Tolü Makay is an expressive and inspirational artist, her new single ‘You Are Enough’ is an anthem of empowerment and of personal affirmation.
Makay’s gospel background is pushed to the forefront on this energetic track that evokes strong ‘Lemonade’ era Beyonce vibes – both in its positive proclamation of oneself but also by harnessing the sonic ingredients of a classic Nile Rodgers guitar style mixed with some heavy rock distortion and a pulsing snare that drives the song into a truly euphoric and celebrative state.
‘You Are Enough’ has a huge chorus, which one can imagine filling dancefloors (when dancefloors are allowed again). Inspired after reading the book ‘You Are A Badass…” by Jen Sincero and by the motivational stylings of American gospel singer William McDowell, Tolü Makay has produced a song which praises the brilliance that one possesses within themselves.
This single release is the second taster Tolu has shared, from her debut EP ‘BEING’ which will be out October 9th via her Berlin-based label Welcome to The New World. ‘Don’t Let Go’ was her first release, which featured on the RTE Radio 1 Recommends playlist for four weeks running, placing the track at #1 in the RTE Radio 1 Airplay charts. Fault Magazine says: “Authentically soulful and blended with hints of Jazz, Irish singer Tolü Makay has a clear and confident voice leading the next generation of R&B artists.”
Irish singer-songwriter Padraig Jack releases his debut album ‘Making Sand’ on 25 September. ‘Making Sand’ was recorded in London and produced by music industry legend John Reynolds (Sinéad O’Connor, Damien Dempsey, Shane McGowan). The album includes the lead single ‘Minnie’ which was released to excellent reviews both in the UK and Ireland, as well as ‘Streetbed Ridden’, the single released back in March that tackled the issue of homelessness.
The album title is taken from the track ‘Making Sand’, which is in Padraig’s view the most meaningful song on the album, as it is inspired by Padraig’s home island of Inis Mór in the Aran Islands. The island’s landscape is rugged and scattered with bronze age stone ring-forts, ancient monasteries and churches founded by saints. ‘Making Sand’ attempts to capture a sense of the awesome historical and cultural importance of the islands while acknowledging that despite all the history and current societal activity, the inhabitants of the Island are ‘just making sand out here’ and only passing through.
Padraig Jack (O Flaithearta) was born into a musical family from the Aran islands. His dad is the songwriter Barry Ronan and he is the nephew of the Irish poet and Aosdána member Mary O’Malley. A native of Inis Mór which has produced writers Liam O Flaithearta, Máirtín Ó Direáin and Breandán Ó hEithir, Padraig is proudly bilingual both as a conversationalist and a songwriter.
Padraig Jack’s songwriting heros include James Taylor, Van Morrison, Shane MacGowan, Sandy Denny, and Jimmy McCarthy. He seeks to develop his own songwriting style in the Irish language also and in this regard, takes inspiration from Enya, Kíla, John Spillane and Peadar Ó Riada.
Padraig’s lockdown was a lot more productive than most people could claim! He set up his own home music studio as well as negotiating a publishing deal with Beautiful World and Downtown Publishing whose roster includes Ryan Tedder, Joan Baez, Ray Davies and John Prine.
Padraig will be gigging in the coming months, both solo and as a guest with Damien Dempsey. For those who can’t travel to see him, Padraig will be celebrating the launch of his album with a livestream from his website on 11th October.
Track listing:
Let It Shine
Mathew
Streetbed Ridden
Making Sand
Minnie
Black Drapes
Hello Mum
Long Goodbye
Fighting Irish
Smaointe Cailte
See Padraig live: 1 Oct Workman’s Club, Dublin (solo concert) 03 Oct Asgard Theatre, Arklow, Co Wicklow (solo concert) 06 Oct Joe Watty’s, Cill Rónán, Co Galway (solo concert) 9 Oct Róisín Dubh, Galway (solo concert) 11 Oct Online Stream Event – Album Launch (tickets on www.padraigjack.com) 30 Oct Maritime, Bantry (with Damien Dempsey) 1 Nov The Venue, Ratoath (with Damien Dempsey) 14 Nov Judge Roy Beans, Newbridge (with Damien Dempsey) 20 Nov Crescent Concert Hall, Drogheda (with Damien Dempsey)
This week (14th – 20th September) is National Awareness Week for the Live Entertainment & Event Industry in Ireland.
Today, EPIC have released an open letter from the Live Events and Entertainment Sector with over 600 signatures from across the industry. The letter is accompanied by the video voiced by Stephen James Smith.
