Month: March 2021

Lemonade Marinade release their 4th single ‘Paradise Bay’ on Friday April 2nd and once again all proceeds will go to mental health charities. 

Following up from the acclaimed songs ‘Brilliant’, ‘It’s Good To See’ and ‘Venus And Me’ the lockdown band release another delightful soothingly warm piece of music heaven.

The band are delighted to add the beautiful voice of Gillian Tuite to the ever involving line up. Think of the Americana sound of Alison Krauss intertwined with Ireland’s Maura O’Connell and you will Gillian somewhere in the middle. She has released quite a few solo songs in the last year, co writes with such prestigious songwriters as Eurovision winner Charlie McGettigan and US songwriter Gary Ferguson. 

All the songs in this project relate lyrically to the chosen charity conveying a message of hope and again the track was written by songwriter and producer David Dee Moore. ‘Paradise Bay’ tells of the comfort given to those who are addicted to the magic of swimming in the sea even in the cold extremities of winter.  No more prevelant than the aquatic gatherings around the beautiful Clew Bay in Co.Mayo where David is based.

The rest of the top notch band consists of Nick Scott (Gilbert O’Sullivan, Mary Black) on double bass, Colin Henry (on dobro), Fintan Hanley (Vickers Vimy) on electric, Brian McAteer (Phil Coulter, Alisdair Frazer) on strings and the folk duo Cathryn Craig (Righteous Brothers, Chet Atkins) and Brian Willoughby (Strawbs, Mary Hopkin) on nylon guitar. David Dee Moore (Liam Clancy, Juliet Turner, Brian Kennedy) plays guitars and piano on the track.

Singer/songwriter, producer and radio broadcaster David Dee Moore collaborated with such artists like Niamh Parsons (3 albums), Steve Wickham (songwriting), the legendary Liam Clancy (Late Late Show), Brian Kennedy (TV and recording), Juliet Turner (performing) and Jerry Fish (writing and performing) to name but a few.

Cathryn Craig is from Richmond, Virginia and has built a strong reputation as both singer and songwriter. She is no stranger to Tennessee’s Nashville recording studios, working with Chet Atkins, The Righteous Brothers, Shel Silverstein and Jorma Kaukonen.

Nick Scott is bass player at the moment with Mary Black and Gilbert O’Sullivan and has literally played with everyone including an 8 year spell with Van Morrison. He is one of the most sought after session musicians in Ireland.

Brian Willoughby is best known for his virtuoso performances on electric and acoustic guitar. As well as playing with the Strawbs in the 80s and 90s, Brian has been a session player/sideman in much demand, playing with the likes of Mary Hopkin, Roger Whittaker, Monty Python, Joe Brown and Jim Diamond and Nanci Griffith.

Brian McAteer has been a leading light in the N.Ireland folk scene whilst training in classical violin. An expert on string arrangements working with Phil Coulter and Alisdair Frazier.

Fintan Hanley is the principle songwriter and guitarist with popular Irish recording artists Vickers Vimy. 

Newcomer Irish singer songwriter Gavin Fox, who’s soulful, reflective songwriting blends folk and indie releases his second single ‘Free’ alongside his debut EP ‘On Second Thoughts’ on March 26th.

Following on from his debut single ‘Make Me Believe’ which picked up support from Hot Press, RTE Entertainment, Classic Hits, Shannonside, KFM, among others, Gavin now releases ‘Free’ the lead single from his debut EP ‘On Second Thoughts’ .

Accompanying the single is the official music video for ‘Free’ which compiles footage central to our society in recent years, and the idea of freedom. Featuring footage from the LGBTQ rallys, the #MeToo movement as well as an assortment of imagery associated with freedom. 

“This song contains an important message to a general audience of people who feel enslaved to or controlled by something external to themselves – the political system, religion, personal circumstances/fate, etc.  The message is simple; you can decide to be free, to choose how you want to live your life and to be the person you want to be as an individual.  Don’t allow yourself to be controlled. Choose to be free and be liberated by your own limitless possibility”. –Gavin Fox on ‘Free’

Gavin Fox grew up in an environment that was very restrictive, dominated by an extreme religion that controlled his life. Born into a Jehovah’s Witness family he was told what to think, what to believe and what to do from a very young age. He was never allowed to freely express himself or to choose his own path. He didn’t play football with his school mates or go to parties as a teenager – he was not permitted to socialise with non-believers. Instead, he spent many hours being taught how to deliver public sermons, delivering his first to an audience of over 100 people at the age of 7. He was also schooled in preaching and spent much of his time going from door-to-door. Birthdays were never tolerated. Christmas celebrations not permitted. Any non-religious activities or interests were strongly discouraged.

