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Month: October 2019

Irish band Cronin new single “There’s a Darkness”

Cronin take a break from the studio recording the follow up to their critically acclaimed debut with a handful of dates across Europe and a new single. ‘There’s a Darkness’ will be available to stream from Friday 25th October.

Recorded and mixed in their own Transmission Rooms studio with the help of Karl Odlum (Glen Hansard, Ham Sandwich), Ger McDonnell (U2, Kasabian). The song with a perfect Autumnal feel for this time of year with Halloween around the corner is a taste of an ambitious project Cronin have for 2020. They are also due to hit the road with a series of gigs through November and the Christmas period.

CRONIN LIVE DATES

SAT 26TH OCT – BOYLES OF SLANE
SAT 2ND NOV – PAPIRHUSET, DRAMMEN, NORWAY
THURS 14TH NOV – THE GROVE INN, LEEDS, UK
FRI 15TH NOV – WHELANS, UXBRIDGE, LONDON, UK
SAT 16TH NOV – WHELANS, CROYDON, LONDON, UK
SUN 17TH NOV – LONDON TBC
SUN 15TH DEC – THE BRUDENELL, LEEDS, UK
THURS 26TH DEC – THE VILLAGE INN, DRUMLISH, LONGFORD, IRL
FRI 27TH DEC – MONROE’S GALWAY, IRL
SAT 28TH DEC – THE STABLES AT SMIDDY’S, MULLINGAR, IRL

More dates to be announced.

A FEW NICE WORDS ON CRONIN

“they’re good boys, brilliant.” Alan Mcgee, Creation Records
“You sound like me but in tune.” Nick Cave
“An invigorating mix of Nick Cave, the Bunnymen and just about every classic British guitar band you care to name.” Hot Press Magazine
“I love that kind of thing they do and they do it so well. Fantastic album.” The Paul McLoone Show – Today FM
‘Great songs.’ The Chris Moyles Show On Radio X
‘Wonderful’ Janice Long BBC Radio Wales

Soda Blonde Announce EP, Single and Irish Tour

The Dublin alt-pop band Soda Blonde have announced their debut EP ‘Terrible Hands’ for release on November 8th 2019. The EP’s title track, the band’s second single since their formation, is OUT NOW. Following the news of their Whelan’s show being sold out, the band have added a second show due to popular demand for 16th December 2019. Tickets €16.50 inclusive of booking fee, available now from Ticketmaster.

The EP will be released on the first date of the band’s new 9-date Irish and UK Tour in Nov and Dec that begins in Waterford, before the band visit Cork, Galway, London and Manchester (their first ever UK shows), Limerick, Belfast and two hometown shows at Whelan’s Dublin. The second Dublin date has just been announced today and tickets are on-sale now HERE.

Fronted by singer-songstress Faye O’Rourke, Adam O’Regan (keys and guitar), Donagh Seaver O’Leary (bass) and Dylan Lynch (drums), who all emerged from the ashes of internationally acclaimed band Little Green Cars.

The transformation is lead by a distinctive new sound which seamlessly weaves together influences from Fleetwood Mac, Little Dragon, Bat For Lashes and Kate Bush whilst still keeping the integrity and unique charm that sky-rocketed Little Green Cars’ success. The result… enticing, dreamy alternative-pop music.

Soda Blonde hit the ground running with their first single ‘Swimming Through The Night’ (watch the accompanying video here) – which Hot Press described the track as: “a striking conceptual world in which the music inhabits… O’Rourke’s powerful and hauntingly unique vocal combines with impactful, atmospheric grooves to create pop music that is both emotionally affecting and incredibly satisfying.”

This new collection of songs titled as the ‘Terrible Hands’ – EP (self produced by the band themselves at their Dublin HQ) were all written by lead singer Faye O’Rourke throughout her early 20s where she honed in on her unique lyrical style that has been called gritty kitchen-sink realism, evoking the tragic beauty of Karen Carpenter and the pop sensibilities of Annie Lennox

In light of the times we live in ‘Terrible Hands’ was chosen as the title track for our EP. It touches on failed relationships, personal short comings and self discovery. It was written over a hugely transitional period for all of us and was nothing but joy to create. We’ve been busy preparing the new material for the last few months and are so excited to get to share them to a live audience.” – Faye O’Rourke

