Author: Breffni Banks

Lorcán MacMathúna shares ‘Plait agus Domhnaill (Clontarf)’, the new single from his brand new album ‘An Bhuatais and The Meaning of Life’.

Describing this album Folk Radio UK say: “‘An Bhuatais & The Meaning of Life’ is a great album to listen to. The range of songs exemplifies the sean nós tradition and beautifully continues it along its path. The subject range is not just limited to the lament of Irish history. There is ‘Cúcúín’, a lullaby for a mother cuckoo’s chick and ‘Michtam Daibhí (Pslam 16)’ that is simply stunning. You can also dig deeper, read about the songs, or travel further into musings about the myths, ‘the hope, longing and fire’. But first of all, enter the space and just listen. Excellent.”

Lorcán Mac Mathúna is a shaman of Sean-Nós [Old-Style Gaelic singing], who conjures a world of intense emotions coloured by mythology and legend. His voice will “make you believe in ghosts,” and his songs will bring you through time to witness tales of old Celtic romance and adventure. His many projects investigate and elaborate on the improvising nature of the human voice in solo and collaborative settings. This includes A Cappella Sean-Nós singing, contemporary compositions of an improvised nature, music composition theory based on syllabic poetic forms, and much, much more.

In 2015 Lorcán won a commission to commemorate the Centenary of the 1916 Easter Rising. The Easter Rising was one of the most significant events in recent Irish history and the state’s commemorations of the Centenary were on an unprecedented scale. Lorcán won one of 9 commissions which were awarded after a competitive tender for projects of big and ambitious big ideas. He created 1916 – Visionaries and Their Words a beautiful musical and theatrical performance based on the artistic vision of the Signatories of the Easter Proclamation. Visionaries has played 10 times in Ireland, and at major festivals in France and the Czech Republic. In September 2016 he released the album Visionaries 1916, a collection of songs he composed from the poetry of the Rising’s leaders.

As well as a solo and group performer, with performances from Germany to Vancouver, Lorcán regularly teaches singing in schools programmes, music organisations and festival workshops.

Supported by An Chomhairle Ealaíon. This album launch was supported by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sports and Media.

Website: http://www.lorcanmacmathuna.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lorcan.macmathuna.52/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mac_lorcan

Bandcamp: https://lorcanmacmathuna.bandcamp.com/album/an-bhuatais-the-meaning-of-life

Irish singer-songwriter Chris Short prepares to release his beautifully crafted collection of of vignettes on debut EP ‘Somewhere’, out on 4th June 2021. Opening with the powerfully intimate single ‘Consumed’, the EP immediately draws you in with its textured blend of intricate indie-folk. ‘Flint & Steel’, featuring stunning guest vocals from SJ Talbot, oozes with delicacy as cascading folk sensibilities and twinkling shimmers of electronica are able to soar meticulously throughout. Fans of the likes of Foy Vance and Nick Mulvey will feel at home here. The EP also features a celestial remix of lead single ‘Higher’, showcasing Chris’ unique ability to defy and experiment with genre.

Talking about the EP, Chris explains, “This EP has been in development and execution for about a year now. It’s been an amazing experience, writing the songs, honing the songs, and finally recording them. The EP itself gets its name from the old saying ‘You have to start somewhere’, and this being my first EP or collection of my own original songs, this is my ‘Somewhere’, I hope it’s just the start.” 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 The Vinyl District to name a few. 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. The EP 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.Somewhere is out on 4th June 2021.

www.facebook.com/CShortMusic

Emily 7 are delighted to announce their brand new single ‘Somebody’ will be released on all digital streaming platforms on Friday June 4th 2021.

Hot off the heels of a feature in RTE One’s My Tribe, the four Dublin lads are delighted to release a fan favourite from live sets as a single. ‘Somebody’ is a fast paced indie-rock stomper with some 60s rock ‘n’ roll influenced guitar licks, Punky drums and a modern twist on Motown influenced hook. Clocking in at 3 and a half minutes, Emily 7 spare no time with this anthem.

