Month: January 2017

Other Voices returns this Thursday at 23.30 on RTÉ 2 with its most vibrant series to date. The new episodes were captured at Arlyn Studios Austin, Texas and back at its hometown of Dingle on Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way.

In October 2016, Other Voices hit out from Dingle crossing the Atlantic on the musical expedition of a lifetime. The show found a sister home in Arlyn Studios, Austin, Texas where they filmed an exclusive acoustic performance with the legendary Willie Nelson and captured a mesmerizing performance from Grammy winning jazz and bluesman vocalist Gregory Porter. Special guests Mumford and Sons performed songs from their number one, platinum selling album ‘Wilder Mind’ and and shared a cover of Bruce Springsteen’s ‘I’m On Fire’. Fresh from performances on SNL and Jimmy Kimmel, the new Queen of Honky Tonk Margo Price and her band showed exactly why she is Country’s rising star. Aoife O’Donovan recalled summers spent in West Cork and sang the beautiful ‘Lakes of Pontichartrain’. Iarla O’Lionard (The Gloaming) and Colm Mac Con Iomaire brought the room to a standstill with a spellbinding performance of The Foggy Dew. The new series of Other Voices will also include performances from Cage The Elephant, Conor Oberst (Bright Eyes), Sweet Asleep At The Wheel, Dale Watson, Carson McHone and Wild Child who all joined Other Voices in Austin, Texas.

Following the trip of a lifetime to the Lonestar state, Other Voices returned home to St. James’ Church, Dingle during the eir Other Voices Festival to celebrate 15 years of the series with an exceptional Irish line up. The new series will include Imelda May, who raised the roof of the Church, performing new material from her forthcoming album produced by T-Bone Burnett. The show will also feature Lisa Hannigan’s delicate set of finely crafted songs from her critically acclaimed record ‘At Swim’ and the unstoppable force that is Rusangano Family, who burst onto the stage, addressing issues such as migration, identity and diversity in Ireland with infectious, powerful energy. The new series of Other Voices will feature beautifully haunting tunes from Pixie Geldof, indie punk-rockers Girl Band who turned the volume up to 11, ‘atmosfolk’ duo Saint Sister who played mesmerizing songs from their EP’s Madrid and Tin Man, Margaret Glaspy’s emotive, heart wrenching cover of Lauryn Hill’s ‘Ex-Factor’ and an exceptional trad performance from Caoimhín Ó Raghallaigh(The Gloaming) and Cormac Begley.

As always, the IMRO Other Room will showcase some promising artists on the rise – Roisin O, Overhead The Albatross, Fangclub, Moon Looks On, Cry Monster Cry and Viewer’s Choice Ailbhe Reddy who will feature in an Other Voices Other Room special. Performances were filmed in front of a live audience in An Chonair, Dingle.

Other Voices is presented by Annie Mac, Huw Stephens and May Kay
Website / Facebook / Twitter
#eirOtherVoices #WildAtlanticWay

IMRO have just announced details of IMRO First Cuts Showcases at Abner Brown’s. The launch of the new monthly showcase, set to be a cut above the rest, will take place on Thursday 2^nd March at 8.00pm with Marc O’Reilly and Ailbhe Reddy set to perform on the night. Admission is FREE but due to limited capacity booking is essential: email events@nullimro.ie

IMRO First Cuts Showcases at Abner Brown’s will feature the best up and coming as well as established Irish acts. In the intimate setting performers will be given the opportunity to debut new tracks along with their current material. Performance highlights and interviews with all acts who perform will later be streamed online at www.IMRO.ie and across IMRO’s social media channels.

Irish folk/blues troubadour Marc O’Reilly has established himself as one of the most exciting artists within the folk/blues genre gaining comparisons with artists such as John Martyn and Bon Iver. Marc has toured all over Europe including appearances at major festivals like Glastonbury, Electric Picnic, Boardmasters and even appeared at the Live in the Vineyard Festival in Napa, California. His alter-ego side project with his brother Pierre, the electro-pop duo ‘R’, recently received excellent radio support for their debut single ‘Change’ from tastemakers such as Steve Lamacq (BBC 6music), Janice Long (BBC Radio 2) and Paul McLoone (Today FM) and reached Number 1 on the Amazing Radio Chart. As if that wasn’t enough, Marc has also provided vocals on 3 tracks for the new album by MOBO winning act Karios 4tet, which has received 4 star reviews from Mojo, The Independent and Guardian.

