Month: January 2019

Tanjier have just released their latest single ‘Crave’. The song is based on real-life snippets of an overheard argument, between a couple on the rocks. Lead singer, Tommy said, “I was penning lyrics in my bedroom, when an argument from the next room became so heated, I couldn’t help but overhear. My housemate was in a seriously toxic relationship. There used to be a lot of hostility in the house… arguing, shouting, tears. The lyrics are taken from that overheard argument.“

The track was produced, mixed and mastered by Dublin’s Diffusion Lab.

Tanjier are an electro-indie-pop band based in Ireland. The past 12 months have seen Tanjier bring their live show nationwide to the likes of Electric Picnic, Forbidden Fruit and Other Voices. Their recent tour saw them sell out their headline Dublin gig and support the likes of Sorcha Richardson, and Le Galaxie. With unique audiovisual and light shows, Tanjier have gained a reputation as one of the most exciting Irish live acts.

Faraway Martin hails from the West of Ireland, via Doha, Qatar, where he remains until this summer. He spent the past three years performing throughout the Middle East, USA and Ireland. Venues he has graced the stage of include the QNCC Arena in Doha, supporting international artists. Faraway Martin is releasing his second single ‘Falling In Your Sleep’ on Friday Feb 1st. Award winning animator Marc Corrigan created the video, set for release on Feb 4th. Marc has worked with many acts including and Lil’ Kim, HamsandwicH, I’m From Barcelona and Dan The Automator.

Faraway Martin’s sound is heavily influenced by his Irish roots, with evidence of Damien Rice and U2, yet his music has taken a more in your face folk-pop direction. With honest lyrics and catchy hooks, he makes an immediate impression on listeners with his second single ‘Falling In Your Sleep’.

“My feet are cold and yours are too
Stick them between my thighs
so I’m perfectly tangled in you
We’re tangled in two”

The melodic, upbeat tune is the follow-up to the Qatar-based singer’s debut,‘Intoxicated’, and shows how adaptable the self-taught musician is. The track, recorded at Dogfox Studios, in Nashville, USA inspires feelings of affection as Faraway Martin lilts about ‘spooning’, hoping for love, and emotions that every listener can relate to. The track produced by Dave Skelton is reminiscent of offerings from The Chainsmokers and The Lumineers.

Since the release of his debut single ‘Intoxicated’ last October, Faraway Martin’s presence in the music scene has grown internationally. The Irishman has established himself as a live act in his adopted home, recently playing support to international pop sensation Bazzi and Boyce Avenue, of YouTube fame. He has opened shows for Mick Flannery, Hermitage Green, played main stage in Whelan’s with the Galway Street Club and filled the Roisin Dubh for his first headline gig. His upcoming tracks are honest tellings of love, emotional turmoil and coming of age. 2019 will see a US tour, many festival appearances as well as an eagerly anticipated debut EP release.

www.facebook.com/farawaymartin
www.twitter.com/farawaymartin
www.instagram.com/farawaymartin

‘Diving In’ (available to stream and download) is the eagerly awaited return from Barry Jay Hughes, an accomplished solo-artist who has been working on various projects over the past two years. His first original release since 2016, ‘Diving In’ is the latest addition to the Monaghan musician’s repertoire, having two self-released EPs, a live EP and a live album. Previous singles, ‘Crying Shame’ and ‘Ballad of a Troubadour’ were remixed and re-released. Barry Jay’s extensive back catalog is a testament to his dedication to the creative process, this newest single seeing him dive back into the original Irish music scene; where he’s well-known from his previous endeavors. 

‘Diving In’ is reflective of what Barry Jay is most recognisable for; lyrical depth and storytelling in his music. Full of colourful imagery, the song brings you on an emotive journey as it asks questions on love and how far we’re willing to go for those we fall for. 

Barry Jay says: “it’s a love song of sorts about immersing yourself in the feelings that you are experiencing. The song keeps the mystical folk feel of previous releases while adding more sonic texture”.

The accompanying video was filmed in various locations around Dublin City. Shot by Clifford Clifford productions, they captured the feel of the song and recreated it in visual form.

Clifford Clifford Productions said:Visual themes centre around the cleansing, yet melancholic quality of water and the clocks pondering non-linear time. The video, which reinforces the subject matter of reflection, acceptance and regret, culminates with a series of projected images including Salvador Dali’s ‘The Persistence of Memory’ and footage from Michelangelo Antonioni’s film ‘Red Desert’. 

