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Month: October 2010

ELECTRONIC – 2010 Sounds of Northern Ireland

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Northern Ireland has been a hotbed of cutting edge creativity since the early days of dance music. Belfast boy David Holmes put Northern Ireland on the international underground dance map way back with his legendary Sugar Sweet nights. Ever since, a wealth of creative talent and a vibrant club culture has thrived across Northern Ireland.
 
During October 2010, the FFWD Programme will be promoting ELECTRONIC – a double promotional compilation CD that highlights this creativity – to media and industry delegates at the world’s leading international club music conference – The Amsterdam Dance Event.
 
CD 1 features some of Northern Ireland’s most successful artists – The Japanese Popstars, Fergie, Phil Kieran and Simon Patterson and also provides a platform for emerging artists such as Sneijder, Mark Rogan and Kab Driver.
 
CD2 features 2 great guest mixes by Psycatron and Space Dimension Controller.
 
Psycatron are made up of Dave Oost Lievense… they’ve been described as “one of the most exciting acts of their genre” and have released tracks on some of the world’s most respected labels; Planet E, R&S, Tronic and International Deejay Gigolo.
 
Space Dimension Controller is the alter ego of 20 year old Jack Hamill…
“Imagine Prince, James Stinson and Manual Gottsching hitting the studio together and you’ll have some idea of how sumptuous and fantastical this music is” (Fact).

 
Northern Ireland artists performing at ADE;
 
Psycatron
ADE
Dave Clarke Presents
Friday 22nd October
Time: 12.30am – 1.30am
Location: Melkweg
Address: Lijnbaansgracht 234a, 1017 RC, Amsterdam
http://www.amsterdam-dance-event.nl/location/map#melkweg
 
Dave Clarke (White Noise, GB), Green Velvet (Cajual Records, US), Robert Hood (M-Plant, US), Abe Duque (Abe Duque Records, US) live, Psycatron (Planet E, IE), Tom Trago (Rush Hour, NL) live, Estroe (Connaisseur, NL), James Watts (Souldrum, NL)
 
Space Dimension Controller
 
Red Bull Music Academy lands in Amsterdam
Friday 22nd October
Time: tbc
Location: Concrete Image Store
Address: Spuistraat 250, 1012 VW, Amsterdam
http://www.amsterdam-dance-event.nl/location/map#concrete-image-store
 
Stay ahead of the curve! For the first time ever, Amsterdam Dance Event takes to the airwaves 24 hours a day with Red Bull Music Academy Radio, beaming out live to the world from a pop up studio right around the corner from Felix Meritis. Drop by or tune in at rbmaradio.com to hear exclusive live-to-air mixes and interviews with visiting producers and DJs, from Detroit techno innovators to the freshest UK bass architects, and ‘nuff heavyweight Dutch talent.
 
With: Mark Prichard, Steve Spacek, Space Dimension, Controller, Robert Owens, Alden Tyrell, TLR, Legowelt, Dimitri, Melon and Estroe.
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Win a Support Slot for The Blind Boys of Alabama

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Waltons World Masters / RTÉ lyric fm Nationwide Gospel Competition

 
Win the opportunity to perform at the National Concert Hall as support act for the legendary Blind Boys of Alabama!

Waltons World Masters will be welcoming The Blind Boys of Alabama to Dublin and the National Concert Hall on Monday, 31 January 2011. Since 2003, Waltons New School of Music’s World Masters series has brought to Ireland some of the world’s most extraordinary musicians and performing groups, including Buena Vista Social Club, Bobby McFerrin and the Wayne Shorter Quartet to name just a few. Ireland has its own great tradition of gospel music, and one very special aspect of this concert is that the support act will be chosen from Irish gospel choirs and ensembles by a nationwide competition. The winning choir/ensemble will perform a set of up to 40 minutes’ duration before The Blind Boys of Alabama take to the stage.
 
Eligibility
All gospel choirs/ensembles – school, college, amateur and semi-professional – are welcome to enter.
 
The Competition
After all entries are received, a shortlist of three finalists will be chosen by a jury and materials forwarded to The Blind Boys of Alabama for their final decision.
 
The winning choir/ensemble will be announced by Liz Nolan on RTÉ lyric fm’s Lunchtime Classics programme on Friday, 7 January 2011, and will perform at the National Concert Hall on 31 January 2011 at 8pm, as guest artists of The Blind boys of Alabama.  It is RTÉ lyric fm’s intention, subject to the availability of facilities, to record the concert for subsequent broadcast.
 
