Month: May 2020

Reckless Records and Dublin Vinyl are proud to present a brand new album from R.S.A.G. The album, entitled ‘Chroma’ is set to be released on Friday May 29. 

A storm of sound and an eruption of percussion mixed with hypnotic music and unique visuals! Since it’s conception in 2007, musical juggernaut ‘Rarely Seen Above Ground’ has taken his tour de force: one man show of sound, visuals and incendiary rhythm, to captured audiences around the world. Known to his friends as Jeremy Hickey, R.S.A.G. has gained a reputation not only as one of Europe’s most impressive drummers but as a celebrated producer and a talented showman.

‘Chroma’ started as a musical diary of sorts, an interior perspective of my life while recording from my home studio in Kilkenny. It is full of my daily challenges and experiences. I soon realised that these mood pieces, these colours, were part of a larger picture that might combine to form an album and so it progressed, regressed, changed and through frustration even nearly came to a grinding halt at one point. Each song reflects these different experiences, struggles and emotions, the realities of pursuing a creative goal whilst also trying to keep the wolf from the door. Chroma’s evolution has inevitably been a long one. I’ve always been fortunate to have a great family and friends, the perfect sounding boards for my ideas.  I am proud that my co-writer Jamie Walsh and I were able to merge our musical and lyrical ideas to produce songs of intensity and emotion. – Jeremy Hickey

Since the early days when he picked up a Choice Music Prize nomination, he has pressed two celebrated LP’s, secured billings on the most enviable festivals in both Europe and America and made multiple international TV appearances along the way. As well as all that Hickey’s undeniable talent behind a kit has led to some very impressive collaborations at the request of Justice’s, Grammy Award winning Xavier de Rosnay and Parisian electronic outfit Bot’Ox.

In his onstage vocal and drum performances, R.S.A.G. is set apart from his contemporaries. Combining frenzy with serenity, this human fuelled energy also forms the core of his records.

Jeremy Hickey’s forthcoming album ‘Chroma’ is his best collection to date. Working closely with long time co-writer and friend Jamie Walsh, who also painted two pieces for the front and back cover of the album. The idea was to create an abstract view of my studio, the front representing day and the back representing night.

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In the track that heralds the upcoming release of her first long-play project, the rapper whose name is on every ‘ones to watch’ list worth its salt tells us, “It’s not Ch-laay; it’s not Ch-lala“, and implores us to say her name. You may not know how to pronounce it yet – but you will. Denise Chaila will make sure of that. 

‘Chaila’ will be released into the world on Friday, May 29th 2020, just three weeks after her statement-of-intent track ‘Down’ was given a Bandcamp-only release. 

Before this, the most recent solo material from Chaila was her debut EP ‘Dual Citizenship’, released in February 2019. That two-track release, however, was enough for her to gain attention from worldwide media such as NPR (USA), BBC (UK) and RTÉ (Ireland). On top of this, actor Cilian Murphy interviewed Chaila for Port Magazine, she wrote a piece that was included in Kevin Barry’s seminal arts anthology Winter Papers, she was interviewed for a publication she’s personally a big fan of, Gal-Dem, and featured on the cover of The Irish Times’ ‘50 people to watch in 2020’. 

During the past year, Denise has performed at the Barbican Centre in London, the National Concert Hall in Dublin and the Black Box Theatre, Galway – all three as part of the critically-acclaimed Imagining Ireland series, also featuring some of Denise’s cultural contemporaries such as musicians Imelda May, Radie Peat (Lankum), Soak, Lisa O’Neill and writers Sara Baume, Sinéad Gleeson and Sarah Moss. She performed at the opening of the Museum of Literature Ireland (MoLI) and the National Concert Hall’s ‘Make your own Markievicz’ event for International Women’s Day 2020, attended by President Michael D. Higgins. She made a number of summer festival appearances last year at the likes of Body & Soul, All Together Now, Electric Picnic and Other Voices Dingle. In February 2020, she headlined St. Michael’s Church for Other Voices Mayo in a televised performance for RTÉ 2. 

