Charlie Le Brun is set to tour at selected dates around Ireland to celebrate the launch of his debut album ‘Madness Is Convention’, released earlier this year.
Charlie’s acclaimed debut album ‘Madness Is Convention’ was recorded live in Belfast by Dónal O’Connor at RedBox Studios in January 2019. No post-production modifications were made to the original tracks, in order to preserve the authenticity and the intimacy of a musical moment shared in the studio by the musicians: Charlie Le Brun (Flute), Aoife Kelly (Concertina), Eamon Rooney (Bodhrán) and Feilimí O’Connor (Guitar). As Charlie often likes to say, ‘Traditional Music is all about quality moments, great people and a lot of fun’.
Charlie Le Brun is a flute player based in Dublin, Ireland. Born in Brittany, on the west coast of France, Charlie was immersed in the local traditional culture from a very young age, through speaking the Breton language and joining the many Fest-Noz all over the country (Breton ‘music and dance’ gatherings). Charlie initially started playing classical music before switching to the traditional Irish wooden flute in his early teens. Thereafter in 2008, he moved to Westport (Co. Mayo) where he joined various daily sessions alongside many accomplished musicians. He’s kept on perfecting his craft ever since! Also, all along his musical journey, Charlie has always strived to preserve the natural and warm sound of the timber flute. As for the repertoire, Le Brun enjoys playing old traditional Irish tunes as much as composing and interpreting tunes of a more contemporary style.
Upcoming concerts: November 9th 2019: Ennis Trad Festival, 7.45pm, Queen’s Hotel December 1st 2019: Whelans, Dublin, 8pm January 18th 2020: The Cobblestone, Dublin, 8pm
Widely considered to be one of the finest songsmiths of his generation, Mark Geary begins his five-date autumn tour with The Strawhall House Band this Wednesday 16th October at The Workman’s Club, Dublin.
This will be followed by dates around the country, as follows:
Wednesday, 16th October – The Workman’s Club (Main Room), Dublin Saturday, 19th October – Campbell’s Tavern, Headford, Galway Thursday, 24th October – DeBarra’s, Clonakilty, Cork Saturday, 26th October – Cleere’s, Kilkenny
Ahead of the tour, on Friday 11th October,Mark Geary + The Strawhall House Band released a new version of Mark’s song ‘Rosebud’, from his 2017 album, ‘The Fool’. The single also has a b-side, ‘Mockingbird’, written by Fiacre Gaffney and performed by The Strawhall House Band.
Mark Geary has just returned from sold-out tours in Italy and Switzerland.
The Strawhall House Band features Fiacre Gaffney, Jack Maher, Vinny Kilcullen and Mark Penny. The band’s repertoire includes covers by great songwriters such as Lowell George, Ry Cooder, John Hiatt and Guy Clarke.
It’s this infusion of Americana on the new version of ‘Rosebud’ that adds a distinctive layer which compliments Mark’s already unique style.
IFPI, the organisation that represents the recorded music industry worldwide, has released its Music Listening 2019 Report, which examines the ways in which music consumers aged 16 – 64 engage with recorded music across 21 countries.
Report highlights:
• Music listening is up. Respondents typically spend 18 hours per week listening to music – up from 17.8 hours in 2018. This equates to about 2.6 hours – or the equivalent of listening to 52 three-minute songs – daily.
• Most people (54%) identify as ‘loving’ or being ‘fanatical’ about music. Among 16 – 24-year-olds, this rises to 63%.
• Older age groups increasingly embrace audio streaming services. Engagement with audio streaming globally is strong, with 64% of all respondents accessing a music streaming service in the past month – up by about 7% over 2018. The highest rate of growth for engagement is in the 35 – 64-year-old age group, with 54% of that group accessing a music streaming service in the past month (+8% on 2018).
• Copyright infringement remains a challenge for the music ecosystem. 27% of all those surveyed used unlicensed methods to listen to or obtain music in the past month, while 23% used illegal stream ripping services – the leading form of music piracy.
Frances Moore, Chief Executive of IFPI, said: “This year’s report tells an exciting story of how fans are increasingly engaging with music. At a time when multiple forms of media vie for fans’ attention, they are not only choosing to spend more of their time listening to – and engaging with – music but they are doing so in increasingly diverse ways.The enduring partnership between record companies and artists is the bedrock on which this growing, exciting global world of passionate music listeners is built. Record companies work with their artists to help connect them with fans around the world. The report also highlights that the availability of music through unlicensed methods, or copyright infringement, remains a real threat to the music ecosystem. Practices such as stream ripping are still prevalent and return nothing to those who create and invest in music. We continue to coordinate world-wide action to address this.”
