Author: Breffni Banks

Cormac O Caoimh is set to release a taste of their upcoming album on August 25th – ‘There Is A World.’ This track sets the tone for an album that explores themes of autism, parenthood, and love.

To coincide with the release, Cormac O Caoimh presents a Bandcamp b-side, featuring a re-recorded version of the classic ‘Remember When We Didn’t Kiss’ from their 2012 album A New Season For Love.

Featuring Aoife Regan (vocals) and Martin Leahy (drums and bass), ‘There Is A World’ was mixed by Adam Whittaker and mastered by Hafod Mastering.

1. There Is A World
2. Crimson Coloured Wishes (Remember When We Didn’t Kiss)

Don’t miss Cormac O Caoimh and Martin Leahy at The Cork Folk Festival on September 29th at Coughlans.

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“One day or another, Cormac O Caoimh will be unanimously considered one of the greatest melodists in the history of pop-music” – Le Village Pop

“Acoustic Gems from the Cork singer-songwriter. Each song superglues to the memory ” – Mojo Magazine

“There are echoes of terrific songwriters here – the likes of Lloyd Cole, Paul Simon, Eels’ Mark E Everett and Prefab Sprout’s Paddy McAloon filter through – but O Caoimh’s personalized worldview makes the material his own” – The Irish Times

“There is true magic here” – Folk Words

Built To Last is the latest 10 song rocker from Liverpool born, Dublin based, blues guitarist & songwriter Mike Brookfield. Cinematic imagery & storytelling are at the heart of Mike’s fifth studio album on Golden Rule Records. The characters stories swing from the dark & moody to fun & up-lifting, firing up the listeners imagination with modern adult identifiable themes & fantasies.

“It’s fascinating how Mike is capable of telling a whole story with his guitar… perfect guitar executions… writing songs without lyrics… Mike does this with excellence.” – Blues Rock Review

Mike’s acclaimed, Eric Clapton and Rory Gallagher inspired, guitar playing burns moodily throughout along with his rockin’ band of Irish brothers. Built To Last takes inspiration from the great American songwriters like Bob Dylan & Bruce Springsteen but remains both uniquely Irish and British in perspective whilst delivering authentic, gusty, rock n roll for everyman.

“With this level of talent Brookfield can afford to hold back and let the songs do the work, which makes his new album, Love Breaks the Fall, a winner!” –  Blues Blast Magazine

Mike Brookfield started his career as a rock n roll guitarist in 1989 on the band scene around Liverpool & Manchester. By the late 1990’s he was performing in multiple musical shows in London’s West End. At the turn of the century, he moved to Ireland and while acting as a Music Coordinator in RTE where he worked on shows and events such as The Café, the Meteor Music Awards, the Childline Concert and The Late Late Show, he performed with many well-known international artists. It was Mike’s second album, Love Breaks the Fall, in 2015 that got his solo career moving, attracting glowing reviews from the music press.

“Mike Brookfield is a virtuoso blues rocker…with a particular ability to craft hook-laden big blues ballads… shedload of prodigious rockabilly chops… what he can do with his Stratocaster, is bloody impressive!” –  Blues Matters Magazine

Brookfield followed with more success in 2018 and featured lyrics by Horslips legend, writer & journalist Eamon Carr. Mike mysteriously went AWOL after the release of Brookfield but resurfaced a year later a graduate of Trinity college, Dublin with a first-class M.phil. Hey Kiddo!, (2021) returned him to his rock n roll roots with an upbeat 12 track guitar instrumental album.

www.mikebrookfield.com

About the Alternative Sunday Social Club

The Alternative Sunday Social Club was created so that music fans can enjoy some top tunes on the last afternoon of the weekend. Since we launched at the beginning of 2015 we’ve hosted gigs by The 4 of Us, Rocky DeValera (front man of legendry Dublin bands The Gravediggers and The Rhythm Kings), The Business, Brush Shield’s Skid Row, Trouble Pilgrims (formerly The Radiators from Space), Vulpynes, The Lookalikes, Jazzabelles, Duncan Maitland, The Thrash Blues, Eileen Gogan and the Instructions, The Winters, TV Smith (The Adverts), Strand, Mike Brookfield, Protex, Niall Toner and The Outcasts. We’ve had music from right across the spectrum with rock, guitar pop, punk, Americana, blues and ska and we’ve grown our crowd by word of mouth with all ages dropping by on Sunday afternoons. For the band they get the kick of their early live shows, and the audience gets to enjoy the music and the musician up-close and personal. It’s cheap, cheerful and above all fun for everybody who comes along. This isn’t thousands of people in a converted warehouse; this is dozens of people enjoying music the way it was meant to be seen and heard.