Brendan Murray returns with his new single, ‘Deep Fake’. Available from June 11^th on all streaming platforms, ‘Deep Fake’ is all about his personal experiences of his life behind the mic from his career to date. The Galway singer/songwriter, hailed by Robbie Williams as an artist with “an impossibly perfect pop voice”, Brendan knows how to write super catchy perfect pop songs too!

Speaking about ‘Deep Fake’, Brendan says “For me personally the meaning behind this track when it was written was mainly about having too many people trying to influence my life and telling me how I should steer my career and always agreeing with what they had to say. I think a lot of people including me feel like we need to keep a good reputation of over selves by posting all the time on social media and painting everything up to be amazing, but in reality sometimes, we just post to hide what we really feel.”

Brendan began his career with Irish boyband HomeTown in 2014. The band achieved two number one singles in Ireland with their first single ‘Where I Belong’ becoming the fastest-selling single from a debut act and the fastest-selling single from an Irish artist in 2014.

In 2017, Brendan went on to represent Ireland in the Eurovision Song Contest which was seen by over 180 million viewers.

In 2018, Brendan entered season 15 of The X Factor. During the Six Chair challenge he received a safe seat from Louis Tomlinson and from then on helped him reach the semi-finals finishing in 5th place.

Since his success with HomeTown, Eurovision and X Factor, Brendan has been consistently releasing his own original music over the last couple of years and has been placed on leading Spotify playlists such as ‘Chilled Pop Hits’ and ‘Very Nearly Nashville’.

‘Deep Fake’ is available on streaming platforms Friday June 11th, 2021.

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2021 is the year to ‘Make It’!! An exciting 1st Rap release from Leo Dynamic1 and Kxng Crooked. Leo Dynamic1 aka “The Punching Producer” is a 2 times national Boxing Champion from Dublin Ireland. He shared the boxing ring with 3 World Champions and met his boxing idol Mike Tyson. His music has received more than three million streams.

Kxng Crooked from Long Beach California brings his exceptional talent and years of working in the rap industry. He was a former member of the Rap Supergroup ‘Slaughterhouse’ signed to Shady Records, managed by Eminem. He also features on Eminem’s latest Album ‘Music To Be Murdered By’ and has collaborated with many artists including Snoop Dogg. Kxng Crooked’s music has now received more than 100 million streams.

‘Make It’ brings inspiration to all rappers out there and the motivation to ‘Make It’ in the music industry.

Rap music has always been associated with boxing, so this genre is not really a new adventure for Leo Dynamic1, “The Punching Producer”. The combination of years in the boxing ring, especially fighting in the tough gyms of Brooklyn, New York, working out to the music of NWA and Public Enemy, Leo Dynmaic1 has got the pure grit of hard work and determination in this track, incorporating various surprising elements of strings and highly unexpected choirs.

‘Make It’ was Mastered by two time GRAMMY nominated producer Chad Dexter, who has worked with artists such as 50 Cent and Jennifer Lopez.

As part of the promo to launch the track, Kxng Crooked gives it a punching video shout out and sure even Eminem can’t but like it.

Formed in late 2019 following the dissolution of The Strypes – Cavan, Ireland’s The Zen Arcade have adopted an independent approach that extends far beyond their musical output. On Friday 4th June via their own Dental Records they release the new EP ‘High Fidelity’; including the brand new single ‘High Fidelity’ alongside last year’s debut single ‘Don’t Say A Word’, and an exclusive episode of their own podcast – ‘Higher Fidelity’.

Comprised of three ex members of The Strypes whose stellar rise saw them tour three critically acclaimed albums from Glastonbury to Fuji Rocks via performances for the likes of Jools Holland, The Late Show With David Letterman, and a support tour with Arctic Monkeys; The Zen Arcade take their musical cues from the likes of Hoodoo Gurus, Jesus And Mary Chain, XTC and Graham Coxon, relentlessly genre-hopping from garage rock, to power pop, to cow-punk.

Deciding to embrace the pressure of independence, the band started their own zine, ‘Cro Mag Non’, and podcast, ‘Higher Fidelity’.

‘Cro Mag Non’ is a fanzine that’s so DIY you have to make it yourself. Publishing the PDFs online, the zine has managed to make it to tabletops in England, Germany, America and Japan whilst also being physically available from miniature kiosks in Tower Records, Rage Records and the Irish Writers Centre.