Friday 15th November 2019 sees the long awaited release of one of the albums of the year on high quality vinyl. ‘The D They Put Between The R & L’ by A Lazarus Soul has received near universal acclaim from reviewers with The Sunday Times exclaiming, “vital and brilliant, the LP sounds like Dublin feels.” It has also been made album of the week by a number of influential radio sources including Dan Hegarty and Tom Dunne. Cillian Murphy gave the band a big shout out playing ‘Black & Amber’ on his prestigious BBC 6 radio slot.
A Lazarus Soul bring their unique brand of raw, genuine, unmistakably Dublin inspired storytelling to Whelan’s on Wednesday 30th October 2019, as they make a rare headline appearance in the capital. The summer saw the band open for folk legends Andy Irvine & Donal Lunny in the splendid surroundings of Newbridge Town Hall. They also opened for fellow Dubliner Damien Dempsey in the Iveagh Gardens. Though it was their explosive set, in a rammed big top tent at the All Together Now festival that really got people buzzing, with Hot Press and GoldenPlec including them in their festival highlights.
Writer Brian Brannigan says of the third single (Fri 25 Oct) from the critically acclaimed album… “I wrote a song many years ago called ‘The Day Harry Left for England’ about my best mate. This tune was inspired by him coming back for his Da’s funeral. There was loads of bogies in the church and I was whispering to brother as we made our way through the pews, him filling me in on the history of who was on gear, who was locked up and who was dead. He said to me that you don’t see the junkies (a word I don’t really like to use) because they hang around town for junk. The heavy drinkers on the other hand stay local and love a good funeral session. All the drinkers stay local and all the junkies go to town, there’s a song in that I said.”
Today also sees the release of the video for ‘Cruelty Man’, arguably the most visceral and affecting cut from a very impactful album overall. The song references the evil of institutional and clerical child abuse in no uncertain terms. The crime, the cover up, the anger and the rising is spit in a powerful delivery that is impossible to ignore. The lyric says it all.
“What kind of mind debased and rank
Buries babies in a septic tank
If there’s a heaven father then you’re going to fuckin’ hell
You may not have signed off the heinous crimes
But pulled down the blinds when they came for the answers”
2019 A Lazarus Soul under exclusive license to Bohemia Records
Acclaimed Irish duo The Lost Brothers, Oisin Leech and Mark McCausland from Meath and Tyrone respectively, have announced a brand new album entitled ‘After The Fire After The Rain’ due early 2020 and share the first track ‘Fugitive Moon’. The band are also set to play their biggest Irish headline show to date at Dublin’s Vicar Street Saturday March 21st.
It’s been a remarkable passage for The Lost Brothers. Shortlisted as one of MOJO magazines albums of 2018, and nominated for Best Band and Best Album at the inaugural RTE Radio 1 Folk Awards, The Lost Brothers have become known as one of the very finest bands around. Collaborations down the line have included work with Brendan Benson of The Raconteurs, Richard Hawley and Glen Hansard.
They now add to their growing repertoire with their forthcoming sixth studio album, ‘After The Fire After The Rain’. With five highly acclaimed albums already under their belt and a brand new sixth release on the horizon, they have a rich well of songs to draw from for a spectacular live show.
Pre-production on the new album took place over several months with Steve Shannon in Crumlin after which the songs were taken to New York where the album was co-produced at Strange Weather Studios Brooklyn by Tony Garnier (Bob Dylan’s long time bassist of the last 30 years). Garnier has played on many classic albums down the years including Dylan’s ‘Time Out Of Mind’ and Tom Waits’ ‘Rain Dogs’. On the new track ‘Fugitive Moon’ Garnier plays an upright double bass once owned by jazz luminary Charles Mingus. “It was a lot of fun having Tony with us in the studio working on these songs,” remembers Oisin. “He and the co-producer Daniel Schlett make a really great team.” The atmosphere of fun and camaraderie in the studio and of simply friends making music was one shared by the others including Garnier, “It was a joy to work on these songs and to be around these guys …it’s a spectacular record.“
Daniel Schlett who has recently worked with the likes of Steve Gunn and on the Grammy Award Winning album ‘A Deeper Understanding’ by The War On Drugs, engineered the album and plays a Jupiter 8 synth on the album and the new track ‘Fugitive Moon’ unveiled this week.
