Month: August 2020

Amy Montgomery has announced the release of her debut EP ‘Intangible’, which will be released November 20^th via 7Hz Music. The title track is the first single to be released from the upcoming EP and comes with a Bjork-inspired video that echoes the track’s themes of life and death while exploring the duality of the individual and what is shown outwardly to the wider world.

“I write quite visually,” Montgomery says. “Obviously, it’d be great to have big budgets to create things with, but in a way, lockdown and other limitations have really pushed me creatively.”

The track itself is a shimmering work of Nineties-influenced alternative rock with its squalls of guitar feedback lifted by bright, fluttering synths and, like most of Montgomery’s work, the track is very lyrically powerful.

It centres around the theme of mental health which is a potent theme across the upcoming EP. “My mum struggled with depression for years and I lost her to suicide,” Montgomery explains, noting the track’s opening reference to butterflies. “She was mesmerised by their growth and beauty, and while she couldn’t do that herself, I find it amazing that she could still admire that trait in others.”

Mixed by Australian producer Kyran Daniels (Greta Ray), the video premiered with The Music in Australia where Amy has been making a name for herself following last year’s tour with William Crighton.

The songs on her forthcoming debut EP represent an artist who won’t shy away from her feelings, but also one who doesn’t attempt to oversimplify experiences that are deeply complex, or profound. “These songs still have a lot of pain,” she says, “but they’re lighter. I actually feel like I’ve let go of a lot of things in the past year, and that’s had a big influence on my writing.”

The EP follows the release of a number of singles including ‘Dangerous (2019)’, a beautiful reworking of the 2018 song that launched her musical career, as well as hypnotic cover of Donovan’s ‘Season Of The Witch’ and the atmospheric and moody ‘Tree Song (Branch Out And Nourish My Veins)’.

Montgomery proved a mesmerising hit on the festival circuit last summer after a slew of stunning debut performances at eighteen UK & European summer festivals including Glastonbury, Cambridge Folk, Electric Picnic and Black Deer.

Becoming known for her captivating live show and hypnotising musical performances, Amy followed those performances with a trip to Australia in early October to perform at the coveted Dashville Skyline festival as well as support shows in Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney with the aforementioned folk-punk balladeer William Crighton.

She finished 2019 with her highly successful first headline shows in Belfast, London and Dublin, with Belfast being upgraded to the Limelight 2 after selling out in less than 48 hours after her acclaimed Stendhal Festival performance.

Amy hails from County Antrim, Northern Ireland and the first thing you notice, apart from her outlandish bohemiam looks, is her raw and beautiful voice, honed from relentless busking across her native Emerald Isle.

Already a musical force of nature, performing with great intensity on both guitar and keyboards, it’s her powerful vocal that has captured attention in big ways, drawing immediate comparisons to Janis Joplin and Alanis Morrisette but with a very modern attitude. A voice with exceptional power but with an individuality all of its own.

On what seems like an unstoppable trajectory, one thing is certain, Montgomery is not going to compromise her art for anyone. Amy is a unique artist who is setting out with purpose, and a clear vision for how she wishes to present her music, something that will surely appeal to everyone.

http://www.amymontgomery.me
https://www.facebook.com/AmyMontgomeryUK/
https://www.instagram.com/amymontgomeryofficial/?hl=en

Barefoot Magicians formed in early 2017 after a recording session in Dublin’s prestigious Windmill Lane Studios. The band dedicates itself to writing and performing original material based around a blues groove, or as producer Alwyn Walker, formerly of Westland Studios called it; “A Post Blues Groove.” Barefoot Magicians have also been described as, “Completely Consuming,” by IndieBuddie.com in August 2018. The band recorded ‘The Awakening’ EP, composing of 3 tracks, ‘The Awakening’, ‘Cruel Mistres’s and ‘Rider’ in early 2018 and recorded an additional 2 songs with producer Kieran Lane at Hellfire Studios in Dublin which were released in early 2019. ‘Hangin’ On’, the latest EP from Barefoot Magicians, produced by Kieran Lane is out now.

