Month: May 2017

The song ‘Dear Infant’ from the album ‘The Soft Animal’ by Nocturnes is out now on Spotify and all good digital retailers.

It is a song originally written by Pearse McGloughlin about artistry and the creative process. It put it aside for a while because as Jeffrey Lewis said ‘Songs About Songwriting Suck’ but then when Pearse’s daughter was born he went back to it, played with the words and melody some more and the song meant something new and fresh. So there’s an example of the potential songs have to be prophetic!

There is also a video for  ‘Dear Infant’ by young Sligo filmmaker Fionn MacArthur.

You can download/stream the track here on:
Soundcloud
Bandcamp
Spotify
ITunes

Following three critically acclaimed EPs, Armagh quintet Silences release their new single, Red Dress. The track was recorded at Big Space Studios in Newry with Declan Legge, who has also recorded SOAK, Ciaran Lavery, and Duke Special among numerous others. Working closely with Legge, Silences have managed to capture a sound, which has been described by the BBC as beautifully understated and extremely inventive. Comparisons have been drawn to Jeff Buckley, Alt-J and Death Cab For Cutie.

Speaking on ‘Red Dress’, frontman Conchúr White said: “‘It’s about wanting things that aren’t necessarily good for you and I think we are all guilty of that in some form. The entire track is a three chord loop but it doesn’t feel repetitive. We were meticulous about finding the right sounds and I think that comes through. We feel it’s a pretty cool song.”

Silences, led by singer and songwriter Conchúr White (with the line-up completed by Christopher Harbinson, Breándan White, Jonathan Downing and Michael Keyes) – have received critical acclaim for their three previous EPs ‘Nevernames’ ’Sister Snow’ and ‘Luna’. Support has come from the likes of Annie Mac (BBC Radio 1), Tom Robinson (BBC 6 Music), Earmilk, Clash, All Things Go and Nialler 9. They have been streamed over six million times on Spotify and highlights in the last year have included performances at SXSW (SESAC Showcase), BBC Introducing as well as their first headline UK tour. More recently they were chosen as one of the eight finalists for Glastonbury’s Emerging Talent Competition and have been offered a slot at the prestigious festival.

https://www.facebook.com/silencesmusic/

Featuring Glenn Close, Julian Lennon, Gavin Friday, Kurt Elling and Prince’s Protégé Singer-Songwriter Judith Hill

Golden Globe-nominated and IFTA award-winning composer Brian Byrne will release Goldenhair, a James Joyce-inspired album on June 16th, 2017 via Node Records. The release date coincides with Bloomsday, a commemorative holiday which celebrates Ulysses, the magnum opus of Irish poet and novelist James Joyce.

Byrne’s twenty-one track album sets text from the early poetry of Joyce, published in the 1907 collection Chamber Music. Ranging in style from adult contemporary to jazz, bluegrass and more, the tracks of Goldenhair feature world-renowned artists including Grammy-award winning jazz vocalist Kurt Elling, Golden Globe award-winning actress Glenn Close, Prince’s singer/songwriter protégé Judith Hill and British musician/songwriter Julian Lennon.

These poems have a natural musicality to them, a lyricism that could only come from a writer (James Joyce) that was hearing melody.” – Brian Byrne

“For many, these words (from James Joyce) resonate at different levels and depths…. But I feel like they speak to ‘The Self’ within us all… The fire that sometimes overwhelms us all, and the need to breathe and be in the now.” – Julian Lennon

Pre-order available now through Amazon and iTunes

‘Off My Mind’ is quite different, in terms of soundscape, to the type of music I’ve written up until now. I love pop music, and I really wanted to write a big, bright pop song with a thick wall of synths’ Ruth informs IMRO. “The intro of the song is a recording I took on my phone of a beach near where I’m from in Kerry called Rossbeigh. The sound is actually placed in numerous parts of the song in the background as an extra texture. I recorded it the last time I was home, that’s when the idea of the song started to arrange itself in my head. I wanted to replicate the different textures of the ocean, with washy pre-chorus’ and disjointed chorus’. The protagonist in the song sings of a far away land beyond the horizon, a haven free of the burdens that occupy her mind. It’s a dreamy concept, I think it lends itself well as an introduction to my new music and new sound”.

www.ruthofficial.com

Embedded is the second album from Will de Burca, recorded over the past 18 months at his studio in Dublin. Expect to hear a fast paced electronic intro followed by a mix of ambient dance, trip-hop and a combination of high intensity psychedelic rock.

