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Month: May 2019

Martin McDonnell To Release ‘Hold Me Tight’

Martin McDonnell, 17 year old singer songwriter from Dublin, who’s stunning voice and mature song writing has been wowing listeners since he began playing and writing in August 2018. Developing his craft while busking on the streets of Dublin, his music has caught the attention of radio dj’s, gig bookers, music lovers and industry folk alike, propelling him to performances at the likes of The Ruby Sessions (previous performers include Ed Sheeran, Hozier and Gavin James) and The 2019 Makeup Awards along with showcases at the Wiley Fox, The International Bar and supporting celebrated Irish singer and songwriter Mick Hanley at The DC Music club to name a few.

For the production of his debut single ‘Hold Me Tight’ Martin worked closely with veteran producer David Virgin – who has worked, on stage or in studio with the likes of Nick Cave, INXS, Mary Black, Leslie Dowdall (In Tua Nua), Cat Power & Jonathan Richman to name a few – and his sons Rohan Healy and Al Quiff at Beardfire Studio, Dublin.

With the release of ‘Hold Me Tight’ on May 31st 2019 on the Beardfire Label (joining Beardfire label mates RUNAH, Patricia Lalor and KTG), Martin proves once again that he is an artist that needs to be heard, with a song that is immediately irresistible and deeply touching. Enjoy those quiet Sunday’s on Grafton St while you can Martin.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MartinMcDonnellMusic/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/martin_mcdonnell_music/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaBrg7Kj1LC5DLL-2K4A72Q

CISAC’s Assembly in Tokyo Works For Stronger Rights and Fairer Royalties For Creators Worldwide

Heads of authors’ societies and creators from around the world gather this week to discuss improving the lives, the income and the protection of millions of authors across many repertoires.

Hosted by the Japanese Society for Rights of Authors, Composers and Publishers (JASRAC) on the occasion of its 80th anniversary, the Annual General Assembly of CISAC – the International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers – will highlight how authors’ societies are adapting to a changing market to deliver more value and growth to its global community of creators.

The meeting on May 30th will tackle the campaigns for fairer royalties for creators, upgraded technology to identify and pay songwriters online, and improved standards of performance by authors societies globally.

CISAC works to protect the rights and promote the interests of 239 authors’ societies from 122 countries/territories across all regions of the world and all artistic fields. The CISAC Global Collections Report, to be published later this year, is expected to show totally royalty collections in the sector passing €10 billion for the first time.

CISAC is the world’s largest global network of creators. Its member societies (also known as Collective Management Organisations or CMOs) provide a living for more than 4 million creators of music, TV and film, drama, literature and visual arts.

High on the meeting agenda are:

  • The global expansion of the principles recently adopted under the European Copyright Directive on the digital market. This new legislation enables fairer remuneration for creators when their works are used by digital platforms and clarifies that user generated content services cannot benefit from misapplied “safe harbour” protection  
  • CISAC’s upgrade of its music identifier system (International Standard Music Works Code – ISWC). This plays a vital role in the identification and payment of songwriters online. The upgrade responds to the explosion of music streaming, requiring better and faster allocation of ISWC codes in the market
  • Substantially improved performance standards across CISAC’s global membership. CISAC assistance and monitoring of its membership shows that there has been a dramatic improvement in the performance standards of its member societies over the last two years.

CISAC President Jean-Michel Jarre says: “Creators’ rights are a fundamental human right and I believe in them passionately. Yet, as history has shown, the advance of technology has created a never-ending struggle to keep the laws updated to each new era. In Europe we have seen the culmination of a 4 year effort to secure laws that will give creators a better deal when their works are used on digital networks. Now it is time for the global “ripple effect”, as we take this message to the rest of the world”.

Michio Asaishi, President of JASRAC and Vice Chair of the CISAC Board of Directors says: ”We are delighted to be celebrating the 80th anniversary of JASRAC by playing host to the annual meeting of CISAC in Tokyo.  JASRAC today is working tirelessly to protect the rights of our member creators, and our success in that mission has led to our current role on the international stage as a part of CISAC. The coming days will be a chance to strengthen our collaboration with our partners in Asia and worldwide, and to highlight to governments the vital importance of copyright and authors’ rights to our culture and our economy”.

