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Month: September 2016

Will de Burca Announces His New Single ‘Arturo Thunder Gatti’

Written by Breffni Banks on . Posted in News.

Arturo Thunder Gatti is the second single from Will de Burca‘s second forthcoming album release. A combination of sporting samples throughout Arturo Thunder Gatti’s boxing career and electronic ambient dance throughout with heavy based beats.

Arturo Thunder Gatti was a Italian-born boxer fighting out of Canada. A former world boxing champion, his highly entertaining fights earned him Ring Magazine’s “Fight of the Year” on 4 seperate occassions. His life came to a premature end when Brazilian police initially suspected that Gatti had been murdered by his wife, authorities later ruled his death as suicide.

The single was digitally released on the 19th of September.

You can follow Will de Burca on Facebook, Twitter and Bandcamp 

 

Vincent Kennedy’s The Chronicles of Meath – CD Launch 23rd September

Written by Press Officer on . Posted in News.

The Chronicles of Meath – CD Launch
8pm Friday 23rd September 2016
In the George Eogan Culture Centre, Nobber County Meath

The CD of composer Vincent Kennedy’s The Chronicles of Meath for Harp Ensemble will be launched by Cllr Maria Murphy, Cathaoirleach of Meath County Council on Friday 23rd September.

The Chronicles of Meath was commissioned by Meath County Council in 2012 for Dearbhail Finnegan and the Meath Harp Ensemble. The brief was to write a contemporary setting of music for Irish harp ensemble. The Chronicles of Meath was premiered in the Solstice Theatre, Navan in March 2013 and has since been performed to great acclaim in Ireland and abroad on many occasions. The performance at the World Harp Congress in Sydney August 2014 where Vincent conducted the Meath Harp Ensemble is considered by many who heard it as one of the highlights of the Congress.

The music is in seven movements each depicting a different aspect of history and heritage of County Meath

• Newgrange
• The Hill of Tara and the Hill of Slane
• The Book of Kells
• O’Carolan’s Arrival
• Lament at the Boyne (for Solo Harp)
• O’Carolan’s Concerto
• Have you Ever Been to Nobber in the County of Meath

The movement Lament at the Boyne (for Solo Harp) is now on the syllabus for Harp in Trinity College of Music London and recent performances of this movement have been by International Harpists Anne Denholm, Emily Mitchell, Laurel McConkey and Danielle Perrett to name just a few.

The launch of the CD represents the culmination of a wonderful collaboration between the composer Vincent Kennedy, Meath County Council and its Arts Officer Gerardette Bailey and the Meath Harp Ensemble. There will be a performance of several of the movements of The Chronicles of Meath during the launch by The Meath Harp Ensemble led by Dearbhail Finnegan.

Moira Calling Hailed A Major Success

Written by Press Officer on . Posted in Industry News.

The inaugural “Moira Calling” Independent Music Festival featuring fourteen of the best singer-songwriters and bands hand-picked to perform across two stages in the gorgeous picturesque setting of Moira, Co Armagh under a canopy of stretch tents and festoon lighting has been hailed a major success. Headlined by Hudson Taylor, the one-day event featured a host of indigenous artists including; Ex Magician Pleasure Beach, Ports, David C Clements, Arborist, Callum Stewart, Hannah McPhillimy and many others.

Festival organiser, Jillian Marsden said, “We would sincerely like to thank everyone who took the time to come along and support us at Moira Calling on Saturday. Our family and friends believed we could do it, even when sometimes we doubted ourselves. It was such a successful and memorable day for all involved. We are particularly proud that we stuck to our ethos of supporting local and independent in all aspects of our event”.

Moira Calling 2017 is already in the planning stages!

For more info visit – https://www.facebook.com/moiracalling/

 

Seán Ó Riada Gold Medal Competition 2016

Written by Press Officer on . Posted in Featured Articles, Industry News.

The Seán Ó Riada Gold Medal 2016 is open for entries until 23 September 2016.  This year’s competition is focused on pipe and harp.

Two prizes of €2500 will be awarded, one in each instrument category.

In this competition judges will deem character, spirit and musicality as being equally as important as technical proficiency.

To enter, musicians should record 5 pieces of music and upload them to www.cuireadhchunceoil.ie, or alternatively burn them to CD and send them to Peadar Ó Riada.  Full entry details are available on www.cuireadhchunceoil.ie.

