Month: December 2020

Fresh from releasing her critically acclaimed Folk-Power-Pop track ‘White Bicycle’ (November 2020), Tyrone bred and Rathlin Island based artist Wendy Jack  has released an instant festive favourite  for the Christmas season in the form of ‘Woolly Jumpers’  and it’s a tune that’s as sweet as a selection box. 

A crowd pleasing sonic tonic that will warm your proverbial cockles during these chilly months, this live favourite was actually written, like some of the most famous seasonal songs, in January when the adventurous tunesmith returned to a wintery Ireland, as she explains:

“I wrote ‘Woolly Jumpers’ after a trip to a very hot and sunny Southern Africa. I never thought I’d write a Christmas song as such… but when I started contemplating what I had missed, it sort of wrote itself. It’s about celebrating all the cool and quirky things that happen in winter in Ireland and Christmas traditions are a big part of that, whether you actively celebrate Christmas as a religious festival or not.’

“I was thinking of all the things that make this time of year special. Cold days, warm nights, misty breath, crunchy grass, iconic Christmas songs, winter solstice, the race for a Christmas number one in the charts, just wanting to hibernate and let it pass, missing loved ones… and, of course, everybody wearing cosy, and VERY hug-able woolly jumpers!”

Recorded in producer Declan Legge’s  Big Space Studios, the song caps off a memorable year for Wendy which also saw the release of folk-power-pop single ‘White Bicycle’.

‘Woolly Jumpers’ is available on Bandcamp and all streaming services. For more information visit wendyjackmusic.com.

This Friday 11th December, Irish electro-pop artist St. Bishop follows up his single ‘Dreaming’ with a stripped-back acoustic version of the song. ‘Dreaming (Stripped)’ will be released on Friday on VETA Music. 

The original version of the song has already garnered over 100,000 radio impacts in Ireland and the UK, with RTÉ 2fm, BBC Radio Ulster, PlayIrish Radio, Spin Southwest and more all playing the track. The video for ‘Dreaming’ premiered on GCN.ie and the song received praise from music journalists such as Nialler9, who said, “I’m liking what I hear from St. Bishop with each passing release. ‘Dreaming’ is his most memorable and direct pop song yet.”

St. Bishop has also announced a livestream gig, to take place at The Workman’s Club, Dublin on Saturday 19th December at 8pm, in aid of Inner City Helping Homeless (ICHH). Tickets are available as a ‘pay-what-you-can’ donation (suggested donation is €10) from Eventbrite here. 

“After a year that nobody expected to happen I am so delighted to be back on stage and performing with my band. We will be playing some tracks from my forthcoming debut EP and also revisiting some songs you will already be familiar with,” he says. 

St. Bishop – A.K.A. Stephen Bishop – is originally from Co. Monaghan, but has been living in Dublin since his days as a BIMM student. Blending his roots in rural Ireland, soul and electro-pop he confidently tackles issues of sexuality, gender identity and radical self-acceptance.  

St. Bishop says that he wrote ‘Dreaming’ as a sort of apology to an ex. He says: “This song reflects on a previous relationship of mine and discusses how not being open and honest with my feelings and not communicating properly ended up putting a huge strain on the relationship and pushed us apart. It’s an apology and a showing of gratitude. A moment to say I am sorry for how the situation was handled, to let them know that I still want them to be a part of my life and that ‘I am still dreaming’ about them.”

Mark Geary will release his new single, ‘Spectre’, on Friday 11th December via SonaBLAST! Records. 

The song is a follow-up to ‘The Forest’, which was  recorded and released in May, setting a new path for Mark’s writing style. Like its predecessor, ‘Spectre’ was written and recorded at Mark’s home in a forest in Co. Kildare during a time that has become something of a renaissance period in his songwriting. 

“I have been in true lockdown since March. I haven’t left Celbridge apart from when I had to get the surgery done,” says Mark Geary, referring to the recent surgery he had on his hand in order to fix a ‘trigger finger’ injury he sustained as a result of guitar-playing. 