Ailbhe Reddy first began to attract attention when a homemade demo of her song ‘Cover Me’ was used in a Today FM radio advert in 2014. Reddy has gone on to feature on every major Irish festival line up, such as Electric Picnic, Body & Soul, Other Voices, Hard Working Class Heroes, Knockanstockan and Spirit of Folk. Since the independent release of Reddy’s hugely successful debut EP ‘HOLLOWED OUT SEA’, it has been streamed over 1 MILLION times on Spotify. The first single, ‘DISTRUST’ received glowing reviews and lead to Ailbhe being named as Artist of the Week by Nialler9 in The Irish Times. Influential UK industry newsletter Record of the Day recently featured the song stating ‘prepare to be floored…it’s wonderful’. Ailbhe is tipped for a major international breakthrough in 2017.  Her first offering this year was her single ‘RELENT’ which was premiered on Nialler9 as part of his ‘New Artists to Love in 2017’ feature.  It was Track of the Week in the Irish Times, part of Spotify UK’s New Music Friday and was featured on blogs around the world including Earmilk in New York, The Revue in the UK and many more.

Abner Brown’s is not only the coolest barbershop in town, it’s also one of Dublin’s most unique venues. The unlikely Rathmines venue has already seen performances from hundreds of acts such as Ash, Gavin Glass, Duke Special, David Geraghty (of Bell X1 fame), The Young Folk, Molly Sterling, Mundy, The Hot Sprockets and many more. REM’s Michael Stipe has even paid a visit.

IMRO is a national organisation that administers the performing right in copyright music in Ireland on behalf of its members (songwriters, composers and music publishers) and on behalf of members of the international overseas societies that are affiliated to it. Music users such as broadcasters, venues and businesses must pay for their use of copyright music by way of a blanket licence fee. IMRO’s Mission is to protect, promote and develop the collection and distribution of music royalties; foster music creation and promote the value of music to the creative, cultural and business communities in Ireland.

Tickets for IMRO First Cuts at Abner Brown’s are FREE but due to limited capacity booking is essential. To reserve tickets please email events@nullimro.ie 

For More Information:
http://imro.ie
https://www.facebook.com/AbnerBrownsBarbershop/
http://www.ailbhereddy.com/
http://www.marcoreillymusic.com/

Garageland in association with IMRO, Hot Press Magazine, RTE 2XM, IRMA and RAAP has confirmed the brand new series of The Garage Gigs for Spring 2017.

Re-launched in 2016 with a brand new format for staging shows for emerging artists, The Garage Gigs hosted 28 shows in Dublin and London featuring over 90 new acts. The success of the series saw the development of several media and strategic partnerships, including a flagship live radio show on RTE 2XM Radio, has led to a huge demand by artists to appear on the shows. It’s estimated that there will be at least 50 Garage Gigs staged in 2017 across Ireland and The UK as new artists and venues subscribe to the service.

In the 16 years since the very first Garage Gig, they have hosted shows for over 5,000 fledgling acts, including The Script, Villagers, Kodaline, Delorentos, Ham Sandwich, Ryan Sheridan, Fight Like Apes, Niamh Crowther and many more. The Spring series will also see the release of the first ever Garageland compilation CD, more details to follow.

Any bands or solo artists are welcome to take part, with full details on the workings of The Garage Gigs on www.garageland.ie.

www.twitter.com/thegaragegigs | http://www.facebook.com/garagelandireland| www.garageland.ie

The first dates for 2017 are as follows

Saturday March 4th – The Sound House – Eden Quay
Fuzz Gigolo/ Fade To Light / Killian O’Driscoll
Doors 7.45pm / tickets €10

Thursday March 9th – The Grand Social
The Brief / The Choir Invisible / Kowala / The Dissapointments
Doors 7.45pm / tickets €10

Thursday 16th March – The Grand Social
Inhaler / Pharaoh Trade / Conor Walsh
Doors 7.45pm / tickets €10

Friday 17th March – The Sound House – Eden Quay
Sun Mahshene / Key / Special Guests
Doors 7.45pm / tickets €10

Thursday 30th March – The Sound House – Eden Quay
Sideline Fire / Animal Gangs / More TBA
Doors 7.45pm / tickets €10

Thursday 30th March – The Button Factory
ALBUM LAUNCH – This Is Garageland Volume 1 featuring artists from the very first (and long awaited) Garageland Compilation album!
More details to follow
Doors 7.45pm / tickets €12

Saturday 15th April (Easter Saturday) – The Grand Social – Night Time (8pm doors)
Skyfever / MacBeth / More TBA
Doors 7.45pm / tickets €10