CISAC Director General Gadi Oron says: “This is a fitting moment for CISAC’s global network to be gathering in Japan, home to our some of most important members who are working actively alongside us to improve the lives of authors.  Millions of creators of all repertoires depend on our global community and network to protect their rights, sustain their income and maintain the highest levels of integrity and professionalism.   We’re making very good progress to achieve those objectives, but there is much more do, especially in the digital world where, despite the vast revenues being made by commercial users of creative works, most creators are not fairly rewarded for their work”.

Coinciding with the General Assembly, CISAC is releasing its 2019 Annual Report, which provides a comprehensive overview of its fight for creators’ rights globally. It will be available for download at www.cisac.org in English, French and Spanish.  

CISAC works alongside its three Creators’ Councils: the International Council of Music Creators (CIAM), Writers & Directors Worldwide (W&DW) and the International Council of Creators of Graphic, Plastic and Photographic Arts (CIAGP).

Johnny Lappin Reveals New Book “In A Lifetime- From Hozier to U2”

Johnny Lappin, one of the most experienced veterans in to-day’s Irish music industry, is to launch his autobiography “In a Lifetime-From Hozier to U2” . Available from Amazon.co.uk now and in stores from 27 June 2019.

The book traces Lappin’s career in the Irish and International music business, from his early days as a live music promoter to negotiating a major international music publishing deal for Ireland’s latest global superstar Hozier. Along the way he became one of Ireland’s leading music publishers, a valued board member with IMRO, a lecturer, and a tireless campaigner for the rights of Irish musicians and songwriters.

Throughout “In a Lifetime-From Hozier to U2”, Lappin applies his quick wit and characteristic candour to tracing his turbulent career that has seen him cross paths with a galaxy of major stars, including U2, Clannad, Celtic Woman, Van Morrison, Elton John, Ron Wood, Phil Lynott, Ian Dury, Rory Gallagher, Bob Geldof, Chrissie Hynde, the afore-mentioned Hozier and many more.

Lappin’s lifetime in the business also gave him a privileged front row seat at the extraordinary rise of the Irish music industry, as it grew from modest beginnings to become one of the major talent resources for the worldwide entertainment scene.

Along the way, Lappin has been a singer, drummer, band manager, record company owner, talent scout, concert promoter, lecturer, consultant, a member of “the music police” and, his first and last love, music publisher.

“In a Lifetime-From Hozier to U2”, is a warts and all, and then some more warts, description of what life is like in the frenetic 24/7 world of music. It is available now from Amazon.co.uk and in stores from 27 June 2019.

Invitation to Wander | Explore Four of the World’s Most Fascinating and Mostly Unreachable Places

Invitation to Wander (2019) invites you to wander and explore four of the world’s most fascinating and remote environments: The Arctic, Amazon, Australian Outback and Deserts. Cork based composer, Karen Power has spent time in these unique, pristine and geographically extraneous environments and making specialised field recordings; intrinsic to Karen Power’s compositional process: hearing how unique and in-human environments behave. These specialised field recordings are made with a selection of directional and omni microphones; specially designed quadrophonic for mapping of space; parabolic dish; hydrophones; bat sonar detector; electric microphones, etc).

Karen has recorded particular sounds from these environments to work with, which are altered, enhanced and tinted through her own creative process and the instrumentation of Quiet Music Ensemble, the vocal improvisations and syllabic text of Ute Wassermann and Michelle O’Rourke, and a *Sound Choir.

The performance is a four roomed, mixed media durational performance with audiences navigated through darkened, choreographed sonic chambers, which are interspersed with photography and moving imagery: all imagery abstractedly relating to the four geographic environments and existing only momentarily.

The work is not a literal representation of these four natural environments but is devised to heighten our awareness to sound…..such as the unfamiliar sounds of the Arctic with its vast and silent topography, while underneath the surface breaths sonic conversations between glaciers – sound symphonies of ice expanding and contracting, cracking, compacting and ancient air escaping. Or Amazonian birds each with their own unique call, distinctly audible within the cacophony of frequencies, harmonies and microtones. Or infinite layers of shifting and sliding desert sands with parched surface grains disguising wet and heavier textured strata underneath, containing microecologies for the creatures that live in darkness. Or the unique Garig Gunak Barlu National Park (Australia) with its wetlands and marine park temporarily contained in profound and harsh dryness. Long, gaunt, silver trees tapering upwards and underground luminous green vegetation peering and veering; rhythmic sounds of sea waves synced to wind moving through the bare barked trees.

