Month: June 2019

KTG, at just 22, has spent what already feels like a lifetime in music. Completing her first nationwide tour of Ireland in 2018 in support of the release of her single ‘Man On A Mission’, which placed at No.17 in the iTunes official download charts February ’18, before releasing her next single ‘Blue’ this time placing at No.2 on the iTunes Singer-Songwriter charts for 3 weeks behind George Ezra’s ‘Shotgun’ August ’18!

Having been compared to legends past and present like Joni Mitchel, Carole King, Suzanne Vega and Wallis Bird, her passion for performing and touring has allowed audiences to absorb her energetic live show at many of Ireland’s top venues including Coughlans Live (Cork), Roisin Dubh (Galway), The Spirit Store (Louth), Harbour Bar (Wicklow), Whelans (Dublin) to name only a tiny sample.

KTG’s music has taken her to national and international radio, her original track ‘Yesterday’ was released as a charity single in aid of the DCU Dementia Research Unit, and she performed it live to a listening  audience in the hundreds of thousands on Today With Sean O’Rourke on RTE Radio 1, she was invited to perform at the Other Voices: ANAM showcase alongside Tebi Rex, Mango x Mathman and Delorentos and even had the pleasure of performing for President of Ireland Michael D Higgins and his wife Sabina.

Online KTG has amassed almost 200,000 video views on her originals and covers.

KTG now takes her music to an entirely new level of depth, sophistication and maturity with the release of her debut mini-album ‘Searching For Magpies’. Calling upon the experience and expertise of Beardfire Studio producers David Virgin, Rohan Healy and Al Quiff, KTG worked closely with the father and sons production team to bring her wonderfully crafted songs to life in the studio. In their collective six decades of musical experience, David, Rohan & Al, have worked – on stage or in studio – with the likes of Nick Cave, INXS, Leslie Dowdall (In Tua Nua), Mary Black, The Cruel Sea, RUNAH, Patricia Lalor, Ciaran Moran, Moylan, Cat Power, Billy Bragg and Lloyd Cole, to name but a few, and KTG’s ‘Searching For Magpies’ stands shoulder to shoulder with any of the names there mentioned.

‘Searching For Magpies’ is out September 2019 via Beardfire Music, and the first single ‘Don’t Tell My Mother’ is out now.

Website https://www.ktgmusic.org
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/KTGmusicire/
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/ktg_music_ire/
YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNZkZsuaehWBX0pnvTs4mTg

This summer, indie/electro-pop producer, singer and songwriter Dashoda unleashes his sweltering debut single ‘In Between’. As a 20-something coming to terms with adulthood, Gavin MacDermott seeks to make sense of the world and his place in it amidst frantic layers of synths, tropical soundwaves and mandolin. Along with the help of producer Darragh Nolan (Sacred Animals, A. Smyth, Ailbhe Reddy) at Asta Kalapa Studios, MacDermott combs such notable influences as Blood Orange and Dan Avery into his own curious genre-blurring blend.

On ‘In Between’, Dashoda says: “I was inspired by the onset of adulthood and also by the ideas of intimacy and distance in relationships. I just liked the imagery in the words. I was going through changes in relationships with people close to me, I had ambivalent feelings, like a certain greyness not black and white, in that sense, I felt in between. It’s like a kid stepping into adulthood, the realisation of all these things, and the sense of identity that comes from that.”

The accompanying visual inhabits that same headspace, woven together with distorted realities bleeding over into fantasy and vestiges of the past. Directed by Conor Donoghue, known for his most recent work on Wastefellow’s bubbly ‘Fizzy Lifting Drinks’, the new clip elevates the in-born emotional weight and permits MacDermott to cascade through the night sky like a star in free fall.“I wanted to recreate the look of those old distorted photographs you find in your family’s photo albums,” describes Donoghue of the video, which glides through such locations as Bull Island, Portobello and Saint Anne’s Park.

