Month: April 2013

Top Irish Songwriters & Composers To Be Inducted into the IMRO Academy

Written by Press Officer on April 29, 2013. Posted in News, Press Releases.

Tonight The Irish Music Rights Organisation (IMRO) will honour 6 songwriters and composers by inducting them into the IMRO Academy.

Paul Brady, Phil Coulter, Pete St. John, Ray Harman, Shay Healy and Jimmy MacCarthy will have their contribution to Irish music acknowledged at a ceremony in Dublin’s Conrad Hotel.

The IMRO Academy’s mission is to celebrate and mark the successes of Ireland’s iconic songwriters and composers who have made a very significant cultural and social impact in Ireland and/or internationally.

Launched in 2011, Bill Whelan, best known as the composer of Riverdance and Brendan Graham, co-author of the hugely successful song, ‘You Raise Me Up’ became the first inductees to the Academy. Both have contributed enormously to the recognition of Ireland across the world through their extensive music repertoire

Of the awards Keith Donald, IMRO Chairman, states, “Once again the IMRO Academy is honouring songwriters and composers who are at the forefront of Ireland’s great tradition of creativity. It is a very important ingredient in fostering our reputation of being a dynamic and culturally rich nation. The IMRO Academy shines a light on these iconic music creators who continue to inspire, entertain and make sense of the world in which we live.

“I am delighted to be part of this induction ceremony for some of Ireland’s most successful and revered composers and I welcome this talented expansion of the IMRO Academy” added Bill Whelan.

”The songs and music of these six Irish songwriters have sailed far beyond the shores of Ireland. They have touched hearts, engaged emotions, and brought joy to people everywhere. Recorded by some of the greatest artistes of our times, they have been heard – and sung along to – by millions of people. They have climbed the pop charts, rocked stadia and brought Eurovision victory to Ireland. On our TV screens they have had us at the edge of our seats and they have become anthems helping us to win many a football and rugby match! They have also given us moments of reflection, of spiritual understanding, of insight into ourselves. By reaching into their own hearts these six, gifted crafters of song have touched our hearts. Ireland and the world are the richer for what they have given us and tonight we, their fellow songwriters, salute and honour their gift… and its gifting” added Brendan Graham.

The induction ceremony will coincide with the IMRO sponsored Independent Broadcasters of Ireland (IBI) annual conference dinner which takes place tonight, 29th April in the Conrad Hotel. Following the ceremony, all 6 will perform a selection of their iconic hit songs live.

‘Messin With The Music’ Initiative,Derry

Written by Breffni Banks on April 26, 2013. Posted in Industry News.

“MESSIN’ WITH THE MUSIC”……a Creative Music Making Workshop…Be Inspired!

Are you aged 14-17 years old? Do you have a love of music? Do you want to create and perform your own music as part of a group? If so then this is your chance to perform live on the main stage at the Earhart Festival in Ballyarnet Park. Your very welcome to participate whether you play an instrument or not and remember it’s totally free.

After the huge success of all previous ‘Messin’ with the Music’ workshops the team are now recruiting new participants. Past participants have commented: ‘This is the best week I’ve had this summer,’ and ‘ I’ve learned more in one week than I’ve learned in all of my GCSE music so far.’ Ollie Green, director of Greater Shantallow Community Arts ARC (Art Reaching Communities) programme said, “it’s amazing to see what these young ones have come up with from scratch within the space of a few days; some exceptional work to be heard. I would really like to thank the Arts Council of Northern Ireland for their continuing support for this vital community arts project’’

All that those interested have to do is take part in a series of creative music making workshops which will run from Mon 13th- Fri 17th May 2013 with sessions lasting from 6pm -9.30 pm at Studio 2, Skeoge Industrial Estate. Then, what you will all have been working towards, the main performance, which will be on Sun 19th May at Ballyarnet Park. This is the full package for any young musician starting out who wants to rock on a big stage playing their own music in a band while gaining very vital experience from 3 very experienced musicians

The main aim of ‘Messin’ with the Music’ is to empower young people by developing their confidence through practical music making, to understand the processes of this, and to contribute to their overall social, educational and personal development. Skills include composition, song writing, musical theory, performance, improvisation, aural awareness, musicianship, rhythm and music business. This builds upon confidence, teamwork skills, independent learning, peer-to-peer learning and mutual understanding with the main focus being on having fun with music as that’s what its all about.

