Moving to Ireland feels like a homecoming for US artist Jared Dylan. Already a hit in America with over 1.5 million streams on Spotify, Jared is moving to work with Irish musicians and producers while he releases his latest collection of songs and touring the island.  

Jared Dylan’s first Irish release will be single ‘Can’t Stop’ on Friday 16 March 2018 ahead of his EP this summer. Single ‘Can’t Stop’ is available for pre order now on https://itunes.apple.com/ie/album/cant-stop-single/1349989423 

2018 is expected to be a year full of new music and exciting performances as Jared Dylan moves to Dublin. Following a writing session with Paddy Casey at the historic Grouse Lodge Studios, Jared says “I feel inspired in Ireland and I feel like I am finally making the music I’ve always wanted to make.” Just the beginning of his Irish adventure, Jared plans to collaborate with many more Irish musicians while based here.

At the age of 23, New Jersey native Jared Dylan has already amassed a library of hundreds of original compositions. His recent work has garnered the attention of some of the industry’s most notable writers and producers having songs mixed and remixed by talent such as Danny Saber (David Bowie, Madonna, The Rolling Stones), Carmen Rizzo (Coldplay, Seal, Alanis Morissette), The Fonogenics (Juliette Lewis, Kris Kristofferson, Micky Dolenz), and more. 

From a young age, Jared was active in Pathways for Exceptional Children, a program that mentors children with special needs. Jared began ‘Pathways Rock’ with the Executive Director, Melinda Jennis, forming America’s first ever all-inclusive rock band. Young people with and without disabilities came together to perform music.

Before leaving for college at University of Miami’s Frost School of Music’s Bruce Hornsby Creative American Music Program, Jared wrote enough original music to pique the interest of a composer/musician Eric Alexandrakis, who introduced Jared to Producer Anthony Resta (Elton John, Collective Soul, Duran Duran) in Massachusetts. This resulted in Jared’s first EP ‘IN PANIC’, packing a musical punch with elements of Brit-pop, 80s driven vocals and string ballads. The release of the EP and the tracks’ accompanying videos have garnered Jared a strong YouTube following.

‘Can’t Stop’ is available across all digital platforms from Friday 16 March.

Tour Dates: 

Cork Natives Blind Poets release a new song and prepare for National Pan Celtic Festival this Saturday

Blind Poets have just released a new single ‘Luna Solara’ this week, which has already had interest from Dan Hegarty on 2FM. They are also finalists in the Pan Celtic Song Competition which takes place this Saturday in Carlow.

The new Cork band have just recently begun performing live and have already been added to the 2018 Cork Folk Festival.

Blind Poet’s music lies somewhere between a neo-classical, contemporary Celtic folk and contemporary world music sound; a music which entwines the traditional and the modern.

Luna Solara https://www.facebook.com/BlindPoets/videos/2008847869436217/

https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/blindpoets4

https://kazodoherty.wixsite.com/blindpoets

https://www.facebook.com/BlindPoets

Launching what is set the be their year with a ferocious kick of rock & roll, noise pop quintet THUMPER present new single ‘AFL’. Produced by Dan Fox of Girlband, mixed by Michael Heffernan and mastered by Fergal Davis, the track captures both the raw energy and playfulness the band is known for in their live performances. ‘AFL’ is the first sign of THUMPER coming into their own. With this single the band are building on the success of their previous releases and they are ready to open the floodgates. 

Said frontman Oisin Leahy Furlong about the inspiration behind the single: “The song is about ageing rapidly but gaining no wisdom; Feeling like a child in a man’s suit, desperately playing catch-up in the Imposter Syndrome Champions League. Every Friday night gasping for answers in the smoking area of your nearest terror den. The music thunders on and words fall away like the raving of a calm lunatic. There’s no conclusion, even at the end.”

Gearing up for an incredibly busy summer THUMPER have confirmed dates at some of the countries best festivals including Sea Sessions, with more to be announced very soon. The band will also host a single launch show for ‘AFL’ on Saturday, April 7 at the Sugar Club where fans will get the chance to experience their raucous and frenzied live shows for themselves.