15 musicians will be shortlisted, and they will take part in a concert in the Rochestown Park Hotel in Cork in early 2017, where the winner will be chosen.

 

IMRO Christie Hennessy Song Contest 2016

Written by Breffni Banks on . Posted in News.

Entries are now open for the annual IMRO Christie Hennessy Song Competition 2016 which takes place in memory of one of Tralee’s most famous sons. Songwriters are invited to submit an audio link to their entry by email to membership@nullimro.ie before the deadline of Wednesday 21st September (NOTE: PLEASE DO NOT EMAIL AUDIO FILE ATTACHMENTS).

Ten finalists will be selected to perform their song at the live final of the contest on Saturday 26th November in The Rose Hotel, Tralee, Co. Kerry, with the winning songwriter being presented with a cheque for €1,000 courtesy of IMRO and Tralee Credit Union. A runner up prize of €300 will also be presented on the night.

A Tralee native, Christie Hennessy began his music career at a young age when he moved to London, playing in clubs by night and working on building sites during the day. He started writing songs at the age of 23 and went on release numerous platinum selling albums.

Christie’s songs were later recorded by artists such as Christy Moore (“Don’t Forget Your Shovel”), Frances Black (“All The Lies That You Told Me”), Moya Brennan (“Oh Jealous Heart”) and Nizlopi, who reached Christmas Number 1 in UK and Ireland in 2005 with their hit “JCB Song”, sampling Christie’s lyrics from “Don’t Forget Your Shovel”.

IMRO are also delighted to announce John Spillane as the special guest performer at the live final. Two-time Meteor award winner, John is one of the most accomplished songwriters in Ireland today and has had songs covered by Christy Moore, Karan Casey, Pauline Scanlon and Sharon Shannon to name but a few. John is renowned for his captivating performances in which he effortlessly flits between beautiful poetry tinged with melancholy to roguish, irreverent Cork humour.

Previous winners of the IMRO Christie Hennessy Song Contest have included Paul McDonnell, Dave Molloy, Alan Kavanagh, Enda Reilly / Christine Deady and Míde Houlihan.

The deadline for entries is Wednesday 21st September and successful finalists will be notified by Friday 7th October.

CHRISTIE HENNESSY SONG COMPETITION 2016

RULES OF ENTRY
1. The lyrics and music must be the original work of the songwriter (s).
2. The competition is open to all types of song, in any style – ballad, country, pop, rock etc.
3. Songs may be entered in either the English or Irish language.
4. The competition is open to national and international songwriters.
5. Songwriters may only enter one song for consideration.
6. Entries will not be returned – all songwriters should retain a copy of their song submission.
7. Entries can be submitted via an online link to your song to membership@nullimro.ie (NOTE: Please do not email audio file attachments) or on a CD by post to the address below. All entries must be accompanied by a copy of the lyrics; typed or clearly written.
8. Finalists will be notified by Friday 7th October 2016.
9. The provisional adjudication will be on the basis of the tracks submitted, from which 10 finalists will be chosen.
10. Each of the 10 finalists will be invited to take part in a live concert in Tralee on Saturday 26th November 2016. Backing tracks are not permitted for this performance.
11. Each songwriter will be responsible for providing the singer and/or group for his/her entry in the final at his/her own expense.
12. A first prize of €1,000 will be presented to the winning songwriter on the night of the final. A runner-up prize of €300 will be presented to the second placed finalist.
13. Final adjudication will be on the night of the final. Decisions of the adjudication panel will be final.
14. Entry for the contest implies acceptance of all the rules.
15. Postal entries should be sent to:

IMRO Christie Hennessy Song Contest 2016
C/o Irish Music Rights Organisation (IMRO)
Copyright House
Pembroke Row
Lower Baggot Street
Dublin 2
D02 HW59
Ireland

Please include your name, address, phone number and email address with your entry.

Christie was the Patron to the Irish charity “Children in Crossfire”, with a special focus on schools literacy programmes after experiencing his own literacy difficulties at school. Following a trip to Kenya with the charity in 2006 and after spending time in the different villages with the children, Christie wrote a song “A Price For Love”. He thought it was important that the lyrics came from what the children would say to us all if they could. All royalties from this single are being donated to the charity in perpetuity. You can find out more about “Children in Crossfire” on http://www.childrenincrossfire.org/

Celebrate Brazil On Culture Night

Written by Press Officer on . Posted in Industry News.

