Author: Breffni Banks

Paddy Casey is celebrating the 15^th anniversary of his chart topping multi-platinum album ‘Living’ with its release on vinyl for the very first time.

Paddy first teased fans with the announcement earlier this month on his social media.

‘Living’ was originally released in Oct 2003 on the back of one of the biggest singles of that year, ‘Saints and Sinners’.

The album went on to produce three further singles ‘The Lucky One’, ‘Bend Down Low’, and ‘Want It Can’t Have It’ as well as selling in excess of x 10 Platinum and hitting the #1 spot on the Irish album chart.

‘Living’ on vinyl is available now.

https://SMI.lnk.to/PCLivingVinyl

Catch Paddy on Tour

Dec 1^st / Brownes Bar / Castleisland Co Kerry
Dec 8^th / Dolans Warehouse / Limerick
Dec 27^th / Whelan’s / Dublin
Jan 24^th / The Temple Bar Trad Fest / Dublin
Jan 26^th / The Auld Dubliner Trad Fest / Dublin
Jan 26^th / Courthouse Arts Centre / Tinahealy
Jan 27^th / The Oliver St John Gogerty / Dublin

For more info visit: www.paddycaseymusic.com

After a 21-year hiatus the trip to Tipp made an electrifying return to Thurles as Féile Classical with two-sold out concerts on the hallowed grounds of Semple Stadium, 21^st and 22^nd September. The jam-packed concerts to over 20,000 people, were lauded as the gig-of-the-year by many who attended.

The line-up consisted of the greats of the Irish 90s, The Stunning, An Emotional Fish, Something Happens, Hothouse Flowers, The 4 of Us and The Frank & Walters each performing their legendary hits in perfect harmony with the Irish Chamber Orchestra.

Speaking of the incredible reaction, MC of the concerts Tom Dunne, who’s band Something Happens performed at Féile ‘90, ‘91 and ’93, says:

“Hand on heart: I was humbled to have been part of something so special, it was a remarkable two days. People talk about ‘special events’ and ‘creating magic’, Féile Classical went beyond that, everyone involved gave it their all to create truly memorable performances. The connection with the audience was visceral, moving and real. It had the same energy as the early Féiles, people were too involved in the moment to want to watch it through their mobile phones. As one texter to my radio show said, I don’t want to move on from it, not yet, not for a while, that’s how I feel, and how the bands feel that way too.”

Following the huge success of the concerts ‘Féile Classical – The Live Album’ will be released on Friday 23^rd November. Featuring band performances with the ICO of songs that were so well received at the concerts, the tracks have been mixed and mastered and will be released on 2 formats – CD and CD/DVD. Fans can look forward to classics ‘After All’ by The Frank & Walters, ‘Parachute’ by Something Happens, ‘Mary’ by The 4 Of Us and many others. The brand-new recordings capture the same feel-good factor from those two magical nights in September and are a must-by for anyone who attended their concerts or anyone who loves Irish music!

The tracklisting –

1.The Stunning & Irish Chamber Orchestra                            ‘Brewing Up A Storm’
2 An Emotional Fish & Irish Chamber Orchestra                   ‘Time is on the Wall’
3. Hothouse Flowers & Irish Chamber Orchestra                  ‘Hallelujah Jordan’
4. The 4 Of Us & Irish Chamber Orchestra                              ‘Washington Down’
5. The Frank & Walters & Irish Chamber Orchestra             ‘After All’
6   Something Happens & Irish Chamber Orchestra           ‘The Patience Business’
7. The Stunning & Irish Chamber Orchestra                            ‘Half Past Two’
8. An Emotional Fish & Irish Chamber Orchestra                  ‘Julian’
9. The Frank & Walters & Irish Chamber Orchestra             ‘This Is Not A Song’
10. The 4 of Us & Irish Chamber Orchestra                             ‘Mary’
11. Hothouse Flowers & Irish Chamber Orchestra                ‘Don’t Go’
12. Something Happens & Irish Chamber Orchestra          ‘Parachute’

The second format on CD and DVD also being released on November 23^rd features a DVD entitled ‘Féile 2018: The Backstory’ bursting at the seams with archival footage, out-takes from the iconic Féile TV, band interviews and footage of the original motely Féile gang of the 90s, Dustin the Turkey, Ray D’Arcy, Ian Dempsey and many more.

