Month: June 2016

Back in January Hare Squead announced that they had signed to Columbia (Sony) in the UK and it’s been all very hush hush in the interim peppered with stills from video/photo shoots.

Comprised of Tony Konstone, E-Knock and Jessy Rose, Hare Squead describe themselves as ‘three black Irish kids making waves’.

This morning they dropped their first single since signing titled ‘If I Ask’. You can check out the video below and also follow the guys on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

TREELAN comprise the multi-genre talents of hand-drum percussionist Éamonn Cagney, the guitarist Niwel Tsumbu & accordionist Martin Tourish. Donegal native ÉAMONN CAGNEY has travelled the hand-drumming world, from Africa to East Asia, studying under many of the masters of his art, resulting in a tapestry of colourful, seductive grooves & sparkling syncopated rhythms. Kinshasa born NIWEL TSUMBU is renowned for his electrifying, soulful guitar, infusing the dazzling rhythms of the Congo with enthralling live improvisation. Known for his playing with the band, Altan, MARTIN TOURISH alternates the muscular style of Donegal traditional music with the subtleties & rich timbres of the piano accordion.

Having individually performed in many of the world’s most prestigious venues, Treelan have melded their kaleidoscope of Irish, jazz, African, contemporary & world sounds into one searing, spiritual and entrancing performance to finally bring the show to audiences across Ireland for one very special tour in June. To celebrate the live ‘firework’ chemistry the band share on stage, Treelan will be recording each of the shows for a live album. They invite their audience to pack the venues & be part of the spark-filled energy of these special nights.

The song ‘Concentrate’ is the second single release by the band Elm and accompanies the story with lyrics describing inner struggles; “In this skin, in this body, I don’t know which side will win”. It starkly highlights the isolation that so many transgender people suffer with ; “I’m all alone, I’m lost in space, I hide away”. There’s also a moment of anger at an intolerant world; “For I know you bleed the same”.

Elm are a five piece band from Dublin with a dark earthy quality to their music, which has been described as Alternative Baroque Pop. Diligent & emotive, Elm will carry you through quiet reflective moments then weave you in with immersive sound and lyrics. They produce music that ‘finds a perfect middle ground between intimate and cinematic’ (Dublin Concerts.ie). Frontman Dylan Walsh holds the audience captive with passion, poignancy and depth. His haunting vocal is accompanied by a provoking musical backdrop of atmospheric guitar, cello, synth and drums. Elm’s sound is a personal experience to their fans, lending each listener a unique relationship to the band.

Dylan Walsh, lead singer with Elm, talks about the importance of this video to the band; “The discrimination that people in the Transgender community are experiencing, especially now in some parts of the U.S. is heart-breaking to us. We wanted the video to show the isolation and inner struggle that some transgender people face”. Gary Molloy who plays cello with Elm echoes Dylan’s sentiments: “We realize everyone’s transition is different but we wanted to make a video which would show the audience that sometimes the journey can be harrowing and sometimes it can be liberating. At the end of the day we’re all just people trying to live our lives”.

Elm’s video for ‘Concentrate’ comes at a time when there have been huge strides for Transgender rights especially in Ireland with the 1 year anniversary of the Gender Recognition Bill this July 2016. Unfortunately there is still so much that needs to be done to see transgender people be accepted as part of wider society. When local governments in the U.S. introduce a ‘bathroom bill’ which discriminates and isolates people it lends support to bullying, victimisation and even violence towards anyone who doesn’t conform to the gender binary. This issue hits close to home with Elm having members who are part of the LGBT community. The video is an opportunity to see the journey that many transgender people go through and to show the audience that they are human just like anyone else.

You can follow Elm on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

Cork musician, Rory McDonnell, took home the coveted first place prize in this year’s Clancy Brothers Songwriting Competition.

Rory, who plays under the stage name Actor Actor, won with his song ‘Twisted Wrecks’ which he performed on the night with Katie Conway in the beautiful Nano Nagle Chapel, Carrick-on-Suir. Rory is now set to release his next EP with ‘Twisted Wrecks’ as the title track.

The runners up were Alan Tobin with ‘Stars in a Broadway Sky’, and Gary Burke and Katie Carpenter with ‘Falling into Place’.

The three finalists performed their song at a concert during the Clancy Brothers Festival of Music and Art 2016 Launch Party on May 26th as part of a 15 minute set, after which the winner was announced.

With a prize including cash sponsored by IMRO, a day in a recording studio at Crossroads Recording, Kilkenny, a video by All That Can Be Productions, Dungarvan, CD duplication by Duplication Ireland, and web and a premium design package from InMusik.co including artwork, covers and online banner design, Rory is all set for the next step in his career.

‘The talent of these songwriters is incredible’, said Róisín Clancy, awarding the prizes, co-creator of the new show ‘Waters Wide’ which premieres in Carrick-on-Suir on Saturday June 4.

With 260 entries from all over Ireland and abroad, and a total prize fund of €5,000, the Clancy Brothers Songwriting Competition has grown to become one of the biggest and most prestigious competitions of its type Ireland.

The shortlisting panel had more than 20 hours of music to listen to before sending the short list to the final judges, Róisín Clancy, Mike Hanrahan and Stephen Brett, (InMusik).

‘It was wonderful to see the top three perform in the beautiful Nano Nagle Chapel’, said Pete MacGowan, competition organiser, ‘and for them to play a set of songs so we were able to get a real sense of their music and of their talents as songwriters and musicians. I’d also like to thank the judges and Liam Butler for being such a great MC on the night’.

‘We’d like to thank our sponsors, IMRO, Duplication Ireland, InMusik.co, Crossroads Recording, All That Can Be Productions, The Tudor Artisan Hub and the Clancy Brothers Festival of Music and Art for helping us to make this competition such a success’.