Author: Breffni Banks

Friday July 2^nd sees the release of ‘Loud Demure’, the long awaited 2^nd EP from singer-songwriter Sarah-Beth.

Having spent the last two years focusing on alternative-pop band Luunah, the Cork native felt it was time to showcase a collection of piano songs encapsulating a more delicate side.

The five-track EP thoughtfully explores themes of both self-awareness and escapism. Her nonchalant vocal delivery, poignant piano arrangements and sentimental lyrics combine to create a unique listening experience, which can feel like stepping into a new world orbiting at a much slower pace.

Explaining the title of the EP Sarah-Beth shares, “I wanted to come up with a title that would encapsulate the mood set by the body of work. The overarching tone of the EP is quite serene and feminine. I believe there is strength in humility and calmness– it is often the case that the quietest in the room has the most to say, so ‘Loud Demure’ seemed appropriate.”

Portuguese producer, Eduardo Moreira was an instrumental force in bring this project to life. Sarah-Beth and Eduardo became friends while both studying at the Cork School of Music. Having mastered her first EP back in 2017, she was eager to work alongside him again.

Half the songs were recorded by Christian Best in Monique Studios while the rest were recorded by Brian Casey in Wavefield Studios. As Moreira is based in Portugal, Loud Demure was an international collaboration made possible despite numerous lockdowns and travel restrictions. The EP therefor features Portuguese musicians such as Carlos Sanches, Carolina Remaerd and João Dias adding new influence and sounds to the project.

Sarah-Beth is an Irish singer-songwriter/multi-instrumentalist using music as a means of interpreting the World. Self-analysis, relationships, philosophy and visual art are all derivatives from which she seeks inspiration. Her intention is to paint vibrant pictures in the mind of the listener through lyricism and prosody.

Having begun piano lessons as a young child, she recognised the significant role music would play in her life when she started composing as a teenager. The therapeutic effect of writing was enough that it lead to her tinkering on the piano for hours each day.

In 2015, she attended the MTU Cork School of Music where she studied popular music. While at music college, she formed alternative pop band Luunah with peers.

Her music has been featured on RTE Radio 1, 2fm, BBC Northern Ireland, Spin SW, REDfm and more.

‘Loud Demure’ is now available on all major platforms.

https://www.facebook.com/sarahbethmusicartist

https://youtu.be/5cpgcZsRmmo

https://www.instagram.com/sarahbethmusic/

As the release of Villagers’ fifth album ‘Fever Dreams’ edges closer – due August 20^th via Domino – Conor O’Brien is delighted to unveil the second song from the upcoming record. The new track, ‘So Simpatico’, begins with twinkling glockenspiel and intimate vocals, before swelling to a transformative and mesmerizing refrain from O’Brien: “The more I know, the more I care”.

Conor says of ‘So Simpatico’: “It’s a song of devotion; whether to a person, the self, or the art of being, a struggle for authenticity is at its core. We all jammed and recorded an early version with too many words and I took it home and simplified it until it was as pure an expression as possible. It’s a pop song about the essence of love.”

Director Rosie Barrett adds about the video: “’So Simpatico’ is a journey of awakening and self-reflection of a sad clown finding love within himself and sparking that zest for life that was lost some time ago. Creating a visual narrative for this beautiful song was a joy as I have been long admiring Conor’s music. I had the pleasure of working with a brilliant cast and crew in the making and I am very excited to see this video out in the world.”

‘Fever Dreams’ is a paean to human connection. The songs on the album were found in many places, from connections at County Meath’s Another Love Story festival and night swimming on a Dutch island to Flann O’Brien, Audre Lorde, David Lynch, L. S. Lowry via the library music of Piero Umiliani and Alessandro Alessandroni and jazz from Duke Ellington and Alice Coltrane. O’Brien says on the gestation of ‘Fever Dreams’: “I had an urge to write something that was as generous to the listener as it was to myself. Sometimes the most delirious states can produce the most ecstatic, euphoric and escapist dreams.”