Saturday 15th April (Easter Saturday) – The Grand Social – Alcohol Free Event – Daytime (1pm doors)
All Ages Show – Apean / Pleasure Dome / More TBA
Doors 1.00pm / tickets €10

Celtic Woman announce the single release of “Walk Beside Me” to celebrate their very first Grammy nomination for their album ‘Destiny’ (released January 2016). They are nominated in the Best World Music Category and they are thrilled to be heading to The Staples Centre in LA on February 12th 2017 for the 59th Grammy Awards. Celtic Woman are four young Irish women–dynamic vocalists Susan McFadden, Mairéad Carlin and Éabha McMahon and the group’s newest member, gifted violinist Tara McNeill.

A multi-platinum phenomenon, Celtic Woman have sold over 10 million albums worldwide, and are also celebrating No.1 new entries in both the Billboard World Music Chart and Classical Chart with their brand new album Voices of Angels. This was Celtic Woman’s 11th consecutive debut at No.1 on the Billboard World Music Charts.

The single “Walk Beside Me” was written especially for Celtic Woman by world renowned producer & songwriter Mutt Lange and the song features on both the Destiny and Voices of Angels albums.

Musical Director Gavin Murphy, who produced the album alongside Chris O’Brien & Graham Murphy, described it as “a huge honour to be nominated for such a prestigious award and we are extremely proud of the hugely talented Celtic Woman and this amazing achievement.”

The Celtic Woman members said “There are no words to describe the excitement within the Celtic Woman camp upon hearing the news, that our album “Destiny” has been nominated for a Grammy Award. To say we are proud would be an absolute understatement. This is another milestone for Celtic Woman in what has been an incredible journey so far. We’d like to thank you all for your continued support over the last 12 years.”

www.CelticWoman.com
Facebook.com/Celticwoman 
Twitter.com/Celtic_Woman

The soundtrack to season 2 of the acclaimed TG4 gold mining epic “An Klondike”, with music by Steve Lynch, will be available next week on iTunes and Spotify. It’s available now on Bandcamp. Season 2 of the show starts on TG4 on Wednesday the 1st of February

Recorded over a two month period with some fantastic people: Colin Derham and Adrian Hart (of I Draw Slow) on clawhammer banjo and fiddle respectively, Kenneth Rice on viola and violins, and Robbie Harris (Afro Celt Sound System, Jiggy) on percussion.

Steve Lynch is a composer based in Galway, previous notable work includes the synth heavy “Let Us Prey” and the IFTA nominated orchestral score to “Saving the Titanic”. He works out of a studio on the edge of the Atlantic, surrounded by lots of strange instruments and noisemakers.

https://stevelynch.bandcamp.com
www.stellarsound.ie

Tara Lee is a rising singer/songwriter/producer and actress from Dublin. Citing influences ranging from Blondie to Massive Attack to heartfelt songwriters like Tori Amos.

Tara was recently asked to compose the theme tune (‘If I Burn, You Burn Too’) for the International TV series ‘Jack Taylor’ which has just been released as her new single and is out now on Apple Music & Spotify.

The show air’s in Ireland every Saturday from 14th January on TV3 at 9pm and across Europe and Netflix later this year.

Link to single here.

As an actor Tara is also featured in the new series of ‘The Fall’, the hit BBC drama where she starred alongside Gillian Anderson and Jamie Dornan. Tara played starring roles in two critically acclaimed movies over the past year – ‘A Date for Mad Mary’ which was amongst the biggest box office hits in Ireland in 2016 while ‘Moon Dogs’ directed by Philip John (Director of Downtown Abbey) has just won a slew of International Awards.

A new EP will be released later this year.

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Úna Keane is a Pianist + Composer from Dublin, Ireland. Her latest project is an Album of Piano Solo compositions which combine free-form minimalism & classical cross-over. Her use of repeated motifs and cyclical patterns results in music that gets up close and personal whilst also conjuring up wide cinematic landscape. Written in tempo rubato, with tonal influences from both the traditional Irish music and classical genres, this is music that is imbued with space and room to breath. To help with the release, Úna is running a FUND:IT Campaign until next Monday, 30th January, details of which can be found here.

The Album was conceived and composed over 3 trips to Paris between 2015 / 2016 while staying at Le Centre Culturel Irlandais, and includes a commission from CCI to compose a piece of music after a Séamus Heaney poem. Back home in Ireland, 2 x week-long stays in a rented cottage in the wilds of the Beara Peninsula & long walks in Dublin’s Phoenix Park with her Irish Terrier Indie provided further inspiration.

