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Month: September 2011

Stewart Agnew-New Releases

One of Ireland’s most refined singer songwriters, Stewart Agnew, is emerging from his self-imposed musical exile clasping a clutch of AOR masterpieces to his chest in the shape of his third album, Hello Bright Spark (Trick Records), which will be released on 30 September, simultaneously with the single “Look How The Stars Turn On”.

With initial writing and pre-production sped along by contributions from Lou Natkin and Paul Wilkinson, Stewart headed into the studio in May 2011. Renowned producer Roger Bechirian (The Undertones, Elvis Costello, Bell X1) took control of the console and in a whirlwind of eighteen studio days in the depths of leafy Westmeath the 10 songs that resulted offer slivers of magic and moments of sublime comfort. All of which makes for an album of light, optimism and progression that can’t fail to appeal, both musically and lyrically, to the broadest possible audience.
 
Agnew has expanded on the palate suggested by his previous albums (Tailor Made and, more recently, Songs From The Gasstation) displaying a pop-nous and songwriting maturity previously only glimpsed at.
In an era of insanely accelerated pop careers burnouts and X-factor pot-celebrity the Hello Bright Spark harks back to an era when craft, time and emotion meant so much more.
 
Stewart has played live with everyone from Ron Sexsmith (who guested on the last album) and Gemma Hayes to Mick Flannery and Beth Orton, Josh Ritter & Duke Special.
 
Praise for Songs From the Gasstation:

“The songs are lovingly crafted and exude a simplicity and frankness that is complemented by the stripped-down production.” Hot Press
 
“A slice of Springsteen, a sprinkle of Young and a dash of Ryan Adams….” Cluas.com
 
“Hints of Springsteen, Dylan and Waits peep through and while its clear that Agnew is still trying to find his real voice, its fairly obvious hes not too far away from it.” Irish Times
 
 
information from Roger: ask@nulltrickmanagement.com
 

Spotlight

Constant Supply-Daft Quotes

LETTERKENNY-based duo Constant Supply comprised of James Gillen and Conal Sweeney return with their “darkly compelling” brand of alt-rock in the shape of delectable new single ‘Daft Quotes’ on October 7th.
James and Conal have been playing music together on and off since they were 13. After around three years of playing acoustic sets (because they couldn’t find a decent drummer) James decided to purchase a drum machine before Xmas 2009. They haven’t looked back since. Their songs are now fully formed for people’s ears.
The follow-up to their 2010 critically acclaimed debut ‘Alleviate EP’ sees the Donegal pair once again teaming up with Tommy McLaughlin (Villagers/ Cathy Davey) at his Attica Studios.  ‘Daft Quotes’ is a very impressive first taste of what’s in store from Constant Supply’s eagerly-awaited debut album, due for release early next year. By marrying skittery rhythms, fuzzy riffs and an unsettling bassline with a perversely upbeat melody this track is a darkly delicious affair.
“It started off as quite a dark tune and chances are it would’ve stayed dark the whole way through if it wasn’t for the Gorillaz album ‘Plastic Beach’. I was listening to it a lot at the time and it inspired me to write a chorus that was a bit more poppy, and dare I say, happy, musically anyway. The dynamic of a heavy, dark verse and then an uplifting poppier chorus works well I think. Hopefully the chorus will surprise people a bit,” says Constant Supply’s James Gillen.
“Great stuff” Dan Hegarty – 2FM
“Letterkenny-based duo armed with strong songs, sparkling arrangements and a drum machine” Jim Carroll – The Irish Times
“Quality stuff” Cathal Funge – Phantom FM
‘DAFT QUOTES’ will be available as a free download from www.constantsupply.bandcamp.com from October 7.
Spotlight

 

Alzheimer’s Society Music Benefit

Ulster Hall, Belfast, November 3, 2011
Featuring The Divine Comedy, Ash, The Undertones
with support from John D’Arcy

This special concert has been put together to raise funds for the Alzheimer’s Society. The three main acts will each perform one of their classic albums in sequence.

The Divine Comedy, featuring Neil Hannon and a string quartet will play the 1994 'Promenade' album. Tracks including ‘Tonight We Fly’, ‘The Summerhouse’ and ‘When The Lights Go Out All Over Europe’ will all be aired.

