Month: November 2020

The human voice and the fiddle are often thought of as musical cousins. ‘Solas an Lae’, the debut album recently shared by Eoghan Ó Ceannabháin and Ultan O’Brien, is a compelling exploration of that relationship, creating a unique dialogue that blends raw, rugged earth with the ethereal otherworld.

In celebration of their album launch, Eoghan and Ultan decided upon creating a digital Folk Opera as opposed to a live stream concert, in order to convey the ideas behind ‘Solas an Lae’, and to include some of the collaborators on this album – namely visual artist and musician Ruth Clinton, and producer and sound-artist Nick Turner, who both created visuals and music videos for the opera.

“We felt the whole process of creating this album was an escape for us – a musical escape from the overwhelm. Things can get on top of you – music is the great escape. It lifts off the bridles and anchors the world puts on us; lifts up the door’s latch. Since we recorded this, life has grown heavier for many people, for many different reasons. We hope this music can help fling off a bit of the weight and help people breathe a little bit easier,” says Ultan.

Eoghan adds: “The Digital Folk Opera reflects this escapism, as we ramble about Dublin within our 5km-covid-restricted-radius, spanning Dublin’s Grand Canal to Sandymount Strand and hitting parts of the River Liffey in between.

The vast expanse of Sandymount Strand, with the ESB towers marking the skyline to the North East, the quiet bubble of canal benches while traffic and sirens spin around you, the neon lights of the IFSC intruding onto a contemplative moment on Sean O’Casey Bridge –

These stop-offs provide a breath of calm within the city, although the surroundings never sink away entirely.”

The duo filmed at these locations early in the morning attempting to catch the first light of the day, ,Solas an Lae,.

The Opera launched the digital version of the album on November 5th via the Scottish label Watercolour Music. You can purchase it alongside a booklet with stories, information and lyrics relating to each track through Bandcamp: https://eoghanultan.bandcamp.com/

Eoghan and Ultan also launched a pre-order of a special ‘Solas an Lae’ LP, due for distribution in April 2021, also available through Bandcamp.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EoghanUltan
Twitter: Eoghan https://twitter.com/Ceannabhain Ultan https://twitter.com/Ultan_Music
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eoghan_ultan_music/

Dublin’s favourite noisemakers THUMPER announces they will release a remix EP of their hit record ‘Topher Grace’, taken from reimagined versions by creators who the band admire, due for release 20th November 2020. The band’s single ‘Topher Grace’ was released in June of this year. 

Commenting on the Remixes EP Oisin from THUMPER: “Thumper’s single ‘Topher Grace’ had a release plan that involved dropping it mid-pandemic, and with all promotional touring axed, it didn’t exactly scream Brilliant Career Move. However, it quickly became championed by everyone from BBC6, Kerrang and notably Duran Duran who quoted it extensively in a podcast episode. With that in mind we wanted to see if we could mine any more magic from this happy accident – so we give you the ‘Topher Grace Remixes EP’: A collection of reimagined versions by creators that we admire.” 

The first of the remixes were created and recorded by Senu https://s.disco.ac/qrgwjmyifynd] commenting on the creative process there were two ideas.  “Firstly, trying to channel the aggressive and destructive nature of a THUMPER live show. This was done by taking the stems of the original song, aggressively editing every instrument and vocal track separately via granulation, resampling and additional effects, decimating the sounds of each instrument passed the point of recognition.   Secondly, taking the mood of the track and inverting it to be much calmer.  Lastly, with a suggestion (from Alan) of reintroducing Oisín’s lead outro vocal into the chorus the song was finished.” 

The second remix was created by Aonair [https://s.disco.ac/nerrilolttyr] commenting on the recreating the same THUMPER energy when they perform live.  “The first time I heard this song live it just stood out to me in the set. I loved the vocal delivery and it sounded like somewhat of a departure from other songs. The lyrical delivery and form reminded me of James Murphy so I knew that I wanted my remix to draw from that DFA sound. Basically, I wanted it to be an angsty disco-punk jam that still retained the THUMPER energy. 

The vocal is the only thing I sampled from THUMPER. The focus was on a big synth bass and roomy sounding drum grooves. I had Mason Millen provide some chaotic live saxophone parts in the post-chorus noise solos, and in the chorus, I repitched the vocals with a vocoder and changed the chords around to feel like a departure from the verse groove. The outro was a throwback to LCD too, with their loose vocal harmony style. I thought it was funny to throw some nice major harmonies over such a serious lyric. The track fades out with some samples of people talking at parties; “the party continues without me.”