This level of success and critical acclaim in the space of just over a year is triumphant, and is not lost on Denise.

Sure of her abilities yet humble about her ‘rising star’ status, she counts her blessings safe in the knowledge that she has worked hard for what she has. A star in her own right, yet in many ways inseparable from her collaborators and contemporaries. Straight up yet wonderfully complex. Denise Chaila is just getting started. 

Track Dogs are 2 Irish, 1 English and an American based in Madrid. In 2021 they celebrate 15 years making music together. Their new release, “At a Time Like This” was written a couple of weeks ago during lockdown in Madrid and published as a live video on the band’s social networks. After a suggestion by film maker Peter Domankievicz to make a video for the song highlighting people’s experiences during this time they each set about to record something at home, based around lead singer Garrett’s guitar and vocal, some recording only into their phones. Robbie added a bodhrán percussion track, Dave some mandolin and Howard a string arrangement and flugelhorn track. Strings were recorded in the UK by Chris and Adrianne. The mix was delivered by Germán Gutiérrez at Playground Studios. The results are pretty stunning.

The video was edited by British film maker Peter Domankiewicz.

Https://trackdogs.bandcamp.com

Today, Cronin announce ‘A View From The Next Room’. Out July 4^th on Gentlemen Recordings & Live Transmission Records. The brand-new album delivers the band’s most experimental and diverse set of songs to date. It was recorded at Transmission Rooms Recording Studio in Longford, Ireland. Following their work on Cronin’s critically acclaimed debut album ‘The First Kiss of Love’, Karl Odlum (Glen Hansard, The Frames), Ger McDonnell (U2, Manic Street Preachers) and Mick Cronin return as producers. Cronin have also brought in outside instrumentalists and special guests like The Waterboys, whose violinist Steve Wickham features on two tracks. In addition, Damien Rice cello player Vivienne Long features on new track ‘Tell Me That You Want Me’ and Terry Edwards (PJ Harvey, Gallon Drunk) on the remix of ‘Little London’. Across the album’s six interrogative tracks the band displays inspired lyrics, deep orchestral arrangements and lifting hooks. 

New single ‘Several Perceptions’ comes alongside a music video of the band performing the song in the studio.

On the making of ‘A View From The Next Room’, Mick Cronin says:

“Some of these mixes have been about for some time and others are relatively fresh. With us unable to work in the studio we thought now would be a good time to release these as a mini album. It’s a diverse mix compared to our releases so far, it shows another side of what we have in our heads.”

The album title is a reference to the Henry Scott Holland poem Death is nothing at all song.

For the album artwork, the band enlisted DJ, photographer and Oasis brother Paul Gallagher.

Dublin-based songwriter Paddy Hanna today reveals ‘Cannibals’, the first track from his forthcoming album ‘The Hill’. ‘Cannibals’ is out now on all digital platforms. ‘The Hill’, which will be released on September 25^th, is available to pre-order via https://www.strangebrew.ie/

As Paddy explains about the new single – “’Cannibals’ is a maze of conflicted thought, it asks the question, are we decent people or demons in cheap wigs? The track mixes organic with inorganic sounds to create that conflict, acoustic instruments blend with found drum sounds while woozy synthesisers create an uncertain haze. The end-result, I hope, is something resembling Ennio Morricone by way of Late period Tom Waits, but I’ll let you draw your own conclusions”.  

The album features Girl Band’s Adam Faulkner and Daniel Fox on Drums & Double Bass, Daniel Fitzpatrick (Badhands, The Mighty Stef) on guitar & Keys and Jill Redmond on Vocals. The record was produced by Daniel Fox and the artwork was designed by Jill Redmond. 