The new album also includes contributions from an all- star cast including Howe Gelb, Steve Wickham, Jolie Holland and indie guitar maestro M Ward who plays electric on ‘Fugitive Moon’. Ward has remained friends with the band since they recorded their debut in Portland in 2008.
Speaking of the new song Oisín states, “For years we’ve always looked across the ocean to American roots folk and blues for inspiration. On this album and this new song ‘Fugitive Moon’ we turned homewards and gave a nod to the places that our special to us- I’m fortunate that the river Boyne runs very close to where I live in Meath. More than any other album,” continues Oisín, “these songs are inspired by where we grew up, our native land, with all its rain, dreams and storms.”
“When you are out on the road for a long spell,” adds Mark, “it’s the mundane things you end up longing for from back home. You miss the rain. And when you return, all of a sudden, all those things you took for granted are suddenly magical.” ‘Fugitive Moon’ is a nod to this magic.
Watch the brand new video here for ‘Fugitive Moon’ the opening track from the forthcoming album ‘After The Fire After The Rain’ due for release February 2020 and come join The Lost Brothers and friends for a special evening next Spring at Dublin’s renowned Vicar St. Saturday March 21st.
The video was made by Irish filmmaker Ian Lawton and shot in Meath and Tyrone. “I tried to keep the noir aesthetic in mind shooting this performance video,” explains Lawton, “but I think it also crept into David Lynch territory in its surrealness. When the band mentioned the 1955 noir classic “Night Of The Hunter” I said ok I’m on board! It’s one of my favourite films of all time.”
Speaking of the new song musician and producer Philip King states, “This record is a wonderful sonic expedition and an album that is beautiful in every way. The writing is deep and emotional, an antidote to the virtual life and all its anxieties.”
The Lost Brothers will bring the new album to Vicar St. on Saturday March 21st. For more information on the upcoming tour and on the new release visit www.thelostbrothersband.com where the album is available for pre-order on “signed limited-edition Vinyl, CD, and Digital.”
Isaac Butler has released the brand new video for his latest single ‘Rescue Me’, which is out now across all streaming platforms and digital formats. The track follows the success of his debut single ‘Moon Song’ last summer (which has racked up over 730k streams to date) and a successful Irish summer festival season playing to a huge crowd at the inaugural Kaleidoscope Festival and a full Cosby Tent at Electric Picnic.
Speaking of the video Isaac
said:
“We set out to make a video that represents the youthful nature of the song and I think we definitely achieved that. Myself and Peter Barnes filmed it in just one day with another good friend Simone Collins, a young actress from Dublin. There was no real plan, we just had captured what we did during the day and tried to keep it as natural and real as possible and I think that is really reflected in the video.”
Having recently returned from a six-month stint of writing and recording in Los Angeles where he recorded ‘Rescue Me’ at Eagle Rock Studios working with world class musicians that have toured with artists such as Adele and Lukas Graham, Isaac Butler is now gearing up for his first headline show in Whelan’s on Friday 8 November which is already sold out.
‘Rescue Me’ follows his debut single ‘Moon Song’ which went on to great success being picked up by German TV show “The Bachelorette”, appearing throughout the show which broadcasts to over 2 million viewers per episode
Since writing his first song at age
12, and going on to record it for a children’s charity CD, Isaac Butler’s first
love has been music, complete with a passion for writing and performing his own
original work.
‘Rescue Me’ by Isaac Butler is available across all digital platforms now.
“Rescue Me is a story of hope …
It’s an upbeat anthemic banger …
I love playing this one live, watching the crowds energy build with the song and jump in to the chant with me at the end.”
Reckless Records is thrilled to announce a brand new single from their favourite hard rock group, Bitch Falcon. Emerging from a summer of hot festival dates all over Europe, Bitch Falcon release ‘Damp Breath’ on 25th October. A blistering 200 seconds long audio assault that soothes as it aggravates. In the latest release, Lizzie Fitzpatrick’s shredding guitar and commanding vocals are underpinned as always by the throbbing bass and drums duo of Barry O’Sullivan and Nigel Kenny. ‘Damp Breath’ is where Bitch Falcons’ sound has finally found its full widescreen focus.
