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Month: May 2012

BCR 92.6 Song Writing Competition

Cork based community radio station BCR 92.6 has just launched a nationwide song writing competition…fantastic prizes on offer and it’s open to all writers/composers of original music.

Competition Rules

1) The lyrics and music must be the original work of the entry composer. There may be more than one person involved in the composition of the song.

2) The competition is open to entries from all genres of music and in any style.

3) Songs can be entered in any language. Where a language other than English is used a translation to English should be provided.

4) All entries should be submitted on CD or by email as an mp3 attachment. A copy of the lyrics should accompany all entries.

5) No CDs will be returned so all composers should ensure they have a copy of their submission.

6) Entries must be accompanied by a completed entry form, hard copy or digital (online form or email attachment).

7) The entry fee is €25 for the first song and €20 for each additional song. Composers may enter as many songs as they wish.

8) The provisional adjudication will be on the basis of CD and digital submissions, from which 6 finalists will be chosen.

9) The 6 finalists should ensure their availability for interviews and live performances on BCR 92.6fm and for a proposed concert.

10) Postal entries should be sent to Song Writing Competition, Ballyhoura Community Radio, Smiths Lane, Charleville, Co. Cork.

11) Closing date for entries is Friday 10th August 2012.

12) The winning entry will be decided by a panel of judges from within the music industry.

 Prizes

 Winning song professionally recorded at Claycastle Recording Studio

 Winning song professionally mastered by Wav Mastering

 Professional video shoot with StormLight Film & Television Production

 Professional photo shoot with Tarmo Tulit Photography

 Professional CD duplication from Duplication.ie

 Graphics, including artwork, logo design & branding by Donal O’ Keeffe

 Website created & hosted by station website manager Nessan Kavanagh

 Airplay and interviews on BCR 92.6 fm for all finalists

 More to be announced…

 

For further info visit www.bcradio.ie

CISAC pays tribute to its President Robin Gibb

 “The voice of a generation and relentless champion for the rights of creators”

CISAC, the International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers, has expressed its deep sadness at the news that its President, British singer and songwriter Robin Gibb, has passed away.

Robin Gibb died in the night of Sunday 20 May 2012, at the age of 62, after fighting a long-term illness. Alongside his brothers Barry and Maurice, performing as The Bee Gees, he was part of one of the most successful songwriting teams in the history of pop music. As President of CISAC for the past five years, Robin Gibb was also the tireless voice of three million creators around the world as the leader of the members ofCISAC’s 232 authors’ societies in 121 countries. He enthusiastically used his position as President of the organisation and as one of the world’s most popular songwriters to persuade global policy makers to support creators and promote and uphold the value of copyright.

Following a first term as president, Gibb was unanimously re-elected for an additional three-year mandate in June 2010. At the time, Gibb said, “The presidency ofCISAC is a role that means a great deal to me because, as a songwriter, I am a passionate believer in the collective management of rights by authors’ societies. While the entire entertainment sector is at a crossroads, I want to leverage this new mandate to help develop a management rights system that is sustainable in the digital age, a system that meets public demand for easy access to all our works while preserving the rights and interests of everyone, including fair payment for creators to use their works.”

Paying tribute to Gibb, French painter and CISAC Vice-President Hervé Di Rosa said, “The spirit of Robin Gibb’s commitment and passion towards the authors’ cause will stay alive in us all. We will miss our friend, and theCISAC creative community will miss its leader.”

Kenth Muldin, Chairman of CISAC’s Board of Directors, commented, “Robin has been our President and the voice ofCISAC for the past five years and throughout this period we have been blessed by his presence and his infectious enthusiasm. He took his role very seriously – we knew we could count on him whenever the principles of authors’ rights were under attack. On behalf ofCISAC, and in the name of the whole creative community that he so brilliantly represented, I would like to offer our deepest and most sincere condolences to his wife Dwina and to his family. We will miss him immensely; we will miss his energy, his dedication to the cause of authors and, most of all, I will miss his friendship.”

Olivier Hinnewinkel, Director General of CISAC, said, “The global creative community and all of us atCISAC are deeply shocked and saddened by the passing of Robin Gibb. Robin was known all around the world as a great songwriter and artist, but he was less well known as an active defender of the rights of creators. Robin Gibb was always incredibly generous with his time as he relentlessly fought for the cause of authors and their rights.”

During his tenure asCISACPresident, Gibb strongly defended the copyright system, challenging big business and governments whenever they argued that author copyright stifled commercial development. His interventions regularly featured on the global news agenda and frequently effected policy change.