‘Higher Fidelity’ is a podcast focusing on music analysis in the form of segments like ‘When Should They Have Stopped’, (your favourite bands and the point at which they cacked it) ‘Guilty Hatreds’ (bands you feel bad about disliking) and ‘Never Mind The Fuzzbox’ (the guess the intros round from Never Mind The Buzzcocks but with a fuzz pedal thrown into to avoid any litigious tv execs)  enjoying a dedicated listenership in equal measures across 5 continents.

Debut single ‘Don’t Say A Word’ released in October 2020 saw The Zen Arcade pick up extensive airplay in Ireland and the US, peaking at No.1 on the Irish iTunes singles chart and ranking at No.12 on the Irish National HomeGrown Chart by end of trading on release day.

Having started life as the intro to their ‘Higher Fidelity’ podcast, the band’s second single, ‘High Fidelity’ will be released on 12” bubblegum pink vinyl as part of ‘High Fidelity EP’ on 4th June – graduating from jingle to single in a fashion unheard of since the Minder theme.

Speaking about ‘High Fidelity’, The Zen Arcade elaborate: “’High Fidelity’ has gone from jingle to single and theme song to hit song. This piece of music originally heralded the start of an episode of ‘Higher Fidelity’ but now heralds the start of an episode of success. The track was written indoors, recorded in vain and released in case. It details the details of a relationship between a cinephile with a lot of boxsets and their partner with a lot to catch up on.”

Website // Facebook // Twitter // Instagram // YouTube // Spotify // Bandcamp

‘Not Long Now’ – the new single from PictureHouse, is available on all digital formats from: https://id.ffm.to/notlongnow 

Written by frontman Dave Browne with multi-instrumentalist Yann O’Brien, the song is a return to the upbeat positive summer vibes the band are known for.

“After the year we’ve all had, rather than looking back at the negatives, we wanted to do something positive, bring a smile to people’s faces and focus on the good times ahead. Thinking of good times, we’re delighted to announce a live show in Lost Lane in Dublin on December 11^th. Head to PictureHouse.ie and our social channels for ticket details.” – Dave Browne.

Not one for resting, Dave has also spent his time writing with emerging artists like Joshua and Frankie Swain, with more on the way very soon.

The photograph used for not ‘Not Long Now’ artwork was taken by Dublin Photographer Derek Kennedy, check out his work on Instagram at @dublindaily.

PictureHouse are one of Ireland’s most enduring bands. Their debut album ‘Shine Box’ was released 25 years ago this year and the band have had a string of hit singles including ‘Sunburst’, ‘Heavenly Day’, ‘Everybody Loves My Girl’ and ‘Rules Of Science’. Their most recent release – ‘1999 Live in Dublin’ went on to chart in the Official Irish Charts last November.

Stream or download ‘Not Long Now’ from https://id.ffm.to/notlongnow and follow the band on instagram @picturehouse_ie

Over the weekend of the 19^th and 20^th June the National Concert Hall, together the Arts Council, present over eight livestreamed concerts by leading Irish musicians – John Spillane, Steve Cooney, Varo Sessions, Daoirí Farrell, Louise and Michelle Mulcahy and more – in a variety of performances as part of ‘Tradition Now’.   

The series, which has garnered a growing audience over a six-year period, has evolved into a much-anticipated annual event celebrating innovation in traditional music while staying true to its roots. This year’s Tradition Now focuses on the new in a tradition that is once ancient and ever evolving, exploring themes of place, home and identity through music.  

Robert Read, CEO of the National Concert Hall said, “Irish musicians continue to build on Ireland’s rich cultural heritage by fostering a deep appreciation for tradition while adopting contemporary themes and sounds to chart a new course. In partnership with the Arts Council the NCH continues to champion and support the evolution of traditional music, by fostering a spirit of collaboration, recognising and rewarding musical talent and providing a platform for this music to be heard and enjoyed. I would like to thank the Arts Council and the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media for their continued support in making these livestreams possible. Now more than ever we are assured of the transformative power of music and the arts to speak to the times we live in, to offer solace and inspiration for today and the future.”

