Author: Breffni Banks

For most bands, playing for their President would be a huge standout moment. For Irish pop-rockers modernlove, it’s yet another notch on their rapid ascent over the past 2 years. From sold out shows in the UK and USA, support from the likes of BBC Radio 1, MTV, LineOfBestFit, Wonderland, Notion, millions of streams and over 50 thousand new followers across platforms, modernlove. are establishing themselves as one of the most exciting up and coming bands in the world. Returning with anthemic new single Shades of Blue, the track draws from every corner of the band’s eclectic catalogue and influences. From subtle electronic intricacies, to heartfelt lyrical vulnerability, to the anthemic energy of heavy rock in the chorus, Shades of Blue is a real sonic statement from one of the most consistent and prolific acts in rock today.

“Shades of blue is a love song at heart that celebrates the small moments that you cherish with your partner and the freedom of fully embracing someone. It also reflects on the challenges of maintaining a relationship whilst on tour, having no money and making mistakes that leave you wondering if you’re subconsciously not allowing yourself to be happy. Pretty deep. Sonically we wanted to capture that sense of feeling overwhelmed, that all-engulfing sound, so we brought in everything from our softer side and heavier side into one.”- modernlove.

With larger than life indie-pop anthems born of small town boredom, coming of age, big nights out and young love gone wrong, modernlove. are a new generation’s brightest hope – already racking up streams in their millions and selling out shows, simply by singing about what they know and having a good time doing it. From playing dingey rural pubs to working with super-producer Luca (of Arlo Parks and Lana Del Rey fame), this Irish band of young 20-somethings are about to show the world the true heights of their ambition.

Formed in Drogheda near Dublin in 2016 of childhood friends and mutual pals, the four-piece came together as “the only people in town we knew who liked music”. Their shared influences of the game-changing future-pop of The 1975 and The Japanese House, the new wave sounds of The Cure and New Order, the danceable indie of Bloc Party and Bombay Bicycle Club, the experimental ambience of Jon Hopkins and Aphex Twin ,and a whole lot of day-glo pop-punk took them from jamming covers for the hell of it to carving out a monolithic, genre-shifting sound of their own to lift them out of the doldrums of their sleepy hometown.

Connect with modernlove. 

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The Seán Corcoran Series – celebrating the life and work of Louth native Seán Corcoran: Singer, Fieldworker, Documentary Maker and Vernacular Musicologist

 8th-10th September 2023

Drogheda, Co. Louth 

The Seán Corcoran Series is a 3-day event taking place in Drogheda, 8^th – 10^th September, which will celebrate the life and outstanding work of Louth native Seán Corcoran, presented by Seán’s daughter Rósa Corcoran, Louth County Council, and Creative Ireland.

Traditional music and song was Seán Corcoran’s life, and his career ranged across performance, broadcasting, film making, academia and field work. His songs will forever be associated with his name and that of Louth; he brought the songs and music of the county to a wide audience in this country and beyond.

The Seán Corcoran Series will bring together, for the first time, all the elements that informed Seán’s life and work. Renowned musicians and singers who counted him as a friend and collaborator will attest to his legacy.

The live series of multi-disciplinary events will feature over 25 musicians, singers, writers, dancers, actors, artists, historians, and makers celebrating the work of Seán, across 5 venues, headlined by two very special concerts:

AN EVENING WITH ANDY IRVINE & DONAL LUNNY

On Friday 8^th September, 8pm, The Seán Corcoran Series in association with Droichead Arts Centre present An Evening with Andy Irvine and Dónal Lunny.

The linchpin sound of legendary groups like Sweeney’s Men, Planxty and The Bothy Band – between them Andy Irvine and Dónal Lunny have been at the heart of folk music in Ireland for over five decades. Their unique style of accompaniment endures today as a powerful influence on successive generations of musicians.

Irvine and Lunny will present a programme of Irish music and Andy’s own songs, with a side order of Eastern European tunes. Andy will play Seán’s bouzouki, which was originally presented to Andy by the late Diane Guggenheim – founder of Tradition Records, and later given to Seán. The instrument has been specially restored for the series by luthier Frank Tate, who will also be part of the events over the weekend.

GUTH NA NDAOINE/THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE

The second headline concert, taking place Saturday 9^th September, is ‘Guth na nDaoine / The Voice of the People, at St. Peter’s Church. A a joyous salute to the life and work of Seán, celebrating him through words, music, song, and dance with very special guests taking to the stage: Radie Peat (Lankum), Harry Bradley, sean-nós dancer Róisín Ní Mhainín, actor Stephen Rea, writer John Banville, Breda Keville, Jesse Smith, Maighread and Tríona Ní Dhomhnaill, Libby McCrohan, cellist Neil Martin, Gerry O’Connor, and more.

Writer John Banville says, “Seán Corcoran was, and indeed remains, a major figure in Irish culture. As a performer, scholar, and administrator, he did much to preserve and promote our rich heritage of folk music. In the modern electronic age, with so much material so easily available online, the nurturing of a living tradition is all the more vital. In this regard, Seán’s legacy is precious and still vividly present, two years after his death. His daughter, Rósa, carries on the flame, and no one could be better qualified than she to organise a series in his honour.”

