Autumn Long

Autumn Long is a new band fronted by songwriter Padraig Digan. The full line up is Leanne Doyle (Violin), Ruairí De Barra (Guitars), Michael Murphy (BASS), Joe Digan (Drums), Norah O'Leary (Cello) and Padraig on vocals and guitar. I've been lucky enough to have heard some of Padraig's demos from last year and they sound great. However with such a quality band on board Autumn Long might well end up being one of the bands of the year.


Check out the band on the social networks:

Facebook
Twitter

Check out some samples tracks here: http://www.breakingtunes.com/autumnlong

See the band at their first gig in Whelans on 27th April!

Padraig was also lead singer of Wallmark who released their debut album before they imploded! The album is a stunning piece of work I return to again and again!

Amhrán Gach Lá - Ham Sandwich - Ants

The video for Ham Sandwich's new single Ants went online on Monday and was a video exclusive on State.ie.

Their single tour takes the band all over Ireland in the early Spring:

4th February Roisin Dubh Galway
5th February The Bar Ritz Mayo
10th February The Spirit Store Dundalk
11th February The Stables Mullingar
12th February Whelans Dublin
15th February The Old Oak Cork
18th February The Loft Limerick
4th March The Cellar Drogheda
5th March Kavanaghs Portlaoise
2nd April The Forum Waterford

The Frames - Vicar St March 30th

Direct from The Frames.ie message board!

'for the birds' will be celebrating its 10th anniversary on march 30th
2011. to mark the occasion the frames will be playing the album
through in its entirety in vicar street on march 30th. (plus a good fat encore im sure..) this will be a
seated show and we are delighted to say that interference will be the
opening act. tickets are €30 including booking fees and will be
available to buy on monday 24th january at 9am from ticketmaster.




I really hope the above is true!


Here's Glen and Dave Odlum talking about the album release and performing Headlong on TV3's on March 29th 2001.

Amhrán Gach Lá - The Ambience Affair

Kells band The Ambience Affair have been a big favourite of mine since I seen them a few years ago supporting the Angel Pier in Whelans. Their gig in the Workman's Club last Friday was reviewed here on the new 4FortyFour blog which included details of their new songs and a new bassist. The gig was part of The Certain Three tour including Windings and We Cut Corners.

15th January 2011 – The Spirit Store, Dundalk
20th January 2011 – The Pavilion, Cork
22nd January 20111 – Gonzo Theatre, Cavan
28th January 2011 – De Barras, Clonakilty, Co. Cork
29th January 2011 – Dolans Upstairs , Limerick

This new song went onto bandcamp last week called 'Weeds' and I like it alot!


http://www.facebook.com/theambienceaffair

Album Review: Battle For Second Place - First

'First' is the debut album from Scottish band 'Battle For 2nd Place' which is released on a 'Pay What You Like' basis through their website: http://www.battlefor2ndplace.com/fr_home.cfm 'First' is fine album from a talented band with an amazing vocalist.





The Battle for 2nd Place have a sound which harks back to early 1990's Seattle grunge with one exception! They are fronted by Ireland's Orla Pendergast whose vocals are outstanding on the album. On some tracks she sings with conviction and passion while on others the vocals are pure and delicate. The alternative grunge rock sounds revolve around Orla's vocals and lyrics to produce some fine songs like the album opener 'Stuck in Rewind' and the sample track 'Damage That You've Done'.


Battle For 2nd Place - Damage That You've Done by 2uibestow


The best tracks on the album for me are the last two. 'Fair on Me' is a beautifully sung track with a despairing catchy chorus. The album closer 'Held To You' is the type of epic outro the album deserves with it's feedback and two false endings. The most mainstream track is the radio friendly 'In The Morning' and is an alternative rock song of the highest standard. 'Hallow' is another fine song which showcases the outstanding vocals of Orla.


'First' is not a perfect album. There are a few songs which while not poor didn't ignite a passion in me. I think the backing vocals and the male/female harmonies could have been expanded on and I felt there was a harshness to the recording with the bass often way back in the sound of a number of tracks.


The Battle for 2nd Place have a really good debut album in 'First'! Their music is perfect for Phantom FM and I hope they gain some valuable exposure in Ireland leading up to their first headline gig in Whelans on Feb 13th.


The Battle For 2nd Place - First [9 out of 12]

http://www.battlefor2ndplace.com

Amhrán Gach Lá - Mundy

January please move on quickly ..... here's Mundy singing a song about how blue January can be!


10 January Is Blue by Mundy

Amhrán Gach Lá - David Hopkins & Damien Rice

RTE Radio 1's 'Album of the Week' is David Hopkin's album released in America in 2009 called 'There Are Debts'! However it's finally now available in Ireland from the 28th January.

