The Bank of Ireland Mostly Modern Series continues this coming Thursday 26th January 2006 at the Bank of Ireland Arts Centre Foster Place Dublin 2.
PLEASE NOTE THIS IS AN 8PM PERFORMANCE
Ensemble Madrid will fly in from Spain to perform works by Ireland’s Raymond Deane – ‘Marche Oubliee’, John Buckley- ‘Sirato’, Benjamin Dwyer –
‘Movimentos I & II’ and Spain’s Arild Suarez – ‘Cuarteto No 5’ (Irish Première) and Jose Luis Turina – ‘Cuarteto Con Piano'(Irish Première).
This concert is in association with the Instituto Cervantes (Dublin) and the Centro para la Difusion de la Musica Comtemporanea (Spain).
Learn and perform a challenging and varied repertoire in a professional standard choir.
Be heard regularly on RTÉ lyric fm
Be part of a team of singers who rehearse every Wednesday (of the academic year), and take part in an annual training weekend.
Perform between 3 and 6 concerts a year, performing works such as Berlioz´s The Damnation of Faust, Mahler´s Das Klagende Lied, Puccini´s La Bohème and Beethoven´s Choral Symphony.
The Choir, all of whom offer their services voluntarily, are currently preparing for Poulenc´s Stabat Mater in April and Brahm´s German Requiem in May.
Budding songwriters and music lovers are in for a real treat in Belfast City Centre at the end of February. Some of Nashville´s most successful songwriters are coming to the Hilton Belfast for a special week of live concerts and workshops at the Continental Airlines Belfast Nashville Songwriters´ Festival 22nd to 26th February. Songwriters´ who have penned hits for Fleetwood Mac, BB king, Vince Gill, The Dixie Chicks and Johnny Cash will be performing with top local professional artists. Gary Nicholson a multi-platinum writer whose song ‘One More last Chance´ hit #1 in the Billboard charts for Vince Gill, Steve Seskin who wrote 7 #1 hits and Nashville´s Dave Gibson, 5 #1 hits have all agreed to come to Belfast.
Festival Director Colin Magee said:
‘We´re celebrating the art of song writing in different languages and exploring the musical heritage of two Sister Cities, Belfast and Music City Nashville. This is a wonderful opportunity to hear the writer behind the hit song. The international artists have also agreed to visit local community centres to inspire people to be creative´
Jason Blume whose songs have sold on 50 million CD´s worldwide for Britney Spears, John Berry and the Backstreet Boys will deliver a series of workshops and seminars. Grammy Award writers Tia Sillers and Mark Selby wrote ‘Blue on Black´ which stayed at #1 in the Billboard Charts for a record 17 weeks. Their song ‘There´s Your Trouble´ was a mega-hit for the Dixie Chicks and Tia´s Grammy song ‘I Hope You Dance´ was recorded by Ronan Keating. Graham Gouldman ex-10cc, wrote ‘I´m Not in Love´ and will perform his popular songs in a special concert at W5 Odyssey on the 25th February. All this has been made possible by sponsorship from local business and Arts support organisations. Anne Coulter of Panarts said:
‘Bringing these world-class songwriters to Belfast is just unbelievable and it´s all possible due to Laganside, Continental Airlines, Hilton, Avalon Guitars, Marcus Music, Arts & Business, NI Events Company, American Consulate, Belfast City Council Tourism, Castlereagh Arts and PRS Foundation. We are grateful to all our sponsors for their support of the arts´
Local artists including Juliet Turner, Brendan Monaghan, Ken Haddock, Tim Cobain, Paul Casey, Eamon McCann, The Low Country Boys and Ben Sands will share the stage with the Nashville guests. Talented Cork songwriter John Spillane, Mick Hanly and Niall Toner all perform at the festival of song. ‘More Than Words´ is an important part of the work of Panarts. This series of training events explores song writing in Irish, Ulster-Scots and English and up to the end of March, several schools and communities will take part in workshops creating new music. The Arts Council, Ulster-Scots Agency and Foras na Gaeilge have provided support for this eight week programme.
“The Definitive Tom Dunne Vol. 1â€
Pet Picks 2000 – 2006
Following the success of 2005´s ‘Alternative Irish Anthems´, Tom Dunne returns with another immaculately collated compilation.
This is the holy grail of alternative music for all Tom´s disciples. Curated by the man himself, with extensive listener input; the passion for the music really comes through. The Today FM ‘Pet Sounds´ audience are a discerning bunch and this compilation is tailored to satiate their need for only the very best in leftfield and alternative rock ‘n´ roll.