The letter is part of National Awareness Week for the Live Entertainment & Event Industry in Ireland and follows EPIC’s (Event Production Industry Covid19 Working Group) Pre-Budget Submission ( https://www.epicwg.com/ ) presented last Wednesday 16 September.
All week venues across the country have been lighting up red in support of National Awareness Week and EPIC’s Pre-Budget submission. Some of the venues taking part include 3Arena, RDS, Aviva Stadium, Croke Park, Bord Gais Energy Theatre, Gaiety Theatre, Olympia Theatre, Dolans, Roisin Dubh, INEC, Town Hall Theatre Galway amongst others around the country.
It is now 190 days since the Live Entertainment and Events Industry has been forced to close. The Non-Funded Event Industry supports over 35,000 jobs, contributes over €3.5 billion Euro to the economy and in excess of 3 million annual bed nights to the wider tourism sector. For the first time in the Event Industry history, employers, workers and freelancers from viable operations are unable to trade and to work. The commercial non-funded sector has never asked for support before but these are unprecedented times.
An Open Letter from the Live Events and Entertainment Sector
The unprecedented and ongoing Covid-19 global pandemic has been as great a disaster for Ireland’s entertainment and hospitality sectors as the 2007/2008 banking crisis was to its construction and financial services industries.
Across literally hundreds of theatres, venues, clubs, festivals and small/large-scale events, the domestic live events and entertainment industry employs in excess of 35,000 full and part-time workers. The vast majority of these highly skilled people haven’t had any employment since March 12th, 2020. Never in the long history of staging live performances and events on this island has there been such a sudden and total cessation of all work and activity.
We were the first industry to shut, and we will most likely be the last one to fully reopen. The non-funded Events Sector accounts for 90% of the five million tickets sold in Ireland each year, and directly contributes over €3.5billion to the national economy. It is estimated that for every euro spent on a ticket, an additional €6 is spent in the wider tourist economy (including more than three million hotel bed nights per annum).
We are unique in that we are the only sector completely closed under government mandate; as a result, through absolutely no fault of their own, live entertainment workers currently have little or no employment opportunities.
Up until now, we have been totally ignored and received virtually no government aid. As an impossibly bleak winter approaches, we and our dependents desperately require serious government support to survive. The workers at all levels of this vital sector have no prospects of earning a living in the foreseeable future, so the supports need to be appropriate and unprecedented in order to address the dire financial situation facing almost every single person and business. If government support doesn’t come then the curtains will close, joy will be lost, the music will fade, the parades will stop, the children’s giddy laughter at the panto will be no more, and the cherished memories created in muddy festival fields will be a thing of the distant past. The non-funded Live Events Sector faces decimation and at least a decade of recovery if not supported immediately with the following asks:
1 – Immediate reinstatement of the EWSS and PUP payment at €350 per week for the highly skilled staff and businesses of the sector until the sector (which is fully closed by government under public health advice) is allowed to return to work.
2 – Grant funding proportionate to what has been allocated to the Arts Council in 2020. The Live Events Sector accounts for 90% of all tickets sold in Ireland, and as such is a far greater employer and contributor to the national economy. We have received little or no grant funding before, but in these exceptional circumstances it is imperative that a scaffolding fund be made available to support the viable businesses of the sector until we can return to work.
3 – While this Task Force was announced by Minister Catherine Martin on the 10th of September, it is essential that the formation of the members gives due consideration to the Commercial Live Events Sector. This is the sector that manages the largest events in the country, has managed the Papal Visit, The Visit of Barack Obama and The Queen of The United Kingdom. The Commercial Live Events Sector are the experts, the best in class and should receive parity of voice with the state funded sector on the task force.
We are highly skilled professionals, we are essential businesses and services, we are musicians and artists, carpenters and creators, we are stagehands, technicians and experts, we are sounds, lights and visuals, we are tears, laughter and gasps of excitement. We are the Christmas panto, we are concerts, we are festivals, we are food fairs, we are parades, we are conferences, we are exhibitions, we are theatres, we are dance, we are national celebrations & state visits. We are the best nights of your lives.
We are the creative lifeblood of this country – and a vital part of its economy. We are the dynamic problem solvers who bring the magic to the most difficult of circumstances. Most importantly, we are contributors; we have always given back. In this unprecedented crisis, reluctantly for the first time we must ask: We need government support for our industry and we need it immediately.