“So in an almost olde-timey way,  I’ve found myself here, in the forest, chopping wood in the morning for the wood-burning stove and picking up guitars and tinkering on the piano for the rest of the day. It feels very ‘back to basics’ – almost medieval,” says Mark. 

“Also what was happening, is that I was going online – Facebook, Instagram – and doing live shows with this huge audience. Views of 10,000 people after a weekend of posting, which is extraordinary. And I started to get braver. I’d post songs I was working on, instead of just performing songs that I’d completed. So that access you have to your audience, as well as the access they have to you if you allow it, is something I found incredibly encouraging and beneficial. These live shows were just like a jolt of electricity. And then you press stop – and the cottage goes back to complete silence. And then what do I have? Well, I have these songs I’ve been working on during a time of intense, unbroken reflection… I’m just so immersed in the creativity of what it is that I do,” he says. 

Speaking about this new song, Mark says: “I’m writing and singing differently to my other songs. ‘Spectre’ is a haunting song to me. It comes from a place of understanding and forgiveness. It’s about loss, grief, desire – ancient stuff. I have benefitted from living in the forest, surrounded by nature.”

Mark has long been known for his reflective, searingly honest, autobiographical songwriting style, which over the years has earned him comparisons to some of the world’s greatest songwriters, with Time Out New York commenting that “his delicate songs about love and defiance recall Richard Thompson and John Lennon.”

‘Spectre’ by Mark Geary is out on Friday 11th December on sonaBLAST! Records. 

Ross Breen follows October’s acclaimed release of ‘Some Other Time, Maybe‘ (RTÉ Radio Recommended list, joe.ie Song of the Day) with a confident, expansive sound on ‘Mrry Xmas @ 1st Lght’. Written and recorded during a period of national lockdown in Ireland, the new track combines rolling synths with an insistent hook, triumphant church bells and timely lyric to create a defining Christmas song for 2020. 

Ross made the song available at his website and Bandcamp ahead of its streaming release and is delighted with fans’ enthusiasm so far: 

“It’s authentically Christmas and authentically Ross Breen, a perfect blend!” 

“My god it’s amaaaazing!!  How you wove all the songs in to your own voice. With the Depeche Mode dark key changes, but with the lightness of your vocal. Honestly…stunned.”

“Lovely track, congrats ? Really love your voice, it’s awesome ?”

“It’s a cracker ?love the tune and love the Joni reference ?♥️”

Previous singles released include ‘Heather in December‘ (Dec. 2019 – supported by RTÉ Radio 1, Radio Nova, RTÉ 2FM) and ‘Idyllic Valley‘ (performed on RTÉ television’s The Saturday Night Show, top 30 chart placement, no.1 iTunes Rock chart). Ross was awarded the title of Ireland’s Best Unsigned Singer-Songwriter by Newstalk’s The Tom Dunne Show, with his song ‘Monet’ singled out for extensive airplay from over a thousand submissions.

He has also consistently impressed on the live stage, earning special guest invitations with acts like Midlake, Bell X1, Damien Dempsey, Sinéad O’ Connor and Oscar-winner Glen Hansard while building a following with his band at a number of Ireland’s premier festivals, including Electric Picnic, Body & Soul, Indiependence, Sea Sessions, Vantastival and Knockanstockan.

Ross offers an insight into his latest song: “I come from a background of family and social life where gatherings with music are intrinsic to the enjoyment of Christmas. For many, music is a tie binding us together during this period. Art can unify when restrictions keep us apart. ‘Mrry Xmas @ 1st Lght’ envisages the close of 2020, how we will be engaging with our families, friends and partners during this time, and how it will be different to what we’ve known before. 

These lyrics are threaded with references to songs and instrumentals I’ve loved at sessions throughout the years, including obligatory party pieces from my grandparents, parents, sisters, close friends and extended family. I see it as a painting of Christmases gone by, rendering memories through verse and hoping we can all reach a point in the near future where we can once again feel free to experience that sense of warmth, openness and release.”

