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Month: February 2019

‘HERE WE ARE NOW’ By Paul Gilgunn Launches

A post-minimalist opus for precarious times. ‘HERE WE ARE NOW’ by Irish composer Paul Gilgunn is an amped-up composition for four electric guitars, bass, drums, percussion, and saxophonics that merges experimental rock, improvisation, and minimalist composition.

This innovative new release builds upon Paul’s previous work across the peripheries of classical and popular music – including collaborations and performances with avant- garde luminaries Rhys Chatham, Tony Conrad and Jennifer Walshe. His aesthetic is characterised by a defiant avant-gardism that engages and expands subjectivity, encompassing a variety of forms, genres, instruments, and techniques. Paul outlines his approach in ‘HERE WE ARE NOW’: “layers of iterated patterns and pulses – awash with justly-tuned drones and overtones – transform Irish folk modalities and rhythms into bold, distinct new music; a ten-part form using dense timbres, duration, repetition, and volume to engage listeners on a number of levels and reconfigure how we are now.”

HERE WE ARE NOW’ will be released as a digital download and limited edition CD on 18 February 2019. The recording features a number of outstanding musicians including Nick Roth, Conor Brady, Robbie Malone, Ray Boyle, and Jay Oglesby who performed the work in full at two special launch events in Dublin’s historic Smock Alley Theatre on 16/17 February.

Leo Dynamic1 Releases New Track ‘Let Me Love You’

Dynamic1 is an award winning Songwriter and Producer from Ireland. Also known as ‘The Punching Producer’ he is a 2 times National Boxing Champion.

His previous 2 releases in late 2018 ‘Jigsaw Pieces and ‘Run & Hide’ were added to over 40 playlists on Spotify with an audience of over half a million listeners.

‘Jigsaw Pieces’ reached number 5 on The Dutch Dance Top 40 Chart on Spotify and remained on the chart for 6 weeks. It is also currently receiving Radio play on SPIN 1038FM back home in Ireland.

‘Let Me Love You’ is a high energy track that will make everyone want to hit the dance floor once they hear it.The drop is infectious!

The Irish Music Industry Podcast Launches

The Irish Music Industry Podcast has launched today providing a vital insight into the music industry. Produced by Mark G of King Kong Company, The Irish Music Industry Podcast is a must listen for both people who want to break into the industry and seasoned professionals who want to learn more about other areas of the music sector.

The podcast has sought out professionals from a multitude of disciplines to offer some advice and discuss how they carve out their own space within the sector. Each episode of The Irish Music Industry Podcast will see Mark G interviewing some of Ireland’s top music industry professionals and pick apart the mechanism of the Irish music sector in an effort to understand what makes it tick. From well-worn road warriors to eager newbies, all stories, advice, wisdom and occasional tales of woe come straight from the horse’s mouth.

The first four episodes are available now and feature top Irish music professionals Jenny Wren (Booker for Body & Soul), Jerry Fish (independent artist and label owner), Dan Hegarty (2FM), Katie Kim (independent artist), Johnny Lappin (music publisher and IMRO founder director), Daithí (independent artist), Dominic Kelly (entertainment industry accountant and business manager) and Lizzie Fitzpatrick (Bitch Falcon).  

Speaking about the brand new podcast Mark G said: “There is something for everyone, with episodes tailored to appeal to music industry professionals, those hoping to get a start in the sector and those interested in sussing out what goes on behind and around music in Ireland today”.

The spark that lit the touchpaper on this podcast came from Mark’s experience within third level education and from working within the music sector itself. “There was a slow burning realisation that many prospective music industry professionals aren’t privy to a full and frank picture of what to expect from their chosen career”. He maintains that “It’s not just people starting out in the music business either. Many of us who’ve been doing this for years still aren’t clued in about lots of different aspects of the industry. When our band began to enjoy a modest amount of success a few years ago, we were signing contracts with management, record labels, merch companies and a host of other concerns, and we didn’t have a clue. In 2017 we turned over more than €100K in performance fees, but none of us got paid that year. In 2018 we sold out The Olympia Theatre and that gig ran at a loss due to decisions made by ourselves. We’ve been making music most of our lives, but there’s so much we don’t know about all the other stuff.”

The first four episodes of The Irish Music Industry Podcasts are available now on iTunes, Android and the usual digital sources or you can visit timi.ie to download/stream the podcasts. The remaining 18 episodes from season one will be released weekly and the accompanying articles, info and original illustrations (by Barry Haughey – @_hawkie on Instagram) can also be found at timi.ie. The Irish Music Industry Podcast is supported by IMRO.

Timi.ie

Eve Belle Chimes In With New Single ‘CutThroat’

Following on from the success of her Tebi Rex collaboration ‘First Impressions’, Donegal’s Eve Belle goes for the jugular with ‘CutThroat’ – the perfect morning-after antidote to all those urgent Valentine’s Night hookups and hangovers.

‘First Impressions’ made an excellent impression at Irish radio, with support from national, Dublin and regional stations. Eve marked this airwaves break-out with high profile opening live spots with both Hozier and Mabel in Dublin.