“‘Damp Breath’ is a story that deals with someone being managed by a person of authority who is potentially seedy in their intentions…. Would things be easier if they embrace their sexuality and use it their advantage or would behaving in that way quickly create dread, anxiety, self-loathing and a complete abandonment of feminist values which ultimately would results in overwhelming guilt.“- lead vocalist, Lizzie
Christy Moore’s new album, ‘Magic Nights’, will be released worldwide on 22nd November 2019. The first song to be taken from ‘Magic Nights’ is ‘Hurt’, a take on Johnny Cash’s classic version of the Trent Reznor masterpiece. Following on from the multi-platinum #1 album, ‘On the Road’, this new collection features 26 songs across two discs. ‘Magic Nights’ is a further collection of Christy songs amassed through more than 50 incredible years of recording and gigging. Recorded in venues from Derry to Dublin, Birmingham to Belfast and Liverpool to Lisdoonvarna, the album features many old and new fan favourites.
In Christy’s words;
“We are about to release a new album of songs for your consideration.It contains 26 new live recordings gathered under the title of ‘Magic Nights.’ The opening track is ‘Magic Nights in The Lobby Bar’. A version of John Spillane/Ger Wolf’s classic song recorded at The Opera House, Cork in 2014.We have recorded all our gigs in recent years. Producer Jimmy Higgins and Sound Engineer David Meade selected these takes from hundreds of gigs. It has been an enjoyable process. Listening back and discovering special moments, riffs that went unnoticed, choruses long forgotten. Every gig develops its own atmosphere, every audience being a unique gathering of listeners.In Belfast we dedicated ‘Burning Times’ to Lyra McKee, her Young Life so cruelly ended on The Creggan.In Glasgow I responded to a call-out for Spancilhiil and what followed was, for me, a very special version of young Michael Considine’s beautiful song.When we played Dreamland in Athy I sang Johnny Cash’s version of ‘Hurt’. I was 18 when I heard him sing in that very same Dancehall. A night I have never forgotten. (Albert Reynolds was on the door!)In Vicar St, Dublin a voice called out for ‘Johnny Jump Up’. The Band had not played it before but I dived in and they followed. I cherish such spontaneous moments.In recent months I have happened upon Sean Mone’s ‘Rosalita & Jack Cambell’, Pete St John’s ‘Inchicore Wake’, Rob Corcoran’s ‘Ringing that Bell’ and Albert Niland’s ‘Irish Pagan Ritual’ (aka ‘Sail on Jimmy’) Each one taking its place in the set and gathering momentum along the way.Its 50 years this year since I released my first album.I have deep gratitude for the mystery of it all. At work I’m surrounded by a great team of comrades. Their talents and vital contributions keep the show on the road.Each night at 8.05 we stand side stage, breathe in the air of expectancy, the intoxicating waft of perfume and after shave. The crew complete their final checks, the lights go down and out we go once more to face the Music.
Thank You for listening, One and All, Christy.
About Christy
One of the most compelling and inspirational musicians Ireland has ever seen, Christy has a universal fan base and still continues to entertain; cementing him as an Irish icon. It is his deep urge to connect with the listener and to transmit the meaning of the songs he sings that has endeared him to audiences of all ages. Christy has released more than 25 solo albums, from ‘Paddy on the Road’ in 1969 to ‘On the Road’ in 2017.
Selected Upcoming gigs:
Bridgewater Hall, Manchester on 15 October 2019 and Liverpool
Philharmonic on 16 October 2019.
Vicar Street, Dublin on 9/10/16/17 December 2019 & 2/3/7/8/13/14
January 2020.
In 2020, Christy plays Usher Hall Edinburgh on 16 April & Barrowland
Glasgow on 18 April
After 6 billion streams, 30 million single sales, 10.8 million album sales, over 12 million monthly Spotify listeners and 1.8 million ticket sales, Irish alt-pop trio The Script embark upon a new chapter with the November 8th release of their new album ‘Sunsets & Full Moons’.
Having returned with the emotive, stadium-bound first single ‘The Last Time’, ‘Sunsets & Full Moons’ is the sound of The Script – Danny O’Donoghue (vocals, piano, guitar), Mark Sheehan (vocals, guitars) and Glen Power (drums) – focusing on the inclusive, uplifting songwriting that helped them become an arena-filling band with a fervent fan base the world over.