The last official engagement of Robin Gibb for CISACwas at the World Copyright Summit in Brussels in June 2011. In his closing address to delegates, Gibb said that authors – who “underpin the whole of the creative industries” – should be “cherished and nurtured as such”, adding poignantly, “I’m proud to be President ofCISAC, and I will keep on fighting for creators’ rights as long as I can draw breath.”

At the 2009 World Copyright Summit in Washington, DC, Gibb warned: “Copyright is not a barrier to progress. It is a facilitator of progress, creativity and communication. The existence of strong copyright will not stifle the development of the digital utopia which Google, Microsoft and others promise. Copyright will promote such development. Without copyright you have chaos and this is a far greater barrier to progress.”

As a direct result of Gibb’s intervention in April 2009, the Croatian government abandoned an initiative that would have dramatically reduced royalties paid by the hotel, restaurant and catering sector. A letter sent by Gibb in November 2009 helped bring about a Presidential veto of a damaging law being proposed inChile.

Gibb has also spoken out against the 2008 European Commission Decision that accused authors’ societies of restricting competition. He also criticised the delay taken byChinato adopt a broadcasting tariff and the reluctance of Serbian national broadcaster RTS to pay royalties.

In June 2010 a video message demonstrated Gibb’s solidarity with Brazilian creators and authors’ societies urging authorities to reject proposed reforms to the copyright act that would be detrimental to authors’ rights. In 2010 and 2011, Gibb strongly supported the Copyright Act reform inIndia to improve music composers and filmmakers’ rights. In his last hours, Robin Gibb has had the pleasure of knowing that the amendments to the Copyright Act were adopted by the Indian Senate, finally recognizing the rights of the creators in this country

Robin Gibb, singer-songwriter, President of CISAC, 1949-2012.

 

 

Pia Dunne Debut EP

This Fri 25th of May will see the Workman’s Club herald another exciting new talent, Pia Dunne and The Eleusians. The EP will be made free to download from www.piadunne.com from the 26th of May but do not miss the opportunity to see this band live and pick up a hard copy  of this “beautifully crafted EP.”

~ Ciara Buckley RTE Pulse.

Pia Dunne has been receiving positive attention of late from prominant performers and musos alike. Comments such as;                          

The girl is a talented songwriter with a timeless voice, reminds me at times of Tracey Thorne from Everything But The Girl. Definitely one to watch!”       ~ Jerry Fish

Pia Dunne’s EP is a wonderful collection of soulful, blues and folk songs.
From the 60s-tinged vibe of “Place of no returning” to the heart-felt
vocals of “Crows”, Pia’s persuasive songwriting shows she has the
potential to become a major voice in the Irish music scene.”     ~www.dublinjazz.ie

Pia has a such a soulful voice and the musicians and arrangements are second to none! Can’t find anything to criticise !!     

~Lorcan Ennis (Verge Management)

 Pia Dunne’s new EP is a delight to my ears. With Pia’s smooth voice and original melodies she delivers a beautifully crafted EP. Looking forward to hearing the full album.’                               

 ~ Ciara Buckley RTÉ Pulse

The songs are an eclectic mix of soul, jazz and alternative pop, which echoes Pia’s musical backround. With a degree in Jazz Performance,  a decade of experience as a songwriter and as front woman of World Fusion band Que Pezon! (Hailed by the Irish Times as “an exciting Dublin based band”) Pia has regularly toured the festival circuit including Electric Picnic, Body and Soul and the Life Festival. She has performed in Vicar street, The Button Factory, The Sugar Club, Wheelans, The Village, Bewleys Theatre, The Bleu Note, Le Circ/Sweeney Mongrel’s to name but a few, but is proud to return to The Workman’s Club for the launch of this very special debut EP.

 Never afraid to challenge and bend genres in her songwriting and singing styles, this performance will bring you on a rollercoaster ride from heartbreaking ballads, cheeky reggae and funk to feel good acoustic pop. Pia Dunne and The Eleusians are not to be missed!

To preview the EP see www.piadunne.com or www.myspace.com/piadunne

Support on the evening will be by Dayo and the Swingfolk,  a Dublin based outfit currently promoting their debut album “For whom do you do?”.  As their name suggests, their  foot-tapping, rhythmic, ‘Rootsie’ style will guarantee a great night’s music.  For more information see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8OM1swcrbg

http://dayoandtheswingfolk.bandcamp.com/

https://www.facebook.com/dayoandtheswingfolk/

Marc O’Reilly ‘Hail’

My Friend Marx’ is the debut album from Irish alt-roots artist Marc O’Reilly. Its release has been greeted with much acclaim in his native Ireland and received extensive national media, radio and TV exposure with Marc been strongly tipped to follow artists like James Vincent McMorrow and Villagers as Irelands international breakthrough artist of 2012.

