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Month: February 2014

Percussion Tutor Required For Masamba Samba School

Masamba Samba School is a busy music collective based in the historic Liberties area of Dublin.  They are seeking applications for the post of Music Tutor, a position funded through the Community Services Programme of the Department of Social Protection.

This is a full-time position (39 hours per week), with a basic salary of €19033 per annum, and the probability of significant performance-related bonuses.

The job will primarily involve delivering percussion workshops with children and young people in the greater Dublin area, but the successful candidate must be open to working anywhere on the island of Ireland and with diverse participant groups.

Essential

Percussion skills to grade 8 or higher, or relevant practical experience

Good Communication Skills

Good Teamwork Skills

Good Computer Skills (Word, Excel, Photoshop, Web and Email)

Strong Personal Motivation

Desireable

Teaching experience

A full, clean driving license and access to a car or van.
All application must include at least 3 relevant referees.

The Community Services Programme is a labour activation measure, and candidates must fit one of the following criteria:

a. Person in receipt of Jobseeker’s Benefit (JB), Jobseeker’s Assistance (JA) or one parent family payment (OPF).

b. Persons in receipt of disability allowance (DA), invalidity pension, blind persons pension or other disability benefit.

c. Travellers in receipt of Jobseeker’s Benefit or Jobseeker’s Assistance or one parent family benefit.

d. Stabilised and recovering drug mis‐users.

e. People employed from Tús, Community Employment (CE) and Job Initiatives (JI) schemes are deemed eligible. Former RSS workers who were previously CE placements are also eligible.

f. Ex‐prisoners.

Successful candidates will be Garda vetted

Applications can be emailed or posted and must be at the Masamba office no later than 5.30pm on Friday, 21st February 2014. Interviews will take place the following week.

Masamba Samba School, Unit 12F, Liberties Enterprise Centre, Newmarket, Dublin 8. Tel. 01-4163901, Email. info@nullmasamba.com, Web. www.masamba.com

Irish Composer – Dean Valentine – Blazing A Trail In Hollywood

Irish soundtrack composer Dean Valentine is blazing a trail in Hollywood with his talent for writing punchy scores for the trailers to major blockbuster releases.  He is currently in the running for an Award at the 2013 Trailer Music Awards for the track that he composed for Hunger Games: Catching Fire (Trailer 2). 

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

‘The Acoustic Yard’ Monthly Showcase

molloys‘The Acoustic Yard’ is a new monthly singer/songwriter session taking place in Matt Molloy’s and starting on Tuesday 25th of February 2014. This showcase event hosted by David Dee Moore is supported by IMRO (Irish Music Rights Organisation) and Matt Molloy’s bar and will feature some of the best songwriters from around the world.

The first session in February will focus on the talented songwriters from Mayo with special guest Sinead Madden, originally a Claremorris native setting the standard. Sinead released her critically acclaimed solo CD ‘Honey Promises’ in 2010, with her voice and songs compared to that of Sarah McLachlan. She has worked with Maire Brennan penning two songs on her latest CD ‘Signature’ and has toured playing fiddle and singing with Clannad.

Sinead is currently working with Rock legends Def Leppard and recently recorded with Joe Elliott on the newest offering from The Down and Outz. She has shared the stage with some of Ireland’s finest exports such as Brian Kennedy, Glen Hansard and Mundy to name a few.

Tony Reidy was born and reared in Aughagower near Westport, Co Mayo. He started songwriting in the late eighties and has released three CDs ‘The Coldest Day In Winter’ and ‘A Rough Shot Of Lipstick’ and his latest CD ‘Hayshed Days’. He has gained a considerable reputation as a songwriter with themes including tales of informers, small town romance, dreamers, losers and clowns. His songs have been regularly played on RTE and the BBC.

Brian Duffy is a native of Westport, Co. Mayo, Ireland. From an early age music developed naturally for him and he started performing from the age of 10 and has been immersed in music ever since. From the age of 17 Brian took his work abroad and has traveled extensively throughout the world, playing music and absorbing different influences along the way. He recently released his latest CD ‘I am so’ a wonderful collection of contemporary original songs that concentrate on his folk and traditional roots.

The Acoustic Yard will also offer new artists a platform and Peter Lawlor from Castlebar will complete the bill. Peter is the principle songwriter with ‘Hail from Russia’ who release their new EP in March 2014.

For further info contact David Dee Moore at theacousticyard@nullgmail.com

Big Start to 2014 for GANGS


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Dublin 60’s style rock and roll band GANGS have been making massive strides since their formation in 2012. Their journey has been brisk, with various sold-out headline shows across the country’s hottest venues, culminating with their appearance on the Other Voices Music Trail in Dingle last December. Now, one month into 2014 they have been nominated by Hot Press Magazine as the Most Promising Irish Act for 2014, an accolade the band is extremely proud of. Jonathan Halpin stated “it’s great that the industry here are starting to really get behind us, we’re excited for people to hear our new stuff too, 2014 is going to be a huge year for us”.