Supported by:
A. Smyth, Aidan Greene, Ailbhe Reddy, Aimée, Áine Cahill, Alison Spittle, Andrea Corr, Andy Irvine, Aoife Dooley, Aoife Scott, Aslan, Barry Murphy, Bell X1, Billy Scurry, Bleeding Heart Pigeons, Booka Brass Band, Bronagh Gallagher, Chasing Abbey, Christy Moore, Clannad, Colin Murphy, Corrina Lynch, Cry Monster Cry, Daniel O’Donnell, Dara O Briain, Dave Kearney, David Keenan, Davina Devine, Declan O’Rourke, Delorentos, Des Bishop, Diffusion Lab, DJ Karen, Dublin Gospel Choir, EDEN, Elaine Mai , Emma Langford, Eric Lalor, Erica Cody, Eve Belle, Fia Moon, Fiachna O Braonain, Fontaines D.C., Frances Black, Fred Cooke, Gavin James, Gearóid Farrelly, Gemma Doherty, George Feely, Ghostboy, Happyalone, Hozier, Hudson Taylor, Jafaris, Jenny Greene, Jerry Fish, Joanne McNally, Joe Wall, John Gibbons, John Hughes, Just Mustard, JyellowL, Kelly-Anne Byrne, Kevin McGahern, Kodaline, Kojaque, Laoise, Lar Kaye, Leo Moran, Lisa Hannigan, Little Hours, Luka Bloom, Lyra, Malaki, Maria Doyle Kennedy, Mark McCabe, Mary Black, Mary Coughlan, Melodic Dublin, Mike Denver, Mike Scott (of The Waterboys), Mother DJs, Moya Brennan, Neil Delamere, Niamh Farrell, Noel Hogan (The Cranberries), Patrick Scahill, Patrick Sheehy, Paul Brady, Paul Ryder, Phil Bass, Picture This, PowPig, Róisín O, Rory O’Neill (Panti Bliss), RuthAnne, Sinéad O’Connor, Somebody’s Child, Sorcha Richardson, Soulé, Stephanie Rainey, Steve Wall, The Academic, The Blizzards, The Coronas, The Murder Capital, The Riptide Movement, Tommy Fleming, Tommy Tiernan, True Tides, U2, Wyvern Lingo, Ye Vagabonds
1000 Beasts (Cian Sweeney), Aeron, Aidan Thompson, Alex Gough, Allen Anderson, Annie Love, Aoise Butt, ASH / SNKY SESSIONS, Aviary Talent, Bill Mango, Brian Blackwell, Brian Crosby, Brian Masterson, Brian McCarthy, Bríd Lyons, Cailín, Cash X Mack, Cat Irvine, CdotM, Cerillo, Cheylene Murphy from “Beauty Sleep”, Chósta, Chris Coogan, Chris Kent, Christopher Hockey, Cian Fennelly, CMS, Colin Lyons, Colin Morley, COLLIE, Colm Doyle, Conor Brennan, Conor C, D. Cullen, Daisy Mckenzie, Dale Jameson, Dale Nolan, Daniel Healy, Daniel O’Brien, Danny Bichard, Danny Farrell, Darce (Ciarán Darcy), Dark Hallow 94, David O Neill, David P, Davina Devine, Decksta, Declan Mc Clafferty, Deirdre Molloy, Deirdre Young, Dick Fossilman, Dino Cafolla, Dj Dr.Flamer (Elementum V- Eclectrika ), DJ KONNECT, Donal Lucey, Eamonn Conway, Eddie Kay, Eden Isle, ELKIN, Ella Englishby, Elliot, Elliott Mo, Emily 7, Emma Doran, Emmo, Eoin Bailey, Erica Murphy, Faye O’Rourke, Faye Shortt, Fergal Henry, FÍACHRA, Fiachra O Mahony, Fintan McKahey, Fio Fa, Fionn Curran, FRUITZ, Full Funktion, FYNCH, Galactic Beat Club, Gareth Quinn Redmond, Garrett Yeates, Gav K, Gavin Fox, Gavin R. Gallagher, Gerald Ahern, GES, Ghostking is Dead, Glen, Glimmerman, Greyface, Havana Gudtime, Hayley Goldrick, Holly, House Hatcher, IainMoyles, Jack Cleary Fuinneamh, Jack Murphy, Jake Curran, Jake O’Driscoll “God Alone”, James Barber, James Casey, Jamie Carroll, Jamie Cooney, Jamie keane, JaXson, Jay Oglesby, Jenn Hession, Jessie O’Connell, John Fitzgerald, Jonathan Byrne, Jonathan Martin Smyth , Jordan Hearns, Josh Gray, Karl Guest, KAYCEE, Kevin Murtagh, Klye, Laura McCabe, Lee Currid, Lee Moore, Letterbox Kid, LPM, Luis Angel, Luke Reddy, Lydia Ford, M_Con, Marc McLaughlin, Marc-V, Marcus Woods, Mark Colbert, Mark O’Gorman Daly, Martin Angolo, Mary Tiernan, MATHESON, Matt Dundon, Melina Malone, Michael Chang, Michael O D, Mike Hanrahan, Mimi Lane, Mizza, Mode_1, MuRli, MYTH, NANCY Live, Nathan O’Brien, Nialler9, Niamh Brady, Nicholas Clarke, NIMF, Nnic, Noel Sutton, Oisín Egan, Orwells ‘84, Oscar, Owen, Owen Fogarty Pagan, Patterns, Paul Byrne, Paul Darcy, Paul G. Smyth, Paul Jarvis, Paul Ryder, Pauric O’ Meara, Peter, Peter Sweeney, Pierluigi Guarracino, Podge Collins, Pretty Happy, Ray Blackwell, Rebecca Cappuccini, Red Sun Alert, Reece Arrigan, Remedy, Rhythms Of Prescott, Rob de Boer, Rocco Music, Rónán Connolly, Rookie, Rory, Rory De Nógla, Rory McCranor, Royce Laroca, Ruth – Mother, Ryan Roe, Sam Greenwood, Samuel Powell, Saoirse Duane, Sarah Jane Goff, Sarah Lynch, Sarah-Beth O’Mullane, Seamus McDonnell, Sean McKeon, Shampain, Shane Clifford, Shane Daniel Byrne, Shannen Blessing, Shauna McMahon, Shay Whelan, Shiv, Sinéad Wylde, RTÉ lyric fm, SLKTA, Sonny Condell, Sons Of Charlie, SPRINTS, Stephen Dowling, Stephen Lawless, Stephen Mullan, Steve Bennett, Stuart Cremin, The Flavours, Theodora Byrne, Tom Collins, Tony Cantwell, TOYGIRL TV People, Two Many Spoons, Veda Lady, Vibez Emotion, Viv Quinn, Why-Axis, Will Boyle, Yasmin Gardezi, Yurtis Mayfield, Zach Ahern.
115 Cafe & Live Acoustic Venue, 3Arena Dublin, Aiken Promotions, Bedlam Events, Best In Fest, Bingo Loco, Brian Spollen, Caroline Downey, Cyprus Avenue, Declan Forde – Selective Memory, Denis Desmond, Dolans presents, Electric Picnic, Festival Republic, Forever Young, Indiependence, Labyrinth Events, Lantern Presents, Life Festival, MCD Productions, Melvin Benn, Old Oak, Resolution, Sea Sessions, Singular Artists, The Gaiety Theatre, The Grand Social, The Olympia Theatre, Tony Brereton, Una Molloy, Vicar St., Will Rolfe POD Concerts, Winthrop Avenue.
Kim O’Callaghan, Liam Fitzgerald, Michael Young, Murt Whelan, Pearse Doherty, Shane Dunne, Sophie Ridley, Tony Killeen, Association of Irish Festivals & Events (AOIFE), Association of Irish Stage Technicians (AIST), Entertainers Ireland Stand Together (Éist), Event Industry Alliance (EIA), Event Industry Association of Ireland (EIAI), Event Industry Ireland (EII), Event Production, Industry Covid Working Group (EPIC), Irish Inflatables Hirers Federation, Irish Showmans Guild (ISG), Music & Entertainers Association of Ireland (MEAI), Universal Music Ireland, Victor Finn IMRO, Keith Johnson (Irish Music Rights Organisation, IMRO), Pat Creed Warner Music Ireland, Wide Awake Communications.