The album includes this excellent track called 'There Are Debts' which is probably the last released work featuring the dormant Damien Rice on vocals!

Buy The Album

Mixtape: Irish Sound of 2011

The ten bands selected by myself and Ronan from Swear I'm Not Paul have allowed us to use their songs in a compilation of the Irish Sound of 2011 list.


Irish Sound of 2011 by Irish Sound of 2011 Mix


Read the original 'Sound of 2011' post here: http://www.swearimnotpaul.com/2011/01/list-irish-sound-of-2011.html

Amhrán Gach Lá - Roesy

Roesy released a live best of album entitled simply 'Roesy' at the back end of last year.



The album was recorded with Albert Niland with the following tracklist:

1. CAT GUT AND WIND
2. HELL BENT ON YOU
3. ONLY LOVE IS REAL
4. SHAKE THE DEVIL DOWN
5. CAST YOUR LINE
6. THE SWAYING TREE
7. STARDUST
8. TRUTH IN YOUR HEART
9. FABLE
10. MILLION TO ONE
11. HAIRPIN
12. THERE’LL COME SPRING
13. BURDETT BALLAD
14. IF ONLY FOR A DAY

Buy The Album:

Here's the wonderful 'Only Love is Real'


Only love is real - 'Roesy' (Bluecloak Records 2010) by roesymusic


http://roesymusic.net/

The Digital Socket Awards 2010

As a founder member of The Digital Socket Awards I'm delighted we are at the shortlist stage! Over 20 judges listed here shortlisted from the nominations voted by the public. I'm very proud of this shortlist as I believe it represents the blogging community in Ireland.



1. Best Design (Website, Artwork, Posters)

Adebisi Shank – This is the Second Album





Cathy Davey – The Nameless





Halves – It Goes, It Goes (Forever and Ever)




O Emperor – Hither Thither






Villagers – Becoming a Jackal






2. Best Independent Label

Any Other City
Osaka Record
Out On A Limb
Popical Island
Richter Collective



3. Best Video


Ambience Affair – Devil in detail




BATS – Star Wormwood

BATS - Star Wormwood from Digital Beast on Vimeo.

Cathy Davey – Little Red






Patrick Kelleher & His Cold Dead Hands – Contact Sports






Rubberbandits – Horse Outside






4. Best Music Photography

Kieran Frost
kDamo
Ruth Medjber
Alessio Michelini
Loreana Rushe



5. Best Radio Show


Alison Curtis
Donal Dineen – The Small Hours
I-con Phanotm FM
Paul McLoone
Right Click 2XM




6. Best Pop

Cathy Davey – The Nameless
The Divine Comedy – Bang Goes the Knighthood

The Divine Comedy - At The Indie Disco by Fantastic Plastic Mag

Fight Like Apes – The Body of Christ and the Legs of Tina Turner
So Cow – Meaningless Friendly

So Cow - Shut Eye by liamvoltaire

Two Door Cinema Club – Tourist History





7. Best Folk


Simon Fagan – Outside Looking In
Halves – It Goes, It Goes (Forever and Ever)


Growing & Glow by halves

James Vincent McMorrow – Early in the Morning


And If My Heart Should Somehow Stop by chris2131


O Emperor – Hither Thither
Villagers – Becoming a Jackal




8. Best Rock and Alternative

Adebisi Shank – This Is The Second Album Of A Band Called…
Enemies – We’ve Been Talking
Jogging – Minutes
Redneck Manifesto – Friendship


The Redneck Manifesto - Hex by Richter Collective



Thread Pulls – New Thoughts





9. Best Electronic & Hip Hop


Meljoann – Squick

E.X.I.T - Meljoann by fresh_air

Not Squares – Yeah OK
R.S.A.G. – Be It Right or Wrong
Shit Robot – From The Cradle To The Rave
Solar Bears – She Was Coloured In


Solar Bears - Forest Of Fountains by Ragged Words



10. Best Indie


The Cast of Cheers – Chariot
Grand Pocket Orchestra – The Ice Cream
Groom – Marriage

Groom - Mysteries Of Life by popical_island



Ham Sandwich – White Fox

Ham Sandwich - The Naturist by tigger_sinclair

Jogging – Minutes






11. Best EP


The Ambience Affair -Patterns

Devil In The Detail by The Ambience Affair by no music


And So I Watch You From Afar – The Letters
Angkorwat- Early..
The Holy Roman Army – Desecrations