Maureen Kennelly, Director of the Arts Council said, “Themes of the home place and far away destinations permeate throughout traditional music and song. Songs of emigration capture a poignant episode in Irish history while early 20^th century technology in the form of wax cylinders and gramophone records preserved the tradition at home and brought an exciting celebration of the music back home from America. Tradition Now is a celebration of the rich diversity within our traditional music and explores where our music has come from and the direction it has chosen to take. The Arts Council is delighted to be celebrating the seventh edition of Tradition Now and values this important partnership with the National Concert Hall.”  

Highlights of the series sees acclaimed bard John Spillane, a well-known Cork based singer songwriter whose music is rooted in people, place and story, perform music from his new Top 10 album, 100 Snow White Horses. Inspired by his travels around Ireland, these new songs are full of poetry, Irish mythology and wonder (Sat. 19 June at 8pm).   

On Sunday 20^th at 8pm, French and Italian fiddle and vocal duo, Lucie Azconaga and Consuelo Nerea Breschi, otherwise known as Varo come together with guests Anna Mieke, Alannah Thornburgh, Branwen with Slow Moving Clouds, John Francis Flynn, and Niamh Bury to debut a new musical project developed during lockdown. Despite coming from two different musical paths, (Lucie from jazz, classical music, and French folk, Consuelo from Irish trad, folk, and world music) they have developed a unique sound pairing of traditional songs and tunes infused with a variety of influences. Varo released their debut self-titled album in January last year with Folk Radio UK saying, “It is an exciting time for Irish folk music, and Varo’s accomplished debut should position them at the forefront of the scene.”

The series also sees a variety of afternoon and early evening concerts featuring both establishing and emerging artists.   

Steve Cooney, a multi-award-winning musician who scooped three awards in addition to receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award at RTE Radio 1’s Folk Awards last year, is best known for his development of an influential style of guitar accompaniment to traditional Irish dance music. This year he released a ground-breaking album of old harp tunes for solo guitar Ceol Ársa Cláirsí which he will perform live, for the first time, at the National Concert Hall (20 June, 3.30pm).

Dublin-born traditional singer, bouzouki player and BBC 2 Folk Award Winner Daoirí Farrell makes his NCH debut as part of Tradition Now (20 June, 5pm). After a promising debut album, ‘The First Turn’ (2009), Daoirí spent several years studying traditional music and has since performed alongside Christy Moore, Donal Lunny, Julie Fowlis, Dervish and many more. He has been described by some of the biggest names in Irish folk music as ‘one of most important singers to come out of Ireland in recent years.’  

Respected and multi-prize-winning Sean Nos singer from Muskerry Gaeltacht in County Cork Nell Ní Chróinín will be joined by an instrumental trio of accomplished improvisers and composers – Maria Ryan, violin, Kate Ellis, cello, Cormac McCarthy, piano – exploring innovative approaches to texture, harmony and rhythm underpinning her authentic and acclaimed vocals (19 June, 3.30pm).  

Dublin-based with Clare and Connemara connections, Eoghan Ó Ceannabháin  and Ultan O’Brien are a long-established duo pairing sounds of voice and fiddle. ‘Solas an Lae’ (The Light of the Day), (November 2020), is Eoghan and Ultan’s debut offering – a compelling exploration of that relationship, creating a unique dialogue that blends raw, rugged earth with the ethereal otherworld. Since then, they have built on this musical relationship through the medium of ‘digital folk opera’ marrying the tales told in their music with film. They perform 20 June, 2pm.   

Rooted in the Sliabh Luachra and Clare tradition, Louise and Michelle Mulcahy come from a well-known family of traditional musicians. Michelle is one of Ireland’s most talented multi-instrumentalists in Irish traditional music today playing concertina, harp, fiddle, accordion, piano, and melodeon. Her debut solo harp album ‘Suaimhneas’ received worldwide acclaim as one of the top harp albums in Irish music today. Louise has appeared, some years ago, on Na Píobairí Uilleann’s compilation of young uilleann pipers entitled ‘A New Dawn’ and she has released her highly acclaimed début solo album titled ‘Tuning the Road’ in 2014. While virtuoso instrumentalists, their sound can be described as sweet and melodic. They perform together 19 June, 2pm.  