Ash will present their first ‘proper’ album, ‘1977’ as the original three piece. This record topped the UK chart in 1996 and fielded songs such as ‘Girls From Mars’, Angel Interceptor’, Goldfinger’ and ‘Oh Yeah’.
The Undertones will perform their debut self-titled album from 1979, including 'Teenage Kicks’, ‘Get Over You’, ‘Jimmy Jimmy’ and ‘Here Comes The Summer’.

Tim Wheeler from Ash explains his involvement in the event:
“My Dad passed away in January this year. He'd been diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease in 2008 and lived the last 6 months of his life in the Psychiatry Of Old Age Ward at Downe Hospital. I spent a lot of time in the hospital with him and saw many other patients and families going through exactly the same thing as we were going through.
“As my Dad's condition deteriorated I felt very helpless as there was nothing I could do except visit him as much as possible. When I heard that Neil's father had also been diagnosed with Alzheimer's I thought that we could actually do something using our music to help fight Alzheimer's. It is a growing worldwide problem and as yet there is no cure. The main hope seems to be in prevention and a lot of funding for research is needed.

“I've been a friend and massive fan of Neil for years too and always love being on the same stage as The Divine Comedy. With Ash, we're really excited to be playing our debut album '1977' in full, something that we've only ever done twice before. My Dad loved music, playing piano was one of his joys and he would never miss an Ash gig in Belfast. I know he'll be there in spirit.
 
“As well as raising funds for the Alzheimer's Society I'd like to use our gig to say how important a service the Health Service is and that we can't let it be taken away. I'd also like to say how grateful my family and I are for the Health Service and the kindness of the staff at The Downe Hospital for the care my father received.”
 
Neil Hannon, The Divine Comedy says:
“My father was diagnosed with Alzheimer's several years ago. It is a debilitating and frustrating condition, and affects not just the sufferer but all those around them. It is however possible, with early diagnosis and medication, to continue living a meaningful and enjoyable life as my dad has shown. I find him as entertaining now as ever, just in a much more random sort of way.
 
“Of course being my Dad he decided to use his capacity as a public figure to talk openly about the inner workings of his ailing mind. To help demystify and de-stigmatise it a little. He's a very awesome man. I'm delighted to finally get this opportunity to do my bit for the cause. It should be a fantastic night!”
 
The event is part of Belfast Music Week which runs from October 30 – November 5. Belfast City Council, with support from the NI Tourist Board and Tourism Ireland, has organised a packed programme of events in the run-up to the MTV European Music Awards which take place at the Odyssey Arena on November 6. A full programme of events will be announced soon and will be available via the council's website www.belfastcity.gov.uk
 
Doors at 7pm. Tickets, £20 and £22 will go on sale on Thursday 22nd September at 9am at the Ulster Hall box office: www.ulsterhall.co.uk Tel.  02890 334455.
 
Tickets will also be available at Ticketmaster www.ticketmaster.co.uk  and from Crowdsurge www.crowdsurge.com 
 
Finally, you can donate to the cause via JustGiving or by text:
www.justgiving.com/ulsterhallmusicbenefit
 
Text: ULST77 to 70070 for a donation of £1, £2, £3, £4, £5 or £10
http://www.justgiving.com/ulsterhallmusicbenefit
 
Latest News

CONCORDE present: Up Close with Music

A Series of 6 Afternoon Concerts in Gallery Spaces in central Dublin was launched this week at the Contemporary Music Centre by Dr. Cliona Doris, Chair of CMC.  Concorde contemporary music ensemble are celebrating 35 years of continuous work nurturing the creation of new music and presenting music to the public. Concorde will be working in partnership with the Rubicon Gallery, 10 Stephens Green, the Contemporary Music Centre, Temple Bar, and the Gallery of Photography, Temple Bar to present concerts from November 2011 to July 2012.

Each event will be on a weekend afternoon, from 2 – 5 pm, and will feature a commissioned composer with a new work.  In addition, Concorde’s presentations will highlight works from their extensive repertoire and new compositions from both Irish and international composers.