There are 4 different album artworks for ‘Fever Dreams’, all related to the album’s themes through constellations included in Ptolemy’s 2nd century list of 48 constellations: Ursa Major (bear), Aquila (eagle), Cassiopeia (elk) & Serpens (snake). O’Brien adds: “I think constellations as representations of how we search for shapes, meaning and pattern in order to gain a sense of control over our existence and lives.” View all the album covers here.

‘Fever Dreams’ follows ‘The Art Of Pretending To Swim’, ‘Darling Arithmetic’, ‘{Awayland}’ and ‘Becoming A Jackal’. Conor O’Brien also has a string of accolades under his belt including two Ivor Novello Awards, two Mercury Music Prize nominations and is a previous winner of Ireland’s Choice Music Prize. Additionally, Villagers’ music has featured in the BBC/Hulu series Normal People and their Spotify session of ‘Nothing Arrived’ has hit over 165 million streams.

2021 Live Dates

19^th August – Banquet Records, Kingston – Evening
20^th August – Rough Trade East, London – Sold out
21^st August – Relevant Records, Cambridge – Lunchtime
21^st August – Resident Records, Brighton – Evening
22^nd August – Rough Trade Bristol, Bristol – Lunchtime
22^nd August – Truck, Oxford – Evening
23^rd August – Rough Trade Nottingham, Nottingham – Lunchtime
23^rd August – Vinyl Tap, Huddersfield – Evening
24^th August – Jumbo Records, Leeds – Lunchtime
24^th August – Action Records, Preston – Evening
27^th August – Down the Rabbit Hole Festival, Beuningen, Netherlands
28 August – Burgerweeshuis, Deventer, Netherlands
12^th October – SWG3, Glasgow
13^th October – Rescue Rooms, Nottingham
15^th October – Albert Hall, Manchester
16^th October – SWX, Bristol
17^th October – Junction, Cambridge
18^th October – The Glee Club, Birmingham
20^th October – Chalk, Brighton
21^st October – Roundhouse, London
2^nd November – Opera House, Cork
3^rd November – Set Theatre, Kilkenny – Sold out
4^th November – Dolans Warehouse, Limerick – Sold out
5^th November – Black Box, Galway – Sold out
7^th November – Empire Music Hall, Belfast
11^th December – Vicar Street, Dublin – Sold out
12^th December – Vicar Street, Dublin – Sold out
13^th December – Vicar Street, Dublin
Tickets

‘Fever Dreams’ is available to pre-order on Dom Mart exclusive coloured vinyl (with one-sided 7” and signed 4 postcard set), indies exclusive coloured vinyl, Dinked Editions exclusive coloured vinyl (with flexi disc), Irish exclusive coloured vinyl, vinyl, CD and digitally. Pre-order: Dom Mart | Digital The initial press of all vinyl formats features a die cut sleeve with 4 interchangeable album covers.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Photo credit – Rich Gilligan

Today, Irish post punk group The Altered Hours unveil their latest, intoxicating release single ‘Radiant Wound’. Giving nods to psychedelic rock, no-wave & grunge, this latest offering is peppered with rage and rebellion. To celebrate the release, they will perform live at The Grand Social, 26th November 2021. Tickets are on sale Friday 2nd July at 10am from Ticketmaster.ie and Tickets.ie.

Born from the frustration of watching living costs soar in their beloved home town of Cork the track is a gut reaction to the current housing crisis in Ireland. Sharing a little more, Cathal explained: “The message with this track is simple, we love the city that has had such an impact on us as a band. The music scene in Cork city has inspired us & supported us over the years and having already lived through one recession here and now with the current housing crisis ongoing, ‘Radiant Wound’ is a shared rage we feel towards these growing issues. It’s one from the guts.”

‘Radiant Wound’ follows the bands first release of the year ‘All Amnesia’, an energetic ode to putting the past behind you and living in the moment.

