Month: February 2017

The New 52, fronted by acclaimed 22 year old Dublin songwriter Darragh Cullen, today announce their new single & video ‘Good Intentions’ and a headline show for March 18th in Whelan’s Upstairs – tickets €6 on sale now. The video was shot by Cormac O’Neill and co-directed with Darragh. It features Darragh in the role of ‘Garth Cullen’, an imaginary country songwriter who receives The New 52’s album and discovers that they’ve been heavily “inspired” by his work. The video was influenced by the comical videos of Foo Fighters & Red Hot Chili Peppers.

‘Good Intentions’ was written by Darragh and Boo Hewerdine, who produced the band’s current album ‘Let Me Sleep’, out now on Haven Records. Darragh explains “This is the first song I co-wrote with Boo, in his song writing workshop in Inverness. Lyrically, it’s a light hearted song about being a bit bull-headed!”

‘Good Intentions’ follows previous singles ‘Song for Sara’ & ‘Turning’ from the Dublin quartet’s album ’Let Me Sleep’. Released in September, it received widespread acclaim with the Irish Times saying “Cullen’s highly attuned pop/rock instincts are unfailingly spot-on”. Since then, The New 52 have embarked on a successful run of UK shows in November, including headliners in London (The Islington) and Glasgow (The Hug & Pint) and finished an Irish tour with Blue Rose Code earlier this month. Darragh and the band also completed their first recording session together as a four piece on ‘Coming Up’, the B-side to ‘Good Intention’s’, heralding an exciting new journey for the band collectively.

Darragh Cullen was 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 Darragh Cullen’s third album following his solo albums ‘The Finish Line’ in 2010 (released when he was just 15) and ‘Whispers & Silent Screams’ in 2012. Practically all instruments on ‘Let Me Sleep’ were played by Darragh who picked up his first guitar aged eight.

https://www.facebook.com/thenew52music @TheNew52Music

“Back To Seventeen” is the new single by Rob Burke now available to pre-order now on iTunes taken from his forthcoming EP “Valentine’s Day” due for release on iTunes this Valentine’s Day.

Co-written by Rob, Randy Sharp and the Legendary Oscar and Grammy winning songwriter Paul Williams (We’ve Only Just Begun/Evergreen/Rainy Days And Mondays/Rainbow Connection), “Valentine’s Day” also features a version of the Johnny Rivers hit “Slow Dancin’” to celebrate it’s 40th anniversary, written by Eagles songwriter Jack Tempchin (Peaceful Easy Feelin’/Already Gone).

Along with new versions of “All The Love”, written by Rob, Jack Tempchin & Mickey Harte and “More Than Me” which Rob penned with Angela Kaset. Both taken from Rob’s album ‘More Than Me’.

Embrace yourself in the sentimental tones of this unforgettable song and beautiful orchestral recording with arrangements and trumpet by Tevfik Kulak, that will leave you craving more, this and every Valentine’s Day!

Listen here.

http://robburkemusic.com/

Marlene Enright closed out a busy year with an appearance at RTE’s Other Voices at the end of 2016. She is now preparing to take on 2017 with the release of her new single, ‘123’, out now.

Juxtaposing gospel roots with a contemporary pop feel, ‘123’ channels the golden age of RNB with its work song feel and infectious groove. Enright’s ‘china doll’ vocal recalls individualistic musicians like Bjork, Stevie Nicks and Joanna Newsom whilst retaining her own brand of indie pop throughout. ‘123’ is deft in its approach to examining the transition between childhood naivety and adult introspection; Enright’s take on the fork in the road is candid and light hearted, yet acknowledges a much deeper sense of decidophobia when it comes to choosing the right path.
Enright’s latest single is taken from her upcoming debut solo album, ‘Placemats and Second Cuts’ due out on March 24th. She tours Ireland through March and April in support of the album.

“I was thinking that my destiny // Would fall from the clouds right at my feet // I’d pick enough from the apple tree // And I’d go on the count of 123”

Live Dates
Levis Corner House, Ballydehob – Friday 3rd March
The White Horse, Ballincollig – Friday 24th March – €12
The Mariner, Bantry – Saturday 25th March – €10
The Spirit Store, Dundalk – Wednesday 5th April
Whelans, Dublin – Thursday 6th April – €12
Dolans, Limerick – Friday 7th April – €10
Coughlan’s, Cork – Thursday 13th April -€12
St. John’s Theatre, Listowel – Friday 28th April – €12/€15

www.facebook.com/marleneenrightmusic/

Jonny Rep started life as an amalgamation of Cork bands LMNO Pelican, The Shanks, Semi and Rulers of the Planet. The five-piece are now set to release their long player, ‘Cold Sunbeam’ in the spring of 2017 and are giving the world a taster with single ‘Call Me Soon’.