“AFL”  is available for preorder from the 9th of March and is out on the March 30th.

TOUR DATES

March 16 – Workman’s Club, Dublin
April 7 – The Sugar Club, Dublin
June 22 – Sea Sessions, Bundoran

Dublin soul rockers The Hot Sprockets have released the video for the new single ‘Cold Cold Sweat’ available for download on March 9th. The single is first release from the band’s third album, ‘Dream Mover’ which is set for official release on April 6th.

Inspired by the Afrobeat rhythms of Fela Kuti and band, ‘Cold Cold Sweat’ has a more percussive groove to what we’re used to hearing from the Sprockets, yet no less Rock N Roll. The video for ‘Cold Cold Sweat’ is shot and directed by their long time friend and collaborator Joseph Ingersoll, and is inspired by the 90’s turtleneck and chain wearing Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.

After a really successful year in 2017, with the release of his debut single, working with Irish Band ASLAN and opening up for them on their Made In Dublin Tour at Vicar Street, and Their Feel No Shame Tour at the Start of 2018,  Ciarán Moran now releases his second single ‘Mother’ in which has been already rated as “The This Is of 2018” from Billy McGuiness (Member of Irish Band ASLAN).

With the release of his debut single in August 2018 in which had been aired on John Barkers “Totally Irish” on 98FM, and a live interview along with performances on the FM104’s Open Mic and played by Dermot Lambert on RTE 2XM along with much more.

Ciarán had taken a separate route for this single in which is more real lyrically & composition wise, this single is stringing along the lines of Damien Dempsey/Damien Rice.

The single was recorded in Beardfire Music Studio/Label in Dublin City by Producer/Artist Rohan Kealy, The studio/label itself has had releases and performances on shows such as TG4’s Busker ABU, The Voice UK, RTE Radio, RTE Television, TV3, TG4 and much more.

The lyrics and composition were written by Ciarán Moran who had previously worked alongside the likes of Christy Moore for song writing, so the lyrics to ‘Mother’ are honest and real and tell a true story of what happens in the world we live in today.

The Song ‘Mother’ was written about a young boy growing up in a home where the boy had no other choice but to become immune to the noise of his father beating or abusing his mother on an everyday basis. Domestic violence was a huge thing in his home. There are lyrics as strong and as honest as “He would say go get your father or your brother’s, but by the time they came he was nowhere to be found” and “He would make you hide your scars with your make-pp, but as the tears would fall we would see you start to bruise”

Although Moran had previously explained that the songs he writes don’t affect him personally or are not what he may have gone through in life, and the reason for that was “Who wants to listen to my problems? People want to listen to things that relates to them and not what goes on in my life,” on an interview with FM104 in Dublin, He believes that the song and lyrics will relate to a lot of people not only in Ireland but also around the world.

As the days come closer to the release of his single on Mother’s Day, 11th March, Moran hopes to keep recording for his debut EP in which he hopes to release during the summer of 2018. With several more shows lined up with Irish band ASLAN in 2018 and some showcases around Dublin/Ireland, he hopes to get this single to as many people as possible, for those to share to their friends who may relate or enjoy the concept of this single.

IMRO is seeking a commercially focused Analyst to support the International team’s objectives of revenue growth, increased market penetration and providing a first-class service to affiliates.

Working to an ambitious revenue target, the International Income Analyst will assume full ownership of the administration of all inbound royalties received by IMRO from our affiliates throughout the world, using strong analytical skills to interpret raw data to provide business intelligence, reporting and actionable insights around IMRO’s International Revenue.

Crucial to the success of this role is identifying performances of IMRO members’ songs throughout the world, (e.g live concerts, radio broadcasts, film and TV productions, advertisements), raising claims with the local affiliate, tracking activity, striving for timely payments, checking incoming payments, and following up on unpaid claims, ensuring accuracy at all times.