For more visit www.feileclassical.ie

https://www.facebook.com/FeileClassical2018/

https://twitter.com/FeileClassical

#TheTriptoTippisback    #FeileClassical

Electronic soul artist ELKAE releases debut single ‘Sold‘ November 9th, launching in The Sound House November 16th with support from Claire Z and Baba.

Having already gained national radio attention (SPIN 103.8, 98Fm), ELKAE’s debut single ‘Sold’ is set to live up to the hype that’s already been surrounding it. A soulful ‘Chic’ like chorus is modernized by striking synths, vocoders and samples, the electronic sound the worlds been going mad for – to make ‘Sold’ a perfect mix of old school goodness and what’s happening right now! ‘Sold’ is a playful take on a first date with a girl who wasn’t yet out of the closet!

Fresh off the Body & Soul and ArtLot stage at this years Electric Picnic, ELKAE is set to release the first of many singles to come over the next year! Most recently ELKAE’s ‘Sold’ has been selected as one of 10 finalists for the IMRO Christie Hennessy song writing competition taking place in November.

Having just been picked as SPIN 103.8’s “One To Watch”, ELKAE and her band of fellow BIMM graduates are ready to take the stage on November 16th at The Sound House, a week after the song goes live across all platforms on November 9^th.

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‘She Darks Me’ is the lost album by Joe Chester, one of our finest songwriters, virtually unheard since it’s original recording. Written during stolen moments in between collaborations in L.A with Gemma Hayes and touring with The Waterboys, the ten track collection is perhaps the most melodic and liberating of Joe’s releases. Fewer overdubs and making courageous use of first takes where possible informed Joe’s renowned signature production style from that point on. A stellar range of musicians participated where opportunities to record could be grabbed, whether on the road with Steve Wickham and Trevor Hutchinson or on Willie Nelson’s tour bus with Mickey Raphael (Harmonica – Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Emmylou Harris). The recordings have been recovered from the archives and given a masterful updated sheen by Joe from his self-built studio near his home in the south of France.

‘She Darks Me’ is set for release on Friday 25 Jan 2019.

James Cramer announces the release of a new song from his forthcoming album. The song called ‘Let Me Do Good’ is an epic song accompanied by a powerful video shot in Mexico City by filmmakers David Montuy and Pablo Leon.

David says: “When James asked me to make a short film inspired on the song, he knew I had to speak from a very personal point of view. Choosing to get it filmed in my hometown was a key element to it. And after spending some time away from home, I was able to spot some things that make Mexico City such a fascinating place”.

Previous single ‘My World Again’ is a stunning piano driven ballad and was used in season two of the Canadian CBC network show ‘Hello Goodbye’. James has played shows in Ireland and the USA and continues to work on his album scheduled for release in March/April 2019.

On Friday 9th November, Cork singer-songwriter Clare O’Riordan will digitally release her charity single ‘On the Streets’ in aid of Cork Simon Community. To celebrate the single launch a special fundraising gig will follow on Saturday the 24th November at 9.30pm in An Spailpín Fánach, Cork City.  All proceeds from the sale of the digital downloads and from the fundraiser gig will go directly to Cork Simon Community.

The song ‘On the Streets’ forms part of a collection of Clare’s dramatic new music she recorded in the States with producer Jon Evans of Brick Hill Studios, Orleans, Massachusetts, USA. Described by Clare as a meditation on homelessness, the song is conversely uplifting as it reflects on the value of human dignity and advocates empathy for those who suffer amongst us on our streets. With a soaring vocal, reminiscent at times of Janis Joplin, Clare gives a powerful voice to the unspoken thoughts and feelings a homeless person may have. “My world is breaking is the love you are making not going to save a soul like me / I lying here shaking in the time you’re not taking and so our world will be, hiding empathy” (Lyrics, ‘On the Streets’).