Hailing from Cork City Ireland, The Altered Hours are a five piece alt-rock group. Their music explores vast psychedelic spaces, immediate post-punk tones, repetitive rhythms and propelling structures. The lyrics bind this wall of noise together, comfortably connecting the escapism of the abstract with the honesty of realism. This duality is played out in song and on stage by the male/female lead singers Elaine Howley & Cathal MacGabhann. Continuing an “art-punk” tradition while being influenced by artists such as The Velvet Underground, Sonic Youth, Pixies, Iceage, Lydia Lunch, Spacemen 3 and Stereolab.

Before the pandemic the band most recently joined fellow Irish rockers Fontaines D.C. on a major European tour, playing sold out venues such as Le Bataclan (Paris) and Paradiso (Amsterdam).

Over the past few years the 5 piece have been headlining tours in the UK and Europe, creating what some journalists have described as a ‘cult-like’ status. Playing everywhere from ex-government buildings, deconsecrated churches, sheds, parties & anywhere else that will have them. In the process they have scooped critical acclaim from the likes of The Fader, Brooklyn Vegan, The Quietus, Clash and many more.

The years ahead are set to be as exciting & energetic as ever for The Altered Hours with the group continuously carving out their own path in rock ‘n’ roll and recently signing to Pizza Pizza Records. Sharing a little more Cathal said: “We’re really excited for this chapter of our band’s music, this song is inspired by our love for rock ‘n’ roll & rich melodies & the endless pathways that can take us on. We feel we’re always getting closer & closer to the core of what we love about music & this is another step in that exploration.”

The Altered Hours announce headline show for The Grand Social

Friday, 26th November 2021

Tickets €15.00 on sale this Friday, 2nd July at 10am

From Ticketmaster.ie and Tickets.ie

Since releasing his infectious debut single ‘Rock N Rolla’, Keith Margo has found himself living in a world where each day rolls into the next. The working week no longer has a beginning or end. As far as Margo is concerned, Monday is just another day. You rise in the morning, you fall in the evening.

Over the last year, while sporting a haircut from 1966, he has gone back to the music he would hear on the radio in his younger days, the poetry of Frank O’Hara and images from forgotten times giving his new single ‘Hello Monday’, out Friday 2nd July,  a strong feeling of nostalgia.

A glittering tambourine carries you along through a wave of sun soaked jangling guitars. On top sits a weaving, hypnotic melody that’s so nice, you have to listen twice. Underneath is a rhythm section that keeps your head grooving.

‘Hello Monday’ is a summer classic that will ring in your ears long after you’ve finished listening. Expect more hits later in the year.

Written, produced, mixed and mastered by Keith Margo.

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

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/KeithMargoMusic

PRE-SAVE LINK: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/keithmargo/hello-monday

Inhaler today share their new track ‘Totally’ on Polydor. The song launches alongside an interview with Zane Lowe on Apple Music.

‘Totally’ is the latest song to be shared from Inhaler’s debut album ‘It Won’t Always Be Like This’, which is set for release on July 9^th. The Irish quartet are one of the most exciting bands to emerge over the past few years and ‘It Won’t Always Be Like This’ lives up to their thrilling potential. Singer and guitarist Eli Hewson, bassist Robert Keating, guitarist Josh Jenkinson and drummer Ryan McMahon have made a record that captures their evolution from exciting upstarts to refined songsmiths. It takes in a dazzling array of sonic textures, where huge, hooky choruses perfectly meld with intricate, dynamic instrumentation.

A Covid-enforced delay encouraged the four-piece to find new levels as a band, opening up both their sound and their lyrical themes. Songs about meeting girls turned into reflections on society and how to get through tough periods. “We started writing this when we were teenagers and now we’re adults,” says Keating. “I wanted the songs to feel positive,” adds Hewson. “Because… it won’t always be like this.”

Recorded with long-term collaborator and producer Antony Genn at London’s Narcissus Studios, it’s a coming-of-age record about losing yourself and finding yourself again, trying to make sense of the world when the world doesn’t make much sense.

Inhaler will play an 18-date tour of the UK & Ireland later this year, preceded by a run of intimate record store shows in August.