Hosted by MaSamba Samba School and Tres Brazilian Cultural Centre

Date: Friday 16th September 2016
Time: 6.30pm – 9pm
Venue: 25-27 Bow Lane West, Kilmainham, Dublin 8
Admission: FREE ENTRY

The talented group of musicians at MaSamba Samba School have joined forces with Tres Brazilian Cultural Centre to host an unmissable event for this year’s Culture Night on Friday 16th September. Hosted in the MaSamba’s premises in Dublin 8, the event will feature some of the best that Brazilian culture has to offer.

This Culture Night the two teams of MaSamba and Tres BCC will present to you some unique Brazilian flavour in the form of
• Samba drumming and dance
• Beautiful images of Brazil displayed in a stunning photography exhibition
• A fantastic film screening of Brazilian cinema

Visitors even have the chance to sample some authentic tastes of Brazil provided by Brazilian food vendors at the event.

MaSamba Samba School promotes Brazilian music, performing with an experienced drumming and dancing troupe dressed in dazzling authentic costumes. They have performed in many venues from community facilities to arenas the size of Croke Park and are admired not only for their exciting live performances but also for bringing the joy of music to many through their community work and youth projects.

Tres Brazilian Cultural Centre promotes Brazilian culture and heritage and supports the thriving community of Brazilians residing in Ireland by encouraging engagement between Brazilian and Irish communities.

Dance the evening away this Friday 16th September and celebrate Culture Night 2016 with a showstopping event hosted by MaSamba Samba School and Tres Brazilian Cultural Centre.

http://www.culturenight.ie/dublin_event/masamba-samba-school-tres-brazilian-cultural-centre/

The Northern Ireland Music Prize | Shortlist and Live Performers Announced

Written by Press Officer on . Posted in Industry News.

Twelve albums have been shortlisted for the Northern Ireland Music Prize In Association With Blue Moon 2016. The winner will be announced at this special awards night on November 11, in the Mandela Hall, Belfast.

More than 70 judges were contacted from the NI music industry and music media. They were invited to cast their votes for the best album of the last 12 months. There will be a second round of voting and the winning album will be announced at the November 11 event.

The shortlisted acts are: 

The Bonnevilles – Arrow Pierce My Heart
Ciaran Lavery – Let Bad In
David C Clements – The Longest Day In History
Documenta – Drone Pop #1
exmagician – Scan The Blue
Foy Vance – The Wild Swan
Girls Names – Arms Around A Vision
Jealous of the Birds – Parma Violets
Michael Mormecha – LOFi LiFE
Ports – The Devil Is A Songbird
Ryan Vail – For Every Silence
The NI Music Prize In Association With Blue Moon is produced by the Oh Yeah music centre and is also supported by The Arts Council of Northern Ireland.

The event will feature live music on the night from Ports, Jealous Of The Birds and Girls Names.

Previous winners are:

2015: SOAK – Before We Forgot How To Dream
2014: Robyn G Shiels – The Blood Of The Innocents
2013: Foy Vance – Joy Of Nothing

Charlotte Dryden, CEO of the Oh Yeah Music Centre says:

“The last 12 months have seen so many outstanding records from Northern Ireland. Some of our favourite acts are in there but importantly there are quite a few debut albums also. Our music community is clearly in good health and this is set to be another rousing celebration.”

Online ticket sales link

This event will feature during the closing weekend of the Sound of Belfast, programme, November 3-12.

 

 

European Commission Publishes Copyright Reform Plans

Written by Press Officer on . Posted in Featured Articles, Industry News.

On the occasion of President Juncker’s 2016 State of the Union address, the Commission today set out proposals on the modernisation of copyright to increase cultural diversity in Europe and content available online, while bringing clearer rules for all online players. The proposals will also bring tools for innovation to education, research and cultural heritage institutions.