Speaking about her new single Clare said: “I’m delighted to be able to help Cork Simon Community raise funds for homelessness in Cork and hope that my song ‘On the Streets’ will further enhance more awareness of this pressing issue. I was inspired to write this song after I saw an elderly homeless man on the streets of Cork city. His image and vulnerability stayed with me and as I wondered about his life story and what he might say this song came to me.”

Following Clare’s 2014 “exquisite debut ‘Shelter’” (Colm O’Hare, Hot Press) Clare is set to release her new album ‘Outside’ early next year which will include the single ‘On the Streets’. Speaking about her new music, Clare said: “Capturing the energy and passion of a live performance and broadening my musical sound was central to my approach. Like ‘On the Streets’ the songs can be haunting yet joyous, intense yet playful, passionate yet sensuous. They are songs that examine the polar opposites of life with cinematic clarity and beauty.”

‘On The Streets’ the new charity single release is available in digital format from iTunes, CD Baby, and Amazon and from her website store clareoriordan.com from Friday the 9th of November 2018.

Upcoming Gigs:

Clare O’Riordan, ‘On the Streets’ Single Launch – Fundraiser Gig,  Saturday 24th November, 9.30pm, An Spailpín Fánach, South Main Street, Cork City

Web: www.clareoriordan.com
Fb: clareoriordanmusic
T:  @clareoriordan1

Badhands is the musical project of Dublin songwriter and musician Dan Fitzpatrick. His recently completed debut album, entitled ‘Predictable Boy’, began as a collaboration with producer and bass player Tom Cosgrave (The Minutes), then quickly evolved in to a more expansive project with the enlistment of multi-instrumentalist Aoife Ruth, drummer Ken Mooney, and engineer Chris Barry. The end result is a collection of vivid, textured songs that range in tone between dark and brooding to frantic and energetic, with moments of genuine euphoria weaved in to the mix, echoing at times the likes of Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds, Leonard Cohen, Arcade Fire and Villagers.  With a strong focus on lyrics and vocals the album explores themes such as laziness, loneliness, loss and madness. The record is beautifully intimate but also has an accessibility that will quickly capture the imagination of the listener. 

‘Predictable Boy’ marks Fitzpatrick’s first venture as a solo artist, having previously worked as a musician and songwriter for years with the likes of The Mighty Stef, The Last Tycoons, Paddy Hanna and Maud in Cahoots. The album is set for release on November 9th 2018 with  a Dublin launch show at The Workmans Club on November 17th and a nationwide tour.

Badhands’ debut single ‘Waves’ was released in November 2017, and was soon followed by an impressive run of live gigs, namely a performance at the Whelans Ones to Watch festival, a packed headline show in The Workmans Club, and a sold out gig at Vicar Street supporting Michael McDonald.

Tour Dates:

November 16th – Bennigans, Derry
November 17th – The Workmans Club, Dublin
November 22nd – The Roisin Dubh, Galway
November 24th – Broken Home, Newbridge
December 7th – Pharmacia, Limerick
Plus More TBA

Sean (18) and his brother Conor (16) are from Blessington in County Wicklow and appeared on X Factor 2017. They started busking on Grafton Street in Dublin, famous for it’s busking, from the ages of 11 and 13 and shared their songs with the crowds. In 2016 the brothers released their debut EP called ‘Change’. There are four original songs on the EP, which went to number 9 in the Irish album charts.

Their first audition on X Factor 2017 was in Edinburgh and they chose to sing Jimi Hendrix / Bob Dylan classic ‘All Along the Watchtower’. But it was not a straight cover – with the brothers bursting into a rap in between the famous chorus. The busking brothers blew away the judges with their modern rendition of ‘All Along the Watchtower’, complete with a funky rap. After a huge applause, Simon Cowell told the duo: “This is probably one of the best auditions we’ve had. I’m going to say something to you guys – I don’t want to change a single thing from what I saw and heard today.”