Barry Jay Hughes Social Media links

www.Instagram.com/barryhughesmusic
www.Facebook.com/barryhughesmusic
www.Twitter.com/BarryJMusic

Sarah Buckley first recorded a number of demos in music college.  Thanks to these demos, she has performed her song ‘You’ve Got Me’ on RTE’s TwoTube, her song ‘Wedding Bells’ at RTE’s Reflecting on the Rising live event and her song, ‘Magic Powers’, was included in a shortlist out of 500 applicants on John Murray’s RTE radio show. Sarah has also secured a number of slots on side stages of some of Ireland’s biggest festivals including Electric Picnic and Vantastival as well as being nominated as Best Newcomer by Pure M magazine. 

Her debut single ‘You’ve Got Me’ is out on 15 Feb 2015. 

The single produced by Karl Odlum (Mic Christopher, Glen Hansard, David Keenan) and mastered by John Flynn (Björk,’Vulnicura’).

Sarah has already been gigging extensively with support slots for Aine Cahill, Ham Sandwich, Mick Flannery and Cry Monster Cry along with a whole host of festival appearances including Electric Picnic, Vantastival, Cork Jazz Festival, Sligo Live, Le Cheile Festival, Claremorris Fringe Festival, Achill Battle of the Lakes, Glendalough festival, youBloom, International Pop Overthrow at Liverpool’s Cavern Club, and RTE’s Reflecting on the Rising.

Sarah started 2019 with a much coveted slot at “Whelan’s Ones to Watch” in January. Her single ‘You’ve Got Me’ will be out on 15 Feb. Her second single is planned for release around Easter 2019. 

Sarah plays a headline show upstairs in Whelan’s on May 23rd. 

Did you spend your life working as a musician in the era of Jazz, Showbands, Beat Groups or Punk etc. in the 1950s, 60s and 70s?

Fighting Words is providing a series of creative writing workshops that will help you to commit your stories to paper. We are looking for retired musicians, even though we know they are all still playing! This project will appeal to:

• Musicians who would like to contribute a story to a book documenting the life of musicians in Ireland in the 1950s, 60s, and 70s.
• Musicians who are interested in learning new writing skills that will help them to write their memoir.

Dates: Tuesday 26^th February – Time: 6.30 – 8.30pm

Wednesdays 6^th, 13^th, 20^th, 27^th March – Time: 5.30 – 7.30pm

Venue: Fighting Words 12–16 Russell Street, Dublin 1.

Introductory workshop will be led by Carlo Gébler. Carlo is an Irish writer and television director with particular expertise in memoir writing.

Places are limited so please RSVP: contact colm@nullfightingwords.ie Fri. 22nd^th Feb.

Supported by IASCA

Guitarist and producer Bill Shanley will release his second solo album ‘Midnight Mission’ on February 1st 2019, on the Cauldron Music label. 

‘Midnight Mission’ features ten original pieces with special guests Ray Davies and Paul Brady. A collection of self-penned instrumentals covering a sonic palate inspired by the excitement and melodies of early electric guitar music from 50’s rock and roll, 60’s surf sounds to electronics, loops and samples and much more. It draws on Bill’s world class guitar playing and ability to write great, timeless melodies with one track featuring vocals from Ray Davies.

Bill Shanley is one of Ireland’s top guitar players and record producers. His unique style of playing has kept him in good company and established him internationally through touring with and contributing to albums by Ray Davies, Mary Black, Paul Brady,  Roy Harper, Gilbert O’Sullivan and more. 

Dublin based, he was raised in the West Cork haven of Clonakilty. He recorded and toured with Eleanor McEvoy during her Geffen Records days in LA and is a key member of Mary Black’s band, to this day. 

He has acted as Ray Davies musical director for the last 10 years, more recently working with Minneapolis Alt-Rockers, The Jayhawks, on Ray’s recent albums, ‘Americana Act 1’ and ‘Act 2’. 

Being an accompanist has always been of key interest to Bill, enjoying that great scope there is in creating a backdrop for the artist he’s working with.  A skill which has been often commented on 

 “Is there a finer sideman around? It’s unlikely…” – Financial Times

Now Bill Shanley returns centre stage with the release of ‘Midnight Mission’ a potent display of technical wizardry and melodic compositional nous. 

www.billshanleymusic.com