Gavin knew his life was different to that of his peers, to whom he never really felt he belonged. He also knew he had something inside telling him he needed to break free. Leaving the religion would result in being shunned and cut-off from the only community he knew and having to start his life again, alone. When he did find the courage to take that step, it took him many years and an in-depth process of self-analysis just to find out who he really was.

Gavin has had a story to tell for many years now. He had no idea his story would come out in the form of music. It took the time and space allowed during the lockdown of 2020 for him to discover a hidden creative talent for song-writing. Having picked up a guitar only in recent years, his emotional story came from deep inside him and poured out in the form of three of the most honest songs you are ever likely to hear. Since then, he has continued to write and plans to record an album later this year.

“Many people go through life trying to conform and please others. This EP is about being true to yourself and being free to be the person you want to be. 

It is about giving yourself permission to choose your own course and decide what kind of life you want. 

It is never too late to discover who you truly are and to freely express yourself. Don’t live with regrets. 

If you are having second thoughts about what you want out of life, act on them.” – Gavin Fox on ‘On Second Thoughts’ EP

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Paddy Casey has just released his brand new single ‘Won’t Take Much’ today, alongside announcing the release of his fifth album ‘Turn This Ship Around’, a double album due to be released this summer.

‘Won’t Take Much’, the latest release from the album is a bouncy, uplifting, guitar-driven song bursting with brass and strings. Featuring on the first part of the double album ‘Turn This Ship Around’, the single reflects the upbeat, electric, synth and guitar driven side to the album, while the second part embodies a more laid-back, acoustic vibe.

Speaking of the single, Paddy Casey said: “‘Won’t Take Much’ is an independent production, recorded and produced in my own home studio. To capture the energy of a new song ‘coming to life’ the single was written and recorded in the same day with friends and bandmates being called on later to add strings and horns.”

Having been at the forefront of the Irish music scene since his multi platinum selling debut album ‘Amen (So Be It)’, Paddy Casey’s career has taken him all over the globe touring with acts like The Pretenders, R.E.M, Ian Brown, Blondie and Tracy Chapman to name a few. Closer to home he has played all over Ireland, including a sold out Dublin Castle, RDS and a record-breaking week long run in The Olympia Theatre, alongside special guest spots with U2, Pearl Jam, Bob Dylan and more. 

Paddy Casey’s hugely successful debut album ‘Amen (So Be It)’ achieved many international highlights including tracks being featured in hit television shows such as ‘Dawson’s Creek’ and ‘Roswell’ alongside extensive American and European tours. Further establishing himself as one of the country’s most successful artists, his second album ‘Living’ went on to become one of the biggest ever selling albums in Ireland (approximately 15 times platinum). 

This was followed by the release of ‘Addicted To Company, Part 1’, with this album seeing Paddy Casey continue to tour across America, performing on The Late Show with David Letterman, securing a week-long slot on MTV and even managing to have drinks with Beyonce and Jay Z along the way. After the release of this  album Paddy Casey decided that it was time to part ways with his record label and go independent  in order to let himself and his music veer off in any direction the wind carried them, resulting in his first release ‘The Secret Life Of’ – a resounding success with the album reaching platinum status.

‘Won’t Take Much’ the brand new single from Paddy Casey is out now across all digital platforms, with ‘Turn This Ship Around’ is due for release in summer 2021.

Growing up, Mike Roche came from a very musical family. His late Grandad Charlie O’Keeney was heavily involved in music from playing fiddle and keys with his band ‘The Silver Wings’. Having never taken music lessons as a child, he began to teach himself the piano following his grandfather’s death in 2016. His interest in music grew from there, and he slowly taught himself the guitar, mandolin and the bass guitar in a busy three year period.

‘Rewind Time’ is produced by Dave Skelton (Faraway Martin, RACHEL, Rofi James) and mastered by Aidan Foley of Masterlabs (Denise Chaila, U2, Thin Lizzy)

Releasing his 3rd single off his debut EP which is set for release summer 2021. ‘Rewind Time is a very deep, emotional song written in honor of Roche’s late grandmother. ‘Rewind Time’ incorporates touching lyrics driven by a heartfelt musical composition.