This weekend the Dublin-based teenagers make their way North for a second appearance on RTE’s prestigious event. “We’re just happy to see all the work and commitment pay off more than anything” says Jordan Curtis [lead vocalist]. “We’re on such a high at the moment, it’s great” Jordan continued “this year the plan is to keep recording and playing as many festivals as possible, we can’t wait to hit Derry, we’ve been told by the Other Voices team that the music scene is buzzing up there. We have a big set planned.”

After Derry comes their biggest step yet, as GANGS head to London to perform two dates on March 23rd and 24th, more details to come on those gigs next month. GANGS’ new single, ‘2.15′, will be launching on Feb 20th 2014 on iTunes, Amazon and Spotify. Enjoy their brand new video below:

Derry’s CultureTECH Festival Announce Dates for September Event

The team behind CultureTECH, the now annual festival of digital technology, media and music, have just announced their dates for this year’s event. CultureTECH 2014 will take place from Monday, September 15th to Sunday, September 21st at locations across Derry-Londonderry and promises to be even bigger than previous events.Culture Tech

Now the biggest digital and creative industries event in Northern Ireland, CultureTECH attracted an aggregate audience of around 24,000 in 2013 as part of Derry-Londonderry’s City of Culture celebrations. Although the programme for the festival won’t be released until April, the organisers are keen to build on last year’s success and are promising an even more ambitious programme.

As festival Director Mark Nagurski explained: “2013 was a breakthrough year for the festival in terms of its scale – we hosted over 150 events and sessions across the week, with over 500 artists, musicians, speakers and performers taking part. 2014 will continue in the same vein, with events for industry, young people and communities across the city.”

“Obviously we don’t want to give too much away just yet, but we’re delighted to be working with existing partners like the University of Ulster, DANI Awards, Nerve Centre, Generator NI, the Chamber of Commerce and the Belfast Media Festival again in 2014. Events like the City Arcade, which attracted over 8,000 players last year, are coming back bigger than ever and our CultureTECH Junior programme will expand to fill the full week, with the aim of working with 15,000 young people across the city. We’re also working on some exciting new projects with local partners like the Verbal Arts Centre as well as internationally-renowned cultural organisations from both the UK and USA. One of the most exciting new additions will be a city-wide communities strand to the programme, with events taking place in neighbourhoods across Derry-Londonderry and further afield.”

Details of the programme will be released in April but the organisers have stressed that they’re keen to speak to as many potential partners and participants as they can. “If there’s anyone out there that wants to be part of the festival, now’s the time for them to come talk to us about their ideas.” Mark added.

You can check out last year’s festival programme by visiting www.culturetech.co or get in touch with the team by email on info@nullculturetech.co

Other Voices Derry-Londonderry This Weekend

other voicesWith the support of DCAL and Derry City Council, Other Voices Derry~Londonderry will return this weekend with a stellar line-up including some of the finest names in music. In the intimate setting of The Glassworks and across venues throughout the city, audiences can expect a musical experience like no other.

The IMRO Other Room will return on Monday 10th February to form the final part of the twelfth series of Other Voices. After consideration of hundreds of entries for the open call and over 2,000 public votes, the Viewers’ Choice, Conor Walsh, has been selected to perform alongside Derry natives, The Clameens and Wonder Villains, flexible five-piece, Silences, Dublin based indie-rockers Spies and the ever energetic Donegal band, Mojo Gogo.

The Glassworks, Derry line-up

Friday
Public Service Broadcasting
Foy Vance
Bell X1
Colm Mac Con Iomaire

Saturday

Little Matador
The Amazing Snakeheads
Walking on Cars
The Bohicas

Sunday

The Gloaming
Poliça
George Ezra
East India Youth

The Other Voices Music Trail kicks off on tonight in Sandinos with a special gig from BBC Radio DJ and Irish native, Annie Mac. Tickets are available now from www.wegottickets.com/event/258857 . For full details of acts and venues there will be programmes available at locations across the city or online at http://derry2014.othervoices.ie/music-trail.

The world’s largest video crew, Fan Footage will make a return after their success on the Other Voices Dingle music trail, to help audiences capture the magic of the music trail and share online. For more information on how you can be part of the fan footage crew visit https://fanfootage.com/ and download the app.

Tickets to the Glassworks are free and can be won through various online and media competitions so keep an eye on the website at http://derry2014.othervoices.ie/tickets for details. Tickets will also be available across the weekend at various events. To stay up to date with announcements please log on to www.othervoices.ie and follow on Facebook (facebook.com/othervoices) and Twitter (@othervoiceslive).

For those who don’t make it to Derry, The Glassworks performances will be streamed live online via www.rte.ie/othervoices, the RTÉ Player and http://www.theguardian.com/uk.

