LaFaro have just released “Easy Meat”, the title track from their second album due out later this summer. LaFaro are a wrecking ball of a band, their rhythmic post-hardcore designed to pulverize dance floors.
On 'Easy Meat', LaFaro have transplanted their sound into a black, hellish and apocalyptic space. Gone is the echo of grunge, it has been replaced with metal's electric chair. Part meditation on Northern Ireland, part metal concept album 'Easy Meat' is a dense, troubling and exhilaratingly kick ass affair.
Having toured with artists like Helmet and And So I Watch You From Afar in 2010, and rocked SXSW in Austin, Texas earlier this year, LaFaro are currently playing some select UK and Ireland gigs with pop-punk princes Ash.
You can also catch the band live at the Glasgowbury Festival in Derry on Saturday 23rd July.
Described as having songs and a performance style that cover a wide emotional range, in the past, JP has featured on the ‘Celtic Connection’ Compilation album with a host of emerging acts. He has opened for Rod Stewart, playing in a line up that included Natasha Bedingfield and additional acts, Kieran Goss and Jack L.
JP has also opened for acts such as Chris Diffard, guitar virtuoso, Beppe Gambetta, Ollabelle and has also played with UK bassist, Andy Baker and saxophonist and former Van der Generator member, David Jackson. As an Irish artist, JP Ryan’s introduction to playing music developed from his affection for old Irish folk songs.
As an Arts graduate with a Masters in Art Therapy, JP has also worked in many social groups using music a means of expression. He has also become part of the Outbound and Noteborn music roster, with a song from ‘Dancing With Anima’ included in a recent US Motion Picture.
He was a recent winner of the AC Category of America's Open Door songwriting contest, judged by members of ASCAP, BMI and Gospel Music Association, and a finalist in "Show Me The Music” Songwriting Contest 2009. JP was also a finalist in the UK Songwriting Contest out of over 6000 entries, the contest is an international event and a highly recognised platform for emerging songwriters.
His debut album ‘Dancing With Anima’ consists of a collection of some top Irish session players including Des Moore. James Blennerhasset, Des Lacey and many more. Recorded in Ireland, (with some tracks recorded in Castalia Concert Hall, Kilkenny), and mastered in the US by renowned Mastering Engineer, Bob Katz, the album is set to be released, July 29th 2011
TOUR
JP Ryan is accompanied for much of this year’s Irish tour to promote the album, by UK bassist, Andy Baker. Andy studied at the Royal Academy of Music and as a professional Double bass player, his work has taken him all over Europe and beyond. A nominee for the prestigious Royal Philharmonic Award, Andy has worked with numerous established orchestras and artist in varying musical genres.
The second single from JP's album, "Leave The Radio On" has recently been released.
Literate, lyrical – an evocatively personable approach to presenting a song’
Mutant Space
‘A fine songwriter and guitarist, JP Ryan's songs are enriched by a wonderfully warm, rich breathy vocal’
File Under Good Music
‘A refreshingly classic and classy album’
Bob Katz
NEW IRISH INDEPENDENT ARTIST SINÉAD MCNALLY OFFICIALLY RELEASES HER SECOND SINGLE ON THE 27TH JUNE BUT ‘THE GREEN EYED MONSTER’ HAS ALREADY BEEN GETTING AIRPLAY WELL IN ADVANCE OF THE RELEASE DATE.
Dundalk singer/songwriter and pianist Sinéad McNally is off to an incredible start with her second single ‘The Green Eyed Monster’ (Leave Us Alone). The song, which is a follow up to a very successful first single titled ‘Moody Blues’ started getting airplay on Tuesday the 7th June and the public interest in the song gains momentum every week. Sinead is a full time singer/songwriter who left full time employment last September to release her music. She is completely independent and has got this far already through sheer dedication and commitment to what she believes is her purpose in life.