Russell Grand [https://s.disco.ac/ktowvwxlzjpa] is the third contributor to the remix EP and he speaks about the track: 

“I wanted this remix to feel relentless, groovy, wobbly, dirty, euphoric, and all the colours of the weekend. I transposed the guitar riff onto the synth, chopped up those backing vocals and I don’t remember much after that.”

Topher Grace Remixes EP from THUMPER
Due for release on 20th November 2020 
On Reckless Records

Topher Grace – Senu Remix 
Topher Grace – Aonair Remix
Topher Grace – Russell Grand Remix
Topher Grace – Original Version

It was during lockdown that Ryan Mack turned TikTok into a new place to showcase his songwriting. A prodigious writer, Ryan has always used live shows as a place to test new material. With those shows now gone he turned to TikTok; where he found, not just a warm, receptive community, but also a creatively inspiring home for his new songs. 

His first success was a co-write with fellow TikTok star, long-time friend and collaborator, Robert Grace. Their song ‘Fake Fine’ that Robert released is without doubt the breakthrough hit of the year so far in their native Ireland. ‘Fake Fine’, a top 10 hit at radio, it also topped the Spotify viral chart and held the number 1 spot on Shazam. 

Hugely popular on TikTok, Ryan has used the platform to showcase his high skill as a modern pop writer. Building his audience by 180,000 plus and counting over the last few months, Ryan has made fans in superstars like Charlie Puth and Megan Trainor and even garnered an article from the New York Times writer, Taylor Lorenz.

Ryan’s emergence on TikTok started with the now viral hit ‘Broke’. With over 3 million views the song’s themes of not just having no money, but not being able to work and progress your career have clearly resonated deeply with TikTok’s audience.

Ryan Mack releases ‘Broke’ on November 11^th to all streaming platforms. 

Links to the track: https://bit.ly/3peZ8sg
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RyanMackMusic/
Twitter https://twitter.com/iamRyanMc
TikTokhttps://www.tiktok.com/@ryanmackmusic?language=en&sec_uid=MS4wLjABAAAAfDiiWY9oR5cLkhimeJbbYHdA3QVR4C5g-WBM2_kdwD2oQdI7gmpxFJbgFD4lBff_&u_code=d65him6edda9k2&utm_campaign=client_share&app=musically&utm_medium=ios&user_id=6689462917424874502&tt_from=copy&utm_source=copy&source=h5_m

Today, YURN marks the completion of the ‘Stay In Touch’ Ep with the release of the playful video for Zaska’s ‘My Whole Heart’ featuring Tolü Makay, God Knows and the 16 piece isolation choir. “With the original being such an uplifting record and the remix staying true to that, I wanted to create something fun, something unassuming, something that would get people smiling and moving.”

The video was shot by Oliver Kelly and edited by Alex Lynch, a duo who James has worked with many times with his former band Gypsies on the Autobahn, and who have recently worked on the last two videos released by Irish heartthrob Kean Kavanagh. Alex recalls, “James came to us with the idea and the aesthetic, we found the location and just kept rolling footage. It was a fun night, spurred on by people gathered, wondering what we were doing.”

Irish singer-songwriter Rory & The Island introduces his brand new single ‘When The Lights Go Down (Valhalla)’ – out now. Rory’s journey began as lead singer of indie-rock band The Revs, who found themselves topping the Irish charts with two top 5 albums and a string of successful tours making waves throughout Ireland, Europe and even reaching Australia with a top 30 single. After the bands split in 2007, Rory moved to a remote island in the Canaries where he opened a live music venue ‘The Island Bar’. 

It was here the Donegal songwriter performed weekly residency shows building up a cult following of people from all over the world that would travel to the island to come and see him perform. It was also here that Rory & The Island was born and he began his solo project. Two albums later, Rory independently earned himself 8 top 30s, 2 top 10s and a number 1 single in the Irish charts. As well as performing all over the UK and Ireland supporting the likes of Ocean Colour Scene, Feeder and Alabama 3. 2019 saw Rory leave the island, return back to Ireland and extensively tour, filling out rooms around the UK and Ireland with his London show at The Dublin Castle selling out within 48 hours of going on sale. 