360 Events, Aaron Kennedy, Acoustik Productions, Adrian Leake, Aidan Keyes, Alan McEvoy, Alan Thornton CAVS, Amir Carmel, Andrea Keogh, Andrew Farrell Freelance A/V Engineer, Andrew Leonard, Andy Smyth, Ange Goliger, Anna Brizay, Anne Kyle, Anne Marie Bowden, Anthony Ferris, Approved Productions, Ashlee Dickinson Ten Feet Tall, Atlantic Audio Ltd, AV Star Systems Ltd., Ballet Ireland, Barry O’Donoghue, Barry Walshe, Beechpark Studios, Bernie Cahill The Sound&Lighting Company, Blackdog music, Blue Moose, Brendan Galvin, Brendan McLoughlin, Brian Barnes, Brian Kelly, Brian Sinnott, Brian Treacy, Buzz O’Neill Maxwell, Caiar Loughney, Caroline Duke, Cathy O’Carroll, Cian McCormack, Ciara Nolan, Ciaran Conroy – Paragon Records, Ciaran Tallon, CIRCUS VEGAS, Clara Sound, Clive Welsh, COH Productions, Colin Hoye, Colm McCabe Promotions & Events, Conor Adams, CS Promotions, CWB, Dan Oggly – Friction PR, Dani Morris, Darren Clarke, Darren Holden, Dave O’Beirne, David Bolger, David Cassidy, David Curley, David ‘Spud’ Murphy, Davin Browne, Deirdra Carroll, Dermot Magennis, Des Mahon Sound, Dickon Whitehead, DMcD, Donna Leonard, Duchess Iredale, Eamonn Fox, Éanna Whelan, Ed Kenehan, Eddie McCourt, Elaine O’Donoghue, Emma Hartfiel, Emma Nicole, Emma Synnott, Eoin Kilkenny, Eoin McCartan, Eric McCarthy Catered Ltd, Event lighting Solutions, Event power, Event Power Ltd., Eventi Management, Fearga O Doherty Stage & Production Manager, Fin O’Leary, Finbar Wright, Finnolan Events, Fiona Brazil, Florin Florea, Fran Hogan Catapult, Garry Gold, Gemma Murray, Gerard Kilkenny, Gerry Brady, gr8 Events Online Ticketing, Grzegorz Rzucidlo, Gwen Bolger, Harley Cummins, Heather Troy-Whelan, Ian Jaco bs, Ian O’Donoghue, Idle hands, Impact Promotions Ireland, Irene Gaia Turina, Irish Rigging Services, J C Campbell, Jack Cleary Fuinneamh, Jack Price, Jack Restan Displays, Jake Ryan, James Jim Fox, Jennifer Quinn, Joe Dougan, Joe Furlong, John Ryan, John Johnston, Jonie Conaty, Karl Casey, Kavanagh’s Bar & Venue, Portlaoise, Kedelec exhibition services ltd , Keith Doyle K9 Detection Services Ireland, Keith Killen, Ken Bolger, Kieran Somers, Kirstin Cunningham KMS Audio & Communications Ltd., Laura Murphy, Lee Moore, Leo McKenna, Leslie McDonogh, Liam FitzGerald, Liane McCarthy Nolan, Lisa Casey, Louise Loughney, Luke Murphy, Madeleine Nesbitt, Madeleine Seiler – The Headline Agency, Margaret O’Regan Event Plan, Marie-Therese Byrne, Mark Galione – Lighting Designer, High Res, Mary Bolger Hinds, Mary Cullen – Irish Rigging Services, Mary Kilduff, Mary Sexton, Masonry PR, Matthew Fox, McDonald AV Ltd, Michael Chang, Michael Wall, Mike McGrath, Mission PR, Morgan Cooke, Muirne Bloomer, Murt Whelan Sound Ltd., Neil Dolan, Niall Mullan, Niall O’Riordan, Niamh Lunny, Noel McHale, Noel Whelan, Noelle Fox – The Olympia Theatre, Nolan Sound & Lighting, Nomadic Productions Ltd., Paddy Freeney, Padraic Boran, Pascal Fischer – Avcom, Pascale Miller, Patrick Trautt, Paul ‘Flex’ Browne, Paul Byrne, Paul Soul Entertainment, Paul Watchorn, Pedro Martins, PERFORM, Peter Jordan, Slua Event Safety, Peter O’Sullivan – Word of Mouth Agency, Philip Alexander, Philip Lawlor, Pip Walsh, Pitched Perfect, Profile Events Ltd., PSI – Production Services Ireland, RayRazor O’Donoghue, RedHouse Productions, RedKen Sound, Remedy, Rhythms Of Prescott, Richard “Lippy” Collins, Richard Tierney, Ríonagh McNamara, Rob Mather Brooklawn Audio, Robert Butler, Robert Smith Events, Ronan Coleman, Ronan Conroy, Roz Long, Ryan Roe, Safents Consulting Ltd, Sandra Murphy, Sarah Jane Shiels Lighting Designer, Sean Harrold, Sequence Events, Session Music Dublin, Shane Murphy, Sheevawn Musical Youth Theatre, Sheil Entertainment Agency, ShowScope Ltd., Simon O’Gorman, Sound to Light Ltd., SoundSound, Stage Lighting Centre, Stephen Curran, Steven Douglas, Streetwise Wedding Band Galway, Stuart Anderson, Stuart Mc Keown, TF Productions Ltd., The Art Room, Therese Maher, Tom O’Connot, Tomás FitzGerald, Tony Burford, Tony Murphy – Avcom, TrenchTown EP, Val Sherlock, WeArePlatinum, Will Boyle, William Ryan, William Softly
Ireland Music Week is delighted to announce the Artist Showcase schedule along with the Conference schedule for next month’s online event.