Commissioned composers:
Dave Flynn, Nov. 13 @ Rubicon Gallery
Rhona Clarke, Nov. 27 @ Rubicon Gallery
Jane O’Leary, Feb. 11 @ Contemporary Music Centre
Elaine Agnew, March 10 @ Contemporary Music Centre
Raymond Deane, July 1 @ Gallery of Photography
David Fennessy, July 22 @ Gallery of Photography

In addition, new works are being contributed to celebrate Concorde’s birthday from
Irish composers Stephen Gardner, Bill Campbell, Frank Lyons, Grainne Mulvey, Deirdre McKay, Judith Ring, Alyson Barber, Ed Bennett, Donal Rafferty.  Korean composer Si-Hyun Yi and Slovenian composer Nina Senk are presenting new pieces for performance in the series.  The late James Wilson will be honoured through performances of his work. 

The music of Elliott Carter has often featured in Concorde’s programmes and will appear throughout the series, as will pieces previously commissioned or premiered by Concorde, from John Kinsella’s ‘Aberration’ for flute and violin of 1980 to Ailis Ni Riain’s ‘Don’t’ (2000) and Stephen Gardner’s ‘Klezmeria’ (2008).  Concorde will select international compositions submitted to a project called ‘Global Connections’, in partnership with the American organisation Access Contemporary Music.  In addition, Concorde’s commissioned works will be performed by the Chicago-based Palomar ensemble.

The focus will be on solos, duos and trios and the concerts will offer a chance for listeners to experience new music ‘up close’ in intimate settings, engage with performers and composers during the afternoon, enjoy the visual context of their surroundings, and hear a range of music from composers of all ages.  It is with a spirit of adventure that Concorde continue to explore new repertoire and reach out to curious listeners.

Admission is free and the series is funded by a Music Project Award from the Arts Council.  The commissioned works will be presented together in concert at the Hugh Lane Gallery in Autumn 2012.

‘adventurous, inventive and always surprising music
performed by one of the world’s best modern music groups.’
            New Classics Music Review…re Concorde CD Reflections
 
Latest News

The Kanyu Tree-People Street

The Kanyu Tree have announced details of their debut album. ‘People Street’ will be released on Sony Music Ireland on September 30. The 10-track album includes previous singles ‘Radio’ and ‘Shelf Life’, and features their new single, ‘Slow’.
 
The band have just announced two album launch shows: one in Whelan’s Dublin on September 30 and one in the Roisin Dubh in Galway on October 6. Tickets for both dates are available now from usual outlets. The band is currently in the middle of a 25-date tour around the country, supporting Bressie on his solo tour. They also play Arthur’s Day on September 22.
 
Recorded in the UK, Dublin and Galway, ‘People Street’ was co-produced by the Cluskey brothers – guitarist Daniel (29), singer Shane (27) and bassist Oisin (25) – and hiphop icon Ali Shaheed Muhammad from A Tribe Called Quest. The album was mixed in London by Chris Potter (The Verve, Keane). The album is available to pre-order now from the band’s website, and www.thekanyutree.com now. A special edition featuring 12 tracks will be available exclusively on iTunes.
 
The band have spent the summer of 2011 on the road, building a fanbase by playing a host of festivals including Oxegen, Electric Picnic, Castlepalooza, Sea Sessions, the Galway Arts Festival Big Top and Indiependence, as well as a number of headline shows and plum support slots. Live, the band stand out, the harmonies soaring in time with their natural musicianship.
 
The constant gigging served them well when entering the studio to record their debut album with their co-producer, Ali Shaheed Muhammad, from hip-hop icons A Tribe Called Quest. Seemingly from opposite ends of the musical spectrum, the parties bonded over a mutual love of Steely Dan. “It was our first time in a ‘proper’ studio,” says Oisin, “and Ali was a great guy to work with. He never made us feel like ‘I’m the producer, you are the band’ – we made the decisions together. He made us feel really confident and he gave us belief.”
 
The self-penned album was recorded in a studio in the UK and in the band’s own home studio in Galway. “It’s an honest record,” says Daniel. “It’s an obvious thing to say, but it is a snapshot of our lives at the time,” says Shane. “There’s a mix of songs on there – some are upbeat, some are melancholic, some are both at the same time! It reflects what we went through making the album.”
 
