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Month: April 2019

Otherkin Share Video for ‘All That Remains Won’t Be The Same

Following on from the success of comeback single ‘Tombstone’, Irish four-piece Otherkin push things forward with new track ‘All That Remains Won’t Be the Same’.

Of the new song, front man Luke Reilly says: The lyrics to ‘All That Remains Won’t be the Same’ were written at the end of 2017 as the horror stories emerged of everyday abuse and sexism perpetrated by men of power in all walks of life. The song is a rejection of anyone who feels they can behave that way and the title itself is a declaration for change, a statement that these vile actions have no place in society today.” 

Musically, the single, like Tombstone, comes from the same sessions in Brighton with Chemical Brothers producer Steve Dub, with Jolyon Thomas (Royal Blood, Slaves) on mix duties. ‘Tombstone’ has enjoyed extensive BBC Radio 1 and Radio X support, which, together with key playlist support across multiple streaming services, has cemented Otherkin’s reputation as one of the most exciting new bands merging rock and electronics.

‘All That Remains Won’t Be the Same’ was released on Rubyworks on Friday 5th April.

Joe S to Release New Single ‘The Mountain’

Portlaoise based anti-folk artist Joe S will be releasing his brand new single ‘The Mountain’ on all online platforms on April 15th.

‘The Mountain’ is a melodic acoustic track featuring strings, keys and Joe’s trademark baritone vocals.

After a recent trip across Italy, where he got to experience the might and beauty of it’s active Mount Vesuvius and proposing to his long-term girlfriend at the brim of the volcano, Joe began writing what would very quickly become his newest piece of work ‘The Mountain’.

The new single is a departure from his usual work which regularly sports political themes and explores the darker tones of folk. Instead ‘The Mountain’ is powerful love song, juxtaposing the whirlwind of emotions experienced throughout the journey of love against the powerful creations of mother nature.

The single will be releasing this Monday, April 15th on all online stores with pre-orders available immediately at the links below.

www.joesofficial.com

www.amazon.com/Mountain-Joe-S/dp/B07Q5JWK5C/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=joe+s+the+mountain&qid=1554740563&s=dmusic&sr=1-1-spell

https://itunes.apple.com/ie/album/the-mountain-single/1457124467?fbclid=IwAR1QWflS2hjbKzxCGCAhtUTGK8ZvrlANAPZk7kG17g89mlzSS0MimN3iRcl

Jamie Adam Shares ‘Nocturnal’

Meet Jamie Adam, the bedroom-producer who unwittingly recorded his debut album in a series of late night, sleep-deprived sessions during his college years. The twenty-something electronic artist created his music using an iPad, some synthesizers and a guitar lying around his flat. He honed his craft alone, in the dead of night when the rest of the world was sleeping. Adam embraces his nights, when his mind sparks with ideas of what can be and should be, as well as those moments when one finds themselves alone in the early hours – after the afterparty. It’s more than appropriate then that the new single from his album is entitled ‘Nocturnal’; where he declares, “we are the creatures of the night”.

‘Nocturnal’ is an exhilarating track that twists and turns in unexpected directions. It combines reverb-laden vocals and guitar with a purring bassline, before the chorus swoops in with a swirling ambience that really packs a punch. The track has a summer feel to it and Adam’s self-confessed love for Tame Impala is evident, with hints of other acts like Animal Collective and MGMT in there too. The result is a sound that is unapologetically weird, trippy, even tempestuous at times – made in the night by a man who was bleary-eyed but clear minded.

Adam ultimately brings a vintage-toned psychedelic-rock into more digital territory, creating an upbeat electro-pop sound that is equally catchy and quirky in nature. The forthcoming debut album, entitled ‘Melodic Electronic’, has been preceded with a string of single releases and gigs, and tracks like ‘The Power’ and ‘Cool Blood’ received national airplay and online praise last year. Adam was also added to the Whelan’s Ones to Watch series in January of this year. Now he returns to Whelan’s for his album launch on 19 April, promising a show to celebrate bringing his music out of the dark and into the spotlight.

www.instagram.com/jamie_adam_music/
www.twitter.com/jamieadammusic
www.facebook.com/jamieadamofficial/

Aimée Shares Debut Video for Hit ‘Don’t Bother’

Having peaked at No.1 on iTunes the day of her debut release, Aimée today reveals her debut music video for pop hit, ‘Don’t Bother’.