Guesting on the album is Aoife Underwater on vocals – The Sound Of The End Of The Night (3) and Ruan Van Vliet on drums – Sliced (10).

On a HBO special this earlier year about the boxer Arturo Gatti, Track 4 Arturo “Thunder Gatti” was featured in the documentary. Gatti’s life was cut short at a premature age, later ruled as suicide, Will used many sports commentary samples throughout his career as a tribute to him in this track.

In the past 12 months Will has signed with Tremolo Music who have place several tracks into ad campaigns for Mac Cosmetics in South Korea.

For further info, visit http://facebook.com/willdeburcamusic

The University of Limerick (UL) with over 13,000 students and 1,300 staff is an energetic and enterprising institution with a proud record of innovation and excellence in education, research and scholarship. The dynamic, entrepreneurial and pioneering values which drive UL’s mission and strategy ensures that we capitalise on local, national and international engagement and connectivity. We are renowned for providing an outstanding student experience and conducting leading edge research. Our commitment is to make a difference by shaping the future through educating and empowering our students. UL is situated on a superb riverside campus of over 130 hectares with the River Shannon as a unifying focal point. Outstanding recreational, cultural and sporting facilities further enhance this exceptional learning and research environment.

Applications are invited for the following position:

Irish World Academy of Music & Dance

Lecturer below the bar in Songwriting

Contract Type: Tenure Track (five year fixed term). During the term of the contract the successful applicant will have the opportunity to apply for tenure in accordance with the University’s Policy and Procedures for Granting Multi-annual Status to Entry-level Academic Staff

Salary Scale: €38,348 – €52,722 p.a.

Further information for applicants and application material is available online from:
http://www.ul.ie/hrvacancies/

Culture Ireland to launch open call for interested artists

The Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Heather Humphreys TD, has today (Thursday) announced that Culture Ireland will place a strategic focus on the promotion of Irish arts in Britain during 2018. The year-long programme will aim to showcase Irish artistic excellence in partnership with significant UK institutions, venues and festivals. This will build on the unique cultural relationship between the two countries and expand the reach of Irish culture to new audiences.

This strategic initiative reflects the strategic priority the Government is placing on culture and creativity as the key outward expression of our identity and a critical basis for those wishing to engage with Ireland, through the Creative Ireland Programme. Culture Ireland will now launch an open call for artists interested in participating.

Speaking today Minister Humphreys said:

“It is my hope that Irish artists will benefit as a result of this strategic focus, which will provide them with opportunities to expand their audience base in the UK. Britain is a key market for Ireland in terms of arts and culture, which in turn impacts on tourism, trade and investment promotion. Ireland has a unique cultural relationship with the UK, which was highlighted during 2016. It is important that we sustain this particularly during the Decade of Commemorations.

“Our culture is a unique door-opener for Ireland and Irish business, and an effective means of articulating our values. In my view, it is more important than ever that we strengthen our cultural links as a way of cementing Ireland-UK relations which are undergoing changes on many fronts due to Brexit. Culture provides us with a medium to emphasise our common bonds and interests, rather than those that divide us.

“In developing this year-long programme, Culture Ireland aims to continue to foster strong links with the Irish diaspora as well as expand the reach of Irish culture to new audiences in the UK. Since its establishment in 2005, Culture Ireland has developed projects and relationships with a range of cultural institutions, venues and promoters in Britain, which provide a strong basis on which to build the proposed programme.”

You can find details of the Call for Expressions of Interest here

Elaine says “Collaboration has always been something I’ve loved when making music. I try to work with others when it feels right and when you know a track needs another dimension or influence. I knew this track needed another voice to bring it to life and Temper-Mental MissElayneous was the only choice. Her rap adds a totally different layer to this track and her energy, flow and lyricism are incredible”

Elaine launches her EP this weekend in Dublin with special guest Liza Flume and in Galway with special guest Grounds for Invasion. Her new EP ‘The Colour of the Night’ is released the 19th May.

Upcoming gigs:

The Workman’s, Dublin // 5th May // EP launch
Roísin Dubh, Galway // 6th May // EP launch
Body and Soul festival, Westmeath // 23rd – 25th June
Dolans, Limerick // 13th May // Harmonise; A night of music for ENAR Ireland

http://www.elainemai.com/

Cork based recording collaborative, The Grey Merchant, today announce details of a 3rd single release, ‘Convenience’ which goes on release May 31 2017 on Spotify, iTunes, and the usual digital platforms.