Paddy explains further about the album – “We lost ourselves on ‘The Hill’, Daniel, Daniel, Adam and I. a seemingly endless spell of isolation spent banging sheet metal, rusted hubcaps and blistering our fingers through non stop recording. 

‘The Hill’ is an internal musical about how the past and the present exist at the same time in our minds. It deals with the struggles of mental health, the sometimes difficult search for happiness and the moral conflict of growing up in Catholic Ireland. 

As a listener I want you to take a seat inside my head, to smell the west cork air, to feel the gravel under your feet. In order to get this we set up ambient mics outside our makeshift studio to capture the natural landscape, we wandered boatyards and an abandoned train station recording old bits of metal we would clang, to give the album a sense of place. Sonically we also wanted to step away from the String sections used on Leafy Stiletto, opting instead to create melodies and tones using vocals and synthesisers. 

Most importantly however, I just wanted to put the past behind me on this record, I wanted to leave it on the hill. I hope you enjoy my therapy.” 

Hanna’s third album will be released via Strange Brew.

1.The Last of Their Kind
2. Cannibals  
3. A Strange Request  
4. Nameless
5. My Ladybird
6.  Sinatra
7.  Howling At The Duke of York
8.  My Wise Addiction
9.  The Hill
10. Jog On Shall We
11. Colosseum

www.paddyhanna.bandcamp.com
www.soundcloud.com/paddy-hanna
www.breakingtunes.com/paddyhanna
www.twitter.com/paddyhanna
www.facebook.com/Paddyhannamusic

‘Ordinary Star’ is the first release from Imelda Kehoe’s forthcoming 2nd album, recorded at Windmill Lane Studios in Dublin, produced by Darragh Nolan and mastered by Barry Grint. The song was inspired by a conversation with 11-year-old Danny about the Sun and it draws parallels with people in our lives who do extraordinary things but go about it in an ordinary way. 

It has a cinematic sound and Bowie-like drum beat and backing vocals.  

Also featured on the track, Michael Egan (Lead Guitar), Sean O’Leary (Drums) Lee Byrne (Bass), James O’Sullivan (Fiddle, Guitar and Wine Glasses…), Martina Keane & Paula Keane (Backing Vocals).  

“Imelda Kehoe is that rare thing: a singer of remarkable subtlety and emotional resonance who also writes songs that act as touchstones everyone can grasp.  Her voice is of the folk tradition but it also brings a freshness and vitality that is both exciting, compelling and all her own.  Imelda’s songs are distinctive, delicate powerhouses: leaping genres effortlessly, they often embrace unusual time signatures and challenging melodic structures, while managing to appear deceptively simple.  She is something very special.” Shane Dunphy, Writer, Musician, Journalist.

Imelda Kehoe is an Irish Contemporary Folk Singer Songwriter whose songs are melody-rich, full of stories of life and written with the listener at heart. 
From a big Irish/English family, she trained as a nurse and worked in A&E and Intensive Care in Leeds working in the inner city and cites these life experiences as being influential in her writing. She now lives in Wexford.  

Her music taste is eclectic and influences are wide. One of her ambitions is to have her songs feature in Film and TV and she has recently been signed to the Avant Music Port Roster.  The album is due for release late 2020/21.

Socials: https://www.facebook.com/ImeldaKehoeMusic/  
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2HX6FumyyojkmbGATn81kY?si=6quJfMqtSxGGjI-3YuB6jg

‘F*#king With My Friends’ (FWMF), written in Berlin with Dillistone and Crooks, is an attitude-infused introspection of heartbreak and its underlying emotion. It contrasts greatly with DAY_S’s previous work, its attitudinal instrumentation is a direct contradiction to the more upbeat moments of DAY_S’s past. 

The track opens with short bursts of electronic crescendos before vocals enters the fray, joined by a series of clicks and breaks. Accompanying the vocals is an underlying second vocal, reminiscent of thoughts racing through ones mind as they look back on a relationships past. The track builds before the ultimate release of the chorus, which is gushing with aggression in part due to the additions of soaring electric guitars and the added percussion. 