Website: www.rossbreen.com

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ONEMAC and James O’Connor today announced the release of their new single, ‘Memories of Christmas Day’, a duet that bears all the hallmarks of a Christmas Classic, featuring O’Connor and soulful Los Angeles singer Kim Diaz-Smith. After recovering from Covid-19, ONEMAC worked remotely with James O’Connor during the second lockdown to write, produce and release a feelgood song, not to make a social comment but to bring a smile to the face. 

Music is an expressive repository for our emotions and has a way of reaching inside, reviving memories we thought were lost forever. The ephemeral joys of childhood leave lingering flashbacks that stay with us for the rest of our lives, and none more so that our childhood memories of Christmas. Most will view 2020 as a year to forget but as it draws to a close, songwriters ONEMAC, real name Michael MacMahon, and James O’Connor combined their talents to write and record what might become a future Christmas classic. Los Angeles artist Kim Diaz-Smith once again adds her silky soulful voice in this latest collaboration.

What is it about the great Christmas songs that see them topping our annual yuletide playlists year after year to the exclusion of more modern seasonal ditties? Just what makes a Christmas classic, and why does “Memories Of Christmas Day” seem to push all the right buttons? There are several elements common to many seasonal classics including snow, nostalgia, tradition, family, friends, romance. Christmas means different things to different people. “I can’t relive people’s memories,” said MacMahon, “so when writing, I try to leave it open for listeners to find their moments within the song. Once James developed the chords, the lyrics seemed to flow.”

O’Connor is an accomplished singer-songwriter with two highly acclaimed solo albums to his name, and he has tasted top 10 chart success in Ireland. Commenting he said, “I always wanted to write a Christmas song so when the opportunity presented, I jumped at it.” He continued, “The lyrics express a sense of giving and love, an important part of the festive season, particularly after the year we’ve all endured.”

Kim Diaz-Smith added, “I loved the concept and the clever twist as the song starts with him remembering crawling down the stairs as a child on Christmas morning and goes full-circle to him listening to his children repeating his actions all these years later.”

It’s so easy to become clichéd, and predictable when writing a song whose subject is steeped in nostalgia, and tradition but somehow MacMahon & O’Connor pull it off with an intelligent, well-structured song evoking times past with a touch of romance combined with humor, and a nod to the Pogues classic ‘Fairytale Of New York’, while the importance of family reference extends a nod to Chris Rea’s ‘Driving Home for Christmas’.

But none of that matters if it’s not a memorable tune and ‘Memories Of Christmas Day’ is a catchy, happy, sing-along song with a great chorus, that you just want to keep playing. A cute introduction by 3-year-old Saoirse precedes a slow set-up that builds into an infectious feel-good melody that paints pictures while evoking memories of times past. It has been compared in style to The Beautiful South, and as one music insider commented: “Oh yes, this deserves some serious attention. It’s catchy and it sticks.”

This is a feel-good song that should bring a smile to your face, and will most likely stick around for many years to come.

‘Memories Of Christmas Day’ is available to download or stream on all platforms now.

Hallymusic has shared his new unexpectedly seasonal single ‘Christmas Eve’ which is reminiscent of ‘Fairytale of New York’ taking us on a winding tour down Yuletide’s darker alleys. Released on 4th Dec via ArtHouse Records IE, Hallymusic has also announced that a new album will be released after a series of bimonthly single releases in 2021.

‘Christmas Eve’ and the forthcoming album features an array of Ireland’s finest improvising musicians. ‘Christmas Eve’ was produced, recorded and mixed by Hally over a few days of live sessions with his band ‘The Hymns’ at his studio in Co. Kildare. Everything was recorded onto 2” analog tape and the song was mastered by Grammy Award winning Engineer and producer Ruadhri Cushnan at Camden Studio in Dublin. On drums – Kevin Brady, double bass – Dave Redmond, piano – Scott Flannigon, backing vocals & horn arrangement – Meilana Gillard, backing vocals – Paul Quin, trumpets – Mike Barkley, Lead vocal & guitars – Hally.