The Grey Merchant is the collaborative recording project of Cork based Indie trio Neon Atlas’ bassist Enda O’Flaherty and a collection of friends and fellow musicians. Drawing comparisons with classic noise and stoner rock, influences like Kyuss and Fu Manchu can be heard.

‘Convenience’ is the follow up to their earlier single releases ‘Spotless (The Protecting Veil)’ and ‘The Last Transmission’, and sets the tone for their forth-coming album ‘Avenue De Rennes’ expected in late July this year.

TWITTER: @grey_merchant & @Demeanour_tvuit
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/thegreymerchant/

Midlands based quartet, Fallen Lights, are set to release their debut single, ‘Price Tag’ on Friday 19 May. Produced by Philip Magee (Kodaline,The Script, The Blizzards), ‘Pricetag’ is taken from their forthcoming 5 track EP released this Autumn.

New single “Pricetag”  is a colourful & energetic portrayal of Irish Indie Rock and, the track engages the listener from the get go and has you singing along by the end of the first chorus! Singer Graham Dowling says about the single “it’s supposed to reflect youthful relationships and the inevitable commitment issues everyone deals with.” From first listen its very evident that Fallen Lights have created a perfect summer single.

With their unique blend of rich harmonies and catchy melodies underpinning pop sensibilities, Fallen Lights, are bringing their high intensity live show on the road this summer for an impressive 32 date tour across Ireland with proceeds from the tour donated to Inspire, a mental health charity. The band are more than ready to take on their nationwide tour having performed with a host of well established acts including Scouting for Girls, Ham Sandwich, KeyWest, The Academic and The Blizzards, in their short time together.

Fallen Lights released their first EP in June 2015, which they followed with an extensive Irish tour. With tracks from their debut EP receiving remarkable airplay for an unsigned independent act,  a new EP on the horizon and new single ‘Price Tag’ available now the future looks promising for this young Irish band.

With this in mind it is easy to see how Fallen Lights guarantee to get even the most dedicated of rockers tapping their toes. All of this combined makes this wiry 4 piece from Ireland an instant hit with any new crowd.

As part of the release of their new single, Fallen Lights will take to the roads of Ireland and perform the mammoth yet admirable and fun adventure of a 32 date tour of Ireland in 32 days. A county a day is the only way! The 32 date tour aptly called “Mind The Mind” will also have the dual purpose of raising awareness for mental health issues and we have partnered with the charity Inspire for this.

NATIONWIDE TOUR DATES

May

23rd – Westmeath – Smiddys – Mullingar
24th – Longford – Eddie Valentines – Longford Town
25th – Cavan – Mc Mahons – Cavan Town
26th – Monaghan – An Puc Fada – Monaghan Town
27th – Armagh – Venue details to be announced
28th – Down – The Goats Toe – Bangor
29th – Antrim – The Harp Bar – Belfast
30th – Derry – Venue details to be announced
31st – Tyrone – Sallys – Omagh

June

1st – Donegal – McGettigans – Letterkenny
2nd – Fermanagh – The Crowes Nest – Enniskillen
3rd – Sligo – Kennedy’s – Sligo Town
4th – Leitrim – Whelan’s – The Venue
5th – Roscommon – JJ Harlows – Roscommon
6th – Mayo – The Broken Jug – Ballina
7th – Galway – Buskers – Galway City
8th – Clare – Dan O’Connells – Ennis
9th – Tipperary – Mulcahys – Clonmel
10th – Offaly – Joe Lees – Tullamore
11th – Limerick – Venue details to be announced
12th – Kerry – O’Connors – Killarney
13th – Cork – Crane Lane – Cork City
14th – Waterford – Uluru – Waterford City
15th – Wexford – Mc Governs – Gorey
16th – Killkenny – Biddy Earlys – Killkenny Town
17th – Carlow – Srcaggs Alley – Carlow Town
18th – Wicklow – Jim Doyle & Sons – Bray
19th – Laois – Sally Gardens – Portlaoise
20th – Kildare – Venue details to be announced
21st – Meath – Ryans Bar – Navan
22nd – Louth – Venue details to be announced
23rd – Dublin – Busking
Dublin 30th – Venue Details to be announced for Wrap Party