Author: Breffni Banks

October Fires have just released their latest single ‘Pray’. It is the second release by the band since forming in September 2017 with their debut track entitled ‘Traces’. The band recorded ‘Pray’ at home with the help of their friend Ciarán Diver. The track was mixed by Gavin Glass in Orphan Studios.

October Fires are a four-piece group consisting of Carol Somers on piano, vocals and percussion, Lisa Baker on piano, vocals and percussion, Eoghan O’Neill on bass and Eric Somers on guitar. The band have a special bond, consisting of best friends, family and newlyweds.

The band’s name was inspired by the smoky scent in the air walking home from practice one autumn night. October has a unique vibe, with its perfect blend of beauty and eerieness, a trademark of the band’s sound.

Their music is continually inspired by this balance and the time of year is such a favourite, that band members Carol and Eoghan even held their wedding on October 28th 2017, cementing the future of the band!

Carol and Lisa met in 2002 studying music in Maynooth University. They’ve been inseparable ever since after finding an innate ability to harmonise together, even been able to predict what the other is about to do! This bond has become the central feature of the band.

Eric, Carol’s brother, was the final piece of the puzzle, much to the delight of the other members, joining what has now become a tight musical outfit. Their style is difficult to pin down but fans have likened their sound to ‘Radiohead meets Tori Amos’.

The band describe their music as haunting, harmonic, dark pop with a fusion of musical influences from choral music : classical : pop : soul : funk : rock.

Their lyrics and vocals range from dark to airy, whimsical to witchy, embedded with gritty and driving sounds, October Fires are looking to set every venue alight!

The band’s debut EP is set to be released Halloween 2018.

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Eve Belle is a young singer, songwriter and chronicler of sorrows from deepest Donegal. Her songs and stories are imbued with an uncommon world-weariness seldom found in writers of such tender years.

In Eve Belle’s songs, someone is always leaving; or is about to be left. Her gaze is unblinking, she says: “I try to create emotional portraits of my own experiences through my lyrics. I think the best songs come from the most earnest emotions, so I try to put minimal filters between what I feel and what I say in the song.”

In 2016, One of Eve Belle’s early songs, the aptly-titled, achingly beautiful ‘Too Young To Feel This Old’ came to the attention of Irish independent label Rubyworks. Around the same time, her evocative cover of Coldplay’s ‘Violet Hill’ found favour with Chris Martin & Co., and was widely shared online.

On signing to Rubyworks, Eve worked with London-based producer Fred Cox, best known for his work with Billie Marten and Rag ‘N’ Bone Man, and Simon Aldred of Cherry Ghost and Birdy fame. The latest fruits of their studio labours is her new single ‘Best Intentions’.

Eve says of the song:  “Best Intentions is about being drawn to someone, but knowing the relationship is on very unstable foundations. It’s from the perspective of someone trying to step back from that feeling of infatuation before they’re too far gone, before logic goes out the window. It’s also kind of about struggling to find a balance between being overly cautious and impulsivity, wanting to protect yourself, but not wanting to limit yourself in the process”.

Drawing on influences as diverse as Julien Baker, Cigarettes After Sex and Conor Oberst, Eve Belle has recently played live in Ireland with Beth Orton, Wyvern Lingo and HamsandwicH and enjoyed festival appearances at Electric Picnic, Indiependence and Sea Sessions.

‘Best Intentions’ is available now on all good download and streaming services.

Following two years of silence, SPIES made an unexpected return in March with their single ‘Young Dad’.

‘Young Dad’ marked a notable change for the band, with their new synth hooks complementing their notoriously tight sound. Accompanying the single, SPIES made their return to the stage playing to a sold-out crowd in Whelan’s. This set was comprised of mostly new material showcasing the band’s changed direction.

The release of ‘Uriah’ is a continuation of SPIES’ progression and evolution incorporating electronic themes and driving rhythms. This new single is the second to be released from their upcoming debut LP ‘Constancy’, scheduled for release later this year. Vocalist Michael Broderick describes the song as “A reflection on the story of Uriah and King David”, – the song mirrors the themes of friendship and betrayal in this story with a personal experience.  Uriah was recorded in Dublin’s now defunct Bow Lane studio and was engineered by the bands long time producer Jake Miller.