In contrast to this solo approach, well known players Mick O’Brien, (uilleann piper, flute whistle), Aoife Ní Bhriaín (fiddle/viola) and Emer Mayock (flute/whistle) come together on Saturday 19^th June at 5pm to explore and re-interpret music collected by James Goodman (1828-96) in southwest of Ireland. The manuscripts, held at Trinity College Dublin and now published by the Irish Traditional Music Archive, are of great significance providing unique insights into the evolution of Irish traditional music. From these manuscripts, Mick, Emer and Aoife have chosen music ranging from unusual versions of tunes in the modern repertoire to those apparently unique to the collection. In 2014 they received a TG4 Gradam Ceoil award for their collaborative work in exploring this varied and intriguing repertoire.  

FAMILY CONCERTS  

WUNDERGROUND is the newest gig theatre production for those aged 3+ by Ceol Connected, engaging young audiences with high quality, innovative, and meaningful experiences of the traditional arts. Children and adults are invited to tune in for these highly participatory streamed performances, where they are encouraged to experience a sense of curiosity, wonder, and enchantment with the world beneath our feet (11am and 1pm on Sat. 19 June and Sun. 20 June). Wunderground is co-produced with the National Concert Hall in association with the Pavilion Theatre. Supported by Draíocht Arts Centre and funded by the Arts Council.  

Tradition Now is an initiative of the Arts Council and National Concert Hall and is supported by The Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media.  

Tickets: Afternoon and early evening concerts €5 each or €10 for all three concerts each day. 8pm concert tickets €12. Wunderground Family Ticket price €8.50. See www.nch.ie for details.   

TRADITION NOW 2021   

Livestream Concerts from the National Concert Hall, 19/20 June 2021  

Saturday 19^th June  

• John Spillane, renowned singer/songwriter performs songs from his album 100 Snow White Horses (Sat. 19^th June 8pm)  
• Mick O’Brien (uillean piper), Emer Mayock (Flute/whistle), Aoife Ní Bhriaín (fiddle/viola) re-interpret music collected by James Goodman in the early 19^th century (Sat. 19^th June 5pm)  
• Nell Ní Chróinín (sean nós singer), Cormac McCarthy, Kate Ellis (cello), Maria Ryan  (Sat. 19^th June 3.30pm)  
• Michelle & Louise Mulcahy, multi-instrumentalists (Sat. 19^th June 2pm)  
• Wunderground – a streamed family concert by Ceol Connected (Sat. 19^th June, 11am and 1pm)  

Sunday 20^th June  

• Varo Sessions with John Francis Flynn, Alannah Thornburgh, Niamh Bury, Anna Mieke, Branwen and Slow Moving Clouds (Sun. 20^th June 8pm)  
• Daoirí Farrell Irish singer/songwriter (Sun. 20^th June 5pm)  
• Steve Cooney: Ceol Ársa Clairsí – first performance of his album of old Irish harp tunes for guitar (Sun. 20^th June 3.30pm)  

• Eoghan Ó Ceannabháin and Ultan O’Brien vocal and fiddle duo (Sun. 20^th June 2pm)  
• Wunderground participatory streamed family concerts (Sat. 19^th June, 11am and 1pm)  

Tickets: Afternoon and early evening concerts €5 each or €10 for all three concerts each day. 8pm concert tickets €12. Wunderground Family Ticket price €8.50. See www.nch.ie for details.  

PHOENO is Adam Matthews and Liam Corbett. Their collaboration has been a process of shedding skin to arrive at a place of emotional rawness and truth. “We write songs out of our own necessity,” they say, “there is an urgency in the expression.” When these songs began to form in 2019, Adam and Liam found themselves casting off a traditional band structure, and instead, began tracing their way out of previous practices, simmering in electronic soundscapes while anthemic statements coalesced. Deciding to embrace the space between and gravitate towards the feelings such vulnerability brought forth – grief, isolation, solitude – PHOENO rose.

PHOENO release their debut single ‘ALIVE’ – Friday June 4th.

*Pronounced FEE – NO.

https://linktr.ee/phoenomusic 

Photo: Philly McMahon