Since its release, ‘Don’t Bother’ has amassed a combined 72K global streams and gained massive kudos having been chosen for Spotify’s New Music Friday in the UK and Ireland. The single has also had Playlist adds in US, UK, Australia, New Zealand, France, Italy, Japan and Poland.

The video was directed and produced by Ovie and was filmed in various locations across Dublin. Ovie and Aimée have previously teamed up when they worked together on the hit track ‘Over Me’ with Mark McCabe.

Of the direction for the music video Ovie says;

“I found inspiration from the song and suggestions made by Aimée. The lyrics and delivery helped paint a clear image in my head about the emotional state of her character in the video. My goal was to visually portray the sadness she felt followed by the relief knowing she’s better off without him, the support from her friends and her finding closure. “

Aimée says;

“With the video for ‘Don’t Bother’, I really wanted us to create something with the energy that matched the track.  As it’s a song that I wrote about a personal experience, I always envisioned having my friends perform with me in the video. So, having that element was a dream come true!

Being able to choreograph the dance section of the video, really allowed my personality to come through and for me to have my own creative stamp on it – which I think is important with your first video.”

A trained dancer, and natural vocalist, Aimée has navigated the bumpy pop path to emerge as a confident songwriter, and an artist who is – and sounds – completely in control of her creative vision.

AiméeMusicOfficial.Com // Instagram  //  Facebook  //  Twitter  //  Youtube

Anthony Kearns Performs Brendan Graham’s ‘O, America’ for ‘America Salutes You – Guitar Legends II’

Internationally-renowned tenor Anthony Kearns was recently given the honour of opening the ‘America Salutes You – Guitar Legends II’ concert on AXS TV. The concert also featured appearances and performances by such guitar legends as Sammy Hagar, Billy Gibbons, Dave Navarro, Robby Krieger, Stephen Stills, Orianthi, Joe Bonamassa, and more.

In his second appearance in the ‘America Salute You’ series, Kearns opened the program with the popular anthem ‘O, America!’ written by Irish songwriter and IMRO member Brendan Graham in collaboration with American William Joseph. He was joined by Laurence Juber, former lead guitarist of Paul McCartney and Wings. Kearns has previously worked with Executive Producer Bob Okun and Lifetime Achievement recipient Joe Mantegna.

“I was very pleased to have Anthony Kearns return to the ‘America Salutes You’ series to sing ‘O, America!’ With Anthony’s powerful delivery and interpretation, the song is one of my favorites – and it is especially relevant for those who have answered America’s call in uniform. It was the perfect for the show,” said Okun.

Kearns commented, “I always appreciate Bob Okun’s invitation to open this incredible concert for veterans suffering from brain injuries and war trauma. The guitarists’ talent is absolutely amazing, including Laurence Juber, Joe Bonamassa, Billy Gibbons, and Stephen Stills, to name a few. It was an honor to work with these fine musicians especially in support of this worthy cause.” Kearns also noted the hard work of Martin Guigui, the Gibson Guitar team, and many others. Like his immortal predecessor, Italian tenor Luciano Pavarotti, Anthony Kearns appreciates and supports other musical genres, including country, folk and Rock ‘n Roll.

This show has magical and memorable musical moments, with Anthony Kearns’ ‘O, America!’ being an inspirational highlight,” said Guigui, the show’s music director who is active in Hollywood.

Originally recorded on December 2, 2018 in Los Angeles, the concert was created to raise awareness and funds for brain and mental wellness charities aimed at helping America’s veterans and first-responders. Recipients included the Elizabeth Dole Foundation, The David Lynch Foundation, Headstrong, and the Entertainment Industries Council.

