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Month: September 2011

Jupe-‘Get Up’

Things are going from strength to strength for Dublin Band Jupe.
The video for their new single "Get Up" has already been viewed over 1,200 time since it's release just 4 Days ago and the views are still on the up. They also packed out the Academy 2 for a rip roaring show last Saturday to celebrate it's release on itunes and HMV Dundrum and Grafton Street.
 
We caught up with charismatic frontman Tim Night:
"We're all over the moon with response received from "Get Up" , the crowd were great on Saturday Night. We just want to say Thank you to everyone for their continual support of the band"
 
There's just two days left to get your hands their new Single "Get Up" in HMV Grafton Street or Dundrum and help an unsigned band make some headway on the Irish Single Charts, proof that Unsigned bands CAN do it themselves!
 
Follow Jupe on Twitter @ jupemusic
Or Facebook @ Jupe  

Spotlight

Sive

Sive-Debut Single Release

Sive is the moniker of songwriter and musician Sadhbh O’Sullivan. She and her band are currently gearing up for the release of their debut single, We Are Moving, which will be launched in The Odessa on the 3rd of November.

Having spent a number of years gigging extensively in Ireland and beyond with a variety of musicians, Sadhbh formed the band in its current lineup which consists of bassist Eoin Hartwieg, drummer Patrick Hopkins and guitarist Mark Dudley.
 
They have been touring together since the beginning of 2010 and since then have opened for a handful of renowned acts, including Kila and Gemma Hayes, and made a number of radio appearances around the country.
 
Their music fuses alternative rock with a variety of genres, drawing influence from jazz, folk and progressive music.
This year has seen them complete work on their debut album which is due for release in February 2012.
 
Visit their official website here: www.sivemusic.com
 
Or follow them on Facebook to keep up to date with gigs and new releases: www.facebook.com/siveband

Tallaght Community Arts to Receive a Grant of €18,000 from EU Grundtvig Learning Fund for Songwriting Initiative

Tallaght Community Arts has recently received approval for a grant of €18,000 to support the development of Folk Music and Songwriting. They will be working with partners from 9 different European Countries over the next two years, during the course of which there will be visits to six different countries.  The local grant is part of a total of €156,000 which will be disbursed by the EU Grundtvig Programme. This programme supports cross border adult education initiatives as a means of encouraging participants to work together on specific projects with the added benefit of experiencing varied different cultures and traditions. The first of the international visits will be to Bucharest in Romania in early December. This will be followed by trips to Poland, France, Denmark, Slovenia and Ireland

Since January 2011, Tallaght Community Arts has been supporting the development of fortnightly Songwriting Workshops known as the Tallaght Songwriting Collective and it is the participants in this workshop who will benefit from the grant.

The collective is the brainchild of two local songwriters, Shane O’Fearghail from Tallaght and Tony Bardon from Rathfarnham.

The purpose of the workshop is to bring together established as well as upcoming songwriters with a view to the following:-

Writing new songs and developing new ideas on writing

Teaching and learning from each other

Performing songs for constructive evaluation

Songwriting Circles

Co-writing opportunities

Inviting guest speakers to talk on different aspects of songwriting

Creating a network of talented songwriters at a national and international level

Shane and Tony consider songwriting to be a craft and they wish to nourish the development of that craft among local songwriters. Now that the Tallaght Songwriting Collective has the support of the Grundtvig Programme, giving it a European dimension, its goal is to give its participants an opportunity to be involved on a national and an international stage.

The workshop recommenced after the summer break on Monday 5th September and will be held fortnightly thereafter.The meetings are held at 7.30pm in Rua Red South Dublin Arts Centre Tallaght (At the end of Luas Red Line).

Songwriters in the South Dublin area are welcome to attend. Priority for the international trips will be given to those who show a commitment to the local workshop and have the capacity to make a contribution to the overseas workshops.

