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Month: March 2020

Keeping your studio environment and musical equipment Covid-19 virus free

IMRO members Marion McEvoy, Owner/Engineer from Panchord Studio Dublin and multi award winning songwriter, performer and producer Phil Coulter share advice and tips on keeping your studio environment and musical equipment Covid-19 virus free.

For regularly updated advice and resources for music creators during Covid-19 outbreak visit:  https://imro.ie/music-creators/advice-resources-for-music-creators-during-coronavirus-outbreak/

True Tides Unveil ‘Survive’

3 brothers from Cork, True Tides have had a whirlwind 2019 having established themselves as a major buzz act in Ireland with their guitar driven synth pop brimming with hooks, soaring melodies and layers of intricate vocal harmonies.

With only 3 songs released to date, the brothers made their national television debut on the Late Late Show; had their first UK television synch with their track ‘The Answer’ appearing on E4’s ‘Made in Chelsea’; were playlisted on national + regional radio; hit almost half a million streams and featured on numerous Spotify playlists including New Music Friday; sold out a Cork City Hall headline show performing with a full orchestra; played their first headline tour of Ireland packing out venues across the country including Whelans, Róisín Dubh and Cyprus Avenue followed by numerous festival appearances such as Body & Soul and the main stage at Indiependence; performed on some of the biggest stages in Ireland to thousands at sold out shows while supporting acts such as Picture This at the INEC Arena, The Coronas at Independent Park Stadium, Galway Big Top and The Olympia, The Academic at Iveagh Gardens and many other venues including Ulster Hall in Belfast!

Having already made an explosive impact in 2019, True Tides look destined for a huge 2020 releasing new music with Warner Music Ireland and touring extensively including festivals in Ireland and abroad.

Their new single ‘Survive’ is another pop banger with a pumping guitar hook and a vocal melody that underscores the positive message behind the song.

Although you might get knocked down or pushed back, sometimes just trying to do your best and facing your fears head on can be enough to find your inner belief again. As the chorus states “Get up through all your fears, get up through all the nights, get up through your darkest moments, you will survive”.

Marc O’Reilly Shares New Acoustic EP

Irish roots-rock sensation Marc O’Reilly has just shared a spectacular new acoustic EP featuring MOBO award winning Danish bassist Jasper Hoiby .

The tracks were recorded live in one take at Monique Studios in Cork and captured on analogue tape by producer/engineer Christian Best (Mick Flannery, Marlene Enright etc).

Marc met Jasper when they both performed on the 2nd album by MOBO award winners Kairos 4Tet at Peter Gabriel’s legendary Real World Studios and an impromptu jam at the album launch in London inspired them to record and perform live together.

The tracks on the EP span Marc’s 4 albums to date. 

The release will be supported by a live performance video of the session to be released in early April.

www.marcoreillymusic.com

Twitter/Instagran -@marcoreilly

Hunting Hall Share ‘Dublin London Portland’

Hunting Hall is the solo project of Tim Shearwood who has stealthily built an impressive portfolio of work over the past decade both musically (with The Curtain Thieves and Third Smoke) and through videos (he’s been the go-to guy of late for the likes of Æ Mak, Le Boom, Lullahush and Just Mustard). 2019 saw Hunting Hall release his debut single ‘Helium’ and support Just Mustard and Æ MAK, play gigs in Whelans, The Sound House, The Grand Social, Arcadian Field Festival and be booked by many including Irish tastemakers Homebeat. 

Launching into 2020 Hunting Hall has been chosen as one of the State.ie ‘State Faces of 2020’  and is about to release his new single and video ‘Dublin London Portland’ on March 27th.

Here, Shearwood is back at the heart of his own musical voyage of discovery. ‘Dublin London Portland’ represent the wistfully imagined best places where the artist can break from the shackles of small-town Ireland – the ennui, the unproductive routines – and live out his dreams and ambitions, “a big plan”, as Shearwood states it.

Ultimately, the message is one of optimism – the suffocating beast of procrastination shall be tamed. Programmed percussion, hard-hitting chords, and swelling synth pads push the track forward with relentless energy. Do we believe Shearwood will realise the big plan? Going by his latest offering, he could be well on his way already.

The video for ‘Dublin London Portland’ was shot in Shearwood’s apartment in Glasnevin and features a mesmerising dance performance by his girlfriend, Eleanor Jameson. As might be expected of someone much in demand for their filmmaking,

Shearwood’s video is a compelling piece of work, achieving a crackling atmosphere through tightly edited sequences and wholly complimenting the music.

The track was mixed and produced by Portobello-based, Micheal Heffernan, who has previously worked with Æ MAK, Thumper, Bitch Falcon, Ailbhe Reddy, The Coronas and The Script.