www.facebook.com/Alternative-Social-Clubs

Mike Brookfield

Sunday, September 10^th    Doors 4.00pm     Tickets €12.00

Tickets available at Eventbrite or on the door.

The Wild Duck, 17/20 Sycamore St, (beside the Olympia), Dublin 2

Phone: (01) 5356849     Email: hello@nullthewildduck.ie             www.thewildduck.ie

Prepare to be swept away by a captivating musical tale as esteemed singers LARA V and LALOU join forces to present their enchanting new single, “Captain Midnight.” This extraordinary duet is set to captivate audiences worldwide with its fusion of pop and EDM elements, telling a compelling story that transcends borders and genres. The single is slated for release on August 25th, 2023, available on all major streaming platforms.

The journey that led to the creation of “Captain Midnight” began under the sunny skies of Spain, where four exceptionally talented songwriters met at a songwriting camp, organized by the esteemed UK publisher DWB Music. Among these talents were Larissa Tormey, who had embarked on a new chapter in her career, and Steffie Kristensen, known as LALOU, a Danish-German singer-songwriter. Together with the contributions of Dutch producer Luca De La Haye and award-winning UK lyricist Bruce Smith, a musical masterpiece was born.

At the heart of this collaboration lies a shared passion for artistic exploration. Larissa Tormey, known for her association with country music in Ireland, took a bold step to venture into the realm of pop and EDM, adopting the moniker LARA V for this exciting project. LALOU, renowned for her genre-defying approach, seamlessly lent her unique voice and style to the duet, resulting in an unforgettable harmony that is both emotionally resonant and musically captivating.

“Captain Midnight” is a genre-blending masterpiece that expertly melds chill and EDM vibes. The single’s innovative soundscapes transport listeners to a world where musical boundaries dissolve, leaving behind an intricate tapestry of melodies that intertwine seamlessly. The duet’s collaborative spirit and creative synergy shine through every note, making this track a must-listen for music enthusiasts and novices alike.

To accompany the release, a captivating music video, masterfully produced by Larissa Tormey, will be available on YouTube Music, Apple Music, and other prominent video platforms accessible through subscription. This visual accompaniment promises to elevate the storytelling experience of “Captain Midnight” to new heights, providing an immersive and visually stunning journey.

Video can be viewed here:

As anticipation mounts, fans and curious listeners are invited to explore the enchanting world of “Captain Midnight” on August 25th, 2023. Stay up-to-date with the latest news and releases from LARA V and LALOU by visiting their respective websites and following their social media channels.

My Sweet Beloved releases hypnotic new single ‘Serpentine.’

“An incredibly instrument-heavy offering, with dotted ethereal vocals. Heavily distorted electric guitar leads the track as building drum-beats engulf the grunge-leaning mix.

Minimal lyrics fill the track, but of them there is clear cunning and knowledge. Vocalist and songwriter for the track, Danielle Harrison Byrne, takes few seductive and snake-like lyrics and perfectly positions them, allowing us to picture this slinking, slithering creature in the most vivid way.” Molly Cantwell – Hot Press

Recorded at The Meadow by The Deaf Brothers, Serpentine is the dark & hypnotic first track of three to be released by My Sweet Beloved since their eponymous album debut in 2020.

Live dates TBC

Bell X1 have a new single & video ‘The Lobster’ out now.

The video directed by Allyn Quigley features Irish Actors Liz Fitzgibbon and Kieran Roche and, like the track, takes its cues from Jean Paul Sartre’s infamously bad mescaline trip in the 1930’s. The video was filmed on Dublin’s Waterloo Road.