‘FWMF’ chronicles when passion trumps pride, where anguish becomes aggression, and when scattered thoughts align to create a clearer, darker picture. It encapsulates perfectly the mind of an artist lost in the pain of the past, and his battle to reclaim not only himself, but those around him from the misdoing of others.

DAY_S introduced himself with a debut single ‘Last Night’ in 2018 followed up by ‘Elbows’. Both releases were met with rave reviews and praised for his distinctive vocals and synth pop production. Since then, DAY_S was picked by GoldenPlec and RTE 2FM Rising list, supported the likes of pop stars Dagny, Soulé as well as All Tvvins on their European Tour. 

Spotify’s and Apple Music early support found DAY_S releases in major Pop and mainstream playlists, accumulating over 3 million streams combined.

@whoisdays

Beyond the Wash (aka Patrick O’Donnell) will release his debut EP, ‘Murmurings’ on June 4^th, 2020.

The first iterations of this project came in September 2019 with its lead single ‘Dusktime’, which shocked and enthralled audiences with one of the most daring music videos of 2019. This led to a feature by global arts and cultural platform Booooooom.tv. https://tv.booooooom.com/2019/10/28/beyond-the-wash-dusktime/  

The video would be included in Irish Film London’s top 5 Irish Music Videos of 2019. “A really ambitious and huge statement for a first single, with an amazing video.” (on Dusktime) – Kealan Duignan (The Irish Jam, London)

Two further singles (‘Misty Morning’ and ‘Uruguay’), further established Beyond the Wash as a dynamic artist that can shapeshift from energetic alt-pop sounds to evocative dream sequences with lyrical sensitivity. “A nimble, multifaceted artist capable of delivering uptempo bangers and plaintive, melodic songs with observationalist lyrics.” – Stephen Byrne (GoldenPlec)

Of the new release Beyond the Wash says:

“‘Murmurings’ for me had this fundamental concept from the outset, in that I imagined each of the 4 songs represent a season, ‘Uruguay’ has a kind acoustic awakening, ‘Dusktime’ reflects this summer burn, ‘Misty’ has a crisp feeling to it, while ‘Sand’ has a dark and stormy vibe. Each song had its own sonic sphere, which meant that each single we released was like a reboot.

I come from an era of full album listening, a format in which an artist can show many sides. I hope with the ‘Murmurings//ep’ one can engage with that sense of pacing in a smaller release. While as singles the songs may seem diverse and different, they make up the intentional canvas of the EP.

Lyrically, for me it outlines the potential to live with –fear, doubts and desires – understanding they still exist, but knowing that one can be the mechanic of their own machine – you drive you.“

All tracks are written and produced by Patrick, recorded and mixed at Monique Studios, Cork by Christian Best (Mick Flannery), and mastered at Bova Lab studios, Ottawa by Philip Shaw Bova (Feist, Father John Misty). Coming off the back of shows in Whelan’s, the White Horse Sessions and the world-renowned Ruby Sessions, 2019 wrapped up with a sold out launch show in Coughlan’s Live.

Collaboration has been at the centre of the project from its first realisation. For the release of the physical CD, BTW collaborated with recycled paper bookmaker’s Badly Made Books and sculpture artist Sophie Gough. The result was a unique limited edition ‘Murmurings’ book that combined the CD, the lyrics, the song drafts and interpretive artwork that mirrored the music. https://beyondthewash.bandcamp.com/album/murmurings

O’Donnell’s intention is apparent from opening track ‘Uruguay’, what first seems like an acoustic ballad explodes with a thunderous roar upon the lyrics ‘Uncover the Sky’. This lays the foundations for ‘Dusktime’, with its broad dynamic range; the manic energy of each verse is turned up by a euphoric chorus, before entering a dream-like sequence with the rich, soulful vocals of Meghan Murray. Dusktime offers both ecstasy and introspection; lyrically it wrestles with complex themes like consciousness and putting ‘mind over matter’. Some respite, ‘Misty Morning’ seems to weave a textured sonic atmosphere. The voice floats above a lucid instrumental, that all builds towards climatic end with the lyric ‘just got lost not yet found’. The final track here is ‘Sand’, a dark and unrelenting affair that encourages one to grow acquainted with their demons. In doing so, one brings their fears out of the shadows and into the light.