Three very experienced musicians and facilitators will lead the workshops. Denis Mc Laughlin has been involved in music for the past 15 years from touring Europe at 17, to getting an ND in Popular Music and a HND in Music Production as well as a Bachelor Degree in Music. Caolan Mc Laughlin also has a Bachelor degree in music and works as a freelance musician touring Europe with various projects and has worked with and continues to work with such artists as Bronagh Gallagher, Paul Casey, Graham Hopkins (The Frames), Mark Black, Chadsko and DhARMA to name a few. Tommy Mc Aleer is an experienced multi-instrumentalist. He released an E.P, “My One Desire” in 2000 and played many music venues in London before returning to Northern Ireland in 2003 and currently teaches and contributes in various community projects. All three continue to tour locally and beyond. Since the 3 founded MWTM back in 2011 they have been called upon by various organisations branching out and delivering creative music workshops similar to this gaining a wealth of experience with the utmost success.…Be Inspired!

Deadline for applications: Monday 6th May 2013

If you have any queries or would like an application form, email: messinwiththemusic@nullymail.com

https://www.facebook.com/messinwiththemusic?fref=ts

Amplify #2 ‘The Business Of Music’

Written by Breffni Banks on April 25, 2013. Posted in Industry News.

Amplify is an organisation that provides and shares valuable info for bands,musicians,entertainers of all genres regarding the ever changing music industry. Our mission is to provide a pure source of information that ultimately can assist in keeping real musicians and their music alive.

We work with a large professional network of people who work in all aspects of the music/entertainment industry and invite guest speakers to our events to share and exchange first hand knowledge that can assist musicians/entertainers with clear and concise information and help accelerate their careers in the current music/entertainment industry.

APRIL 30TH GUEST SPEAKERS: Eamonn Barrett from Royseven, who will be sharing his experience and tips about surviving as a band in today’s music climate.

Roisín Dwyer from Hotpress, who will be talking about the association between your band and the media, how important it is and how to approach various publications.

Marty Miller from Radio Nova, who will be discussing the best way to get radio play and how to get your foot in the door.

Pete Murphy from EMI Ireland, who will be sharing his experience in working with a major label, how to approach a record label and looking at the pros and cons of working with major and independent labels.

The event will be free of charge and we urge you to bring your demos, bios, merch what ever you want to bring. The idea is for everybody to start sharing music, contacts, experience and knowledge so get it together and come on down.

Venue: The Grand Social, Dublin 1 / Doors 6.30pm with start time of 7pm.

For more information please contact: Oran O’Beirne Tel: +353 1 685 3550 / +353 86 8528876 / e: oran@nulloverdrive.ie

International Recognition for Songwriter Tony Villiers

Written by Breffni Banks on April 25, 2013. Posted in Artist Spotlight, News.

With his debut LP ‘Thin Wild Mercury’ steadily gaining recognition and accolades as well as his live shows creating an underground buzz, Northern Irish singer-songwriter Tony Villiers has plenty of reasons to be cheerful.

‘Jesus Was a Rollin’ Stone’, track two from his debut LP, has reached the finals of the prestigious Nashville-based ‘International Songwriting Competition’. Judges include Tom Waits, Robert Smith, Kenny Rogers and Jeff Beck and winners will be announced at the end of April.

Last year the ‘ISC’ awarded Villiers an ‘Honorable Mention’ in their Folk/Singer-songwriter category. No mean feat as there were over twenty thousand entries and, as mentioned, some pretty famous judges.

Villiers recently reached the last twenty five in Ronnie Milsap’s ‘Country Cut’ Contest run by American Songwriter Magazine with ‘If You Let Your Sweetheart Go’. The magazine went on to interview Villiers for their ‘Daily Discovery’ feature.

