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Month: January 2013

The Stylistics Eban Brown and Irish artist Pete Kennedy to Collaborate

The Stylistics Eban Brown and Irish Singer/Songwriter Pete Kennedy to Record Country Project in Nashville
(NASHVILLE, TN) Ireland’s own Pete Kennedy was honored to take part in a UK tour with Philadelphia soul group, The Stylistics throughout November and December. Kennedy was even more humbled when the lead singer of The Stylistics, Eban Brown, approached him about collaborating on a country project in the near future. The tour mates are now gearing up to record a classic country tune in Nashville during January 2013.
“When I first met Pete, it made me want to revisit my early desire to record country music,” says Eban Brown.  “Born and raised in Newark, NJ, I’ve always been an enormous fan of the genre, so I felt it was the right time to speak with Pete about possibly collaborating with him and it will be a great honor and Pleasure to work with such a consummate performer such as Pete Kennedy.”
This renowned soul vocalist was very impressed with Kennedy’s acoustic performances while he was on tour with Brown.  Kennedy, who has a very different music style than The Stylistics, had the crowd on their feet during his energetic country music opening set.
“Opening for a crowd who was there primarily to hear musical influences of The Stylistics was more than nerve wrecking each night,” said Kennedy. “At every show the crowd was more than welcoming to my music and seemed to have a great time with me. It was a definite turning point in my career.”
Pete Kennedy is the walking, talking, singing embodiment of how the world sees the people of Ireland—repeatedly bouncing back from tragedy and finding inspiration in music. After a lifetime of working solely to support his family, Pete was finally able to pursue his love of music in 2008. Foraging his path by playing local pubs in Germany and the UK, Pete began to make a name for himself in the world of country music. His entrepreneurial style resulted in the formation of his own label, KEMC Records and his first EP. From there, he caught the eye of CMR Nashville’s Lee Williams, who brought Pete to Nashville to play his first show at Cadillac Ranch as a representative of Ireland for the International Artist Showcase prior to the 2011 CMA Awards. He has since released his first album, The Nashville Sessions Volume 1, which has received critical acclaim and was named UK Album of the Year at the 2012 British Country Music Awards.  The music video for his British Country Music Award nominated single, “I Am The One,” can be viewed here.
To stay updated on this talented singer-songwriter, check out www.petekennedy.net.

Temple Bar Tradfest 2013 | IMRO Traditional Music Showcases

As part of the exciting programme of events taking place at the 8th annual Temple Bar TradFest in Dublin this month, IMRO will be hosting two traditional music showcases in the New Theatre, Temple Bar on Thursday 24th and Friday 25th January to represent the high quality of emerging artists in the Traditional music field.

We are delighted to announce that the four acts selected to take part in the 2013 IMRO Temple Bar TradFest showcases are Tremolo, Réalta, Enda Seery and JPTrio featuring Niamh Farrell.

Showcase 1: Thursday, 24th January Doors 6pm

Tremolo – 6:30pm

Réalta – 7:10pm

 

Showcase 2: Friday, 25th January Doors 6pm

Enda Seery – 6:30pm

JPTrio & Niamh Farrell – 7:10pm

Entry to these showcases is FREE but due to limited capacity, booking is essential. Please email membership@nullimro.ie by Monday 21st January to reserve your seat.

Both showcases will take place in The New Theatre, 43 Essex Street East, Dublin 2. www.thenewtheatre.com. Directions to the theatre can be found here: http://www.thenewtheatre.com/tnt_php/scripts/page/contact_us.php?gi_sn=50ea9f64e5a2e%7C0

Visit: www.templebartrad.com for details on all the events taking place throughout this five day festival!

Artist Details

Tremolo

Tremolo consists of four accomplished musicians from the Irish traditional music scene, brought together by their shared taste in melodic, transparent music. Whilst remaining at all times innovative and refreshing, their technical ability never stands in the way of them remaining true to their collective musical passion.

