Month: August 2012

Waltons New School of Music have announced a search to find a support act for gospel and soul legend, Mavis Staples, when she takes to the stage at the National Concert Hall, Dublin on Saturday 3^rd November.

Ireland has a great tradition of gospel and soul music, and this performance will be made particularly special with the selection of a gospel or soul choir / ensemble through the nationwide Waltons World Masters / RTÉ Lyric FM Gospel and Soul Competition. The winning choir or ensemble will perform a 40 minute set before Mavis Staples and her group take to the stage.

All gospel or soul choirs / ensembles, amateur and semi-professional, are invited to enter.

The deadline for entry is Friday 7th September and full details of entry can be found at the Waltons World Masters website here: http://www.newschool.ie/Gospel_and_Soul_Competition/Default.3283.html

Waltons New School of Music are also running various songwriting courses in the coming weeks, details of which can be found at their website here: http://www.newschool.ie/Music_Theory_Musicianship_Sight_Singing_Songwriting_Lessons_Courses/Default.208.html

Dublin band Kodaline will play their first headline show in The Sugar Club, Dublin on Thursday October 4^th.

Two years ago, Steve and his childhood friend Mark helped each other through respective recent break-ups by shaping their thoughts into songs about love and loss. Teaching each other the principles of songcraft, the music they came up with – some of which can be found on debut EP NAME – isn’t wan or introspective or self-serving. Instead, it’s bold, epic and stirring.

Steve, Mark and drummer Vinny May – all aged 22 and 23 – have been working towards this moment for much of their young lives and have spent the last two years writing solidly with just a belief in their talent keeping them afloat. Having recently completed their line-up with the addition of bassist, Jason Boland, Kodaline are now ready to unveil themselves to the world with these first four tracks recorded with Steve Harris (producer for Dave Matthews band, mixer for U2).

Currently planning another EP, live dates and – further down the line – a debut album, Kodaline are now hoping their music will provide therapy for others too. “Music should have a purpose, you know,” says Steve, “Our purpose is honesty”

Tickets priced €10 inclusive of booking fee are on sale on August 8th from Ticketmaster outlets and online at www.ticketmaster.ie

For more see www.kodaline.com / www.mcd.ie

Mixing upbeat sounds with a dark, thought provoking edge, Attic Knights appeal to music fans who love songs with substance and to those who want a catchy melody with some back bone.

The new album, co-written by siblings Shane and Sharon Reid, is a departure from the debut which was more of a solo album from Sharon. The pair set out to create an upbeat and edgy sound for the second album and with ‘Fever & Daydream’ they have done just that. The fusion between the Reid pairing has resulted in an album of contrasts and conflict, artfully blended, with lead vocal duties traded between them and piano and guitar providing the source for the original motif that stirred the songs to life. Recorded in Cauldron Studios, Dublin.

Sharon has had great success opening shows for Jack L nationwide, and also provided support for Ryan Sheridan. She has played her own original music in venues as well known as The Ambassador and Vicar St. on her journey to today. However, it is Attic Knights live performances where the feelings and emotions infused into the songs on ‘Fever & Daydream’ can be felt and appreciated. The heartfelt passion and true love of playing live is shared between the band and conveyed to the audience, the experience and response is always explosive.

Following widespread media acclaim for the all-female vocal compilation album titled ‘Café Irlandaise’, a selection of the independent artists who feature on it, are delighted to announce their first Irish tour together in August.

Their preferred styles include electronica, alternative pop, baroque, ambient, experimental and folk. The ladies hail from various parts of the island; their passion and talent captured in their song writing.

With a mix of solo artists, duos and bands – this promises to be a delightful and charming night. Bona Fide Federation, Sí, Foxglove and In Valour are just some of the acts that plan on wooing audiences with their extraordinary voices and beautiful melodies. They will be joined at various stages of the tour by Laura Sheeran, Odi and Sive.

TOUR DATES

Thursday 16th August – Dolans (upstairs), Limerick

Fri 17th August – Roisin Dubh, Galway

Thurs 23rd August – The Grand Social, Dublin

Sat 25th August – The Pavillion, Cork

The 10-track ‘Café Irlandaise’ compilation album was released as a free download earlier this year on http://www.cafeirlandaise.com/

Inspired by Irish artists, poets, writers, creatives and musicians through the centuries Axis Of are currently spending the summer of 2012 touring all 32 counties of Ireland.

Axis of are no strangers to touring, having spent the last two years relentlessly performing throughout the UK and Europe, but this tour will present a unique experience for the North Coast three piece. From a main stage slot at this year’s Glasgowbury festival to busking in tiny west coast villages, with sweaty, DIY, city centre basement shows right through to remote and ancient pub sessions Axis Of will tour and document Ireland in a way more akin to likes of Yeats and The Dubliners than the bands of today.

Right at home on the road the guys will be promoting their debut album “Finding St. Kilda” which will be released later this year.

For details on the full electric shows see www.axisof.co.uk and for pop up appearances follow the band on twitter @axisof or Facebook www.facebook.com/axisof.