‘CutThroat’ – produced once again by North London polymath Fred Cox (Rag ‘N’ Bone Man, Col3trane) – sees Eve cast her spell beyond Irish shores to team up with 21 year-old, fast-rising UK wordsmith Isaiah Dreads, who first broke out on Charlie Sloth’s BBC 1xtra radio show.

Eve Belle – ‘CutThroat’ (featuring Isaiah Dreads) is released on Rubyworks on Friday 15th February.

New Eve Belle live dates for 2019
4th May – Live at Leeds festival
5th May – Liverpool Sound City

Cronin Kick Off 2019 with ‘.t.f.k.o.l. (The First Kiss of Love)’

Midlands Irish band Cronin start off 2019 with the release of ‘.t.f.k.o.l. (The First Kiss of Love)’.

The track is a remixed version of the title track from their debut album.

The cover artwork uses an image of the baptism font of English poet, painter and visionary William Blake.

Cronin who had a hectic 2018 which saw them share stages and play with the likes of Bono, Van Morrison among others and seen jamming with Hollywood star Johnny Depp at the Wedding of Shane MacGowan back in November announce a couple of UK shows over St Patrick’s weekend also.

Cronin Play…

Sat 16th March – The Irish Centre , Leeds UK
Sun 17th March – The Elm Tree, Croydon, London, UK

Below are a few nice words…

Lovely , dark , moody and melodic !!!Steve Cradock Official Ocean Colour Scene, The Specials, Paul Weller

You sound like me but in tune.” Nick Cave

What a great voice.” Johnny Depp

Chris Haze to Release ‘Chasing Rivers’ EP and Single

After an exciting 2018 which seen Haze release his second Independent Irish Top 5 EP ‘RECIPE’ back in February and play his first two Irish headline shows in Whelans, Dublin and in his hometown at Monroe’s Live. Haze then went on to end the year on a huge high by executing his first self funded North American tour which took place trough September/October and seen the Irish musician play headline dates in numerous renowned venues across the states including Two New York dates, Boston, Philadelphia and Chicago.

Aiming for his busiest year yet, Haze hasn’t taken any time to slow down or relax coming in to 2019 fresh off the blocks with the announcement of a brand new EP & single, both entitled ‘Chasing Rivers’. The single is due to be released February 22nd along with the pre-order going live for the new six song ‘Chasing Rivers EP’, which is due to be released April 26th.

When the pre-order goes live February 22nd Fans will be able to gain access to the first and brand new single by pre-ordering the forthcoming EP release.

The EP which features six brand new musical works created by the Irish musician and producer shows no signs of sticking to any one style or genre. Ranging from acoustic ballads and pop songs, to delivering haunting, spine tingling ear busters. This new album is sure to excite Chris Haze fans.

 THE NEW EP “CHASING RIVERS” OUT APRIL 26th
Pre-Order from February 22nd
“CHASING RIVERS”
(TRACKLIST)
1. CHASING RIVERS (Single)
2. THESE DAYS
3. SO LONG
4. DEMONS
5. TAKE THE WORLD
6. GOING AROUND

CHRISHAZEMUSIC.COM

Host Releases ‘Taste Of Your Love’

Host releases an infectious slice of electro-pop with ‘Taste Of Your Love’, lifted from her upcoming debut EP. This latest offering is brimming with dreamy synths and melodies, blissful and wide-eyed in its delivery. Host has a joyful approach to her music, taking inspiration from contemporaries like Diiv, Wolf Alice and The Japanese House as well as older influences such as The Cure and The Smiths. The result is a perfect blend of old and new, culminating in a kind of glittering eighties pop that feels like it could soundtrack the end of a John Hughes film.

While ‘Taste Of Your Love’ creates a sound that is upbeat and energetic, its narrative is far more contemplative. This is a break-up song, with musings from the singer about a damning event between two lovers and the inevitable tailspin ending. The synthpop singer had this to say about her new track: “Have you ever had someone you really care about do something so idiotic that it makes you look at them in a completely different light? Taste of Your Love is that lingering bad impression that I just couldn’t shake, and everything built with this person, this solid foundation, just turned to quicksand. It’s sad really… this idiot, that you still adore nonetheless, has now forced you to cut them out and change your entire life.”

www.instagram.com/host4real/
www.twitter.com/host4real/
www.facebook.com/host4real/
Host on Spotify

Míde Houlihan Releases ‘Shifting Gears’

Míde Houlihan is a West Cork bred, Cork City based singer songwriter, who has been winning the hearts of audiences around Ireland since her debut album, ‘Coloured In’, was released in 2015.

Being recognised by many in the media as ‘one to watch’, based on her beautiful, honest brand of songwriting, paired with an unmistakable voice and refreshingly original arrangements, Míde has graced many a stage, nationwide, over the last few years, always writing along the way. The culmination of this work is the release of her follow up EP, ‘Shifting Gears’.

The four track EP, which will be released on new Cork City based label, Unemployable Records, will be officially launched in a sold out Coughlan’s, Cork City on Fri 15th February, where Míde will play with her full band. The show then moves on to Whelan’s, Dublin, (Wed 20th), followed by a hometown show in the beautiful surroundings of DeBarra’s Folk Club, Clonakilty, West Cork (Sun 24th). Míde will also be playing a couple of in-store performances in Golden Discs, Cork, and Tower Records, Dublin.

