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Month: July 2013

Ardmore Pattern Festival’s Song Contest Winner Bags €500 & Recording Studio Session

Written by Press Officer on . Posted in News.

The six finalists of Ardmore Pattern Festival’s Song Contest took to the stage on Wed 24th July to fight it out for the title of 2013 Song Contest Winner. The challenge was to write a song for Ardmore as well as include themes of The Gathering. Entries came from far and wide, including Kilkenny, Dublin, Australia and Wales. With such an eclectic mix of finalists, the guest judges had their work cut out for them choosing a winner. Music writer and producer Bobby Lee from Youghal joined another Cork native, singer songwriter Nicole Maguire to choose the competition winner.JH_Ardmore_Pattern_Sat_89

Finalists played to a crowded An Tobar Bar and gave huge encouragement to all singers, but there could only be one winner. Judges chose Declan Carey who lives in Lucan, Dublin as their winner with his song ‘The Sunny South East’. Scooping the title of winner means that Declan bags himself €500, gets to record his winning track with event sponsors Claycastle Recording Studio in Youghal as well as receiving a commemorative vase.

Declan is originally from Glanmire, Co. Cork and spent much of his childhood visiting Youghal and Ardmore with his parents. He was named Declan after the patron saint of Ardmore, St. Declan; his connection to the village is very strong. Where else would Declan bring his wife on honeymoon but Ardmore and they celebrated their 2 year wedding anniversary the day before the Song Contest final.

“I decided to enter the competition just because of the fond memories I have of Ardmore when I was younger and after I got married. I always loved the beauty of the area, the history and the great sense of community atmosphere in Ardmore. It’s the kind of place that I would love to retire to when the time comes. And that was the starting point for the song.” Declan explained.

Although he’s played the guitar since childhood and written songs since his teens, Declan wasn’t expecting the win “I read about the competition on boards.ie on the songwriter’s forum and then checked out the Pattern Festival website. I was delighted to be named as winner. I wasn’t expecting it at all. I was happy that I had a strong song but there were other very strong songs on the night too.”

No stranger to performing, Declan’s performed all over Ireland in the past with Cork singer songwriter Niall Connolly as well as in the UK, France and New York however winning the 2013 Song Contest has given Declan some renewed confidence.

Congratulations go to the other five finalists: from Kilkenny, Joe Butler with ‘The Beauty of Ardmore’, from Cork Declan Hassett with ‘Ardmore Dreaming’ sung by Patricia Quirke, from Wales, David Murphy with  ’Ardmore Rocks’ and Ardmore natives, Kenneth Hickey (living in Australia) with ‘Home’ sung by Natalie Lehane and Maeve Brockie with ’My Hometown Ardmore’.

Ardmore Pattern Festival is one of Munster’s most anticipated annual festivals offering over 90 free family friendly events this year from 21st to 28th July in the seaside village of Ardmore, Co. Waterford.   For more information about Ardmore Pattern Festival, to become a sponsor or volunteer for next year visit the website or find us on Facebook.

‘Music Gateway’ Launched

Written by Breffni Banks on . Posted in Industry News.

Music-Gateway-Launches-24thMusic Gateway is certainty NOT another social media platform, it doesn’t promote music or seek to place it for licensing either. In fact it’s rather more unique; consider Music Gateway as the equivalent to our own human missing link. What the Music Industry has needed for years is a DIY A&R vehicle, a simple, functional business platform dedicated to connecting music professionals during the creative process.

The world is such a smaller place, people working in the industry can tap into a global marketplace, a shop window to offer their services, receive work, find talent & reach out beyond their network – Music Gateway simplifies the way musicians, writers, producers, bands, artists & A&R work and manage their projects. Collaboration isn’t just a buzz word, it’s a fundamental way to inspire people & create good music. It develops careers & bridges a gap across many musical genres. Music Gateway saves time & money through targeted connections by way of project postings, workflow and management. This allows users to focus on being creative.

Music Gateway’s provides cutting edge technology and bespoke features in a secure environment. It combines project management control, file backup systems like Dropbox and handles transactions in three major currencies for users to send and receive funds through their account. Every aspect is covered for the modern professional musician to work, all wrapped up in one easy to use website. Music Gateway supports career development, whilst helping to break down industry barriers.

Wide support has been received from some of the world’s most respected brands, producers & organisations such as BPI, PRS, PPL, MMF, FAC, BASCA, 7digital, Music Ally, Pledge Music, Steinberg, Soundcloud, Notting Hill Music, IRMO & Music Week.

Says founder and CEO Jon Skinner “The Music Industry has needed an A&R vehicle for some time, not just for finding talent or new artists, but to help the industry community to get connected. With access for all independents, DIY artists, through to label managers & company execs, we cater for grass roots through to the major A&R positions.