TERRIBLE HANDS – EP – OUT ON NOV 8th

TERRIBLE HANDS – UK AND IRISH TOUR

08 NOV– CENTRAL ARTS, WATERFORD, IE
16 NOV – THE KINO, CORK, IE
23 NOV – ROISIN DUBH, GALWAY, IE
26 NOV – PAPER DRESS VINTAGE, LONDON, UK
27 NOV – SOUP KITCHEN, MANCHESTER, UK
29 NOV – DOLANS, LIMERICK, IE
06 DEC – THE BLACK BOX, BELFAST, IE w/ Special guests The Slow Show
15 DEC – WHELAN’S, DUBLIN, IE w/ Special guests The Junior Show (SOLD OUT)
16 DEC – WHELAN’S DUBLIN, IE (JUST ADDED – DUE TO POPULAR DEMAND)

FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TWITTER | SPOTIFY | APPLE MUSIC

Darce and Will De Burca Share ‘Bob Ross’

‘Bob Ross’ is a cross-genre,all-Irish collaboration between Cork artist Darce and acclaimed Dublin producer Will De Burca. The track transports the listener back 1970’s west coast America, albeit the illusionary version that is portrayed on TV. The song’s booming beat catches the listener from the outset while the lyrics tell the story of a night defined by discos and afros, while retaining it’s Irish roots. Where else would you hear a verse that starts with “Young Ronnie Drew”. 

Rural Ireland isn’t known as a hotbed for Hip-Hop and Pop acts but Bantry-born Artist Darce is changing that. The Irish artist’s music has been featured by Spotify UK, Spotify Ireland, and Spotify Sweden being placed on playlists such as ‘Chilled Pop Hits’, ‘A Breath of Fresh Éire’ and ‘New Music Friday’. He was named Irish Times ‘New Artist of the week’ along with receiving support from Joe.ie, Nialler9, District Magazine, 2fm, Fubar Radio and Hip-Hop Headquarters to name a few. Over the last 12 months, Darce has played music industry showcases (Ireland Music Week, Music Cork), supported acts such as Example,Sean Kingston and Le Boom and played major festival slots in Ireland and abroad.

Will de Burca is an Irish electronic producer and DJ. His debut album ‘Tomorrow’s Light & Darkness’ received rave reviews internationally. The Alternative with Dan Hegarty 2fm included the album in his “Top 10 Albums of the Year’’. He is signed to Tremolo Music Publishing and has performed live at festivals such as Body & Soul, The Electric Picnic and Kaleidoscope. His 3rd album will be out early next year.

Brendan Graham’s ‘Crucan na bPaiste’ wins at Royal National Mòd 2019

In Glasgow’s Royal Concert Hall last week, ‘Crucán na bPáiste‘, written by Brendan Graham and performed by the Oban Gaelic Choir, in a choral re-imagining of the song by choir director Sileas Sinclair, won the prestigious Lovat and Tullibardine Shield Choral Competition at this year’s Royal National Mòd. The competition, which dates back 127 years, started in Oban in 1892 and is the premier festival of Scottish Gaelic literature, song, arts and culture and one of the more notable peripatetic cultural festivals in Scotland. It is often referred to simply as the Mòd.

Crucán na bPáiste‘ was the only song from outside of Scotland performed in the competition, which featured nine of Scotland’s elite Gallic Choirs, as all the other songs performed were of the Scots Gallic tradition. Scottish singer Kim Carnie, who has previously recorded Crucán na bPáiste, as has Capercaillie’s Karen Matheson, put a beautiful Gallic snas on the songs Irish lyrics.

Here in Ireland, Eimear Quinn and Cathy Jordan have also recorded the historically significant song.

Sibéal Shares Behind the Scenes Video

Contemporary Irish singer Sibéal today releases stunning behind the scenes footage taken from the shoot of her music video for ‘Mise Éire’.  

The video for ‘Mise Éire’ was shot in scenic locations around Wicklow and Dublin City and was directed by Luke Daly and Nathan Fagan and produced by Bold Puppy.

The premise behind this video was to capture the ethereal beauty of Sibéal’s voice and presence and to showcase her as the contemporary artist that she is, while also acknowledging and marrying her traditional roots.

Sibéal is set to take stage at her debut, headline show in Dublin’s Liberty Hall, this coming Saturday 26th October 2019.

Tickets €23 inclusive of booking fee, on sale now.

Sibéal’s self-titled, debut album that was released last August and includes ‘Mise Éire’, flew to No.1 in the pre-order album charts, debuted at No.10 upon release and climbed to No. 6 in the Irish Album Charts. 