There is a great excitement around Sinead at the moment as she is proving that dreams are obtainable, regardless of the obstacles along the way. Many presenters across the country play Sinead’s music because it has huge public appeal. It is upbeat, fresh and energetic and her enthusiasm to have her music played and heard is incredible. Jackie Hayden, music industry professional reviewed Sinead’s debut single ‘Moody Blues’ in ‘Hot Press’ magazine in March. He wrote: “McNally’s vocal style owes a little to Sinead O’Connor and Delores O’Riordain and her fine piano fills are reminiscent of Bruce Hornsby. Moody Blues is a radio-friendly song with a catchy singalong tune that could well brighten up the airwaves. McNally is a promising talent in a pop-rock sort of way.”
‘Music Review Unsigned’ also wrote: “It is nice to hear some good original pop music come out of Ireland today. I’m sure Sinead will surprise us with many more cracking songs in the future”. And so she has. Sinead’s second single will surprise many, with its skilful bass and piano lines and enlightening chorus. Sinead is without question, one to watch!
‘THE GREEN EYED MONSTER’ (Leave Us Alone) WILL BE AVAILABLE AS A DIGITAL DOWNLOAD ON ITUNES FROM MONDAY THE 27TH JUNE.
For further information, please use contact details below:
With MaSamba’s Musical Director, Simeon Smith, just returned from a Brasilian tour, it’s full steam ahead for the annual Drogheda Samba Festival.
‘No matter how far we travel, or the size of gigs we play, Drogheda is an important gig for us all, and we always try to have something special in the set for the Samba festival’, says Simeon.
The show takes place at the very apex of the Festival, at the Purple Room, Drogheda at 11pm on Saturday 25th June. Tickets are €8 and some will be available on the door.
The group is well known for leading out the Festival Parade every year, but has not played a full stage set in Drogheda for some years. This year’s set will blend brand new material with some of the band’s oldest tunes, some of which date back to the very emergence of samba music in Ireland almost 20 years ago! MaSamba will be supported on the night by Craiceann from Tralee.
The MaSamba show is made possible by the Festival organisers, Contemporanea Instrumentos Musicais and Sabian Cymbals.
***This event is usually €450 but available to IMRO members for €382.50…LIMITED PLACES AVAILABLE***
Emeraz song writing camp with Tim Hawes and Obi Mhondera in Windmill Lane Studios
Emeraz.com in conjunction with London based song writing and production team Z1 and Bucks Music Publishers are delighted to announce Ireland’s first song writing and music production camp which will be held in Ireland’s most prestigious recording facility, Windmill Lane Studios.
Overseeing this truly auspicious event are Tim Hawes and Obi Mhondera, two of the music industry’s most successful and highly published song writing partnerships, who have written and produced many hits for artists such as Five, Hearsay, Sugababes, The Spice Girls, Christina Aguilera, The Saturdays and many other successful acts. Between them, they've scored five no 1 singles and endless album cuts including releases on over 15 top ten albums the UK, Europe and Asia.
Now they are bringing their knowledge and expertise to you!
• This special weekend event is tailor made for budding songwriters to flex their creative muscles and to come together to create musical history. The event will take place in the world famous Windmill Lane studios on the 2nd and 3rd of July
• Working in teams of 3-4, each writer will get the chance to contribute their talents on songs that fit professional current briefs supplied by Z1/Bucks Music
• Tim, Obi and a 2 other pro writers will offer input and advice to each team and have an active involvement in the progress of each composition
• Each team will have their own recording room in Windmill Lane Studios and their own sound engineer to capture ideas
• Emeraz.com, Tim and Obi will be providing an after care service to offer advice on sketches, finishing your songs and will be available through Emeraz
• Z1/Bucks will pitch finished songs for the projects they were written for where the composition is of suitable standard and relevance for the artist
• Each attendee will get a one-to-one with Tim or Obi for critic on one of their songs
• Steve from Emeraz will be available for a one-to-one offering advice on home studio set-up and equipment
• Free mastering service for all finished songs
• Lunches, teas and coffees are included
Contact us to secure your place for the Dublin event.
If your not in Ireland please Contact us to express your interest in similar events near you.