“Barefoot Magicians pack a lot of power into this well balanced three track EP. This band’s modern blues rock has charm, character and oodles of wonderful melodies and embellishments. They are building their sound superbly bringing what they achieved with their ‘The Awakening’ EP and fleshing it out, carving their own sound and brand meticulously to create something quite invigorating,” said IndieBuddie.com earlier this year. The band is currently working on new material which will be available in October 2020.

Barefoot Magicians are: Dave Greene on harmonica & vocals, Graham Stewart on guitars, Brian Steemers on drums & percussion, Paraic Carroll on bass and Petra Žižak on keys and mandolin.

Noise punks Bullet Girl will be airing their frustrations with the release of their relentless new single ‘Concrete Bed’ on Friday, 4th September.

This new track captures the essence of their powerful live reputation well, underpinned by their aggressive style and the dynamic production of Daniel Fox of Girl Band.

Bullet Girl are guitarist Dylan Keenan, singer Aaron Doyle, bassist Tony Keyes and drummer Noel Dempsey.

Their recent shows, including a standout set at  TiLT in the Button Factory for  98fm’s Totally Irish,  have elevated their standing in the Dublin live scene and earned them an invitation from Aiken Promotions to support hotly-tipped band The Mystrines for their performance at Eastbound Dublin.

‘Concrete Bed’ is a vitriolic three-minute take on drug culture, homelessness and modern despair in Bullet Girl’s hometown of Dublin City. It is an expression of the anger felt by the band about the gulf between the city presented to the rest of world and the city the band sees close up.

The band says: “Musically we wanted to create a spiralling soundscape to emphasise this endless cycle. We purposely wanted to write a song that went out of its way to strip away the romanticism of Dublin. As a city, Dublin and Dubliners have a lot to celebrate but while sleeping bags lay parked outside government buildings, it’s hard for us not to feel anger for the current state of our city. We don’t pretend to offer the solution to these issues, we only want to shine a light on it by presenting it in the most unfiltered manner possible.”

Four lads in their early 20s from north Dublin, they are all self-taught musicians. As lifelong friends, lead singer Aaron and guitarist Dylan started making music together at the tender age of 14. They would practice in Aaron’s shed, surrounded by his dad’s painting supplies. The two bonded over a love of Surfer Rosa and Doolittle and channelled drive and determination into making music that punched hard.

After several incarnations of the band down the years, they have certainly achieved that. Channeling but not replicating their influences like Pixies, The Fall and Girl Band, Bullet Girl write unfiltered songs about what they know: drugs, dodgy nights-out, fights and turbulent relationships all set against the backdrop of their hometown.

Following the release of what District Magazine described as “This year’s most important release,” a solid response to the black lives matter movement, addressing the racial injustice of the Irish system through single ‘Black Dubh’. Afro-Irish artist Breezy iDeyGoké shares a groovy new single ‘Bag A Man’ taken straight from his forthcoming and long-awaited EP ‘I-DEY’. A Fusion of musical influences including rap and R&B while maintaining a central theme of Afrobeat influence. iDeyGoké describes this as “the soundtrack to the Afro-European culture wave”, a style he has evolved and developed. ‘Bag A Man’ is our first taste of this fresh sound that is sonically inspired by afrobeat meshed with modern hip-hop production.

Produced by Semi-D of the Sim Simma Soundsystem Ideygoke describes the new single to be  “The point in the EP that the love comes full circle. Although previously hesitant you still know what it is you want. Looking to fall in love with someone who won’t bring you drama and turn your world upside down. Somehow that love is infectious that you get caught up in it and someone does ‘Bag A Man’.”

After what seemed to be 2 years without a solo release ending with breakthrough single ‘Show Colour’ which premiered on Glory Talks via Reprezent radio. As well as impactful festival run last years where he took centre stage at Electric Picnic, Forbidden Fruit, LIMF (Liverpool International Music Festival) and Knockanstockan. Focusing on a growing outreach, Breezy expanded his fan base by collaborating with Sim Simma Soundsystem. In June 2019 they released the Pass The Aux Cord EP which features the single ‘Yamma Yamma’, That track earned lots of love with support from Annie Mac on BBC Radio 1, District Magazine, plus a place on Nialler’s best Irish MCs in 2019 list.