Instagram   Facebook  Twitter  YouTube  SoundCloud  Spotify

Lisa Lambe’s New Album Out 3rd April

Lisa Lambe, is one of Ireland’s best-known performers. Described by the Irish Times as the finest singer and actor of her generation, she is now poised to attract a global audience with her forthcoming album, ‘Juniper’. Lisa says she imagined ‘Juniper’ as a colorful story of nature, time and place: “The title track was sparked by a boldly gnarled juniper tree I spotted on an isolated bog road.”

‘Juniper’, released 3rd April, is Lisa’s sophomore album and she embarked upon it with producer Karl Odlum in 2019It was written in the west of Ireland and recorded at the remote Attica Studios in County Donegal. Lisa describes the eleven-song collection as “a love letter to nature”. Her songwriting, although inspired by the Irish landscape and surroundings, is also thoroughly universal, modern and international.

Lisa’s keen poetic musical sensibilities and the soulfulness of her voice land the music somewhere between a Natalie Merchant (10,000 Maniacs) rock timbre and an Alison Kraus country rasp. The entire ‘Juniper’ album was recorded live in one room, Lambe says, with the mid-tempo first single, ‘Tiny Devotions’ capturing “the immediate and rare joy of musicians playing together during a recording session.” ‘Someone Like You’ is a slow-burn groove flecked with acoustic guitar and clear-eyed melodies; ‘Hunter’s Moon’ is a light blues number with a singalong chorus; and the title track ‘Juniper’ is an atmospheric ballad with gauzy harmonies and the low hum of a minor-key organ that paints an aural portrait of Ireland’s wild and haunted Western edges.

It’s no surprise that Lisa’s new songs conjure moods and visions: she graduated Trinity College Dublin with distinction as an actor, working with Ireland’s national theatre and starring in many smash hit plays. In 2019 alone she was on stage at The Abbey in two roles written specifically with her in mind: playing Lil in an adaptation of Edna O’Brien’s classic feminist novel The Country Girls, and as Cathy in a production of Dermot Bolgers’ Last Orders At The Dockside. Both were well-received by audiences and media alike, with Country Girls especially receiving numerous accolades.

Lisa is a frequent guest on national radio and television in Ireland and has appeared at world-renowned venues as lead singer with Celtic Woman that include Radio City Music Hall in New York City, Nokia Live in Los Angeles, Red Rocks in Colorado,. As a solo artist, Lisa has performed globally including Celtic Connections Scotland, Glastonbury UK as well as The Irish Arts Centres in London, Paris and New York. Ireland’s HotPress called Lisa’s voice “sumptuous”, RTE described her as a “national treasure,” and the Irish Times labeled the singing on her 2015 album, ‘Hiding Away’, “pure gold.” In 2018, Broadway World debuted her cover of the Guess Who classic, ‘These Eyes’.

Juniper is an especially meaningful project for Lisa. “The purpose of the project was to capture the lightning of making music,” she says. “I’m a live-in-the-moment artist and whether in the studio or onstage, I have to ground myself in the moment, feel what I’m receiving from the songwriting, and give something back to serve the song. With this recording, there was a huge desire in me to find the tribe of musicians and listeners to go on a completely new journey with me. All the elements came together, and the result is a vast landscape of colour and sound not tied to one nationality or genre but instead to the notion of a tribe.” 

Welcome to the ‘Juniper’ tribe.

Thursday 10 September – Sugar Club, Dublin

More shows to be-rescheduled in August, September and October.

Bobbi Arlo Releases New Uplifting Song ‘Breathe’

Bobbi Arlo releases her brand new single ‘Breathe’, which is inspired by the negative mental health effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

On the single Arlo says, “’Breathe’ is an anthem of solidarity through hard times and a reminder that no matter how tough the situation is, we will get through it together. This is very spontaneous release, I just wanted to play my part in lifting people’s spirits. My aim with this feel-good song, is to take people’s minds off all things anxiety driven with the subconscious message being, ‘breathe’.”

Fresh on the scene and hotly tipped for big things, 21-year-old pop rap artist Bobbi Arlo is most definitely an artist to keep tabs on. Since the release of her debut radio smash ‘Berries’ back in November 19, Arlo’s star is most definitely on the rise. Arlo’s mellow almost hypnotic sounding voice paired with her infectiously catchy lyrics and beats make for a pairing even the sourest of people could love. Her music is nothing short of feel good feel deeply.

Catch Bobbi Arlo live at Sea Sessions, Indiependence and Kaleidoscope festivals this summer!

