Month: October 2020

Ahead of the release of his solo album, Micheál Quinn (Drummer for Dermot Kennedy, Meltybrains?, Enemies) releases ‘Sights/New Bliss’. The tracks (‘Sights’ and ‘New Bliss’) are the opening tracks from the album, and give an introduction to the direction the album will take.

‘Sights’ was written & recorded in a single night, in 2011. It was recorded without any proper recording equipment, just a laptop and the microphone on the laptop. Nothing has been re-recorded since the original piece. This made for the perfect first track on both the EP and the album. A time capsule that invites the listener inside the early developing musical mind of Micheál Quinn.

‘New Bliss’ was written and recorded 4 or 5 years after ‘Sights’. It was the first electronic piece written by Micheál. Again, it was recorded using a very minimal set up, but this track has slowly grown over a few years. Micheál’s approach to the music involves a lot of time away from it, (due to the demands of being a drummer) followed by dense concentrated periods of working on the music. Little details are changed, added and taken away over the course of a few years. There has been no rush with the music. A Caribou-esque track, this is the second track on both the EP & album and serves as a taster of the electronic palette of the album.

The ethos of the music has been to make music Micheál wanted to hear himself. So each track is an insight into both Micheál’s musical expression, but also musical taste. He wanted to create music that he would be happy to put on and listen to.

The writing of ‘Colours’ spans across about 10 years, and has become a kind of diary, musically speaking. ‘Colours’ is melody driven, sitting on top of intricate electronic drums, mixing acoustic instruments with electronic instruments, to evolve from simple beginnings, to lush, densely packed arrangements. Thematically, it wanders through areas of love and loss, tension and release, and wondering what it means to be a human.

Outside of the music, the artwork is somewhat a concept piece. The album itself is called ‘Colours’. Micheál is colourblind, however he sees, or feels, colours or light while listening to music. Each song has its own individual piece of art, which are an attempt to portray the feelings of colour from each song. The cover art was an attempt to reflect the general feeling of the album. Each piece of art were originally paintings done by Micheál between 2011 and 2015. They have then been then played with in photoshop to manipulate them and create more digital pieces of art. This is an attempt to reflect the nature of the music. Taking organic elements, and then manipulating them in a computer.

‘Sights/New Bliss’ is available on CD and download on Bandcamp now: https://michealquinn.bandcamp.com/album/sights-new-bliss
Follow Micheál on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mquinn211
https://www.michealquinn.com

Acclaimed Irish artist, Ross Breen, returns with a soulful new direction on his latest cut, ‘Some Other Time, Maybe’. Written during a period of isolation in the west of Ireland, the track was recorded on a summery day at producer Gavin Glass’ Orphan Studios in Co. Wexford.

Previous singles released include ‘Heather In December’ (Dec 2019), which was supported by RTÉ Radio 1, Radio Nova and RTÉ 2FM, and ‘Idyllic Valley’ (performed on RTÉ1 television’s The Saturday Night Show, top 30 chart placement, no.1 on iTunes Rock Charts).

Ross was awarded the title of Ireland’s Best Unsigned Singer-Songwriter by Newstalk’s The Tom Dunne Show, with his song ‘Monet’ singled out for extensive airplay from over a thousand submissions.

Ross has consistently impressed on the live stage, earning countless invitations as a special guest with Midlake, Bell X1, Sinead O’Connor, Declan O’Rourke, Damien Dempsey and Oscar-winner Glen Hansard while building a following performing with his band at a number of Ireland’s premier festivals, including Electric Picnic, Body & Soul, Indiependence, Knockanstockan, Vantastival and Hard Working Class Heroes.

‘Some Other Time, Maybe’ has a dreamy feel, with the band referencing artists like Serge Gainsbourg, Air, Father John Misty, John Grant and Villagers during the recording process. Ostensibly an ode to idealistic love and great music (the lyrics contain deferential nods towards Leonard Cohen, George Jones, Patsy Cline and Bob Dylan), ‘Some Other Time, Maybe’ is left musically and lyrically open-ended, echoing the current social landscape of our times.

