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Month: February 2019

Daoirí Farrell Releases Third Album ‘A Lifetime Of Happiness’

It’s been a whirlwind for Daoirí (‘Derry’) Farrell over the last three years. In January 2016 he launched his solo career with a low-key show at Celtic Connections festival in Glasgow. In January 2019 he returned to the festival, this time to lead an all-star line-up in one of the festival’s biggest venues.

So how the meteoric rise? Simply a word-of-mouth excitement about what Dónal Lunny has described as, “one of the most important traditional singers to emerge out of Ireland in the last decade.” A run of small dates across the UK in May 2016 was preceded by a live session on the BBC Radio 2 Folk Show with Mark Radcliffe and suddenly everyone was talking about Daoirí. A few festival performances in summer 2016 was followed by a longer UK tour that autumn and the release of a new album ‘True Born Irishman’, nine years after he had quietly released his debut ‘The First Turn’.

What followed the release of ‘True Born Irishman’ has been a catapulting of a career so far forward that Daoirí is now a name to conjure with in folk music circles, at home and abroad. He was invited to play Other Voices in November ’16, toured Australia in Dec/Jan ’17 and in February ‘17 he received three nominations in the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards, leading to him being invited to play at the awards ceremony at The Royal Albert Hall in London, where he won the awards for best traditional track and the Horizon Award best newcomer. That was a stop off date during another yet longer UK tour, and then the next week he was back in Australia to play the National Folk Festival. There were small Irish dates starting to come in too and the summer brought festivals in Canada, Belgium, Denmark, Portugal and a first performance at Cambridge Folk Festival where he was immediately rebooked for the following year.

In autumn 2017 Dónal Lunny, a music hero of Daoirí’s, agreed to produce his next album. Recording took almost a year and in the meantime, Daoirí was not only invited back to Celtic Connections with a larger line-up but was also invited on to the all-star Transatlantic Sessions UK tour in February 2018, playing to audiences of 2,000 or more each night. A showcase at Folk Alliance in Kansas followed the same month, as did further UK and Irish touring that spring and autumn. The summer saw festivals in the Czech Republic, Ireland, the UK, France and the USA. Meanwhile the video of his unforgettable performance of ‘The Creggan White Hare’ was clocking up over 800,000 views on Youtube. In October ‘18 he was invited to perform at the first ever RTÉ Irish Folk Awards held at Vicar Street in Dublin and broadcast live by RTE. 

Of course all this success wasn’t as sudden as it appeared. Daoirí had spent most of his twenties studying traditional music at respected colleges across Ireland, having given up his original profession as an electrician for a career in music. He had performed as a backing musician with most of the greats of Irish music before he had graduated with his masters in Irish Music Performance from the University of Limerick. 

On 15th February 2019, the next stage of his blossoming career sees the release of the album made over many months in studios in Dublin and Donegal with Dónal Lunny, and with brother Manus Lunny taking engineering duties on much of the album. A first single ‘The Galway Shawl/Rosie Reilly’ was released to radio ahead in autumn ’18 ahead of the album itself and was immediately played on the BBC Radio 2 Folk Show. 

In Daoirí’s own words: ‘This is my third solo album and it feels different, somehow more grown up. That for me is partly down to the song choice. Each song was very carefully chosen and each is beautiful in its own way. I really enjoyed the process of searching each one out and arranging them all. And I feel blessed to have had the opportunity to have recorded it with some of my favourite musicians.’