Marc’s album ranges from US and UK inspired folk ‘n’ blues to African percussive rhythms. His roots may lie in Ireland and France, but Marc’s sound rests somewhere between old American folk-blues and The Black Keys – Andy McKee and Tom Waits. Marc is gaining a reputation as a spellbinding live performer with his husky vocals complimented by scintillating guitar playing.

2012 kicked of with UK dates in February followed by a trip to Toronto in March for Canadian Music Week where Marc was acclaimed by critics as one of the buzz artists of the festival. Summer will see Festival appearances around Europe following which the album will receive a UK/Germany/Austria/Switzerland release in August accompanied by a full tour.

“Sensational, Irish roots music has a new star” Roots & Fusion

                              “A remarkable debut”  Hot Press

                                “A scintillating album” Folkwords

                            “A classy debut”  Dan Hegarty (2FM)

                                “A wonderful album” Irish Times

                                   “Little pieces of magic” Fatea                   

 www.marcoreillymusic.com

 

Legendary Singer/Songwriter John Prine Joins the RISE Foundation Benefit Concert

Legendary American country/folk singer and songwriter, John Prine, will make a special guest appearance at The RISE Foundation’s benefit concert in Vicar Street on Sunday 20th May. The concert, organised by RISE Foundation founder, Frances Black, is part of the foundation’s awareness building and fundraising activities for ‘RISE Week 2012’. All the money raised through the RISE Benefit Concert will go directly towards supporting families with loved ones in addiction.

John will be joined on the night by an esteemed group of artists including Frances Black, Brian Kennedy, Altan, Paddy Casey, Fiona Prine, Aoife Scott and Roisin O.

The RISE Foundation is a registered charity founded in 2009 by Frances, who was inspired after going back to college and becoming an addiction therapist. Frances wanted to set up an organisation that focused on the families of those in addiction (alcohol, drugs, gambling, food or sex addiction etc.) The overall aim of the organisation is for cultural change around addiction in Ireland.

The RISE Foundation currently runs both 10-week non-residential and 5-day residential Family Programmes with a team of experienced addiction counsellors. These services are available to people from all communities throughout the island of Ireland.

For further information please visit www.therisefoundation.ie or visit the Facebook page.

The RISE Foundation Benefit Concert
Sunday 20th May – Vicar Street, Dublin
Doors @ 7pm / Concert Starts 8pm / Tickets €25 (www.ticketmaster.com)

Irish Composer Dean Valentine Scores “Prometheus” Movie Trailer

Dublin based composer/songwriter, Dean Valentine, has scored the US trailer for Ridley Scott’s eagerly awaited sci-fi horror, “Prometheus”. The trailer has already notched up over 5 million YouTube views to date. Not many Irish composers have broken into Hollywood this way so naturally there is a lot of interest at home and abroad. Dean has had a steady stream of compositions picked up for film and TV in recent years including music which has featured in the trailer for “Ringer”, starring Sarah Michelle Gellar, and the new Disney series, “Tales of Friendship with Winnie the Pooh” which will premiere on Disney Junior UK and be broadcast in twenty-two countries worldwide.

Taking time out from recording for Disney, Dean kindly offered to answer some questions from aspiring film and TV composers which were posted on the IMRO Facebook page last week – as well as a few questions from ourselves.

 ·         Is there much work for film composers in Ireland or is it all happening overseas?

Both – most projects are co-productions between Irish and overseas producers so there is work here if you make your mark and work very hard for it. In the past, most of the work (in my experience) seemed to be pre-school animation series and short films but recently a lot of big producers, like Disney, are looking to Ireland as we have an amazing pool of talent here. There’s also tax incentives involved in producing projects here which means a certain amount of the people involved must be Irish and based here, and this usually includes the music. However it’s very difficult to land one of these huge co-production gigs as the (overseas) investors/producers usually want to work with a composer they know or a named composer. Even with an agent in your corner you have to fight tooth and claw for those gigs! There are absolutely no short cuts – you have to earn your stripes the hard way.

·         What are the first steps composers should take when trying to pitch music for TV or film?               

In my opinion the music should be the most important thing to get right first – always strive to be the best composer, musician, producer, mixer you can possibly be, stick to what you’re best at and find your own voice. One nugget of wisdom from an AAA game producer that has stayed with me is ‘don’t try to cover all musical styles or potential clients won’t know where your strengths lie’.