Other Voices is supported by DCAL, Derry City Council, RTÉFáilte Ireland, Tourism Ireland, IMRO, the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.

 

Cork Musicians Set for Fundraising Gig

Abbey's Wish to Walk GigTwo Cork acts, Cormac O’Caoimh and The Lost Gecko, have teamed up to perform a fundraising gig at The Roundy Bar & Café, Cork this month in aid of Abbey’s Wish to Walk. The charity is aiming to raise enough funds for six-year-old Abbey McGeough to be able to travel to the US for surgery which will enable her to walk again.

Cormac O’Caoimh is a singer-songwriter and classical guitarist from Cork. He released his second solo CD “A New Season for Love” recently, which is currently receiving excellent reviews. He was chosen as Play Irish artist of the month and has been featured on the RTÉ 1 Show Arena. His intimate vocals and exquisite guitar playing is attracting the attention of musicians and music lovers alike. His latest single “Remember When We Didn’t Kiss” topped the iTunes download charts on its release.

Based in Cork, “The Lost Gecko” is the Scottish/Irish man Malcolm Urquhart, an acoustic guitar based act with cello, piano and bongos. His music is raw, heartfelt and melodic. Clever, touching and sometimes painful lyrics, each song is written for the audience to feel life and be inspired. The expressive and gritting vocals with the powerful melodies are skilfully blended to a profound flow.

The gig takes place in Roundy’s Bar on Thursday 27th February. Doors open at 8:45pm and admission is €5.

 

Kodaline Latest Recipients of the IMRO No. 1 Award

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In the midst of the IMRO Live Music Venue of the Year Awards last night, Kodaline, after a stellar live performance, became the latest recipients of the IMRO No. 1 Award. The band were presented with their award by IMRO Chairman, Keith Donald, in recognition of their album, “In A Perfect World”, reaching the top spot in the Irish album charts in 2013.

The band are getting ready to head to Canada and the US later this week on their “Love Like This” tour after an impressive start to 2014, picking up the Public Choice Award at the Eurosonic Music Festival in Netherlands last month. The guys will be back on Irish soil for a series of live dates in March, including a performance at the O2 Dublin on 16th March. Kodaline have also just been named as support for Kings of Leon in Marlay Park this July.

The IMRO No. 1 Award recognises the achievement of IMRO members who reach the top spot in the Irish Album and Independent Album charts. Previous recipients have included The Coronas, Villagers, Little Green Cars and Finbar Furey.

www.kodaline.com

Coughlan’s Wins IMRO National Live Music Venue of the Year Award 2013

Coughlans Cork IMRO Live Music Venue of the Year 2013

Last night, 2FM’s Paddy McKenna hosted the much-anticipated 6th IMRO Live Music Venue of the Year Awards at the Irish Music Rights Organisation Headquarters in Dublin.

The award for National Live Music Venue of the Year (via public vote) for the first time was Cork’s newly established venue, Coughlan’s. Of the annual awards voted by over 8,500 IMRO members, Keith Donald, IMRO Chairman said “The IMRO Live Music Venue of The Year Awards is an opportunity to recognise and celebrate the hard work, vision and creativity that the live music venue and festival sectors deliver week in, week out throughout Ireland”.

Other winners in the regional categories include:

Dublin – Whelans
Rest of Leinster – Mermaid Arts Centre, Wicklow
Munster – Crane Lane Theatre, Cork
Ulster – An Grianán Theatre, Letterkenny
Connacht – Matt Molloy’s, Westport, Co. Mayo

Also nabbing accolades for IMRO Live Music Festival of the Year and IMRO Best Small Live Music Festival were Electric Picnic and Body & Soul respectively.

Performances on the night came from Kodaline (who were presented the IMRO No.1 Award to acknowledge their album going to number 1 in June 2013), Gavin James, I Am The Cosmos and IMRO’s newest member Eve Murtagh.

Hot Press Editor Niall Stokes also gave special commendations, presenting awards to Dolans in Limerick and Coughlans in Cork.

He said “Live music is more important than ever for musicians and bands – so it is crucial they they have the best possible venues to play in. The IMRO Live Music Venue Awards are a brilliant platform for recognising all of the good work that is happening all over Ireland in creating those opportunities for musicians.

“Great venues are really important in creating scenes and both Dolan’s in Limerick and Coughlan’s in Cork fit that description perfectly. The overall winner of the Hot Press Live Music Venue of the Year is Whelan’s, in Dublin.

“Whelan’s is one of the great Irish venues. It has made a huge contribution to Irish music and Irish musicians over the past 25 years, nurturing many of the artists who have gone on to make a huge impression internationally. And they are still playing an essential part in bringing young bands and artists through. They are hugely deserving of this accolade – especially at the beginning of their 25th Anniversary celebrations.”

Pictured is the crew from Coughlan’s, Cork with IMRO Chairman, Keith Donald.

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