‘The song is impeccably recorded, and as a listener you feel as though you are inside the recording, which invokes a bright and lively jazz room, where each instrument and sound occupies its own space and makes its own contribution to the story; in short, an absolute pleasure for the ears’ – Pat Spillane.

Hally’s reputation as a songwriter and musician was firmly established in the minds of those who followed his mammoth ‘Peeling Onions’ project back in 2017. He wrote, recorded and released a song and music video every week for the entire year. Since then he has been crafting a niche for himself producing, recording and mixing for other artists at his aptly named ArtHouse Studio. Stocked with amazing instruments and equipment, Hally has recorded a lot of Jazz & Improvised records in recent years. He has worked with New York saxophonist/composer Seamus Blake, pianist Bill Carrothers & George Colligan. The latter album was voted best UK Piano Trio Jazz album in 2020. Hally has made records with a host of other jazz musicians, indie bands and singer-songwriters in the last few years. Here is a link to his full Biog.

‘Hally’s perfectly placed unique melodic wail tells a tale of lovers living through an evening that neither wants to end, interrupted momentarily by a brief but beautiful trumpet solo which sets a more celebratory mood, and you have yourself a potent and poignant seasonal concoction, unlike any other tune of Christmas past.’ – Pat Spillane. 

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We Cut Corners are guitarist/vocalist John Duignan and drummer/vocalist Conall Ó Breachain. 

New single ‘Christmas As Usual’ is a celebration of the wonderful, familiar dullness of the Irish Yuletide experience.  It was written and recorded in the past few months when it feels that, as a nation, we’re yearning for that comforting, unremarkable holiday like never before.

The Dublin two-piece have carved out a reputation for critically acclaimed, lyrically-rich songs over the release of four albums and most recently the four-track ‘Muscle Memory’ EP, all on Irish independent label Delphi. 

The EP was released on Friday 28th August 2020, and the title track has received radio play on national and regional radio in Ireland,  and on BBC 6 Music in the UK.  The dynamic drum/guitar combination, and the blending of powerful, unique vocal harmonies is principal to their success, both on record and in their highly energetic live performances.

We Cut Corners’ work across four albums has consistently drawn praise from critics, also seen in three album nominations for The Choice Music Prize for Irish Album of the Year.

After releasing a haunting cover of the Rolling Stones classic, ‘Gimme Shelter’ late September, SON shares an original single, ‘Almost,’ in anticipation of an upcoming solo album release.

A multi-instrumentalist and critically acclaimed performer, SON – aka Susan O’Neill – is one of Ireland’s most celebrated emerging talents. With ‘Almost,’ SON shines as a solo artist, the tension in her raspy vocals immediately pulls you in with a sense of yearning; before the chorus crescendos, her voice soaring as she questions: “Can I trust you? If I trust you, how bad does it go?”

The mood is wanting, sharply pointing to the longing we must all feel in these isolated times. The caution before the leap into a new relationship is explored and over too quickly, leaving us an unanswered question, but with an inkling of hope.

Speaking about the song, Susan says:

“I recorded ‘Almost’ in Hotel Doolin during the lockdown while there on an artist residency. Mick Flannery tweaked a few words with me and put piano to the song and we sent it to Zac Barter in Australia. Making sounds in this new way has been a cool process. Hope ye enjoy the track.”

To accompany the single, SON, has also released a self-produced and directed video for the song.

SON has also been collaborating on a duet project with multi-platinum, award-winning artist, Mick Flannery. The pair released a duet, ‘Baby Talk‘, to rave reviews earlier this year, recently taking home ‘Best Original Song’ at the RTE Folk Radio awards.  A full-length duet album will be released late Spring 2021.