This record talks to the idea of how we owe who we are to all those who have gone before us. How they paved the way, and enabled us to do what we do, speaking especially to the environment in which we live.

Following a Postgraduate Diploma in Composition & Music Technology at the Conservatory of Music & Drama in Dublin, Úna pursued studies in Film Scoring at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, achieving Distinction. Further study with Berklee has been ongoing, with a special focus on Composition and Orchestration for Film.

To date some of Úna’s work has been broadcast on BBC Northern Ireland & RTE, and her compositions have been performed at The National Concert Hall in Dublin.

The Album will be released in April 2017, with an Irish Tour kicking off with an Album Launch in the Dublin Unitarian Church on Friday, 5th May.

“Úna’s free-flowing minimalist compositions carry the listener to magical places…never forced, never hurried – these gorgeous motifs gently envelop you and provide comfort in a crazy world” – Carl Corcoran, The Blue of the Night

“Her inventive piano adds lustre and atmosphere to music that avoids any sense of formula or predictability” – Hot Press ****

https://www.facebook.com/unakeanemusic/
https://twitter.com/una_keane

The Irish Music Rights Organisation CLG (IMRO) is delighted to announce that the ninth IMRO Live Music Venue of the Year Awards will take place on Tuesday 21^st February 2017 at IMRO HQ in Dublin.

The shortlist (below) was announced this morning via the IMRO building by Victor Finn (IMRO Chief Executive).

The annual awards celebrate the dedication and passion of those who work in Ireland’s live music venues, providing the public with an exceptional live music experience on a weekly basis.

More than 11,500 IMRO members considered hundreds of venues across the country for the shortlist. Venues were judged on their commitment to providing the core elements that make for a great live music venue – atmosphere, sound and lighting, staging, diversity of programming and importantly, the staff and management of each venue. IMRO members also voted on Ireland’s music festivals, delivering a shortlist of their top ten festivals.

Live music venues and festivals play a vital role in the music industry in Ireland, giving international and homegrown artists a platform to engage with fans and build new audiences. They also play a central role in urban and rural communities across the country, providing a social gathering space for varied audiences, and contributing hugely to the domestic economy.

Of the Awards, Victor Finn, IMRO Chief Executive said, “A strong live music circuit is the lifeblood of a vibrant music industry.  It is important that we acknowledge those venue owners and festivals promoters whose commitment, passion and support for live music throughout the country enables music creators to continue making the music we all enjoy”.

At the ceremony in IMRO HQ in Dublin on February 21^st, awards will be presented to the leading live music venue in each of the following regions: Dublin, Leinster (excluding Dublin), Connacht, Munster and Ulster (Donegal, Monaghan, Cavan).  The IMRO Live Music Festival of the Year will also be presented on the night. Performances on the night will come from Overhead, The Albatross and Soulé plus other acts to be announced soon.

One overall award will be presented to the IMRO National Live Music Venue of the Year. This award is decided upon by the public, who vote for their live music venue of the year from the combined shortlist of all the regions.

Live music fans should simply log on to https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/imrovenueawards choose their favourite from the shortlist provided, by February 18th.  One lucky voter will win a Samsung Galaxy Tab 3.

The ceremony will also see the presentation of the award for Hot Press Live Music Venue of the Year via The Readers Poll which is contributed to by Hot Press fans and can be viewed here – http://www.hotpress.com/readerspoll/

“Live gigs are where the vast majority of musicians earn their money nowadays,” Niall Stokes, editor of Hot Press said. “Which is why it is so important for Ireland to continue to build a vibrant, active, eclectic live music scene. This country is rightly renowned for the enduringly brilliant musicians, artists and bands we have nurtured and given to the world. But it is also admired, all across the globe, for the quality and depth of the live music that people can enjoy here, almost as if it were on tap. The truth, of course, is that it takes a huge amount of ambition, commitment, organisation and determination – not to mention unshakable self-belief and optimism – on the part of venue owners, promoters and festival organisers alike to make it all happen. It is really important to acknowledge all of the superb work that goes into all of this – and to encourage it. Which is what makes the Live Music Awards so important. Hot Press is proud to be part of what is a vital occasion for Irish music – and ultimately for Irish musicians.”