In March 2020, Rory and his wife Cara announced the opening of a new music venue ‘The Wildcat’ in Edinburgh, sadly due to the Coronavirus pandemic outbreak it never reached its official opening night on the 21st March. Rory’s new single ‘When The Lights Go Down (Valhalla)’ touches on the battle of keeping a sustainable career as an artist in a difficult industry and “the horrible feeling of switching the lights off for the last time and handing the keys back for our new venue in May which never had a chance to work.” Valhalla being a mythical place where warriors went when they died.

Rather than heading straight to Valhalla, with the live circuit being non existent Rory has since has been performing weekly residency shows titled ‘Lockdown Sessions’ on Facebook live each Saturday reaching 81,000 people organically at its peak, making to new music and waiting for some form of normality to resume. 

‘When The Lights Go Down (Valhalla)’ the brand new single from Rory & The Island is out now via LAB Recordings.

Brad Heidi an exceptional 22 year old, Galway based Irish singer songwriter who has been fast on his feet, demonstrating an unstoppable determination over the past few years, after quitting school and travelling around Ireland busking with just an acoustic guitar, a suitcase and his heartfelt songs. 

Driven by his passion, Brad made his way to England last year and busked the street corners of London and started building an online presence via his Instagram. He soon went from the streets to selling out his first headline show at the start of the year. As the live venues closed Brad refocused his time on recording he debut EP in London. Which he has just completed with five heart warming and detailed true to life stories.  

You can listen to Brad Heidi’s new single ‘Hearts Get Broken Sometime’ when it is released on 13th November followed by his EP ‘The First’ out everywhere from 25th November.

wwww.Bradheidii.com 
Instagram: @bradheidii 
Twitter: @bradheidi 
Facebook: @bradheidii 
YouTube: bradheidi

Irish rapper JYellowL will celebrate his debut album ‘2020 D|Vision’ with a live performance in Swords Castle, in association with TEG | MJR Eire.  The event will be fully streamed on Hot Press YouTube channel  Thursday, 19th November at 8 PM, the day before the album release. 

‘2020 D|Vision’ is due for release, Friday 20th November 2020 via JYellowL Record Ltd, produced by Chris Kabs.  

Commenting on the album release JYellowL explains: 
“You know when you have money that’s burning a hole in your pocket? That’s how I’ve felt about this album in my music library. I can’t wait for it to be released to the world so I hope you’ll pre-order/buy it so we can hit the charts!  This album was written throughout 2018/19. The first song we officially recorded was on the 19th of December 2018. Guess the song?”

JYellowL’s album release party live at Swords Castle 
Thursday, 19th November 2020 at 8 PM 
Proudly presented by TEG| MJR Eire 
Exclusively streamed on Hot Press YouTube channel
www.youtube.com/user/hotpressmagazine
 

‘2020 D|Vision’ debut album release: 
Friday 20th November 2020 via JYellowL Records Ltd. 
‘Tunnel Vision’ is out now
 

‘Wings To Fly’ is Nathan Carter’s latest single, written in memory of his friend Nicky James who passed away in early 2020. 

 “I feel incredibly lucky to have been able to call Nicky James my best friend for my whole adult life. When I started gigging and recording, he was my main source of encouragement, and his support and advice in the early years gave me the confidence and belief to follow my dream. 

Nicky died earlier this year and his death came as a huge shock. In times like that, people find comfort in many different ways – music helped me cope with losing my soul mate, and writing this song seemed like the best way for me to honour his memory.

He was a fine musician himself, so I think he would approve.  

John Farry and I got together to put some lyrics and music together and we have come up with a special song that I think a lot of people will be able to relate to. Working on it was hard at times, as there is a lot of emotion tied up in it. But the process was good for me and I’m proud that we’ve come up with a song that might bring other people comfort too.”  

The single is one of 20 selected tracks on Nathan Carter’s new album, ‘The Best of the First 10 Years’, a huge milestone the singer marks without the sell-out shows he’d planned. While the big tour is on hold for now,  he says there is still a lot to be thankful for:  

“Ten years on the road is incredible and I’m so grateful for all of it. Nicky and I had spoken about celebrating the milestone and while I would love for him to be here to do so, I know he’ll be cheering me on.” 

‘Wings To Fly’ is released 12th November.