TAYNE release new EP ‘Coherent’ this Friday, 2nd July.

“We recorded this EP along with a larger body of material that we initially thought would be featured as part of an album. During the recording process we realised that theses tracks that now form the coherent EP had an identity of their own and we wanted embrace that.  We separated these from the album we’ve been working on and let them exist in their own context.  This EP is a precursor of the album that we’ve made and is a taster of what to expect next.”

TAYNE is a London based Experimental, Noise Rock band.

The band’s concept originated as a satire on contemporary pop music. With heavier music seeping into the mainstream TAYNE was created to try test the limits of “Pop music” ideologies. Harsh industrial soundscapes with a juxtaposition of overproduced vocals and sounds on top of classic verse / chorus “Pop” song  structures combined to create the bands identity.

TAYNE’s music has been described as an aural assault, grounded in Industrial soundscapes they weld atmospheric vocals,  punishing guitars and pulsating electronics create immersive and intense sounds.

The band released ‘BREATHE’ in 2018 & has since gone on to share the stage with the likes of HEALTH / Acid Mothers Temple.

‘Coherent’ is the bands newest offering and is out July 2 via Armalyte Industries. It was recorded / produced by Wayne Adams of PETBRICK / BIG LAD in his Studio “Bear Bites Horse” in London.

It features new material including previous released singles ‘Coherent’ and ‘Silence’ as well as remixes by JESU & Poisonous Birds. The EP will be streaming on all DSPs as well as physical records available on TAYNE’s Bandcamp page, these are limited to a run of 100 vinyl.

https://linktr.ee/Tayneband 

Olivia Burke is releasing her new single on Friday 23rd July called ‘You’re Alive’. The song was written by Keith McLoughlin and Grace Day and recorded at Beardfire Music Production Studio & Label.

Drawing inspiration from pop power houses such as Maggie Roggers and Jessie Ware, ‘You’re Alive’ draws parallels between coming to terms with the end of a friendship or relationship and the feeling of grief. While the subject of the song is heavy, the melody and instrumentation remain uplifting, featuring dreamy synths, vibrant electro drums and pristine pop vocals delivered by Olivia. How the song came to be is a perfect example of a pandemic collaboration; Keith McLoughlin wrote some lyrics and sent them to Grace Day, who currently lives in Nashville. From there, Keith and Grace wrote the song together over Facebook video calls.

Having heard Olivia Burke sing on his radio show, Keith decided Olivia would be perfect for the song. Olivia, a Co. Offaly native, was fully on board to sing and perform on the song. She joined in on the video calls along with the lads at Beardfire Music to work on pre-production before spending an afternoon in the studio recording vocals, guitar etc.

Olivia Burke has finished four years studying Commercial Modern Music and Songwriting at BIMM Dublin. In the past she has performed in many venues including Whelan’s, The Workman’s Club, Dolans and was shortlisted in the final 33 of the Hotpress Big Break Competition back in 2014.

Olivia still only 22 years old has been releasing her own music for many years included a single back in May called ‘Anybody Else’ and an EP called ‘Notes On My Napkin’ back in 2015 which she successfully got crowdfunding for through a Fund It.

Olivia’s influences include Amy Winehouse, Lorde, Frank Ocean, Kacey Musgraves.

www.facebook.com/oliviaburkemusic

www.twitter.com/OliviaB_Music

www.instagram.com/oliviaburkemusic/

Remembering to be grateful. “It’s not finding gratitude that matters most; it’s remembering to look in the first place. Sometimes life lands a really mean punch in the gut and it feels like there’s nothing to be grateful for. Guess what? It doesn’t matter. You don’t have to find anything. It’s the searching that counts.”