*Compose the best tracks you can (composition and production wise).

*Try to get work on student projects/game mods build up some credits.

*Get your composer website together and put your best music up. Potential clients prefer links to tracks or a website with tracks at first.

*Google for info/network/go to music seminars/game seminars. Find out who the seminar speakers are and contact them by email – there’s nothing to lose. Try to get a response or some interest before you send any music or it will most likely be ignored.

*Check producers’ websites for projects in pre-production, such as IFTN (http://www.iftn.ie/post-production/) and tailor or compose bespoke tracks for that project – it’s also great practice!

*If you get beyond the intro email stage, have a folder of WAVS/MP3s of your best tracks ready and only send 2-5 tracks that are appropriate to the client or project.

·         What is the best route into the industry?

That’s a tough one – my route into the industry was like this: I’m a self-taught musician, played keyboards in various bands, always loved film and in particular film scores. I started out workwise as an animator while playing, writing and experimenting with music at home and in bands. A friend who I worked with in animation went on to be a script writer and when a project he was working on required two composers, he suggested my name. This was a 26 x 1/2 hour series! – hadn’t got a clue,…in at the deep end! So I lied my ass off to get the gig, borrowed money for some pro music equipment and pretty much blagged my way through the whole thing somehow. The other composer, who was already attached was a very well known and established German composer who eventually didn’t make the grade and got the boot.  To my amazement I got the gig with another Irish composer who is still having great success today. Thankfully one gig led to another, but I also had a year or so where I couldn’t get arrested. I strongly believe that success is what happens when all your hard work and talent meets an opportunity – like making your own luck.  

·         Are there resources for composers to find contacts in the industry?

I think there’s a new Irish game composers’ database being put together. There’s also IFTN and IMRO of course! I’ve never really networked because I was absolutely rubbish at selling myself – thankfully one thing led to another.

·         How did the trailer music deal for Prometheus come about?

It all started with IMRO,..my friend Mark and I had joined forces about two years ago. He would represent me and he’s also a song writer (we recently co-wrote a song for Disney). Anyway Mark contacted one of the guest speakers at an IMRO music seminar (a UK/LA agent), to see if he had any advice or interest. Long story short, he signed me up purely based on the music he heard and not my credits, which really surprised me! (In a way not networking and composing music instead really paid off!).

He immediately put me together with a film trailer company in LA and I began composing music for trailers. Little did I know that trailers have a very exact structure/formula. I pitched on a bunch of trailers and nothing landed for a good while, but eventually it all clicked and the music started to resonate with a lot of clients. I had submitted a number of trailer style tracks by this stage and one of those tracks was being considered by a client for “Prometheus”. I heard nothing back and assumed it was dead in the water and then suddenly it landed! The fact that it is “Prometheus” is incredible. (What has happened since is even more so but I can’t mention anything yet.)     

·         What have you found to be the most rewarding networking avenue?

It’s not really the same thing, but recognising my main weakness, (networking!) and working with other people who could really help like Mark and my agent. Co-ops are great – there’s strength in numbers,..is that also networking? For me the most important thing was my decision to shift all the focus onto the orchestral/electronic music that I was composing which was more suited to live action projects than pre-school animation. I also changed the website to reflect this music and suddenly everything started to click – landed an agent, landed Disney series (and song with Mark) then “Prometheus” and more.

·         Are there any pitfalls you could advise aspiring composers about?

Just because you love composing doesn’t mean you should do it all the time. The pressure is always on composers, as one of the last links in the production chain everything is wanted yesterday. When you work for yourself, clients will assume that you work 24/7. Try to set boundaries, (if you can) and have a life too.

Don’t get lost in the gear and gadgets – it’s about the music.

Don’t emulate your favorite composer – they’ll always do it better than you.

Don’t ignore your instincts – every time I’ve followed a creative brief and ignored my instincts, I’ve never landed the gig.)

Beware freebies! They’re only good for credits and practice. I have NEVER got another gig from a client after doing a freebie for them. “We have no budget but we’ll give you a credit and a copy of the finished film” – (you’re going to hear that sentence a lot!). It’s a load of bull – a credit is standard anyway.

If you’re going to work for free, first draft up a simple contract, keeping the rights to your music, if the project is a success then the client can buy the rights afterwards. If the client refuses the deal, don’t do the gig.

“Prometheus” gets its Irish release in cinemas on 1st June. You can check out Dean’s website and listen to some of his music here: http://www.deanvalentine.com/ .