The tune selection has been drafted, crafted, tweaked, peaked, styled and compiled from over 3,000 hours of music played on the show in the first half of the decade.
Spanning the modern rock idiom, with all its nuances and sub – genres, this 2CD album is the 120 minute guide to twenty first century rock ‘n´ roll that will hold your attention and leave you wanting more.
CD1
1). Modest Mouse – Float On
2). Delays – Long Time Coming
3). Razorlight – Somewhere Else
4). Stereophonics – Dakota
5). Doves – There Goes The Fear
6). Badly Drawn Boy – Silent Sigh
7). Jose Gonzalez – Heartbeats
8). U2 – City Of Blinding Lights
9). PJ Harvey – A Place Called Home
10).Radiohead – There There
11).Sufjan Stevens – Chicago
12).Elliott Smith – Son Of Sam
13).Oasis – The Importance Of Being Idle
14).The Frames – Sideways Down
15).Brendan Benson – Cold Hands (Warm Heart)
16).David Bowie – Everyone Says Hi
17).Looper – Impossible Things # 2
18). Albert Niland – Wuthering Heights
CD2
1). Editors – Munich
2). Weezer – Island In The Sun
3). Primal Scream feat. Kate Moss – Some Velvet Morning
4). The Streets – Weak Become Heroes (Steve Osbourne Radio Mix)
5). Sebastian Tellier – La Ritournelle
6). Lambchop – Up With People (Zero 7 remix)
7). Ian Brown – F.E.A.R.
8). Sonic Youth – Unmade Bed
9). Super Furry Animals – Juxtaposed With U
10). Lemon Jelly – Nice Weather For Ducks
11). Shack – Lend’s Some Dough
12). Bell X1 – Bigger Than Me
13). Republic Of Loose – Comeback Girl
14). Alabama 3 – Woke Up This Morning
15). Calexico – Alone Again Or
16). Bic Runga – Sway
17). Aimee Mann & Michael Penn – Two Of Us
18). 4 Hero Les Fleur
‘The Definitive Tom Dunne – Pet Picks 2000 – 2006´
On Rubyworks Records – released 27th January
Rodrigo y Gabriela announce self titled third album release, new single and Irish dates.
Mexican virtuoso acoustic guitar duo Rodrigo y Gabriela release their third album on February 17th on Rubyworks Records, and return to Ireland with a string of live dates to support the release.
“Rodrigo y Gabriela†is produced by John Leckie (Muse, Radiohead, My Morning Jacket) and the artistes themselves. It was recorded in the UK in the late summer of 2005, and features nine new tracks – seven Rod & Gab originals and two covers – Metallica´s “Orion†and Led Zeppelin´s “Stairway To Heavenâ€. All the instrumentation on the album comes from Rodrigo y Gabriela´s guitars, with the exception of guest gypsy violinist Roby Lakatos, who contributes a blistering solo to “Ixtapaâ€.
The album will be initially released as a limited edition CD with bonus DVD package; the DVD includes exclusive interviews, bonus live tracks, a guitar tutorial from Rod & Gab and a Mexico picture gallery.
A single – “Tamacun†– will precede the album, and will be released on very limited edition 7†‘dinked´ vinyl plus hand finished sleeve and download on February 3rd.
Fresh from touring around the UK and Europe as special guests of David Gray; Rodrigo y Gabriela will bring their incendiary live show back to Ireland with the following dates in February:
18th – Waterford Ten
19th – Dublin Olympia
21st – Galway Black Box
22nd – Limerick Dolans
24th – Letterkenny An Grianan
Q “NO PULSE†Out Jan 27.
From the album “Body Electric†on Strange Vibe Records (RMG-Chart) www.colmquearney.com
::: Latest Gig Dates Listed Below :::
Special Edition single containing all of Q´s hip singles to date, including his latest offering, the riff-fest that is “No Pulseâ€. Also included are “Carolâ€, “Baby Lets Danceâ€, and from Q’s first album “The World’s Not Round” in 2001 the hard to find “Reckless .think of it as a mini-Greatest Hits!