‘Shifting Gears’, was recorded under the watchful eye of Christian Best (Mick Flannery), at Monique Studios. Christian Best also features as a performer on the EP, alongside other great musicians such as Alan Comerford (O Emperor), Dylan Howe (Rowan, Clare Sands), and Chris McCarthy (Hugh Dillon Quartet).

Being Mide’s highly anticipated second release, a lot of buzz is building around ‘Shifting Gears’, as well as Mide’s upcoming live dates. A huge year lies ahead for the West Cork lady, and it all starts here!

All details can be found at: www.unemployablepromotions.com/midehoulihan as well as on facebook.com/midehoulihanmusic

Picture This Launch Album ‘MDRN LV’ from The Empire State Building

Picture This last week launched their brand-new album ‘MDRN LV’ with a special performance from The Empire State Building in New York City. The launch included a one hour special in association with The Eoghan McDermott Show on RTE 2FM, which was broadcast tomorrow, Thursday, February 14th plus an acoustic performance from the 86th Floor Observatory level where they performed their hit ‘Take My Hand’ to global media and fans.  

‘MDRN LV’, the new album, is set to be released this Friday, February 15th, 2019. Produced by Jayson Dezuzio [Imagine Dragons, X Ambassadors], the record represents a creative high watermark for the quartet as they expand their signature style and venture into uncharted sonic territory. The new album includes the current single ‘One Drink’ plus two previously released instant-grat tracks ‘Everything Or Nothing’ and ‘If You Wanna Be Loved’.

The biggest act in Ireland and the nation’s hottest musical export in decades, Picture This arrived as a phenomenon with their self-titled 2017 full-length debut, ‘Picture This’. Certified triple-platinum in Ireland, it held the #1 spot in the Irish Album Chart for four weeks, while topping the Streaming Chart for seven weeks. Moreover, it has been the most streamed album by an Irish act for two years in a row. 

Nearly three years since their formation, they’ve impressively sold over 300K tickets, concluding 2018 with the announcement of a five-night residency in Dublin’s 3Arena for this March. All five nights have subsequently sold out.  

Picture This are Ryan Hennessey, Jimmy Rainsford, Owen Cardiff and Cliff Deane.

Photo: Empire State Realty Trust

The Gig for Gav Featuring The Waterboys, Sharon Shannon, Picturehouse, Mundy, Mary Black, Cormac Begley, Paul Harrington, Beagnish, The Begley’s Plus more acts to be announced.

A host of A-list Irish bands are lining up to play at Vicar Street on 1st April for a benefit gig entitled ‘The Gig for Gav’ in aid of beloved Dublin producer and guitarist Gavin Ralston. Gavin has been battling cancer on and off since 2014 and his friends wanted to come together and help raise funds for his treatment. So far confirmed are The Waterboys, Sharon Shannon, PictureHouse, Mundy, Paul Harrington, Mary Black, Seamus Begley, Beaginish, and Cormac Begley.

Gavin Ralston has worked within in the Irish music scene for the last twenty-five years and during that time he has built up a reputation as both a consummate professional and talented musician. He has played guitar with the Waterboys, Sharon Shannon and Picture House, and has produced recordings for Ronnie Drew and Bagatelle, as well as The Coronas first ever studio session. Working with Gavin is always a pleasurable experience as he brings a deftness of touch to his work, as well as a great sense of humour and fun. He has a great many fans and friends within the Irish music industry and they wanted to help Gavin at this tough time in his life, to show support for him and his wife and children.

Gavin was diagnosed with stage three bowel cancer in 2014 and managed to beat it, but it returned in 2017 and after major surgery the tumour again returned in 2018. He has been receiving chemotherapy for the last six months and has been unable to work. ‘The Gig for Gav’ is a benefit concert to raise funds for Gavin, as well as to raise awareness of The Sarah Jennifer Knott Foundation which was established following Sarah’s death from Cancer of Unknown Primary. The SJK Foundation promotes awareness, education and research into Cancer of Unknown Primary (CUP) to help make the unknown known.

The Waterboys’ Mike Scott lead the charge in organising ‘The Gig for Gav’ and the band are headlining the event ahead of their new upcoming album and tour. Gavin is from the famous Kerry Begley family on his mother’s side and so his uncle and cousin, renowned trad musicians Seamus and Cormac Begley, are delighted to be on the bill. Gavin’s brother Aongus Ralston is also a musician, playing bass with PictureHouse and The Waterboys, and he will also be helping out on the night. Mundy will have just finished his Canadian tour in March, and Sharon Shannon will be just back from a tour of Australia and both are glad that they can be in Dublin to take part. Eurovision winner Paul Harrington regularly contributes to charity and jumped at the chance to be included on the line-up. And celebrated folk singer Mary Black will bring her special magic to the evening.

Tickets for ‘The Gig for Gav’ are €35 and are on sale now. More acts may be added to the bill in advance of 1st April. Tickets From https://www.ticketmaster.ie/promo/ri643r

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