On top of all that ‘Radio’, track five on the LP, was selected to receive an ‘Honorable Mention’ in Nashville Songwriting Competition ‘Unsigned Only’. The competition had seven thousand entries and some heavyweight judges including Cyndi Lauper, Black Francis and Steve Lillywhite.

The next single to be offered from the LP is ‘Jesus Was A Rollin’ Stone’, one of ten original tracks featured on an album which BBC Radio Ulster’s Ralph McLean described as “excellent”.

Award-winning presenter, broadcaster and writer McLean added: “‘Thin Wild Mercury’ is excellent…superb songwriting rooted in a great tradition.”

For more see www.tonyvilliers.com or www.facebook.com/tonyvilliersmusic

Industry Panels @ Indie Week Ireland 2013

Written by Press Officer on April 24, 2013. Posted in News.

Location

Irish Music Rights Organisation
Copyright House
Pembroke Row
Lower Baggot Street
Dublin 2

Date: Saturday 27th April

1 pm – Indie 101 with Darryl Hurs

Every artist needs blueprint for their career – we help you with planning, tools, management and setting goals to ensure your career as a band is successful. Darryl is currently the head booker for one of Toronto’s most prominent and successful live venues, as well as the founder of Indie Week.

2 pm – Getting the Word Out and Building Your Fanbase

Vanessa Cito (Big Things Productions)

Peter Nagle (blogger)

In the digital age, public relations are more important than ever – find out how to gain loyal fans and promote your music and shows, online and in the real world.

3 pm – Mentorship Roundtable

Tracey Hanby (Gigs Ireland)

Elvera Butler (Reekus Records)

Eddie Joyce (Irish Songwriters)

Vanessa Cito (Big Things Productions)

This session allows artists to discuss and question industry professionals on any aspect of the music business.

The Crayon Set Debut Album

Written by Breffni Banks on April 24, 2013. Posted in News.

Listed by 2 U I Bestow as one of Ireland’s Top 50 Bands, Dublin-based The Crayon Set were founded back in 2008 by main songwriter Robert Baker and it has since morphed into an exciting 8-piece “mini-indie-orchestra”. They first came to prominence in 2011 when they won a national competition to play the main stage of the Benny & Jerry’s Music Festival in London (with the likes of Ash, Ocean Colour Scene and Fun Lovin’ Criminals).

Their sound is a fresh mix of “indie-folk-pop” – there are catchy melodies, lots of energy, multi-part vocal harmonies and they employ a wide variety of less traditional “indie” instruments – double bass, violin, piano, trumpet, harmonium, oboe, flute, banjo etc. They have been compared to Arcade Fire, Velvet Underground, Stars, Teenage Fanclub and Belle and Sebastian amongst others. They released their debut single “I Wanted You” in September 2012 and it received strong reviews on the blogosphere – and good airplay from many of Irelands top DJs.

Their self-titled debut album was recorded in Leeders Farm Studios in the UK and their own home-built studio in Wicklow. It was mixed at the legendary Rockfield Studios. It was co-produced by Nick Brine (Teenage Fanclub, Super Furry Animals, Oasis). The band very much believe in the DIY ethic – from the recording of the album, to the artwork and the release of their music.

“They are as catchy as a virus!” Tony Clayton-Lea, The Irish Times

“Perfect Pop” Hot Press

“This is an album packed with up-tempo, infectious indie from a group with a gift for creating memorable hooks”. Entertainment.ie
Album Available @ http://thecrayonset.bandcamp.com

Digital Download: €5
CD: €7 (includes P&P and a digital download). Also available from www.thecrayonset.com, ITunes & selected record stores nationwide.

Official Website: www.thecrayonset.com

Aspiring Composers Awarded in West Cork Chamber Music Festival

Written by Breffni Banks on April 24, 2013. Posted in News.

The winners of this year’s West Cork Chamber Music Festival / Cork County Council Young Composers Bursary Scheme 2013 have been announced, as follows: Seán Doherty, Retreat; Solfa Carlile, Fables; Timothy Cape, Collectors Item and Patrick Egan, Then Til Now. The selected works will be premiered at the 2013 West Cork Chamber Music Festival, which runs from Friday 28 June to Saturday 6 July, as well as being presented at the Festival’s Young Composers Forum, directed by Ian Wilson, on Saturday 29 June. The composer of each selected composition will be awarded a Cork County Council Bursary of €500.