Ask the brothers to pick favourites, and they fire back different answers, taking time to settle on their choices.
 
Daniel: “’Stay Up’. It’s the closing track on the record. I just love the strings, and the way it closes the record.”
 
Shane: “’People Street’. It came together so well in the studio – it was probably a personal highlight of those sessions.”
 
Oisin: “’A Lot Like Me’. The chorus is so simple, but so catchy. People always come up after gigs and say how much they like it.”
 
With The Kanyu Tree, it’s always about the songs. It always comes back to the songs. And now it’s time for the world to hear them.
 

www.thekanyutree.com

 
LIVE DATES: September / October
19/09: UCD Freshers’ Ball, Dublin
22/09: Arthur's Day , Cork
23/09: The Bridge House, Tullamore *
24/09: The Nerve Centre, Derry *
26/09: Athlone IT Freshers’ Ball
27/09: Maynooth IT Freshers’ Ball
28/09: DCU Freshers’ Ball & Trinity Freshers’ Ball              
29/09: The Stables, Mullingar *
30/09: WHELAN’S DUBLIN / HMV PA
02/10: Spirit Sore, Dundalk *
05/10: Set Theatre, Kilkenny *
06/10: THE ROISIN DUBH, GALWAY / HMV PA
07/10: Minnie’s, Dungarvan * & HWCH, Dublin
08/10: O’Keefe’s, Clonmel *
09/10: Acoustic Room, Killarney *
12/10: The Limelight, Belfast *
13/10: Ruby Room, Castlebar *
15/10: The Academy, Dublin
(* Bressie Support Event)
 

Spotlight

Cheap Freaks – Debut LP “Bury Them All”

Cheap Freaks debut LP 'Bury Them All' will be released in the coming weeks on Big Neck Records. The album was recorded over a few days in late 2010 and early 2011 at Qube Studios in Dublin with Sean Coleman, who is also responsible for mixing the LP.
 

Two of the album tracks were recorded the year before at Der Schaltram Studios in Berlin with Tom Schwoll.
The album will be available on 12" Vinyl, CD and download from Itunes and various websites. See www.bigneckrecords.com for more info.

Also prior to the LP release Cheap Freaks will be on a 3 week European tour (details below). An Irish tour to support the release of the LP will be announced soon.
 
CHEAP FREAKS EURO TOUR 2011
21/09 : Revenge Pub – Lille (FR)
22/09 : la Mécanique Ondulatoire – Paris (FR)
23/09 : Deep Inside Klub – Dijon (FR)
24/09 : Country Rock club – Nîmes (FR)
25/09 : TBA – Montpellier (FR)
26/09 : Squat de la tortue – Genève (SW)
27/09 : La Galerie – Genève (SW)
28/09 : Lausanne – TBC (SW)
29/09 : Le Centraf – La Chaux de Fonds (SW)
30/09 : La Biu – Bienne (SW)
01/10 : Café du Pont , Neuchâtel + fest TBC
04/10 : TBA – SPAIN
05/10 : TBA – Spain
06/10 : Gora Taberna – Vittoria Gasteiz (ES)
07/10 : TBA – Spain
08/10 : Pub EPD – Montblanc, Tarragona
09/10 : Groove Bar – Tarragona
 

Spotlight
ADD TO MQ

Westland Studios Under New Management

Westland Studios, one of Ireland's longest running facilities with a client list including U2, Bob Dylan, Thin Lizzy, The Cure and Bryan Adams, has been taken over by new management, producer and engineer Alwyn Walker. The studio which is situated in Dublin's city centre features an E series SSL 4048, soffit-mounted ATC monitors, an Otari MTR-100 tape machine and Baldwin grand piano.

"Westland always had an impressive gear list, but with my own mic collection and backline added, we can offer a much more comprehensive service than most other studios in Ireland." says Alwyn, who is upbeat about the future. "Taking on a big studio today is definately a risk but with the history, the facilities, the vibe and the gear, we're all set for a new chapter in Westland's story." Westland Studios now has a new website which can be seen at www.westlandstudiosdublin.com

Latest News

From Famine to Freedom – Ireland to Grosse Ile

For  singer Méav Ni Mhaolchatha 's upcomingtwo Quebec solo concerts  (29/30 September) with the Quebec Symphony Orchestra, Brendan Graham has created a special interlinked song cycle and narrative, entitled From Famine to Freedom – Ireland to Grosse Ile.