Daoirí Farrell – ‘A Lifetime Of Happiness’ Tour – Spring 2019

March:

Wed 20th Roe Valley Arts Centre, Limavady / 028 7776 0650 / roevalleyarts.com
Thu 21st  Bangor Castle / 028 9181 0803 / www.ardsarts.com 
Fri 22nd  Down Arts Centre, Downpatrick / 028 4461 0747 / downartscentre.com
Sat 23rd  Ranfurly House & Arts Centre, Dungannon / 028 8772 8600 / dungannon.info
Sun 24th The Duncairn, Belfast / 028 9024 8818 / theduncairn.com
Fri 29th  Llandeilo Acoustic at The Angel Inn, Llandeilo / 07501 228 273 / facebook.com/llandeiloac
Sat 30th Theatr Mwldan, Cardigan | Aberteifi / 01239 621 200 / mwldan.co.uk
Sun 31st Wyeside Arts Centre, Builth Wells / 01982 552 555 / wyeside.co.uk

April:
Mon 1st Acapela, Pentyrch, nr. Cardiff / 029 2089 0862 / acapela.co.uk
Tue 2nd Kitchen Garden Café, Birmingham / 0121 443 4725 / wegottickets.com / kitchengardencafe.co.uk
Fri 5th The Forge at The Anvil, Basingstoke / 01256 844 244 / anvilarts.org.uk
Sat 6th The David Hall, South Petherton / 01460 240 340 / thedavidhall.org.uk
Sun 7th Topsham Folk Club / 01352 875 332 (enquiries only) / topshamfolkclub.org
Mon 8th Nettlebed Village Club, nr. Henley-on-Thames / 01628 636 620 / nettlebedfolkclub.co.uk
Tue 9th The Junction, Cambridge / 01223 511 511 / junction.co.uk
Wed 10th Cecil Sharp House, Camden, London / 0207 485 2206 / cecilsharphouse.org
Fri 12th Blaxhall Sessions, Blaxhall Village Hall, Suffolk / folkeast.co.uk
Mon 15th Henry Tudor House, Shrewsbury/ 01743 361 666 / henrytudorhouse.com
Wed 17th Tyneside Irish Centre, Newcastle-upon-Tyne / 0191 261 0384 / tynesideirish.com
Thu 18th The Tolbooth, Stirling / 01786 27 4000 / culturestirling.org/tollbooth

CARRON to Release ‘Numb’

New single ‘Numb’ is the first of a series of new music which presents CARRON in a daring guise, edgier than you’ve ever seen them before.

Fusing the classic folk-rock sensibilities of Fleetwood Mac with the towering tribal aura of Florence Welch, ‘Numb’ presents full bodied blood harmonies, layers of canon interplay, and unsettling rhythm patterns which chill to the bone. With this latest studio offering CARRON dismiss conventional song formation in an attempt to mirror feelings of deep sadness, which are unfamiliar, complex and incomprehensible. 

CARRON has undergone somewhat of a renaissance since the release of their debut EP ‘Roots’ and No. 1 single ‘Battle Lines’ last year, shaking up their sound with the addition of a more electric edge, displayed in their more recent release ‘Even Sad Birds Sing’. What began as a healing project for the two sisters during a period of illness has morphed into a dramatic full band show conducted by a reinvigorated and refocused sibling partnership. 

www.carronmusic.com


BODIES Release Double A-Side

On Tuesday, 12th February 2019, David Anthony McGeown’s BODIES has just released a double A-side comprising ‘Slave’ and ‘Everything is Not Lost’. Both songs are from BODIES’ debut album ‘Drench,’ which was released to widespread critical acclaim in November 2018.

This double A-side reflects that quiet-and-loud juxtaposition that BODIES have become known for. ‘Slave’ features searing, hurt, angry vocals from McGeown as he struggles with inner demons, while the beautiful ‘Everything Is Not Lost’ features McGeown’s signature reverby guitar riffs, balanced with the delicate vocals of Louise Cunnane (Blooms/Lilac Glass).

Only a month into 2019, BODIES have already played at Whelan’s ‘Ones to Watch’ and First Fortnight’s ‘My Story, My Song’ as well as being touted in Hot Press Magazine’s ‘Hot for 2019’ round-up, in which journalist Edwin McFee said, “The mastermind behind Bodies, David Anthony McGeown, pours his soul into the music, relaying an authentic message to his audience.”

Nowhere is this sentiment more evident than in this double A-side release.

David says: “Though ‘Slave’ and ‘Everything Is Not Lost’ sit at opposite ends of our sonic spectrum, both songs represent what some might call ‘unhealthy’ mental states.