The full ‘Seán Corcoran Series’ programme also includes traditional Irish music sessions, music classes, sean-nós dance workshops, a Bread & Roses community fair, and a Louth foraged lunch, and a double decker bus tour. Informal sessions of music and song will also be hosted in various locations in the town throughout the weekend.

All artists and craftspeople involved in the series are highly celebrated in their respective fields; each interconnected, either via Seán’s work directly, the Corcoran family, or the wider Irish traditional music and song community. The inclusion of literature, public sculpture, local history, food, and crafts expands the programme to represent the diverse creative community surrounding Seán’s life and work.

For full programme details, or to book tickets, visit: https://seancorcoranseries.com/ 

SOCIAL MEDIA

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/seancorcoran_series

Twitter – https://twitter.com/SCSLouth

Facebook event – https://www.facebook.com/people/Se%C3%A1n-Corcoran-Series/100093661467100/

VIDEOS

Seán Corcoran & Helen Brennan ‘Erin’s Flowery Plains’

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBB4cgdcOc0

Seán Corcoran – ‘Caoineadh na dTrí Muire’

https://youtu.be/ZJ026ItkDns

Tony Floyd Kenna, Dermot Reynolds, Downtown Detroit Jon and Dave Sweeney will be playing the 2023 Howth Roots And Blues Festival under the band name ‘The Outsiders’. Playing Howth together is a sort of homecoming for Tony and Dave, both being original members of the Gravediggers and Howth being where the band was born.

Expect lots of original songs and music plus some re-imagined Blues covers.

Stage time for this sit down session at O’Connell’s in the Harbour will be 9.30 on Saturday August 12^th.

Following fast on the trail of their first folk influenced track ‘Travelling Song’, Galway-grown act Siúcra take a more grunge soaked approach with their new single ‘Anxiety’.

Taking influence from acts such as Radiohead, Wolf Alice and the 90’s early grunge movement, they entwine this with their signature dream folk sound, with a hint of Irish trad. As always, it’s hard to place Siúcra’s sound into one box.

This single follows their second headline gig in the Roisin Dubh, a slot at the Ballyshannon Rory Gallagher festival and preceding their forthcoming E.P.

Written & composed by Siúcra

Produced by Dave Skelton Recording

On Saturday 22nd of July local music duo The Two Five Ones (Dara MacGabhann and Andy Hogg) had their latest album Slave to the Moon launched by Eurovision winner, singer songwriter and broadcaster Charlie McGettigan in the beautiful Tin Church Laragh, Monaghan. Despite the biblical rain, which incidentally seemed to add to the atmosphere the event was a wonderful success and was enjoyed by the full to capacity attendance.

Charlie spoke of his friendship with the jazz folk duo over the past ten years and his song writing collaborations with lead singer Dara MacGabhann. Two of those co-written songs feature on the Slave to the Moon album and indeed Charlie himself is a featured artist on the track Life’s Too Short which is soon to be released as the second single from the album.

Special guests who performed on the night included Mark Brodie, Alex Watson, Aoibhín Ní Ghabhann and Charlie McGettigan.

The duo have been performing together since 2016. Their previous album Sentimental Journey predominately featured jazz standards from the 1930s and 1940s. Slave to the Moon features all original tracks by the band with also some contributions from Charlie McGettigan and Tommy Keyes.

The album which has already had extensive radio play is available through Bandcamp online for both physical copies and digital downloads.

The title track ‘Slave to the Moon’ is also available on Spotify and YouTube.

Photo : Alex Watson, Dara MacGabhann, Charlie McGettigan and Andy Hogg performing at Two Five Ones Slave to the Moon album launch in the Tin Church Laragh.

‘Damocles’ is the latest single to be released by singer/songwriter Martin Moran. It’s the first single to be released from the County Meath based artist’s upcoming 6 track E.P., ‘Mixtape No. 1′. The E.P. will be an experiment of sounds, songs and poetry recorded by Moran while concurrently working on various other releases, music projects and festivals over the past 12 months.

Damocles is a poignant song which explores the tolls taken by life on the road, traveling from country to country, the guilt of missing family milestones and as the title references, the fear that life could change without warning.

Starting off with only acoustic guitar and vocals, a loneliness is depicted which is emphasized by lyrics that refer to the sword of Damocles. (In the Greek fable a sword was hung by a narrow thread above Damocles’s head at a feast as a reminder that at any moment during times of such pleasure and joy, if the thread should break, it all could end instantly!) Then, about midway through, the song receives a lift with the addition of piano, strings, drums and bass guitar in what Moran describes as “a sort of a penny drop moment”.

“The drop comes in the song when the decision is made to pack up the suitcase for the final time. No more going back and forth and to return home for good. It feels as if a weight was lifted!”

Switching between 3rd and 1st person narrative and back again, the lyrics tell the story of a reclusive person while also giving glimpses of his internal thoughts and realizations that it may only be a mental block preventing the decision for so long.

“I’m dreading the thought of someone cutting the thread,

But why do I feel like it’s all in my head?”