Sacred Animals – Welcome Home





12. Best Newcomer


The Cast Of Cheers
Jennifer Evans

Jennifer Evans And The Ripe Intent - Uncomfortable Word by Dara McConnell

Hipster Youth
James Vincent McMorrow
Solar Bears



13. Song of the Year


Adebisi Shank – ‘Genki Shank’
The Cast Of Cheers – ‘I Am Lion’
Cathy Davey – ‘Little Red’
Squarehead – ‘Fake Blood’


Squarehead - Fake Blood by lizpelly


Villagers – ‘The Meaning of the Ritual’





14. Album of the Year


Adebisi Shank – This is the Second Album
The Cast Of Cheers – Chariot
Cathy Davey – The Nameless
James Vincent McMorrow – Early in the Morning
Villagers – Becoming a Jackal



Details of the live event are here: http://www.digitalsocketawards.com/2011/01/14/live-final-details/


We are delighted to have Groom and Meljoann performing on the night along with some very special guests!

Groom




Meljoann

Amhrán Gach Lá - Wayne Brennan

I've just decided that Friday's Amhran Gach la will be for cover versions!

Here's the amazing Wayne Brennan doing justice to The Doors Spanish Caravan at a recent Brownbread Mixtape in The Stag's Head. Check it out and turn it up!





Later this month Wayne is beginning a nationwide tour!


January 27th - The Crane Lane, Cork. Doors 8pm.

FEBRUARY 2011
February 3rd - The Passionfruit Theatre, Athlone, Co.Westmeath.
February 4th - Upstairs @ Dolans, Limerick
February 10th - Cleeres Theatre, Kilkenny
February 11th - Live @ Monroes, Galway
February 17th - The Sugarclub, Dublin
February 25th - Hugh Lynch's, Tullamore, Co.Offaly

FEBRUARY 2011
March 4th - The Drogheda Arts Centre, Co.Louth
March 25th - Glor, Ennis, Co.Clare


http://www.waynebrennan.com/

Amhrán Gach Lá - Cocophone

Cocophone is the band I got to see perform live more than any other band last year. The two piece indie folk band make beautiful music which is a joy to listen to. I was delighted to hear about this upcoming gig in The Academy 2 on Feb 11th. It comes on the back of them receiving some radio airplay and getting nice things said about them in the press!







Here's the last track on their EP Special Offers.



http://www.myspace.com/cocophone

Album Review: A Lazarus Soul

A Lazarus Soul are releasing their third album "Through a Window in the Sunshine Room" on Jan 29th and includes some excellent tracks in the typical ALS understated way.





Bookended by instrumentals 'Through A Window in the Sunshine Room' contains nine tracks of unglamorous beauty. There's no indie classic, breakthrough single or sing-a-long choruses here. It does however have Brian Brannigan's pure vocals, his astute social observations and a soundtrack which is complex in nature but entirely listenable. Brian along with Tony Hegerty made the album with a few legends in the Irish music scene including Martin Kelly (Sunbear/ The Ruby Tailights), Ger Griffin (Rollerskate Skinny/ Super Electric), Pat Barrett (10SR/ The Hedge Schools) and Joe Chester engineering.



A Penthouse View was deservedly the first single released from the album last month as it's one of the best tracks on the album. The lyrics sum up the whole property bubble bullshit of the tiger years. 'We Start Fires' which includes the guitar playing of Ger Griffin also contains wonderfully descriptive lyrics and commentaries;

"You can see us on weekends drinking on the porch, We are a river going backwards".

There are two tracks which impress me most. 'Save Our Greenbelt' has a pleasant Stone Roses feel to it and is vocally the best track. Again the lyrics enables me to effortlessly paint images in my mind.







The last track 'Contrails' flirts with electronic dance as well as being dark and atmospheric. It really suits Brian's vocals. Maybe the next A Lazarus Soul album should be an electronic dance album.





I needed to listen to the album a number of times for it all to click for me. On some of the tracks the lyrics are difficult to follow. Some of the tracks go nowhere for me, however as outlined above there are four quality tunes on this record.


A Lazarus Soul - Through a Window in the Sunshine Room [10 out of 12]


http://www.myspace.com/alazarussoul


Through a Window in the Sunshine Room is being launched in The International on Sunday AFTERNOON, Doors 1pm.

This is an afternoon gig, Doors 1p.m. Special guests Japanese Eye (aka Fergus Cullen from E+S=B) & A Mechanical Turk (This is the electronic side of Thomas Haugh a.k.a Hulk)

Amhrán Gach Lá - Villagers

Villagers are strong favourites to win the Choice Music Prize 2010! Here's Conor and band doing a wonderful version of Neil Young's 'Old Man'!