In many ways, ‘Sunsets & Full Moons’ feels like a sequel to The Script’s much-loved debut album. Both albums emerged from emotionally turbulent times: O’Donoghue lost his father around the time of the release of their debut. And ten years later, he lost his mother as they worked on this album – with both his parents passing on Valentine’s Day. Naturally the songs began to reflect the band’s own personal experiences – and those are themes sure to resonate with their fans, too.
“I think it’s the most poignant record we’ve ever made,” asserts O’Donoghue. “Our music was always about being together with the audience, and writing about your own feelings, and sharing them”.
The Script approached the album reinvigorated following a triumphant tour in support of 2017’s #1 album ‘Freedom Child’. Again echoing their early days, the band embraced the unifying power of the simple things – killer hooks, insistent melodies and stirring sentiments. They opted to produce the album themselves, staying close to home at their unshowy space in Metropolis Studios, with help from mixing master and old friend Mark ‘Spike’ Stent (Coldplay, Beyoncé, Frank Ocean) plus Manny Marroquin (Post Malone, Lizzo, Dua Lipa) and Dan Frampton (AuRa, Maejor, Jack Savoretti).
“No frills, no production, just us playing as a band,” notes Sheehan. “It’s us doing what we do best.”
The overriding theme, concludes O’Donoghue, is simple. “No matter how deep and dark it gets, it’s going to be daylight again.” Exuding hope and positivity in the face of challenging times, The Script’s sense of uplift as alive and vital as it ever was.
‘Sunsets & Full Moons’ is now available to pre-order on CD, vinyl and digital formats. The Script’s official store will also offer some special versions of the album including limited edition transparent vinyl, cassette and signed CDs and vinyl.
Fans who pre-order the album from the official store by 5pm on Tuesday October 15th will receive access to a pre-sale for tickets for next year’s UK and European arena tour. The pre-sale opens at 9.30am on Wednesday October 16th and will remain live until remaining tickets go on general sale at 9.30am on Friday October 18th.
Jerry Fish is renowned as much for his showmanship as he is for his music. He’s a carnival creator, circus ringmaster – complete with Vaudeville moustache – a playwright, singer, songwriter and poet. Mr. Fish’s genre bending and idiosyncratic style of entertainment has made him a household name in Ireland, with two platinum-selling solo albums, an MTV Award and IRMA Music Award, and a solid reputation as a supreme and spectacular showman.
Spawned from his Electric Picnic shows which became so popular that they gave him his very own stage, “Wherever Jerry Fish goes, the circus is not far behind,” he says. “It’s a monster, but I love that whole fraternity. My motto is ‘unity through diversity’. In a circus, everyone mucks in.”
What a year 2019 has been for Jerry Fish, producing his very own colouring book with artist Mirjam Schiller, and bringing his Electric Sideshow to a brand-new family festival Kaleidoscope and once again to Electric Picnic, a ‘festival within a festival’ highlight at both.
Now the circus is leaving town and for the first time in quite a while Jerry is releasing brand new music. ‘True Love Will Find You In The End’ feat. Wallis Bird (a song by Daniel Johnston/arranged by Cian Boylan). Previously covered most famously by Beck, it’s now Jerry’s turn to put his singular stamp on this bittersweet ballad.
Jerry says, “I discovered Daniel Johnston many years ago as I was lucky to share festival bills with Nirvana with my band An Emotional Fish in the early 1990s. Kurt Cobain famously wore Daniel’s “Hi How Are You?” t-shirt which first brought him to fame. Daniel’s songs are so universally honest, I am blessed to have discovered such a unique artist and love to perform his songs at my theatre shows. I am also very lucky to have my friend and renowned composer Cian Boylan arrange these songs so beautifully.”
‘True Love Will Find You In The End’ will be on general release on November 1st 2019 and pre-sales of the single are available on iTunes from October 13th.
Jerry will include the song as part of his live set when The Jerry Fish Electric Sideshow launch Puca Festival to celebrate Oíche Shamhna at Trim Castle on October 31st.
Jerry is also very proud to announce that he will be opening an exhibition of Rasher’s new paintings “CHRYSALIS” which features a portrait of himself at The Dean in Dublin on November 7th. Art, music, performance: life is a carnival when Jerry Fish is involved!