‘Everything Is Not Lost’ is about feeling depressed, isolated and despondent but still managing to hang on to a thread of hope, eventually surrendering to love and the unknown possibilities of this life.

‘Slave’ is about my own Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). I drove myself crazy every day performing all these rituals; I wrote ‘Slave’ as I finally worked up the courage to remove pretty much every restriction it was having on my life. That all happened in one day – one of the most terrifying days of my life.

Creating these songs was both painful and healing, like bleeding a wound. Though they both deal with negative feelings, they represent things that I was able to overcome, and being reminded of that is a positive feeling for me, and hopefully for anyone who listens. That’s why we’re releasing them together.”

Liam Geddes Set for Whelan’s Date

Irish singer songwriter Liam Geddes (from Ballina, Co. Mayo) has had his fair share of experiences with the music industry and, over the years, has performed on live TV in Ireland for numerous singing competitions including ‘X Factor’ and ‘Euro-song’.

In 2012, he made it to the semi-final of ‘The Voice Of Ireland’ on RTE. He was mentored by Westlife band member – Kian Egan.

After departing The Voice, Liam threw himself into the live music scene and has been very busy performing all over Ireland and parts of Europe with his acoustic guitar or his number one instrument – the piano. Liam is always busy writing new music and has co- written with many other artists including a collaboration with Dublin based rappers Class A’z . Their collaboration single ‘Lifeboat’ became a huge hit and was played on radio stations across the country.

Back in 2015, Liam and his band (The Geddes) released two singles in Ireland and their debut EP titled ‘Human’. The EP shot straight to No.1 on the iTunes album charts and caused quite a stir on the Irish music scene with huge support from all radio and media.

In 2017, he released two singles as a solo artist : ‘Real Love’ and ‘Release and Go’. Both received huge support from national radio stations all around the country.

More recently, in addition to his various covers on his Youtube channel, he released some of his favourite original material to date including ‘Cold’ (during summer 2018) and most recently his new single ‘Make It In L.A’. Liam is due to release a brand new single by end of March 2019, a track that he is very excited about!

Liam is gearing up for a very busy 2019 with dates across Europe and the U.S., but he most excited about his latest announcement , a home gig at the world famous Whelan’s Live Music venue in Dublin. Whelan’s has seen some of the world’s greatest acts take the stage including U2 and Ed Sheeran to name just a few. Liam will perform with his band at Whelans on Saturday April 20th. Tickets are on sale now. F

www.LiamGeddesOfficial.com

Creativity Valued as Trilogue reaches Agreement on Copyright

Dublin, February 14 2019 – The Irish Music Rights Organisation (IMRO), a national representative organisation for the Irish music industry, today welcomed the outcome of copyright Trilogue negotiations, which concluded last evening.

Victor Finn, CEO of IMRO said, This is a hugely welcome result for the valuing of creativity across Europe. Creators including our over 12,000 IMRO members have been waiting for this outcome, a strong signal from our policy-makers that the system, in recognising opportunities with technology, at the same time values culture, values creative work, and values creators. While the text requires final review, we hope that we will now move towards its speedy adoption.

Eleanor McEvoy, Chair, IMRO said, “Creativity matters. Culture matters. Music matters. The political system agrees. This agreement sends a message across Europe that as we advance technologically, as we build our economies and societies together, creativity is at the heart. We are thankful to policy-makers who have been standing up for creativity in the negotiations so far, and we look forward to engaging further as the process is finalised.”

Sarah Hickey Releases ‘Hollow’

Sarah Hickey is an Irish musician/songwriter based in Cork.

Sarah has spent many years crafting and developing her sound with influences such as Jeff Buckley, Joni Mitchell, Damien Rice and many more.

She is constantly writing new material and performing her songs to live audiences.  Sarah is a member of IMRO and has just released her debut single ‘Hollow’.