In these immersive rooms, the audience, musicians, vocalists and Sound Choir cumulatively listen over a 105 minutes performance. Constantly re-adjusting themselves, adapting to the space, listening as the spaces change based on what they can hear and not hear. Accordant and discordant mixing of sounds where all rooms merge into one soundscape.

Sonically the space is transformed and altered for us all irreversibly, but always remaining true to the original sonic characteristics of these extraordinary places. The performance explores the possibilities of how through hearing natural sound structures and harmonies we can potentially rediscover the evolutionary parallels between humans, nature and animals.

Just listen……..

Where: Cork Centre for Architectural Education (entrance via Nano Nagle Place)
When: Wed 19 – Sat 22 June, 2019
Time: 7.30pm
Price: €15 / €12 conc
Bookings: corkmidsummer.com; 021-4215159; Festival Box Office: 5 Cook Street (opens 8 June)

Don’t miss out on wandering around Nano Nagle Place after hours! Doors open specially for all Invitation to Wander ticket holders from 6.30pm. Explore the convent garden, visit Nano’s Tomb and see buildings from the 18th to 21st century. Museum will stay open late on Fri 21 June only.

COMMISSIONED BY CORK MIDSUMMER FESTIVAL AND PRESENTED IN ASSOCIATION WITH CORK CENTRE FOR ARCHITECTURAL EDUCATION, NANO NAGLE PLACE & CORK INTERNATIONAL CHORAL FESTIVAL

Quiet Music Ensemble: John Godfrey, Roddy O’Keefe, Dan Bodwell, Sean Mac Erlaine & Isle de Ziah
Sound Choir: Katie O’Neill, Noelle O’Regan, Rose Roccaforte, Wendy Goodbody, Jacques de Fournas, Daithi O’Reilly, Brian Sheehan, Caroline McGrath, Elaine Howley & Aoife Spillane.

Photo credit: John Godfrey

invitationtowander@nullgmail.com
corkmidsummer.com/programme/event/invitation-to-wander
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Instagram @invitationtowander

Jane Willow Announces Next Single

Jane Willow will release her new folk-rock and country influenced single ‘The Fool’ on May 31st.

Jane is a Dutch folk musician who moved to Ireland at age twenty-one to pursue music. In recent years Jane’s played at Vicar Street, Whelan’s, Temple Bar Tradfest and Electric Picnic. She’s supported the likes of Glen Hansard, Mark Geary,  Kíla and The Unthanks.

On her debut EP ‘Onward Still’ (Nov 2018) she collaborated with musicians Dave Hingerty (drums: Kíla, Josh Ritter), Vyvienne Long (cello: Damien Rice). Her EP received radio play on RTE Radio 1, Radio Nova, BBC Radio Ulster and got a favourable reception in the Irish media.

Her new single ‘The Fool’ is a departure from her more mellow sound. On ‘The Fool’ she explores folk, folk rock and country elements while her vocal delivery is strong, brazen and raw.

Jane: “This song started as an homage to Dolly Parton’s ‘Jolene’, exploring country songwriting with a strong vocal in mind, but it quickly evolved. I never intended for it to be a real song, or for me to sing it. But something personal occurred to me and I connected with the song because of it. To me this song is about consent. I wanted to rid myself of the anger I felt. And I didn’t want to feel alone in this hurt. I feel very nervous releasing this song, or speaking about it.

But I know people like the song at live gigs, and it means something to me. And hopefully it will mean something to other people too.”

Upcoming Gigs:

The Unthanks (support): 29 May – 1 June
Claremorris Folk Festival: 20 July
Body & Soul, Arburtus Yarns Stage:: 28 July

Facebook: janewillowmusic
Twitter: janewillowmusic
Instagram: janewillowmusic1
Youtube: janewillowmusic
www.janewillow.com

Photo: Tiernan O’Rourke

Gypsies on the Autobahn Announce Album Release

Gypsies on the Autobahn are back and ready to release their sophomore album ‘SUSPENDED’ om 28th June.

The four-piece is comprised of brothers, lead singer James and drummer Dan Smith, guitarist Niall Mooney, and Gary Quinn on bass. After processing their first outing 2017’s ‘Born Brief’, a record ten years in the making, its evident that they have arrived at a point in their lives where they not only know the music they want to make but also they know themselves more than they ever did before. Freed up from the pressure of introducing where they came from on their debut, ‘SUSPENDED’ brings with it a more mature sound and central theme of hope born from moments of struggle.

