Month: September 2013

Track Dogs, the Madrid-based acoustic four-piece, are kicking off an Irish tour this Tuesday, Sept. 24th, in Cork’s Crane Lane theatre in support of the release of their second album, “All Roads”, due out on Oct 4th on iTunes where it is currently available for presale.

The band’s recent “Rainbox EP” peaked at #1 in the Irish iTunes vocal charts and was in the Top 40 iTunes album charts in Spain as well.

The full tour dates are as follows;

Sept. 24th – Crane Lane, Cork

Sept. 25th – Sober Lane, Cork

Sept. 26th – Backstage Theatre, Longford

Sept. 27th – Number 1, Mullingar

Sept. 28th – Monroe’s, Galway

Sept. 29th – Mullarkey’s, Clifden

Sept. 30th – Coyne’s, Tullycross

Oct. 1st – Ruby Session, Doyle’s Pub, Dublin

Oct. 2nd – RTE 1 Big Music Week, in-train performance

More info at http://www.facebook.com/trackdogs or http://www.trackdogsmusic.com

The new album by Irish singer, songwriter, guitarist and harmonica player Don Baker features guest appearances by an impressive array of Irish performers singing Baker’s own songs.

The album, entitled My Songs, My Friends, was released on October 18, 2013, on Baker’s own label. The star-studded line-up includes Liam O Maonlai, Brian Kennedy, Gemma Hayes, Finbar Furey, Sinead O’Connor, Eleanor McEvoy, John Spillane, Mick Pyro, Clara Rose, Rob Strong, Pat Collins, Martin Furey, Paddy Casey and Declan O’Rourke. There are also three live bonus tracks recorded by Baker at The Olympia.

As Baker himself explains about the genesis of his album, “Normally I put a lot of thought into planning my albums, but My Songs, My Friends took on a life of its own, as if some spiritual force was guiding me through it. It actually started after I accidentally met the superb singer Clara Rose in a music shop. Having been much taken by her solo album I invited her to record one of my songs with me. Studio engineer Stuart Gray was so impressed with the result that he suggested I invite others in to sing my songs. One by one they all agreed, and it became a tremendously uplifting experience for me. That such talented people would give so generously of their time was an experience I’ll never forget”.

While Baker is already acknowledged as one of the top blues harmonica players in the world, another key feature of My Songs, My Friends is the quality of his guitar playing and the range and depth of his songwriting.  ‘Politician’, featuring John Spillane, castigates our politicians, while there’s a suave gospel elegance to ‘Lord Have Mercy’, a duet by Eleanor McEvoy and Brian Kennedy. Sinead O’Connor is in vintage form on Baker’s ‘Cinderella’, while ‘Maureen’, sung by Baker himself, is a touching love song a la Mark Knopfler.

At the close of the upbeat ‘Little Rock’n’Roll Band’, Finbar Furey sings, “Come on, Don, write me one more song.”  That sentiment superbly encapsulates the esteem in which Baker is held in by fans and musicians alike.

My Songs, My Friends is available on Don’s own label NOW!!!

An Evening with Don Baker, Civic Theatre, Tallaght, Dublin on 29 September.

More dates to be announced Shortly.

www.donbaker.com

Róisín O releases the brilliant new ‘Hold On’ video. The video is directed and edited by Simon Eustace, and features Aaron Heffernan (Love/Hate), Mirjana Rendulic, Geraldine McAlinden & Colin Condon. Special thanks to Dogpatch Labs Dublin.

Talking about Hold On, Róisín O explains:

“Sometimes our minds take us to dark places and it gets hard to escape. A very close friend of mine was going through a tough time, as happens us all, and I found myself wanting, but unable, to help make things better for him. Sometimes all you can do for someone is to be there for them and let them know that things will get better one day. This song is for him.”

Róisín O is just finished a 14 date US headline tour, taking in locations such as New York, Boston, Montana, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle, Portland & more. On the back of her American success, Róisín is heading to Germany in October for a 17 date tour supporting Ryan Sheridan.

