Continuing what has been a very successful 2020 so far, FiCat returns with her 3rd single ‘Back2U’.
The track is a blissful ode to the warm feeling you get inside from being in love. ‘Back2U’ grows into a euphoric ballad, an epic chorus conjuring up the thoughts of seasonal nights in by the fire with that special person in your life.
Having returned to Dublin following a musical journey that took in stops in Nashville and Berlin, FiCat teamed up with Leitrim producer Diffly in a partnership which has reaped dividends so far. Summer anthem ‘All My Love’ received airplay right across the country, with follow-up single ‘Déjà Vu’ being play-listed by 2FM.
“Myself and Diffly love pop music. We both share a love for the 70s and 80s music, where soaring vocals and catchy synth hooks dominated the charts. Singers like Tina Charles and Stephanie Mills really knew how to infuse tales of heartbreak with happy hooks.”
’Back2U’ is the perfect single to close out the year for FiCat, and with 2021 already promising a live show in Whelans as well as a debut album, it’s exciting times ahead.
Ryan Vail remix of ‘Car Crash TV’ is the third release taken from Columbia Mills upcoming remixed EP, due out this Friday 13th November 2020. ‘The Remixed EP’ is due out Friday 20th November 2020.
Commenting on the remix track, Ryan Vail says: “This track is such a pleasure to listen to, and getting to throw my own spin on it was amazing.“
Columbia Mills teams up with some of their favourite artists Jape, Girl Band, Ryan Vail and Get Well Soon, for their ‘Remixed EP’. This EP allowed the artists to create their own interpretation of tracks from ‘CCTV’ and put their creative spin on the songs. The third release from the remixed EP is Ryan Vail remix of ‘Car Crash TV’ which is due out Friday, 13th November 2020.
Columbia Mills will be releasing a track a week throughout the month of November.
The full release dates for the EP are:
Jape remix ‘The Greatest Love‘ – Out Now Get Well Soon ‘Mirror on the Front Seat’ – Out Now Ryan Vail ‘Car Crash TV’- Out Now Daniel Fox of Girl Band ‘Understand’ – 20th November 2020
Strange Boy is a thousand-year-old poet channelling his words through the body of a young Limerick man, Jordan Kelly. The hard-hitting, thought-provoking rapper has announced the arrival of his debut album, coming St. Patrick’s Day, 2021, and shares the first single today:
Strange Boy tells us ‘The Pope’, “is a song written from the perspective of a twelve-year-old child who’s dream is to attain the perks of being the biggest rockstar on the planet, while denouncing all that is sacred and holy.”
The new single, released on the Berlin label Welcome to the New World, is an uptempo Celtic hip-hop track, the kind you can imagine inspiring wild abandon in the midst of a house party when the guitars are brought out. Eased along by a steady but erratic bodhran beat, it provides the foundation for an intelligent, laid back, and facetious saunter around the ingenious mind of Strange Boy.
The video for ‘The Pope’, directed by Chris Schwarz encapsulates the sharp humour and black comedy we have come to expect from artists coming from Limerick over the last decade, as Strange Boy sings on the chorus, “I want a big house like the pope has, I want lots of fans like the pope has…” holy wine spills from his mouth as he sways in a half-filled pub.
After a powerful performance at Make A Move Festival in his home city of Limerick, Strange Boy began working with Rusangano Family and Naive Ted on his debut mixtape ‘Passionate Example’. Featuring on delush’s single ‘It’s Alright’, which went onto feature on BBC series Normal People and collaborating with PX Music and Limerick hip-hop stalwarts Hazey Haze, Citrus Fresh, Gavin Da Vinci and Mankyy.
Strange Boy has worked hard to deliver his unique mastery of flow and insightful perspective over the past few years. Following the initial collaboration on ‘It’s Alright’, Strange Boy joined delush’s crew Welcome to the New World – a Berlin-based movement and label “to enable true voices with a true message.” And a fruitful partnership was formed.
Producer/composer Enda Gallery (delush) says: “One year ago, Strange Boy and I had a long phone call about the future of Irish hip-hop. We talked about connecting the ancient Irish culture and its rich music which is our heritage with the music and hip hop culture which is one of the dominant influences on our culture today. I spent the months of lockdown alone at my late Grandfather’s house in Kilfenora and composed 40 pieces of traditional Irish music hip-hop pieces for Strange Boy.
This was the first to come to fruition…”
‘The Pope’ by Strange Boy, produced by Enda Gallery, is out now:
Christian Cohle is one of those enigmatic artists who’s made waves on the Irish music scene in the last year. Debut single ‘Breathe’ stands at well over 40K streams on Spotify, and he’s gained praise from taste makers such as Music Ninja, Variance Mag, Nialler9, Pop Matters and Hot Press.
