Month: June 2018

Dublin-born singer-composer-author Kevin Nolan is known for a dark, theatrical style, and dramatic tour de force. After the success of his debut album ‘Fredrick & the Golden Dawn’, released in 2014 to European critical acclaim, Nolan returned to his studio to make his next album. However, knee-deep into the second album, he decided to pause and cast his eye back at the recordings he made before ‘Fredrick’, that he himself had not listened to since he began work on the debut in 2006.

Pre-internet self-taught and recording everything on his own, ‘Absent At The Moment When He Took Up The Most Space’ is a selection of recordings Nolan made between ‘97 and ‘05. The thirty eight songs that make up this album are taken from Nolan’s archive of over 150 recorded during that period; none of which were ever released.

“It’s been over 20 years since the earliest of these recordings. In that time, I have learnt more and more about my process and the different ways I have tried to understand it over time. I see these songs as a significant part of my growth as an artist, I simply would not be the artist I am without first being the artist I was. And so in a way, I am paying my respects to a former self. I see this time as an immensely significant part of, and integral to, any reading of my work as a whole thus far, first and foremost for myself.”

Nolan began writing and recording his songs from the age of thirteen with recording techniques of his own invention till he eventually he moved to a mini disc and then to recording on an analogue four-track at sixteen years old. Over years, he progressed from the Yamaha 4-track to a Roland 8-track. The tracks on this retrospective album range from a cappella harmonies to comical ditties, morose melodic folk meditations, rock-pop, jazz, electronica among many others; each giving an insight as to the many paths Nolan took to learn his craft. Over the years through a kind of visceral learning period of trial and error, the artist developed his own very individual understanding of both the different recording techniques and the many musical instruments he plays, relying completely on his own sensibilities.

Almost twenty years on, Nolan has decided to release these recordings in an effort to both map his musical chronology and also re-understand his work in the light of today, applying the musical wisdom he has gained since to the innocence that created it. Nolan has cited Rilke’s Letters To A Young Poet when explaining his latest retrospective offering. He understands this release as a return to a past self. For him, these songs are letters from his younger self to his present self, which will most definitely inform his future understandings. For avid fans of Nolan’s work, traces of his debut album are to be found in some of these early songs.

‘HUM’ (2017) is a short documentary portrait of artist and musician Kevin Nolan by Irish-Canadian filmmaker Nathan Fagan. The film explores the relationship between Kevin’s music and his lifelong struggle with schizoaffective disorder.

Diagnosed at 19 years old with schizoaffective disorder – which has been described as the ‘unhappy marriage of bipolar and schizophrenia’ – Kevin Nolan began writing music to regain some of the freedom he’d lost due to his illness. ‘Hum’ is an intimate and music-fueled tour of Kevin’s world.

HUM has been screened nationally and internationally at film festivals, with appearances and live performances of Nolan at Au Contraire Film Festival, Montreal (CAN), Labelled in Salt Lake City (USA) and the Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival, CCA Glasgow (SCO), where it won the ‘Best Short Documentary Award’.

In Ireland, HUM won the ‘Best Short Documentary’, Guth Gafa International Film Festival; and was shown with the First Fortnight Festival 2018 at the Irish Film Institute, Dublin; Still Voices Short Film Festival (IE), Irish Shorts 5 – Documentary Portraits, Cork Film Festival (IE). Other Selected Screenings and Prizes: ; ‘Best Documentary Short’, Barcelona International Short Film and Video Festival (SP); FICAE International Short Film and Art Festival (SP); Ficsam Festival, Faro (PT) and Astra Film Festival (RO). It continues to make the festival round with upcoming screenings in Berlin and Belfast.

Kevin Nolan’s retrospective release ‘Absent At The Moment When He Took Up The Most Space’ will be available on all good internet stores, iTunes, Amazon, Spotify etc., from the 26th July 2018. On Monday 11th June 2018, HUM is broadcast on RTE2 TV, selected by the ShortScreen programme, which shows the best of Irish Short Films weekly. Watch HUM on RTE2, Monday night at 00:30 and then for a fortnight on the RTEPlayer.

www.kevinnolan.info

Having toured extensively last year on the back of critically-acclaimed releases ‘All Works Out’, ‘Elephant in the Room’ and ‘Changeling’, Irish rock band The Riptide Movement release their brand new single ‘Plastic Oceans’.

Recorded in London with producer Chris Coady (Future Islands, Slowdive) there’s a firm backbone of the kind of slow-burning, melodic indie rock that has seen the act build a substantial following in their native Ireland, racking up various #1 records and ready themselves to unleash their sound further throughout the UK and beyond. This summer sees the band continue their heavy touring schedule with a series of gigs and festival appearances in coastal areas, using the track to spread the serious environmental message that our beaches, coastlines, rivers, cities and towns need to be kept litter and plastic free if society is to help prevent our oceans from becoming even more polluted by plastic waste.