Shane and Tony are experienced singer/songwriters who met in Innsbruck Austria in April 2010 at a Grundtvig week-long songwriting workshop. There were 23 participants from 15 different countries attending and over the course of the week there were 19 different work sessions held.  This proved to be hugely beneficial on many different levels, musical, cultural and social. 33 new songs in many different genres were written.

This experience motivated the participants to apply for further funds for this new project where they can come together over a more extended period of time and use their talents and friendship to explore the folk music tradition of the different countries they will be visiting and develop their songwriting skills.

Shane is the guiding force behind the popular band Caruso and he has built up a strong following in Ireland as well as in Europe, where he tours extensively. Tony was a regular contributor of political parodies to Lifeline’s Funny Friday show over a number of years and he has a strong international following on the internet for his more serious music.

Tony Fegan, Director of Tallaght Community Arts, has had a previous involvement with the Grundtvig Programme, when he was Director of Learning at the London International Festival of Theatre

I consider it a very worthwhile programme providing opportunities for many new and diverse learning experiences for those involved. There is likely to be additional benefits for Tallaght Community Arts from this new partnershipand already the possibility an Acoustic Festival to be run in conjunction with the Irish Visit in 2012 is being explored. There has also been talk of an Album release in 2013 at the conclusion of the project. Tony Fegan

Photo Credit: Tallaght Echo

Latest News

Sive-Debut Single Release

Sive is the moniker of songwriter and musician Sadhbh O'Sullivan. She and her band are currently gearing up for the release of their debut single, We Are Moving, which will be launched in The Odessa on the 3rd of November.

Having spent a number of years gigging extensively in Ireland and beyond with a variety of musicians, Sadhbh formed the band in its current lineup which consists of bassist Eoin Hartwieg, drummer Patrick Hopkins and guitarist Mark Dudley.
 
They have been touring together since the beginning of 2010 and since then have opened for a handful of renowned acts, including Kila and Gemma Hayes, and made a number of radio appearances around the country.
 
Their music fuses alternative rock with a variety of genres, drawing influence from jazz, folk and progressive music.
This year has seen them complete work on their debut album which is due for release in February 2012.
 
Visit their official website here: www.sivemusic.com
 
Or follow them on Facebook to keep up to date with gigs and new releases: www.facebook.com/siveband
 
Spotlight

Barbara Dunne-Irish Tour

Award winning singer/songwriter embarks on solo Irish tour.

Having just returned from her sell-out concert in Berlin, award winning songwriter Barbara Dunne embarks on her first solo Irish tour. Barbara made her first TV appearance on Kenny Live to great acclaim and went on to record an album with the late Billy Brown of the Freshmen.
She has performed for Mick Jagger, Burt Bacharach, Shirley Bassey and the Prince of Monaco among others.
A talented pianist Barbara was mentored along the way by Noel Kelehan and Jim Doherty and others. ‘Her background as a jazz and classical musician is clearly in evidence…’ (Hot Press).
Shay Healy gave Barbara her first radio play and was instrumental in the delivery of her first single ‘Driving November’, produced by Kevin Maloney (U2 and Sinead O Connor) which won the Dun Laoghaire Song Contest 1999 and became a radio hit.
‘Finish Starting’ which got rave reviews; ‘music that excavates deep riches throughout’  (Jackie Hayden), ‘Part of a generation of real Irish talent’ (Luke Whitington) was the album that followed. Her work has also been described as ‘Tori Amos-like‘ and ‘Joni Mitchell-ish‘ (Jackie Hayden Hot Press).
The tour kicks off in Bewley’s Cafe Theatre on the 8th of October and goes countrywide until Spring 2012.
For more details or to download some of her music got to
Spotlight

 

The Young Folk-Debut EP

In 2011 Anthony Furey formed The Young Folk with Paul Butler, Karl Hand, Tony McLoughlin and Karen Hickey.  Assured musicians and songwriters, The Young Folk boasts a line up of some of the most promising young musicians working in Ireland today. Their well traveled live show is already highly regarded for its technical nous. Their performance also distinguishes itself by the kind of raw energy and passion inherent in good folk music, melding the lively variation of oral transmission with the marks of custom and community that give it its character.
With supports in venues such as Vicar Street, The National Concert Hall…
 

Taking the Festival circuit by storm this year with performances at CastlePalooza, Vantastival, Knockanstockan, Flat Lake, Milk & Cookies, Florø Festival Norway and more to come with the likes of  The Spirit Of Folk Festival..