 ‘Murmurings//ep’ – is a distinctive blend of energetic and thoughtful music with an underlying sense of existential hope. BTW’s songs grapple with fear and isolation, but assuredly outline the potential in knowing one’s darker sides, to put ‘mind over matter’. The result is an ambitious first outing, with sophisticated song arrangements and a reassured conviction.

With the current situation becoming an additional driving force behind creativity and output, expect further new content contributing to BTW’s already diverse repertoire early in 2021.

Murmurings Track Listing:

1. Uruguay
2. Dusktime
3. Misty Morning
4. Sand

http://beyondthewash.com/
https://twitter.com/beyondthewash
https://www.facebook.com/beyondthewash/ https://www.instagram.com/beyond_the_wash/?hl=en

Irish singer songwriter Pauric O’Meara reveals a brand video for his new single ‘Beacon Call’.

Combining over 45,000 streams between O’Meara’s last two singles, ‘Is This Real?’ and ‘Wasted Time’: they also saw a staggering amount of radio support throughout Ireland and UK.  

Pauric aims to continue his journey by releasing his third and final single ‘Beacon Call’ of his debut EP ‘Looking Forward To Hindsight’.

Pauric is an independent singer songwriter from Co. Tipperary, based in Dublin. He has been making his mark on the Irish music scene for quite a few years. His raw, powerful vocal has been known to grab people’s attention, and his previous work has garnered over 150K on Spotify alone.

Through the years, he has performed in many top venues around Ireland supporting bands such as Hermitage Green, Hudson Taylor, Billow Wood, Amazing Apples and HAWK but had a breakthrough year in 2019, with 2 headline shows in Dublin in The Soundhouse and Workman’s Club, as well as making his Electric Picnic  Festival debut.

With the release of his EP ‘Looking Forward To Hindsight’ and shows booked in Ireland, England, Scotland Germany and America, 2020 looked set to be Pauric’s biggest year yet.

‘Beacon Call’ is the third and final track from O’Meara’s EP ‘Looking Forward To Hindsight’ The EP discusses how hindsight can be our best friend and our worst enemy, depending on the situation and what mindset you are in during or after the event has taken place.  First single ‘Is This Real’ honed in on the devastation caused by a deteriorating relationship and the hopeless feeling that comes with. The second single ‘Wasting time’ developed this story, focusing on coming to the realisation and taking the steps necessary to move on.

‘Beacon Call’ develops this story by detailing how when we go through rough patches, time darkness, time of uncertainty, that it is vital to use the network of friends and family at your disposal, and most importantly your inner self who is always there deep down. when we stay positive and stick together, we will overcome and eventually see our Beacon of Hope, Our calling light, Our Beacon Call.

Pauric says, “Beacon Call is a very fitting end to the story told through this EP. Its energetic from the get go, i feel as though it will give the listener a real lift of euphoria, which is exactly what i wanted to achieve. “

“Through difficult times me must stick together.
We must use the people around us for support.
We must try to remind ourselves that how we feel is temporary, it is not your true self.
Find your Beacon Call.“

LIVE

Whelan’s, Dublin (IRE) – April 24^th  Moved to October 9th
Old Oak, Cork (IRE) – May 1st  moved to October 16th
The Finsbury, London (UK) – May  Date being rescheduled

Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | Spotify | SoundCloud

Pauric O’Meara Website

Ireland’s first drive-in music event series is scheduled to take place across the country from July 20th, 2020. LIVE AT THE DRIVE-IN is thrilled to announce platinum-selling Dublin singer song-writer Gavin James as its first headline artist.

