Sleep Thieves release Hope is Dead as the second single from their debut album Heart Waves. The video was directed by Simon Eustace, produced by Tidal Productions and shot by Piers McGrail.
The single is available for free download at http://sleepthieves.bandcamp.com/album/hope-is-dead and includes a bonus remixed track from the album: Do It The Hard Way (William Fakenamé's Twinsunset cassette mix) by Dave LeGalaxie.
Sleep Thieves are playing live on the following nights:
Friday 16th September with Sounds of System Breakdown and Yes Cadets in Whelans.
Friday 7th October, 10:30 until 11:00 in The Twisted Pepper, for Hard Working Class Heroes.
Saturday 19th November, Whelans with special guests TBA.
Northern Ireland 'Instrumental' Giants, And So I Watch You From Afar are pleased to announce their Irish Tour this coming December.
Known for their unrelenting tours that has seen them play over 300 gigs since the start of 2009, Belfast’s And So I Watch You From Afar (ASIWYFA to their fans) don’t know how to take a break. From appearances at SXSW, Eurosonic, Electric Picnic, Novarock, Canadian Music Fest, Popkomm, Pukkelpop, Sonisphere, to tour dates in Europe, North America, Russia and a support slot for rock supergroup Them Crooked Vultures, the instrumental band have been on the road playing music non-stop since the release of their fan-stirring debut self-titled album.
Tour Dates:
December 29th 2011 – Crane Lane Theatre, Cork
December 30th 2011 – Electric Avenue,Waterford
December 31st 2011 – Roisin Dubh, Galway
And So I Watch You From Afar's new single, '7 Billion People All Alive At Once' (Jape Remix) is available from Friday, September 16th from http://www.richtercollective.com
Smalltown America is celebrating ten years since its inception with the release of its “Public Service Broadcast: Vol. 10” compilation.
“This collection represents what we love right now in 2011; embodied in vinyl for the first time in the series' history as a testament to bands and writers the world over, who spend countless hours in rehearsal rooms, vans and recording studios endeavouring to break our hearts with a piece of timeless music for us to fall in love with. Play loud and with pride." – Team Smalltown America – August 2011
THE BANDS
United Fruit – Discordant yet catchy Glaswegian noise, if you like …And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead and McClusky. United Fruit's debut record 'Faultlines' is truly faultless. 'Three' is a stand out track right slap bang in the middle of a pretty immaculate record, full to the brim of catchy low-fi brilliance. www.unitedfruit.bandcamp.com
Blacklisters deliver riotous two-fisted hardcore rock from Leeds, if you like Pulled Apart By Horses, Deftones and Kong. From the very first chord to the very last fervent scream and every kick-ass drum beat in between, 'King Prick' is the kind of intense tuneage that makes chewing on some barbed wire seem like child's play. www.blacklisters.co.uk
Event Horses are the latest product of the staggeringly inventive Irish North Coast hardcore scene that brought you ASIWYFA and Axis Of. Their sound as is straight-up as it comes; and with that 'Horses exhibit a vitality, confidence and groove rarely seen in a band so new to the scene. Exciting times and tunes beckon…we can't wait. www.eventhorses.wordpress.com
Rams' Pocket Radio is Peter McCauley, a drummer, pianist and songwriter from Lisburn, Northern Ireland. Like Mew? Like Radiohead? This is for you. Unfettered personal expression is the focus, and with the timeless works of 1950's designer Dieter Rams in mind; purity, simplicity and longevity are the first concerns. 'Coal My Lips Are Sealed' has been a favourite in the STA camp for a while, it is honest powerful pop music, the type of song that you want to play on repeat and definitely will never get sick of. Coal is a true representation of the talent of Rams' Pocket Radio and the potential for great things.