His creative collaborator for all his videos is Ireland’s hottest up-and-coming film director 2020 IFTA nominee Tristan Heanue. 2020 has seen Cohle prove himself to be an exciting new dynamic force in electronic music.
Fresh off the back of his Ireland Music Week debut, Cohle releasing the bold and hypnotic ‘Drown Me Slow’ on November 13th.This will be the final single from Cohle before the release of his debut album ‘Holy Trouble’.
For fans of Wild Beasts, James Blake, Nick Murphy and Moderat. His forthcoming album ‘Holy Trouble’ is set for release next year.
Previous releases ‘Breathe’, ‘Ghost’ and ‘Wallflower’ have seen support from 2FM, Today FM, BBC Radio Ulster, Across The Line, RTE Pulse, U2s SiriusXM, playlisted on Vevo and more.
“One central idea to ‘Drown Me Slow’, is the unwillingness to let go of something, even after it has long left you. You become fixed on it and stare at it often as one can do with a distant star. The longing for it becomes more special than the reality of it itself, because perhaps it’s not even there anymore.” – Christian Cohle
Rathlin Island-based critically acclaimed singer, songwriter and real life award winning adventurer Wendy Jack returns with her new single ‘White Bicycle’ on November 20. Taking its cues from the titular mode of transport, the waltzing track brings listeners on a trip that you’ll want to take again and again. Written in tribute and dedicated to her late friend and fellow musician Gavin Mee, who sadly passed away in 2018 aged 42, this touching tune tips a cap to The Beatles, Joni Mitchell and ‘Hunky Dory’ era Bowie during its spell binding four minutes run time, while Wendy’s tender vocals reaffirm her status as one of the most magnetic storytellers in Ireland.
“I wrote and performed ‘White Bicycle’ for an event which was specially curated to remember Gavin during The Belfast Nashville Songwriters Festival 2019,” says Jack, whose previous work has been shortlisted in the hugely prestigious International Songwriting Competition.
“I subsequently decided to record and release the song as a single both to keep his memory alive and to encourage new people to seek out and listen to the musical legacy he left behind.
I wanted to fully bring the song to life, and sonically to a whole new level, so I aspired to build a folk-power-pop recording with Gavin’s good friend and producer Duncan Maitland (PictureHouse, Pugwash). Duncan was equally enthusiastic about the project, so we worked together to create what we hope is a fitting tribute to our mutual friend.”
The single takes its name from a book called ‘White Bicycles: Making Music In The 1960s’.
“This memoir from legendary music producer Joe Boyd describes-in vivid technicolor-the musical lives of artists such as Nick Drake, Sandy Denny, Fairport Convention, and Pink Floyd among others,” explains Jack. “In 1967 a psychedelic group called Tomorrow, who played at Joe Boyd’s UFO club in London, had a theme song called ‘My White Bicycle’ which was a tribute to Amsterdam’s radical ‘free’ bike scheme. This was the musical world Gavin sought to inhabit.”
For more information on Wendy Jack visit wendyjackmusic.com
Today sees the return of acclaimed Irish singer-songwriter Sorcha Richardson, who emerges with new single ‘The Starlight Lounge’ and its accompanying video. The track follows 2019’s brilliant debut LP ‘First Prize Bravery’, and continues a burgeoning creative relationship with James Vincent McMorrow, who co-produced the single.
‘The Starlight Lounge’ also follows Sorcha’s recent success with ‘Out The Gaff’ where she collaborated with Denise Chaila, MuRli, God Knows, and again with producer James Vincent McMorrow.
Having quietly cultivated a cult fanbase over several years, ‘The Starlight Lounge’ continues Sorcha’s work of crafting evocative vignettes that mark moments in time, finding the poetry in introspection and exuding both passion and tender beauty in equal measure.
Of the new single, Sorcha says, “Sometimes life’s biggest changes occur through a series of very small and intimate moments. This is a song about joining the dots between them, surrendering to the knowledge that something pivotal is happening, and taking a leap of faith when you’re still not sure which way the story is going to go.”
Richardson left home for Brooklyn as a teenager to study creative writing, launching her early musical releases from the states – including early fan favourite ‘Ruin Your Night’ – but it was upon moving back to her native Dublin that she was inspired to take stock of where she was at, eventually delivering the defining work of her short career thus far, the lauded ‘First Prize Bravery’. Coupled with her first bout of proper touring in support of her debut, Sorcha’s narrative songwriting has continued to connect with people far away from her Dublin home, giving songs to those who have shared similar tangled emotions, providing a tonic with her music.
Sunday 15th November 2020 | 21:30 UTC | TG4 | Available worldwide on the TG4 player – www.tg4.tv
Paddy Keenan is one of the finest exponents in the art of Uilleann Piping in the world today.
In the first of a new series of five, one hour long, programmes on TG4, this revealing documentary tells his story.