Kíla frontman Rónán Ó Snodaigh recalls a valuable lesson learned in the pandemic lockdown. “Gratefulness doesn’t just make you happy — it creates a positive feedback loop in your relationships. So express that gratitude to the people you care about.” It was in the soil of this powerful sentiment that ‘Tá Go Maith’, a collection of new solo works, began to propagate. The new album will arrive Thursday 5th August, with a song from it out now ‘Ar Ár Son’ (On Our Behalf), with accompanying video directed by Myles O’Reilly (Arbutus Yarns) https://youtu.be/4Glz6UrtKSg

In a spur of the moment decision informed by another valuable lesson learned in lockdown, that isolation and a generosity of time can do much to fuel the creative mind, Rónán Ó Snodaigh and Myles O’Reilly filled a car with musical instruments and decamped to a remote cottage, ‘Shell Cottage’ in Maynooth. Bringing with him a canon of new lyrics, inspired by deep and newfound connections with time, place, family, friends and… gratitude, Rónán found a nest in O’Reilly’s minimal ambient textures, to lay some musical ideas. In the ethereal sound grown to characterise Myles ambient music moniker [Indistinct Chatter], songs were hatched.

Rónán’s Gaelic lyrics and satin voice gently rip through the air like a soft breeze. You can sense the atmosphere of the woods outside Shell Cottage, and it feels inescapably like you too are there. Speaking about the new song ‘Ar Ár Son’ (On Our Behalf), Ó Snodaigh says “Philosophically I’m playing with an idea I stumbled upon from Muhammad Ali, he said “We / Me”. All that’s in me, is for you. So I’m juggling that around…

We’re supposed to benefit each other, we’re all supposed to interact with each other, that’s how human existence should operate. Everyone knows we’re all connected, and we might as well be kind to each other.”

‘Ar Ár Son’ (On Our Behalf) is the second song to be shared from the upcoming album, the first taster “Tá’n t’Ádh Liom (Lucky Is Me)” appeared late last year – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RknDQJtJkOs

‘Ar Ár Son’ written by Rónán Ó Snodaigh. Video directed by Myles O’Reilly is out now. 

Ar Ár Son on Bandcamp:

https://ronanosnodaigh.bandcamp.com/track/ar-r-son

Ar Ár Son on Spotify:

https://tinyurl.com/7k2bbaea

The new album, ‘Tá Go Maith’ by Rónán Ó Snodaigh, produced by Myles O’Reilly, will be released on all digital platforms Thursday 5th August 2021.

RÓNÁN Ó SNODAIGH

https://www.ronanosnodaigh.ie/

Bandcamp – Spotify – Facebook – Twitter / @ronanosnodaigh – Instagram

MYLES O’REILLY

Music Video and Music Documentary Filmmaker @ www.arbutusyarns.net

Musician, Composer and Music Producer @ www.indistinctchatter.site

Youtube – Facebook – Instagram – Spotify – Bandcamp – Patreon – Twitter

John Francis Flynn is the latest Irish musician to find a home away from home on River Lea Records, Rough Trade’s folk music imprint. His debut solo album ‘I Would Not Live Always’ will be released on July 30^th. Watch the video for ‘My Son Tim’ now.

John came to the label’s attention while supporting fellow Dublin band Lankum on their 2019 tour, where his commanding performances revealed him to be as much an experimental electronic artist as he is an interpreter of traditional song.

Singer, guitarist, flautist (and practitioner of the double tin whistle), John is also a member of celebrated traditional group Skipper’s Alley and is joined here by bandmate Ultan O’Brien (also of Slow Moving Clouds). Also contributing to the record are singer Consuelo Breschi of the duo Varo, sean nós singer Saileog Ní Ceannabháin, Phil Christie (O Emperor / The Bonk) on keyboards, and drummer & composer Ross Chaney who created many of the Tascam tape-loop drones that bind the album together. The record was produced, engineered and mixed by Brendan Jenkinson (Villagers / Cloud Castle Lake) who also joins in on a host of instruments for the record. It was recorded and mixed at Oxford Lane and Sonic Studios, Dublin.

The material John Francis Flynn has chosen to record includes songs learned from recordings of Shirley Collins, Frank Harte and settled Traveller Paddy Quilligan, two songs written by activist and folk revivalist Ewan MacColl, and a West Indies halyard shanty published by “Last Working Shantyman” Stan Hugill, alongside in-studio improvisations and tunes picked up by John along the way.