www.ramspocketradio.com
Daily Life are from Manchester and enjoy playing guitars, banging on drums and listening to Silver Jews. Occasionally they write songs and play them together. 'Spirit Animal' is creepy low-fi rock and roll that is hard to shake. If Daily Life had been born in the mid 70s, Sub Pop would have been releasing their records in the mid 90s. www.dailylife.bandcamp.com
Vvolves – DIY is at the forefront of this Cardiff band's ambitions; they record and produce their own material as well as handcrafting all the artwork. Our kinda people. The intensely epic 'Strange Blood' recalls Vampire Weekend, Radiohead and James Blake at their finest. We love the space in this song, allowing the listener to be engulfed in prodigious guitars and bewitching vocals. www.vvolves.bandcamp.com
Our Krypton Son hails from STA's birthplace, Derry in Northern Ireland, and is the alter ego of Chris McConaghy whose debut self-titled record (due in September) is a Kubrickian fusion of The Cinematic Orchestra, Richard Hawley and Nick Drake. 'Sunlight In The Ashes' is a gorgeous slice of psychedelic dream pop. www.twitter.com/Our_Krypton_Son
General Fiasco's sound recalls the ragged soulfulness of early Strokes merged with the popchops of fellow countrymen Two Door Cinema Club. Since releasing their Infectious label debut in 2009 the band have toured the world and the experience shows; the band's new songs are sassy, sexy and mine previously undiscovered musical landscapes. On this exclusive and previously unreleased track – 'The Bottom' the band show their love of new-folk and treat us to a tender moment of vocal beauty. www.generalfiasco.co.uk
Meet London five piece Battle For Paris. They make ferocious hardcore music combining duelling guitars with complex rhythms and throat-lacerating vocals circa Pulled Apart By Horses and Fall of Troy. Their debut album ‘Superstar’, due to be released later this year is sure to be quite something. 'He-Man Womun Haters Club' is expertly crafted and beautifully fierce, 2mins 36secs of raw energy. We love their tight, compelling sound – five guys united on a musical mission! www.battleforparis.com
Mnemotechnic, bonjour. They started in 2009 in Brest, France when four musicians got together to create a strong and singular rock identity evocative of Soulwax, Death From Above 1979 and Not Squares. On stage, eye to eye with the audience, in the heat, in the distortion, through a piercing high voice, they deliver an electric storm. 'Shallow Goals' is best described by us as filthy sexy party music and by the band themselves as 'Imagine the sincere anger, noisiness and punk rock of At The Drive-In blended together with the dancy coolness of The Rapture.' www.mnemotechnic.fr
TRACKLIST
1 Three – United Fruit
2. King Prick – Blacklisters
3. Faces – Event Horses
4. Coal My Lips Are Sealed – Rams' Pocket Radio
5. Spirit Animal – Daily Life
6. Strange Blood – Vvolves
7. Sunlight In The Ashes – Our Krypton Son
8. The Bottom – General Fiasco
9. He-Man Womun Haters Club – Battle For Paris
10. Shallow Goals – Mnemotechnic
The Koubas release their debut album, “Things I Don’t Like to Talk About”, this Friday 16th September.
It took front man/ songwriter, Stevie J Ryan, a journey half way around the world to find the right ingredients to form The Koubas. After meeting in a South African music venue, Stevie J and Jakub “Kouba” Was immediately hit it off and started jamming together. The new found musical partnership led to Stevie J writing a string of new songs, many of which feature on their debut album “Things I Don’t Like to Talk About”.
In early 2009 the boys returned to Dublin and teamed up with bass player, Peter King, to form The Koubas. They started gigging regularly in Dublin and in 2010 set out to record their debut album with the help of sound engineer, Andy Knightley. During the recording, Robin Cahill (keyboard/guitar) was recruited to the band to add to the sound.
The album was completed in May 2011 and the band are all set for a busy year ahead with the album release in September and Irish tour to follow:
After the recent debut of the stream of their second album Easy Meat on Nialler9 (out on Smalltown America on Monday October 3rd), Lafaro have announced dates on an Irish tour for October with a Dublin date to be confirmed.
