Author: Breffni Banks

When the original single version of ‘Ad Nauseam’ dropped in early 2020 THUMPER embarked on an extensive UK and EU tour in support of the song. 

As it began to get extensive playlisting on Spotify, Apple Music, Kerrang and BBC6, this was to be followed up by a months of festival appearances and shows in Iceland, North America and more. Two weeks in, and this breakneck schedule was cut short by Covid, and all plans, touring and otherwise, were axed.

Once the PAUSE button was well and truly pressed on the year they were about to have, THUMPER began channelling their energy into a different type of year. Behind the scenes their debut album started to take shape, with the band holed up in their home studio for months on end.

Now THUMPER are taking up where they left off with a raft of shows including festival slots at Iceland Airwaves, Reeperbahn, a huge UK tour and ‘Ad Nauseum’ (2021 mix) due for release on Friday,  10th September.

‘Ad Nauseam’ is a song about repetition and vanity, a cautionary tale about getting too close to that which you know will eat you alive. As the protagonist circles the drain “on and on…”, the listener is brought on a saccharine, fuzzed and blown out journey which builds in tension and dynamic to the end. 

UK TOUR DATES: 

Thursday/Friday 23/24 September -Reeperbahn, Hamburg 

Wednesday October 6th – Jimmy’s Liverpool

Friday October 8th – Focus Wales

Saturday October 9th – Bootleg Social, Blackpool

Sunday October 10th – Yes, Manchester

Tuesday October 12th – Sneaky Petes, Edinburgh

Wednesday October 13th – The Hug & Pink, Glasgow

Friday October 15th – Head of Steam, Newcastle

Saturday October 16th – Live at Leeds Festival

Tuesday October 19th – Fulford Arms, York

Wednesday October 20th – The Adelphi, Hull

Thursday October 21st – Sidney & Matilda, Sheffield

Friday October 22nd – Firebug, Leicester

Saturday October 23rd – The Crofters Rights, Bristol

Sunday October 24th – The Sunflower Lounge, Birmingham

Wednesday October 27th – The Prince Albert, Brighton

Thursday October 28th – The Windmill, London

Friday October 29th – Voodoo Daddys, Norwich

Saturday October 30th – The Crauford Arms, Milton Keynes

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Extra tickets are on sale now for ‘The Great Beyond’, a new two-day festival with live music and comedy, in the stunning surrounds of Ballinacurra House, Kinsale, Co. Cork, Saturday 11th September and Sunday 12th September. Presented by Coughlan’s Live Promotions.

Acts taking to the two stages over the weekender include BellX1, Lisa Hannigan, The Frank & Walters, Wallis Bird, The Scratch, Marc O’Reilly, Bernard Casey, Laura O’Mahony, Naked Animals, Paddy Dennehy, Rowan, Ultan Conlon, Cry Monster Cry, Robert John Ardiff, Míde Houlihan, The Céilí All-Stars, Les Salamandas, and the Cork City Samba Band.

This festival, which is part funded by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, is a new venture for both Coughlan’s Live and Ballinacurra House, showcasing the very best of local and National talent, amazing food and beverages, and beautiful leafy surroundings of Ballinacurra House – the spectacular 18^th century mansion that welcomed the late singer Michael Jackson for several weeks with his three children back in 2007.

Ballinacurra House is situated on the doorstep of one of Ireland’s premier tourist towns – Kinsale – renowned for its stunning harbour, famous forts, and architectural gems, nestled between hills and shoreline, a maze of narrow streets reflecting its historic backstory.

The Great Beyond will be run over two days in accordance with the relevant government guidelines. EXTRA TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW – Individual day tickets, priced €100 per person, are on sale from coughlans.ie, (sold in pods of 4 and 6).

Camping is not offered as part of the event, there will be a bar and food on site.

Saturday line-up:

The Frank & Walters | Lisa Hannigan | Wallis Bird | Bernard Casey | The Scratch | Rowan | Ultan Conlon | Robert John Ardiff | Les Salamandas | Cork City Samba Band

Sunday line-up:

Bell X1 | Lisa Hannigan | Laura O’Mahony | Marc O’Reilly | Naked Animals | Paddy Dennehy | Cry Monster Cry | The Céilí All-Stars | Míde Houlihan

www.coughlans.ie

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/coughlanslive

Twitter: https://twitter.com/CoughlansLive

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coughlansbarcork/

‘Where Else Would You Get It’ is the latest single release from IRMA Award nominee Fiona Kennedy. It’s the 4th single from the Cork singer songwriter in the past 12 months. With her last release, ‘The Place Of My Resurrection,’ going straight to no.1 in the iTunes Chart and receiving excellent airplay, this latest song harks back to her Folk roots and is beautifully produced by Declan Sinnott (Christy Moore/Mary Black).

