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Month: October 2017

Kevin Casey Launches ‘Magnolia Road’ With Gig

Dublin rock musician Kevin Casey  is back with his eagerly anticipated album ‘Magnolia Road’.

Recorded over two years in studios in Dublin and Clare, Kevin has created an album of 11 songs that will give you an insight to his personal life, the ups and downs, tales of celebration and great loss as well as some bone-shaking, fist in the air rock songs.

The album has some very high points like the autobiographical ‘The Story Of My Life’ or the beautiful opening track ‘The Bones Of Mary’ which is a song he penned about his cousin who tragically lost her baby boy to a rare illness called Mitochondrial disease. ‘The Bones Of Mary’ was released as a single earlier this year and all proceeds were donated to The Lily Foundation who are a charity in the UK combating Mitochondrial disease.

The album was produced by Sean Montgomery and was mastered by Grammy award-winning mastering engineer Joe La Porta from Sterling Sound New York City. Joe has been responsible for mastering albums from The Foo Fighters to Bon Jovi and recently the late David Bowie’s final work ‘Blackstar’.

Having gigged extensively across the country as well as shows in the UK, USA and Germany, Kevin and his six piece band have left his audience with no doubt that they are witnessing the birth of an artist of striking maturity and intelligence. Someone who can create Beatlesque pop and all-out rockers with equal aplomb.

The band have just returned from what were two successful shows in Germany, playing to full houses in Fulda and Worms and their sights are now firmly set on the Dublin show.

On Saturday November 18th the band will celebrate the release of “Magnolia Road” with a headline gig at The Soundhouse Dublin.

The gig will feature both music from Kevin’s new album as well as some of the older fan favourites.

Support on the night

  • Brew Mbrika (Blue Sun)
  • Jeremiah Day
  • Danny C

Doors 7pm, Kevin Casey on stage at 8:30pm

Tickets available online from www.ticketmaster.ie and www.ticketweb.ie

www.kevincaseyofficial.com
www.facebook.com/kevincaseyofficial
instagram @kevincaseyofficial

 

Atlantic Sessions Return to the Causeway Coast

Following the sell-out success of Atlantic Sessions in 2016 and its 2017 NI Tourism Award, Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council will be bringing Atlantic Sessions back to the Causeway Coast from 16 – 19 November.  Over 50 of Northern Ireland’s finest musicians will perform live in coffee shops, hotels, restaurants, music venues and bars across the four days.  Visitors will have an opportunity to see high profile artists in an intimate setting, with the stunning Atlantic as a backdrop.  Each artist will play their own music for one hour, and this will form a music trail across the resorts of Portstewart, Portrush and Portballintrae.

Now in its ninth year and firmly established in the music calendar Atlantic Sessions, which is this year working in partnership with Bushmills Irish Whiskey and Tourism Ireland, has emerged as a permanent feature and has gathered a reputation both among performers and music lovers. Live music ranges from traditional, bluegrass and americana to electronic, indie and acoustic singer-songwriters.  It offers a platform for emerging talent as well as established artists from across Northern Ireland an opportunity to bring their music beyond urban hubs.

Welcoming the return of the much anticipated music festival, the Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, Councillor Joan Baird OBE said:

Following on from the event’s success at the NI Tourism Awards earlier this year, we are delighted to welcome two new sponsors, Tourism Ireland and Bushmills Irish Whiskey. Our awards success, coupled with this high profile support, makes it a very exciting time for the event. Atlantic Sessions enjoys a much-deserved reputation as a fabulous live music event, offering intimate gigs with an unrivalled line-up of performers, and it is fully deserving of this recognition. I’m delighted that this year’s festival coincides with Causeway Coast and Glens Restaurant Week which runs from November 11 – 19, so there has never been a better time to visit. We look forward to welcoming you all to what will be one of the highlights of our autumn offering.”

With a rise in the number, and quality, of musicians and bands making headlines and enjoying success in the international marketplace, and new and innovative music businesses based here, Atlantic Sessions has a significant role to play in developing music tourism, appreciating the ongoing success stories and showcasing this on the global stage.

