Supertonic Sound Club are a 9 piece Dublin based band influenced by old school soul-funk and reggae. They have appeared in session on BBC and RTÉ radio, performed on TV (“The Late Late Show” and “The View”) and have received national airplay in Ireland, UK, Italy and beyond. Members of the band have played with a diverse range of international acts including Oasis, Martha Reeves and Tony Allen.
Their debut single, ‘Scheherazade’ featured reggae legend, Dave Barker, who as part of Dave & Ansell Collins, had scored a no. 1 in the UK charts in 1971. Subsequent singles ‘Cracked Up Over You’, ‘Truly Something Special’ and ‘Please Don’t Ask’ have all featured on the RTÉ Radio playlist.
Supertonic Sound Club’s new single is a taster for their forthcoming debut album, due out this year. ‘Let’s Get Arrested’ is a slice of uptempo modern soul featuring the delectable vocals of Kristina Glasnovic whilst ‘The Hump’ is a brass driven hammond organ instrumental. The single is out now released on 7 inch vinyl, CD single and as a digital download.
Vale creates powerful electropop on his latest single ‘All Rise’. From the very beginning the track grabs you with choral synths and Vale’s delicate vocals, before slowly building with strand upon strand of soft electronic washes. The song’s intensity increases until its final eruption of thunderous beats and jagged production. The result is epic in scope, with the artist striking a perfect balance between haunting tones and soaring emotions.
‘All Rise’ is often reflective in tone, playing with religious, otherworldly imagery throughout. Vale travelled between Ireland, Nashville and Reykjavik while working on his music, and his time spent in Iceland particularly shines through in the ethereal effects of the track. It is a departure from the upbeat sound of Vale’s debut ‘Tore It Down’, building on the evocative production style exhibited on that release while experimenting further. In his exploration of new sonic spaces and textures, Vale has honed his emotionally stirring songwriting and lush electronic, atmospheric production.
Speaking about the track, the artist says; “’All Rise’ for me is a couple of different messages, to myself, strung together in one piece of writing. It’s a song about patience, about fear, and loneliness in a time where the entire planet was, if nothing else, communal in a shared isolation.”
‘Prone’ is the second single this year from Tropolis.
“It’s a song about the feeling someone has while dealing with anxiety and depression, how heavy and overwhelming it can be.
Hopefully anyone listening who feels the same can relate to the lyrics and take comfort in the fact that they are not alone.”
Tropolis is the new electronic/chillwave project from Irish duo Michael Hopkins & Andrew Lloyd.
Michael & Andrew met in their school days in 2000 and have been writing and playing music together for over 20 years.
In January 2020 they released their debut single ‘Oceans Away’ followed by three more singles that year including a cover of ‘Wrapped Around Your Finger’ by The Police.
‘Silver Line’ was their first release of 2021 which was the first of many new songs coming from Tropolis this year.
FYA FOX is a new exciting artist from Ireland, inspired by sparse electronic pop with emotive lyrical themes. A classically trained vocalist allured by the alternative pop scene FYA’s influences range from London Grammar to Lana Del Rey to Banks.
FYA releases her second single ‘Body’ today, February 19th
The successful debut release of ‘White Lies’ received radio play across Ireland & the UK with a world exclusive play on BBC Across The Line by Gemma Bradley (BBC Radio 1) and reviews in Nialler9, The Last Mixed Tape and was added by Hattie Pearson to the influential Co-op Edit UK playlist.
‘Body’ has been selected as ‘Record of the Day’ (https://www.recordoftheday.com/) on February 22nd (Previous Record of the Day alumni in recent months has included Holly Humerstone & Tate McRae) The track has also just been added to the BBC Radio Ulster ‘Where Music Matters’ February playlist which features ten new tracks across the BBC Radio Ulster playlist each month.
The programme for the National St. Patrick’s Festival, 12-17 March 2021, was unveiled earlier this week. Dúisigh Éire! Awaken Ireland! is the theme of this year’s festival, a clarion call to the Irish across the world to throw off the long, dark months and rise to embrace the brighter days ahead.
Dúisigh Éire! Awaken Ireland! promises to be a positive and uplifting celebration of our incredible people, our beautiful island, our community bonds, our young people, artists, creators and makers, and our diaspora across the world. The Festival will connect our global family, to mark our national day, through remembrance and celebration, song and story, laughter and tears, exploring the unique ties that bind us as a people. The Festival Programme is now available at www.stpatricksfestival.ie. Many further collaborations will be announced shortly including #RTÉVirtualParade with St. Patrick’s Festival, an exciting visual arts project with Damn Fine Print and some very special spectacle moments sure to thrill and delight!
