Author: Breffni Banks

‘Optihkal’, the latest single by Brian Lane aka Dissolve is now available via Inner Chapter Records.

In his time with Cork indie-rock band Exit: Pursued By A Bear, Brian honed his composition and production skills, releasing two critically lauded albums. An eventual relocation to Manchester led to work composing and designing sound for film, documentaries and promos.

‘Optihkal’ is a beautiful, evolving work of ambient instrumental electronica which marks the start of Dissolve’s journey into original solo production.

‘Optihkal’ is now available via Bandcamp, iTunes and and other major digital stores like Spotify and Google Music.

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Spies continue to tease out new music ahead of their debut LP, ‘Constancy’, out November 23rd.  ‘Ho Chi Minh’ is the 3rd song to be released from their forthcoming album.

Spies received critical acclaim in the UK and Ireland with their early singles. After the release of their ‘Sea Creature’ EP and a tour with Wolf Alice in 2016, the band began work on their debut album. The album would ultimately capture the sound of a band undergoing a major metamorphosis. While acquiring an arsenal of new equipment and building a studio, they experimented with new sounds and more leftfield sonic ideas.

“When we first started the band we had an idea of being a really minimalist indie rock band – we had rules like no chords, no backing vocals and absolutely no synths. While these limitations helped us in writing our early material it was incredibly liberating to throw them out the window. The gradual introduction of synthesizers opened up a whole new world of sonic possibilities. We began to write in a studio environment; trying and testing different sounds, chopping and changing song structures and listening back with a critical ear.” says guitarist Neil Dexter.

A particularly fruitful writing trip to Kerry, Ireland became a turning point for the band. They began demoing songs that married electronic themes with their energetic rock sound which had garnered them such early praise.

The process of writing ‘Constancy’ wasn’t entirely an easy one however. The band struggled balancing their musical aspirations with their careers. This led to Spies going on an indefinite hiatus once the album was finished.

During this time, Jeff Courtney (drums) and Conor Cusack (guitar) relocated to London and Berlin respectively to pursue careers in the music industry while Michael Broderick (vocals) and Hugh O’Dwyer (bass) undertook postgraduate studies.

‘Ho Chi Minh’ was the first song recorded for the album. As such, it perhaps resembles their earlier sound more than other tracks on the record. The inclusion of a KORG MS-20 and the subtle rumblings of a MOOG amongst the distorted guitars point to their evolving sound.

“I wrote the lyrics to ‘Ho Chi Minh’ when I was travelling in Vietnam with two friends. I started it one night when I had to sleep in the reception of a hostel because I was too late to check in. In a makeshift bed/leather couch with a towel as a blanket, I conjured up the first few lines of the song. The song is mainly about friendship and the care-free time the three of us shared together.” – Broderick.

‘Ho Chi Minh’ is out now.

The band will play headline shows in

London and Dublin this week – 

Friday 10th –  Workman’s Club, Dublin with guests Let’s Set Sail

Monday 13th The Islington, London

Unashamedly “anti-indie” and mainstream in their approach, Irish Rockers The Shoos’ strengths lie in their terrific musicianship, a strong front-man and sharp songwriting. ‘What Are You Crying For’ offers an impressively anthemic well-constructed tune in a classic, guitar-based rock style, with an emphasis on its memorable melody and hook.

‘What Are You Crying For’, is a radio-friendly rocker in a Bryan Adams style.

THE SHOOS |  FACEBOOK | SPOTIFY 

Hot on the heels of their well-received debut single, North Dublin rockers LIERS continue their 90s-influenced post-grunge crusade with their second single ‘Host’ – The single is now available on BandCamp, iTunes, Spotify and CD Baby. The band have also been announced as one of the winners of RTE 2FM’s ‘Play The Picnic’ Competition and will take to the stage at Electric Picnic on the weekend of August 31 to September 2.

LIERS consists of vocalist and guitar player Liz Seaver, lead guitarist Ed Scanlan, bassist Stephen Farrell and Ronan O’Hanlon on drums. The Fingal-based band have drawn on their shared 90s influences such as Foo Fighters, Nirvana, Oasis, Smashing Pumpkins, PJ Harvey and Alanis Morrissette to evolve into the edgy sound that defines them today.