The Young Folks debut EP is due for release on the 17th November 2011 in Whelans…
 
Tickets available at www.tickets.ie or www.wavtickets.ie
 
Visit The Young Folks Official website and listen to their new EP online
www.TheYoungFolk.com

 
Spotlight

The Contemporary Music Centre appoints new board member, Gavin O´Sullivan

The Contemporary Music Centre appoints new board member, Gavin O’Sullivan

Dublin born, Gavin O’Sullivan has been appointed as a new Board member to the Contemporary Music Centre. Evonne Ferguson, Director, The Contemporary Music Centre, current Board members and staff of the Centre are delighted with this appointment and warmly welcome Gavin to the board.

“I am delighted that Gavin has joined the Board of the Contemporary Music Centre. He brings to the board a wealth of expertise in the promotion of new music at home and abroad" says Evonne Ferguson, Director, The Contemporary Music Centre.

Since 1995Gavin has been Director of the Sundays at Noon Concert Series at Dublin City Gallery The Hugh Lane which is recognised for its support and promotion of both contemporary Irish composers and performers. From 1998 to 2004, Gavin was House Manager at the National Concert Hall where he programmed and managed the Composer Choice contemporary music series. From 2008 to 2011 his role involved planning and producing the Hall’s own promotions as well as being involved in developing and implementing a new artistic policy for the Hall. Gavin has worked as an orchestra and concert manager, film music editor and independent producer. He is currently production manager for the Music Festival in Great Irish Houses, Festival Director of theCamerata Ireland Clandeboye and Castletown Festivals and manager of Resurgam .

The Board of the Contemporary Music Centre are Dr. Cliona Doris, Chariperson; Professor Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin; Jacqueline Kelly; Róisín O'Connell; Fergus Sheil, Brian Irvine and Gavin O’Sullivan.  The Contemporary Music Centre is Ireland's national archive, resource centre and promotional body for new music, supporting the work of Irish composers from the Republic and Northern Ireland.  The Centre is supported by the Arts Council/An Chomhairle Ealaíon and the Arts Council of Northern Ireland.

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IMRO to Celebrate the Life and Music of Christie Hennessy

IMRO to Celebrate the Life and Music of Christie Hennessy with a Series of Music Events in Tralee

Wednesday 12th – Saturday 15th October 2011

 

The Irish Music Rights Organisation (IMRO) has announced a series of music events in Tralee, Co. Kerry this October 12th to 15th in celebration of the life and music of Tralee born songwriter and performer Christie Hennessy. The events will take place in association with Tralee Town Council, Holiday Tralee, Radio Kerry, Tralee Advertiser, Kerry’s Eye, andThe Brandon Hotel.

It is fitting that Tralee plays host to this inaugural Christie Hennessy Celebration as Christie was one of our most celebrated sons.  Tralee Town Council will welcome those who come to Tralee to celebrate this talented singer/songwriter's genius with its truly renowned cead mile fáilte. With planned workshops and concerts and I would imagine, there will be some impromptu music sessions in the local pubs, Tralee will be showcasing some of its wonderful talent.  Christie Hennessy spoke through his music and it's through music we will pay tribute to him.  With the backing of The Irish Music Rights Organisation, Holiday Tralee and local businesses this will be a musical experience of a lifetime.  As Mayor of Tralee I wish to invite all of you to share this experience with the people of Tralee”. Mayor Grace O'Donnell.