For this year’s online Festival, a rich and dynamic series of events are being safely created and recorded by hundreds of artists, musicians, performers, makers, creators, arts and live events workers and community organisations across Ireland. These events will run on St. Patrick’s Festival TV (SPF TV), a dedicated online TV channel at stpatricksfestival.ie, which launches on March 12 and runs over six great virtual days and nights, and will be accessible globally. Through St. Patrick’s Festival TV, the world is invited to take a front row seat at St. Patrick’s Festival 2021, connecting our family of 80 million through music, theatre, art, performance, poetry, storytelling, traditional arts, virtual tours, food, culture and much more. The full SPF TV schedule with days and times for each event will be announced in early March and viewers will be able to playback all the events on the SPF TV Player until March 21.
The Festival will tell the stories of our dynamic, modern, diverse culture, and uplift and celebrate our proud ancient traditions. With over 100 events taking place across six great virtual days and nights, there is something for everyone at the Festival this year. SPF Óg offers a boisterous collection of events, performances, workshops and fun experiences for families and young people; Sounds is a packed programme of contemporary and traditional music from Ireland, recorded by our finest artists and musicians; Stories invites the world to explore Ireland through the lens of film, poetry, literature, performance and art; while Living Ireland is a reflection of Ireland now, how we live and love, work and play, make, create, remember and celebrate.
In a year when our arts, culture, live events and tourism communities have been amongst those hardest hit by the pandemic, St. Patrick’s Festival has channelled more than 85% of its programme funding directly back into these communities all across Ireland, enabling the creation of events and experiences to fill our hearts with joy, hope and positivity, a truly national festival.
Speaking of the 2021 St. Patrick’s Festival, Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media Catherine Martin said: “I was pleased this week to announce funding to support the vibrant, exciting programme of events for this year’s St. Patrick’s Festival. This re-imagined programme, Dúisigh Éire! will allow us all come together virtually to celebrate our national festival safely, but also provide us with an opportunity to reflect on what has been a very difficult year. The engaging programme – for the first time ever – will also be broadcast live for almost a full week and includes something for everyone. I am particularly delighted that resources for the adapted festival are fuelling arts, culture, live and tourism community activities – some of the worst impacted during these challenging times. Tabharfaidh sé seo deis iontach dúinn teacht le chéile go fíorúil mar phobal chun cultúr agus oidhreacht shaibhir na hÉireann a cheiliúradh.”
Anna McGowan, Interim Director of St. Patrick’s Festival, said: “As we move from winter into spring, people across the country and our diaspora awaken with a new hope, a new shared vision of positivity for our future. Dúisigh Éire! Awaken Ireland! will capture this sense of hope and optimism, presented online this year through St. Patrick’s Festival TV, with a huge range of events for every age and curiosity, celebrating our contemporary culture and those who have influenced us. We recognise a year of loss and isolation, and also one of community action, local and international heroes and the indomitable spirit of the Irish. We really can’t wait to share this wonderful programme of events today.”
Artists and performers set to take part in the diverse 2021 Festival Programme include comedians Foil, Arms & Hog and Michael Fry, legendary poet Pat Ingoldsby, treasured writers and broadcasters such as Marian Richardson, Brendan Balfe and Manchán Magan. If food is your love then check out chef Tadgh Byrne’s series on the history of Irish food, while for the young and young at heart the fabulous Fanzini Brothers and Tumble Circus will entertain, as will iconic storyteller Eddie Lenihan. Take part in some wellness and mindfulness events with Bressie and Michael Ryan and their guests including The Happy Pear amongst others. For the musically inclined, Festival 2021 features some of our best-loved musicians including New Jackson, Pillow Queens, Colm Mac Con Iomaire, Mary Coughlan, Myles O’Reilly, Gemma Dunleavy, Sorca McGrath, Gareth Quinn Redmond, Matthew Nolan, Lisa Hannigan, Adrian Crowley, DC Fontaines’Grian Chatten, Matthew Campbell of The Shamrock Tenors, soprano Mary McCabe, The Breath, Moxie, Kíla and Brían and Diarmuid Mac Gloinn of Ye Vagabonds. Also taking part are traditional performers and storytellers including Donnacha Dwyer, Sin A Deir Sí, Ceiliúradh ó Chorca Dhuibhne, Shandrum Céilí Band, Caoimhe O Flaherty, Ronan O’Flagherty, Naoise Mac Cathmhaoil, Nuala Hayes, Jerry O’Reilly, Dermot Bolger, Annemarie Ní Churreáin and Nell Ní Chrónín. While international guests performing as part of St. Patrick’s Festival 2021 include Welsh legend Gruff Rhys and Scotland’s Brìdghe Chaimbeul and Aidan O’Rourke. Maybe you’ll enjoy some traditional workshops from the Aran Islands like Cleas willow weaving & Aran knitting workshops, or choose from one of the many virtual walking tours of Ireland, from Ballad Tours Dublin to the Galway Food Tour to name just two.