Ending Summer 2009 with 2 shows at Electric Picnic, followed by the opportunity to support Kasabian as part of the Arthur's Day celebrations, The Dying Seconds decided it was the perfect time to bunker down and record their sophomore album. The resulting record took longer than expected to make, and it was only in December 2010 that they re-emerged from the studio with an expanded line-up to test the live waters again. It went well:
"A bunch of us fell for The Dying Seconds at a packed late night show upstairs at Whelan's, Dublin, in December. It felt like the ferocious coming out of a great new band." (Aaron Dessner, The National)
Spurred on by the success of that night, the band set about wrapping up the final strands of what had become an absolute labour of love for all of the 7 musicians playing on, and agonising over, every detail of the record. Changing and reshaping songs, dropping some and writing new ones along the way… 18 Months after the recording process began, finally Glimmerers is finished, "a stunningly beautiful and ambitious album". (Aaron Dessner)
The first public glimpse of Glimmerers comes in the form of a double digital release for Mora Minn and Kid Logic, both available to download on i-tunes from the 12th of August, 2011.
Scholarship Announced to Celebrate First Copyright Course in Ireland
Griffith College Law School, in consultation with top industry lawyers, has developed a ‘Copyright course for recent graduates or professionals in the music and entertainment industries’. The first and only course of its kind in Ireland, this specialist course delivers an overview of areas of Copyright law including Intellectual Property law.
The course is presented by the Dean of Law at Griffith College Dublin, David Langwallner, an experienced music and art copyright expert, and is specific and relevant to the entertainment industry, not only in Ireland but also internationally.
Dean Langwallner said, “We are delighted to be launching the first ‘Copyright for Artists’ course in Ireland. This area of law is becoming more relevant every day with the increasing use of online news, broadcasting and file sharing. This course has immediate practical application and is relevant to anyone working in the music and entertainment industry.”
To celebrate the launch of the course, Griffith College has also announced the availability of a scholarship for one student deserving of a place on the course.
The Copyright Law syllabus is designed for a range of industry professionals, including aspiring or established artists, music recording companies, broadcast studios, software developers, film and TV producers, and internet service providers among others.
The next course will commence in the first week of September and runs for ten weeks. A champion of flexible learning, Griffith College has also made the course available to students wishing to study online and on a part-time basis.
For more information on how to apply for the scholarship please log on to www.gcd.ie or contact Cassandra on Ph: 01 4150421 or email cassandra.campbell@nullgcd.ie.
Music publishing can be a mindfield of complicated rights, registrations and vanishing payments. It can also be a highly rewarding source of income for composers and publishers of all sizes and musical persuasions. This upcoming panel aims to address some of the most pressing issues in today’s music publishing environment relevant to pro-active managers and self-managed artists.
Panelists include:
Chairman: Stuart Worthington – Training Officer – MMF UK
Victor Finn – IMRO, CEO
Nick Robinson – Kobalt Music Publishing
Edison Waters – Collective Management / Clients: The Shoos, Royseven, Jamie Lawson, Laura Izibor
Eileen O’Gorman – Solicitor, Gleeson McGrath Baldwin
Johnny Lappin – Foxrock Publishing / Music Publishers Association of Ireland
Steve Lindsay – Elevate Music
Among the subjects to be covered are:
Panel #1: Music Publishing Overview & Update 2011
Process and procedures: from creation to consumption
Music publisher categories, roles and functions
Collecting Societies in music publishing: Ireland and overseas
Panel #2: Deals & revenue streams
Music use in 2011: new and established value chains & revenue streams
ESAs, SSAs, catalogue, admin and sub-publishing deals
The Button Factory, The Mercantile, The Grand Social, Shebeen Chic, Twisted Pepper and The Workman’s Club
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Hard Working Class Heroes, Ireland’s annual showcase festival and conference for new music, returns to the streets of Dublin over the weekend of Thursday 6/ Friday 7 / Saturday 8 October for its 9th consecutive year.