People can become studio rats, rarely surfacing for air, networking becomes low priority as its very time consuming, but as we know, an essential element to getting ahead in our beloved industry.

We cut to the chase with simple features & project management. Connecting through Music Gateway is about tailor-made projects, reaching the right professionals that match people’s needs. We offer work opportunities on a global scale and an easy way to progess up the industry ladder. Equally, existing pros can meet the needs of others, without the limitation of where they live.”

In the preparation to live launch on Monday 24th June Music Gateway registered over 6,500 music professionals, including +200 labels, +900 vocalists, +700 producers, +25 publishers and hundreds of A&R & session musicians. Since our launch we have received over 200 various projects including Diana Vickers (So Recordings), Sonny Wharton (Skint), Strictly Rhythm, Steve Mac, Ruth Lorenzo (H&I Music), Maxi Priest, Sonna Rele, Audiofreaks, Anglo Management but to name a few…

Quite simply Music Gateway is a groundbreaking service, designed to pull together the very best creative aspects of the industry in a streamlined secure surrounding, empowering the individual & company A&R. From grass roots to established professionals, we make it easy to find talent, find session work & collaborate worldwide.

Séamus Crimmins, Executive Director of the RTÉ Orchestras Retires

Written by Breffni Banks on . Posted in Industry News.

CRIMMINS_webRTÉ announced today the retirement of Séamus Crimmins, Executive Director, RTÉ Orchestras, Quartet and Choirs. He has held this position since May 2007.

Séamus Crimmin’s passions for music and broadcasting have resulted in him holding several other key positions in RTÉ – he has served as Senior Music Producer, Commissioning Editor FM3 and, most notably, as the first Head of RTÉ Lyric fm.

Speaking today Mr Crimmins said: After an exceptionally fulfilling and demanding six years as Director of RTÉ’s Orchestras, Quartet and Choirs I think I have done all I can to consolidate the standing of the ensembles and, in particular, to lift artistic standards while facing down unprecedented financial challenges. RTÉ’s Orchestras, Quartet and Choirs are at the heart of the organisation’s commitment to live music and public service; long may they thrive in a secure and supportive environment. I am indebted to our key artistic personnel and guest artists, Irish and international, who stretch our ambitions each week in rehearsal and performance and make the live experience simply unique.

Speaking of Mr Crimmins decision Director General Noel Curran said: Séamus Crimmins has left a considerable legacy in both his contribution to broadcasting, and to the celebration of live music and performance across the country. Audiences and performers have benefitted immeasurably from his knowledge, his leadership and his commitment to quality and music in RTÉ has been greatly enriched by his work.

Mr Crimmins will leave RTÉ in early August and Aodán Ó’ Dubhghaill will act as Interim Executive Director.

 

 

Villagers to headline the ‘Harvest Music Festival’

Written by Breffni Banks on . Posted in News.

VILLAGERS LS 300dpi (photo credit Rich Gilligan)The popular Irish band will bring its sense of stark spiritual curiosity, wonder and illumination mixed with a playful joy to the Harvest music stage, using layers of surprising instrumentation that include more full-sounding string arrangements and dreamy, shapeshifting percussion.

Fronted by Conor O’Brien, who has been nominated for a Mercury Prize, won an Ivor Novello Award, shared the stage with artists like Neil Young, Tindersticks and Fleet Foxes, and contributed to A Harbour of Songs, a record and project curated by The Unthanks pianist, producer and arranger Adrian McNally, the band is sure to deliver a memorable show.
The Harvest music stage will also showcase a range of established, as well as up and coming performers, including Hayseed Dixie, Duke Special, Gareth Dunlop, Belfast Community Gospel Choir and Farriers, with the mystery headline act still to be announced, while an enchanted garden will entertain and amaze children and adults alike.

The festival will take place on Saturday 31st August, 2pm-11pm.
Tickets on sale NOW from http://www.ards-council.gov.uk/What-s-On/Harvest-Music-Festival

Cormac O’ Caoimh ‘There’s Gold There Somewhere’

Written by Breffni Banks on . Posted in News.

cormacocCormac O’ Caoimh has just released the third single ,“There’s Gold There Somewhere”, from his “A New Season for Love” CD. The CD has been compared to A honeyed whiskey drink, a fine cognac on a cold winter’s eve, a warm woolly jumper, a colour – rich mahogany warm and beautiful and a water colour painting and received countless lovely and beautiful reviews from the UK, Canada, US, Slovenia and Ireland and of course the people’s republic of Cork.

Cormac, along with Colum Pettit and Fintan Lucy, provided the music for the Theatre performance of 100% Cork and finished the show singing “There’s gold there somewhere” which touched both the cast and audience of this special and thoughtful show.