In this documentary Paddy reveals what it was like to grow up with a foot in both the travelling and settled communities and explains what it is that made him the man and musician he is today. With contributions from former Bothy Band colleague Tríona Ní Dhomhnaill, former RTE broadcaster Peter Browne, Dublin flute player Eamonn De Barra, Belfast pipers John McSherry & Francis McIlduff & Sligo songsmith Seamie O’Dowd we get a glimpse into Paddy’s life and times in this intriguing and beguiling snapshot. We witness Paddy in full flow in what might be described as his musical spiritual home, De Barra’s folk club in Clonakilty and we see why he has enraptured audiences the world over with his charm, mystique and raw power and passion.
Paddy’s flowing, open-fingered style of playing can be traced directly from the style of such great Travelling pipers as Johnny Doran. A founder of the iconic Bothy Band, an ensemble that helped to bring Irish music to the world stage throughout the 70sand a global ambassador for Irish music, Paddy Keenan was born in Trim, Co. Meath, to John Keenan, Sr. of Westmeath and the former Mary Bravender of Co. Cavan. The Keenans were a Traveller family steeped in traditional music; both Paddy’s father and grandfather were Uilleann pipers. Paddy himself took up the pipes at the age of ten, playing his first major concert at the Gaiety Theatre, Dublin, when he was 14. He later played with the rest of his family in a group called The Pavees.
Paddy was one of the Bothy Band’s founding members, and his virtuosity on the pipes combined with the ferocity of his playing made him, in the opinion of many, its driving force. The Bothy Band forever changed the face of Irish traditional music, merging a driving rhythm section with traditional Irish tunes in ways that had never been heard before.
He has brought traditional music to audiences around the globe, playing at festivals including the Rainforest World Music Festival in Borneo, CeltFest Cuba in Havana, and concert tours across Japan, Europe, Australia, and North America. He is featured on the soundtrack of “Traveller”, starring Bill Paxton and Mark Wahlberg, for which he composed and arranged two pieces of music. Paddy’s contributions to traditional Irish music were honoured in 2002, when he received the TG4 Gradam Ceoil Musician of the Year award, which is presented to musical heroes of the modern age, and in 2011 by the Irish Music Association, with a Lifetime Achievement Award.
‘Sé mo Laoch Series 11
A new series of ‘Sé Mo Laoch which casts an eye on some of Irish traditional music’s heroes.
Sunday 15th November – Paddy Keenan
This programme looks at the life and career of world renowned Uilleann Piper Paddy Keenan. A founder member of the iconic group The Bothy Band and a leading exponent of the ‘travelling style’ of Uilleann Piping . We take a look at his life and music with guests such as Tríona Ní Dhomhnaill, Peter Browne, John McSherry, Eamonn De Barra, Francis McIlduff & Seamie O’Dowd.
Sunday 22nd November – Seamus Begley
This programme looks at the life and career of accordion player and singer Séamus Begley from Baile na bPoc in West Kerry. By the age of fourteen he was playing accordion at local dances. In 1972 he recorded his first album, An Ciarraíoch Mallaithe, with his sister Máire. Begley is an eager storyteller known for his sharp wit and famous for pumping out music for dancers with an energy that is sometimes alarming. He has toured extensively with performers such as Steve Cooney, Téada and Mary Black. He was awarded the 2013 TG4 Singer of the Year in recognition of his major contribution to Irish traditional singing.
Sunday 29th November – Geraldine & Eamonn Cotter
This programme looks at the life and career of Co. Clare siblings Eamonn & Geraldine Cotter. Flute player Eamonn Cotter has played and toured with The Shaskeeen & The Tulla Céilí Bands. He has recorded a number of solo CDs and is renowned as very fine maker of the traditional concert wooden flute.
Geraldine Cotter is a tin whistle and piano player, teacher, researcher and lecturer. A member of the Boruma Trio she has performed with Tulla, Shaskeen and Kilfenora Ceili Bands and has recorded on over 20 albums. Here Eamonn & Geraldine tell us their story with Andrew McNamara, Eileen O’Brien, Neil O’Loughlin, Jack Talty, Blackie O’Connell, Frank Kilkelly, Denis Liddy, Charlie Harris, Maeve Donnelly, Áine Hensey & Kieran Hanrahan.
Sunday 6th December – Nollaig Casey & Máire Ní Chathasaigh
This programme looks at the life and career of Nollaig Casey & Máire Ní Chathasaigh, sisters who grew up in a West Cork household steeped in traditional music and song. Máire is the doyenne of Irish harp players and one of Ireland’s most important and influential traditional musicians. Nollaig has recorded and toured with Planxty, Coolfin, Cherish the Ladies & Arty McGlynn. In this documentary they tell their story in their own words. With Arty McGlynn, Chris Newman, Mairéad Ní Chathasaigh, John Dwyer & Seán Dwyer.