Taking place in Dublin City Centre the festival is NOW calling on Ireland’s musicians to apply for a slot to play at the event. Applications will be through FMC’s own Breaking Tunes site (log on to www.hwch.net and click on the “BANDS APPLY HERE” button). Closing date for applications is Saturday 16th July. The judging panel for applications will be made up of writers, A&R and music industry people from around the globe as well as international festival programmers.
Once again, Ireland’s photographers are being called on to submit their finest music related shots for a chance to feature in a HWCH Photographers Exhibition. Photographers’ applications will also be via www.hwch.net – simply click on the “PHOTOGRAPHERS APPLY HERE” button and follow the instructions
Speaking of their ongoing relationship with HWCH Belinda Kelly, Trade Marketing Manager at Bulmers said ‘Last year the partnership of HWCH and the Bulmers Berry Undergrowth Movement succeeded in its task to unearth hidden talents. Through HWCH 100 bands, plus the Bulmers Berry wild card ‘Band 101’ got the chance to showcase their music and get a head start in the industry. With the depth of talent that applied & were showcased, we are confident that 2011 will be no different and we can lead the way for more talented musicians and artists to be discovered and get the recognition they deserve. The ultimate goal for us is to continue discover new talent and ultimately see these bands achieve a long fruitful career in the music industry.’
Keeping up its high standard of additional events and activities there will be the HWCH conference, mentor sessions and bandtips section and more, with a host of international delegates on hand to share their wisdom and experience (thanks to the generous support of The Arts Council and Culture Ireland). As always, Hard Working Class Heroes promises a spectacular collection of music and fun for the whole weekend.
‘HWCH And The City’ proved an amazing success the last two years with bands taking over the city centre in coffee shops, book shops and many more places playing free gigs.
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The festival website (www.hwch.net ) will provide constant updates on the festival as it unfolds in the lead up to October 6/7/8.
Keep an eye on hwch.net for news on exciting new ways we will be involving you.
www.hwch.net
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Tickets
Early bird tickets will be priced at €35 + booking fees compared with the full weekend festival price of €45. Grab them while you can! Offer lasts until July 16th.
www.hwch.net
Weekend Tickets €45.00 plus fees, Nightly Tickets €20 plus fees
Ed Bennett’s latest release My Broken Machines will be launched this Wednesday at 6pm at the Contemporary Music Centre’s Platform for Performance. My Broken Machines is released on the NMC label and will be officially launched by Bernard Clarke, RTÉ lyric fm Broadcaster, Presenter of Nova.
Ed Bennett’s music, which has been described in the press as ‘anarchic’ (Irish Times), ‘manic’ (Classical Music), ‘brutal’(The Guardian) and ‘beautiful’ (Gramophone) is often characterized by its strong rhythmic energy, extreme contrasts and the combination of acoustic, electronic and multimedia elements. In common with a number of composers of his generation, Bennett developed an interest in classical music relatively late, his earlier musical experiences were in bands and improvisation groups and these interests are still evident in his music. A childhood memory of an old fairground filled with ‘laughing policemen, mechanical fortune tellers, tests of strength, ghost trains and an array of other eccentric machines’ is the inspiration for My Broken Machines.
Highlights on My Broken Machines include Ghosts, for amplified viola d’amore, which explores the acoustic peculiarity of the baroque instrument: beneath its seven strings the instrument has seven sympathetic strings creating a ghost-like resonant sound around the bowed notes. Stop-Motion Music applies to music a ‘stop-start’ technique Bennett admires in the work of surrealist Czech animator Jan Svankmajer. This portrait CD features some of the most exceptional musicians specialising in Contemporary Music: Garth Knox, viola d’amore, Paul Roe, bass clarinet, The Fidelio Trio, Decibel and ConTempo Quartet.
For the CD launch, Paul Roe will perform live, Monster from My Broken Machines as well as a new work written especially by Ed Bennett to celebrate this new release.
The CD, which will be available to purchase on the launch night at a special price of €10, will be available to order online or in person from the Contemporary Music Centre as of July 1 at www.cmc.ie and will feature as CMC’s CD of the month for July.
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