20 Oct – Galway Kellys
21 Oct – Limerick Dolans
22 Oct – Waterford Murphys
23 Oct – Cork Crane Lane w/Lite & Maybeshewill
28 Oct – Castlebar Finbar Hoban w/Adebisi Shank & Cast Of Cheers
Bressie, aka Niall Breslin, will be performing a live acoustic set and signing copies of his highly anticipated debut album, Colourblind Stereo this Friday 16th September at 5pm in HMV, Grafton Street.
Released in May, Bressie’s debut solo single Can’t Stay Young (Forever) proved to be a massive airplay hit and gives the perfect taster of what Colourblind Stereo has on offer.
Fans of the singer songwriter and guitarist will not be disappointed and can look forward to a album full of potential hits as well as a nationwide tour with stints in 18 venues across the country in the coming weeks.
The debut album marks a new direction for Bressie- his intention to offer an album that pushes boundaries and offers variety to his listeners. “The most important thing for me is that the music I make has substance. We did a survey of the top 40 hits at the moment in the UK, and 28 of them have the word ‘floor’, ‘DJ’ or ‘club in them’! I want to be among the other 12 which are trying to push boundaries and be innovative whether it’s a slow song, a heavy song or a big banging dance tune – all of which we’ve got on the album,” says Bressie.
Colourblind Stereo has a “80’s new romantic feel” – tracks such as Animals, You Left The Party Too Soon and the very catchy feel good Last Tube Home epitomise the direction Bressie is now taking as he pursues a solo career.
“KirK” spent 2009/10 with producer James Horwood (Abbey Road) recording in both Dublin & London finalising their debut album “Testing Times”, scheduled for early 2012 release. From which they are releasing the single “Waking In A Dream” (Sept/Oct 2011) that show’s the full range & potential of “KirK”
Both release’s immediately available to Download from 31st October 2011
After twelve months away from the stage Phil is itching to get back where he loves & belongs….on stage performing live. But this time sounding BIGGER…..BETTER…..& BALLSIER than ever before.
Lock up your daughters!!!! “KirK” are currently finalising their debut Ireland/UK tour to support the release & will be performing live near you very soon.
The Contemporary Music Centre opens Autumn Salon series with members of Concorde contemporary music ensemble – Tine Verbeke (voice) and Martin Johnson (cello)
The Contemporary Music Centre’s forthcoming new music::new Ireland salon at 6pm, on Wednesday 28th September 2011, in the Kevin Barry Room of the National Concert Hall, opens the Centre’s Autumn Salon series. The series continues in October and November 2011.
Works performed during the September Salon include James Wilson, Undesirables; Alyson Barber, Boithre Bana; Elaine Agnew, Snow-Hole; Ed Bennett,You're always right!. All works which Concorde has performed. Jane O’Leary, composer and director of Concorde will be in attendance to talk about these works and Concorde’s experience with the music being performed and the composer who created the pieces.
Tine Verbeke has a musical career which spans not just years but continents as well. Originally from Belgium, now based in Gweedore, Tine has performed several times with the Donegal Chamber Orchestra, the Magee University choir and has also been on the Shaun Doherty Christmas show with the Donegal Youth Orchestra. Tine was involved in the highly successful ‘One Less Petal, One Less Flame’, Flight of The Earls commission as a vocal coach to the 200 strong primary schools choir. As director of the ‘Errigal Singers’ she was involved in the launch of the Errigail Arts Festival 2010. Tine began her performing days in Ireland with the RTE Singers, she coaches professional Rock and Roll singers and is now teaching again in Dublin for BIMM, the new degree course for modern music.
Martin Johnson, born 1975, joined the RTE National Symphony Orchestra in 2000 and moved to Dublin, where he has subsequently been appointed Section Leader 2004 and in January 2008 made his Irish debut as a soloist with the Orchestra. Martin has performed throughout Europe, USA and China. He is also a cello teacher and is a member of the teaching faculty at the Young European Strings music school based in Dublin where he has a thriving cello class. Martin plays a fine cello by Thomas Kennedy of London c.1810.