The winning choir/ensemble will be responsible for their own transport to/from the venue, as well as accommodation (if required). The choir/ensemble will receive five pairs of tickets to the concert for guests, but there will be no monetary remuneration.
 
Entry
Entries must be received by 5pm on Friday, 12 November 2010. Late entries will not be accepted.
Full details of entry are availabale at the Waltons World Masters website here: http://www.newschool.ie/Waltons_World_Masters_RTE_lyric_fm_Gospel_Competition/Default.2370.html
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Delorentos Announce “The Sanctuary Tour”

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"The Sanctuary Tour" – November / December 2010
 
Delorentos have just announced a new single and nationwide tour for November and December 2010.
 
A special edit of current album track “Sanctuary” will be released on Friday 26 November.
Over two fine albums and accompanying incendiary live shows across Europe, Delorentos have proven themselves to be one of Ireland’s most exciting contemporary bands. Current album You Can Make Sound and its lead single “S.E.C.R.E.T.” afforded the band a very real step up and their touring plans around Ireland in the latter part of 2010 will put them in the perfect place to head back into the studio to record their third full-length album which will be released in early 2011.
 
 
The Sanctuary Tour will take in the following dates:
Fri 26 November – Limerick, Dolans
Sat 27 November – Waterford, Traffik @ The Forum
Sat 4 December – Carrick On Shannon, The Cartown Club
Wed 8 December – Cork, The Old Oak
Fri 10 December – Tipperary, Barcode
Sat 11 December – Galway, Roisin Dubh
Thurs 16 December – Dublin, Workmans Club
Sat 18 December – Westport, Walshes
Sun 19 December – Derry, Masons
 
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Úna Keane

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Dubliner Úna Keane releases debut LP ‘Trees’ on November 5th 2010 on Marabou Records, her own cottage industry label.

This is a record of 11 lovingly crafted songs exploring the intricacies of growing up, falling down, getting back up, smiling and reflecting upon it all. The message is overwhelmingly positive. Úna will be touring Ireland in November to promote ‘Trees’, with a UK Tour planned for early next year.
 
‘Trees’ resides for the most part in the alternative acoustic genre while dipping occasionally into the realm of pop. A more quirky, left of centre approach on songs like lead single ‘Alice’, ‘Saw a Wave’ and the hook-heavy
‘Microscopic’ point to one unafraid of experimentation, of blurring boundaries.

Following a Postgrad in Music technology, Úna set up her own Recording studio in 2008. Much fun was then had figuring out all the techie stuff around microphones, preamps, pianos and ProTools until it all started to make sense.

The Album soundscape is made up of more than 10 instruments: Pianos, synths, glockenspiels, vocals and a myriad of interesting and unusual sound effects come courtesy of Úna. Drums, bass and electric & acoustic guitars add edge, while lush cello lines embue the songs with layers of velvety warmth. An oboe, a French accordion and an uilleann pipe drone thrown in for good measure complete the line-up. Recording took place between Úna’s home studio in Kilmainham and friend Ben Rawlins’s studio at the Conservatory of Music & Drama in Rathmines between 2008 and 2010. The album was mixed by Ben, with Úna and Ben co-producing the record.

A classically trained pianist, Úna’s take on piano has been informed by a deep-seated love of the music of Beethoven, Debussy and such Film Composer luminaries as Yann Tiersen and Ennio Morricone. In 2008 she was the recipient of an IMRO scholarship to pursue study in Film Scoring at the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston – garnering a Distinction for her short, but challenging 6-month stint.

ALBUM LAUNCH: Thursday, 4th November 2010 @ The Grand Social, Dublin
Spotlight

The Coronas

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The Coronas have been around in some shape or form for over five years. Danny met up with Graham Knox (bass) and Conor Egan (drums) while at school and college, and a short time later hooked up with Dave during a working holiday in Vancouver. Come the start of 2007, a flurry of Irish chart activity commenced with their debut single, ‘Decision Time’, reaching the Top 10. This success was enhanced with three further hit singles (‘Grace, Don’t Wait’, ‘Heroes Or Ghosts’, ‘San Diego Song’), all of which preceded their debut album, ‘Heroes Or Ghosts’, which subsequently spent over a year in the Irish charts.