Talking about writing the record, James said he had always previously found it necessary to try to use his lyrics to speak to someone else. However when it came to moving forward he found that familiar process transitioning into one that delivered lyrics he identified as him searching for hope for himself. It’s that intimacy and insular dialogue that deliver’s ‘SUSPENDED’’s big emotional punch and creates inevitable internal conversations for the listener because everyone can relate to them on a deeply personal level. 

While they admit they write songs in what might be considered a backwards way, music first and lyrics second, its easy to see that it is born from an understanding between four young men who have been creating together for over a decade. This understanding allows them to continually bring each other outside of their comfort zones. A lack of fear in suggesting things that might on the surface level sound unorthodox, ultimately delivers moments of glory that give this sophomore record brand new life. Being so close for so long doesn’t come without conflict, yet even as tensions rose and a battle between their own aggressions and sensitivities reared its head, all it did was create a raw environment where only candour could exist.

While every band becomes a family at some stage, brothers James and Dan grew up in house where music literally moved the walls. If there was a fifth member just as responsible for their sound, it would be that family home which doubles as their rehearsal space. On a regular day you wouldn’t be hard pressed to find their younger brother Kevin (widely known as Kojaque) upstairs building a sonic movement that recently captured a generation in this country and bands like Soda Blonde, formerly Little Green Cars, passing you by at the stairs as they carry out their own rehearsals and writing sessions. It’s very easy to see why music has become the first language of anyone who walks through its doors.

Teaming up with producer Ciaran Bradshaw, ‘SUSPENDED’ glues together seamlessly but is never afraid to go places the previous track hasn’t, providing big guitar moments that meet at a crossroads with the slower piano driven junctures like the record’s heartbreaking first single ‘Make You Mine’. You can’t help but feel that Gypsies on the Autobahn aren’t just wanted by those who listen to them, they are needed. Four men unafraid to be vulnerable in a society where that so rarely transpires. A voice for everyday people who carry real tragedy but can’t help but move forward with an infinite hope for the future.

THUMPER Share Debut EP

THUMPER are Dublin’s most exciting noise-pop sextet, delivering bubblegum psych through a wall of sonic death. With a reputation for raucous and frenzied live shows, and a penchant for howling feedback and pounding rhythm, each show is an exercise in unpredictability. Their just released EP ‘Out of Body Auto-Message’ builds upon THUMPER’s reputation for harnessing caustic noise and saccharine hooks, giving listeners exactly what they hoped for.

The band’s latest singles have seen major radio support across Ireland and the UK (BBC, Radio X) and online support from Paste Magazine, Nialler9 and the Line of Best Fit. As well as regular additions to Spotify’s ‘New Music Friday UK’, THUMPER are currently riding high on the ‘Rock List’ playlist. It’s no wonder THUMPER are consistently topping the ‘Ones To Watch’ lists, touring relentlessly, joining Fangclub on a national tour, playing their first UK show at a sold out Shacklewell Arms and playing festivals all summer long.

THUMPER play Lost Lane, Dublin, tomorrow, 25th May.

https://www.facebook.com/hellothumper/
https://twitter.com/thumper666
https://www.instagram.com/thumper_666
https://soundcloud.com/thumperband
THUMPER Spotify
THUMPER YouTube

Daithí and Ailbhe Reddy Unveil ‘Submarines’

Continuing his series of releases featuring guest collaborators, including Paul Noonan (Bell X1), David Tapley (Tandem Felix), and Stace Gill (The Sei), electronic music producer Daithí has released a brand new single, ‘Submarines’, with guest vocalist indie-folk artist Ailbhe Reddy, available on all digital platforms now [Friday 24th May 2019].

Inspired by the sights, sounds, and surroundings of the West of Ireland, and in particular his home county Clare, Daithí focuses on taking old sounds and memories from his traditional Irish music background, and skilfully works them into his signature unique formation of house music, breathing new life in to Irish tradition. With its pulsing house beats and the sampling of traditional instruments, ‘Submarines’ makes for a powerful summer tune, full of energy.

Discussing the track, Daithí says: “Being at home in Clare around family is the place I feel most safe and secure, it’s a really comforting feeling, and I find it’s a great place to recuperate. I wrote ‘Submarines’ as a way to capture these emotions in music. Traditional music has always been strongly rooted in my family. I have fond memories of my brother playing the flute when we were young, so I really wanted to introduce that to this particular song. I had always wanted to work with Ailbhe, and she really took a shine to this one. Mixing both my original theme and her vision together created something magic, it was so great to work with her on this.”