“We were delighted with the response and reaction to our first single. It gave us a great chance to get out and chase the gigs and play to buzzed-up crowds”, explains Liz. “It’s an exciting time to be on the Irish scene with our sound and we’re very grateful to the DJs who gave us the spins needed so far and of course to our growing base of fans, many of who voted for us to get to Play the Picnic and we really want to thank everyone for their support. We are very grateful to 2FM for the opportunity to play the Picnic as it’s been one of our biggest goals so far. The proceeds of the voting went to the Jack and Jill Foundation so it’s a very worthy cause to support also. We can’t wait to land in Stradbally. We just want to keep being loud, have fun and show people what we’re here to do.”

Those DJs and fans are among the most discerning and educated of who’s- who in Irish Music. LIERS’ unique edgy style and sound have attracted the likes of 2FM’s Dan Hegarty and former Kerbdog and Wilt frontman Cormac Battle as well as Radio Nova’s musical maestro Gavin Glass.  When listening to or reading the wave of positive vibes brought about by this young, energetic quartet, it’s no coincidence LIERS are gaining the respect and attention of those most influenced and defined by an iconic 90s rock era that is so crucial to their sound. LIERs will take to the Play The Picnic stage over the sold-out Electric Picnic weekend. Host is the second single of an EP due for release later in 2018.

Following up on their debut single last year, Hendrick Lane returns with their latest single ‘Rollerblade’.

‘Rollerblade’ expresses the feeling of emotional nostalgia and transports you into the minds of Hendrick Lane. Like all great pop music of today, the song starts off with the infectious hook performed by Hovay then leading into Sevn’s stand out verse. In this verse, he briefly captures a conversation between him and his childhood crush with his warm vocals and melodic feel. At this point, the feel-good vibe has seamlessly been delivered by a catchy and captivating hard-hitting chorus, which is reminiscent and almost dreamy in a sense. Though everyone cannot relate to rollerblading when they were young, the track brings the sense of happiness that everyone can relate to, which is the emotion evoked by the Dublin raised boys. Hovay jumps in with his verse, bringing versatility and adding a whole new dimension to the track. He builds on the main mood of the record, looking back at the past and what could have been. The track was co-written and produced by Michael Heffernan and Canada-based Keith O’Reilly.

Having met in school and gained popularity through schoolyard sing-offs, Hovay and Sevn have decided to follow their passion and have continued making music post-graduation. Hendrick Lane delivers a unique style of confessional storytelling to the music scene combining Hip Hop, Pop, and RnB. Citing influences such as Drake, Frank Ocean, PartyNextDoor, Kanye West, Michael Jackson and Andre 3000.

Rollerblade is available on 3 August 2018 on Spotify, iTunes, Apple Music and all other digital outlets for download and stream.

Follow Hendrick Lane on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM and SOUNDCLOUD.

To tie in with his appearance at this weekend’s All Together Now Festival in Waterford, Jape (aka Richie Egan) releases ‘Yeh’, his first new music since 2015’s ‘This Chemical Sea’.

Richie plays the ATN Main Stage at 4:30pm on Saturday August 4^th. 

Aeons have just released their album ‘Fís’. A collaboration between Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh and Pádraig Rynne, Aeons’ electronica music is performed through Irish.

Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh is an award-winning traditional singer and musician from Corca Dhuibhne, West Kerry. A leading exponent of the traditional sean nós style, her repertoire also includes songs from a wide variety of folk and contemporary sources. Her childhood in West Kerry saw her immersed in a rich cultural environment and vital living tradition, which was to be hugely influential on the foundation of her distinctive vocal and instrumental sound.

Muireann has a Masters in Traditional Music Performance and has enjoyed a hugely successful career as a touring artist, with over thirteen years’ experience as lead singer and flute player with the Irish traditional supergroup Danú, as well as a performing as a solo artist. Muireann is also a popular television presenter, having hosted a range of programmes for Irish and Scottish TV over the past decade including the celebrated traditional music series Port.

Most recently, she has also turned her attention to an award-winning collaborative Irish language electronic music project entitled Aeons.

Described as “one of the freshest sounds in Irish music” by fRoots magazine, Pádraig Rynne is a virtuoso musician, prolific composer and is regarded as one of the finest concertina players in Irish music today.

With a degree in Music, Media and Performance technology, a masters in Music Technology, and a passion for experimenting with diverse genres, Padraig is recognised for his refreshing explorations into the Irish tradition and beyond. His band work includes founder and former member of groundbreaking Irish/Breton band Guidewires and current member of Triad with Dónal Lunny and Sylvain Barou. Rynne has curated a number of high profile ensembles and tours including Irish Arts Council-funded projects Dán, Atlantic Arc Orchestra and experimental band NOTIFY.

Pádraig has featured on over thirty albums and has made many high profile TV appearances. He was a featured musician on the Soundtrack to recent successful BBC movie – “After the dance”.