The UK based rapper who often features tales of life journeys through witty punchlines. Touching everything and any sound with his bars, from old school hip-hop to house. Is ready to release another body of work in form of a 4 track EP an introduction to who Breezy iDeygoke is explained through cool-headed lyricism from 4 different perspectives, narrated mainly in English but does not shy away from incorporating Irish and Yoruba slang.

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/BreezyiDG
Twitter – https://www.twitter.com/ideygoke
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/ideygoke
Website – https://www.bdbreeze.com
Youtube – https://www.youtube.com/c/bdbreezemedia

The Alternative Sunday Social Club presents Prairie Dawgs in The Wild Duck on Sunday, September 6^th at 4.00pm.

The Prairie Dawgs are a contemporary roots band from Dublin. They quickly established themselves on the live scene by setting up the much-acclaimed Tumbleweed Love Sessions at the Cobblestone in 2008.  In 2009 they released their eponymous debut album which was lauded by Eamonn Carr (Horslips, Evening Herald) as “A Winning Proposition…..proper rootsy folk music composed to make you feel good about life!……….with wonderful vocals, strings and harmonies”

In 2011 The Prairie Dawgs retired to a rural location in the shadow of the Mourne Mountains to record their follow up ‘Halfway To Poughkeepsie’ a collection of finely crafted songs with refined lyrics and close vocal harmonies. Poughkeepsie, and its 2016 follow up ‘Time Is’, included ballads, blues, stomps, country and folk blues performed with characteristic flair by the multi-instrumental 7 piece. With a nod of the hat to Bob Dylan, Woody Guthrie, Tom Waits, and Ella Fitzgerald, the influences are many, but the sound is totally unique to the Prairie Dawgs.

‘Closer’ is the follow up track by Steven Cooper ‘Move My Body (Ugh)’ which to date has nearly Half a Million impressions on radio.

‘Closer’ is released next Friday, Sept 4th 2020.

Available on Spotify Apple Music TikTok Amazon Music and Pandora.

“Infused with nostalgic influence, ‘Closer’ is a piece of work I’m very proud of and I hope you love it too.” – Steven Cooper

Steven Cooper a radio and club DJ who has been remixing big tracks over the last few years, getting airplay and club DJ support all over the world including a number 1 unofficial remix on digital music pool of Calvin Harris, Pharrell Williams and Katy Perry, ‘Feels’.

Steven also collaborated with Irish band Stolen City for the single ‘All Again’ and the remix for Keywest ‘Something Beautiful’.

Two more official remixes are due to be released in September with Leo Dynamic1 and Emmet Glascott.

With a hunger for making his own music Steven Cooper releases his 4th independent single ‘Closer’ on Friday September 4th 2020.

Following the success of their debut single ‘Come By Me’ MOM returns with another undeniable banger, true to their refreshingly-unique pop sound! ‘Follow’ is an appeal-to-the-repeat-button sway-to-the-music anecdotal song for the very strange times we are living in. This gospel-inspired, foot-stomping, banjo-driven pop gem weaves a story of a troubled yet unconditional love between two people. Out today, it has the same joyfulness and versatility as their debut single, but with a matured production style.

Independent, self-produced, and new-to-the-scene, MOM’s success in the last 8 weeks is nothing short of groundbreaking! Still in the Irish Homegrown Charts, 8 weeks on, having peaked at #9, they also hit #7 on the Spotify Irish Viral charts, were playlisted on RTÉ Radio 1, were awarded “Track of the Week” on Spin South West and have hit 120k Spotify streams in just 2 months!  They’ve garnered the attention of some major players in the industry here and abroad and have an extensive tour planned for 2021.

MOM are a Rebel Pop act comprising of the critically acclaimed musician and artist Lisa Canny (7-time All Ireland champion on harp and banjo, named top ten of “Irish acts you don’t want to miss” by BBC America, and has appeared on 2 PBS Specials) and Gospel musician Dejay Edmund.  They mix traditional Irish music foundations with Gospel music to create infectious pop music. This is pop with a purpose and it’s going to make you sway and dance, the vibes are set high.

These guys are here to have their say… and you’re going to want to hear it!