Listen  to ‘Sibéal’ here!

LIVE DATES

26th October – Liberty Hall, Dublin – Tickets on sale now!

8th November – Leaves Festival of Music and Writing, Portlaoise

30th November – Harp Festival/Cruit Éireann, Christ Church, Dublin

WWW.SIBEALOFFICIAL.COM // FACEBOOK // TWITTER // INSTAGRAM

Beautiful Affair A Journey in Music, Food and Friendship | Mike Hanrahan

From the early days of his music with Stockton’s Wing to training at Ballymaloe Cookery School, food and music have been parallel lines that have kept Mike Hanrahan on track his entire life.

Mike Hanrahan, cook and teacher, songwriter and musician, takes us back stage and into the kitchens of a bohemian, international and surprisingly foodie group of Irish household names, including Ronnie Drew, Finbar Furey, Maura O’Connell, Leslie Dowdall, Pat Shortt, Eleanor Shanley and Sharon Shannon.

Mike penned hit singles ‘Beautiful Affair’ and ‘Walk Away’ for Stockton’s Wing, from which a world of touring and behind-the-scenes escapades began. With affectionate portraits of the legendary personalities he came to know along the way, Beautiful Affair rings with the sheer graft, dedication and serious sense of humour of a life well spent on stage – and in the kitchen.

Mike’s time training with Ballymaloe’s Darina Allen would see his hobby become a second career. Here, he shares favourite recipes from home, friends and professional kitchens across the country – from family recipes cooked on country hearths to vegetarian folk-club grub and tour-bus pressure-cooker stews. Beautiful Affair tells tales of the Irish music scene from the 1970s through to today, and wends its way through a lifelong love affair with Irish food.

This is much more than my story. In Beautiful Affair I introduce you to my friends – who share memories, recipes and quite a few amusing anecdotes that add so much sparkle to my life.’Mike Hanrahan

Mikes professional career began in 1977 with Maura O Connell in a duo called TUMBLEWEED. In 1980 he joined Stockton’s Wing as guitarist, singer and songwriter and recorded the album Take a Chance.

He wrote all the songs on Stockton’s Wing’s ground breaking and critically acclaimed Album LIGHT IN THE WESTERN SKY (1984) including hit songs BEAUTIFUL AFFAIR and WALK AWAY. Stockton’s Wing appeared at all the major European and American Folk Festivals. He also collaborated with Bella Fleck, The Dubliners, Finbar Furey and Maura O Connell plus a BBC Christmas special with Val Doonican. In 1988 they played support to Michael Jacksons Cork gigs during his Thriller tour. In1989 Sammy Davis Junior invited the band to perform at his Lansdowne Road shows in Dublin.

In 1990 Stockton’s Wing went on location to take part in the Noel Pearson/Jim Sheridan film production of the John B. Keane play “THE FIELD” which featured Oscar nominee Richard Harris and John Hurt. Mike Left Stockton’s Wing in 1994 to tour with Finbar Furey and pursue a solo career in Europe recording his first album for German label Wundertutte Someone Like You. Ronnie Drew invited him to collaborate on his 1997 theatre show ‘Ronnie I hardly knew Ya’ and they worked together until Ronnie’s death in 2008. Mike produced four albums for Ronnie, two with Eleanor Shanley which gave us the iconic duet ‘A Couple More Years’. The theatre show had two runs in Dublin and a very successful Off Broadway run at The Irish Theatre. They collaborated with many artists during these years including Liam Clancy, Finbar Furey, Johnny McAvoy, Jim McCann and Paddy Reilly as The Legends of Irish Folk with Mike as Musical Director.

Mike currently performs with a reunited Stockton’s Wing who have signed with Universal records to release a back-catalogue collection in January 2020. He also writes and performs with Leslie Dowdall and is currently writing Remembering Ronnie Drew with Eleanor Shanley for a 2020 extensive tour throughout Europe.

Fontaines D.C. Upgrade Belfast Venue

It was announced today that due to phenomenal demand, Fontaines D.C. has upgraded their SOLD OUT headline show at Empire Music Hall to Belfast’s Ulster Hall, 12th December 2019.

Extra tickets to be released this Thursday at 9.00am.

All purchased tickets for Empire Music Hall will remain valid.