Donall Donnelly is a talismanic fiddle-player who adds a dynamism and drive to the unique sound of Tremulo. Since becoming ‘Fiddler of Dooney’ champion he has gone on to tour worldwide, supporting bands like Capercaille, the Michael McGoldrck band and playing festivals ranging from Womad to Celtic Connections in Glasgow. Donncha Moynihan is a guitarist of immense ability and taste who infuses subtlety and warmth into everything he plays. Donncha is Cork-based and was a founding member of the much lauded traditional group Calico in early 1998 who went on to release two award-winning albums- “Celanova Square” and “Songdogs”.

Stijn Van Beek (uileann pipes/low whistle) performs in an eclectic range of bands. He has featured as a soloist on an album with tango bandoneonist Carel Kraayenhof playing compositions by Ennio Morricone and has played at major Dutch pop festivals with rock group ‘Moke’.  Karl Nesbitt (bouzouki, flute and bodhran) has performed with some of the best musicians in Irish music in various majestic settings across Europe, the UK and China. He has carved out a reputation for himself as a band arranger and for two years in succession in Brittany, he organised and orchestrated the music for a band representing Ireland at the Festival Interceltique in L‟orient.

www.tremoloband.com

Réalta

Belfast based band Réalta have launched onto the Irish music scene with their lively, exciting and unique approach to Irish traditional music. Performing on dual uilleann pipes, whistles, guitar, bouzouki, vocals and bodhrán, this multi instrumentalist group make full use of the intricate melodies and driving rhythms that make Irish music so loved throughout the world.

Having toured Germany alongside Altan in 2011 and won the prestigious Danny Kyle Award at Celtic Connections 2012, these young musicians have earned a reputation for delighting audiences as they present an enchanting programme of dance music interspersed with the occasional story, air and song.

www.realtamusic.com

Enda Seery

Enda Seery is one of Ireland’s finest young whistle and flute players and composers. Enda’s critically acclaimed debut album The Winding Clock was released in 2010 and sees Enda sprinkle his own compositions amongst other well know session tunes. 

The Winding Clock album with Enda on whistles and keyboard, John Byrne on guitar and Colin Hogg on bodhrán along with a guest appearance from Enda’s musical siblings: Ciarán (button accordion), Siobhán (flute) and Pádraig Seery (fiddle) has received great reviews from critics and musicians alike. Enda’s compositions are now being recorded by other artists with his cousin All-Ireland Champion button accordion player Colin Nea recently recording Enda’s composition Sam’s Delight (reel) for his new album Between the Jigs and the Reels.  

Along with gaining a reputation as a respected teacher, administrator and adjudicator for Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, and completing a Masters in Traditional Irish Music Performance at The Irish World Academy of Music and Dance, University of Limerick with First Class Honours, Enda has featured as a performer on RTÉ, TG4, RTÉ Radio 1, RTÉ Lyric FM and Raidió na Gaeltachta. He has appeared on broadcasts such as RTÉ’s Céilí House and Forefront Productions Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann series on RTÉ and Geantraí on TG4.
 
2013 will see Enda releasing his second studio album Síocháin na Tuaithe (Peace of the Countryside).

www.endaseery.com

 

JPTrio & Niamh Farrell

JPTrio are brothers Ted (banjo, tenor guitar and vocals) and Jos (button accordion, keyboards and vocals), Paddy Hazleton (percussion and vocals), joined by Niamh Farrell for the main vocals. They came together while at Sligo Grammar school, where Jos is this year studying for his Leaving Certificate.

Their three years competing in the Siansa Gael Linn competition for young traditional bands helped them evolve as group musicians (they were the winning group in 2009 as Spraoi) culminating in a 2011 performance at Celtic Connections where they won a best newcomer band award at the Danny Kyle open stage competition.

There are jigs and reels here but everything, bar the sean-nós rendition of ‘UnaDheas’, has a strong jazz influence and an emphasis on rhythmic innovation .Their EP includes two Niall Vallely compositions, one Padraig Rynne, one Gordon Duncan, one Colin Farrell, and two traditional songs (one Irish, one gospel).