Kearns is an original member of the PBS sensation, The Irish Tenors, with whom he has 10 CDs and five televisions specials. Now living in Florida, he has a robust international career, frequently performing at major sporting events, high-level charity benefits, on television, in operas, and with world’s most prominent symphony orchestras.

The soundtrack album is available on CD as well as digitally now.

America Salutes You Tracklist

1. “Sharp Dressed Man” – Billy Gibbons
2. “Black Magic Woman” – Emily Estefan
3. “Roadhouse Blues” – Sammy Hagar, Robby Krieger and Joe Bonamassa
4. “Light My Fire” – Robby Krieger and Haley Reinhart
5. “Backdoor Man” – Orianthi, Dave Navarro, Robby Krieger
6. “I Get Evil” – Joe Bonamassa and Vernon Reid
7. “Love The One You’re With ” – Stephen Stills, Billy Gibbons, Haley Reinhart, Robby Krieger and Orianthi
8. “Crosstown Traffic” – Vernon Reid
9. “Hotel California” – Don Felder and Orianthi
10. “Low Rider” – Billy Gibbons and Friends
11. “Oh America” – Anthony Kearns and Laurence Juber

Will de Burca Shares First Release of 2019

‘Dance In The Sun’ is the first release of 2019 by Electronic Dublin based producer Will de Burca.  With Justin Eperton (DFA Records) on vocals, De Búrca has used several vintage synths including a Micro Poly and Prophet 5. A high energy track that spells summer vibes with a lead serenading of vintage Chemical Brothers and Groove Armada.

In 2014 Will de Burca’s released his highly-acclaimed debut album ‘Tomorrow’s Light & Darkness’ – a mix of ambient dance and vintage electronic sounds, which ‘The Irish Times’ likened to DJ Shadows ‘Entroducing’. Will’s album finished at number 6 in 2FM’s ‘The Alternative’ Top 50 Irish albums’ end-of-year poll. Other stations included Radio 1, 98FM, FM104 and BBC 6 in the UK. Redbull Music did a feature on the video to the single ‘Visions We Have Are Fading Away’. The Official Bruce Lee Foundation also tweeted ‘Mandarin Superstar’ on his 75th birthday. In 2017 Will released his second album ‘Embedded’ and played at Electric Picnic. Several tracks were used in independent film releases. His musical influence would be Jan Hammer, DJ Shadow, RJD2, James Lavelle, Chemical Brothers, Danny Elfman and Hans Zimmer.

Irish Youth Music Awards Announce Education Hub Line Up

Youth Work Ireland’s Irish Youth Music Awards (IYMAs) is excited to reveal the first guests for their education hub at their all ages National Day on Saturday May 11th, 2019. This event will also mark the launch of Youth Work Ireland week with other activities and events happening around Ireland.

The Education Hub will feature workshops and masterclasses throughout the day which attendees can sign up for on a first come first served basis. These will include: Gold selling number one artists The Riptide Movement and Number 1 chart topping artists The Academic, they will both also perform some exclusive tracks. Award winning Director Lochlainn McKenna will be teaming up with music producer Daithí to look at how to make a music video looking at the Inspiration, process & promotion involved. RTÉ 2FM’s Mo K and MathMan will host a scratch and DJ workshop. BIMM Institute Dublin will host workshops around performance and songwriting with members of Villagers, James Vincent McMorrow and Heathers plus much more to be announced!

The Irish Youth Music Awards National Day will also feature performances by young musicians aged 12-19, performing across two stages throughout the day and attendees will also be able to visit the IYMAs marketplace which will feature hands on demonstrations and will give attendees the opportunity to learn new skills around the creative and music industry, with BIMM Institute Dublin, Girls Rock 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 the opportunity for attendees to learn new skills.

Tickets for the Irish Youth Music Awards National Day are available from Eventbrite priced €20 excluding booking fee here. The event is an all ages, alcohol /drugs 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 29th and are available here.