Digital technologies are changing the way music, films, TV, radio, books and the press are produced, distributed and accessed. New online services such as music streaming, video-on-demand platforms and news aggregators have become very popular, while consumers increasingly expect to access cultural content on the move and across borders. The new digital landscape will create opportunities for European creators as long as the rules offer legal certainty and clarity to all players. As a key part of its Digital Single Market Strategy, the Commission has adopted proposals today to allow:

• The Copyright Directive aims to reinforce the position of right holders to negotiate and be remunerated for the online exploitation of their content on video-sharing platforms such as YouTube or Dailymotion. Such platforms will have an obligation to deploy effective means such as technology to automatically detect songs or audiovisual works which right holders have identified and agreed with the platforms either to authorise or remove.
• Better choice and access to content online and across borders.
• Improved copyright rules on education, research, cultural heritage and inclusion of disabled people.

Despite requiring further steps, this proposed suite of legislative measures is a step in the right direction to preserve the value of creative works in the face of wide scale use by platform services. These services too must play by the rules so that the integrity of the Digital Single Market for creative content can be maintained.

Transfer of value

Platform services are currently making large profits thanks to the cultural and creative works that they provide access to. Little or none of these profits find their way to the creators of the works. This transfer of value seriously harms creators, puts European cultural creativity and diversity at risk, and creates a competitive disadvantage for legitimate businesses.

Irish composer Bill Whelan comments: “The nourishing effects of creative activities are essential to our understanding of ourselves and our society. By removing the income sources which previously sustained these, we have, in a startlingly short time, reduced these careers to being essentially “amateur” or part-time (…). The Commission should be forcefully aware of the organic effect that this is having culturally and take swift and radical action to respond to this alarming and culturally damaging situation.”

IMRO Chief Executive Victor Finn said: “It is in everyone’s interests, the creative community and online platforms, that we have a system in place that fairly rewards creativity. It is these creative works that are fundamental to the attraction and popularity of online platform services. Clear rules allowing easy access to creativity will allow consumers enjoy their favourite services whilst ensuring our creators get a fair reward”.

GESAC General Manager Véronique Desbrosses said: “we look forward to working with the EU institutions to further build on the Commission’s encouraging proposal. I am confident that most of us can agree that we are looking to obtain a more level playing field for platforms and innovators, a flourishing creative sector, and more diversity and accessibility for consumers. This is a message that was echoed this summer by over 22.000 creators from all artistic fields (including over 800 IMRO members) in a letter to the Commission. We trust MEPs and Member States will heed this message and aim for this common goal.”

The New 52 Share Their New Single & Galway Gig News Ahead of Workmans Album Launch

Written by Breffni Banks on . Posted in News.

Today THE NEW 52, fronted by Darragh Cullen, unveil a new single & video ‘SONG FOR SARA’.  The album ‘Let me sleep’ on Haven Records is released this Friday followed by a launch gig in Workmans Club this Sunday.  Described by Darragh as “the most sparse song on the new album, just 1 voice, 1 acoustic guitar and hints of pedal steel.  It’s simply a love song, and a very personal song to me. I think anyone who has ever been in love will relate. We all have a ‘Sara’ somewhere”.  The new single follows ‘Turning’ which has racked up support on national & local radio.  The New 52 have also confirmed they will be playing GALWAY’S ROISIN DUBH ON OCTOBER 6TH – free entry.

The New 52 is fronted by 21 year old Darragh Cullen (named ‘Male solo artist of the year 2010’ by Hot Press and described as “one of the country’s most promising young songwriters”). ‘LET ME SLEEP’ is produced by BOO HEWERDINE (Eddi Reader, The Bible) and is Darragh Cullen’s third album following ‘The Finish Line’ in 2010 (released when he was just 15) and ‘Whispers & Silent Screams’ in 2012.

ALBUM LAUNCH – Sun Sept 18th Workmans Club, Wellington Quay, Dublin 2. 8pm €5 at door

** NEW GIG – Thursday 6th October, Roisin Dubh, Galway, 9pm Free entry

Taking influence from The Beatles, lyricists Paul Simon & Guy Garvey to the full–on sonic assault of Foo Fighters and The White Stripes, ‘LET ME SLEEP’ showcases Darragh’s direct, incisive lyrics and ability to write kick-ass hooks. Practically all instruments on the album were played by Darragh who picked up his first guitar aged eight.  Darragh met BOO HEWERDINE when he attended a songwriting workshop in 2013 and since then have forged a strong creative connection leading to them co-writing 2 songs on the album.