Time moves on, though, and the band – following a licensing deal in Japan with JVC – have trumped ‘Heroes Or Ghosts’ with their new album, ‘Tony Was An Ex-Con’. The debut album still resides in the heart of The Coronas, however, as it positioned them at a particular place and time. “We were proud of it at the time of release and we still are,” confirms Danny. “We were, I suppose, naïve at the time, but I wouldn’t necessarily call ‘Heroes Or Ghosts’ a naïve record. Joe Chester, the producer of it, really got the best out of us. We were winging it, big time, of course, but we knew we had to have an album because the records sell the gigs and vice versa. We also knew we weren’t going to make the perfect record…”
 
Whether the new album is perfect is open to debate – one thing The Coronas won’t do unnecessarily is to make big or superficial claims about it. All they can do is trust in their intuitive pop/rock instincts, release a few singles, play a rake of shows, light the fuse and stand back, and see what the reaction will be. Recorded in Cornwall’s renowned Sawmills Studios (and overseen by Razorlight/Muse/Supergrass/Oasis producer John Cornfield), Dave reckons the main difference between the new and the old album is that the band were far more cool, calm and collected second time around. Less nerves, more cohesion, less mess, more structure.
 
“It was great to have the opportunity of trying out new songs,” offers Danny, “and because of the gap between the first and the second album – the guts of two years – we had lots of time.”

Both Danny and Dave agree that ‘Tony Was An Ex-Con’ – which features more trademark smart rock/pop than you can shake a stick at – quietly boasts a more collaborative feel. The Coronas even more of a band than they used to be? You’d better believe it. But there’s more to come

“We’re happy enough at the stage we are in Ireland,” says Dave, “but we believe we have a sound that can actually travel. We’re not a minimalist techno band, what we do is not for a niche audience, and between the two albums we have a consistency that will make an impact.”
 
“If you improve, then things will happen,” states Danny, clearly in Field of Dreams mode, “and if we keep getting better then good things are bound to take place. We’re the biggest critics of ourselves, yet we feel the new album is ten times the record ‘Heroes Or Ghosts’ was. We are quietly confident that things will happen for us overseas. We have ambition to play to as many people as we can and, who knows, take over the world.”

‘Tony Was An Ex-Con’ is available now through 3u Records
 
 
The CORONAS ::: LIVE ::: December 2010
 
2nd – Dolans, Limerick
3rd – Dolans, Limerick
10th – Olympia Theatre, Dublin
11th – Olympia Theatre, Dublin
13th – Olympia Theatre, Dublin
16th – Savoy, Cork
17th – Set Theatre, Kilkenny
18th – Forum, Waterford
19th – Black Box, Galway
Interviews

IMRO Live Music Venue of the Year Awards 2010

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LIVE MUSIC VENUE OF THE YEAR AWARDS 2010
Have YOUR say with first ever public vote!
 
The Irish Music Rights Organisation (IMRO) is delighted to announce the shortlist for the third annual IMRO Live Music Venue of the Year Awards. The awards recognise the Irish venues which deliver the very best standards in live music entertainment. Hundreds of venues across Ireland qualified for the awards and more than 7,000 IMRO members were asked to vote for their top choices in an online poll. Venues have been judged on their ambience, staging, sound and lighting facilities, the diversity of their music programming, the staff and management at each venue and the work they undertake in promoting the venue and its programme of music events.
 
The IMRO Live Music Venue of the Year Awards acknowledge the immense efforts made by music venues across Ireland, through the provision of world class entertainment for their customers, their vital contribution to local economies and the significant role they play in providing a public platform for Irish songwriters and performers. 
 
Along with one overall award for the IMRO National Live Music Venue of the Year, awards will be presented to the leading live music venues in the following regions: Dublin, Leinster (excluding Dublin) Connaught, Munster and Ulster (covering Donegal, Monaghan and Cavan). In addition to this, IMRO members have been nominating their best music festival choices and one Irish music festival will receive the IMRO Music Festival of the Year award.
 
IMRO are now offering the public the chance to have their voice heard in the 2010 honours roll! Music lovers from across Ireland are invited to log on to www.surveymonkey.com/s/MTW7LVL before 25th November and cast a vote for their top choice across all venues shortlisted in all categories. The result of this public vote will be added to the IMRO members votes and the venue which polls the most support will be awarded the IMRO National Live Music Venue of the Year. One lucky voter will be chosen at random to receive a prize of an iPod Touch.