She has performed in many venues in Cork and across Ireland singing her own music and singing for various Irish artists in such venues as Cork Opera House, Coughlans and Whelans.

Lauryn Gaffney’s ‘Big Shot’ The Musical Comes to Dublin

Following ‘Big Shot’ The Musical’s USA and UK success, the original award winning Irish Musical will take to the stage of The Helix for one night only! Written and composed by Dubliner Lauryn Gaffney, Big Shot will wow audiences on 22nd February.

‘Big Shot’ tells the story of one Jeremy Crocker, a savvy defense lawyer thriving in New York City’s bustling legal profession.  Despite his ambitions, Crocker falls in love with Carrie, a struggling Irish artist who works in Crocker’s go-to café in Downtown Manhattan. Although the two become ever more infatuated by each other, this threatens to derail Crocker’s career, with regard to the dubious new defense case he has taken on. Does Crocker follow his heart or stick with his legal client obligations? The theme of the story is love, justice and living in the moment.

With a blend of energetic and poignant songs and a suitable amount of drama one would expect of a Broadway-style musical, ‘Big Shot’ is an exposition of original Irish composition and writing that simply cannot be missed.

‘Big Shot’ represented Ireland in the San Diego International Fringe Festival in 2015. Described as an ‘absolute success’ by the festival organisers, Big Shot the musical was awarded the admired ‘Spirit of Fringe’ Award.  The ‘Spirit of the Fringe’ award is the most prestigious award, given to the show that embodies the essence and ethos of the festival, demonstrates dedication and commitment to their work.

Following 5 incredibly successful nights in California and one night in Mexico the Irish cast were also part of World Theatre History by being part of the first ever Bi-National Fringe Festival. ‘Big Shot’ also received outstanding reviews at its UK’s premiere The London Irish Centre  in 2016.

Tickets for Big Shot The Musical in the Helix on 22nd February are on sale now.

Colin O’Shea to Release ‘The Stars’

Dublin songsmith Colin O’Shea is set to release ‘The Stars’, the fourth single from his acclaimed debut album ‘Scars and Tones’, on Monday 25th February. The 25th marks the five-year anniversary of the passing of Colin’s mother after a courageous battle against breast cancer, and ‘The Stars’ is Colin’s heartfelt tribute to her. On Colin’s website, people can pre-order the track for a minimum of €1 (they can choose to spend more money if they like) and all proceeds will be passed onto the Marie Keating Cancer Society.

Colin’s mother was a single parent of five children who gave selflessly to everyone else for her entire life, a true Irish matriarch. Colin moved home to care for her during her final illness and ‘The Stars’ was written during her last months. Colin found the process both therapeutic and cathartic and although he struggled with the intensity of his emotions, he forced himself to write the song during that period as he knew he wouldn’t have the strength afterwards. The result is a bittersweet piano ballad with raw vocals, and lyrics that will speak to anyone who has lost someone they love: ‘The stars don’t come out, ‘cause you’re not about.’

The single is accompanied by a simple yet powerfully effective animated video (artwork and production by Lia Wright, videography by Adam Kelly) which conveys the message of the song using beautiful line drawings and illustrated lyrics against a paper background.

To celebrate the release of ‘The Stars’, Colin will play all-ages shows in two DART stations on Saturday 23rd February: Heuston Station from 11am to 12.30pm and Connolly Station from 1.30pm to 3pm. For the price of a DART ticket you can hear Colin perform ‘The Stars’, amongst other songs from his album. Colin will also play Upstairs in Whelan’s on Saturday 11th May.

O’Shea’s debut album has received acclaim and accolades from industry press with comparisons to Bruce Springsteen, Nick Cave, Bob Dylan and U2. Produced by David Prendergast (Kodaline, Shane McGowan, The Riptide Movement, Kila), ‘Scars and Tones’ is a collection of cleverly written eclectic songs influenced by heartbreak, loss, bliss and even being a victim of a kidnapping in South America, an experience that inspired the stunning ballad ‘My Angel’.