At its core, the objective of LIVE AT THE DRIVE-IN and its organisers is to provide an entertainment space where fans from across the country can enjoy a live music experience again while adhering to all WHO and Governmental Covid-19 safety recommendations and guidelines. LIVE AT THE DRIVE-IN will deliver safe, family friendly entertainment during this difficult time and will feature some of Ireland’s most popular artists headlining. Given the unique style of LIVE AT THE DRIVE-IN events and limited capacity, demand is expected to be high and it is anticipated to be one of the most highly anticipated events of this year.  

The organisers have advised a car entry capacity per show from 250 – 300 cars.  Some sites will be able to comfortably accommodate the larger end of this scale, others the smaller end.  More detail on this will be supplied via the LIVE AT THE DRIVE-IN website. With Gavin James headlining, the series will kick off at the cities listed below.

“We are delighted to announce GAVIN JAMES as our first headline artist. During LIVE AT THE DRIVE-IN series different headlines artists will feature weekly.  It is planned for two shows per day.  A matinee show which is expected to commence circa 4pm and an evening show starting at 8pm approx. More detail on this will be supplied via liveatthedrivein.com closer to the event(s) start date.  We are looking forward to announcing additional artists also in the coming weeks.”

It’s been just over two months single Gavin James sold the 3Arena, at the conclusion of his world tour, and he will now be the first Irish act to perform a Drive-In tour around Ireland as part of LIVE AT THE DRIVE-IN. Over the last five years Gavin has grown to be one of Ireland’s most respected singer-songwriter performers worldwide. He has amassed over one billion global streams of his music, sold over 250,000 concert tickets and has over 100 million views of his videos on YouTube. Gavin is rightly excited about getting to perform outside of his house once again to promote his new single ‘Boxes’.

LIVE AT THE DRIVE-IN

This inspired initiative is the brainchild of Carl Owens of MPI Artists and when the initial planning framework was in place it was a no brainer to engage with Mark Dunne of 360 Management. “What followed is MPI Artists together with 360 Event Management brainstorming on how we could provide a viable live performance experience during these unprecedented times for artists and fans alike.” said Carl Owens from MPI.

The Live Independent Music industry in Ireland is decimated by Covid-19.  Our industry personnel are predominantly freelance so when Covid-19 restrictions were rightly instructed, employment opportunities seemed closed us and so many of our colleagues.  Mark Dunne commented, “We were driven not to give up so we started to explore every possible avenue in order to bring a live experience to music fans across the country. We know we have something we ourselves would buy a ticket for and would feel safe attending.” 

LIVE AT THE DRIVE-IN is planned for a six-week run from July 20^th, when it is expected the Government will commence Phase III of its Covid-19 plans for re-opening Ireland and offers employment to industry live crew nationally such as; gear handlers, roadies, lighting designers, monitor engineers, production crew (the list is endless), some of our industry personnel who otherwise would be unemployed this summer.  With sadly no official festival season in 2020, LIVE AT THE DRIVE-IN is not a substitute but an inspired and welcome unique and family friendly way to help reintroduce music to the Irish market.  The safety of staff and general public is paramount and in order for the Irish economy to reopen for business we must all respect the public health guidelines and respect social distancing.

Tickets priced at €60 + booking fees and taxes per car of four will go on sale at liveatthedrivein.ie on Friday May 29^th at 9am.

*For Limerick show tickets will also be on sale via regional promoter’s site

·      A contribution from the proceeds of each event will be given to a nominated charity of the headline band’s choosing. Gavin James chosen charity is Down Syndrome Centre.

W.  liveatthedrivein.ie | F. liveatthedriveinireland |

Photo: Ryan Jafarzadeh