“an artist in full stride, confident and assured” Musician.ie album review

“Channelling Guy Garvey like vocals to a power rock sound” RobMoro.ie

Sessions & airplay on 98fm, Radio Nova, KFM, WLRFM, 8Radio.com, Phoenix FM, KCLRFM…

You can follow The New 52 on Facebook and Twitter


HWCH Festival Lineup Announced

Written by Press Officer on . Posted in Featured Articles, Industry News.

 

HWCH made the annual call for bands to apply in June and were overwhelmed with the response. Close to 700 bands applied via First Music Contact’s platform Breaking Tunes and 100 bands were chosen independently by top Irish and international music industry professionals.

In March 2016 an alumni and friend of the festival, Conor Walsh from Mayo, died suddenly. At HWCH this year all 100 bands participating will be asked to vote for the act who most embodies Conor’s talent and bravery among their number. That act will be awarded the Conor Walsh Memorial Bursary (€2,500) to be used toward a recording or tour bill.

The HWCH well-attended Industry Convention will continue it’s programme of events and activities for 2016 with conferences, mentor sessions, workshops and more. The convention is an opportunity for international delegates, Irish bands and domestic music industry professionals to meet face to face and make important first contacts. Agents, festival bookers, record labels, publishers, managers, event curators, journalists, editors, radio DJs and taste-makers have HWCH in their diaries because it’s an unique and eclectic snapshot of the current state of Irish music. All of this is possible due to valued support from The Arts Council and Culture Ireland, with added assistance from Failte Ireland/Tourism Ireland and IMRO.

There are many reasons why Hard Working Class Heroes is regarded as one of Europe’s leading festivals for new music. Since its inception in 2003, the festival has showcased many of Ireland’s best known acts including recent Ivor Novello winner Villagers, 2013’s breakthrough act Hozier along with Girl Band, Delorentos, Fight Like Apes, Jape, Coronas, Pleasure Beach, Le Galaxie, The Strypes, Otherkin and many more.

LINEUP HWCH 2016

A.S. Fanning / Adultrock / AikJ / Ailbhe Reddy / Alana Henderson / BARQ / Basciville / Beach / Birds of Olympus / Bitch Falcon / Black Wing Bird / BlueMusic / Brian Casey / Buffalo Woman / Callum Stewart / Chris Kabs / Clarence & The Winters / Comrade Hat / Cormac O Caoimh / Craig Gallagher / Cult Called Man / Dammy Ari / Damola / Daniel McDermott / Davina and the Messengers / ELE / Elephant / Ella Naseeb / Elm / Eoin Dolan / Erica-Cody / Evvol / Exiles / EXPLODING EYES / Fangclub / Fontaines / Galants / Ger Fox Sailing / HAIL THE GHOST / Half Of Me / handsome eric / Harbouring Oceans / HAWK / Hiva Oa / JAFARIS / Jealous of the Birds / Junk Drawer / Kid Karate / Le Boom / Loah / Maija Sofia / Maria Kelly / Miles Graham / moossmann / Naoise Roo / New Pope / New Portals / New Valley Wolves / Nocturnes / Oh Boland / Oh Joy / Orchid Collective / Paddy Dennehy & The Red Herring / Paddy Mulcahy / PALE RIVERS / Participant / Patrick Freeman / Paul Creane / Peppy / Petty Youth / R.S.A.G. / Rocstrong / Rosie Carney / Rusangano Family / Samyel / SARAMAI / Search Party Animal / Slow Riot / Soule / Stephen Robinson / Strength / Super Silly / swords / Tablets / Talos / Tara Lee / Tebi Rex / The Blizzards / The Ocelots / The Shaker Hymn / Tiz McNamara / TOUTS / Train Room / Tuath / Video Blue / Vulpynes / Wake America / Wastefellow / We, the Oceanographers / whenyoung / Whim / WOLFF / Wyvern Lingo / Yonen / Young Earth

HWCH ’16 Venues | The Workman’s Club, Wigwam, The Chocolate Factory, Odessa, Tengu, The Mezz with more to be added soon.

Tickets on sale now via Dice
Catch 100 emerging acts in venues across the city and learn valuable tips from the leaders of the music industry and tech world.
Weekend Tickets €45.00, Nightly Tickets €20, Individual Venue Tickets €10

See festival website hwch.net for updates on the weekend in the lead up to 6-8 October.

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