We are super excited to announce our education hub line up for 2019 and to create a space for young people to get hands on advice, skills and knowledge about the creative and music industries by some of Ireland’s best acts. We believe it’s so important to support and develop the music and creative industries in Ireland and provide pathways for our future cultural entrepreneurs to develop. We are honoured to be a part of this through the work we do in our IYMAs hubs across the island of Ireland and at our National Day in Croke Park which is all ages and open to everyone to attend,” said Irish Youth Music Awards Director, Barry Lennon.

The Irish Youth Music Awards programme and National Day is a vital part of RTÉ 2FM’s mission to support young musicians, songwriters and producers by giving them an opportunity to develop their skills and meet industry professionals. We have started to see some acts that have been involved in the IYMAs programme to now be part of RTÉ 2FM’s content,” said Director of Music RTÉ 2FM, Alan Swan.

The overall winner 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 years 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.

Youth Work Ireland’s Irish Youth Music Awards (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.

For More Information:

www.iymas.ie
www.facebook.com/irishyouthmusicawards
https://www.instagram.com/official_iymas/
https://twitter.com/officialiymas

FIELDS Share First Release of 2019

Irish alternative-folk collective FIELDS have returned with their first release of 2019 ‘Border Boys’ which is out on April 10th.

Track notes from songwriter Seán O’Brien: 

“The song was inspired by a yarn of my Grandfather’s about a night in the late 50s where he and a friend were detained by the police at Middletown Barracks, Co. Armagh overnight, after they were meeting by the border junction of Ballagh-bridge, north of Mullan, Co. Monaghan. While there was no wrongdoing at play, such was the climate they lived in where you could be in the wrong place at the wrong time and become complicit in a situation not of your own creation.”

“Initially writing specifically with that story in mind, we set about creating a sound which reflects the complex and rugged environment – both physical and emotional – of the borderlands. We wanted to marry the warm sounds of home with the deep despair and anxiety brought by division of people.”

The song was recorded at Dublin’s Hellfire Studios and co-produced by FIELDS and Joe McGrath. It features performances from Kev Foran (Interskalactic, Attention Bebe, New Brass Kings) on trumpet, as well as Marie-Claire Brodie on violin.

The track’s artwork features a picture taken in North Monaghan in the late 60s, where an extended family and group of friends from across Monaghan, Armagh and Tyrone, congregated over a hunt – a common social pastime of that era in rural Ireland.

‘Border Boys’ is the second release taken from the band’s upcoming debut album which is due for release in September, and will also feature previously released single ‘Get Worse.’

Irish Hip-Hop Trio Chasing Abbey meet BILLBOARD

Tullamore urban outfit Chasing Abbey have enjoyed quite the vertical ascent since their self-released debut single ‘That Good Thing’ in 2017. The hip-hop group seem to have made a habit out of consistently outdoing their previous successes. To date, some of their standout accolades of their two year dominance include bagging the RTÉ Choice Music Prize for Song of the Year, signing a global record deal with 3 Beat/Universal, a publishing deal with publishing giants Spirit Music Group, their own television ad with mobile company Eir, landing the official song of the League of Ireland 2018, a host of headline festival slots, support slots for major players The Chainsmokers, Enrique Iglesias and Rita Ora, two 3 Arena appearances and a countrywide sold out tour. Now, Chasing Abbey peaked the interest of music industry publication, BILLBOARD.

Their lead track and latest single – ‘Hold On’ – from their debut EP ‘The Odyssey Project’ offers a more mature Chasing Abbey than we have seen before, with a true urban sound coming to the fore. Cited as Ireland’s answer to Post Malone by District Magazine, and announced as Hot Press magazine readers’ choice for Best Rap/Hip-Hop act 2018, it might seem unsurprising that Chasing Abbey have now caught the attention of US music publication juggernaut, BILLBOARD.

Considered the most reputable music publication in the world (and arguably the biggest with millions of unique readers a month), this Irish hip-hop trio not only bagged themselves an exclusive Billboard premiere of their EP ‘The Odyssey Project’, but also a lengthy and thorough interview with the publication.