No newcomer on the music scene, Fiona has opened for artists such as Kris Kristofferson & John Martyn, worked with Jimmy Smyth (‘Good To Be Gone’) and Donagh Long (‘You’ll Never Be The Sun’) among many others. After a break in her recording career, Fiona released ‘The Beach’ in 2017, an album produced by guitarist Bill Shanley (Ray Davies/Gilbert O’Sullivan).

In Fiona’s words: “The song is an honest & evocative memory of my childhood days fly-fishing with my late father on the lakes of Killarney. A Greenwells Glory was one of his favourite flies..’Matt’ was his fishing friend who invariably gave away the trout at the session in the pub on the way home…happy days!”

‘Where Else Would You Get It’ is released 8th September.

www.fionakennedy.ie

Niall Brennan is a singer songwriter/musician who has been gigging and working in music from his hometown of Dublin City, Ireland for over twenty-five years.  Niall has a unique vocal style that is earthy raw and soulful. His song writing encompasses a wide variety of influences ranging from Bob Dylan to Steely Dan to Frank Ocean. His work has reflected these influences while retaining his own unique identity and has over the years successfully fused and crossed different genres. He was formerly the frontman and principal songwriter with The Prescriptions who made two albums and an E.P. A best of compilation of this work will be released next year.

After The Prescriptions folded Niall remained an active working musician playing solo gigs and continuing to write songs but it wasn’t until he reconnected with old friend Gavin Ralston at a gig that the ‘Something Glorious’ E.P was born.

Gavin and Niall had both played music together in their earliest bands The Close and Silverwood Blues Band. The E.P. was almost finished when Gavin tragically passed away after a long battle with cancer.

This music is dedicated to him and stands as a testimony to his brilliance.

Another long- time friend and solo star in his own right Brendan Tallon subsequently stepped in and helped Niall finish the E.P.

Other musicians who play on the single are John Boyle (Marianne Faithful) and Aonghus Ralston (The Waterboys). The second single ‘There Are No Words’ will be available on all streaming platforms from 30th August and available for download from Niall’s Bandcamp page.

IMRO today presented Dara Quilty and Ronan Nolan of Apella with an IMRO Number 1 Award in recognition of the album ‘1963′ , which reached No.1 on the Independent Irish Album Chart following its release in April.

The IMRO Number 1 Award was introduced to acknowledge IMRO members who reach number 1 in the album charts in Ireland.

Pre-orders for the physical release of ‘1963’  launched in January via apellamusic.com with 100% of the proceeds from the sale of this album going directly to The Marie Keating Foundation specifically to help fund the outstanding support services they provide to women affected by Breast Cancer.

Thoughtfully named after the birth year of his mother, ‘1963’ is an incredibly personal record from frontman Dara Quilty, who has teamed up with The Marie Keating Foundation.

Dara said of the album, “Everything about the release of this record is full of ‘the unexpected’. When we were recording this album we never in a million years expected it was going to be released in the circumstances it which it all occurred.

We never expected it would be released in the middle of a global pandemic. We never expected we would be donating the proceeds to the Marie Keating Foundation and truthfully; we never expected to actually top the charts.

I know they say life is full of the unexpected but I mean wow. We are eternally grateful to fans, friends and family.

We hope the message for all women and men living with Cancer is heard. Support is available. Support is vital. The doctors will show you the science. You must reach out and use support services.

The Apella donation will be going The Marie Keating Foundation to assist fund their “Positive Living Group”, which is crucial for so many women who are living their lives to the fullest with Breast Cancer. You’re not alone and you can do this. My thanks to Linda, Jennifer and Helen for the love and support they gave my family. To my Mom Roisin, the kindest person I have ever known. We all love you.

Finally, a special thank you to Joe Egan of The Nutshed Studio in Clara, Co. Offaly for everything. An extraordinarily talented producer, musician and true friend. Thank you.”

100% of the proceeds from sales of the physical album went directly to The Marie Keating Foundation’s Positive Living support group, Survive and Thrive programme, BRCA awareness and support programme and School’s Cancer Awareness Programme raising €10,410 of much needed funds.

If you would like to make a donation to The Marie Keating Foundation you can do so here: https://www.mariekeating.ie/how-you-can-help-us/donate-money/ 

‘Brian’ is the third release by Cork singer songwriter Martin Leahy. The song is a heartfelt tribute to his school friend Brian Meade who died in 2004. The recording features beautiful harmony vocals by Aisling Urwin and gorgeous strings played by Aine O Gorman with Martin on vocals and playing all other instruments. A hauntingly beautiful video edited from footage, originally shot by Martin’s Uncle in the 1970’s, accompanies the video resulting in a powerful and eerie nostalgic sequence.

The song will be available to buy on Bandcamp from Friday the 3rd of September with all of the proceeds going to Pieta House. ‘Brian’ is released to coincide with the lead up to World Suicide Awareness Day which is on September 10th 2021.