”While it’s a very personal song. I want the listeners to remember the loved ones in their lives that they have lost when they hear ‘Rewind Time’ and think of the good memories you had with them. One of the themes I explore in this song is the pain that comes with losing a loved one and it’s terrible that we have to experience that pain but, we are also lucky in a way that we get to because of them. Where would we be without the people closest to us in our life. They make us who we are today. And we owe it to them to carry their name and memories on and to become everything good that we loved them for. Music is just my way of doing that.”

https://linktr.ee/mrochemusic

Over the past year, we have been treated to a breath-taking wave of ambient music works by Dublin-based musician, filmmaker, and director Myles O’Reilly, under the moniker [Indistinct Chatter].

Earlier this week, he shared his third ambient LP ‘My Mother’s Star’.

‘Your Excitement’ was the first taster shared by Myles, shared on his mother’s birthday, accompanied by a short film he created which he casts a lens on essential service retail outlets open in Dublin’s city centre, during the strict level 5 pandemic lockdown of January 2021. Video: https://youtu.be/GCezs4I4lW0

Speaking about the album, Myles says: “Due to the pandemic lockdown measures of January 2021 I found myself in the studio again. The process of making myself create a new sound every day was a routine that was key to nurturing my mental health and well-being at that time. I did a lot of experimenting with generative modular patches, looking to create happy accidents.

Increasingly through the process, there would form thoughts and memories of my mother. Inside the notes, scales, and sounds, her presence became ever more pronounced. I would then start each day with a meditation on her and begin creating sounds informed by the feelings that surfaced.

There were tough days where I was shadowed by the grief of her loss but in accessing that sorrow, so too did I unlock many memories of the joys we shared, especially in childhood. Investigating the shores of Blessington lake where we lived. Family holidays together. Her peaceful naps in the conservatory of our house. Nights driving home. Her car headlights illuminating rows of giant sleeping trees that would wake to dance and pirouette past us to the music she was playing. Eclectic. Vivaldi, Bach, Donna Summer, Hulio Iglesias.

During the lockdown, some days were uninspiring and revealed nothing to me at all, but it was the practice of trying that always meant I was closer to hitting on something positive. A total of 8 times the energy and warmth of her love would shine through the sounds I was generating like a gap in the clouds, and it’s those moments that have resulted in this album, ‘My Mother’s Star’.“

‘My Mother’s Star’ LP by [Indistinct Chatter] is out now all digital platforms.

Bandcamp: https://mylesoreilly.bandcamp.com/album/my-mothers-star

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/4ZW8chj6uZFbQdMT7kg5gF?si=fWY_HiJ5QNuy8KPYny4xog

https://www.facebook.com/indistinctchattr

https://twitter.com/ArbutusYarns / @arbutusyarns

https://www.instagram.com/arbutusyarns/

http://www.arbutusyarns.net

Cork City-based singer-songwriter Hank Wedel will release a brand new single as part of his ongoing “Bandcamp Exclusive” series on Monday, March 29th.

‘Poe Park 2AM’ is the first offering of Hank’s work with well known Irish producer Declan Sinnott  last year, 2020, in between lockdowns and is the first shot out of the cannon of 10 songs they’ve recorded for release later this year.

The song, detailing a real life incident in NYC 30 years ago, features the vocals of Mary Greene with contributions from Hank’s “Open Kitchen” band mates James O’Sullivan and Brian Carroll.

A video will follow on Friday, April 2nd to coincide with “Bandcamp Friday”, a monthly promotion when Bandcamp gives all the sales royalties to the artists who sell tracks on that day.

https://hankwedel.bandcamp.com/track/poe-park-2am-2

In celebration of the release of his brand new, Paul Weller-produced album ‘Arrivals’, award-winning Irish singer-songwriter Declan O’Rourke has teamed up with Irish Arts Center New York and Moment House to bring you his first live concert since 2019, in a global live-streamed event from Ireland’s National Abbey Theatre on Wednesday 14 April at 8pm BST.

Declan will be joined by very special guests, and will play a collection of songs from his new ‘Arrivals’ album, out on Friday April 9th. Buy tickets here: momenthouse.com/declanorourke

There will also be the option to purchase tickets to the Afterparty for exclusive behind-the-scenes footage and in-depth conversations with Declan and his guests.

In late January, Declan once again enhanced his reputation as a formidable live performer with a showcase as part of the prestigious UK AmericanaFest: “The breakthrough act who took it to another level was Declan O’Rourke” – Holler. This special album launch show will be a treat for fans around the world, and a chance to hear unique live versions of the much-praised new songs on ‘Arrivals’.