Paul Noonan explains further: “The song is I suppose a plea for comeuppance for the assholic behaviour of  our current crop of political “strongmen”, and their appeal to the worst in us humans – that they may be tormented by their dick-swinging deeds. The reference to Sartre and his bad flashbacks is maybe unfair – I don’t think he was a dick, the poor unfortunate. But it did give us the chance to make a Lobster suit…”.

Director Allyn Quigley adds “I’ve always been a huge Bell X1 fan so I was delighted when they asked me to come up with a video for one of their new tracks. Paul’s lyrics always have a playfulness and singularity to them that jumps right out at you and this track was no different. I knew straight away we needed a video with a strong sense of humour to match the frenetic energy and tongue-in-cheek feel of the song.

We spoke about Jean-Paul Sarte, lobsters, populist strongmen and reaping what you sow. What resulted was this  – a bizarre, post-date marshmallow test scenario that allowed us to play with the surreal nature of the lyrics in a really fun and farcical way.

For casting I had recently worked with Kieran Roche and Liz Fitzgibbon so knew they had amazing comedic chemistry. After we had all agreed on the concept they were the first people I called so I was delighted they both said yes“.

The Lobster is the third single from Bell X1’s recently released 8^th studio album, Merciful Hour. The ten-track album was recorded in Dublin with producer John ‘Spud’ Murphy and the band collaborated once again with Dowry Strings.

After a summer run of shows including sold-out shows in the Marquee Cork,  King John’s Castle Limerick, Iveagh Gardens and more, Bell X1 also gave a special performance at Áras an Uachtarain in June for President Michael D Higgins and invited guests.  They finished up their summer tour last week.

Some Reviews:

“Irish Indie stalwarts make a most welcome return…so it goes from musicians who have never had the urge to stand still yet remain a regular and considerable constant”.  The Irish Times

“On Merciful Hour, they have struck a delicate balance between emotion and sophistication….  Bell X1 have matured into a very, very good band –and one that’s certainly not to be underestimated” The Irish Independent

“…it’s been so worth the wait” 9/10 Hot Press

Album of the Week – RTE Radio 1

“Merciful Hour sounds gorgeous with synths constantly vying for supremacy over strings and when the band and producer John ‘Spud’ Murphy get the balance right, the results are lush”. Totally Dublin

(Artwork by Craig Carry)

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Bell X1:  Paul Noonan, Dave Geraghty & Dominic Phillips

www.bellx1.com

www.twitter.com/bellx1

www.instagram.com/bellx1

Rising artist Liliana is a 18-year-old singer/ songwriter from Dublin. Liliana could not be more excited to release ‘Bad Dates’.

She recently released her third single ‘Waste of Time’ after the successful release of her previous single ‘Again’ last year. She has been working constantly on new music and has been dying to share it with the world!

Growing up with the shows of her time, artists such as Miley Cyrus and Demi Lovato were the main inspirations in what she wanted to be. Named as ‘One To Watch’ by Spin 103.8 and Hot Press in Ireland, she has also had a huge amount of international radio airplay including Portugal, UK and USA. She recently supported New Hope Club in The Academy and played at the St Patrick’s Day Festival. Liliana is also studying Law in Trinity College Dublin.

After releasing ‘What are We Now?’, which is about confusion in an almost love and ‘Again’, which is about going back to somebody again, Liliana knew she wanted to release something that rebels
against your typical love song. ‘Bad Dates’ is a journey through a series of bad dates that only lead to even worse decisions. In the moment of realisation that this is a never-ending cycle of bad experiences, you vow to yourself that this HAS GOT to end. Therefore, I think this song is perfect for teenagers and young adults all around the world currently dating who can relate to the “not-so-great” dates in their life. I view this song as a “light at the end of the tunnel” moment when you start to see the harsh reality of your dates and poor choice in partners.

My own twist on the much-loved ‘Don’t Call me Up’ by Mabel and ‘GOOD 4 U’ by Olivia Rodrigo. Instead of crying over a bad date or being upset about how your love life is going, you decide this is going to stop and decide to live your best life!