Twitter: https://twitter.com/bobbi_arlo
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bobbi_arlo/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bobbi-Arlo-354798451757268/

Ben Reel Launches ‘The Nashville Calling’ with Live Stream

‘The Nashville Calling’ is the title of the ninth studio album by Irish artist Ben Reel which is released today. Produced by Will Kimbrough, Ben Reel and Tommy Womack and featuring Garry W Tallent on bass from the legendary E Street Band. The album contains eleven new tracks all written by Ben Reel.

It was recorded at Skinny Elephant Studios in Nashville. This album was done and dusted in just three days with all live takes. Following Ben’s critically acclaimed experimental slow burner ‘Land of Escape’ from 2018, this new record has a more Americana, rootsy rock, live band feel.

Since his debut album ‘This Is the Movie’ back in 1999, Ben has reinvented himself from album to album, influenced by different styles of music over the years.

As one critic said, “He’s not afraid to throw in some folk, soul, reggae vibes, which in turn call to mind John Hiatt at his best“. Another describes him as, “somewhere in the middle ground between rock and jazz or a sound that is sometimes reminiscent of Dylan and the Band.

In a solo career which now spans over twenty years, Ben has received worldwide critical acclaim with numerous high profile TV/Radio appearances like BBC, RTE and Dutch NPO Radio. Supporting Jools Holland, Alabama 3 and The Cranberries and he has collaborated musically with such names as Hal Ketchum and The Blockheads. He has co written and performed live with his fellow countryman Tony McLoughlin and some of Nashville’s finest such as David Olney and Irene Kelley.

In the past Ben was selected to play an official showcase at Folk Alliance in Memphis TN and has toured as double bill with Tommy Womack (Nashville) in the US and UK and also with legendary American folk singer/songwriter Eric Andersen in the UK and Netherlands. While in Nashville he was invited to play the famous Bluebird Cafe on a number of occasions, most recently Sept 2018.

Over the last ten years Ben has enjoyed successful tours in Ireland, UK, Europe and U.S.A, receiving rave reviews and attracting a growing loyal fan base. He has graced big festivals such as Jamming@Hippie Jacks (USA), Musiktan Destival in Bilbao (ESP), Haarlem Jazz & Huntenpop (NL), Robin Hood Folk Festival (UK), Kilkenny Rhythm & Roots, Cork Jazz and Electric Picnic (EIRE). 

Ben Reel is a native of Silverbridge, South Armagh, Ireland.  Soon after high school at the age of 17 he started his musical career in 1989 performing & songwriting with local band Trim The Velvet before going solo in the late nineties.

Against the backdrop of the troubles in the North of Ireland, music became Ben’s way out. 

He first picked up the guitar when he was fifteen years old, inspired by the realness of the likes of Bruce Springsteen, Van Morrison & Neil Young whose music struck a chord that resonated deep into Reel’s psyche. This is still reflected in Ben’s heart on the sleeve approach to performing and writing. Today Ben Reel performs occasionally as solo or duo with his wife Julieanne or while in the Netherlands with his Dutch band The Haarlem Boys but mainly he performs with his fantastic Irish band Ben Reel Band. He divides his time between touring Europe and the USA and producing music for himself and other musicians.

Released today worldwide: Physical & Digital – Friday 27th March To celebrate tonight Ben & his wife Julieanne will stream 2 online sets on Facebook live 9pm (GMT) & @midnight (GMT for U.S fans.) 

House concert link on Facebook live

Uly Presents ‘cold water’

Faction Records is delighted to present Uly’s latest release ‘cold water’.

“When I wrote ‘cold water’, I was on the other side of a pretty bad dose of writer’s block.

For what felt like forever, nothing would stick, and nothing felt or sounded good. My head was a little bit of a mess, and the one thing that would help me get over any kind mental funk in the past – making music – was actually now part of the problem.

I didn’t really have anything else outside of music that I really enjoyed to the same extent. I had tried other things in the past but nothing really did it for me. When I started to spend more time in the water instead of trying to write, that changed pretty quickly. I would spend my Sunday’s going for swims instead of writing at home. I found myself on a couple of impromptu surf trips with friends who I hadn’t spent time with properly in ages. Every time I got out of the water I would feel light, and clear headed.

A couple of weeks passed (a very long time for me to go without making any music!), and I sat down to do some writing. I was arranging another song for a live show, hit a wrong chord, and by the end of that day ‘cold water’ was pretty much finished.

Like most of what I write, this song is quite reflective and focuses on some aspect of myself. It’s hard for me to write well about anything else, being honest. I had finally found something outside of music that was good for me, that helped straighten me out when I really needed it. ‘cold water’ acknowledges that.