Pádraig works very regularly with other artists and recently was commissioned to write the music for the opening of TG4 XX with award winning electronic band Aeons. As a sound designer, Pádraig has lent his music and unique creative soundscapes to many albums and productions.

On Monday 30^th July, Irish Music Rights Organisation (IMRO) CEO Victor Finn presented awards to Daniel O’Donnell, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to Country Music, and to Patsy Cavanagh in recognition of the ongoing success of his hit song ‘Home To Donegal”. The presentation took place in the The Daniel O’Donnell Visitor Centre in Dungloe, Co Donegal, during the Mary from Dungloe International Festival.

“The name ‘Daniel O’Donnell’ has become synonymous with country music in both Ireland and across the globe, where Daniel has been a shining ambassador and promoter of Irish music and culture. While Patsy Cavanagh has achieved the rare distinction of composing a work which has been so strongly embraced by the county of Donegal and Irish expats in particular, through the many unique and heartfelt interpretations of the song. IMRO feel it is important to recognise the impact of the craft of songwriters and musicians, it is an honour to present both Daniel and Patsy with their awards.” said Victor Finn, IMRO CEO.

Daniel O’Donnell, one of Ireland’s best-known performers continues to push out the boundaries of his career both on stage and TV in 2018 and 19.

He is the only artist in the world to score a hit in the UK album charts every year since 1988, an unprecedented and unbroken 30-year span and in doing so, he has outshone everyone from Michael Jackson and Madonna to the Rolling Stones.

In total, Daniel has now reached the UK Artist Albums Chart with almost 40 albums and has now amassed THIRTY-THREE Top 30 albums over the course of his career.  Daniel has also achieved eight number one hits in the UK music video/DVD charts over that period.

He makes regular appearances in the Billboard World Music Chart, received an honorary MBE from Queen Elizabeth, appeared on Top of the Pops, had his life celebrated on This Is Your Life and received multiple Entertainer of the Year/Person of the Year Awards in Ireland and the UK – to mention but a few of the many accolades.

Daniel’s remarkable career has moved on to a new level with his success as a TV presenter, just another facet to his ever expanding list of entertainment achievements. On receiving the award Daniel said, “I am thrilled to have been recognised by IMRO with this special award. It is always so gratifying to receive such an award in your own country from an organisation such as IMRO.”

Patsy Cavanagh writes about everyday life in a style that people identify with and his songs are in much demand by top Irish performers many of whom regard him as a “master wordsmith”.

He has had more than 100 covers of his songs recorded by various artists such as Daniel O’Donnell, Mick Flavin, Big Tom and Margo (just to name a few).

His song ‘Home to Donegal’ which is now considered the Donegal Anthem has been covered over 60 times including covers in America, Australia and Denmark (Kisser and Sören).

Patsy discussed the origins of the work, “I was sitting in the plane coming home from London one night watching the city lights disappearing and that gave me the opening line, ‘the lights of London are far behind’, from that the song just flowed. It is fantastic so many emigrants have identified with the song, while this award is the icing on the success of the track.”

IMRO is a national organisation that administers the performing right in copyright music in Ireland on behalf of its members (songwriters, composers and music publishers) and on behalf of members of the international overseas societies that are affiliated to it. Music users such as broadcasters, venues and businesses must pay for their use of copyright music by way of a blanket licence fee. IMRO’s Mission is to protect, promote and develop the collection and distribution of music royalties; foster music creation and promote the value of music to the creative, cultural and business communities in Ireland.

Three have released the second music video of their ‘Made By Music’ series teaming with up & coming atmosfolk duo Saint Sister to create a video for their song ‘Causing Trouble’. The recently launched ‘Made By Music’ initiative celebrates the power of music to unite people and create lasting connections.

Directed by renowned filmmaker, Brendan Canty, the second video in the series tells the unique story of a young couple’s relationship, with their personal ‘connection’ very much at the heart of the narrative. The beautifully shot cinematic style visuals coupled with the dream-like opening scene flawlessly compliment the haunting vocals provided by Gemma Doherty and Morgan McIntyre of Saint Sister.

As part of the ‘Made By Music’ initiative, Three have partnered with three rising Irish artists to make a series of new music videos, launching with hip hop star Jafaris last month. The third and final video in the series, with DJ Kormac, will be released later this summer.

The first of its kind; this is an innovative move from a brand to collaborate with the artists, contributing to the culture of the Irish music industry helping them to reach a wider audience.

Join the conversation on social using #MadeByMusic