Recorded over six days at Black Barn studios in Surrey, with Paul Weller producing, ‘Arrivals’ sees Declan O’Rourke present the most emotionally raw and affecting album of his career, which is already garnering rave reviews. Pre-order: https://lnk.to/DOR-Arrivals

O’Rourke’s last album ‘Chronicles Of The Great Irish Famine’, documented rare first-hand accounts from that devastating period of Irish history and garnered numerous awards. His writing is much admired and covered by fellow artists, most notably his classic 2004 song ‘Galileo’ which has been recorded by Eddi Reader and Josh Groban amongst others.

Declan O’Rourke with very Special Guests – Arrivals Album Launch

Livestream from the Abbey Theatre Dublin

IE/UK/EU – 8pm BST/9pm CEST (14 April)

Americas – 9pm EDT/6pm PDT (14 April)

Australia/NZ/Asia – 8pm AEST (15 April)

Watch the videos for the below singles;

The Stars Over Kinvara – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEDs8AMr4OM

In Painters’ Light – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WmgNFpFY3DU

Andy Sells Coke –https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-tC27B1q9h0

The Harbour – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yN2NaDbmAUk

Arrivals – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvX6ltlWP5Q

Pre-Order ‘ARRIVALS’ on CD & LP 9 April 2021 lnk.to/DOR-Arrivals

Declan O’Rourke Website https://declanorourke.com

Declan O’Rourke Twitter https://twitter.com/declanorourke

Declan O’Rourke Instagram https://www.instagram.com/declanorourke/

Declan O’Rourke Facebook https://www.facebook.com/declanorourkemusic/

Declan O’Rourke Spotify https://open.spotify.com/artist/08YnZ1u94kQ47JW7wVUume?si=UIFVG4VzQgKcnYhpKWzbpA

Following the release of their debut EP ‘Waves’ via Fair Youth Records NewDad announce a National Tour for November 2021. Taking place in Belfast, Galway and Dublin, tickets are available now from Tickets.ie and Ticketmaster.

4-piece alternative rock band, NewDad, emerged from Galway at the beginning of last year, self-releasing their first string of tracks ‘How’, ‘Swimming’ and ‘Cry’. Since then they have been streamed nearly two million times on Spotify alone. Previous singles ‘Blue’, ‘I Don’t Recognise You’ and ‘Slowly’ have all been added to the A list at BBC 6 Music, where the band did a session for Steve Lamacq before Christmas. Further support has come from Annie Mac on her Radio 1 Future Sounds show, Jack Saunders, who interviewed the band on his BBC Radio 1 Show, Matt Wilkinson at Apple Music, as well as NME, DIY, Dork, Clash, Dummy, The Forty Five, Music Week, So Young, Rodeo, Far Out Magazine, Disco Naivete, Nialler 9, Happy People and more.

Each member of the NewDad has put together ever-evolving Spotify playlists of tracks they love and are inspired by.

NewDad. are:

Julie Dawson: SPOTIFY

Áindle O’Beirn: SPOTIFY

Sean O’Dowd: SPOTIFY

Fiachra Parslow: SPOTIFY

8th November – Ulster Sports Club, Belfast
10th November – Roisin Dubh, Galway
11th November – The Workman’s Club, Dublin
Tickets €13.00 on sale now from Tickets.ie and Ticketmaster.ie

Local Boy is the alter-ego of Dublin musician, producer, singer, and Burner Records co-founder Jake Hurley. His new single ‘Al Bundy’ released recently landed on Spotify’s New Music Friday playlist, and has seen repeat plays on RTÉ 2FM, 98fm, Red FM & more. His previous releases have featured on other high-profile Spotify playlists such as “Lo-Fi Indie” and have subsequently amassed millions of plays on the platform between his own songs and collaborations with artists such as Tebi Rex.

The new song ‘Al Bundy’ was written, produced, mixed and mastered by Local Boy, and is built around the interplay of a bouncy guitar riff and a driving baseline.

Referencing the iconic sitcom ‘Married with Children’, Al Bundy explores heavy themes over a fun and danceable instrumental. The song is primarily a critique of the often-toxic self-help culture found online that can treat mental health interventions like a business.

Sharing the new video, Local Boy says, “I think this video matches the message and the vibe of the song perfectly. It was an absolute pleasure to bounce ideas off the director Daragh Goan and I was blown away by the talent and effort of everyone who worked on it. I’m really pleased with the finished product especially considering the constraints of shooting while maintaining social distance!”

Director Daragh Goan added “I wanted to use the Sitcom Dad character because we grew up watching men on screen, from The Simpsons to Al Bundy in Married with Children, work meaningless unfulfilling jobs and be sad as a result of it, and I wanted to ask what it would be like if one of them had a creative outlet or pursued something that made them happy.”