Each a result of his own singular vision and craft – Uly’s releases have gone strength to strength, both in quality of writing and production – each receiving high local acclaim. While unintentionally being received as a fresh and unique addition to the local Irish independent music scene, Uly’s discography has a particular motif at the heart of it: it’s groovy, dusty and wants to get stuck in your head.

Despite writing, recording and producing solely by himself – Uly has curated a live show with some of the country’s finest musicians, and made long and strong strides since his live debut in May of 2019:

Two sold-out headliners, festival slots from the fledgling Eastbound , eccentric and cosy Another Love Story to the juggernaut Electric Picnic – as well as perfectly suited support slots with the likes of Durand Jones & the Indications and Lee Fields & and the Expressions.

Mick Flannery Hosts ‘Mini Gigs at Mick’s’

A new initiative to help promote community support within the Irish music industry and beyond is kicking off today as Mick Flannery, in partnership with PlayIrish, hosts ‘Mini Gigs at Mick’s’.

‘Mini Gigs at Mick’s’ is a series of online concerts, curated by the award-winning double platinum selling artist Mick Flannery, featuring musicians from across continents who have supported him in live shows over the past year – Emma Langford (Limerick, Ire), Jeffrey Martin (USA), Rachel Sermanni (Scotland), Mo Kenney (Canada), and Niamh Regan (Galway, Ire).

Series 1 will be happening across Mick’s Facebook and Instagram pages, beginning at 7pm GMT tonight, Thursday 26th March, with more artists being announced for Series 2 to follow.

Mick says: “Hi, I hope you’re doing ok under your current conditions. I’m happy to say that there’ll be a series of artists streaming from here over the next week or so. One small concert every two days. The first of these will be tonight with the great Emma Langford. I’ve had the pleasure of sharing a stage with Emma in great venues such as Kenny’s in Lahinch and The Spirit Store in Dundalk. Emma is a great singer and songwriter.

Following Emma will be a mini session from Jeffrey Martin. Jeffrey is one of my favourite songwriters sucking oxygen. I love listening to his lyrics. We’ve spent many hours touring together and I consider him a very good friend.

On Monday, tune in for Rachel Sermanni, a great lyricist and songwriter. I’m a big fan of her work. I’m very glad she agreed to be a part of this mini series.

There’s plenty more to come, enjoy, and hopefully have a nice day.”

The first act to take to Mick’s virtual stage is Limerick singer-songwriter Emma Langford. Emma says: “When things feel really dark, our strength lies in how we as a creative community work together, our kindness towards each other; Mick is an artist at the top of his game who is leading by example with kindness.

So many, myself included, have lost weeks of tours and workshops due to this crisis, so it means so much to be able to reach a huge, new audience of music lovers, his fans, like this.”

Follow Mick Flannery on Facebook and Instagram, and tune in from 7pm GMT tonight, to see ‘Mini Gigs at Mick’s’.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/mick.flannery.musician

Instagram: @mickflannerymusic

MINI GIGS AT MICK’S IS HOSTED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH PLAYIRISH

Emma Langford (Ire) 7pm GMT, Thurs 26th March
Jeffrey Martin (USA) 7pm GMT, Sat 28th March
Rachel Sermanni (Scot) 7pm GMT, Mon 30th March
Mo Kenney (Can) 7pm GMT, Weds 1st April
Niamh Regan (Ire) 7pm GMT, Fri 3rd April

‘Vermilion’ Latest Track from Boku

‘Vermilion’ is the new electronic track from Cork based producer Boku. Watch the visuals by Berlin-based artist and illustrator Kirill Kogan, aka Kogan.

Having worked extensively all decade with a wide variety of labels and publishers, including Sony, Ultra, Feel Good Lost, Good Soldier Songs, Universal, and Warner, producing music for critically and commercially successful acts such as Talos, Daithí and with Young Wonder, Irish music producer Ian Ring recently unveiled his debut solo project Boku.

Boku means “l” and it is music that is personal to me. In essence, I want to create music people can dance to when I DJ but also something that can musically sit on its own outside the world of DJ sets and clubs. The music falls under the electronic umbrella I guess, but I hope my music never really fits into one specific type of genre too comfortably.

He has released two singles under Boku to date:

Game https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vovdmJ0UHBI

Rise https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3IX1FxhuENc

His third single, Vermilion, is out now [Thursday 26th March]. Speaking about the track, Boku said: ‘‘I started the drum sequence for ‘Vermilion’ coming back from Dublin on a bus but ended up forgetting about it for ages until I came across it again in the studio at a later date. The song’s melodies were then developed at this point. I wanted to create a sense of mania and tension by building a hypnotic synth pattern to a point where it cannot go any further. It was important for me to capture a feeling of what goes up must come down and, in hindsight, it reflects the stress and anguish of dealing with a person’s recklessness.”

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