Martin’s debut single ‘Song For Kirsty MacColl’ was released in December 2020 receiving immense airplay and coverage both locally and nationally. His follow-up single ‘The Wolves In The Valley’ received even more attention including more great airplay on BBC Radio Scotland, BBC Radio Ulster, and being playlisted on RTE Radio 1 as well as coverage on RTE.Iie, Hot Press, Echo.ie and many local and online publications. In the short 9 months since his first solo release Martin has already released two singles, released a three-track EP called ‘Merengal’ (under SomeRiseSomeFall) for the charity A Lust For Life, reached the finals of The USA International Songwriting Competition (the final 16 in the lyrics category out of an overall number of 26,000 entries!!) and played his first solo gig in The First Fruits Arts Theatre as a live stream event.

Martin has been playing on the Irish music scene for about 20 years. He has worked extensively with some of Irelands greatest songwriters and musicians including John Spillane, Christy Moore (on his No.1 selling album ‘Listen’), Cormac O Caoimh, Ger Wolfe, Jimmy McCarthy, Greenshine, Noel Brazil, Declan Sinnott among many others. An accomplished multi-instrumentalist, he has produced many albums including the most recent very successful album by Cormac O Caoimh called ‘Swim Crawl Walk Run’ which was awarded album of the week by many radio stations including RTE Radio One, RTE Lyric and BBC Radio Ulster. He also produced Ger Wolfe’s well received album ‘I Have Been Loved’. Other productions include Leah Sohotra, Victoria Keating and Aine O Gorman, SomeRiseSomeFall and John Neville. As a member of the traditional Irish group North Cregg he has toured the World playing many major festivals including Glastonbury, Cambridge and Milwaukee. As a songwriter he has collaborated with a number of writers including John Neville, Mary Greene and last year with Cormac O Caoimh on his successful single ‘Building My Ark’ which received substantial airplay around the country reaching 870,000 listeners nationwide!

Follow Martin Leahy on Facebook

‘Replaying The Moments’ is Robbie Monaghan’s second single release, out 3rd September. The song is an acoustic pop single about memories of a lost love which will resonate with and tug the heart strings of many.

It was recorded, produced and mastered by Dave Skelton (Rofi James, RACHEL, Faraway Martin)

“I wrote the song about a time where one of the most important people in my life left me and how she meant more to me than I meant to her.

I wanted to a song that was heartfelt but in a way that others could relate to it as well.” – Robbie Monaghan

The song was created first through a guitar and piano chordal progression, which was layered with the vocals.

The piece was then complimented with more guitar, piano, harmonies and a drum kit.

Award winning songwriter and singer RuthAnne releases her incredible brand-new EP ‘The Way I Love You’. The EP includes previous singles ‘Safe Place’ as well the subsequently successful singles ‘F.L.Y’ and ‘Remember This’ plus three new exceptional new tracks.

The sheer variety of genres and styles that RuthAnne incorporates into this intoxicating EP showcases her talent as strong soulful vocalist and unmatched singer-songwriter whose credits include co-writing hits for Niall Horan (‘Slow Hands’), Martin Garrix & Bebe Rexha (‘In the Name Of Love’), Britney Spears (‘Work Bitch’) and JoJo (‘Too Little Too Late’) Along with an upcoming new song that will be featured on the Diana Ross upcoming album. RuthAnne has also received praise from mainstream and tastemaker publications such as The Independent, New York Times, Paper Magazine, The Times, Billboard, Official Charts, Wonderland, Complex, DIY and CLASH.

This EP is a whole new chapter in RuthAnne’s personal and professional career something which is really reflected in the new music. From growing up in Ireland to moving to the metropolis of Los Angeles in her early 20’s to pursue a career in songwriting, RuthAnne experienced many major ups and downs which eventually lead her to returning to Europe and finding her home in London and Ireland. Another exiting development in RuthAnne’s life is meeting her partner and going through the miraculous journey of pregnancy and motherhood which she comments on in her track ‘Heaven On Earth’.

“This song is just the purest love song, I never thought I would find a love like this. I used to write songs about the love I wanted to find but had never really experienced but this song and this lyric sums up exactly how it feels when you find your person.”

RuthAnne’s journey and experiences in the life and in the industry have allowed for her to evolve into a strong, independent woman; finally stepping back from being the writer behind the hits to an all-encompassing recording artist with an unforgettable and timeless sound.