‘Damocles’ is released on 11th Aug 2023 and will be available on Bandcamp and all streaming platforms.

Follow Martin Moran on social media at @soy.martino for further information and updates on more single & E.P. release dates.

A fusion of two musical worlds has occurred with the collaboration between Ruairi Lynch aka “Bantum” and Jack O’Rourke. Their new single ‘Take Cover’, an electric mix infused with 70’s inspired sounds is set for release August 9, 2023.

‘Take Cover’ represents a departure for both artists as they embark on a thrilling new musical exploration. Drawing inspiration from the likes of ‘Next Day’ era David Bowie, Roisin Murphy, Metronomy, and Stardust ‘Take Cover’ blends elements of electronica, funk, rock and dance and sees Bantum and Jack O’Rourke craft a sound that is uniquely their own. ‘Take Cover’ also features captivating artwork and visuals by renowned Dublin-based artist Barry Gibbons, recognised for his outstanding contributions to “The Bonk”.

Individually both artists have garnered widespread acclaim. Bantum, known for collaborating with artists across the country spanning multiple genres, has established himself as a prominent figure in the industry. Jack O’Rourke, celebrated for his soulful vocals and poetic songwriting, has captivated audiences with his emotionally charged performances most recently alongside Jenny Greene and a tribute to John Prine at Vicar Street.

Speaking about their collaboration and the forthcoming release, Bantum and Jack O’Rourke expressed their excitement, stating, “Having known each other for years, working together on ‘Take Cover’ has been an incredibly enriching experience. We wanted to create something that combines our unique musical perspectives and reflects our shared love for artists such as David Bowie, Donna Summer and Roisin Murphy. ‘Take Cover’ represents a departure from our previous work and we’re already thinking about what ideas we can work on next”

‘Take Cover’ is set for release August 9, 2023, and will be available on all major streaming platforms. The single is accompanied by captivating artwork and visuals created by Barry Gibbons, ensuring a complete sensory experience for music enthusiasts.

Connect with Bantum

Twitter / Instagram / YouTube

Connect with Jack O’Rourke

Twitter / Instagram / Website

Welcome to Honey Muzzle, Dublin’s newest rock concoction. Led by the electrifying guitar skills of Cormac Breslin and the soulful, stirring vocals of Josh Dunford, the band’s power and energy has breathed new life into the age-old blues rock genre.

Honey Muzzle’s debut single ‘Higher’ – released in July 2023 – became an instant hit, captivating the airwaves and winning the hearts of music enthusiasts. Breslin’s gritty guitar riffs blended seamlessly with Dunford’s evocative vocals, making ‘Higher’ a perfect example of the band’s signature sound. The song’s soulful essence struck a chord with audiences, garnering airplay on renowned stations like 2FM, Radio Nova, Dublin City FM, and KCLR, elevating Honey Muzzle to new heights.

Looking ahead, Honey Muzzle are determined to continue blazing their blues rock trail. ‘Stained’, the band’s second single, will be released in September 2023, with their debut EP to follow later in the year. As they venture beyond the Dublin music scene, Honey Muzzle aspire to share their passion and creativity with audiences worldwide.

Connect with Honey Muzzle

YouTube | Spotify | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | Bandcamp

Polar Bolero, the exciting new Alt Folk band led by multi-instrumentalists and songwriting duo Cahir McLaughlin and Pearse Donaghy, is thrilled to announce the release of their debut single, “Portrait.” This captivating track serves as a prelude to their highly anticipated album, “A Conversation,” set to be unveiled in 2024.

Named after Pearse’s beloved childhood book, with the gracious approval of author Debi Gliori, Polar Bolero embarked on an ambitious journey to create their debut album, “A Conversation.” The album delves into the themes of disillusionment and melancholy while navigating post-pandemic and post-Troubles Northern Ireland. The group has been conducting anonymous interviews with members of the NI public, each varying in denomination, gender, age and public influence which we will tether into the tracks within the album as a way for us to contextualise perspective and intentions. 

The production of “A Conversation” has been a labour of love for Polar Bolero. Taking on the roles of producers themselves, Cahir McLaughlin and Pearse Donaghy have skillfully crafted the sonic landscape of the album. The recording took place at the renowned Foyle Arts studio in Derry.

“Portrait,” the lead single from “A Conversation”. With heartfelt lyrics and evocative melodies, the song serves as a heartfelt dedication to our ancestors. Drawing listeners into an introspective journey, “Portrait” invites them to reflect on their own bloodlines and find solace in the process of making repairs and embracing one’s roots.

On the song, Polar Bolero say:

“The song thematically contemplates heritage and legacy, shaking hands with personal struggles and making repairs in your bloodline. The song is dedicated to our ancestors wherever they may be.”

As Polar Bolero makes their mark in the music scene, their distinctive blend of Alt Folk music promises to captivate audiences worldwide. Stay tuned for the release of “Portrait,” which will be available on all major streaming platforms on the 4th of August. For updates on Polar Bolero’s upcoming album, “A Conversation,” and future performances, please visit their official website and follow them on social media.

Connect with Polar Bolero

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