Producer Gavin Glass (Paul Brady, Villagers, Lisa Hannigan, Hot Sprockets, The Minutes) adds: “I’ve been a huge fan of Ross for a long time and I’ve wanted to work with him in the studio for ages. On ‘Some Other Time, Maybe’, I tried to create an environment around the song that would allow the lyric and vocal to just float. I think he and the band really knocked it out of the park on this performance. It’s a Ross Breen people haven’t heard before. Really proud to be involved with this one.”

Ross is excited about fans hearing his new sound, evident on ‘Some Other Time, Maybe’: “The song and the studio recording came together very easily. The musicians were all relaxed on the day, playing naturally and without inhibition. When the mood is right, the session becomes a real joy and it meant we could achieve the tone we set out for, ending up with something very evocative and atmospheric. I’m really proud of this one and looking forward to seeing how people react to it now.“

Subscribers to Ross’ mailing list will receive a free download link to the track ahead of its release via all major streaming sites at 8 p.m. on 14th October – sign up now via www.rossbreen.com

Website: www.rossbreen.com
Facebook: @rossbreenmusic
Instagram: @rossbreenmusic
Twitter: @rossbreenmusic

Some Other Time, Maybe hyperlink (Pre-Save on your preferred platform):

https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/rossbreen/some-other-time-maybe

Dublin band THEE U.F.O. return with a new album ‘Light Boat Drones’ which is due for official release on October 31st on Limited Edition coloured cassette, available in both black and white editions. Each cassette will be individually numbered, and will be released on the band’s own record label Gelatinous Records. The album will also be available to download, and is available from gelatinousrecords.bandcamp.com.

‘Floating Eye’ will also be the lead single taken from the album, and will be available exclusively at gelatinousrecords.bandcamp.com until the album’s full release.

Recorded at Hansard’s home studio in Dublin on a recently purchased Tascam tape machine, after his dislike for the initial attempts at recording the songs digitally were abandoned. Hansard played all the instruments on the album, and was accompanied by his partner Beth Doyle on vocals. 

“This was my third attempt at recording the album, I had tried it on Software and didn’t like it, Tried it on a digital Hardware recorder and didn’t like it. Finally I recorded it on a Tascam 424 I picked up for €250. Even though this was the third time recording the album, only two of the songs made it the whole way, Not ‘cause they’re better or anything, some songs didn’t fit the overall sound of the album (I was bored of some too). I really like simple childish songs, Like a lot of Syd Barrett’s solo stuff and Tyrannosaurus Rex stuff. That’s the mindset that the tunes come from, and most of our songs really” – Darragh Hansard.

THEE U.F.O are a Psychedelic Garage band, formed in Dublin and fronted by songwriter Darragh Hansard. Inspired by the music of bands like the Oh Sees, King Gizzard, The Doors and The West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band and Setting up a small studio at home, Hansard began recording his own songs while playing all the instruments himself during the recording process.

Releasing the results in the form of numerous EP’S and singles, while eventually adding new musicians to the line-up to play these
songs live. Which, in 2018 saw them evolve into a noise mongering live act who’s shows consist of long jams and “catchy tunes” reminiscent of a classic 60s sound. Playing shows in popular venues across Dublin city like The Sound House, Thomas House, ANSEO, Whelan’s and many more throughout 2018 and 2019. The band released their debut album in May of 2020, ‘The Singles Collection – Vol 1’ which consisted of all their singles up to that point. 

Following a string of impressive singles ‘Let Me In’ and ‘Don’t Let Go’ that firmly announced the rising star in 2020, Afro-Irish songstress Tolü Makay unveils her much-anticipated debut EP ‘Being’, Friday 9th October 2020 via the Berlin based label Welcome to the New World.

Having used her music for many years as a medium to speak her truth, ‘Being’ hallmarks a significant chapter for Tolü. Presenting her deepest thoughts succinctly in 7 tracks, she drives home the importance of self-love, self-assurance and self-confidence, using her own experiences as a backdrop to this musical journey.