The artist showcases, filmed at Lost Lane, will take place online at www.irelandmusicweek.com on Tuesday 6th, Wednesday 7th and Thursday 8th across three stages from 8pm each night.
The showcase stages will feature a varied and diverse line-up allowing viewers to catch lots of different performances each night.
“Ireland Music Week has been a crucial moment in the global music industry calendar for 18 years and has been a catalyst event for so many now successful Irish artists. In this challenging time for the artists, our sector and the Irish music industry ecosystem and audiences of live vibrant new music, we hope the week of talks, workshops and gigs will bring some normality to these times. We can’t wait for music fans and professionals in Ireland and beyond to spend an hour a night discovering and supporting the soundtrack to Ireland’s future.” – Anglea Dorgan
Introductions to publishing, management, labels, international touring and showcasing, A&R. Live pitch sync session, gender balance discussion, diversity discussion and much more. AIM Ireland will also officially launch during the event. Further details coming next week. All conversations will take place in the context of the impact that the current pandemic is having on the industry, particularly in the live sector.
Catapult will produce the online conference via the hosting platform Hopin, and the festival is delighted to have a world leader in virtual and streamed events, an Irish company, involved.
Tickets are priced at €50 (full pass), €25 Conference / Showcase pass, €10 daily / nightly pass, and student also discounts available via:
For artists of all levels, the online conference at the festival will provide a chance to learn, develop and create new opportunities with agents, labels, bookers, music supervisors and services from all over the world.
The legend that is Phil Coulter will be live streaming a new show called ‘Up Close and Personal with Phil Coulter’, featuring special guests George Hutton and Geraldine Branagan. This concert is going to be really special, one for the history books.
Thurs. 1st Oct. 2020 – VENUE THEATRE, Ratoath – Special ‘Up Close And Personal With Phil Coulter’ concert with limited tickets keeping in line with Covid-19 regulations.
Fri. 2nd Oct. 2020 – VENUE THEATRE, Ratoath – Special ‘Up Close And Personal with Phil Coulter’ concert with limited tickets keeping in line with Covid-19 regulations.
Sat. 3rd Oct. 2020 – VENUE THEATRE, Ratoath – Special ‘Up Close And Personal with Phil Coulter’ concert with limited tickets keeping in line with Covid-19 regulations.
Sat. 3rd Oct. 2020 – LIVE STREAM CONCERT from The Venue, Ratoath
Phil Coulter celebrates 55 years of music this year.
From winning the Eurovision Song Contest with ‘Puppet On a String’ through scores of pop hits with the likes of The Bay City Rollers to big ballads like Elvis Presley’s ‘My Boy’, to the Rugby anthem ‘Ireland’s Call’, Phil Coulter’s songs have consistently hit the mark. Few songwriters can claim to have had songs covered by artistes ranging from The Dubliners to James Last, from Waylon Jennings to James Galway!
It’s now over thirty years since the distinctive sound of ‘Tranquility’, featuring Phil’s piano and orchestra, first seduced the whole of Ireland with its easy melodic charm, before going on to make believers around the world. With record sales now counted in millions, as well as a GRAMMY nomination, several appearances in the White House and sold out international tours, it’s been quite a ride.
Up in that Pantheon inhabited by the biggest selling recording artistes of all time in Ireland, rubbing shoulders with Bono and the Boys, you might be surprised to bump into Phil Coulter. You shouldn’t be!
Phil Coulter is without doubt one of the enduring talents in the music business, having enjoyed success and notched up hits in the 60’s, 70’s 80’s and 90’s with a tally of 23 platinum, 39 gold and 52 silver discs. Phil Coulter has contributed at least four titles to the list of Great Irish Songs – the anthems ‘The Town I Loved So Well’, ‘Ireland’s Call’ and the haunting ‘Scorn Not His Simplicity’ and ‘Steal Away’. He was very honoured to receive the Legend of Derry award in June of this year as part of Foyle Legends of Derry.