This audition has proved to be the 3rd most watch video on YouTube in Ireland during 2017. Their journey on the live shows brought them through three rounds and then into the quarterfinals where they journey finished, earning them a spot in the top 10.

Since X Factor, Sean and Conor have released 3 singles: ‘Be Like You’, ‘Get Lost’ and ‘Quit’, each reaching number 1 in the Irish iTunes Charts. Their new track ‘Obsession’ is the current radio single.

Over the summer, Sean and Conor performed a SOLD OUT headline tour of Ireland in 10 of the most infamous venues including Dublin’s Vicar Street, The INEC Killarney, Millennium Forum in Derry and Ulster Hall in Belfast. In Oct and November they bring their Tour to the UK with shows in London and Manchester. They have just announced a Dublin date in The Helix on Dec 28th. Tickets go on sale today Nov 2nd.

They have just announced a Dublin date in The Helix on 28th December. Tickets are on sale now available from: https://thehelix.ie/what-s-on/all-events/sean-conor-price/

Their new mini album, ‘Dreamer’ just went straight in at #8 in the National Irish Charts.

Online links:

Instagram:  @sean_and_conor_price_music
Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/SeanandConorPrice/
Twitter: @sean_conorprice
YouTube: https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCuR9dpCWielxBkXMk-GQNpw

The sensational contemporary R&B, pop-singer starlet, Gemma Bradley, continues to develop her career in music with the enchanting and seductive new single ‘Hollow Heartbeat’.

Returning to the spotlight after the buzz generated by debut single ‘Berserk’, armed with her hypnotically catchy new single ‘Hollow Heartbeat’, Gemma has wasted no time in adding to her impressive repertoire to delight her eager and ever-expanding following. Leading the way for the next-generation of Pop superstars, the 22-year-old Dublin-based songstress has already garnered a reputation as the saviour of authentic female pop stars.

Inaugurated in the highly talented and competitive Dublin music scene, Gemma has already established herself as the most talented, touted and talked about young musician on the circuit.

Emotional, passionate and beautifully written, ‘Hollow Heartbeat’ is suffused with the signature sounds associated with Gemma’s work; a mature and intelligent song-writing craftmanship combined with catchy ear-worms and melodic hooks that reverberate and echo in your sub-conscious, all under-pinned with a mesmerising voice with enough hidden power to halt a high-speed train.

Gemma is an artist who creates a unique eclectic sound. Unapologetically embracing her favourite aspects of pop music and then meshing them with the finest, hand-picked sound from R&B and Soul music, Gemma offers her own brand of sweet and delicious Pick & Mix Pop songs to thrill fans and critics alike. Taking inspiration from her mother’s record collection, including the iconic vocal prowess of Amy Winehouse, the distinguished rhythms of Bob Marley and the avant-garde creativity of Izzy Bizu, Gemma has created her own style of authentic, contemporary pop music.

Born in England and raised in the Sperrin Mountains in County Derry, Gemma’s song-writing artistry has developed at break-neck-speed since childhood. After working with Folk musicians throughout her youth, Gemma understands how fantastical and engaging stories can unfold in a few verses. Gemma’s raconteur skills are at the core of her song-writing. Each track paints a vivid picture. Gemma’s delightfully delicate and whimsical songs earnt her a place at the prestigious BIMM Institute in Dublin where she continues to hone her craft.

At the tender age of fifteen Gemma’s talents caught the eye of promoter Paddy Glasgow who then booked the young singer for her first major festival slot. After passing her baptism of fire with flying colours, Gemma has since been featured on the Other Voices programme and was a contender at the Big Music Project in London. Her distinctive sound has piqued the interest of a number of radio DJs as far away as WPPM in Philadelphia as well as several slots on BBC Introducing and RTE shows. Star-studded song-writing partnerships with Derry musician Paddy Nash led to the song reaching Irish-Folk legend Christy Moore who was just as quick to stamp his approval to the legions of fans screaming Gemma’s praises.

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

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Gemma_Bradley_

Spotify: http://bit.do/Berserk