Reviews

The 17-year-old Dublin singer-songwriter is back with the follow up to her 2021 debut single ‘What Are We Now?’. ‘Again’ has Liliana’s booming, soulful vocal power paired with an up-tempo rhythm and hard-hitting pop synths. Growing up with the likes of Miley Cyrus and Demi Lovato as her primary inspirations, Olivia Rodrigo is her current favourite. An addictive chorus to boot, ‘Again’ is a certified banger about needing to leave a relationship behind when you can’t be friends. Hot Press

“poised for stardom” – Hot Press

“Teen pop at its most engaging and smart” – Tony Clayton-Lea

“this debut makes a lasting impression for a young artist who has already found her sound.” – The Last Mixtape

“seriously Impressive debut single” – RTÉ Pulse

“She’s incredible, Ireland’s answer to Billie Eilish. What a voice” – Marty Guilfoyle, Spin 103.8

“One To Watch” – Spin 103.8

“Off the bat winning over her critics, emerging star Liliana dazzles on her debut single” – Vibes Music

“A candid and emotive electro pop tune. Lyrically, it captures the end of an ‘almost-love’ summer fling. ‘What Are We Now?’ showcases the artist’s impeccable ability as both a writer and singer.”

Connect with Liliana

Spotify l Instagram l TikTok l YouTube

This Friday, August 18^th, Hozier releases his highly anticipated third studio album Unreal Unearth. The 16 track LP features previously released tracks ‘Eat Your Young’, ‘Francesca’, ‘All Things End’, ‘Unknown/Nth’ and ‘De Selby Pt. 2’. Earlier this month, Hozier took part in a sold out meet and greet in Dublin’s Golden Discs, St. Stephens Green, with over 300 fans getting the opportunity to meet and chat with the multi-platinum selling Artist. Check out the video here.

Later that evening, Hozier gave more fans an exclusive preview of his upcoming new album with an immersive playback experience in a city centre location followed by a fan Q&A. Check out the video from event below:

In September 2013, when Irish solo artist Andrew Hozier-Byrne released his debut single – a song called ‘Take Me To Church’ – which he had mostly recorded in the attic of his parent’s house in Wicklow (his father a blues musician, his mother an artist), little did he know about the hurricane-strength surge in public interest that the song would spark, carrying him to international stardom.

A full ten years and billions of streams later, Hozier still calls Wicklow home. While his music takes him all over the world, it is Ireland and its people and places, the weather and landscape; where a stream is still something that runs down at the bottom of the garden, that calls him back to where he feels he naturally belongs.

The last decade has brought both public and critical acclaim. Multi-Platinum album sales, an RIAA-certified Diamond single, number one records on both sides of the Atlantic, multiple awards including a GRAMMY-nomination, film and video game soundtracks and countless sold-out live shows all over the world.

But as Hozier prepares to release his third album – Unreal Unearth – his passion for his art is undimmed, and his curiosity about our world – and all that is good and bad about it – remains undiminished.

Full Album tracklist:

1. De Selby (Part 1)
2. De Selby (Part 2)
3. First Time
4. Francesca
5. I, Carrion (Icarian)
6. Eat Your Young
7. Damage Gets Done ft. Brandi Carlile
8. Who We Are
9. Son of Nyx
10. All Things End
11. To Someone From A Warm Climate (Uiscefhuaraithe)
12. Butchered Tongue
13. Anything But
14. Abstract (Psychopomp)
15. Unknown / Nth
16. First Light

Unreal Unearth will be offered both digitally and in various physical configurations including standard black LP, raw ochre D2C exclusive LP, light umber indie retail exclusive LP, CD, and cassette. Following his upcoming sold out North American tour Hozier will bring his massive international ‘Unreal Unearth Tour’ back to Europe in December, which will see him conquer arenas, including three sold out nights in Dublin’s 3Arena on December 19^th, 20^th and 22^nd and a sold show in London’s OVO Arena Wembley.

Unreal Unearth is released on August 18^th, 2023.