He has achieved world-wide recognition as a hit songwriter, notching up chart entries with a diverse list of acts from Elvis Presley to Waylon Jennings, from Bobby Vinton to The Bay City Rollers. His production credits include Van Morrison, Sinead O’Connor, Elvis Costello and Richard Harris while in Ireland his successes have ranged from the Dubliners to Planxty, from Paddy Reilly to the Furey Brothers.
Over the years Phil Coulter has won countless awards including:
*23 Platinum Discs, *39 Gold Discs, *52 Silver Discs *Grand Prix d’Eurovision (2) *Ivor Novello Awards (5) (including Songwriter of the Year) *ASCAP Awards (3) *GRAMMY Nomination *Meteor Award Lifetime Achievement Award *National Entertainment Award *Rose d’or d’Antibes
He has performed with everyone from James Galway and the London Symphony Orchestra to Nanci Griffith and The Blue Moon Orchestra, not to mention Henry Mancini, Elmer Bernstein and Quincy Jones!
He has brought all of that musical experience and his boundless enthusiasm to help create another phenomenon, Celtic Thunder. His well honed craft as a songwriter, coupled with his command of orchestral textures and an unerring ear for a great song, combine to make this show a treat for the ears. His musical edge, his versatility and his commercial nose have combined to produce a track record that is as impressive in its range as in its longevity. One of his earliest songwriting successes ‘Congratulations’ has become one of the most performed songs in the world in the last thirty years.
As a producer Phil has worked with some of the real legends in the business. He is a long time collaborator with Van Morrison and on the album ‘No Prima Donna’ worked with the likes of Elvis Costello, Lisa Stansfield and Marianne Faithfull. His work on Sinead O’ Connor’s ‘Universal Mother’ won him a nomination as Producer of the Year.
His recent work in the field of instrumental and classical crossover has brought him a legion of new fans and sustained critical acclaim. Two collaborations with James Galway, ‘Legends’ and ‘Winter Crossing’ spent more than a year in the Billboard New Age chart and led to sell out concert tours in the United States and performances at the White House and the Nobel Peace Awards.
His album ‘Highland Cathedral’ was nominated in 2001 for a GRAMMY as Best New Age Album, and in February of 2002, to mark his 60th birthday, he was honoured with a 90 minute B.B.C. Television Special which aired on P.B.S in the USA later that year. Amongst those paying tribute on the night were former President Bill Clinton.
Pillow Queens are delighted to announce two Irish shows next year to celebrate their debut album ‘In Waiting’ which is due out 25th September 2020. They will perform at The Button Factory Dublin, Friday, 26th February 2021 and Ulster Sports Club, Belfast, Thursday 11th March 2021. Tickets will go on sale tomorrow at 10 AM.
When Pillow Queens announced themselves in late 2019 with the soaring single ‘Brothers’, their bruising interpretation of mourning for a lost loved one immediately caught widespread attention. Channelling wrought emotion through a sea of 90s grunge and indie-rock sounds, the Irish four-piece (from Dublin, Wicklow and Kildare) forge a powerful noise that is all their own – but meant for everyone. Pillow Queens offer a cathartic experience filled with camaraderie and solidarity.
Fresh on the scene and hotly tipped for big things, 22 year old pop rap artist Bobbi Arlo is most definitely an artist to keep tabs on. Since the release of her debut radio smash ‘Berries’ back in November 2019, her star is most definitely on the rise. Arlo’s mellow almost hypnotic sounding voice paired with her infectiously catchy lyrics and beats make for a pairing even the sourest of people could love. Her music is nothing short of feel good, feel deeply.
Bobbi Arlo releases her brand new single ‘Signs’ today
‘Signs’ is a song written about a fast fling relationship built on loneliness and a yearning for companionship. A journey through the excitement of a new dangerous love affair. All the time craving the end goal of love and that person’s heart, while ignoring the warning signs along the way. When that coin finally flips and self-worth becomes dominant, the ideals of the relationship that ended so quickly and the heart that escaped still lingers through your thoughts and so drives a fire to fight for the person you love.
Speaking about the song Bobbi Arlo says: “I’m so excited to release ‘Signs’. It’s a completely new sound for me which is exciting because I have no idea how it’s going to be received. I hope it doesn’t disappoint”.
‘Signs’ the brand new single from Bobbi Arlo, is set for release across all streaming platforms and digital formats today, 17 September 2020.
‘Shamone’, released 25th September, is the first official single from The Dagenham Yanks’ debut album ‘Trance-Substantiation’. The vinyl album was launched at a sell-out gig in The Kino Cork on 14th August. The band have secured airplay on previous singles from Cork’s 96FM, Red FM, Dundalk FM and Dublin City FM.