There are elements of Frank Ocean, Lianne La Havas and the queen of self-assurance Beyonce Knowles that are scattered through the EP. With influences ranging from Soul to R&B and Pop, Tolü demonstrates her pedigree as a well-versed artist; ushering the dawn and awakening inquisitiveness with the ethereal opener ‘Hello Are You Awake’, she details an emotional transition from fear to hope with the soulful opulent masterstroke of ‘Don’t Let Go’.

Through the acoustic swing of ‘Me Myself And I’ and its Jazzy counterpart ‘Wild Thing’, the EP shares life lessons that challenge the status quo, concluding aptly on the soaring anthem ‘You Are Enough’. Purposeful songwriting meets authentically soulful vocals and a confident delivery that puts Tolü Makay shoulder to shoulder with her contemporaries.

Sharing her thoughts on the project, Tolu mentioned: “’Being’ means ‘essence’, one’s entity. I chose it as the title of the project because it captures my journey to self-discovery. This journey to knowing who you are was vital in order to grow and attain a greater sense of self. My love for psychology and advocacy for mental health is what truly influences why I question the mind, myself and ways to live. This translates into how I write about my experiences.”

Tolu adds: “My hope with this project is that it helps anyone who is lacking self-love or going through a transition to better themselves and need the encouragement from within. Because it’s a long but rewarding journey.”

The Nigerian-born songstress has continued to blossom since emerging with her 2018 single ‘Goodbye’ – now with over 800k streams on Spotify alone. A seasoned vocalist with influences that span the likes of Erykah Badu and Nina Simone to Amy Winehouse and Asa, Tolü’s trajectory into music seemed already pre-destined.

With every release, she continues to get more support, with ‘Don’t Let Go’ reaching #1 on Ireland’s RTE Radio 1’s airplay charts and ‘You Are Enough’ spotlighted by BBC’s Across The Line as ‘The Best Song In The World’ and RTE 2FM’s Tracks of The Week.

Tolü shows no sign of slowing down and now as she finally delivers her debut project, ‘Being’ serves a beautiful milestone in what will be long and fruitful career ahead so be sure to keep your eyes and ears open as she ascends to greater heights.

Stream/buy the EP here: https://cdbaby.lnk.to/BeingTM

Spotify – Tolü Makay
Instagram – Tolü Makay
Facebook – Tolü Makay
YouTube – Tolü Makay

Eve Belle proudly presents her brand new single ‘Bluff’ and names the day for the release of her long-awaited first album, entitled ‘In Between Moments’.

‘Bluff’ is a writing collaboration between Eve and Christy Leech of Irish electro-pop duo Le Boom, and was produced in Dublin with Fiachra Kinder on desk duties. Says Eve about ‘Bluff’: 

“This song is about the frustration of wanting someone and trying not to lose face by putting all of your cards on the table (but if you’re honest with yourself, you already have!) It’s about that extremely flexible logic you develop when you really, really like someone, that ‘if they don’t text back within half an hour I’m done with them. Ok, I’ll send another text to make sure they got the last text and then if they don’t reply to that one, it’s DEFINITELY over’ moment.”

She adds: “You spend your time bluffing that you don’t care – to the person you like and to yourself – but let’s be honest here, you’re not fooling anyone. This is a song about the emotional agony all that entails.”

‘Bluff’ is the follow-up to ‘Begging For Rain’, which was Eve Belle’s most successful single release to date, enjoying excellent Irish airplay and streaming playlist support. Both songs, plus eight more unassailable sad-bops, are to be found on Eve’s debut album – ‘In Between Moments’ – which is released on Friday 23rd October.

Eve: “This is a collection of songs that have built up over the last few years and really paint a portrait of different experiences I went through over that timeframe. Learning and growing over the last few years, I’ve found myself wishing my time away occasionally, always waiting for the next dramatic thing, waiting for the next landmark of my life. But I’ve learned to take solace in the in-between moments, where I rely on myself, and I feel that these songs represent that transition.”

The album was mostly recorded in London with long-time collaborator Fred Cox, best-known for his work with Rag’n’Bone Man, Grace Carter and Lily Moore; with additional recording done in Dublin during lockdown.