Speaking on the track, lead singer Mal Tuohy states: “We’re honoured that our music will help raise awareness of one of the greatest environmental challenges of our time. Our reliance on single use plastics is destroying our oceans, so well highlighted by David Attenborough in Blue Planet 2. As the saying goes, ‘there are plenty more fish in the sea’ but if we can’t stem the tide of plastic, by 2050 there’ll be more plastic than fish in our oceans. The future is in our hands.”

The Riptide Movement | Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram 

Singer  Shobsy,  guitarist  Joe  Regan,  drummer  Paul  Ridgeway  and  bassist  Noel Perry  all met  at  BIMM  Music  College  in  Dublin.  Bonding  over  a  shared  interest  in  classic 80’s music and  a  common  desire  to  write  big  stadium  sized  songs  the  guys  decided  to  work  on  a music  project.  This  early  incarnation  lead  to  the  formation  of  State Lights  in  2015.

After the remarkable success of their last single, ‘Peace Will Come’ and its star-studded music video, State Lights are back with a brand new track.

‘Freedom’ introduces an alluring and unique contrast between themes of the new, free-thinking era of Ireland, sound tracked to a heavily-influenced 80’s alt-rock sound but also channels modern dance elements reminding the listener of contemporary Coldplay tracks. The forward-thinking track no more challenges Ireland’s archaic agenda, but celebrates the progress Irish society has made. State Lights’ ‘Freedom’ captures the essence of modern Irish people –  Wrapped up in just enough synthesisers to make you dizzy with nostalgia! What more could you want?

‘Freedom’ is a ballad encouraging people to break free from oppressive and toxic relationships; to go forth and live the life they’ve always dreamed of living.

Shosby (Lead singer):

“The song is about choosing to set yourself free. Stop waiting around for someone else to do it for you.”

State Lights will be performing on the main stage (Saturday, July 7th) at Groove Festival in Killruddery House, Bray, Co. Wicklow.

The Whileaways release the first single from their upcoming third album ‘From What We’re Made’ on 11^th June with the album to follow on 20^th July. The single is two sided: the A side is ‘Roll Down Your Window’, a jaunty summer single featuring the band’s trademark interwoven harmonies; and the B side is the more laid-back ‘Spare Me From The Heartache’.

The Whileaways are Noelie McDonnell (vocals, guitar), Noriana Kennedy (vocals, banjo) and Nicola Joyce (vocals, baritone ukulele). The three are accomplished folk musicians in their own right with more than a dozen recordings to their collective credit. They came to know each other’s singing at music sessions in the folk melting pot of Galway city. The trio first got together in 2012 with a tour and the success of that led to releasing their eponymous debut album in 2013.

Their second album ‘Saltwater Kisses’ was released in 2016 and critically lauded, both at home and internationally. It was chosen as album of the week by RTÉ Radio 1 and received four-star reviews from The Irish Times and The Irish Echo in America who described their sound as ‘perfected simplicity’.

Indeed, The Whileaways’ three distinct voices combine to weave a tight tapestry of captivating harmonies. They prefer minimal instrumentation on their recordings, allowing their distinctive vocals to be the focus of their music. The trio balance folk songs from both sides of the Atlantic with beautifully crafted original songs, in a way that is inventive and undeniably engaging.

Over the last couple of years, The Whileaways’ have been involved in some interesting collaborations, including working with orchestras and a brass and string ensemble. When writing the songs on ‘From What We’re Made’, the band were influenced by that experience and wanted to include this influence whilst still retaining the unique vocal sound that they are best known for.

Their third album represents a maturation of the band and their creative aesthetic, and they’re looking forward to giving audiences a taste of this at gigs later this year.

See The Whileaways live:

Sat 16 June – Cork – Live at St Luke’s

Sat 21 July – Unitarian Church, Dublin

Mon 23 July – Campbell’s Tavern, Galway

Wed 5 Sept –  Markree Castle, Sligo

Sat 8 Sept –  Harvest Festival, Fota House Cork

Sat 15 Sept – KAM, Kinvara, Co Galway

Sun 16 Sept – Clifden Arts Festival, Galway

Tue 28 Sept – Goresbridge, Kilkenny

Dublin duo We Cut Corners have announced a new single, ‘The Specialist’ – an anthemic, hook-laden exercise in emotive immediacy.  The release is accompanied by a brooding, ambient remix by Irish producer, Daithi.  The single is streaming from Friday 15th June.

‘The Specialist’ is the lead song from the group’s anticipated fourth L.P, ‘Impostors’, due for release in October, 2018. Their first three albums were all nominated for the Choice Music Prize Album of the Year.