Colin is currently in the studio recording his sophomore album, with David Prendergast again taking production duties. ‘Scars and Tones’ was influenced by the melancholy and heartbreak accumulated over a few years. The new album will see a notable progression, moving in a more positive lyrical direction with electronic musical influences.

Irish Youth Music Awards Returns

Youth Work Ireland’s Irish Youth Music Awards (IYMAs) is excited to return to Croke Park for its all ages National Day on Saturday May 11th, 2019 with tickets now on sale. They have released this promo video from last year’s event to mark this announcement featuring Louise McSharry (RTÉ 2FM), Little Green Cars and Orla Gartland to mark the announcement.

The IYMAs will feature performances by young musicians aged 12-19, performing across two stages throughout the day and connects ticket holders and performers, with Ireland’s top music industry personnel at the IYMAs Education Hub via workshops and masterclasses with over 100,000 young people participating in the programme to date with the figure growing each year. The event also marks the start of Youth Work Ireland week with other events happening across the country.

The IYMAs marketplace will feature information for attendees on the creative and music industries, with BIMM Institute Dublin, IMRO and RTÉ 2FM all in attendance with the latter broadcasting live from the event. The marketplace will also have hands on demonstrations and much more.

Tickets for the IYMAs National Day are available from Eventbrite priced €20 excluding booking fee here. The event is an all ages, alcohol free event. Group tickets are also available for youth clubs, projects or schools priced €120 (including booking fee) allowing admission for five young people and two youth leaders or adults on the day. Group tickets must be booked by April 22nd and are available here.

We are very excited to be returning to Croke Park and to be working with RTÉ 2FM , IMRO and BIMM Institute Dublin again this year. It’s so important to us to be able provide a space to support young people to learn new skills around the creative and music industries. We are now seeing this work come to life with young people from our programme progressing to third level educational opportunities and IYMAs acts launching their musical careers to a national audience through their involvement in the programme. We shall be making further announcements around our education hub and other activities happening at Croke Park in the forthcoming weeks and would recommend following our social media channels for these,” said Irish Youth Music Awards Director, Barry Lennon.

The Irish Youth Music Awards National Day is very important for RTÉ 2FM as an event like this creates a space to support the future generations of Irish musicians, songwriters and producers and gives them an opportunity to meet industry professionals and learn new skills. We are very excited to be involved in the IYMAs Programme as a media partner and to be part of the journey of so many young people from across Ireland and to broadcast live from the event,” said Director of Music RTÉ 2FM, Alan Swan.

The overall winning region of the Irish Youth Music Awards will win recording time in a professional recording studio, a recording session in RTÉ 2FM’s legendary Studio 8 and a full backline provided by Music Maker Dublin. They will also produce an album of their own original tracks released on physical CD with a professional design. Last year’s IYMAs album stormed the Irish compilation charts entering at number three. The album will be digitally distributed worldwide through all major outlets including iTunes and Spotify.

IYMAs partners and supporters include The Department of Children and Youth Affairs, RTÉ 2FM, BIMM Institute Dublin, IMRO, Music Maker, Gaisce – The President’s Award, National Lottery and Youth Action Northern Ireland.

Otherkin Bury The Past with New Single ‘Tombstone’

“We decided to take some of the tension, the mental strain and the stress from the last few years and do something creative with it; something that feels new to us, something that subverts other people’s and our own expectations of what we can do. All that remains won’t be the same.” – OTHERKIN 

Dublin rockers Otherkin return with a brand new single, their first new song since the 2017 release of their debut album ‘OK’. Entitled ‘Tombstone’, this is the new sound of a band brimming with ideas and energy. 

Co-produced by the band and Steve Dub, best known for his work with the Chemical Brothers, at The Toy Rooms in Brighton, and mixed by Jolyon Vaughan Thomas (Royal Blood, Slaves, U2), ‘Tombstone’ is the opening track from a series of songs that the band will be delivering through the spring and summer. 

Otherkin will be announcing new live shows shortly. ‘Tombstone’ is released on Rubyworks on Friday 8th February. 


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