Ailbhe commented: “Initially Daithí sent me a selection of tracks to choose from, and I was really drawn to ‘Submarine’. I started writing from the perspective of how we can enter relationships with a hard-outer shell that seems to soften gradually over time… kind of like how a tough metal submarine melts into the sea! It was really great collaborating with Daithí and Darragh (Asta Kalapa Studios) on this. Daithí said he wanted me to keep the raw ‘Irishness’ of my voice which was really cool.”

Inspired by bands such as Caribou, Hot Chip, Mount Kimbie and The Field, the two-time RTE Choice Prize nominee Daithí transforms his recorded tracks on stage with a full live band for select summer shows not to be missed. Catch him live at: The Duke of York, Belfast (May 24th); Forbidden Fruit – live band show, Dublin (June 2nd); Féile na Gealaí, Co. Meath (June 15th); Mother Pride Block Party, Dublin (June 29th); Galway Arts Festival supporting Orbital – live band show (July 27th); All Together Now – live band show, Co. Waterford (August 4th), and Love Sensation, Dublin (August 17th), with more dates to be announced.

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Tebi Rex Announce Next Single

Fast becoming one of the most acclaimed names on the Irish music scene, alternative hip-hop duo Tebi Rex release their second track of the year, the follow up to March’s hard hitting ‘Number 1 Symbol Of Peace’. ‘Financial Controller’ (mixed by long time Watsky collaborator Kush Mody) showcases their more pop oriented side, a summer ready anthem that details the struggles of being a twenty first century artist. In their own words, “We wanted to make a song that balanced two experiences; the feeling of being rich as a result of your art, but that same ‘richness’ not really stretching very far. But hey at least now we can afford to add guac to our burritos.”  Released through Paragon Records on 31st May, the song comes with a hilarious video directed by James Alkayed and based on a concept from the band’s Matt O’Baoill and Max Zanga.

Named as one of RTE 2FM’s Rising acts for 2019, Tebi Rex spent 2018 carving out a name for themselves thanks to tracks such as ‘Men Are Trash’ and ‘Peggy’s Bus’, collaborations with the likes of Eve Belle and The Blizzards and a string of high profile festival appearances atLongitude, Electric Picnic, Indiependence and Other Voices. Having made their UK debut with two well received shows at The Great Escape festival in May, the duo will play at the Body & Soul and Knockanstockan festivals before they ready their debut album for an autumn release.

Tebi Rex Spotify- 13,393 monthly listeners: https://spoti.fi/2JcYgT4

Tebi Rex on YouTube: www.youtube.com/tebirex

Otherkin Release New Single and Announce UK Tour

Buoyed by the success of ‘All That Remains Won’t Be the Same’, Irish alternative rock band Otherkin increase speed with the release of ‘On & On’. 

The band say: “We were listening to a ton of French House before making ‘On & On’ and felt inspired to make a song for the dance floor. As we were approaching it from the context of being a guitar band, we thought it would be cool to break the song up with a huge riff, bringing the two worlds together. We paired it with a story of a guy we know who’s a conniving, scheming weasel that’ll never change his ways, regardless of what happens to him.  This song is like one fist in the air and one middle finger in the air to him.”

Produced and mixed by Jolyon Thomas (Slaves, Royal Blood), ‘On & On’ is the third banger-on-the-bounce from the band this year. ‘All That Remains’ enjoyed evening airplay support from BBC Radio 1, daytime spins in their homeland and unprecedented levels of playlist support from all the main streaming platforms.

Following an exciting Electrowerkz show in London, Otherkin are excited to be heading back out on the road in the UK this September.

Catch them live at the following venues:

September 19th 2019 Thursday England Leeds Hyde Park Book Club
September 20th 2019 Friday England Newcastle Riverside 2 
September 22nd 2019 Sunday Scotland Glasgow Nice N Sleazy 
September 23rd 2019 Monday England Birmingham The Sunflower Lounge 
September 24th 2019 Tuesday Wales Cardiff Clwb Ifor Bach 
September 26th 2019 Thursday England Reading Face Bar 
September 27th 2019 Friday England London Camden Assembly

Tickets are on sale Friday 24th May.

‘On & On’ is released on Rubyworks on the same day.

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