The setting for the  20 minute  piece is the mid -1800's, during Ireland's Great Famine and is adapted from his longer work – Writing The Famine in Fiction and Song – first presented during Ireland's National Famine Commemoration Week, 2010.

During the waves of  nineteenth-century immigration  to North America and Canada, inland islands became the quarantine stations for those arriving to the New World. In New York it was Ellis Island: in Boston, Deer Island and in Quebec, it was Grosse Ile.

In the summer of Black '47, at the height of An Gorta Mor, 90,000 people fleeing Ireland arrived at Grosse Ile. Many more perished on the voyage, cast overboard at sea or into the St. Lawrence River.

John Mills, then Mayor of Montreal declared:'We cannot turn those people away famished like the Eastern United States and Liverpool did'. And Canadians did not. At great peril to their own lives they opened their arms to these immigrants in a way in which the people of no other country had done. They nursed and fed them, taking into their homes the many children orphaned by typhus.

In the Irish Cemetery, the monument erected there in 1848 by Grosse Ile's medical superintendent, George Mellis Douglas, still stands:

'In this secluded spot lie the mortal remains of 5,424 persons who, flying from pestilence and famine in Ireland, in the year 1847,  found in America but a grave'.

In remembrance of that period of Ireland and Canada's shared history,  Méav Ni Mhaolchatha and the Quebec Symphony Orchestra will pay homage to all those who fled to Canada – and to all those Canadians who, so generously received them.

Latest News

Fred-Irish Tour

Fred are delighted to announce details of their forthcoming Irish tour and new single, We are the City. Julie Feeney will also be taking over keyboard duties on a select few of these tour dates and joining them on their American tour including CMJ in New York.

We are the City  is the latest single to be taken from Fred's album Leaving My Empire.  Recorded by Producer Howard Bilerman (Arcade Fire) at Montreal's 'Hotel2Tango studio and mixed by Ben Hillier (Elbow, Blur, Editors). The result is Leaving My Empire, Fred's most assured and ambitious album to date.
Catch Fred @
 
• Fri 30th Sep Wexford Arts Centre, Wexford. Doors 8.30pm. Tickets €10
• Sat 1st  Oct  Westport Arts Festival, Westport.  Doors 10pm. Tickets €15
• Fri 7th  Oct   Dolans Warehouse, Limerick. Doors 8.30pm.  Tickets €12/10
• Sat 8th  Oct  Whelans, Dublin. Doors 8pm. Tickets €14/13.50
• Fri 14th Oct  Roisin Dubh, Galway. Doors 7pm. Tickets €12.50/10
 
 
 

 
Spotlight

Jinx Lennon-Man v Energy Vampire

Jinx Lennon will be playing two shows with Kilkenny rapper Captain Moonlight whose new
single ''Cat got your tongue'' is available to download from Bandcamp.com

Shows:
Spirit Store Dundalk Saturday 15th October at 8 30 pm (tickets from spiritstore.ie 10 e)
Workman's Club Thursday 20th October at 8 pm(tickets from tickets.ie 10 e)

Jinx also has a new theatre production MAN V. ENERGY VAMPIRE BEHOLD THIS S-S-S-ELF INDULGENCE GENE which he will be performing in Nun's Island Theatre Galway for Galway Theatre Festival  on 28th 29th Oct
 
The show aims to uplift while addressing the darker aspects  of urban Ireland and surviving it by seeing it and acknowledging it
 
Jinx states ‘In this performance my alter ego The Free State Nova sets the scene and addresses the universal epidemic of spiritual sickness especially  in dysfunctional Hibernia and offers to cure this through the intrinsic creative spark  .It aims to uplift through the cracked mirror view of the world of my lyrics…so that’s what the show aims to do uplift, uplift , uplift’
 
Visuals and music feature heavily in the theatre show, and it’s certainly one not to be missed,
 
For further info/tickets, visit www.galwaytheatrefestival.com
 
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