Back to Eve: “From songs about heartache and longing, to songs about fighting for my place in the world, then songs about using my voice with integrity and not shying away from the difficult things in life, this album covers a range of lessons that I’ve learned as a young person. The solace that I found between the moments that inspired these songs is what offered me the clarity to write them, and to learn from them.”

‘Bluff’ is released today. ‘In Between Moments’ is released on Friday 23rd October by Rubyworks.

2020 Started off with a bang for Dean Gurrie as he got to play a sold out show alongside Ryan Sheridan at the world renowned Whelan’s in Dublin. After building a steady fan base in Italy he returned for a second tour in early 2020.

But, like everyone else, Dean got caught up in the whole mainstream news covering the Covid-19 pandemic.

In March of this year during Lock Down Dean sat down to write and record his brand new single ‘Sunrise’.

One early morning whilst going for a surf at his local beach at sunrise the whole idea for the song came together.

On one hand you have the stress and anxiety of our current world situation which is very real and something we all have to deal with but on the other hand we have all had to slow right down and recalibrate which I don’t think is such a bad thing.

“I haven’t seen skies this clear and weather this good since my childhood summer holidays.”

Also that quality time that I got to spend with our kids was invaluable and memories certainly made.

The meaning and message of the song is certainly in the title!

I wanted to write a song with a positive message. A message or even a promise that we will all come through this and be all the better for it.

“I know we’ll get through somehow, Like the stars above the clouds

We will dance and sing aloud, I can see.

Open arms and dreams to share, turn around and I’ll be there

I will be there….”

After writing the song on acoustic guitar, Dean wanted to give it a more pop, mainstream feel.

Dean first crossed paths with world renowned producer Billy Farrell in early 2019 whilst opening for one of his artists  in Whelan’s.

They kept in touch and Dean always knew Billy was the man for the job!

“We had so much craic recording the song remotely from my studio. It was an absolute blast and I learned so much from Billy. He is an absolute gentleman and a true professional who goes above and beyond to make it all happen.“

Dean’s debut album ‘The Calling’ has been played on radio stations up and down the country including Radio Nova, Dublin City FM, KCLR. His first single ‘Boy’ got Single of the Week on both Highland Radio and Ocean FM. 

He has also shared the stage with some of his biggest influences including Wallis Bird, Steve Wickham to name but a few.

The success of ‘The Calling’ also secured him mainstage slots at festivals including Sea Sessions, Live on Air, and also headliner at Sligo Lives Acoustic Stage.

Formed in 2019, Gorgeous Wrecks are a musical duo hailing from Galway and Dublin, in Ireland. 

Inspired by acts such as The Notwist and New Order, the band’s mix of rock, electronica and synth pop has also seen them compared to The Blue Nile and The Jesus and Mary Chain amongst others.

You Carve Your Name is the first single from Gorgeous Wrecks’ debut album ‘Gentle Art of Persuasion; which will see its release in early 2021. The band is currently wrapping up their first video and hope to be on the road next year. 

A new video has been released today for the song ‘Brigid’s Land’ by Kildare singer-songwriter Col Patterson with all sales going to Teach Tearmainn domestic violence and abuse support service.

The video has been produced by Monster Heaven productions and stars Kildare actress and producer Claire Blennerhassett.

Claire Blennerhassett talked about the video

“This video is about renewal, trusting yourself…It’s about letting go!

It’s about having faith, finding your joy & rekindling a sense of wonder in the world.”

All sales go to Teach Tearmainn.

Teach Tearmainn is the only specialised domestic violence and abuse support service in Co. Kildare. Teach Tearmainn provide free and confidential support services, including refuge accommodation to women and children who are experiencing domestic violence and abuse.

If you or someone you know needs support or information please contact Teach Tearmainn’s Helpline on 045-527584 or visit their website www.teachtearmainn.ie 

Teach Tearmainn is open 24 hours per day, 7 days a week.

Brigid’s Land is available on iTunes, Spotify and all digital platforms as well as Bandcamp.