“A true pop instinct, elegantly fusing gospel, indie and country-tinged FM rock†~ Irish Times
“(Q) pens infuriatingly catchy songs…a slow burning album whose mariachi-tinged moments call Calexico to mind†~ Irish Independent
“A subtle gem which belongs on a perpetual radio playlist†~ Evening Herald
“classic pop moods with immaculate playing” – Event Guide
In a previous life Q was known to friends and acquaintances as Colm Quearney, the guitarist and songwriter with not one but TWO of Ireland’s more daring bands (DRAGONFLY 1991-94 & LIR 1994-1999). As if being one of the country’s top guitarists in both the studio and the road for headline acts such as Jerry Fish & the Mudbug Club, Mundy, Mark Geary, Bronagh Gallagher, and Pugwash were not enough, Colm released his first solo album “The World’s Not Round” to overwhelming critical success in 2001 on his own Strange Vibe Records. The success of his debut proved to be a beacon for the independent music community thus proving you don’t need to be signed to be major record company to make a brilliant album!
Back during the tail end 2003 Colm simply became Q to the delight of small children and grown-ups everywhere. His current band, HALLUCINATIONS, features Zamo Riffman [drums], Andy McDonald [bass], and Bill Blackmore [trumpet]. With the classic power quartet line-up in place, the band went to work on what would emerge as the “Body Electric” album, covering a wide range of genres from 60’s Spector pop lushness to esoteric garage rock to reckless abandoned roots with a twist.
Featuring the previously hip singles “Carol” & “Baby Lets Dance” and now “No Pulse”, Q’s critically aclaimed album “Body Electric” manages to broaden horizons everywhere. Truly a must buy for every household.
Buoyed by the success of AGENT ORANGE since it’s release, Ken is looking forward to promoting the album in the new-year. Plans for 2006 will commence with a gig in New York City on 18th January.
This showcase gig will take place in the Rockwood Music Hall and marks Ken’s first gig in the US. This exciting venture was prompted by feedback from the United States and Internet sales that are exceeding expectations.
.. ‘Magnificent Stuff’! – HotPress, Dublin. October 2005
.. AGENT ORANGE avoids the stereotypical introspective singer/songwriter format as ‘Corkman Cotter does his own neat take on indie-pop classicism.’ Colm O Hare, HotPress.
‘Purveys a wonderfully assured brand of melodic song-craft’ – Time Out, London.
‘[With] albums due out from writers of the calibre of Ken Cotter in the Autumn, this could turn out to be Cork’s year on the rock front’ – Jackie Hayden, HotPress, Dublin.
‘Sounds totally assured’ and ‘hits all the right buttons’ – Evening Echo, Cork.
CHOICE MUSIC PRIZE – IRISH ALBUM OF THE YEAR – SHORTLIST ANNOUNCED TODAY
The shortlist for the Choice Music Prize – Irish Album of the Year 2005 – is as follows (albums in alphabetical order):
Bell X1“Flock” (Island) Cane 141 “Moonpool” (Exceptional) The Chalets“Check-In” (Setanta) Joe Chester“A Murder of Crows” (Barp) Duke Special“Adventures In Gramophone” (Hag) Julie Feeney “13 Songs” (Self-released) Hal “Hal” (Rough Trade) Nick Kelly“Running Dog” (Self Possessed) Emmett Tinley“Attic Faith” (Independent Records) Turn“Turn” (Setanta)
The shortlist has been selected by a panel consisting of 12 media professionals representing Irish print, radio and TV from the four corners of the island.
The overall Album of the Year will be selected by this judging panel at the Choice Music Prize event at Vicar Street, Dublin on Tuesday February 28th.
The winning act will receive 10,000 euros, a prize which has been provided by the Irish Music Rights Organisation (IMRO) and the Irish Recorded Music Association (IRMA).
The act will also receive a specially-commissioned award, courtesy of the Recorded Artists And Performers Ltd (RAAP).
The winning album will also benefit from a full advertising campaign from Today FM.
The Choice Music Prize event will be covered live on Tom Dunne´s Pet Sounds show on Today FM on February 28th.
Tickets for the Choice Music Prize event (costing 25 euros including all booking fees) will go on sale from Ticketmaster outlets on Monday January 16th.
Full information on the acts who will be performing on the night and other elements of the event will be announced later this month.
The Choice Music Prize Irish Album of the Year is a new award which has been established to celebrate and acknowledge the work of Irish musicians.
Every single year, hundreds of albums are released by Irish artists in every genre, from indie, trad and pop to electronic and jazz.
The Choice Music Prize aims to highlight those albums which deserve some extra time in the spotlight and, ultimately, to select the album which best sums up the year in Irish music
Instead of using sales or airplay as criteria, the Choice Music Prize will focus, simply and solely, on the music.
The Choice Music Prize is co-ordinated by Dave Reid and Jim Carroll.
Jim Carroll will be the judging panel´s non-voting chairman.