My Dad was a dedicated song smith/writer all his life. Whenever he encountered an aspiring songwriter, he willingly gave his time and encouragement in helping them to express what they were attempting to say in words and music. So it is a very fitting tribute that the Christie Hennessy Celebration event is being held in his home town of Tralee as, in essence, it could not be any closer to his heart”, added Hermione Hennessy at the launch of the programme of events.

 

PROGRAM OF EVENTS

The celebration will be launched by Tralee’s own Francie Conway on Wednesday 12th October, at The Brandon Hotel, with performances of well-known Christie Hennessy songs by local artists. The evening will culminate in a showcase of local singer-songwriters. Thursday 13th Octoberwill see a series of Live Music Sessions take place at various venues throughout Tralee. Performances will culminate in a live cover of a Christie Hennessy song in each venue at 11pm.

A performance of the critically acclaimed musical theatre show inspired by the life and music of Christie, “When Jolie Met Christie” will take place in Siamsa Tíre on Friday 14th October. The show was premiered by Axis Ballymun in March of this year. Before his death in 2007, Christie Hennessy had hoped to tell his own story in a collaborative theatre and musical production with axis.  As a tribute to him, and using Christie’s musical hero Al Jolson as a catalyst, axis Director Ray Yeates, playwright Seán McCarthy and Musical performer Aonghus McAnally created this special show. In “When Jolie Met Christie” Al Jolson speaks of his admiration for Christie and his new understanding of him now they are together in the afterlife. Al compares the struggles and triumphs of their two careers. The 90-minute show will feature many of Christie’s greatest hits.

On Saturday 15th October, the final of the Christie Hennessy Song Competition will take place in the Brandon Hotel. Ten finalists selected from almost 200 entries across Ireland will perform their original songs in front of a live audience and a panel of expert judges. The winning songwriter will be presented with a cheque for €1,000 on the night, courtesy of Holiday Tralee plus a recording session at the renowned Windmill Lane Studios in Dublin with writer/producer Rob Burke, courtesy of Tony Perrey and the Windmill Lane team.

From 12th to 14th October, IMRO will host a series of Music Workshops for local secondary school students. The workshops will focus on songwriting, production and performance and will be hosted by singer-songwriters, Luán Parle andMickey Harte, and songwriter/producer, Gavin Ralston.

"The inspiration for hosting a celebration of the life and music of Christie Hennessy has its roots in the unveiling of the fine statue of the great man in Tralee.  As a national organisation representing the rights of music creators and also being a strong advocate of new music creation in Ireland, IMRO is very proud to be working with so many local businesses and organisations in Tralee to keep the spirit of Christie and his music very much alive.Keith Donald, IMRO Chairman.

"We in Tralee are very excited about the Christie Hennessy celebration that will be taking place in October. Christie Hennessy is one of Tralee’s most famous sons and he was a musical genius. IMRO and Francie Conway have put together an innovative and varied musical programme in honour of Christie and we hope that fans of Christie from all over the world will come to Tralee to be part of the celebration. Last year a sculpture of Christie Hennessy was unveiled in Tralee which attracted a huge crowd we now want to develop a festival in his honour in his birthplace of Tralee. We have some fabulous musical talent lined up and we will ensure a warm welcome for all fans of Christies’ music”  Kieran Ruttledge Holiday Tralee

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ADD TO MQ

Dublin International Gospel Music Festival

The Dublin International Gospel Music Festival will return to Dublin after a successful run last year. The day-long festival will take place on Saturday, 24th September in Liberty Hall Theatre, Eden Quay Dublin 1.  A series of free workshops will take place throughout the day, followed by an evening of performances.

The festival’s programme aims to promote intercultural understanding through music and will feature as part of the Dublin City Council’s 2011 ‘One City One People Initiative’.
 
Speaking ahead of the Gospel Music Festival, Chinedu Onyejelem, editor of the multi-cultural newspaper, Metro Éireann, which is presenting the festival, said that the event would offer a mix of music, dance and cultural workshops.
 