Having spent the pandemic working on music, Local Boy is gearing up for the summer 2021 release of his follow up EP ‘Local Boy Helps Himself’.

Buy/Stream the new single ‘Al Bundy’ here: https://linktr.ee/local_boy3000

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LocalBoy3000/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/localboy3000 / @localboy3000
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/local_boy3000/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/34Ze0nb54KG3gietZGFZIj?si=8-o0SwDiRka99CQCMDVBqw
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/ie/artist/local-boy/18474169

Kildare singer-songwriter Megan O’Neill celebrates the her second full length studio album, ‘Getting Comfortable With Uncertainty’ out now. This much anticipated album follows her LP ‘Ghost of You’ (June 2018) which hit #1 on the iTunes singer/songwriter charts in the UK and Ireland.

“Finely crafted songs of defiance” – The Irish Times

‘Getting Comfortable With Uncertainty’ consists of 13 songs – 12 originals and one cover. It is mostly autobiographical, yet the songs touch on range of universal topics – struggles with career, fear of change, moving to a new city or away from somewhere you love, unhealthy relationships. The songs vary from intimate and vulnerable (‘Head Under Water’, ‘Winter Sun’, ‘Strangers Before We Met’) to confident and resilient (‘Underrated’, ‘Should’ve Known Better’) to lonely and wistful (‘Ireland’).

“This album was much more personal for me than any of my previous releases. I suppose I’m that bit older (and none the wiser!) – I feel that the more I learn about life the less I actually know about anything. That is where the title came from – ‘Getting Comfortable With Uncertainty’. I’ve had a lot of change in my life in the past two years and I’ve felt pretty battered by the whole process to be honest. But I do believe that all those tough times bring about growth – in a way that contentment and comfort never will. So I’m learning to just get comfortable with the uncertainty of life – it’s always going to change.” Megan says.

The recording process began in October 2018 in Leeds, UK, with Joe and Dave Dunwell whilst Megan was living in London. Megan had been working with The Dunwells for a few years previous and found a great creative chemistry there, whenever they wrote together or played music together.

“Writing and recording these songs was so cathartic. Joe and Dave were amazing and really pushed me outside my comfort zone when we were in the studio. We threw around ideas and they were always up for trying anything and everything, which really allowed me the creative freedom to explore. I couldn’t have made this record with anyone else.”

‘Getting Comfortable With Uncertainty’ blends elements of Irish folk story-telling (especially heard on the track ‘Ireland‘) with modern pop and alt-rock influences. Throughout the record, you’ll hear that the stories are the focus. The vocal melodies and lyrics take centre stage and the Dunwells provide beautiful, warm and soaring backing vocals throughout – creating an amazing sibling harmony blend.

Deemed a “rising star” by uDiscover and Timeout Magazine London, Megan’s new album has already received huge attention in the sync world, with one track featured in the opening scenes of a new major Netflix series, ‘Firefly Lane’, which aired March 2021. She also performed it live on RTÉ’s Late Late Show: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHvmfj51CQE

To date Megan has toured the UK, Ireland, US and Germany. She has performed at private Oscars’ parties in LA alongside Gavin James (on invite from JJ Abrams) and has had her song ‘Don’t You’ featured on ABC’s hit TV Show ‘Nashville’ (Season 3). In 2019 Megan opened three stadium shows for the legendary Sir Tom Jones. In the first few months of 2020, Megan opened for Lighthouse Family at the Olympia Theatre, Dublin, and Jamie Cullum at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre. 

Prior to her album ‘Ghost Of You’; Megan released two EP’s: ‘Coming Home’ (2015) – produced by Philip Magee (The Script, Kodaline) and ‘Stories to Tell’ (2017) – produced by Guy Fletcher (Dire Straits, Mark Knopfler). She also released a single under Decca Records in collaboration with Ben Earle (The Shires) – ‘Can’t Put a Price on That’ (2016).

Live performances include main stage at the British Country Music Festival, C2C Festival, Body & Soul, Liverpool Folk Fest, The Long Road Festival, Nashville Meets London and much, much more! In early 2020, Megan finished work on a new project with Universal Music – performing as the lead female for a full compilation album. The project is set for a 100+ date tour across 2021 and 2022.

Megan O’Neill’s new album ‘Getting Comfortable With Uncertainty’ is out now. The album is available to buy on CD or digital, or stream on all digital platforms here: https://linktr.ee/meganoneill

https://www.facebook.com/MeganONeillMusic

https://instagram.com/meganoneillmusic

https://twitter.com/meganoneill / @meganoneill

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWajlM_WS19L91STNMyyyPw

Photo: Mich Behan