Róisín is also delighted to announced that she has signed a record deal with JSM in Germany, and her debut album ‘The Secret Life of Blue’ will be released in Germany, Austria & Switzerland on October 4th.

Róisín plays her first Irish headline show of the year in Whelan’s on Friday, October 18th. Róisín O recently performed on ‘The President’s Call’ as part of a special Saint Patrick’s Day 2013 broadcast alongside other Irish performers such as Bono, Christy Moore, Glen Hansard, Imelda May, The Script, and Lisa Hannigan. The programme receiving ratings of over 900,000 viewers.

The Sunday Times – “a quality of tone and voice that is near pitchperfect, at times evoking the likes of Joni Mitchell, Joanna Newsom and Kate Bush”

See www.RoisinO.com for more info

Kevin Healy is set to release his debut ‘Morning Waits’ EP this week, with the launch gig taking place in Whelans, Dublin on Sept 18th.

Chart appearances, radio sessions, festivals and a sonata have all featured in just a short time for newcomer Kevin Healy. His catalogue of original songs highlight his accomplished guitar playing and vocal style.

·He featured on RTE Raidio Na Gaeltachta’s An Seisiun Acustach in a one hour programme dedicated to him and his music.

·Dublin City FM’s Good Morning Dublin invited him on air for an interview and live songs

·The top 20 compilation album Connect One featured his song “Stand Up”

·He has played at various festivals nationwide

·He was a finalist in the Laois Bands for the Electric Picnic competition

·RTE Raidio na Gaeltachta’s afternoon show played his song “Sunrise”

·He wrote a piano and cello sonata “Songlines” that was performed at the Royal Irish Academy of Music

“Kevin Healy blew the audience away…and has certainly created a stir with people wanting to find out more…one of the most talked about guitarists in the area having built up a wealth of songs performing them with passion and finesse” Leinster Express

www.kevinhealymusic.com

http://www.whelanslive.com/index.php/kevin-healy-ep-launch/

Life has been hectic for the five students who returned to the classroom after a hugely successful weekend gigging at this year’s Electric Picnic.

So much so the Louth rockers announce that two of their original tracks ‘Jekyll & Hyde’ and ‘The Boat’ have been included in “New Irish Music” for the re-release of  Fade Street via Netflix USA.

While sitting in their classroom, the quintet decided to release their new video for radio-friendly track ‘The Boat’ to their fans and followers with a simple message:

“Thank you to all who have supported us through this crazy 2013! We have worked really hard and now getting ready to knuckle down for our exams here is our new video for ‘The Boat’ edited and filmed by Chris Walshe”

The Boat video went live via Ireland’s leading teen magazine Kiss Magazine with views reaching over 9,000 in just three days.

“The Boat video is definitely different to our first music video for One Too Many Times (OTMT), while we had so much fun filming OTMT we felt that we needed to follow up and show how we are skilful musicians that can take it seriously despite being teenagers. We want our music to shine through on this one so we went for simple black and white style” says lead singer Niamh Sharkey.

Promising fans, new followers and listeners that a final 2013 studio visit in October is confirmed, Featuring X remain tight lipped about their upcoming trip to NuMu Productions Kildare-based studio where they will record a single for 2014 release (no date as of yet).

“We are so excited going back to the studio; we love it there. Although this time we need to bring books to study at night! We have a single to record and this is going to be a biggie for us.” ads lead guitarist, Dara Farrelly.

The Louth rockers released their first ever music video for the fan-favourite track  “One Too Many Times” in July. Despite receiving mixed reviews the girls stand by their witty video which was loved by their young audience.

The best has yet to come.

www.numupromotions.com | www.facebook.com/FeaturingX

Catch Keith Moss & the Tightrope Walkers live at Cobblestone Joe’s Limerick this coming Wednesday, September 11th, admission is FREE

‘What Eludes You Moves You’ by Keith Moss was released through Reekus Records on Friday 26th July.

Keith’s first long player on the Reekus imprint is a captivating mixture of humorous, emotive alternative pop, which is quite dark in places.