We Cut Corners are guitarist/vocalist John Duignan and drummer/vocalist Conall Ó Breachain. The duo have carved out a unique place in the Irish music scene with their eclectic mix of songs, ranging from angular pop and garage rock, to wistful indie-folk, consistently coupled with their unique lyrical deftness.  The result is weird and wonderful, abstract at times, and brilliant.  The dynamic drum/guitar combination, and the blending of powerful, unique vocal harmonies is principal to their success.

We Cut Corners take inspiration from Ryan Adams, Vampire Weekend, The Velvet Underground, Leonard Cohen and Radiohead, all the while creating their own brand of concise and articulate indie music.

The band will soon be announcing dates across Ireland in October to coincide with the release of the new album.

WEBSITE: www.wecutcorners.net

FACEBOOK: facebook.com/wecutcorners

TWITTER: twitter.com/wecutcorners

DELPHI LABEL: www.delphilabel.com/home

KnockanStockan is set for a moon landing with 85 acts rocketing onto their bill making this year’s festival a glorious supernova of 140 beaming artists. This will be a festival to remember offering up an unforgettable musical feast for festival fans hungry to find the best in Irish and international music.  A wonderful weekend to stimulate all the senses, KnockanStockan have also shared an outstanding Performance Art lineup as well as beautiful new stages and areas to complement the festivals already beautiful surroundings. Prepare to be dazzled!

Cathy Davey | Leila Jane & The Healers | Bitch Falcon | FCKWLVZ | Kojaque | Haiku | Megacone | Galway Street Club | This Fresh Hell | Brona Keogh | The Hot Sprockets | Sing Along Social | Mules & Men | Shrug Life | THUMPER | The Olllam | For Foresters | Eclectic Ballroom | Third Smoke | Yankari | The Scratch | St Bishop | Æ MAK | Moxie | Ger Fox Sailing | Elephant | Orchid Collective | Auxiliary Phoenix Trio | Toby Kaar | The Nilz | Pointbreak | Electric Octopus | Ross Breen | Rubber Keo | Broken Brass Ensemble | Just Mustard | Haokah | Markas Carcas & The Trail Gang | Brian Dillon | LemonCello | Culture Vultures | STUFF. | Joshua Burnside |  KIN | Waldorf & Cannon | Guilty Boy Association | CB Disco Ball | Mike Patterson | IRELAND | Jimmy Penguin | Krayb David | SHITHäTT | Daniel John Paxton | Alright You Restless | Joey Gavin | The Eskies | Planet Parade | Woweembeem Presents | Papa Lou | DJ Kixx |  Vulpynes | This Place Hell | Stoat | Junior Brother |Shunya | Good Name DJ’s | Schindler’s Fist | Mutefish | Stuck On Repeat | Dunny | Alfi | Oscar Mild | The Jobseekerz | S E N U | Chewing on Tinfoil | Why-Axis | Shakalak | Topso | Lonesome George | The Ocelots| Search Party Animal | SSMMÜTT | Tongue Bundle | The Murder Capital | Deciduous DJs | Eve DJ’s | SILLK | Robert John Ardiff | Sister Ghost | Bantum | Humans of the Sesh | ROE | JyellowL | Navá | Sim Simma Sound System | Bicurious | Chancer  | Moon Looks On | Spudgun | Munky | Farah Elle | Deborah | The Bonk | Vernon Jane | Slouch | Sadmageddon | Trad Abuse | Grand | Simon Bird | Ailie Blunnie | Super Silly  | The Wood Burning Savages | Paddy Hanna | Elaine Mai | Cúla Búla | Wastefellow | Niwel Tsumbu | Deep Funk Project | T.P.M | Donal Dineen | Ailbhe Reddy | Pillow Queens | Rob Walsh & The Panik Attacks | Badhands | Ben Bix | Anna Mieke | NEOMADiC | BAILER | Jinx Lennon | Post Punk Podge & The Technohippies | Birds Of Olympus | Naive Ted | Tribal Dance | Dowry | Christmas Is Ruined | Doctor Band | KnifeAxe

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Performance Art

Beast of Craggy Island | Candle Lit Tales | Playback Theatre | Transplaining | Wine Made of Swans | High Church of Enya | Mockie Ah | Rocky Horror Burlesque Show | Suadela Belly Dance | The Fairy and the Fiddler | StevenevetS | Paddy the Farmer and Molly the Sheep | Fort Sessions Spectacle of Colour | LOQ Spoken Word | Abi Aerialist

Knock Knock Comedy

Immam Idma | Andrea Farrell | Joe Dowlin |  Stephen Ryan

Knockan’Sprogs

Dabbledoo | Forrest School | Shake Rattle & Roll | Mask Making with Dermot Finn | Art Explorer | Bucky’s Circus Workshops | Bubble Trouble | Espaço Libellula String Art Workshop

Areas to explore…

KnockanStockan have commissioned a collective of artists called Espaço Libellula who will use sacred geometry techniques and String Art to create a NEW main stage at the festival for which the like of has never been seen in Ireland! Stay tuned for the unveiling of the name of this stage!