‘I Would Not Live Always’ is the fourth album to be released by River Lea, following 5-star reviewed and award-winning records by Lisa O’Neill, Brìghde Chaimbeul and Ye Vagabonds.  John Francis Flynn personifies the boundless approach to traditional music the label was set up to champion.

FB @johnfrancisflynnmusic

TW @JFFdublin

IG @johnfrancisflynnmusic

https://store.roughtraderecords.com/collections/river-lea

Renowned violinist Vladimir Jablokov is delighted to announce a series of unique summer free, live, online concerts via Zoom. For each concert Vladimir will be joined by a well-known Special Guest at his online theatre to enjoy from the comfort of your own home.

The first free concert takes place on Sunday, 18^TH July 2021 at 7.00pm with Vladimir Jablokov- violin, Sokol Koka – Cello and Kevin Walsh – piano.  To book your ticket for these free, live, online concerts log onto www.vladimirmusic.com. The music for the first concert will include many new pieces Vladimir learned in the past year as well as some of his old favourites. The programme will include Libertango, Monti Csardas, Storm from Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, Spanish Dance Romanza Andaluza, Theme from Schindlers List, Cavalleria Rusticana and more.

On Sunday, 25^th July  Vladimir Jablokov will be joined by internationally renowned soprano Celine Byrne with Kevin Walsh on piano.  It’s been over a decade since Vladimir and Celine performed together, which will make this event extra special. The Music will include O Mio Babbino Caro, Nella Fantasia, Ebben Ne Andro Lontana, Vilia aria, I Could Have Danced All Night, Music from the Merry Widow, and more.

On Sunday 8th August, Vladimir Jablokov presents a special Baroque to Broadway evening with No. 1 selling Irish cross-genre Trumpet player Niall O’Sullivan with Gerald Peregrine on Cello and Kevin Walsh on Piano. Vladimir & Niall performed on several musical projects throughout the years. Niall also featured in Vladimir’s Viennese Christmas for a number of years. This concert will be Vladimir and Niall’s first joint production. They will bring you on a journey through time exploring music from the 17th to 20th Century. From the Opera Houses of Europe to the Broadway stages of New York, from the Silver Screen to the dance floor of South America. The Music will include Handel Suite in D, Hungarian Dance, Danny Boy, Por Una Cabeza, Libertango, The Godfather, Stardust, My Funny Valentine and more.

On Sunday 15th August Vladimir Jablokov presents a special Opera Night with renowned tenor Gavan Ring with Kevin Walsh on Piano.  Vladimir is delighted to welcome to his online theatre Irish opera star tenor Gavan Ring.   This is the first time Vladimir & Gavan will be performing publicly together. This is one of the new musical relationships that developed over the past 15 months when both Vladimir & Gavan’s international performances came to a standstill. The Music will include Una Furtiva Lagrima, Che Gelida Manina, E Lucevan Le Stelle, La donna e mobile and more.

Vladimir Jablokov is having a positive impact on wellbeing and happiness bringing music and joy into people’s homes.

Spaces for these Free Special Concerts are limited and are allocated on a first-come-first-served basis.

For more details on these Free, Online Concerts and upcoming artists log onto www.vladimirmusic.com.

Don’t Miss Out on this Unique Series of summer Concerts!

With support from the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media.

• SUN. 18^TH JULY ‘21 – VLADIMIR JABLOKOV (VIOLIN), SOKOL KOKA (CELLO), KEVIN WALSH (PIANO)

• SUN. 25^TH JULY ‘21 – AN EVENING WITH CELINE BYRNE & VLADIMIR JABLOKOV

• SUN. 8^TH AUGUST ‘21 – BAROQUE TO BROADWAY WITH VLADIMIR JABLOKOV & NIALL O’SULLIVAN

• SUN. 15^TH AUGUST ’21 – AN OPERA NIGHT WITH GAVAN RING & VLADIMIR JABLOKOV