In tandem with our IMRO poll, Hot Press will also be conducting a national poll to determine the Hot Press Venue of the Year Award –  Vote Here:  http://www.hotpress.com/IMRO/news/IMRO-Live-Music-Venue-of-the-Year-2010-launched/7221123.html
 
The IMRO Live Music Venue of the Year Awards 2010 will take place on Wednesday, December 1st at IMRO Headquarters in Dublin.
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National Music Education Programme Seminar

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The Irish World Academy to host National Music Education Programme Information Seminar, November 2nd,   Tower Theatre, Irish World Academy, University of Limerick.

The Irish World Academy of Dance will host a public information seminar about Ireland’s new National Music Education Programme on Tuesday, November 2nd from 10.30 a.m. – 1.00 p.m.  Funded by U2 & The Ireland Funds, a total of €7million has been donated to create access to vocal and instrumental tuition for children and young people within their own locality. Admission is free and the seminar is open to all members of the public.

An initiative of Music Network, the National Music Education Programme is offering funding to establish Local Music Education Partnerships throughout Ireland. 50% match funding, up to a maximum of €200,000 per annum over three years is available to Local Music Education Partnerships. These Partnerships will work with the National Music Education Programme to develop and establish vocal and instrumental tuition services in their locality.

Rosaleen Molloy, Programme Director commented, “This profoundly generous gift from U2 and The Ireland Funds will change the lives of children and young people throughout Ireland and create access to music education that would otherwise not be possible. We look forward to working with a range of partners including VECs, Local Authorities, musicians, music schools, teachers, parent groups and community development organisations in the spirit of making music education happen in Ireland.”

In advance of the official announcement of the National Music Education Programme, the seminars will provide information about what the Programme is offering and how to get involved. The seminars will include a presentation by National Music Education Programme Director Rosaleen Molloy and a question & answer session.

The Information Seminars are open to any member of the public interested in finding out more about this exciting initiative. To book your place or for further information please contact Ellen Byrne, Irish World Academy of Music and Dance: ellen.byrne@nullul.ie or 061 202917 

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Noise Control

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Dublin band Noise Control have just released of their debut full length album “Our Life", an uncompromising fusion of electric guitars and bass, big beat drums, dance inspired synthesizers and hip hop influenced vocals.

Following their much anticipated album launch at Phantom FM’s monthly First Friday in The Academy on 1st October, Noise Control are continuing showcasing their debut at a headline gig in The Grand Social (previously Pravda) on 16th October with support from The Dirty Epics.
 
“Our Life” sees Noise Control deliver the intensity and integrity of their well honed live performances over a pulsating eleven track album that showcases the band’s energetic and unapologetic sonic desire to keep the crowd moving. This is hands up, peak time music for the masses who want to have fun!
 
The album has received an amazing response from media, garnering regular airplay on 2FM, Phantom FM, Today FM and regional stations across the country.
 
“A promising debut”.  Mark Kavanagh, The Star
 
“Raises the hairs on the back of my neck, it has me nodding my head and smiling and it tells me original music is alive and kicking in Ireland” Music Review Unsigned
 
Upcoming Gigs:
 
The Grand Social, Dublin Saturday October 16th
The Forum, Waterford Saturday October 23rd
The Stables, Mullingar Saturday October 30th
Portmarnock PLC Friday November 19th
The Late Lounge, Kildare Saturday November 20th
The Modern Times Events, Crawdaddy Saturday December 18th
and more to be announced..
 
 
 

Spotlight

The Coronas Receive IMRO Award

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The Coronas became the latest recipients of the IMRO Number 1 Award this week in recognition of the success of their latest album, “Tony Was an Ex-Con”. The band members were presented with their award by IMRO Board Member, Niall Toner, at Copyright House yesterday.

The second album from the Dublin-based band has hit the top spot in the Irish Independent Album Chart on numerous occasions since its release in 2009.
 
The IMRO Number 1 Award was introduced to acknowledge IMRO members who reach number 1 in the album charts here in Ireland or overseas.
 
The Coronas will release the latest single from “Tony Was an Ex-Con”, “Won’t Leave You Alone”, on 29th October before heading out on a nationwide tour in December.
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THE GREAT ESCAPE ANNOUNCES IRELAND AS LEAD COUNTRY PARTNER

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SUPER EARLY BIRD DELEGATE TICKETS ON SALE
QUEENS HOTEL DEPOSIT SCHEME ANNOUNCED
AND ARTIST REGISTRATION NOW OPEN.