“‘Trance-substantiation’ is an absolute gem of an album. A refreshing piece of intelligent indie rock. A collection of genius songs performed to the very highest level. Mod and punk attitude, surrealism, glitz and soaring vocals. A thinking person’s bop.” Cork Independent
‘Shamone’ transports the aesthetics of the 1920’s and 30’s into a modern nightclub on any given Saturday night. It is also about a bloke who falls in love with a girl with an annoying voice. The song has instant appeal and has already become a cult classic at the band’s gigs.
The Dagenham Yanks are a 6-piece band from Cork, Ireland. Lead singer and songwriter Mark O’Sullivan strives is to write well-crafted danceable songs that are cerebral and joyously melodic, even while dealing with darker themes. Mark’s intelligent lyrics and biting social commentary, alongside his two exuberant female backing singers, have seen The Dagenham Yanks described as “a musical stew of Talking Heads, XTC, The B52s and Eurythmics while making you feel like you are tasting a new musical culinary experience.”
The album, originally available on vinyl only, is stocked in the following record stores: Golden Discs (Dundrum and Cork), Tower Records, Spindizzy Records, Freebird Records, Musiczone and Bunker Vinyl Records.
The Wild Duck presents Raimonda Swing & Jazz Trio on Thursday October 8th @ 8.00pm.
Raimonda’s musical education began at the age of 9 when a performance in school caught the attention of a musical director and was quickly awarded scholarships to attend music school full time. Soon after she was referred to National Mykolas Konstantinas Čiurlionis Gymnasium of Arts (Vilnius) where she received operatic singing classes and was trained as Coloratura Soprano singer as well as receiving tuition in piano, choir conducting and music theory. During this time Raimonda travelled all over Lithuania, Russia and Sweden for music competitions. At age 16 she was encouraged to explore jazz and attended Vilnius Juozas Tallat-Kelpša Jazz Conservatoire where she studied vocal jazz, continued piano lessons, joined gospel choir as well as a vocal acapella jazz group. Raimonda was launched into the spotlight of show business at the age of 18 when she became a celebrity after appearing on a music reality TV Show reaching an audience of millions in eastern & northern Europe.
By this time Raimonda had already honed her skills through college performing with many top European jazz musicians traveling to Latvia, Russia and Estonia she won numerous awards for her vocal performances. She spent time collaborating with international musicians and artists on a popular documentary film series covering the day to day life of a music movement in Berlin. Raimonda was one of the founding members and lead singer of a highly successful jazz rock group called Black Coffee performing original arrangements and touring. This led to Raimonda writing and performing “singing poetry” in Lithuania for televised concerts. Soon after Raimonda joined the first Lithuanian Gospel Choir where she became a soloist and later performed in the Eurovision Song Contest. Raimonda decided to broaden her musical and cultural horizons in Stockholm where she studied with 12-time Grammy award winning Gospel Choir Director Kirk Franklin’s students for a year.
Raimonda came to Ireland in 2010 for a few months to visit her sister and receive a qualification in Music Business Management and quickly realised Ireland was an extremely musical country. Although she didn’t intend on staying, she decided to make a change and things developed very quickly for her musically. She joined the Dublin Gospel Choir and started working with some of Ireland’s leading musicians. In 2017 Raimonda brought the Dublin Gospel Choir to Lithuania to perform in Klaipeda Castle Jazz Festival which was covered by major media in the Baltic States. During the festival she shared the stage with such greats as Earth, Wind & Fire, Maceo Parker, Cindy Crawford, Marilyn Mazur, Tower of Power to name a few. She has performed on The Late Late Show with Damian Rice, as well as OutKast and festivals such as Body and Soul Festival, Howth Jazz & Blues Festival & Electric Picnic where she performed alongside acts like The Wailers. Raimonda also performed on TG4 and RTÉ with Mundy and Nathan Carter.
Pádraigín Ní Uallacháin has just shared her latest release ‘Beannú’.
“‘Beannú’ is the act of blessing or salutation, and this newly composed song is a form of appeasement or incantation to nineteen, mainly forgotten deities and mythological goddesses, of pre-Christian Ireland. In Ireland, rivers, mountains, waves, streams, wells, and sacred sites are named after them, and indeed Ireland is named from Ériú, Fódhla and Banba; festivals and rituals, wars and seasonal feasts were once celebrated in their name and great offerings were made in their honour. Some of them were later Christianised, such as Brigid, the great mother goddess of them all. That I should invoke 19 female deities during the 2020 pandemic of Covid19, is purely coincidental!!” Pádraigín Ní Uallacháin.