Getting the thumbs up from BILLBOARD hip-hop editor Carl Lamarre, Chasing Abbey can now add themselves to a relatively short list of Irish acts to have graced the bylines of such a prestigious outlet, a list that includes the likes of Hozier, Niall Horan, The Script and U2.

‘The Odyssey Project’ premieres on BILLBOARD exclusively for two weeks, before going on general release on April 19th. Accompanying their BILLBOARD interview, Chasing Abbey also offer a track by track breakdown of the EP, which was produced by them in their Tullamore studio before having additional production added by the UK’s Jay Weathers (Stormzy, Rita Ora, Not3s).

Of the project itself, the folks at BILLBOARD have listed the EP as a “five-track bow bends hip-hop swagger with pop shimmer and incredibly evocative lyrics.” The Billboard piece event cites a potential US “takeover” by this Offaly trio, and with such an industry giant behind them, perhaps that takeover isn’t too hard to conceive.

Chasing Abbey play The INEC Killarney, Cyprus Avenue Cork and The Olympia Theatre Dublin this week as part of their aptly named Culchie Kid Tour. Remaining tickets for the shows are available here:

https://www.bigandbright.ie/chasing-abbey-tour

Chasing Abbey’s ‘The Odyssey Project EP’ is available across platforms on April 19th, but you can read their interview and preview the entire EP over at Billboard:

https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/8505861/ireland-chasing-abbey-odyssey-project-ep-premiere-interview

Photo: WOLFF

Colm Mac Con Iomaire Shares First Taste of New Album

Colm Mac Con Iomaire returns with a new album ‘The River Holds Its Breath : Tost ar an Abhainnon’ 17th May and will launch the record in Vicar St the next night, 18th May. Ahead of that, the title track is now available to listen to.

Colm Mac Con Iomaire had gone his whole life without meeting the composer Bill Whelan until he bumped into him three times in the space of a few weeks in 2016; at the National Concert Hall, at Kylemore Abbey, and then in Clifden. Both took it as a sign. At the time, Bill had reconditioned his reel-to-reel tape machine and was looking for a new project. The stars aligned. 

Colm sees this record as a collection of short stories. But it can also be considered as both journal and journey, the culmination of song gathering, commissions and creations over the last few years, during which Colm has charted out tunes like nodes on a map of a broader Irish artistic universe. 

There is a song inspired by paintings in the National Gallery stored in darkness but yearning for the light, a piece for the contemporary dancer Maureen Fleming, music from Colm’s score for the Oscar-nominated short film Late Afternoon, a piece for Nuala O’Connor’s documentary Keepers Of The Flame. In some ways, the record acts as a cypher through which other art can journey.

Retreating to a studio in what was once the writer Kate O’Brien’s house in Roundstone, Connemara, Colm brought in musicians Lorcan & Cillian Byrne, the Con Tempo Quartet, Colm Quearney, Bill Blackmore and Wyvern Lingo to contribute.

This is Colm’s third solo album, following on from ‘And Now The Weather’ and the debut ‘The Hare’s Corner’.

TRACKLIST

1. Introduction : Réamhrá   2. Late Afternoon: Tráthnóna Beag Aréir  3. Una Canción Para Venezuéla  : Amhrán Venezuela   4. The River Holds Its Breath : Tost ar an Abhainn   5. Golden Hour : An Uair Órga    6. From the Mountain to the Sea : Ó Shliabh go Cuan  7. How To Catch a Star : Conas Breith ar Réalt  8. The Shining : Solasta    9.  Old Walls : Sean Bhallaí   10. Keepers of the Flame: Caomhnóirí na Lasrach

LIVE

Fiddle Fair Marquee, Cork – 11th May (with John Sheehan)
Vicar St, Dublin – 18th May

Tickets – https://www.ticketmaster.ie/search?aid=1517343&user_input=colm%20mac%20con&q=Colm+Mac+Con+Iomaire&tm_link=tm_header_search

http://www.colmmacconiomaire.com/

https://www.facebook.com/ColmMacConIomaire

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