RuthAnne comments on her lead track ‘The Way I Love You’ – “This song is really me saying goodbye to toxic people or people who didn’t treat me right in my life, dream killers, bad energy suckers, fuck boys. Stepping fully into my womanhood, feeling strong, empowered, and getting back into the driving seat of my own life. I have at times been naïve and vulnerable in friendships and relationships and have let people take advantage of this unconditional love I used give out to people and I had some toxic situations I needed to clear out. But it’s not always easy to let go when your entangled, so I would always hold on and let the other person make these decisions of whether they liked me or loved me or wanted me but the truth is when I thought about it and really thought about it….I didn’t like them, I didn’t love them and I didn’t want them and that realisation was so freeing and the power that you feel when you finally just make the decision to clear people who aren’t treating you right from your life and walk away from energy that isn’t serving you is honestly life changing. This song is the anthem for that.”

RuthAnne has previously supported some big names on their respective tours including Alanis Morrissette, Niall Horan, Third Story, X Ambassadors, Hozier and Keywest. This year she is jumping straight back into live music after the disruptive global pandemic. An upcoming headline show on September 9th supporting the multi- platinum hit maker JP Cooper at (110 WARDOUR ST.) will see RuthAnne debuting this latest EP on the stage once again! Tickets on sale now.

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Amy Kelly cut her teeth fronting Dublin act The Stoney Brokes and providing backing vocals for a number of acts in Ireland including The Hot Sprockets, This Other Kingdom , Brona Keogh, Haokah and Vernon Jane.

ANDI is the new project from Amy in which she steps out into the spotlight. Amy is a performer and ANDI showcases not just her presence as a live act but also her skill as a songwriter.

ANDI started as an acoustic 2-piece and initially developed into a full band for a performance at Knockanstockan Music Festival in 2019. A stream of shows later that year led to the recording of ANDI’s debut single, ‘Hermit’.

‘Hermit’  took influence from Tame Impala, The Pixies, Jeff Buckley & Elliot Smith. It was featured in Nialler 9, Hotpress, The Last Mixtape, it was featured on a number of Spotify Playlists and received national radio airplay.

In February 2021 ANDI released ‘Housewife’ which had already received reviews and features from the likes of HotPress magazine and GoldenPlec as well as some national airplay and Spotify playlists. ‘Housewife’ is a dramatic song about feeling trapped in an  everyday routine, societal expectations of women and the boredom of normal life. This is the first single from the upcoming ‘Cedar Ward’ EP. Having been chosen as ‘Whelan’s Ones to Watch  ‘ANDI is definitely an artist you want to keep your eye on this year.

‘Giving Up’ will be the next single, released 3rd September, along with a video to go with it. Directed, choreographed and costume design by Julie Weber.

‘Ceader Ward’, the debut EP from ANDI, is based around different facets of mental health. Be it through her own experiences or her loved ones ‘Ceader Ward’ is a musical piece of healing.

Having grown up visiting hospital wards and clinics from an early age Amy created a fictional and non fictional creative space to deal with past and present trauma.

The opening song ‘Housewife’ which was released early this year is a song that focuses on a feeling of despair and a desperate need to escape the mundane boredom of everyday routine.

It touches on mental health, societal expectations and generally feeling low.

The song slowly builds up tension towards a crescendo ,the peak of which signifies a resistance to traditional values, and female empowerment.

‘Giving Up’ (song and video concept ) was written at a time of self-doubt. Amy had doubts whether to pursue music and let her inner thoughts sabotage her music career.

The story follows the protagonist (Amy) on the brink of ruination. She finds herself at a pinnacle moment in her life – she is on the border of a reality filled only with negative thoughts.

At the beginning of the video, The Danse Macabre, (five dancing figures) are representatives of death that would dance a character to the grave: the story goes that death summons seven representatives from all walks of life to dance along to the grave (mixed ages, status etc).

“I have named the dancing figures “The Inners”.”

These figures follow, stay near and linger around the protagonist. When the break occurs, the protagonist leaves the borderline to hibernate. The protagonist is walking away from these figures/feelings. Eventually, she acknowledges that these are inescapable. There is an overwhelming feeling of freedom, comfort and understanding. The figures join her in the dirt. This is the moment of realisation that this is a part of life. These figures are lessons. The figures joining her could also be read as supporting members in the protagonist’s life (family, friends) sitting with someone throughout a dark time.

‘Itch’ is a song about toxic relationships and co-dependancy.

‘Ceader Ward’ is the title track from ANDI’S EP. It is based on mental health from a whole number of different perspectives based on Amy’s personal experience , her family ,friends and news headlines.

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After hitting the milestone of over 1 million streams on Spotify for his song ‘Blue As An Orange’, putting him in the top 200 artists most streamed on digital platforms. Nicolas Kluzek returns with a new Jazzhop single ‘Heatwave’.

“Jazz vibe incoming! The new relaxing single from Nicolas Kluzek is an excellent Jazhop track. Classy guitars and piano melodies rounded off by an elegant bass line. Jazz and lofi lovers will find complete satisfaction here!” Demian Hoings

‘Heatwave” by Nicolas Kluzek is available across all digital platforms now.