Dave Reid runs Broadcast Mgt & Events, the company who also organise the National Student Music Awards. Jim Carroll is a music journalist with The Irish Times.
MICHAEL FLATLEY‘S “CELTIC TIGER” SELLS OUT IN 8 MINUTES!
THE POINT THEATRE, DUBLIN, THURSDAY, 20TH APRIL 2006.
“The demand for “Celtic Tiger†was unprecedented. At one stage at 9:04 there was sixteen and half thousand people trying to buy tickets on-line at the same time and this is a box office record for any show in Ireland†Eamonn O´Connor General Manager of Ticketmaster Ireland said.
Michael Flatley and Celtic Tiger will be staged at the Point Theatre, Thursday, 20th April 2006 and is being promoted by Aiken Promotions.
“It´s great to see him back with a sell-out show and we are delighted to renew our association with Michael and Celtic Tiger†Peter Aiken, said.
“I´m proud to be back in Ireland and the Irish people have always supported me. †Michael Flatley said.
With his new show Celtic Tiger, Michael Flatley ignites the world of dance once again with a bold, dramatic and daring production which fuses the spirit of Ireland and its history with dance and music. The result is an epic masterpiece in which Michael Flatley pushes the creative boundaries to deliver Irish dance as a dynamic and power art form.
Ireland´s history provides a dramatic story board for Michael Flatley, challenging his creative ability to produce a spectacle that is at once provocative and sensitive. The story unfolds with the Celts; as darkness fills the stage, the pulsating sound of tap signals the beginning of a daring production that is masterful in terms of choreography, music, stage presentation and costume design.
Accompanied by sweeping epic dramatic music composed by Ronan Hardiman (composer of Lord Of The Dance and Feet Of Flames), it ranks as one of the best scores ever to accompany a stage show or movie. All of Ronan Hardiman’s trademarks are evident-beautiful melodies, exquisite arrangements and the usual passion and energy-but what is most striking is the incredible diversity of styles in which Hardiman seems to effortlessly switch between.
Twelve magnificent highlights from this ground breaking score are included on the soundtrack CD to be released in April 2006. “I am very proud of this score-I believe it contains some of the best music I have ever composed. It has been a privilege to work once again with Michael Flatley on what I am sure is going to be the biggest phenomenon yet!” says Hardiman.
“The show itself is a 90 minute spectacular. It is very fast moving, powerful and hard-hitting and I think that it is something that you have never seen before. I love The Point and it has always been very special to me. It has brought me great luck and it is where it is all started. It is great to be back at the scene of the crime!†Michael Flatley said.
Images of Irish history fill the first half of the show which ends with the portrayal of the birth of modern Ireland as a nation state and a people who are constantly emerging from the jaws of defeat. The choreography, music and stage presentation combine to create a visionary interpretation of a people´s quest for freedom and the nobility of their spirit. The second half builds on images of modern Ireland and celebrates new life in America and across the globe. The invincible spirit of the Celtic Tiger is the thread that draws the images together weaving a tapestry that is a celebration in dance drama.
Celtic Tiger is a highly charged and innovative show with breathtaking special effects making it not quite a stage show and not quite a feature film but uniquely somewhere in between. Controversial and explosive, Celtic Tiger sets new standards in stage presentation and choreography. Celtic Tiger and its musical score represent quantum leaps forward in an arena scale theatrical production.
Celtic Tiger heralds yet another defining moment in the career of Michael Flatley. As its creator and choreographer, the artist´s relentless drive and determination converge with his vision of Irish heritage and dance to deliver a show that roars with energy and defiance.
The Bank of Ireland Mostly Modern Series continues this coming Thursday 26th January 2006 at the Bank of Ireland Arts Centre Foster Place Dublin 2.
Have You got a Voice?
GRAMMY AWARD WINNING SONGWRITERS JET INTO BELFAST
“The Definitive Tom Dunne Vol. 1â€
Rodrigo y Gabriela announce self titled third album release, new single and Irish dates.
Q “NO PULSE†Out Jan 27.
With his next album “The Velvet Earth” due for March 24th next , Ger Wolfe is doing a series of concerts leading up to the release:
Buoyed by the success of AGENT ORANGE since it’s release, Ken is looking forward to promoting the album in the new-year. Plans for 2006 will commence with a gig in New York City on 18th January.
CHOICE MUSIC PRIZE – IRISH ALBUM OF THE YEAR – SHORTLIST ANNOUNCED TODAY
MICHAEL FLATLEY‘S “CELTIC TIGER” SELLS OUT IN 8 MINUTES! 