Saint Anne’s Park serves as the predominant backdrop of the video, MacDermott details his attachment to the scenery, “I chose the location because my grandmother used to live around the corner, and I was there a lot as a kid. I have early memories of the place. In some respects, our memories are ornamental; they take on whatever meaning you prescribe.”

A DIY bedroom-based producer, MacDermott also calls upon such stylistic giants as directors David Lynch (Blue Velvet, Twin Peaks TV series, Mulholland Drive), Terrence Malick (Badlands, The Tree of Life, Days of Heaven) and Jean-Jacques Beineix (Betty Blue, Moon in the Gutter) for much of his eccentric aesthetics and approach to craft and melody. A product of Wexford (later spending his youth in Malahide) and with an affinity for ‘80s analogue and techno music, the promising newcomer is known to follow his muse wherever it so desires — often seeing him pick up a Roland digital recorder or a Yamaha keyboard to quench his creative thirst. 

Dashoda cultivates a profoundly mesmerizing soundscape. His voice is caramel smooth and seems to penetrate time and place in silky, frothy waves. “In Between” is only the tip of the iceberg of his full potential and 2019 is looking to catapult him right back into the cosmos

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VINCI are a new Irish band that are quickly building momentum off the back of an eventful 2018; A year which saw them release a critically acclaimed single, ‘We Are Ghosts’, sell out another headline show (The Workman’s Club) and perform energetic shows to their biggest crowds to date, supporting childhood heroes, Aslan, to 1500 at Vicar Street and 5000 people at Iveagh Gardens.

2018 was not without struggle, though, as sadly lead singer Kurtis’ father passed away on the day of their biggest ever show at Iveagh Gardens; news which only reached Kurtis as he walked off stage. The tragedy that could have broken their spirit, only brought them closer together, and has made them more determined than ever. The following week they flew to LA for their first US showcase at The Mint. That one performance saw them secure the singular spot at the 14th annual Oscar Wilde Awards at JJ Abrams’ Bad Robot Studios in Los Angeles, with their performance and story being noticed and featured by The Hollywood Reporter and Billboard, along with mainstream Irish press such as RTE, TV3 and Hot Press. Another testament to their namesake, VINCI; To defeat, to beat, to conquer, to overcome. They became the first unsigned band to perform at the Oscar Wilde Awards in February, following in the footsteps of Snow Patrol, Glen Hansard and Van Morrison.

To date, self-promoted, self-managed and self-funded, they have sold out three headline shows in Dublin, been invited to perform for President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins at Aras an Uachtarain (The White House), showcased in London and Los Angeles, released three singles to superb reviews and critical acclaim, been playlisted nationally on RTE 2FM, had features in Hot Press, RTE, Billboard and The Hollywood Reporter and filmed the first ever music video at Dublin’s City Hall for ‘Lions’. A venue U2 once tried to film, but couldn’t.

VINCI have filmed a powerful music video for their new single ‘When We Go Out’, featuring Irish actor, Aidan Gillen (Littlefinger – Game Of Thrones). The video draws light on the homeless crisis, an issue close to the band’s heart. Lead singer, Kurtis’, father worked in the homeless community for 10+ years in Dublin, before he passed away. The band flew to Los Angeles a week later, and have turned this tragedy into fuel for positivity.

During their recent trip to LA, in the midst of the glamour of Hollywood, the band noticed LA has a serious homeless crisis, too, epitomised by an accidental trip to Skid Row. The band see many similarities between the crisis in LA and what is developing at home in Dublin, and want to shed more light on not only the homeless crisis, but the perception of homelessness. They want to change the narrative from the struggle of the few, to the humanity of that struggle and bring it closer to home for the average person.

To do this, they follow the story of a father and his young daughter, on a day out together.