Concorde contemporary music ensemble was founded in 1976 to promote new music on a regular basis and this November 2011 in celebration of 35 years continues with a series, Up Close with Music, funded by an Arts Council Project Grant Award 2011, highlighting past repertoire and specially composed pieces by Irish composers.
The CMC new music::new Ireland salon series aims to encourage newcomers and enthusiasts alike to engage with the music of Irish Composers. Each performance takes place in an informal atmosphere with dialogue encouraged between composers, performers and audience. This is the Centre’s eighth series and this year to celebrate 25 years of the Contemporary Music Centre and as part of a series of events planned for 2011, the salons have taken place across the year on the last Wednesday of each month, apart from the summer months (June, July and August).
The Contemporary Music Centre is Ireland's national archive and resource centre for new music. The Centre is supported by the Arts Council/An Chomhairle Ealaíon and the Arts Council of Northern Ireland. The Centre would like to thank the National Concert Hall for the use of the Kevin Barry Room for the salon series.
Admission is free for the new music::new Ireland salons but booking is strongly recommended. To book please contact the National Concert Hall on tel: 01 4170000 or email: info@nullnch.ie. composers involved contact Karen Hennessy, Promotion Manager, The Contemporary Music Centre, 19 Fishamble Street, Temple Bar, Dublin 8, tel: 01-673 1922 or email: khennessy@nullcmc.ie, web site: info@nullcmc.ie
'A Rock To Cling To' is a new collection of beautiful songs that I have made up myself, out of my imagination, fair play to me!
It will be coming out in September 2011 and I suppose it will probably be a huge success – what can you do like!
This is a collection of newly composed Irish melodies, songs of love and family, songs that have come floating down to me through the air. This is gonna be a proper album – no mad stuff!
There are no Madwomen, no Whales, no Beamish Stout, no Talkie numbers, no Sarcasm, no Mad Cork Stuff on this album. This is an album of beautiful songs, love songs especially.
I am very proud of the result, and this is what I am calling my 'Beautiful Album'
'A Rock To Cling To' is the big flagship number of the album. I wrote it shortly after my Mother's death two year ago. It is going down a bomb at the gigs.
These songs feel more vulnerable, more sensitive, and more personal than a lot of my stuff, so I've been a bit shy about working them into the live shows, like, but I am getting there, like.
'Purple Mountain' is written about a photo of me and my now wife Cathy climbing Purple Mountain in Killarney, Kerry when we were new.
'Love is King' is kind of the theme of the album. I wrote it with my Australian friend Shane Howard in Killarney, Australia, last year.
There is one song in this collection I did not make up myself at all, but it sat in so well it seems it belongs here; Paul Lenihan of The Frank and Walters got on to me and said "John, I'm after writing a song but I think it's actually a John Spillane song, and I don't think I'll ever sing it myself!" Well I paid him a little visit and heard his song, which was about Hurling and Christy Ring, the greatest of them all. While I was there he sang me another song called 'Memory Lane' which I fell in love with on the spot and have included on this album. Thanks Paul. Long live the Franks!
It seems that in my old age I am becoming more traditional, and there are two songs here that may qualify as Irish Ballads – 'Passage West' and 'Lovers Leap'
Anyway lads I hope you all like my new album 'A Rock To Cling To'.
JOHN SPILLANE_“A ROCK TO CLING TO”_Released 16th Sept 2011
For the month of September, The Ian Dempsey Breakfast Show on Today FM has promised to play a track by an unsigned Irish artist every morning.
If you’re in a band or are a solo artist, you can get in touch with the show at breakfast@nulltodayfm.com.
It’s worth noting the following pointers before submitting a track:
• Include a short biography (where you’re from, influences etc.)
• Attach one track in MP3 format (your best one!)
• Keep in mind that it’s a family show so no swearing etc.
• Ideally the track would be around 3-4 minutes long
• You can also post your CD entry to The Ian Dempsey Breakfast Show, Today FM, Marconi House, Digges Lane, Dublin 2.