To apply please send a cover letter outlining how you meet the criteria for the role, noting your salary expectation, along with your CV to internationaljobs@nullimro.ie by 5pm Friday, 16^th March.

1.            Purpose of Job

IMRO is seeking a commercially focused Analyst to support the International team’s objectives of revenue growth, increased market penetration and providing a first-class service to affiliates.

Working to an ambitious revenue target, the International Income Analyst will assume full ownership of the administration of all inbound society distributions to IMRO, using strong analytical skills to interpret raw data to provide business intelligence, reporting and actionable insights around IMRO’s International Revenue.

Crucial to the success of this role is identifying performances of IMRO member repertoire throughout the world, raising claims, tracking activity, striving for timely payments, checking incoming payments, and following up on unpaid claims, ensuring accuracy at all times.

2.            Organisation Chart

3.            Job Context and Content

The job holder is a key member of an International Team of 4 people, reporting to the Director of Broadcast, Online & International.

4.            Principal Accountabilities

• First point of contact and end to end administration of all inbound Society Distributions (receipt of notification/data files/raising issues with societies re data, adjustments, querying statements)
• Provide overseas societies with full details of planned performances and broadcasts of IMRO members’ music in their territory.
• Collaborate with Membership and Marketing personnel in identifying, notifying and tracking overseas activities by IMRO members, while providing administrative support to the International Manager on the reporting of Tracked Receipts
• Undertake analysis and research projects in International revenue and trends as directed by the Director of B, O and I.
• Oversee the Incoming Revenue Tracking function, ensuring that information is updated and kept in the query management tools employed by the team.
• Regular contact with society personnel in relation to queries and International team projects. This may require some travel.
• Liaise with Distribution personnel and affiliates, pre-distribution, to obtain cue sheets, setlists and to ensure IMRO repertoire is correctly documented by affiliates.
• Liaise with Distribution personnel, post-distribution, to pro-actively identify issues arising from overseas distributions to IMRO.
• Work closely with the Director of B, O & I to interrogate and report on IMRO’s Online International Income from leading streaming services such as Spotify, Apple Music, Youtube.
• Undertakw such other duties as may be assigned by management from time to time, including providing cover for the International Executive.

5.            Principal Working Contacts

• Director of Broadcast, Online & International

On a regular basis to establish priorities and to ensure the efficient and smooth running of International’s Revenue receipts function.

• International Manager & International Executive

Daily regarding the International Department work flow and processes

• Finance Manager and Distribution Manager

On a regular basis around outgoing affiliate queries, notifications to affiliates,      post-distribution issues, and incoming revenue issues.

• Membership and Marketing Personnel

On a regular basis regarding IMRO Member International queries and performance notifications.

• Affiliate Societies & IMRO Members

             On an adhoc basis to resolve inbound royalty queries.

6.         Challenges Faced

The principal challenges are twofold. Firstly, to ensure that IMRO is maximizing its collections from affiliates and equally important, that IMRO members and affiliates derive a high level of satisfaction from the International function. The job holder will have a key role in overseas revenue generation through their day to day work, analysis of international trends and engagement in international projects. You will need strong commercial drive in order to meet a challenging revenue budget.

7.            Planning and Organising

The overall planning and setting of priorities is agreed by the job holder with the Director of     B, O & I. The job holder is responsible for the planning and organisation of his/her day-to-day work.

8.            Direction Received

The job holder will receive regular direction and support around their work and the team’s priorities from the Director of Broadcast, Online and International.

9.            Knowledge and Experience

The job holder will be need strong analytical skills. It is therefore mandatory that the job holder holds a third level qualification in Business Information Systems or a related area.  Also needed is a strong commercial drive, precise attention to detail and numeracy skills. Strong oral and written communication skills are essential for this role along with good presentation skills. A foreign language (preferably Spanish) is desirable, but not essential.

10.         Review of Job Description

This Job description relates to the position as it exists in March 2018. It will be reviewed each year at the annual appraisal and a special review will be carried out during the year if it is deemed necessary as a result of changing circumstances.