IMRO Live Music Venue of the Year 2016 Shortlist

IMRO Dublin Live Music Venue of the Year 2016

Abner Browns, Dublin 6
Whelan’s, Dublin 2
3Arena, Dublin 1
Vicar Street, Dublin 8
The Academy, Dublin 1

 IMRO Rest of Leinster Live Music Venue of the Year 2016

National Opera House, Wexford
The Set Theatre, Kilkenny
The Spirit Store, Dundalk, Co. Louth
Watergate Theatre, Kilkenny
The Harbour Bar, Bray, Co. Wicklow

IMRO Connacht Live Music Venue of the Year 2016

Matt Molloy’s, Westport, Co. Mayo
Monroe’s, Galway
The Quays, Galway
JJ Harlows, Roscommon
The Venue, Strandhill, Co. Sligo

IMRO Munster Live Music Venue of the Year 2016

Connolly’s of Leap, Cork
Coughlan’s, Cork
DeBarra’s, Clonakilty, Co. Cork
The White Horse, Ballingcollig, Co. Cork
University Concert Hall, Limerick

 IMRO Ulster Live Music Venue of the Year 2016

Voodoo, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal
An Grianán Theatre, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal
McGinley’s, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal
Mc Kenna’s Bar, Monaghan
Hotel Kilmore, Cavan

IMRO Music Festival of the Year 2016

Body & Soul
Vantastival
Longitude
Knockanstockan
Sea Sessions
Electric Picnic
Indiependence
Cork Jazz Festival
St Patrick’s Festival Dublin
Galway Arts Festival

IMRO Small Music Festival of the Year 2016

Another Love Story
Canalaphonic
Other Voices
Willie Clancy Summer School
Doolin Folk Festival
Sligo Live
Kilkenny Trad Fest
Acoustic Yard Festival
BD Festival Wicklow
Dublin Fringe Festival

 IMRO Tech Crew of the Year Award 2016

3Arena
Whelan’s
Vicar Street
Other Voices
The Olympia Theatre
National Concert Hall
The Grand Social
Electric Picnic
Coughlan’s
Body & Soul

We have a limited number of guest list places available for this event.  Email events@nullimro.ie with your name(s)

Following the success of her last single, Clare singer, songwriter and guitarist SÍOMHA (pronounced Shee-va), has released a live video of her brand new track ‘FLY!’. Filmed in a beautiful converted cottage in Feakle, East Co. Clare, the track is a mix of folk, jazz and soul with a solid groove. Showcasing the songwriter’s accomplished arrangement and guitar skills, the song’s soaring melody lets her vocal talents shine. The video surpassed 20k views in the first 3 days of its release on Facebook.

Her recent single ‘Why Did We Fall In Love?’, recorded in Austin, Texas was released in Nov 2016. It was included on the RTE Radio 1 Playlist for 8 weeks and was among the Top Played Irish Tracks on 2016 Playlists on the station.

In 2014, SÍOMHA left Ireland to explore the major music cities of Memphis, New Orleans, Atlanta and Austin; a journey that exposed her to the vibrant and richly diverse musical culture of the Southern States. She embraced the music scene of each city, often playing at local venues, coffee houses or guesting with local bands, an experience that evolved into one of self-discovery for her. Her road trip finally took her to Nashville, where she was invited to share the stage with the multi Grammy-winning country legend Vince Gill.

She then settled in Vancouver, Canada, where she spent her time writing and recording and returned to Ireland in late 2016 to complete a national headline tour of Ireland.

She will be embarking on another headline tour of Ireland in Summer 2017.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/siomhamusic/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/siomhamusic/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/siomhamusic/

Dublin based shimmer-pop band Montauk Hotel are proud to unveil their debut single ‘Black Dress’ today, 26th of January. Taken from the group’s forthcoming self-titled E.P., ‘Black Dress’ is a glimpse into Montauk Hotel’s unique take on the indie pop genre.

Formed late last year, Montauk Hotel (Claudia, Shell, Aoife and Karima) made an impressive impact on the Dublin live music scene with shows including The Last Mixed Tape’s Lost Tapes series, The Bowery, Whelan’s and Sin E supporting acts such as Paddy Hanna, Beauty Sleep, Jem Mitchell and Odu.

The band has upcoming gigs alongside Slow Riot and Beach at The Sound House on February 2nd, as well as a launch gig to celebrate the release of their eponymous E.P. in Whelan’s on March 10th.

‘Black Dress’ is available from today via the links provided below.

“Black Dress is an intro to a band who have already found their music and know exactly how to use it”
The Last Mixed Tape

LISTEN TO/SHARE MONTAUK HOTEL’S NEW SINGLE “BLACK DRESS” HERE

SOCIAL MEDIA:
Twitter: @MontaukHotel
Facebook
Bandcamp
Soundcloud
Breaking Tunes