Ted explains: ‘When I was in first year of college I lived with a bass player studying Jazz in Newpark [Music Centre in Dublin]. He introduced me to lots of brilliant jazz, and while I was there trying to understand bass lines in jazz/funk/soul music, Jos was learning Jazz piano from Kieran Quinn in Sligo. Oscar Peterson was a huge influence for Jos.

‘Paddy’s mum once said to me, He’s been banging pots and pans since I can remember. Paddy’s talent as a percussionist is pure and comes from his soul.’

www.jptrio.com

 

Fergus O’Reilly composes music for Quill-The Hand of Shakespeare

West Cork Singer/Songwriter provides the music and lyrics for Quill – The Hand of Shakespeare

World Premiere 23-26 January at Watermans Theatre, Brentford

A new musical – ‘Quill – The Hand of Shakespeare’ is to be staged by the London College of Music, of the University of West London in Watermans Theatre, Brentford, from the 23rd to 26th January.  Brainchild of Den Stevenson, the English playwright, the innovative musical has a major Irish involvement, with the music and lyrics being provided by Fergus O’Reilly, domiciled for many years in Leap,West Cork. Fergus, who hails originally fromSligo, was born into a theatrical world, with his late father a cinema / theatre manager who later became a cinema owner.

His late aunt Ita Sloan was the distinguished pianist on RTE’s ‘Live at Three’ in the 1980s and co-wrote ‘One Day Love‘  – Ireland’s 1971 Eurovision entry, sung by Angela Farrell. Fergus played with rock & roll bands in his early days and enjoyed real success when he released records with various labels, including Polydor (later Polygram) inIreland. One of his songs ‘Hello’ representedIrelandon an international radio series ‘International Pop Jury’ and was voted 7th out of 18 songs.

Fergus also won two major prizes in the 1980 Cavan Song Contest, with his composition ‘The Cavan Beggar-man’ Some of his recordings also charted in theUKat the time, where he toured extensively. Whilst Fergus’ name today is synonymous with providing quality music gigs in clubs and pubs throughoutWest Cork, he has been writing songs for years and recording his own work in studios used by such heavyweights as Led Zeppelin and Andy Fairweather-Lowe. He has always had this ‘mad dream’ as he calls it, of writing a musical, a dream which has now come true.

He has spent long periods over the last 15 years working on the music for ‘Quill – The Hand of Shakespeare’ – ever since the concept was first devised by Den Stevenson back in 1997. Initial reviews at rehearsals have been most positive.

The fact that the project has reached this stage is success in itself for Fergus, but the possibilities for the musical are limitless, particularly with the incredible team involved, all of whom are most accomplished in their respective fields. Apart from Den Stevenson  and Fergus, the production team involves Marc Urquhart as Director, whose name is long associated with musical theatre inLondon, Andy Smith, musical arranger and George Carter, musical director. Costume designer is Mike Lee and Jean Diamond is the efficient agent. The rehearsals have been going extremely well and four Irish actors are in the cast, with Nicole McBride from Larne, Co. Down particularly ‘turning a few heads!’.

Fergus O’Reilly has enjoyed the huge challenge involved in creating the music to complement the story of the life and times of William Shakespeare, which could easily become the next big musical in theWest End.

www.watermans.org.uk

 

The Certain Three Tour Returns This Month

The Certain Three Tour returns for its fourth annual outing this January and February in venues throughout Ireland.

Curated by Irish-based booking agency Word of Mouth, the shows will feature a triple bill of three very different acts with an alternating running order for each show. This year’s acts have been announced as electro-pop duo Nanu Nanu, lo-fi shoegazer Si Schroeder and the post-punk of Trumpets of Jericho. RTÉ 2FM will also be featuring live sessions from all the acts on Dave Fanning and Dan Hegarty’s shows on 15th and 16th January.

Previous tours have featured Katie Kim, O Emperor, We Cut Corners, The Lost Brothers and Alessi’s Ark, amongst others.