Seán Doherty (b. 1987) played the fiddle music of his native Derry and Donegal before reading music at St John’s College, University of Cambridge, and completing his PhD at Trinity College, University of Dublin, where he now lectures in counterpoint and Baroque music history. Solfa Carlile (b.1995) is a graduate of the Royal College of Music, London. She is currently pursuing a Doctorate at Oxford with support from the Arts Council and the Seary Trust. Her music has received performances by the BBC Singers, Okeanos, Chroma Ensemble and the Orchestra of St. Paul’s Covent Garden, of which she is composer-in-residence. Timothy Cape (b. 1991) is currently studying at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, London; originally from Donegal, Cape is a composer whose influences range from Progressive Rock, Jazz, and Contemporary music to Literature, Theatre and Dance. Patrick Egan (b. 1987) completed his undergraduate studies in composition at the DIT Conservatory of Music and Drama in 2012 and has since continued at the Conservatory, now working towards his Master’s degree.

The West Cork Chamber Music Festival in partnership with the Contemporary Music Centre has held a competition for young Irish composers for the last four years. Each year, works for chamber ensembles have been selected to be performed in concert during the Festival and as part of the Festival’s public workshop programme. The competition has been a valuable opportunity for young composers to work with professional performers, to receive guidance from a leading composer and to hear their works performed.

To mark Ireland’s presidency of the Council of the European Union, the 2013 West Cork Chamber Music Young Composers Bursary Awards is expanded through special programme support from the Arts Council and Cork County Council under the Cultural Programme of the EU Presidency, with additional support from IMRO. The scheme is organised in partnership with the Contemporary Music Centre, Ireland, Music Information Centre, Austria, the Arts Office of Cork County Council and CIT Cork School of Music.

New Single From Motorcycle Display Team

Written by Press Officer on April 23, 2013. Posted in News.

It’s no revelation that hard work pays off and this year it is Motorcycle Display Team’s time to shine. With the upcoming Irish release of their single ‘A Taste’ in April 2013, taken from their oustanding debut album ‘Captatio Benevolentiae’, the band are set to take Ireland by the scruff, and nobody is going to complain!

The UK power-pop trio formed in 2008 and have since grafted tirelessly to become a mainstay in the UK music scene. They have seen their music featured in “Hollyoaks”, a BBC sitcom called “Off the Hook”, they have been featured as ‘Artist of the Month’ on We7 and were named Unsigned Band of the Month by Absolute Radio. To top that the band have had illustrious residencies in the renowned ‘Dublin Castle’ and The New Cross Inn in London town and have received significant FM radio play in the UK, Ireland and beyond.

Despite all these achievements the band remained to fly relatively under the mainstream radar until now. The album ‘Captatio Benevolentiae’ is their debut LP which reaches us 2 years after the release of their EP ‘The Crayon Masterpiece’. Produced and mixed by Cesar Gimeno Lavin of Modest Mouse and White Lies fame, the 11 songs on the album are undeniably slick and incredibly addictive and have received much critical acclaim to date’

Chordblossom,com (4/5) “MDT have managed to create a record that hops, skips and jumps through a smorgasbord of musical styles and is hugely impressive to possess such versatility. It’s revelatory how good it is. Go buy. Go listen. Go enjoy.”

Chunk.ie (7.5/10) “……a talented rhythm section in Matthew Eyre (Bass Guitar) and Morgan Condon (Drums). Atop this appealing mix sits Vocalist/Guitarist Steve Hinds’ lush falsetto vocal, that hops around with great versatility and playfulness, backed up by some of the tastiest harmonies this side of Motown” Right Chord Music “The album entirely captivates and through its catchy choruses and shrewd velvety lyrics, keeps you engaged for hours”

The Irish Daily Star (3/5) “An infectious enough blend of art-rock and punk funk to make you want to listen to it again.”
The band comprises of three zealous musicians hailing from the finest corners of the globe, among whom talent is not lacking. Steve is a successful actor from the UK, Morgan a Dublin musician who has had former chart success with his former band Zeel . While Matt is a New Zealand lawyer who lays claim to a good lashing of Irish heritage and also a revered ‘clothed’ cameo in a popular porn movie.