The Irish firebrands followed signing to the legendary Reekus Records by playing Electric Picnic for the first time on the back of a busy Summer that has seen them awarded Hot Press ‘Band of the Week’, pick up airplay from Today FM’s Paul McLoone Show and Radio Nova and debut album ‘What Eludes You Moves You’ receive rave reviews from the Mail on Sunday, Daily Mirror, Daily Star, Hot Press and Goldenplec among others. The album’s launch coincided with a sold-out headline show at Dublin’s Whelans. The band has appeared live on RTE Radio 1 twice recently and in concert alongside Nanu Nanu, Oliver Cole, Cat Dowling, Mumblin’ Deaf Ro, Elevens, The Statics and label-mates Sweet Jane.

“Promising Debut from Dublin alternative maverick” 3.5 / 5 – Hot Press Magazine.

http://www.reekus.com/index.php/artists/keith_moss/

The fantastic new single by MAJELLA MURPHY is released on iTunes, Amazon, Spotify, Deezer, Rhapody and Sony Music Unlimited on THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 12, 2013 on BEANLAOCH RECORDS.
Kilkenny siren MAJELLA MURPHY released her critically-acclaimed debut album BRAVE NEW WORLD in 2007. It was the first release in the world to be included on Sony Ericsson handsets. She was then nominated for a METEOR AWARD in the Best Irish Folk/Traditional category. A series of successful tours followed including a show at ELECTRIC PICNIC, RTE TV music series THE RAW SESSIONS and an appearance on RTE flagship THE LATE LATE SHOW.

One of the great characters of the Irish music scene, Majella has never been afraid to publicly tackle the more difficult aspects of her life. She has bravely admitted to battling eating disorders and is also a recovering alcoholic. In fact, she drew on her experiences with booze to write the new single, TOO SMALL TO FOLLOW. She now lives in a Buddhist community in Co Cork. According to Majella she’s “not a very good Buddhist, but trying nonetheless”.

Majella’s musical style is eclectic but her many influences including Bob Dylan, Christy Moore and Jimmy MacCarthy. Often likened to Mary Black, she has carved out a niche spot on the Irish music scene. The new single is a fast waltz and a bright and catchy unusual folk-pop song. It is the first release from her forthcoming as-yet-untitled second album.
The voice of Sinead O’Connor, the attitude of Michelle Shocked and the fashion sense of Tank Girl. If her talent is anything to go by, Murphy deserves success….IRISH INDEPENDENT
A great talent ….JIMMY MACCARTHY

Tupelo are an exciting, original, acoustic roots act consisting of an eclectic lineup of instruments which includes banjo, guitar, fiddle, double bass, mandolin, harmonica and dobro. They formed in the winter of 2008 in Dublin and can attribute their progress to relentless gigging up and down the country, honing their craft doing so and gathering a word of mouth endorsement for their powerhouse live performances.

They have just announced a 4-track EP teaser taken from their upcoming studio album PUSH ON which was produced by Joe Chester and mixed by Greg Calbi (Beth Orton, The National, Fallout Boy, Bruce Springsteen) and gets its official release in early 2014. But for now the EP ‘Ballerinas Call’ showcases the variety and musicianship from one of Ireland rising bands and is out Sept 6th on iTunes and other digital stores.

Tupelo are signed to Crashed Records. Tupelo have since released singles ‘Don’t Let Go’, ‘Firefly’, and ‘Irishman’ from their first album, ‘Dirty Money’, with the songs garnering plentiful radio play from stations up and down the nation. The album was also released in the UK with songs on the album receiving airplay on UK stations including BBC Radio 2.

The summer of 2012 saw Tupelo embark on their first overseas tour with a string of dates in the UK and Denmark. They also travelled to Russia for the first time in early 2013 and played several well-received shows. There was also some great news for Tupelo as they were voted the Best Trad/Folk act in the Hot Press Reader’s Poll.

For further info, please visit: www.tupelo.ie