100 people representing a cross section of Cork’s population were brought together to tell their stories on stage. In a once-in-a-lifetime theatre event, German documentary superstars Rimini Protokoll team created a living, breathing portrait of Cork on the Cork Opera House stage. The show was performed three times over the Midsummer Festival and the finale including Cormac performing “There’s Gold There Somewhere”. The song touched both the audience and the cast and crew members themselves and became, as one of the cast members described it, their “The soundtrack to this period of my life”

Cormac O Caoimh is a singer-songwriter and classical guitarist from Cork, Ireland. He released his second solo cd “A New Season for Love” and it is currently receiving excellent reviews .He was chosen as Play Irish artist of the month and was featured on the RTE 1 Show Arena. His intimate vocals and exquisite guitar playing is attracting the attention of musicians and music lovers alike. The last single “Remember when we didn’t kiss” topped the ITunes download charts on its release. His new series of videos attracted the attention of Godin Guitars and he is now an official Godin Guitar endorsee.

O Caoimh has picked up some well-known admirers along the way including Ron Sexsmith and Tom Robinson (BBC) and has shared the stage with fellow luminaries; Damien Rice (in the Paradiso, Amsterdam), Declan O Rourke, Josh Rouse to name but a few. He plays all over Ireland and also ventured further afield playing headlining gigs and festivals in Edinburgh, London, Amsterdam, Canada and New York (including Canadian Music Week in Toronto, London Calling in London and various other Folk, Jazz and Rock Festivals).

For further info see http://www.cormaco.net

Concorde Announce Search for “Up Close” Student Composer & Call for Scores

Written by Breffni Banks on . Posted in Industry News.

concordeConcorde are inviting composers who are registered as students in Ireland during the year 2013-14 to apply for the position of ‘Up Close’ Student Composer. The selected composer will be invited to write a piece for Concorde (trio or duo) for performance on April 27, 2014 in the series ‘Up Close with Music III’ at the RHA Gallery, Dublin.

The composer will have access to Concorde musicians throughout the period of composition for individual and group workshops and will be mentored by Concorde’s artistic director, Jane O’Leary. It is expected that the composer will already have a track record in the field of composition but will be looking to learn from the experience of working closely with specialist performers and gaining from expert guidance.

Applications should be sent by email to: concorde@nulleircom.net and should include:

1. A current CV outlining compositional experience in detail.

2. A sample of recent work (one only) for small ensemble (duo, trio or quartet).

3. A letter outlining why you are interested in working on this project.

Deadline for application: September 10, 2013.

Subject line on email should read: UP CLOSE STUDENT COMPOSER.

Concorde are also inviting submissions from all composers in consideration for performance in the series Up Close with Music III. Performances are scheduled from January through April 2014 in the RHA Gallery, Dublin. Works for any combination of 1 to 3 instruments, drawn from a pool of flute/alto flute/piccolo; clarinet/bass clarinet; violin; cello; accordion; concert harp will be considered. Use of electronics is optional.

Open to all composers. The works may have been previously performed or not.

Submissions should be sent by email to concorde@nulleircom.net

Please send:

  1. short biography and contact details of the composer
  2. brief programme note or history of the piece
  3. score, in pdf format only
  4. recording, if available (by dropbox or similar method)

All submissions will be acknowledged.

Submissions and further enquiries should be addressed to concorde@nulleircom.net.

Deadline for submission: September 10, 2013

Please use subject heading: CONCORDE CALL FOR SCORES.

 

 

Irish Composer Scores “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire” US Trailer

Written by Breffni Banks on . Posted in News.

Dean ValentineDublin composer, Dean Valentine, has just had his music selected for the official US trailer for “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire”, the follow-up to the 2012 blockbuster “The Hunger Games”. The trailer has just been released and the film will be hitting screens in November.

Earlier this year, Dean scored the official trailer for the Paul Greengrass directed feature film, “Captain Phillips”, starring Tom Hanks, and in 2012, scored the US trailer music for Ridley Scott’s “Prometheus”.

Dean recently scored the feature documentary, “Close to Evil”, which premiered at the Galway Film Fleadh last week. The documentary tells the story of Tomi Reichenthal, a survivor of the Bergen Belsen concentration camp who now lives in Ireland.

 

Maighréad releases new single ‘Sooner’

Written by Breffni Banks on . Posted in News.

maighreadLimerick-born, London-based synth-pop goddess Maighréad is back with her killer new single Sooner – released by Meon Records on 31 July.

Maighréad’s big soul vocals – think an edgier Annie Lennox, but with even more range – glide effortlessly through her unique blend of emotionally charged lyrics, against a backdrop of achingly hip electro pop.

Twice nominated in the Best Female Category of the Irish Music Television awards, The Irish Times recently singled out Maighréad as one to watch, saying: ‘…electro-pop diva in the making with a fine handle already on the ins and outs of synth-pop machinations, vocal projections and sussed songwriting.’