Programming is by Snow Water, in association with Third Bar, and its Director Carolyn Mathers commented:

Northern Ireland is extraordinary in the richness of its artistic talent and Atlantic Sessions is a perfect opportunity to showcase our creative energy to international audiences.  This year we will feature a series of new collaborations and ‘In the Round’ concerts exclusively for the festival, six of the NI Music Prize 2017 nominees, plus EP and Single launches.  Audiences will have an opportunity to witness our finest singer-songwriters partner together in intimate environments. We’re very grateful for the support of our new partners, the hospitality sector and delighted that interest in Northern Ireland’s music scene is stronger than ever.

Artists announced this week include Ports with the Arco String Quartet, Iain Archer, Ryan Vail Laser Show at the Arcadia, Joshua Burnside, the Holy Innocents, Anthony Toner, Eilidh Patterson, Brand New Friend, Mandy Bingham, Neil Martin, Amanda St John, Amy Montgomery, Michael Mormecha, Emer Maguire, Simon Murphy, Gerry Norman, Rory Nellis, Paddy Nash, Malojian, plus DJ sets from Joe Lindsay and Phil Taggart.  Tickets and timetable will be announced this week at atlanticsessions.com, facebook/atlanticsessions and @atlanticsess.

atlanticsessions.com

 

 

 

Neon Atlas Release ‘Fever’ Next Month

Following on from the success of Move in Circles Cork based Indie specialists are on form once more as they return with a new single ‘Fever’ which goes on general release 16 November 2017.

‘Fever’ is a mix of a harmonious ebow progression united with a fragile and compulsive vocal all which leads to an infectious chorus. The final result slowly allures you with its intricacies and delicate craftsmanship.

The track is lifted from their forth-coming and yet untitled 3rd album due for release early 2018. In the meantime, the band will be touring nationwide.

Oozes with Tim Wheeler-like melodies and weezer-esque riffs…..the LP shines thanks to super- slick production……. packs plenty of punch.”- HOT PRESS

Ring is a captivating vocalist and the band have a finely tuned sense of melody“. – IRISH INDEPENDENT

Neon Atlas have cooked up a batch of warm, fuzzy pop tunes with enough songwriting chops to keep even the hardest to please music listener interested. The Cork band have a future as bright as their music“.- GOLDENPLEC

Hard to beat a solid, catchy riff – and that’s what helped bury this one into our brains. Fantastic drumming and a sneering vocal also played their part in a pretty relentless three minutes of indie-pop gold.” BBC ACROSS THE LINE

https://www.facebook.com/neonatlasband

‘Decade – The Best of the High Kings’ Released 3 November

Marking ten years of great music, The High Kings release ‘Decade – The Best of The High Kings’ on 3rd November. Decade features fan favourites such as Rocky Road to Dublin, Marie’s Wedding and Spancil Hill as well as 5 brand new recordings.

Ten years ago, The High Kings’ concert was broadcast on PBS stations across America and launched the band onto the music scene overnight.

Their self-titled debut album quickly followed and reached an impressive No 2 in Billboard’s World Music Chart. Within months the four members– Finbarr Clancy, Brian Dunphy, Martin Furey and Darren Holden – had clicked as a creative unit as well as friends and knew that they were embarking on something special.

Ten years later, The High Kings have achieved what many had thought improbable, if not impossible: moving the Irish ballad tradition into the here and now.

While Martin has sadly left the band, we are delighted to announce that Irish folk singer George Murphy will be joining The High Kings as a special guest on their forthcoming shows.

George has a remarkable, unmistakable powerhouse of a voice; his familiar yet unique and magnetic tone is clear from the first note he sings.

Celtic Collections label CEO Janine Nallen said “George is an exceptional singer and a genuine folk talent – we are delighted to have him join The High Kings for this next chapter”.