Villagers - 'Old Man' by stripeyjumper

Upload appeared here last week: http://www.thepointofeverything.com/
Here's the full list of 10:

Adebesi Shank “This is the Second Album of a band called Adebisi Shank” (Richter Collective)
The Cast of Cheers “Chariot” (Self release)
Cathy Davey “The Nameless” (Hammer Toe Records)
Fight Like Apes “The Body of Christ & The Legs of Tina Turner” (Model Citizen)
Halves “It Goes, It Goes (Forever & Ever)” (Hate is The Enemy)
Imelda May “Mayhem” (Universal)
James Vincent McMorrow “Early in The Morning” (Universal)
O Emperor “Hither Thither” (Universal)
Two Door Cinema Club “Tourist History” (Kitsune)
Villagers “Becoming a Jackal” (Domino)

Congratulations to all the nominated bands! None of my top 10 albums made the list such is my alternative taste!

Choice Awards Prediction!

I'm usually real poor at predicting these things but I'll give it a go!

The Choice Shortlist is being announced tomorrow afternoon I think!

Here's the 10 albums I predict will be honoured!





Adebisi Shank – This Is the Second Album of a band Called Adebisi Shank (Richter Collective)

The Cast of Cheers – Chariot (Self Release)

Cathy Davey – The Nameless – (Hammer Toe Records)

The Divine Comedy – Bang Goes the Knighthood (DCR Records)

Ham Sandwich – White Fox (Route 109 Recordings)

Imelda May – Mayhem (Decca)

James Vincent McMorrow – Early in the Morning (Universal Ireland)

O Emperor - Hither Thither (Universal Ireland)

Villagers – Becoming A Jackal (Domino)


.... and the controversial one ....


Jinx Lennon – National Cancer Strategy (Septic Tiger)

Amhrán Gach Lá - Annette Buckley

This video for Annette Buckley's 'Beneath The Big Blue Sea' is simply stunning and the song is gorgeous.

http://www.annettebuckley.com/

Beneath the big blue sea from cormacoconnor on Vimeo.

Whelan's Ones To Watch 2011

Tickets are priced at a mere €10 for all four nights or €5 for a single night.

Band lists copied from: State.ie


WEDNESDAY JAN 13TH

Whelans Main Room (Doors – 7:30pm)
Lisa O’Neill
Ivan St John
Owensie

Home by Ivan St John


Owensie: Dark Place by OOAL


Wednesday 13th

Whelans Upstairs (Doors – 7:30pm)

Jennifer Evans
Anthony Furey
The Man Whom

Jennifer Evans And The Ripe Intent - Uncomfortable Word by Dara McConnell


Anthony Furey & The Young Folk - Sad Day by 2uibestow





THURSDAY JAN 13TH


Whelans Main Room (Doors – 7:30pm)

Thread Pulls
Cloud Castle Lake
Great Lakes Mystery
Hunter-Gatherer


Sink and swim by thread pulls


Organo Moderato by Great Lakes Mystery




Whelans Upstairs (Doors – 7:30pm)

Guilty Optics
Toby Kaar
Catscars
Datadrip

GUILTY OPTICS - WHITE TEETH by OOAL



FRIDAY JAN 14TH

Whelans Main Room (Doors – 7:30pm)

Squarehead
Shouting At Planes
Grand Pocket Orchestra
Miracle Bell


Whelans Upstairs (Doors – 11.30pm)

Strait Laces
Hired Hands
Alarmist
Lost Chord

Strait Laces: Where The Wolf Roam by CultureNI




SATURDAY JAN 15TH

Whelans Upstairs (Doors – 7:30pm)

No Monster Club
Bill Coleman
TBC

Summergirl by No Monster Club


She Knows I Know by bcoleman




Whelans Main Room (Doors – 7:30pm)

Heroes In Hiding
The Danger Is
The Casanova Wave

All For Gold - The Danger Is by Lefthand Productions


The Casanova Wave by The Casanova Wave




The Village (Doors – 7:30pm)

Planet Parade
This Club (Hoarsebox)
Cashier No 9
TBC

1. Soon They'll Come by planetparadeband

Introducing: Fox. E and the Good Hands

Kildare's Fox.E & the Good Hands have just recorded their debut EP and popped it onto Soundcloud for us all to have a listen to. I really like Eimear's soulful voice and the songs flirt with many genres.



http://www.myspace.com/eimearfox

Here's the best tracks on the EP:

Lead track: Forbidden Fruit

1 Forbidden Fruit by Fox.E and the Good Hands



I like this Adele-esque ballad: Bitter or Better

2 Bitter or Better by Fox.E and the Good Hands