Instagram; https://www.instagram.com/wearerebelpop/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4bgAaM9rfXdY7l1jsW0PLm?si=bs0s35QfRIaYoMOQ7SDHnQ
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/wearerebelpop
Youtube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqwxDhoR04CPhjLYYrNJJow
Twitter: https://twitter.com/wearerebelpop
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wearerebelpop

Jo Petit has just released new single ‘Stressed Out’

It is the combination of styles such as jazz, soul and pop that led Jo to be so versatile as an artist as he can effortlessly transit from one vocal style to another. Jo has performed in many prestigious venues and performed for many celebrities such as Chris de Burgh, Whitney Houston, Bobby Brown, Lenny Kravitz, Paris Hilton and many more.

Jo left his beloved Island of Mauritius and travelled to Ireland to follow his musical dreams. In 2009 he became a member of an Irish boyband The Boulevard who had success with a number 1 single in the Irish charts. Jo and the band toured Ireland and the UK, supporting major acts, such as Boyzone, Westlife, and JLS, they appeared at the Childline concert, performed in venues like the 3Arena, RDS, the Marquee in Cork, the O2 London, Trafalgar Square and many more. Following two successful years with the band,  Jo parted ways with the other members of The Boulevard to pave his own path in the music industry.

He got signed to an independent Label in Glasgow Scotland just a few weeks after parting ways with the boys. “This was one of the best things that happened in my music career,” he said.  During that time he worked with a number of professional managers, songwriters, producers and very talented musicians. He worked countless hours in studios around the UK writing and recording a catalogue of original songs. Jo developed a true passion for studio work through this experience and started thinking about becoming a producer himself.

Jo was then noticed for his stage presence and showmanship by a major German company who specialised in hi-end corporate events around Europe. They were looking for a front-man to stand for their singer for two nights. Jo being adventurous, took on the challenge and flew to Munich. After the 1st night, Jo was signed for the whole year and the year after and toured all over Europe with a crew of 22 members including a 16 piece band before settling back to Ireland.

Bringing a sense of something different to each and every event, this powerhouse band started performing in venues across Ireland, the UK, Scotland, France, Italy, Spain and Germany. Most recently Jo was contacted by RTÉ to work with the RTÉ Orchestra on several project, including the RTÉ Christmas show and the TV show Dancing With The Stars where he performed with the orchestra on national television last February 2020. In the same year during the Covid-19 pandemic, when the country went into locked down and all events were cancelled, Jo saw this as an opportunity to starting writing and producing his own material. Now he is ready for the next chapter of his life as he releases his new single ‘Stressed Out’.

‘Stressed Out’ is a song written and co-produced by Jo Petit and produced by one of Ireland’s top music producer Billy Farrell. The song is the first independent release from Jo Petit in Ireland, it is a mix of Soul and R&B with an injection of Reggae which gives it a feel-good summer vibe.

The song was inspired by our daily lives and how everyone, whether you are a CEO, an employee, a student, a parent, young or old, is getting stressed out, especially this year. With Covid-19, lockdown, new rules and restrictions every day and all the protests going on around the world, it feels like the whole world is stressed out and we all need a vacation. The idea was to write something that everyone could relate to but also make it fun and light-hearted.

WEBSITE /// INSTAGRAM ///

 Æ MAK makes a highly anticipated return with new single ‘I Dance In The Kitchen’ feat rising Irish artist Seba Safe out now.

Taken from her forthcoming EP ‘how to: make a kitsch pop song to show the world’ which will be released 18/09/20

One track a week will be released for four weeks starting 28th August, then – 4th – 11th – 18th September.

The EP was totally self written, recorded and produced by Aoife during lockdown and is the first of 2 EP’s she will release over the coming months ahead of her debut album in 2021.

In what’s been a steady rise for Æ MAK over the last couple of years, she’s seen support from CLASH, KEXP, DIY, Paste, Line Of Best Fit, played Eurosonic and Iceland Airwaves in 2019 and was chosen by NPR Music as one of their Slingshot Artists To Watch for 2020.

Æ MAK, a creation; experiments on the border lines of pop, continuing to build and inhabit her other world. Once you visit, you’ll probably want to move there.