Vinci will play the Grand Social on Friday October 18^th  with tickets from €12.80 on sale Friday 28^th June from 9am.1

West Cork isn’t known as a Hotbed for Hip-Hop and Pop acts but Bantry-Born Artist Darce is changing that. The Irish artist has been featured by everyone from Spotify to 2fm, to Nialler9, to District Magazine. He was named The Irish Times New Artist of the week, while racking up thousands of streams online. On the live side, the Cork native has supported acts such as Le Boom and Sean Kingston along with playing Hard Working Class Heroes,Music Cork and K-Fest.

His new single ‘Get Up’ is a war cry to everyone who has been knocked down, pushed around or felt like they can’t go on. The track is a transatlantic collaboration between LA-based producer and Berklee College of Music graduate Arian, rapper Darce and mysterious new artist B.C. The booming drums, vicious verses, and catchy hook tell the story of self-belief in the face of adversity.

Reckless Records proudly presents a brand new music video from Montauk Hotel to accompany their hit single ‘White Billboards’ which came out earlier this summer.

This ‘’gorgeous jangly pop noise” (Hotpress) continues to “expanding (the) sonic scope of Montauk Hotel’’ (The Last Mixed Tape).

‘White Billboards’ is a reflection on the power of advertising in our society and how models and standards influence our choices, happiness and feeling of adequacy.

The video reflects themes from the song, such as models in advertising, specifically in the early days of economic wealth after WWII and following into the 60s-70s, a future where people have become indifferent to corporate gentrification. Advertisers and brands have run out of slogans and have lost their impact on people and society.

The question asked is whether a society with empty billboards would set us free to be happy, or whether it would leave us lost and unable to regain a personal identity.

Montauk Hotel take influence from the glimmer of early 80s indie-pop, Montauk Hotel fuse strong melodies, glistening guitars and punchy beats to create their own shimmering sound.

Montauk Hotel have made an impressive impact on the Dublin live music scene with sold out headline shows including Whelans, The Workman’s Club, The Sound House, The Bowery, Bello Bar and Roisin Dubh, as well as supporting international acts such as Goat Girl, PINS and Beauty Sleep. They have appeared at festivals such as Other Voices, Groove Festival, Vantastival and Sunflower Festival. This year they play Trailer Park stage at Electric Picnic, Sea Sessions and Féile. They will also support The Blizzards during their full band summer tour.

Their single ‘Stains’, released in 2018, playlisted on Spotify New Music Friday and received support from Nialler9, RTE, 2fm, The Thin Air, The Last Mixed Tape and BBC Radio. This new studio offering has gained massive support from Dan Hegarty and Louise McSharry in RTE 2FM, John Barker in 98FM, and Dublin City FM among others.

This video reflects gender roles in a lost society that will continue far into the distance future without billboards for guidance.

https://www.facebook.com/montaukhotel/
https://twitter.com/MontaukHotel
www.instagram.com/montaukhotelband
https://open.spotify.com/artist/4jAGKoN1UfczuLA8qH6c99

TOUR DATES

Kaleidoscope // June 29
Summer in the City, Waterford // July 20
Boyle Arts Festival (The Blizzards support) // July 26
The Playing Fields Festival, Clane // August 24
Féile, Semple Stadium // September 20

Cork folk ensemble Blind Poets have just released a new single called ‘Chart Your Course’. It has been likened to a type of Maritime Opera, not that they know what this entails but they like the sound of it! It has already found it’s way on to a national radio platform so off to a good start.  

“Niamh is among the cream of the current crop of Irish female vocalists.” – John Creedon

They are currently finishing their debut album, with a launch date to be announced soon.

Fine song-writing, gorgeous traditional arrangements, skilful musicianship and five exceptional voices characterise Blind Poets. They comprise Niamh Murphy (piano), Karen O’Doherty (violin), Katie O’Neill (vocals), Leo Mullane (guitar) and Tom Jordan (clarinet).

Rooted in folk but unafraid to cross genres, Blind Poets are creating something new in the world of Irish music; picture a cross between Fleetwood Mac and The Gloaming.   