The Certain Three Tour Dates are:

Jan 17th (Thurs) – Bourkes                   Limerick

Jan 18th (Fri)  – The Bowery                 Cork

Jan 19th (Sat) –  De Barras                     Clonakilty, Co. Cork

Jan 20th (Sun) – Pine Lodge                  Myrtleville, Co. Cork (Afternoon Show)

Jan 24th (Thurs) – The Spirit Store     Dundalk

Jan 25th (Fri) – The Model                      Sligo

Jan 26th (Sat) – Whelans                          Dublin

Jan 27th (Sun) – The Chestnut Bar         Birr (Afternoon Show)

Jan 31st (Thurs) – Monroes,                      Galway

Feb 1st  (Fri) – The Palace Bar                   Athlone

Feb 2nd (Sat) – Set Theatre                        Kilkenny

Feb 7th (Thurs) – Gifted at Empire Music Hall    Belfast 

About the Artists

NANU NANU are an Alien-Pop duo based in Dublin. Members Mirrorman and Glitterface use analog and modular synthesizers teamed with a strong foundation of heavy beats and lush, otherworldly vocal processing to create their exciting and unique ‘Alien-Pop’ sound.

They have just finished their debut album, which will be released in early 2013 on Flaming June. Their debut single will be Pocket of Gold. It has been mixed by producer Rob Kirwan; the man who mixed PJ Harvey’s Mercury Prize winning album Let England Shake.

 2013 will be the year of Nanu Nanu.

www.nanunanuband.com

SI SCHROEDER is a Dublin-based musician who mixes his voice with guitars, samples, acoustic instruments, beats and live drums to create haunting and uplifting melodic songs exploring the darker side of the human condition. A layered approach to composition and production results in dense, textured blends of synthetic and organic sounds, over which Si’s warm, soothing voice unravels stories of chaos and destruction.

His debut album, the critically acclaimed Choice Music Prize nominated Coping Mechanisms (2006), was the Irish Times’ record of the week, Foggy Notions’ album of the year, and is in the Hot Press list of top Irish albums of all time.

Highlights among his live shows include 2007’s Electric Picnic, 2008’s Future Days, The Kilkenny Arts Festival 2009, and abroad at EUROSONIC in Holland, Berlin’s Popkomm and New York’s Intelfest, The Chicago Cultural Center, and repeat visits to London’s influential Kosmische Club. 

His second album is due for release in 2013.

breakingtunes.com/sischroeder

TRUMPETS OF JERICHO are a folk-tinged post-punk band from Cork, formed in 2010. 

After two years of creating some semblance of a sound that they can call ‘their own’, the group finally decided to record their debut Songs Like an Alum Ut Its Nor Really, garnering praise and indifference in equal measure. Their energetic live shows have built them a strong and loyal following in the south of Ireland (i.e. Cork) and they recently opened for The Fall, which is pretty cool.

breakingtunes.com/trumpetsofjericho

 

 

 

Top Prize of €1,000 to be won in the National Pan Celtic Song Contest 2013

The search is on to find Ireland’s entry for the International Pan Celtic Song Contest 2013. The composer of the winning song will receive a cash prize of €1,000 and the song will represent Ireland at the international event in April.

Words and lyrics must be newly composed and songs in all genres from traditional to pop, country to rock are welcome. The closing date for receipt of entries on CD is 15th January 2013.

The best of the entries will be shortlisted to go head to head at the gala National Song Contest, sponsored by IMRO and Gael Linn, to be held in Carlow on Thursday, 7th February where the songs will be introduced by television personality Daithí Ó Sé. A panel of judges will choose the song to go forward to represent Ireland at the International Pan Celtic Song Contest in Carlow on 4th April where it will be up against the entries from the participating celtic nations of Wales, Scotland, Brittany, Cornwall and The isle of Man. The international prize for the overall winner will be €1,500 and the Pan Celtic trophy.

Application forms and rules of the competition are available on www.panceltic.ie. Click on Programme and on Competitions. Enquiries to 059 9158105, 085 1340047 or email pancelticcompetitions@nullgmail.com. The address for entries and CDs by 15th January is Pan Cheilteach Festival Office, Glór Cheatharlach, Sráid an Choláiste, Ceatharlach, Co. Cheatharlach.

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