Ambient-Pop female artist Roisin El Cherif has just released her new single ‘Half A Life’, available to download from all digital media platforms

Over the last two years since the release of her debut single ‘Kerosene’, coincidentally on the same date, Roisin has graced the stages as support act to Ham Sandwich and in her own right as a headliner at many reputable Irish venues and festivals.  Some of these include Body & Soul, Electric Picnic, Sunflowerfest and Canalaphonic.  She was selected from a significant number of applicants to perform on the Unsigned Act Stage at the northwest’s favourite music festival Sea Sessions.

In 2017, Roisin was approached by Ken Callait, producer of one of the most significant albums ever released, Fleetwood Mac: Rumours to attend ArtistMax.  This is an LA based three day mentoring and songwriting workshop.  A steady background in TV and Film production has in turn been extremely beneficial to Roisin as she is producer and director of her own music videos to her very distinct credit.  She constructs her melodies and lyrics to such a high standard just like her influences Florence and the Machine, Stevie Nicks, Fever Ray and Tracy Chapman would do.  As a live performer she makes her presence felt and delivers a solid, magnetic performance that has not gone unnoticed by many industry insiders.

Following this new release and her video to accompany the single, Roisin will be releasing her debut EP this summer with tour dates to be announced in the coming weeks.

Says Roisin of the track:  “Half a life came from feeling very low about loving but not living. Sometimes you can give so much into a place, a person, a job, a feeling or whatever floats your boat; to realise you are only living half of what you could be. Then doubts of who you are and what you want take over. It’s something I’m learning. What you want and what is meant for you, don’t always align.”

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaxHmy9ODB5tTSLsVLVFQmw
https://www.facebook.com/roisinelcherifmusic
https://twitter.com/roisinelcherif
https://soundcloud.com/roisinelcherif
https://www.instagram.com/roisinelcherif/

New radio series An Seisiún, starting on RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta on 9 March, puts groups of musicians in a recording studio overnight tasked with writing and recording three new songs in Irish over a twelve hour period.

The series is presented and produced by Cian Mac Cárthaigh and Lisa McGeough, and musicians taking part include Colm Mac Con Iomaire, Rónán and Colm Ó Snodaigh from Kíla, Louise Gaffney and David O’Connor from Come On Live Long, Ríona Sally Hartman, Inni-K, Stiofán Ó Fearail from Seo Linn, Rosa Nutty and Daithí.

For each episode, music producer Karl Odlum (The Frames, Ham Sandwich) worked through the night with the musicians, who were deliberately grouped together with those from very different musical backgrounds, a mix which helped to create something new and special in the studio.

The programmes in the six-part series follow the groups throughout the night, and give listeners a glimpse into the creative process, and the collaborative energy that resulted in the composition of eighteen brand new songs in Irish in the small hours of the night in Dublin.

Speaking of her experience of An Seisiún, Louise Gaffney of Come On Live Long, said:
“Taking part in An Seisiún was a wonderful reminder of what creativity is all about.  The time constraints force you to work in a much more open and reactionary way, and what you end up with is this lovely, natural-feeling composition that comes from four people trying to follow and react to each other.  It’s a sound that couldn’t be recaptured or replicated.”

Musician Colm Ó Snodaigh from Kíla said:  “Good fun.  Good craic.  Great music.  Great musicians.  Great people.  Great idea.  Compose, create, sing and play.”

The concept for An Seisiún originated with the Sesiwn Unnos series from BBC Cymru in Wales, created by renowned record producer Dyl Mei.  It emulates the centuries-old tradition of the ‘Ty Unnos’ where, it was believed,  that if a person could build a house on common land in one night, the land then belonged to them.   Using this tradition as inspiration, the innovative radio series was created.

The series goes out as part of RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta’s Seachtain na Gaeilge programming, starting on Friday 9 March at 9 pm.

The series was funded by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland with the Television Licence Fee with extra support from Foras na Gaeilge and IMRO.