While St. Patrick’s Festival looks forward to a time when Ireland commences the journey towards reopening, and prepares to welcome the world to our beautiful, vibrant, island, this year we invite all our people to celebrate from home, in support of the tireless work of our healthcare warriors and our frontline workers, who battle on every day to protect our people and lead us out of the pandemic.
True Tides new single ‘I Can’t Wait’ will be released on 19th February through Warner Music Ireland.
The new track was written while the three brothers were apart during lockdown, working on the track remotely, sending ideas to one another and shaping a song that documents the struggles inherent in isolation but which also offers a positive message for the future.
Lead singer Cian states:
“Lockdown kind of forced us to approach things in a different way. We were sending each other ideas and then sharing our responses over Zooms and calls. But despite that challenge, the song just came together really quickly and the lyrics just seemed to flow immediately for me. It was actually a really exciting process as the song came together. It really feels like our best track so far.”
‘I Can’t Wait’ is the follow up to their 2 recent singles released with Warner Music Ireland which made them the most talked about music act in Ireland in 2020 with their guitar driven synth pop brimming with hooks and intricate vocal harmonies. The three brothers’ single ‘Survive’ hit the top 10 Irish radio charts, peaking at #7 after being playlisted on all major national and local radio stations across Ireland, receiving over 45 million radio impressions to date. Their last single ‘Break The Silence’ went straight into the top 40 on Irish radio on its release and continues to receive regular radio play on national and local radio.
With its combination of incisive lyrics dealing with dark themes together with a message of hope underpinned by sparkling synthpop melodies that burst into joyful life with each chorus, the latest True Tides single ‘I Can’t Wait’ is another pop banger for our times.
Recently, singer Cian co-wrote a song with Danny of The Corona’s – ‘Light Me Up’ – which Elton John played on his ‘Rocket Hour’ digital radio show which is broadcast weekly on Apple Music.
Amidst the season of love, some of you may be lucky enough to have a loved one in your life at the moment. For those who don’t, international star in the making, Evans Junior has a special gift for you. New single ‘Fck Love’ an anthem for those who have been given a reason not to love or have fallen out of love or lost trust. Accompanied by Quentin Tarantino styled cinematic music video directed by Deafintes very own Deaf Dave (David McGowan) assisted by Tolu Ogunwere and set design by Nathan Sauramba.
Produced by Liam Harris ‘Fck Love’ masters the art of short and impactful experiences, starting with a soulful intro then developing into a mixture of heartfelt strings and dynamically patterned 808’s. Intertwined in speared headed lyricism and pop-influenced melodies layered neatly to raise emotion before the main event of the song, the chorus. Explaining the message behind the song Evans said, “Trust nobody focus on your money.” On the creative process he commented, “Liam Harris and I were cooking in the studio and he played the sample that you hear at the start of the song and I immediately started having ideas for the song, from then he built the beat and we had the song made in an hour.” When asked what can we expect from you he said, “expect anything and everything, I’m giving a lot more content this year while maintaining the quality that my audience deserves.”
Evans Junior is a Nigerian born and Irish raised multifaceted artist. A Longford native destined for international star dome. Having worked and performed with the like of Niara Marley, YBN Namir, Teni, Offica, Oxalade and produced his first studio album ‘Organised Mess’ in 2019, with an emphasis on quality over quantity Evans has maintained a place in the hear of everyone’s playlists. Recently exploding in popularity from breakthrough singles ‘Moshpit’, ‘Shock ‘em’ and ‘Movie’ alongside staring in a global advertisement for So.Beer’s non-alcoholic beverage. Named HotPress Hot Ones to watch and Golden Plecs Picks 2021 we can only expect a very exciting year from Evans Junior.
An education campaign created in the United States to inform creators on the growing practice of copyright buyouts is being extended globally with a new online resource, “Your Music Your Future International”.
Composers and songwriters for film, television and other audiovisual media have depended for more than a century on a ‘typical deal’ which allows them to collect royalty income in exchange for granting their copyrights to broadcasters, digital streaming services and other users of their works.
Today, across the globe, that 100-year precedent is increasingly being challenged by companies who insist that composers accept buyouts of their rights (including performing rights) as a condition of being employed or commissioned for a project. In this scenario, composers are expected to create music in exchange for a one-time fee instead of receiving continuing income for their work.