“We have expanded our programme for this year’s event and we have a range of workshops on offer for anyone with an interest in gospel music, including a workshop on digital music production, singing and voice training, and a workshop on how to market and promote gospel music in Ireland.
 
“We also have some fantastic musical performances planned for next week’s event, including shows by hip-hop artist, Zanillya Farrell, the daughter of the late Bobby Farrell, who rose to fame with the 1970’s disco group Boney M; British singer / songwriter Muyiwa, whose gospel music features influences of rock, Nigerian rhythms, soul and Native American beats, and a performance by the Redeemed Christian Church of God Praise Choir.
 
“We are organising the festival to recognise the diversity of music in Ireland today, and to strengthen intercultural ties through showcasing music from different parts of the world. It offers a great opportunity for music lovers to come together for an evening of spectacular shows and energising performances”, said Mr. Onyejelem.
 
Also commenting ahead of the Gospel Music Festival was the United States Ambassador to Ireland, Daniel M. Rooney: “The U.S. Embassy strongly supports cultural programming and is pleased that Metro Eireann is organising the Second Annual Gospel Festival. Gospel music is a very important tradition in American music”.
 
Highlights of the festival programme include:
 
Music
•         Muyiwa
British Singer/songwriter whose dramatic mix of gospel music features influences of rock, Nigerian rhythms, soul and Native American beats.
•         The Dublin Gospel Choir
Ireland’s most successful gospel musicians.
•         Zanillya Farrell
Hip-hop artist and daughter of Bobby Farrell from the group Boney M.
•         The Redeemed Christian Church of God Praise Choir
A dynamic praise group that will ignite the soul.
•         Adeniyi Allen-Taylor
Popularly known as ‘Allen’, a multi-talented musician and songwriter skilled in playing the keyboard, drums, guitar, and saxophone.
 
Workshops
•         Singing and Voice training
Gain vital tips and tools on singing, voice training and looking after your voice.
•         Digital Music production
Professionals take you through a digital music production.
•         Online Marketing, Promotion and Resources Available for Gospel Musicians
Widen your horizon. Be heard; get your music out there. Learn how to promote and market music online.
•         Faith, Race and Integration
Exploring the role Faith and Race can play in the integration of different cultures… All for the right reasons!
•         Choreography
Get some practical dance instructions on getting the right moves with your music.
 
Concert tickets are priced at €20 for single adults, €10 for children under 16, and a special offer for families of €50 for two adults and two children. Tickets are now on sale on www.tickets.ie.  All workshops are open free of charge to members of the public. To register for any of the workshops, please email: gospelmusic@nullmetroeireann.com or telephone: 01 878 3441.
 
The Dublin International Gospel Music Festival is an initiative of Metro Éireann, Ireland’s first multicultural newspaper. The Festival is also supported by the US Embassy Dublin; Dublin Bus Community Support Programme; The Irish Times; Jaipur, MK Design Studio, DHR Communications, and Dublin City Council’s Office for Integration.
 
Further details of the festival’s programme and volunteer opportunities are available at: www.dublingospelmusicfestival.com or by calling 01 8783441 / 086 852 3397. Please note that the evening performance will begin at 7pm (doors open 6.20pm).
 
Latest News

The Walls Release New EP – “Bird in a Cage”

Irelands finest exports, The Walls,  are proud to announce the release of their new EP 'Bird in a Cage', the EP is available now and the band will be playing a Belfast show on October 06th to mark the release.

The EP can be purchased from:
www.thewalls.ie
thewalls.bandcamp.com
i-Tunes
 
The title track "Bird in a Cage" is available to download for free for a limited time from www.thewalls.ie.
The Walls bring a unique show with them, their full band are present, but on a screen interacting with each other, this is a must see!
 
The band will be playing in Belfast on
Thursday 06th October – The Black Box, Belfast
18-22 Hill Street, Belfast, BT1 2LA
 
Booking info – tickets from www.blackboxbelfast.com or in person at the venue. £12/£10 concession. Doors 8pm

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