The last six months have seen Fontaines D.C. release four hotly received double A-side singles, all of which were named as singles of the week by Rough Trade, and garnered early support from the likes of Steve Lamacq and others on BBC 6 Music, as well as earning feature space from every major Irish and UK publication. They have toured sold-out shows across Ireland, the UK and Europe, and will embark on a full world tour throughout 2019.   The long-awaited and highly-anticipate debut album, Dogrel, is out now.

Tickets for FONTAINES D.C. live at the Ulster Hall Belfast go on sale Thursday 24th October at 9.00AM

For Ulster Hall tickets see: www.ulsterhall.co.uk

Or call Ulster Hall Box Office (028) 9033 4455

FONTAINESBAND.COM

Nicolas Kluzek and Jake Curran Collaborate

Nicolas Kluzek has teamed up with Jake Curran (Niall Horan, Jake Curran Quartet) for his brand new single ‘Paris Morning Sun’ , following the success of his ‘Rain Or Shine E.P’ last early summer (which so far has generated over 800,000 streams on Spotify and Apple Music).

Jake Curran is a sought after Dublin guitarist who’s known for being a driving force in Niall Horan’s (ex One Direction) band with which he’s touring the world, and for his live jazz performances with the Jake Curran Quartet.

This record is an encouraging story, showing that despite the cranes, the crazy rents and so on, Dublin is still a friendly, creative place:
Jake and Nicolas had heard of each other but never met.
A few DMs later, Jake turned up to Nicolas’ studio one summer day.
A few chats and cups of coffee later, two ideas were recorded.
This is the first one: ‘Paris Morning Sun’.

It’s a Jazz-Hop record, with beautiful intertwined guitars and piano and a powerful dusty Hip-Hop drum groove. It’s like a musical stroll in a Parisian sunny street.

‘Paris Morning Sun’ by Nicolas Kluzek and Jake Curran is available across all digital platforms now.

Danny G & The Major 7ths Announce Next Single

Danny G & the Major 7ths release latest single ‘Time the Healer’ feat. Fehdah & Zaska on digital release on November 4th 2019.

‘Time the Healer’ is the 3rd single from forthcoming album ‘The Lookout’.

This song was written for a friend. When you go through a really tough time, the pain never really goes away, you never forget it. But time passes. One day you’ll wake up and it won’t hurt any more. You’ll come out the other side, wiser and stronger.

This track features the incredible Fehdah who makes the song her own, and the brilliant Zaska.

Produced and mixed by Ken McCabe, Wolfhound Sound
Recorded by Jack Groenland, Timpada Studio & Ken McCabe, Wolfhound Sound.

Danny G & the Major 7ths – InstagramFacebookTwitter

Fehdah – InstagramFacebookTwitter

Zaska – InstagramFacebookTwitter

IMRO Christie Hennessy Song Contest Finalists to be Announced Live on PLAYIRISH Radio

The ten finalists in this year’s IMRO Christie Hennessy Song Contest are set to be announced this Thursday, 24th October live on PLAYIRISH Radio (www.playirish.ie) at 8.00pm. The special show will feature the finalists’ original compositions alongside hits from Christie Hennessy and Mundy, who will be this year’s special guest artist at the final on 2nd November in The Ashe Hotel, Tralee.

The IMRO Christie Hennessy Song Competition takes place as a tribute to the life and music of one of Tralee’s most famous sons. The ten finalists were selected from over 250 entries and will perform their original songs in front of a live audience and a panel of expert judges. The winning songwriter will be presented with a cheque for €1,000 on the night, courtesy of CARA Credit Union while the runner up receives a cheque for €300. The winner of the competition will also receive a media campaign courtesy of Yangaroo Music Ireland.

The final takes place on Saturday 2nd November in the Ashe Hotel Tralee from 8.00pm featuring a special guest performance from Mundy. Entry to the final is free. Email events@nullimro.ie to reserve a seat.

PLAYIRISH Radio was launched earlier this year by IASCA, to showcase the sheer volume of music created by Irish artists. They are proud to provide a showcase channel for all genres of Irish music, and host genre specific shows at 7pm most evenings. They have partnered with established music events like the IMRO Christie Hennessy Song Contest, Fleadh Cheoil and have programmed artist takeovers by The Coronas, Mark McCabe (dance), All Tvvins, Fangclub (rock) and The Metal Cell Podcast, with Hip Hop, Trad, Folk and Classical takeovers all in progress. The aim is to grow the station internationally in 2020. Lend them your ears at www.playirish.ie

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