Faerie Field

The oldest of their hand built wooden stages, the Faerie Field is nestled in its own natural amphitheatre surrounded by hawthorn trees, chilled during the day and up for anything after dark, a magical world for musical exploration.

DimeStore Tent

If you’re looking for things to get dark and heavy you’ll more than likely find them at the Dimestore Tent, a staple of the festival for over half a decade, lending itself perfectly to big bands and big sounds.

Woodtown
Woodtown is the creation of Mitch Dunne and her team of wood sculptors. You’ll find freshly made wooden furniture to lounge on, original wooden sculptures and games as well as the Holistic Haven and the wonderful Wishbone stage.

Unfiltered Stage

KnockanStockan are excited to have Carlsberg join them in the field this year to collaborate on a new venue space with a Danish twist. The Unfiltered stage will be set with beautiful lake vistas where guests can sit and watch performance art, intimate collaborations, interviews, comedy by day and dance to some of Ireland’s finest DJ collectives play on a stage in the round in the centre of this exciting new venue!

Wishbone Stage

Lovingly put together with carved dowel joints and rods and using some of the surrounding trees as part of the structure the Wishbone Stage gives the impression it was grown rather than built.  Expect surprise and delight with everything from poetry and theatre to beatboxing and belly dancing.

The Rasher Factory

Animal Buzz brought a barn last year to KnockanStockan, this year they bring you THE RASHER FACTORY. In a season of festive heresy, this safe space will offer a relentless selection of multi disciplinary artists within a geodesic dome. Savage beasts, untamed by savage tunes.

Knockan’Sprogs

KnockanStockan have a wonderful program of events to keep the Knockan’sprogs entertained! From Storytelling,  Open mic stage for the budding future performers at KnockanStockan.

Art Trail

The Art Trail is one of the visual treats at KnockanStockan, with have an ingenious bunch of creatives bringing imaginative installations to the festival, making exploring this already naturally beautiful festival site transform into the thing of dreams.

Campervan tickets are sold out but for those looking to camp in style there is the option of Boutique Lakeview Camping with a selection of luxurious  yurts, bell tents and tipis available via knockanstockan.ie/boutique-camping

Tier 1 & 2 tickets to KS2018 have already SOLD OUT, with only a few more Tier 3 tickets left to go!

Tier 1 tickets – SOLD OUT   Tier 2 SOLD OUT Campervan Tickets  SOLD OUT

Limited Friday Early Entry, Saturday & Sunday Camping Tier 3 available at €150 via knockanstockan.ie

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Rowan announce the release of their second single ‘Everytime’ on the 1st of June, after their previous success with their debut single ‘Sunrise’.

With the ‘Asleep In The Rain’ EP on the way, ‘Everytime’ is coming just in time before the tour, with shows around Ireland, New York and London. The symphonius brass, indie timbre and harrowing lyrics are reminiscent of the earlier works of Arcade Fire, The Strokes and possibly Nick Drake. With members just after finishing tours with The Frank & Walters, Little Hours, Stephanie Rainey and many more, the band are ready to embark on their own headlining tour.

Tour Dates

09/06 – Goldendiscs, Cork
10/06 – Alchemy, Cork
13/06 – Hank’s Saloon, New York
17/06 – Beal Bocht, New York
18/06 – Rockwood Music Hall, New York
23/06 – Rockaway Folk Festival, New York
26/06 – Whelans, Dublin
28/06 – Tileyard Studios, London
01/07 – The Greyhound, Kilkee
27/07 – Levis’, Cork
09/08 – Coughlans, Cork

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Rowanofficialmusic/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rowanofficialband/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/rowantheband
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v-Fe2m5p52lWl

One of Ireland’s brightest musical talents, Jafaris is about to release ‘Found My Feet’, the first single from his forthcoming album. He is showcasing a sound that’s unlike anything he has released before. ‘Found My Feet’ was first written last summer, but since then has gone through numerous alterations and changes. “It sounded completely different to what it does now” Jafaris admits, “I was in a different place musically so I completely rewrote it and had the production changed”.

Now completed, ‘Found My Feet’ is a song about finding oneself and celebrating the newfound confidence that comes with that. The songs is the most aggressive and tribal- inspired piece of music Jafaris has released thus far, and is a large contrast to his previous EP, ‘Velvet Cake’.

The song is led by a combination of hard drum and bass percussion, contrasted in the chorus with traditional African drumming. Jafaris’s vocal line nestles perfectly between the instrumentation, lifting the track to new heights. With a number of unique influences felt throughout the tracks melody, this marks the start of a whole new chapter in Jafaris’s musical journey.

‘Found My Feet’, the new single by Jafaris, is available to stream now.

www.jafarismusic.com