Mick accompanied SON as she performed before celebrated Irish artist, Hozier, at this year’s Other Voices Live event. The reception has been overwhelming, the Other Voices production highlighting the exceptionally robust and positive feedback they received directly following her performance.

‘Almost’ is out on all platforms today: https://smarturl.it/son-almost

UPCOMING SHOWS:

SON joins the line-up for ‘Hibernacle’ festival, Doolin, 14-20th December, alongside Lisa Hannigan, Æ MAK, Saint Sister, Paul Noonan and Brian Mac Glionn (Ye Vagabonds) & more. hibernacle.ie/

SON joins Mick Flannery to ring in the New Year with a special performance streaming from the Cork Opera House stage, Thursday 31st December https://tinyurl.com/yyfx2mtj

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We all know that 2020 has not been an easy year. Music, like many industries has been hit hard, and with the absence of touring and festivals, a significant amount of income has been lost for independent artists. 

Many of those artists have spent a lot of time this year thinking about ways they can stay afloat during these challenging months. Fortunately, now more than ever, music fans are willing to go the extra mile to support their favourite artists. Bandcamp Fridays, live streams with donations and Patreon are just some of the ways that fans are showing their love. 

Conor Cusack (Saint Sister’s manager at ie:music) had a brainwave whilst chatting with the band, thinking about the overwhelming support they have felt this year from their listeners, and thinking of ways that we could give something back to say thanks. 

“We kept thinking about how we could create an in-person connection. After a year of living online, instead of yet another Zoom call, was there a way we could meet up (in a safe and COVID compliant way) and say thanks in person?”

One Stop Band Shop was born! A Christmas market, where artists come together to flog their wares to fans directly. After reaching out to friends like Girl Band, Wyvern Lingo and Lankum it seemed like there was a huge amount of interest, and the idea quickly gathered momentum. Now the line-up boasts over 20 of some of the finest independent artists in the country who will be there over the two days, with more to be confirmed, day by day breakdown later in the week.

Next step was finding the right venue. Keiron Black and the folks at The Grand Social have long been champions of the independent community and jumped immediately at the chance to be involved. They have agreed to host this wonderful event, over two days on December 12th and 13th. The event is free to all, with a suggested donation of €5 to Dublin Simon Community (there will be a bucket at the entrance). The market will take place on both days (full line up and day breakdown to be announced) and will run from 11am-5pm. Everyone is welcome! 

The Grand Social have confirmed the following regarding their COVID regulations: “We will be adhering to a robust COVID-19 compliance protocol at all times for this walk-through market. Hand sanitiser will be administered upon entrance to the venue, mandatory face masks will be worn by all artists and customers at all times, the venue will be well ventilated and social distancing of 2 metres will be regulated. There will be a full barista service and pizza available for take away.”

Please bring CASH with you to the venue!

Design by Emily Hawkins 

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Enchanting vocals, driving bass-lines, soaring guitar licks and moments of near-silence are the order of the day in Carlow based producer Hawk Jupiter’s atmospheric new release ‘Intoxicating Seas’ which was launched on December 7th 2020.

Eoin Mulvihill, who writes and produces music under the moniker Hawk Jupiter, says the song originated in a song writing camp in Inis Oírr. “With the roots of the song originating from a co-writing session with Switzerland based musician Fables of Silence on the rugged island of Inis Oírr, the song has since evolved into a full production, and the alluring atmosphere of the island can still be sensed in the composition.“

Given the famously enchanting surroundings of Inis Oírr, it’s no surprise that the arrangement and production conjure up a strong sense of place. “For me, music that is inspired by a sense of place always excites me, as it gives me context within which to layer the sounds,” says Eoin Mulvihill.

The track features guitar from Cork based instrumentalist Dylan Howe.

A video for the single is set to be unveiled over the coming weeks. The track is released on Eoin’s label, Satellite Storm Entertainment.

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