‘Call Me Soon’ is an ode to 90’s rock bands such as The Stone Roses, Smashing Pumpkins and Weezer with its percussion and riff driven signature. Mixing elements of psychedelia with skater rock and West Coast vibes ‘Call Me Soon’ is Jonny Rep’s calling card.

Calling themselves after an obscure 70’s Dutch footballer, Jonny Rep use their wry sense of humour to buffer the more serious messages carried in their music, all the while creating some seriously good material in the process.

As we bear witness to a period of extensive change, Jonny Rep’s take on alternative rock is fresh and to the point. The system is broken they tell us and as we look around, we can’t help but agree.

Jonny Rep’s single ‘Call Me Soon’ is out now from their forthcoming album, ‘Cold Sunbeam’ which is out February 24.

https://www.facebook.com/jonny.rep.1

After a sell out performance and sharing the stage with Maria McKee at Dublin’s Temple Bar Tradfest 2017, Luan Parle releases ‘Give Me Shelter’ as a digital download from “Songs From The Vault”.

‘Give Me Shelter’ was released on Friday February 3rd and topped the iTunes Chart on it’s first day of release, holding the number 1 position all weekend.

‘Give Me Shelter’ is the first release in a series of digital releases from the Wicklow born songstress taken from her unreleased back catalog. While Luán is in studio recording her latest album she will release a digital download on the first Friday of every month from her “Songs From The Vault” collection.

A few years back, Luán was approached by mountaineer Ian McKeever to write the track for his upcoming documentary on completing his record breaking Seven Summits Challenge in 2007. Luan wrote and recorded ‘Give Me Shelter’ with string arrangement by musician and composer Fiachra Trench who is credited with the string arrangements on the Boomtown Rats ‘I Don’t Like Mondays’ and ‘Fairytale of New York’ by The Pogues. Tragically on January 02nd 2013 Ian was struck by lightning and died while climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. Luan performed ‘Give Me Shelter’ at Ian’s funeral in Roundwood Co Wicklow. Luan later revisited the song tweaking some of the lyrics but never released it until now. The song is one of hundreds of unreleased tracks from the songstress.

Duetta are Luán Parle, Clive Barnes, Leslie Dowdall (In Tua Nua) and Mike Hanrahan (Stocktons Wing). The band recently performed ‘Killing the Blues’ live on RTÉ Radio 1’s Ray D’Arcy Show ahead of their sell out performance at St Werburgh’s Church for Temple Bar Tradfest. The video posted on RTÉ Radio 1’s Facebook page has received almost 40,000 views and over 300 shares.

Dublin Sound Lab invites composers of any age or nationality, with experience or interest in electronic composition and performance, to participate in Music Current 2017.

Composers are invited to submit new or existing works for soprano in combination with tape, computer or live electronics. As many as eight composers will be selected to participate in workshops and masterclasses with the esteemed English composer Christopher Fox. Submitted works will be considered for public performance on the final day of the festival, when one of the participating composers will be awarded a the IMRO/Music Current Commission of €2,500 for new work to be premiered at Music Current 2018. Participating composers will attend all festival
concerts, and will take part in the masterclasses and workshops at the Contemporary Music Centre and Smock Alley Theatre Dublin.

Masterclasses and Workshops
Thursday 27 April, 2–4pm: Welcome and Presentation by Christopher Fox (CMC Library)
Presentation by festival composer, Christopher Fox, concerning his own recent work, relevant to festival programme, and with reference to use of electronics in his work.

Thursday 27 April, 5pm: Music Current Festival Launch (CMC Library)
Festival launch with invited guests, festival composer Christopher Fox, participant composers, Elizabeth Hilliard, Klank, and Dublin Sound Lab.

Friday 28 April, 10am–5pm: Masterclass workshop with soprano Elizabeth Hilliard & Christopher Fox (CMC Library)
During this day-long workshop, all selected works will be trialled and workshopped. Elizabeth Hilliard and Christopher Fox will discuss technical and performance-related issues relevant to the selected works in a friendly discursive session involving all participant composers.

Friday 28 April, 6pm: Public Panel Discussion: Where Next for Electronic Music? (CMC Library)
Discussion with festival composers and guest speakers on future directions for electronic concert music. Panel includes Elizabeth Hilliard, Klank, Christopher Fox and will be moderated by Evonne Ferguson, Director of CMC. Audience members and concert-goers welcome to participate.

Saturday 29 April, 10am–1pm: Technical workshop (Smock Alley Theatre)
Alexis Nealon (sound engineer) will discuss technical and performance-related issues relevant to the participant composers’ works in preparation for afternoon’s open rehearsal and concert. Workshop is open to all participant composers whether or not their piece features electronic forces.