“For a 17-year-old to possess such a wildly evocative Dublin howl is extraordinary to the point of being unbelievable.” Hot Press

To say that The High Kings are charting a new course for Irish ballad music – equal parts rousing and reflective, energetic and insightful – is an understatement. They are, essentially, marking out a new and bright era for Irish folk music.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thehighkings/

Pre-order The High Kings new album ‘Decade’ on iTunes – https://itunes.apple.com/ie/album/decade-best-of-the-high-kings/id1288554123&app=itunes

TRACKLISTING

1           The Rocky Road to Dublin

2           Spancil Hill

3           The Fields Of Athenry

4           The Rising Of The Moon

5           Hand Me Down My Bible

6           Rare Auld Times

7           Four Green Fields

8           The Lonesome Boatman

9           Homeland

10         Marie’s Wedding

11         The Green Fields of France

12         The Black Velvet Band

13         Irish Pub Song

14         Red Is The Rose

15         Grace

16         Friends For Life

17         The Town I Loved So Well

18         The Parting Glass

The High Kings 10th Anniversary world tour follows their new album release, beginning in Ireland in December:

TOUR DATES

8th December Mooncoin GAA Complex, Mooncoin, Co Kilkenny
9th December  INEC, Killarney, Co Kerry
10th December Vicar Street, Dublin, Co Dublin
16th December  Burnavon Theatre, Cookstown, Co Tyrone
15th December An Grianan, Letterkenny, Co Donegal
17th December  Burnavon Theatre, Cookstown, Co Tyrone
27th December  Four Seasons Hotel, Monaghan, Co Monaghan
28th December  Market Place Theatre, Armagh, Co Armagh
29th December  Ardhowen Theatre, Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh
30th December  Ulster Hall, Belfast, Co Antrim
1st January  Hayes Hotel, Thurles, Co Tipperary
4th January  Strule Arts Centre, Omagh, Co Armagh
5th January  Landmark Hotel, Carrick-On-Shannon, Co Leitrim
6th January  Millennium Forum, Derry, Co Derry
7th January  Canal Court Hotel, Newry, Co Down
12th January  National Opera House, Wexford, Co Wexford
13th January  Black Box, Galway, Co Galway
19th January  Venue TBC, Ballina, Co Mayo
20th January  TLT Theatre, Dundalk, Co Louth
25th January  Opera House, Cork, Co Cork
26th January  Radisson Blu Hotel, Athlone, Co Westmeath
27th January  University Concert hall, Limerick, Co Limerick

Joe Chester Releases ‘The Hardest Kiss’

Ahead of the release of the Special Edition of his landmark ‘A Murder Of Crows’ album, Joe Chester releases ‘The Hardest Kiss’, a track that was recorded around the same time as the album, but is only seeing the light of day now.

Joe talks about A Murder of Crows…

In Radio you are always looking for that bit of magic. When Dylan was recording ‘Blonde On Blonde’ he called it “that wild, thin mercury sound.” It’s an elusive combination of all the elements: the voice, the lyric, the instruments, the production the sound. It’s hard to describe, but you know it when you hear it. It is here, on A Murder of Crows, in spades. 

But this record occupies a special place in my heart. Some great music captures that point in your life, youth I think it’s called, when the world is alive with optimism, energy and hopefulness. But even better music captures that moment when the future is still dizzy with possibilities but is yet somehow tempered by our human frailties and the knowledge that it doesn’t always go to plan. This is such a record, gorgeous from beginning to end.

Extract from Tom Dunne’s sleeve notes for A Murder of Crows re-issue.

I’m not given to looking back, not through any idealogical or superstitious stance. I just don’t tend to have the time. Although from the outside, looking in, it can seem that there have been long gaps between my albums, from my perspective it always feels breakneck, constantly moving on to the next thing, whether that’s a new solo record, a collaboration like Hedge Schools, a new A Lazarus Soul album or producing for someone else. As such, it’s surprising to me that A Murder Of Crows is now almost 13 years old. From this distance it certainly seems pretty remote. I remember receiving advice when I was making my second album that the sensible thing to do would be to “consolidate”, as in make another record just like it. The implication being, repeat the trick and commercial success was sure to follow. At the time this was anathema to me – I set about making The Tiny Pieces Left Behind, a record as different as could be from A Murder Of Crows, not out of contrariness but by dint of following my artistic instinct. Looking back I can see that this may well have been career suicide but artistically the best and only move I could make. 

As such from this perspective, living in France and working on the songs for my sixth studio album, I feel like a very different person and artist from the one that made this one. Survival has been my biggest success. However, whenever I play live, people always come up to me and tell me how much they love A Murder Of Crows and that is such a beautiful and heart-warming thing to me. It is such a privilege for any artist to make a piece of work that means something to people. Listening back to A Murder Of Crows now I think, “Life is full of surprises. I wouldn’t change a thing.

http://www.joechester.com/

DAY_S Releases Debut Single ‘Last Night’

DAY_S is a 22-year- old singer-songwriter and Dublin native. Bringing to the table his signature blend of expertly crafted piano lines and soulful vocals (and enviable long blonde hair), DAY_S is a laid-back guy and a dedicated songwriter and performer.