Sunday 13th December – Gabriel McArdle
This programme looks at the life and career of singer and concertina Gabriel McArdle from Kinawley in County Fermanagh. Gabriel is considered one of the finest exponents of the Ulster traditional singing style and has recorded and toured with Dog Big Dog Little, Jig Away the Donkey & Na Draiodóirí. We take a look at his life and music in the company of Cathal McConnell, Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh, Gary Hastings, Gerry O’Connor, Martin Quinn, Fintan McManus, Ben Lennon, Seamus Quinn & Ciarán Curran
NI Music Prize 2020 streaming live on YouTube from 8pm.
The NI Music Prize, which is normally the biggest annual celebration of music from the north under one roof, will be streaming live due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Organised by Oh Yeah, produced by MEP (Mike Edgar Production) and streaming live on the Oh Yeah YouTube channel, the awards plan to bring as much live experience as possible to audiences at home.
There will be brand new performances from shortlisted acts including Arborist, Careerist, Joshua Burnside, Kitt Philippa, Phil Kieran and Sasha Samara.
Rigsy (DJ & Broadcaster) and Gemma Bradley (Presenter, BBC ATL Introducing) will present the show. There will be guest contributors, with live announcements and presentations as well as some previously unseen footage including Jordan Adetunji and the Oh Yeah 2019 Legend recipients Snow Patrol performance from last year’s incredible event at the Ulster Hall.
The Oh Yeah Legend Award 2020 is in association with Marie Curie, Belfast and is dedicated to the singer-songwriter Bap Kennedy who died in 2016. Ralph McLean will lead the dedication and the award will be presented to Brenda Boyd Kennedy in honour of Bap. There is also some very special Bap Kennedy footage of a performance of ‘Howl On’ to enjoy.
The awards include Best Album supported by PPL, Best Single supported by Help Musicians, the Oh Yeah Contender Award in association with ATL Introducing and Best Live Act. The winners of three categories will be awarded a cash prize of £1,000 and £3,000 will go to the winner of Best Album.
The NI Music Prize is supported by Arts Council Northern Ireland, PPL, YouTube Music, Help Musicians and Belfast City Council.
New to the scene, FYA FOX just released her debut single ‘White Lies’ today, November 12th 2020.
Prior to release, FYA’s voice featured on Irish TV adverts for Brown Thomas and Barry’s Tea showing casing a more delicate soft tone.
FYA FOX hails from the countryside, trained as a classical vocalist but obsessed with the alternative pop scene.
‘White Lies’ is a song about knowing when to walk away from a toxic situation. Just at the cusp of lockdown FYA was at a crossroads, follow the path that was familiar or walk away. FYA says, “knowing your self-worth and believing in your self is draining when you have a weight on your shoulders, but once you truly believe in yourself, anything is possible!“
Speaking about the release FYA says, “Ecstatic to release ‘White Lies’, it’s my first single and I want people to just vibe with it!”
Irish singer-songwriter Chris Short prepares to pull at heartstrings with the release of his poignant new single ‘Higher’, out 27th November 2020 via Beardfire Music.
Lyrically intimate and sonically tender, ‘Higher’ is instantly bewitching. Channeling the likes of Foy Vance, Chris’ distinctively rich vocal soars effortlessly over the intricate musicality, creating a sound that is undeniably heartwarming as a result. ‘Higher’ brings us the lift we all needed; a powerfully potent track delivered with the style and swagger of a seasoned writer and performer. Talking about the single, Chris elaborates, “’Higher’ was formed from my reflection back of the first few months of my relationship with my then neighbour, now wife of 10 years, Dawn. As a songwriter I’ve started writing songs about my experience and the lessons I have learned in the hope that when people hear my music they too can experience the emotion contained in the songs.”
Chris Short started singing on the open mic scene in Dublin in 2017 and he’s gone from strength to strength ever since. He has previously received support form the likes of RTÉ Radio, IMRO and Indie Buddie to name a few. For this release, Chris has worked closely in the studio with Beardfire Music – the label behind the likes of RUNAH, Martin McDonnell, KTG, Zoe Clarke, Kayli Sousa, Lauran Beth, and who’s development work includes Patricia Lalor and William Franklyn Miller. ‘Higher’ was produced by David Virgin, Rohan Healy and Al Quiff at Beardfire Studio, Dublin – a father and sons production team who, in their collective six decades of musical experience, have worked with the likes of Nick Cave, INXS, Leslie Dowdall (In TuaNua), Mary Black, The Cruel Sea, Cat Power, Billy Bragg and Lloyd Cole, to name but a few.
‘Higher’ is the first single to be taken from Chris’ forthcoming EP, ‘Somewhere’, due for release in May 2021. ‘Higher’ is out 27th November 2020 via Beardfire Music.