So far the band has released two single from the album ‘Betweenager’ and ‘Brickwall’. The band have already toured Ireland to a rip roaring response but with the release of ‘A Taste’ in April MDT have Ireland on their hitlist once more. Irish summer dates to be announced soon!

Delorentos Announce Vicar Street Show

Written by Breffni Banks on April 22, 2013. Posted in News.

Aiken Promotions presents 2013 Meteor Choice Music Prize Winner DELORENTOS in Vicar Street, Dublin on 1st November.

Tickets are on sale now with a limited number of early bird tickets priced at €10 including booking fee! http://www.ticketmaster.ie/Delorentos-tickets/artist/1192554?tm_link=tm_homeA_g2&hot_ticket_brand=home

After a dizzyingly great year in 2012 – that saw the band release their 3rd album, Little Sparks (Delo Records), to a hail of fantastic media reaction, the band knuckled down to a touring schedule that saw them playing the length and breadth of Europe winning new fans every step of the way and climaxing with a sold out Vicar Street show just before Christmas.

2013 started with a bang! Delorentos won the Meteor Choice Music Prize Irish Album of the Year for Little Sparks and were in Dublin airport at 6am the next morning to start a very successful whistlestop tour of North America (New York, Austin’s SXSW, Memphis, Toronto’s CMW) and Russia – from the sublime to the absolutely freezing!

Amidst all of this activity an email from the office of the President of Ireland arrived congratulating the band on their Irish Album of the Year success and inviting them to play at The President’s annual Garden Party this summer.

Meanwhile the band’s summer schedule is suitably full of interesting shows and festivals – including a month of festivals in Spain as well as Summer shows in Paris and Vienna.

www.delorentos.net

The Contemporary Music Centre Presents Musical Tales 2013

Written by Press Officer on April 22, 2013. Posted in News.

Two concerts in Dublin City Libraries as part of One City One Book – featuring Royal Irish Academy of Music Miriam Kaczor (flute), Evelina Ndlova (electric piano) and Margaret Bridge, (choral conductor with a choir of eight singers), presented by composer Benjamin Dwyer

In celebration of James Plunkett’s Stumpet City being the chosen book for One City One Book 2013 and to mark the influence of Dublin City, which is at the heart of Plunkett’s novel, on Irish composers the Contemporary Music Centre has devised a concert of live music. In association with the Royal Irish Academy of Music (RIAM), the Contemporary Music Centre presents this concert programme in two Dublin City libraries on

Wednesday 24th April from 1-2pm in Central Library, Ilac Centre. Admission free. Booking essential. Tel: 01 8734333 Email: musiclibrary@nulldublincity.ie

Thursday 25th April from 1-2pm in Rathmines Library. Admission free. Booking essential. Tel: 01 4973539 Tel: rathmineslibrary@nulldublincity.ie

This exciting project is funded by the Dublin City Council Arts Office Arts Grants 2012 and supported by the Dublin City Council Library Development Office.

Curated by Irish Composer Benjamin Dwyer, the concert programme will be performed by Miriam Kaczor (flute), Evelina Ndlova (electric piano), Vincent Kennedy (trumpet), alongside a choir of eight singers (Robyn Richardson, Sarah McCourt, Zosia Kucyńska, Heather Fogarty, Richard Bridge, Richard Shaffrey, Robbie Blake, Pascal Kennedy) conducted by Margaret Bridge. Professor Benjamin Dwyer will introduce each concert and set the context for each piece of music performed. Featured Irish composers Michael Holohan and Vincent Kennedy will make further contributions including the world premiere of Vincent Kennedy’s “s-Trumpet City”.

Month: April 2013

Top Irish Songwriters & Composers To Be Inducted into the IMRO Academy

‘Messin With The Music’ Initiative,Derry

Amplify #2 ‘The Business Of Music’

International Recognition for Songwriter Tony Villiers