Follow Hozier 

Website | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | Twitter | YouTube

• Sorcha Richardson NCH Debut Headline Show  
• Wednesday 29^th November 2023 8pm  
• National Concert Hall  
• Tickets €24 (10% Discount for Friends of NCH and Groups of 10 or more)  
• Tickets On Sale: Friday 18^th August 10am  
• Box Office Tel: 01 4170000 www.nch.ie 

Following her electric performance at the All Together Now festival, the National Concert Hall is delighted to announce that lauded indie-folk musician Sorcha Richardson will make her NCH headline debut on Wednesday 29 November. Since the release of her Choice-nominated debut and First Prize Bravery, Sorcha’s star has been firmly in the ascent. She followed the album last year with acclaimed second long-player Smiling Like An Idiot, which was also Choice-nominated and went to No. 1 in the Irish Independent Charts. Sorcha has packed out venues in the US and Europe with headline shows and also supported such high-profile artists as James Vincent McMorrow and Villagers. Her music has been included in films such as Emma Roberts’ In A Relationship and Josh Hutcherson’s Tragedy Girls.

Sorcha made the news earlier this year when global pop-star Ellie Goulding covered ‘Shark Eyes’ from Smiling Like An Idiot and tweeted effusive praise for the track. The album itself was written in Sorcha’s late grandparents’ house and recorded between there and The Clinic Recording Studios in Dublin.  Thematically it highlights a pursuit of happiness and the full-blown intensity of new love, but gaining something so life-affirming comes with the fear that it could just as easily be swept away. The beautifully beguiling magic of Smiling Like An Idiot artfully articulates those moments in life that you don’t want to have to go through, but it emerges with the optimism that – somehow – things will work out for the best in time. 

Tickets €24 

On Sale Friday 18^th August 10am 

10% Discount for Friends of NCH   

10% Discount for Groups of 10 or more     

www.nch.ie    

Box Office Tel: 01 4170000  

Singer-songwriter James Keegan, hailing from the city of Cork in the South of Ireland, is captivating fans with his soulful melodies and captivating storytelling. A mix of acoustic pop and folk, James Keegan delivers a heartwarming and inviting musical experience that resonates deeply with listeners.

Drawing inspiration from his surroundings and personal experiences, James Keegan has rapidly emerged as a prolific songwriter on the Irish scene. His distinct voice has earned accolades from notable artists and critics alike. Damien Dempsey praised James for his “powerful voice,” while Music Crowns lauded him as “a man with a guitar against the world,” capturing the essence of his raw and honest approach to songwriting.

In early April, James released his second single, titled “Take Me Home,” which quickly soared to the top of the iTunes Charts in Ireland, claiming the coveted No.1 spot. The song’s enchanting melodies and heartfelt lyrics struck a chord with fans, resulting in widespread radio airplay and a positive reception across the board.

Since the release of “Take Me Home,” James Keegan has taken his music to live stages across Ireland, gracing iconic venues like Whelans, Cyprus Avenue, and Dolans. Sharing the spotlight with esteemed artists such as Mundy and Lisa McHugh, James has solidified his presence as a great performer.

Following the success of “Take Me Home,” James Keegan continued his winning streak with the release of his third single, “Attach Me to the Fire,” on June 23rd. Now set to release his fourth piece of work, “Love Grows Easy” is the latest and arguably the best of all. It was produced by Christian Best, a well established producer, having worked with artists such as Mick Flannery, Susan O’Neill, and Jack O Rourke to name a few.

Speaking about the inspiration behind the track, James says, 

“The song is dedicated to the people I love, it’s a representation of how lucky I am to have such good people in my life”

Looking ahead, James Keegan has exciting plans in store for the remainder of the year, promising a steady stream of new music releases and electrifying live performances.

Connect with James Keegan

Instagram | Facebook | TikTok | Spotify

The second single from Blandad titled ‘Hospital Roof’ is a hard hitting hardcore punk, slam dunk of raw aggression. Inspired by the duality of man trapped in domestic mediocrity, challenged by the unforgiving urge to escape.

Blandad adopt the mantra of “I’m not gonna f*** it up this time” in hope of preserving the life that was built while teetering on the edge of utter entropy.

Tension builds through out the song while a panicked disposition slowly creeps over the protagonist. Breaking point hits hard like a ton of scaldy bricks when the outro gets consumed by absolute doom with sludgy fuzzy riffs accompanying a wailing echo screaming into the ether “if I lose my mind, then I lose my body and I lose my soul.”

https://youtu.be/ZvS1JelmoHo

Connect with Blandad

Website | Instagram | YouTube | Spotify