Maighréad’s super-styled live visual show, a collaboration with Diz_co Visual – who have worked with Roisin Murphy, Yazoo and Kayne West amongst others– packs just as much clout as her voice.

Currently recording follow-up tracks in Cologne, and with Autumn gigs soon to be announced in the UK and Ireland, this ultra-talented self-penned, self-financed anti-diva is one for the top of your playlist.

Worldwide digital release of SOONER is available from 31st July. Limited edition CDs will available through independent stores in Ireland and the UK. Please see website for details.

For more on Maighréad, visit www.maighread.com

 

Good Seed PR Launch New Imprint for PURE SYNC in the Territory of Ireland

Written by Press Officer on . Posted in Industry News.

Screenshot_25_06_2013_14_10-2-300x49PURE SYNC is a forward-thinking music synchronisation agency & music publishing company. With over a decade of experience, the Pure Sync team delivers a time efficient and cost effective turn key creative music solution for Advertising Agencies (Brey Leino, BIG, M&C Saatchi, Mother, McCaan etc…) TV, Film & Gaming production companies (Endemol, Thumbs Up, Fulwell73, Metrodome, Monkey etc…), around the world. Previous clients include IKEA, ITV, AXA, ESPN, Volkswagen, BBC, Dominos Pizza, O2, Land Rover, Lexus and many more leading brands and companies.

Blending the two companies ethos “You make the music, we spread the word” and ‘Bringing Sound & Vision Together’, this union will be a most welcome deal to artists from both Ireland & Internationally. Bringing the best music to the forefront in all creative industries.

Good Seed PR & Pure Sync will provide Creatives, Directors, Producers & Editors with a ‘One Stop Shop’ for creative music searches, rights negotiation & licensing, bespoke composition, re-records & sound design, pre-cleared music & sonic branding in Ireland. Along with also providing artists, composers & producers with a global platform and opportunity for their music to be placed in films, TV, advertising, games & all other forms of media.

MD of Good Seed PR Linda Coogan Byrne commented “We are very much looking forward to making a real mark with Pure Sync in Ireland’s Sync market and hope to be able to continue to get independent, well known & unknown music or bespoke composition & re records onto more and more platforms within the realm of advertising, TV, film and gaming. This kind of merge has not been done before and if there was ever a right time for this to happen it is now, when our industry is ever changing and expanding. It is an exciting time”.

Links:

http://puresyncinc.com

http://www.goodseedpr.com

Contact:

Linda Coogan Byrne

E: linda@nullgoodseedpr.com

Messin With The Music’ Initiative,Derry

Written by Breffni Banks on . Posted in Industry News.

messinwmusicThe ‘Messin’ with the Music’ (MWTM) team will be running another one of their successful projects from Monday 29th July until Friday 2nd August 2013. Running time will be 2-5.30pm (Studio 2, Skeoge Ind. Estate) with refreshments and a ‘music jam’ break included. The Friday finale will be a Pizza and Concert night running until 9pm…. So if your 14-17 years old and have a passion for music, even if you don’t necessarily play an instrument, then this is a great opportunity and it’s totally free thanks to the funding of The Arts Council of Northern Ireland in conjunction with Greater Shantallow Community Arts.

Mingle, network and make friends with like-minded individuals. Learn and develop music skills within a band. Compose and perform your own song/composition and have great fun while doing so with help from the very professional and experienced MWTM team who are on hand to teach, guide and mentor along the way.

The team includes Denis Mc Laughlin (HND and BA music graduate, Music Promise, Love Skip, Sheegus), Caolan McLaughlin (BA music graduate, Bronagh Gallagher Band, Mark Black and The Trips, Sheegus, Music Promise) and Tommy Mc Aleer (Stumble Bums, multi instrumentalist, contributor to various community music projects).

Past participant Josh Barr commented, “This is the best week I’ve had this summer” and James Healy (Seraphis) told us “I’ve learned more in one week than I’ve learned in all of my GCSE music so far.” Ollie Green, director of Greater Shantallow Community Arts ARC (Art Reaching Communities) programme observed, “it’s amazing to see what these young ones have come up with from scratch within the space of a few days/hours; some exceptional work to be heard. I would really like to thank the Arts Council of Northern Ireland for their continuing support for this vital community arts project’’

The main aim of ‘Messin’ with the Music’ is to empower young people by developing their confidence through practical music making, to understand the processes of this, and to contribute to their overall social, educational and personal development. Skills include composition, song writing, theory, performance, improvisation, aural awareness, musicianship, rhythm and music business. This encourages their personal development building upon confidence, teamwork skills, independent learning, peer-to-peer learning and mutual understanding.

Email messinwiththemusic@nullgmail.com for an application form . Deadline for apps is Friday 26th July. The MWTM team is very excited as always so come along, join in and enjoy the session.

https://www.facebook.com/messinwiththemusic?fref=ts

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