Formed in 2018, since then the band have wowed audiences across the country, including prominent slots at All Together Now, Cork’s Folk Festival and Galway’s Fringe. The band’s three single releases have been popular with listeners to RTE Radio 1, 2FM, Lyric FM, Today FM as well as numerous local stations throughout the country.

Directed and produced by Ellius Grace  and starring Manus Halligan, the current Saint Sister single now has a poignant video to accompany it.

In the wake of a busy and exciting 2018, which saw the release of their debut album ‘Shape of Silence’, a worldwide headline tour, opening shows for Hozier throughout Europe, and a Choice Music Prize nomination, Saint Sister – Gemma Doherty and Morgan MacIntyre – share their enthralling new single, ‘Is It Too Early? (Kilmainham)’. Central to the song’s subject matter are palpable strands of social anxieties and homesickness.

The melody, conceived in Kilmainham, and developed across a number of locations as far-reaching as Sydney and California, marks a progression in Saint Sister’s contemporary take on folk music coupled with a fresh approach in the duo’s song-writing. 

Inspired by the formative experience of their first worldwide tour, Doherty and MacIntyre were keen to practice a new way of working borne from a newfound understanding of each other as a result of the communal aspect of extended periods of travelling. A deepened closeness which has trickled into their song-writing.

In February of this year, Saint Sister brought the bones of the song to Diffusion Lab where they fleshed out the breadth of the arrangement by incorporating a myriad of R’n’B beats and various field recordings to compliment their gorgeous harmonies and synonymous harp flourishes.

Speaking about the collaboration, Gemma said, “We were very open going into Diffusion Lab, we went into the studio willing to go somewhere with the song that we possibly wouldn’t have gone had we worked on it by ourselves. They suggested sounds outside of our instincts. In the end, I think the song perfectly represents the best of both worlds and our respective musical sensibilities.” 

Expanding on the lyrical themes, Morgan explained, “The sentiment is twofold; on a very personal level it came from the homesickness and anxiety we were feeling on tour, all the while receiving messages from home wishing us well on our big adventure. From that, I had the first line, ‘Hope you’re having fun, all American’. The reality, however, was the two of us in the back of a van not getting to explore the different places we passed through, coping with the stress of a hectic new routine, and learning how to support ourselves as much as each other”. 

“I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was supposed to be having the time of my life but all I wanted to do was go home. On a broader level, it wasn’t a new feeling, it overlapped with the social anxiety I have at most parties. I know a lot of people share that feeling of being somewhere where you’re supposed to be having fun, surrounded by friends enjoying themselves, but you’re stuck inside your own head, wondering whether it’s ok to leave. If it’s too early to go home”.

“The final two lines come from a conversation I had with my mum, “Give my love to G, chased by my reply, ‘She takes care of me’.  While the song is rooted in our individual loneliness, it ends with a nod to the support we give each other and I think there’s real hope in that.”

Tour Dates

12^th Sept – Connollys of Leap, Cork
13^th Sept – Set Theatre, Kilkenny
14^th Sept – Dolan’s, Limerick
19^th Sept – Empire Music Hall, Belfast
20^th Sept – The Glassworks, Derry
26^th Sept – Crescent Concert Hall, Drogheda
27^th & 28^th Sept – Pepper Canister Church, Dublin
2^nd Oct – Omeara, London

http://www.saintsisterband.com/
https://www.facebook.com/Saint.Sister.band?ref=hl

David Kitt, singer songwriter Kean Kavanagh and future-afro soul vocalist Fehdah have teamed to release a brand new hypnotic summer anthem, ‘Follow The Sound’. The track was written and produced by all three artists as part of Three’s ‘Made By Music’ initiative.