The works of songwriters and composers (just as of screenwriters and directors) are an invaluable and inextricable part of the storytelling in film, TV and all other audiovisual media. Traditionally, royalty income has been the only dependable source of earnings for these creators. The growing practice of buying out their rights (including performing rights) changes the remuneration equation with important implications for creators’ careers.
To raise awareness of this global issue for creators, a new international education resource is now being made available, bringing together the US music creators’ movement Your Music Your Future and CISAC, the global confederation of authors societies with 230 members in over 120 countries and territories.
Your Music Your Future was founded by composers, for composers in the US in 2019 and is dedicated to educating fellow creators about their options for compensation and the ramifications of their choices, including accepting total buyouts of their work. The campaign is strictly educational, taking no sides in the debate, and has built a community of more than 15,000 members.
With the help of CISAC, the campaign is now being extended to help educate composers and songwriters across the world. A new website, Your Music Your Future International, covers topics including the options of royalties vs buyouts, the typical use of buyout clauses in contracts and the different laws governing buyouts internationally. The initiative is also supported by CIAM, the International Council of Music Creators.
CISAC President, Abba co-founder, Björn Ulvaeus says: “In the post-COVID world, the issue of copyright buyouts matters more to creators than ever before. Artists, composers and authors have to be aware of their rights, understand their options and make informed choices on the way they are paid. Their future livelihoods depend on it”.
Your Music Your Future founder, composer Joel Beckerman said: “This is a movement, for composers by composers, to educate our community on the choices with respect to performing royalties. The aim is to bring this vital educational message to all music creators everywhere. As music creators we are all in this together, and education is the key to ensuring their ability to support their families and put food on the table”.
CISAC Director-General Gadi Oron said: “Copyright buyouts are a growing concern for creators and for CISAC societies which represent them and protect their interests. By partnering with Your Music Your Future, CISAC helps fill the information gap and provide a practical and useful educational resource about buy-out contracts and creators remuneration. This should assist creators in making an informed decision about contracts they’re offered and their options”.
Key topics on the website include:
what are total buyouts?
why buyouts are becoming more prevalent
how “buyout clauses” work in contracts
royalties vs lump sum: weighing up the options
varying laws surrounding total buyouts in different regions and territories
how creators can raise awareness for greater legal protection of their works
Donegal songstress Grace Day will be releasing her single ‘Bordeaux’ on February 26th. As a follow-up to her recent release ‘Barcelona’, ‘Bordeaux’ is the second single from Day’s upcoming EP ‘Cities.’ As something of a wanderer, Day has always found her main inspiration to come from places. While ‘Bordeaux’ is a wistful reflection on a transient summer romance, the city remains the central character of this wavy, electro-pop number.
This is perhaps Day’s most commercial release since her 2018 dance banger ‘Change Your Mind.’ Hailed by Hot Press Magazine as “Scream along material“, this summer single found its way to the forefront of the Irish radio scene.
Heavily inspired by Dennis Lloyd’s hypnotic electro pop, ‘Bordeaux’ feels like you’re being whisked away to Europe for a brief moment in time. The ambient electric guitar waves underneath Day’s soft, velvet vocals create a relaxing space in which the listener can let their imagination wander.
Currently living in Nashville, TN, Grace is pursuing her own career in music while also working for Tunecore supporting other indie artists on their journey. Having spent most of 2020 writing and daydreaming about going abroad, Bordeaux will mark the first of many releases for Grace Day in 2021.
‘Get Dan’ is the new release from Pete & Tom On Song. Available on Spotify and other platforms.
Previous releases ‘Sweet Matilda’, ‘You’re A Cad’, ‘Country Boy’, ‘The Bottom Floor’ and ‘This Christmas’are available on Spotify and other platforms including YouTube.
Pete and Tom are two gentlemen, living and working in Dublin, Ireland. Having played together in a band in the 80s they finally decided it was time to get back to unfinished business. Their passion for music and song writing had not diminished in the intervening years, so they started rehearsals with a view to recording something light and frivolous to start with. ‘You’re A Cad’ emerged into this world “somewhat saucily” and there was “great sport in its making”!
‘Get Dan’ is their sixth single and is representative of the type of music that they are currently focused on. It’s a song about reaching a point in your life where you have to make a brave decision in order to fully realise dreams and potential.
Pete and Tom are as excited by music now as they were in their twenties and are working on new material with a view to releasing their first album. There is no age limit on being creative and age is no barrier to appreciating a pulsating beat, a sparkling riff or a great pop tune.