Saturday 29 April, 2pm–4pm: Rehearsal of participant works by Elizabeth Hilliard (soprano) (Smock Alley
Theatre)
Works by participant composers will be rehearsed in advance of the public performance, at New Voices, in this year’s Music Current festival. Following the concert, we will announce the IMRO/Music Current Commission award.

Participant Composers can also avail of:
● Audio recording of the concert performance of their work
● Free Entrance to four concerts and all Music Current 2017 events and presentations
● Contemporary Music Centre Travel Bursary to cover travel costs within the island of Ireland

Applications close 13 March 2017

How to Apply

To apply to take part in Music Current 2018 as a participant composer, please follow these guideline on submission materials, deadlines and fee.

Please forward the following materials by email:

● One score for soprano in combination with tape, computer or live electronics, to be submitted in PDF format
● Links to audio recordings or other relevant online media. Please do not send audio files as email
attachments
● A one-page biography or CV
● A short expression of interest concerning your experience or work in electronic music composition and performance

Deadlines

● Applications must be emailed to info@nulldublinsoundlab.ie by 13 March 2017 at the latest.
● Selected composers will be notified before 27 March 2017 .

The selection committee (Gráinne Mulvey (Head of Composition, DIT), Evonne Ferguson (Director, Contemporary Music Centre), Fergal Dowling (Director, Dublin Sound Lab)) will invite as many as eight of the applicant composers to participate in Music Current 2018.

Fee

● Application is free, but places will be strictly limited.
● Composers selected to participate will be asked to pay a €75 participation fee (by electronic transfer) before 10 April 2017 .
● Members of the Association of Irish Composers may apply to have their participation fee paid by an AIC Music Current Bursary. If you wish to apply for this, please mention so in your application.

www.musiccurrent.ie

After the breakout success of “Parachute” in 2016 (450k+ Spotify streams, 100k+ YouTube views), Irish singer/songwriter Callum Stewart opens his 2017 campaign with extraordinary new single “The Dam”, released on Friday 17th February.

“The Dam” is an immaculate piece of alt-pop production, marked by a heart wrenching melody and an intimate, aching vocal from Callum that makes him sound far more mature than his 19 years would suggest. Dealing with the struggle of love to overcome the dark undertow of life, “The Dam” is a gritty affirmation of relationship that can’t be sunk by even the darkest of waves.
Co written by Jez Ashurst (Gabrielle Aplin, Lawson) and Emma Rohan (James Arthur, Little Mix) and produced by Tre Sheppard with Peter J McCauley, FVRY and Callum himself, “The Dam” is a strong shot across the bow of 2017 from young Stewart, signalling his 2016 success was just the prelude to what is to come.

Raised on the North Coast of Ireland, singer/songwriter Callum Stewart picked up a guitar at the age of 12, and within a year was writing his own songs. He started his musical career playing in bands throughout high school, taking any chance to perform that he could. He soon caught the attention of Irish based, US producer, Tre Sheppard, who began writing and recording with Callum during school holidays. Callum released his first single ‘Free’ only a year later, gaining notable interest within the music industry, including a feature on The Unsigned Guide’s “Ones To Watch” blog.

Now 19 years old, Callum has an affinity for the craft of songwriting and musicianship far beyond his years, making him one of the most promising young artists in Ireland, catching the attention of music taste makers worldwide and finding himself tipped as “One To Watch” for 2017 by Hot Press.

“The best pop track NI has produced in half a decade” Peter Cinnamond, BBC Radio Ulster
“Callum has uncovered a treasure chest of hit songs…” Hot Press

http://callumstewart.tumblr.com/

Irish musician and singer-songwriter Chris Haze gears up to release a 5 song EP  “We Are One”, featuring acclaimed singles “Let Us Be Heroes” and the chart topping “I’ll Run along with 3 brand new songs. The first single from the EP is also entitled “We Are One”. There is certainly a buzz and momentum behind this young Irish musician going into 2017.

In 2013 Haze managed to gain national airplay on all major radio stations in Ireland having been picked as artist of the week on RTE 2FM & Today FM where his debut single “Over And Over” received national recognition. He has also supported and toured with the likes of Coolio and The Original Rudeboys.

His single “Let Us Be Heroes” was nominated for “Best Track” in the HotPress Magazine Readers Poll 2016. And most recently won the awards like “Artist Of The Week” & “Artist Of The Month” on Global Rockstar Magazine in Austria.

After the success with acclaimed single “Let Us Be Heroes” in December which gained him national airplay all over Ireland, and has gone on to secure him his first major U.K radio break trough on Radio X while also gaining his first national radio play in The Netherlands on KX Radio in Amsterdam. “Let Us Be Heroes” has since been picked up by BBC Introducing and played on a BBC Radio Lincolnshire for the first time which is Haze’s first appearance on BBC Radio’s radar.