IMRO will be running various seminars for composers and songwriters this summer.

BRING IT ON! BRING IT ON! | With The Subztitutes

Bring It On! Bring It On! is a brand new song in celebration of the Irish team’s achievement in reaching the European finals in June. Written and recorded by fellow Ulstermen and football fans, Paul Brady and Mickey Joe Harte, collectively known in this instance as ‘The Subztitutes’, the song is at once a driving, passionate anthem praising the team’s success in rising above the disappointment following Thierry Henri’s infamous handball in the recent World Cup qualifiers, a warning to opponents that they have a major fight on their hands and a rallying call to fans everywhere to ‘roar out from the stadiums’ in support of their team. ‘We play with heart and we stand our ground and there ain’t nobody gonna push us around!” 

Bring It On! Bring It On! is available for download from iTunes from May 25th.

 

Allingham Arts Festival Song Contest Launch

The launch of the 2012 Allingham Festival Song Contest will take place in Dicey Reilly’s, Ballyshannon tomorrow evening, Thursday 17th May.

Performing at the launch of the prestigious competition will be the highly acclaimed international performers / songwriters Marian Bradfield and Ian Smith. Marian Bradfield has appeared on several Celtic Women and Celtic Tales compilation CDs alongside artists such as Loreena McKennitt, Maire Brennan (Clannad), Hazel O’Connor, Frances Black and Mairead Ni Dhomhnaill. Marian’s current CD “Secret Life of a Woman” has again gathered outstanding reviews and again been added to an ever increasing list of music critics’ favourite albums both in Ireland and the U.S. She has also shared stages at home and abroad with the likes of Altan, The Fureys, Donal Lunny, Liam O’Flynn, Paddy Glacken, Andy Irvine, Jimmy Mc Carthy, Mary Black, Aslan, Keith Donald (Moving Hearts), Kieran Goss and The Chieftains.

Scottish born singer and songwriter Ian Smith has been involved in performing and songwriting both nationally and internationally. He started singing and performing in the folk clubs around Ayrshire and Glasgow alongside talented singers and players such as John Martyn, Gerry Rafferty, Billy Connelly, Gallagher and Lyle, Barbara Dickson, Eddi Reader and other artists of that calibre who were also performing and influenced his style and approach to playing. Since being in Ireland he has played in concert with many well known artists including Paul Brady, Mary Black, Dolores Keane, Maire Brennan and Altan to name a few.

The live final of the song contest will take place on Thursday 8th November, where the winning entry will be selected by a professional judging panel and award the first prize of €1,000.

Full details of the competition will be launched on the night, along with all terms and conditions. Closing date for all applications & submissions is set for August 31st 2012. After the launch full details will be made available here at www.allinghamartsfestival.com.

Tickets to the launch at €10 are now on sale from Dicey Reilly’s, Ballyshannon.

 

Window Seats Announce Irish Tour

Belfast based rockers ‘Window Seats’ hit the road for an Irish Tour.

Window Seats play rock music. Whether the message is love, anger or both at once the songs remain intense and direct.

You can catch the guys on the following dates:

1 June – Purple Rooms, DROGHEDA
2 June – The Piper Inn, CLONMEL
3 June – Happy Valley Festival, THOMASTOWN
4 June – Crane Lane Theatre, CORK
7 June – GiftedLive, The Empire, BELFAST (acoustic) <supporting Duke Special>
8 June – Bogan’s Bar, OMAGH
9 June – Ruck ‘n’ Roll festival, ENNISKILLEN
16 June – Jagger’s Common Rooms, DUNGANNON

For more info check out:

http://windowseatsofficial.com/

 

 

Radio Room ‘When You’ve Made It’

RADIO ROOM are a collective of four incredibly handsome hand models from Middle Earth who love hanging out at oxygen bars and betting on snail races.
All of this, is a lie! A really terrible one at that.

Radio Room are four young Dublin lads who make lovely summertime Indie music. 

Dancey riffs, thoughtful rhythm, lead bass, and hyperactive drums are the descriptions used to describe Radio Room’s current back catalogue.

When they aren’t busy writing and recording in the studio, you can usually find them on the road playing shows.

The guys are set to release their new EP ‘When You’ve Made It’ this summer, which has already gained recognition through their new single ‘Functions’, notching up 1,000 plays in 3 days.

Starting to make a name for themselves internationally with music lovers, they have already booked more recording time and are working hard on new material.

2012 is all mapped out and looking like Radio Room’s year.

http://www.facebook.com/RadioRoomDublin

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