DAY_S has always endeavored to keep his material as fresh and unique as possible. “For me, I always approach it as just me and the piano and that’s it. Whatever comes out, comes out.”

His debut single, “Last Night”, tells the story of a couple fighting in the aftermath of a drunken night. It starts, as so many mornings after do, quietly and solemnly. A distant, building synth kicks in and builds to the release of loud and massive chorus.

Produced in Diffusion Lab and released on their in-house label, DFL Records alongside artists like Soulé, Jafaris, Rushes, Killa Yan, AIkJ to name a few.

“Last Night” drops on Friday October, 13th on all streaming platforms.

Check out the acoustic version recorded in National Concert Hall, Dublin.

https://www.whoisdays.com/

Cloud Castle Lake Return With ‘Twins’

Dublin four-piece Cloud Castle Lake has returned with a stunning new piece of music titled ‘Twins’, out today worldwide via Bright Antenna Records.

Produced by Rob Kirwan (Hozier, PJ Harvey) “Twins was initially about the way people present themselves online; declaring yourself part of a group, the need to prove yourself within it and the paranoid narcissism that goes with that. In the two years since writing it, it’s unexpectedly taken on a much more troubling and urgent meaning.” Explains the band’s lead-man/vocalist Daniel McAuley.

Sitting at 5-and-a-half minutes long, this rousing piece of work signifies a welcomed return from the critically acclaimed band. Having burst onto the scenes back in 2014 with their self-released debut “Dandelion” EP, the young band has since been championed by critics across the globe. Pitchfork welcomed them for being an “extremely rare case where a band incorporates not just the vocals and the rhythmic vibrancy, but also the pioneering spirit.” Stereogum hailed them as “one of the best” to come out of CMJ Music Festival in 2015 and NME called it when they appointed them as the “future trail-blazers” that they are.

Now, equipped with an independent record label called Bright Antenna behind them and an exhilarating body of work up their sleeves Cloud Castle Lake has confirmed their debut LP (also produced by Rob Kirwan) is slated for an early 2018 release. Frontman Daniel continues, “when we write songs we like to run the ideas through a gamut of different arrangements and instrumentation to get inspiration. We try to be as vigilant as we can about not letting it get too dense or convoluted. Despite that, Twins ended up having a ludicrous amount of layers and we’ve found that the whole thing collapses if we try to take away any part.”

Equal parts pastoral folk and soaring post-rock crescendos, Cloud Castle Lake comprises of Daniel McAuley, Brendan William Jenkinson, Rory O’Connor and Brendan Doherty and often features additional collaborative musicians. Hailing from Dublin, the band has supported touring acts such as Glasser, Lisa Hannigan and Nigel Godrich’s Ultraísta.

In September 2014, the band released their debut EP “Dandelion” to much critical appraise, evident of a band who have found their feet in their own time, and who hold the maturity and patience, matched in their music. Filled with a grace, personality and ambition that belies their youth, Ireland’s own Cloud Castle Lake are now shifting their sights on a full-length album release.

OFFICIAL WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER INSTAGRAM | SOUNDCLOUD

 

Tupelo Announce New Single ‘Break Loose’

In the lead in to the new album of the same title, Tupelo announce their new single‘Break Loose’ which takes up the baton from‘Cotton To Silk’, the stunning taster, and released earlier this summer. A Top 5 entry on iTunes. ‘Break Loose’ will be released on Friday November 10th. The track was mixed by Michael Manning (Dublin), and mastered by David Montuy at Blackbird Studios in Nashville.

In James’ own words “I wrote the song on the way back home from some gigs in Russia, on the back of a newspaper. I had no paper of my own on me, and even had to borrow a pen from this man having a coffee beside me. The plane was delayed so we were stuck in the airport for ten-hours. A lot of time to think! I was fuming about certain people and friendships. So, this delay vacuum rightly or not allowed me the perfect opportunity to think about them even more. I was totally done and if they don’t get what I’m about already that’s their tough luck. Sometimes relationships have to be put aside when someone else has a tunnel vision that inhibits your own plans and beliefs for yourself. So, they can stay where they are and watch me go! Hence Break Loose, but it’s meant in a positive way.”