Haze also achieved the same success and more with his latest single “I’ll Run” which debuted in the Top 10 on the Irish Singer Songwriter chart on iTunes for over a week reaching the Top 3, knocking Ed Sheeran, Hozier & James Bay off their spots securing Haze with his first charted iTunes release. Following the success of the single release Haze also secured his first official playlist position on Irish radio.

The highly anticipated EP is due for release February 17th and will be available to pre-order on iTunes from February 3rd.

www.chrishazemusic.com

The shortlist for the Pan Celtic National Song Contest 2017 has been announced.

There was an unprecedented response to the call for submissions for this year’s Pan Celtic National Song Contest with newly composed songs coming from across the country. Over 40 entries were received and from those a shortlist of 18 songs will compete in the live final in the Seven Oaks Hotel on Saturday, 25th of February.

Entrants to this year’s competition came from far and wide and finalists will travel to Carlow from Galway, Mayo, Kerry, Cork, Clare, Dublin, Laois, Kildare and Westmeath to take part in the live show. A number of Carlow locals have also made the final and will compete for the big prize in February.

Songs will be performed by soloists and groups on the night in front of a panel of well known judges and a live audience. Songs will then be judged based on the words, the music and the live performance. They will cross a number of styles from rock, pop and folk to traditional and classical. Three prizes will be awarded on the night, €100 for third place, €200 for second place and a grand prize of €1,000 and the Pan Celtic National Song Contest trophy going to first place and the overall winning song. The contest is kindly supported by main sponsor IMRO in conjunction with Gael Linn, Glór Cheatharlach and Pan Celtic.

The winner of the National Song Contest will have the honour of representing Ireland in the Pan Celtic International Song Contest during the festival in Carlow in April where they will compete with entries from visiting nations Scotland, Wales, Brittany, Cornwall and the Isle of Man. The contest is one of the highlights of the festival which runs from April 18th-22nd in Carlow.
Tickets for the National Song Contest in the Seven Oaks Hotel on February 25th cost €10 and will be available on the door on the night. Doors will open at 7.30pm with the show kicking off at 8pm. A fantastic evening’s entertainment is guaranteed and the event is not to be missed.

Shortlist
1.Emily Ní Dhubhghaill – ‘Póigíní Gréine’ (Cill Dara)
2. Máire Uí Ghrifín – ‘Amhrán mo Mháthar’ (Ceatharlach)
3.Naosán Moore – ‘Grá ‘s Cuimhní’ (An Iarmhí)
4.Sharon Ní Chuilibín – ‘Tar Liom’ (Baile Átha Cliath)
5.Meabh Ní Sheireadáin ‘Inis Dom’ (Maigh Eo)
6.Damian Mac Gabhann – ‘Sháraigh Mé É’ (Baile Átha Cliath)
7.Nick Nolan – ‘Coinnigh Siar Breacadh an Lae’ (Baile Átha Cliath)
8.Sonny Ní Chathasaigh – ‘Beagáinín Grá’ (Gaillimh)
9.Eilín Ní Bheaglaoich – ‘Fan Socair’ (Ciarraí)
10.Seán Monaghan – ‘Thit Murphy Amach as an Trailer’ (Gaillimh)
11.Pádraig Jack – ‘Brú do Bhealach Féin’ (Oileán Árann, Gaillimh)
12.Paul Ó Colmáin – ‘Amhrán an Iascaire’ (Corcaigh)
13.Clíona Nic Dhomhnaill – ‘Ag Seasamh le Mo Réaltaí’ (Co. Laoise)
14.Eva Kavanagh – ‘Irrus Domnann’ (Ceatharlach)
15.Geróid Ó Murchú – ‘Tiocfaidh an Lá’ (Gaillimh)
16.Méabh Ní Bheaglaoich – ‘Amhrán na nGael’ (Ciarraí)
17.Emer O’Flaherty – ‘Taibhse’ (An Clár)
18.Tadhg Ó Grifín – ‘Abhainn an Ghrá’ (Ceatharlach)

www.panceltic.ie

James Vincent McMorrow today announces a new single, ‘One Thousand Times’.

The track is taken from McMorrow’s album ‘We Move’ which has been shortlisted for this year’s Choice Music Prize Album of the Year. His previous single, ‘Rising Water’ has been also been nominated for the Choice Music Prize Song of the Year.

Following on from his recent sold out shows in Cork and Belfast, today also sees the announcement of James’ next Irish gig, which will take place in Trinity College Dublin, on July 7th. In the meantime, the Dublin songwriter heads to Australia and Japan for shows in March.

www.jamesvmcmorrow.com