The Great Escape is delighted to announce that Ireland is their lead country partner for the 2011 event.  Previous lead country partners have included: Canada (2006), France (2007), Norway (2008), New Zealand (2009) and Australia (2010) – all of whom have seen notable success for their bands and business since being part of The Great Escape. Ireland has been chosen due to its continually excellent live music and recording scene and with a host of new talent emerging from Ireland this is the right time for the Irish artists and music businesses to be in the foreground at The Great Escape.
 
Eugene Downes, CEO of Culture Ireland, commented: "More than ever before, Irish artists are defining Ireland's global reputation as a leader in imagination and innovation.  Irish musicians and bands are great ambassadors for Creative Ireland at important international showcase events such as The Great Escape. We were pleased to welcome the TGE team at Hard Working Class Heroes last week, following which, we are delighted that Ireland has been chosen as the spotlight country for 2011. We look forward to working with the organisers and our partners at FMC through Music From Ireland (www.musicfromireland.org) to generate further opportunities for Irish bands to reach new audiences and markets"
 
The Great Escape has established itself as an international market place for new talent. As well as showcasing the best new British artists and key UK music industry figures attending, bands and delegates fly from all over the world to be present, including from; Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Finland, France, Germany, India, Ireland, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Russia, Spain and the US.
 
The Great Escape takes place in Brighton, UK over three days and nights between 12th and 14th May.  with a total attendance of over 15,000 people including 3,000 industry professionals. A variety of insightful industry talks, panel debates, targeted networking sessions and key note interviews are run alongside performances from 350+ new local and international artists, themed parties and club nights in over 34 different venues.
 
Artist highlights from the 2010 programme included: Tinie Tempah, Ellie Goulding, Chase and Status, Marina and The Diamonds, The Cribs, Sleigh Bells, Broken Social Scene, The Big Pink, Esben and the Witch, Chapel Club, Angus and Julia Stone, Hurts, Everything Everything, Delphic, Darwin Deez, I Blame Coco, Egyptian Hip Hop, Wild Beasts, Mount Kimbie, Fenech-Soler, Daisy Dares You, Rox, Warpaint, Best Coast and Fionn Regan.
 
Previous years have seen a whole slew of now-famous acts cutting their teeth at The Great Escape. A few highlights include: Noah & The Whale, Foals, The Magic Numbers, Mumford and Sons, The Joy Formidable, Crystal Castles, Yeasayer, Vampire Weekend, Friendly Fires, The Cribs, The Maccabees, Laura Marling, Adele, CSS, Kate Nash, Glasvegas, Ladyhawke, The Enemy, Bombay Bicycle Club, The Gossip, Klaxons, Mystery Jets, Gurrumul, Holy Fuck, Raghu Dixit and The XX.
 
In 2010 The Great Escape Convention saw over 100 high-profile speakers giving music industry professionals key insights into the business via the event’s 3-day programme of keynote talks, Q&As, debates and networking events. Highlights of the Convention (hosted by PRS for Music, we:LIVE and Music Ally) included a keynote talk between legendary NME scribe and acclaimed author, Nick Kent and noted music journalist Garry Mulholland,  an insight into the emerging Indian market with last year’s Young Entrepreneur Award winner Vijay Nair and The Great Escape co-founder Martin Elbourne, and The Future of Radio Debate, hosted by BBC 6 Music’s Matt Everitt (and devised by The Zeitgeist Agency).
 
Other 2010 highlights included a keynote conversation between Universal Music’s Francis Keeling and Music Ally’s co-founder and CEO Paul Brindley, an interview with HMV’s Simon Fox by CMU’s Chris Cooke and a keynote speech by PRS for Music’s Will Page on What is Driving the Boom in Live [Music]?
 
****
Brighton’s Great Escape can claim to be the urban festival with the most improbable venues…The three day event throws up one big dilemma: do you stick with trying to see bands you already know, or follow the crowds of A&R men in the hope of seeing the next big thing?
– The Guardian
 
****
The venues are unusual, the bands are often unknown, and there are more of them than you could possibly hope to handle. But that’s the beauty of this three day event: a chance to spot future talent. Don’t plan for any sleep, though…
– The Independent
 
Britain’s answer to SXSW…The Great Escape festival in Brighton is a cornucopia of vital new music and conferencing for industry pros.
– Mojo
 
2011 TICKET, REGISTRATION
– Super Early Bird Delegate Tickets are now on sale for £80 www.escapegreat.com/buyTickets/ <http://www.escapegreat.com/buyTickets/>
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