Both the new track, and Cotton To Silk, the taster from the pending album are presented against the backdrop of a busy year of live shows for James and Kevin that included the USA, and the continent. Especially Norway, Denmark, Holland & Belgium where the band is particularly popular. In parallel James & Kevin were also working on the band’s third album. ‘Break Loose’, the album is penciled for release March 2018 release.

Tupelo at its core is comprised of Dublin man James Cramer and Mayo’s Kevin Duffy. The band’s name is taken from Van Morrison’s iconic track ‘Tupelo Honey’. Tupelo likes to encompass a variety of musical backgrounds and styles. The band’s sound has evolved from more acoustic trad based of the earlier years to its now fuller electric indie/alt folk fusion. The listener can decide themselves how they wish to categorize the sounds. Music is subjective after all.

With two albums behind them of original music written entirely by the band’s singer, James Cramer. In recent years Tupelo has played sold out tours in Denmark and Holland, festivals and shows in Ireland, UK, France, Belgium, Norway, Russia and most recently the Kansas and Michigan Irish festivals in the USA. The band’s energetic and the solid encouragement of crowd interaction during the shows, has led to the enhancement of the band’s live reputation and the sold-out show stats it now enjoys on the continent and elsewhere!

Signed to Crashed Records, in addition to its own sold out shows internationally, in recent years Tupelo has also enjoyed performing live on All Ireland Hurling Final day in Croke Park and strong airplay both here at home both at independent local & national radio together with strong support from RTE Radio 1, and BBC Radio 2 in the UK.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/tupeloireland
Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/tupelomusic
YouTube Channel:  www.youtube.com/tupelomusicireland

Marc O’Reilly Releases New Single ‘Enemy Of’

Marc O’Reilly has just released his incredible new single ‘Enemy Of’. The track is now available worldwide and is taken from Marc’s forthcoming new album ‘L’etre Politique’ which is scheduled for release in Feb 2018.

Marc has enjoyed some recent international success with his track ‘Bleed’ streamed 1.5 million times on Spotify and featured on the soundtrack of the movie ‘Whatever Happens‘. His track ‘Healer’ was also recently used in the US TV series ‘Salvation’.

Marc will be promoting the release of ‘Enemy Of’ with a full band show at Whelans in Dublin on Thurs 26th Oct.

Websitewww.marcoreillymusic.com
Facebookwww.facebook.com/marcoreillymusic
Twitter@marcoreilly
Instagram@marcoreilly

Columbia Mills Announce New Album and Single

Following on from a trio of critically acclaimed singles this year, ‘Head Start’, ‘This City Doesn’t Feel Like Home To Me’, and the radio hit ‘Battles’, Bray indietronica quintet Columbia Mills finally announce details of their debut album, ‘A Safe Distance To Watch’, which will be released on Friday November 10th. The band also announce a new single, ‘We Decide’ which goes to radio today.

‘A Safe Distance To Watch’ was recorded in Westland Studios in Dublin between December 2015 and February 2016 and produced and mixed by Rob Kirwan. (U2, Hozier, Depeche Mode)

The overarching theme of the album is putting space between yourself and someone else or certain situations to avoid being influenced negatively or to avoid influencing someone else with your own negativity. Finding or providing peace by putting a distance between yourself and someone else despite the short term or long term pain it creates.

Each song is a true story and touches on various aspects of our lives. The album’s theme takes up where the first two EPs left off and continues the story of Columbia Mills.

The band, who garnered rave reviews for their sets at both Indiependence and Electric Picnic this year, have also announced a launch show for the album, at Dublin’s Button Factory on Friday November 17th.

‘A Safe Distance To Watch’ tracklisting…

1 – A Break In The Clouds/Head Start
2 – Battles
3 – This City Doesn’t Feel Like Home To Me
4 – Alone
5 – Coldest Shoulder
6 – Same Shame
7 – The Wall Around You
8 – Octopus
9 – Top of the Hill
10 – We Decide

https://www.facebook.com/columbiamillsinfo/

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