‘Made By Music’ is an innovative move which seeks to demonstrate the human connections that music creates by collaborating with some of Ireland’s best artists from the thriving Irish music scene. Building on the success of ‘Made By Music’ last year, Three has gone a step further with the initiative by partnering with six Irish musicians to write, record and release two brand new collaborative songs which will be supported by world-class music videos.

The official video to ‘Follow The Sound’ follows the journey of a bride who loses herself in the music during her first dance. Directed by Ian Robertson, the video is available now to watch here.

Three’s ‘Made By Music’ campaign will provide the artists with the opportunity to reach wider audiences by developing and funding a full media campaign to support the track and video. The campaign will include a second unique collaboration later in the summer, also featuring a bespoke music video.

As dedicated sponsors of Ireland’s premier live music venue, 3Arena and Ireland’s biggest music festivals Electric Picnic and Longitude, Three is dedicated to connecting customers to the best live music events by providing exclusive presale access to tickets to the biggest concerts and money can’t buy experiences.

#MadeByMusic will release the second collaboration in the series by Soulé, Sorcha Richardson and Elaine Mai later this summer.  

‘Follow the Sound’ will be released across all streaming platforms this Friday, 28th June. Join the conversation on social using #MadeByMusic.

Emma Langford’s new single ‘Goodbye Hawaii’ is three and a half whole minutes of sunshine, much like the summer we’ve all been waiting for here in Ireland.  

She arrives stumbling through the door from a whirlwind international tour, RTÉ Radio 1 Folk Award clasped in hand, hounded by uproarious cries of critical acclaim for her 2017 debut album ‘Quiet Giant’; Limerick’s Emma Langford has returned with ‘Goodbye Hawaii’, and the highly anticipated taster of her second album oozes summer vibes. 

A delight at first glance, the track is a peppy return to the 50’s, replete with dreamy backing vocals, swooning pedal steel and a rhythm section that propels the listener right into the heart of New Orleans. A playful vocal imitation “trumpet solo” sends the listener away smiling a little wider than before. 

The song evokes the spirit of a bygone era, but Emma Langford’s unmistakable voice reels it right back into the present moment in Irish music. 

‘Goodbye Hawaii’ hits all the right notes for fans of The Divine Comedy, Kate Nash or Cyndi Lauper; Langford’s signature vocal sparkles above a toe-tapping retro-pop bass line, barely masking the biting observational humour within: 

“It seems like a sweet song until you listen to the words,” she quips, “It’s about putting on the facade of a perfect relationship. You’re past the honeymoon period, the spark’s gone, and it’s all kind of falling apart – so about two weeks in?”

Accompanied on its release in July by an equally tongue-in-cheek music video filmed at Nenagh Arts Centre, Langford worked with fellow Limerick creative Shane Serrano (The Coronas, Rusangano Family, Hermitage Green) in producing something that matched the tone of the song:

“I want the video to make people laugh, but to have a message – a nod to independent artists that work crazy hours, pulling the strings, doing a lot of work on their own out of sight, while people only see the glamorous exterior. 

We’re poking fun at the “what people think you do versus what you really do” meme in the arts.”

‘Goodbye Hawaii’ was produced and mixed by Chris O’Brien and Graham Murphy at The Production Suite Dublin, and features Davey Long on drums; Peter Hanagan on double bass; Emma Langford on guitar and vocals; and Kealan Kenny on pedal steel. 

The track lands worldwide on the 6th of July 2019, but Emma will officially launch the good ship ‘Goodbye Hawaii’ with a full band at her homecoming marquee show “Limerick Summer Music” at Rossbrien Pavilion on the 12th of July.

You can also catch Emma and band in July at Garbos, Castlebar on the 6th, the inaugural Claremorris Folk Festival in Mayo the 20th, and Knockanstockan the 21st, plus in August at Flahives Bar, Ballyheigue, County Kerry. 

Full dates, details and tickets available from www.emmalangfordmusic.com/tour/ 

Photo: Kellyn Bowler for Turf & Grain Magazine, Issue 4