Having supported Django Django, Warpaint and the mighty tune-yards, performed sold out Irish headliners and played festivals across Ireland, The UK, The Netherlands and Iceland including The Great Escape, Latitude, Electric Picnic, Body&Soul, Reading & Leeds, Eurosonic Noorderslag & Iceland Airwaves 2019 with supporters KEXP and NPR Music naming her one of their 2020 Slingshot Artists To Watch 2021 will now see Æ MAKs world unfold in a full body of work and a series of immersive performances created to free your mind of your body. Between now and then she will share with you a series of self – produced concept EP’s – firstly; the playful toyland of “how to: make a kitsch pop song to show the world”, out September 18th 2020.

The first track from the EP ‘I Dance In The Kitchen’ – feat Seba Safe drops on 28th August with the full EP out on 18th September. 

Accompanying the release is a music video shot by long time collaborator Tim Shearwood (Æ MAK, Just Mustard, Hunting Hall) 

“I made this song for my friend Eleanor Jameson’s “HOW TO” zine which is launching this month.

The creative process was inspired by the ethos of the zine which is to bring a little light into the world during this dark time through play and creativity. This furthermore inspired the EP concept.”  

“How Tois an experiment in positive distraction through different forms of online and printed media. Ever wondered How To ‘Fresh Kiss’ or ‘Write a Kitsch Pop Song’, well our zine is here to inform. Giving giddy advice on playful topics, this zine is hoping to cultivate space on the internet for dizzy joy & unserious entertainment. Creating a positive distraction from a ruminating brain & catapulting us back into the present moment.” 

 – Eleanor Jameson

“So for my contribution, I chose – “how to: make a kitsch pop song that nobody will hear” with a step by step guide. After the process I felt a massive sense of creative fulfillment and empowerment after self – producing a bunch of songs for the first time. The context freed me up and broke any sense of self construction and self doubt I had and I just made. So I decided to call the EP  ‘how to: make a kitsch pop song to show the world’. I sent it to some pals for feedback. My mate Mike D’Alton – ‘seba safe’ fired back his response to it straight away in the form of this smart, silly, yummy breakdown. I was like yep that’s going in bb, that’s beautiful. The lyrics are so good.

Thank you Eleanor for bringing inspiration and light back into my world. I hope these songs bring some joy and inspiration to those who hear them.

And so I share with you, I dance in the kitchen featuring my beautiful friend, seba safe.” – Aoife McCann | Æ MAK

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Photo: Tim Shearwood

As a young man Willzee was angry at the world, coming from a traveller community, growing up in the streets of Limerick and facing adversity, struggle and hardship as well as facing criminal aspects of life. In recent years he found rap, spoken word and film and has immersed himself in music as a true expression of himself. His latest single ‘Nick Nack’ reflects the life that the songwriter has managed to escape, by channelling his talents in a positive direction.

It is with this positivity that Wilzee hopes to pass onto his community, a sense of self. By focusing on music and film, he has gone on to win the 2019 Virgin Media Discovers Short Film Competition with his script for the film ‘Innocent Boy’ which premiered at the Dublin International Film Festival in February 2020. He has appeared in music videos for his label mate delush’s 2019 single ‘It’s Alright’ before they returned with a stunning collaborative piece ‘Dear Friend II’ which placed the spotlight on Limerick City’s documented troubles with gangs, drugs, and knife crime. As the rapper and actor has turned a corner in his life, he maintains the same can be said of his community – urging a different course for communities in need of care, locally and worldwide.

‘Nick Nack’ sounds aggressive and mean, with a rumbling deep bassline and bursts of trap style beats driving the track – Willzee attacks the verses with vigour showcasing his lyrical prowess before hitting the powerful choruses which he intros himself “Just listen to the hook, it’s kinda good”. The track features Mic Righteous, a UK based artist whose previous collaborators include Ed Sheeran and Emilie Sandé. As an accompaniment to his previous spoken word single, Willzee is revealing himself to be a socially conscious artist who has lived two lives and he is keen you are paying attention to both the reality of his background as well as his talents, which feeds the positivity he manifests.

This is the third release from the Berlin based label ‘Welcome to the New World’ this month, following ‘Lean On It’ from delush, and ‘Don’t Let Go’ from Tolu Makay.

‘Nick Nack by Willzee & Mic Righteous is out now via the Berlin label Welcome to the New World: https://cdbaby.lnk.to/NickNack

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