The band, who were not long ago feted by the likes of NME and The Guardian, could have played it safe but their new sonic direction demonstrates their willingness to change, grow and adapt. As the band explain, “We were starting to listen to the likes of Floating Points, Fatima Yamaha, New Jackson, etc. we were also learning how to use midi and sequence synthesisers. We collected a lot of gear and began to write songs using new sounds and techniques. We found it much more satisfying than our older style of writing where we made a lot of noise until something stuck.”

Following the release of ‘Uriah’, SPIES have scheduled two live dates playing Dublin’s Workman’s Club on August 10^th and The Islington in London on August 13^th.

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The Pale’s devilishly brilliant ‘Here’s One We Made Earlier’ has been re-mastered and sounds better than ever.

Universal Records re-issue the vinyl on June 22nd and The Pale squeeze that into another crazily busy year.

The Pale have recently been selected as one of the artists for Dublin City Council’s ‘Dublin Culture Connects Local Heroes’ project. The band are currently writing songs to commentate and celebrate three local icons. More news on this very soon.

The band are also putting finishing touches on their 12th studio album and will be announcing details in due course.

The Pale play Dublin’s Unitarian on release day, June 22nd – tickets available from BornOptimistic.Com

http://thepale.ie/

Traditional Irish band Altan will perform at the Áras an Uachtaráin Garden Party hosted the the President and Sabina Higgins Monday 25th of June,  where President Higgins will acknowledge Altan for the contribution they have made to Irish Music and Culture over the last 30 years.

Altan are very delighted to be invited to perform at the Áras. The band were honoured with a Civic Reception by Donegal County Council last month, to celebrate the bands 30 year Anniversary.  In 2017 Mairead Ni Mhaonaigh one of the founding members of Altan was awarded ‘Traditional Musician of the Year’ at the Gradam Ceoil Music Awards.

Altan have been long established as the best and foremost traditional Irish band to come out of Ireland. This was recognized on November 7, 2006, when the Irish Government through An Post (The Irish Postal Body), honored Altan by issuing a postal stamp featuring the band. This award showed Altan’s immense impact on recent Irish culture at home and abroad and the growing popularity of Irish traditional music generally.

With their exquisitely produced award-winning recordings, their ground breaking ‘Island Angel’ recording going to no.2 in the Billboard World Music Charts in 1993, ranging dynamically from the most sensitive and touching ancient ballads all the way to the energetic foot-tapping reels and jigs, and their heart-warming engaging live performances, Altan have moved audiences from Donegal all the way to Tokyo, to Sydney, Seattle and beyond.

Na Mooneys will also perform on the evening. Na Mooneys were  formed in late 2013 Mairead Ni Mhaonaigh  and her siblings Anna Ní Mhaonaigh and Gearóid Ó Maonaigh along with Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh’s nephew, Ciarán Ó Maonaigh, Caitlin Ni Gabhann and Maireads daughter Nia Byrne.

After their debut tour across the UK with Keywest, Apella returned to Ireland to a sold out crowd at the infamous Ruby Sessions in Dublin recently to perform a rare acoustic set where they announced the release of their highly anticipated 4^th single ‘City Limits’.

This is an upbeat, feel good summer anthem that leaves you wanting to hit repeat! Apella continue to deliver catchy hooks, radiant riffs and BIG drums carefully crafted by Dara Quilty and Ronan Nolan. This type of smart, sassy writing is repeated throughout their soon to be released debut album, which showcases the duo’s new and ever expanding sound.

Apella burst onto the scene with their debut single ‘We Met At A Party’ to huge support from both national and regional radio stations which went on to be topped by their sophomore ‘Graceful Dancer’.

The duo made a serious mark on the live front having packed out their headline show in Whelan’s Main Room, which included some A-list fans in attendance like Ed Sheeran, Saoirse Ronan and Irish football legend Damien Duff! They followed that up with a slew of festivals before decamping to the studio to complete their album.

2018 has already been an eventful one for the band. They have showcased that their sound appeals to such a wide audience having toured the UK with Keywest and then opened for rock heavyweights Don Broco.

‘City Limits’ will be officially released this Friday, 22nd June. 

Apella play IMRO First Cuts at Abner Brown’s in Rathmines on June 27^th to coincide with the single launch!

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Sea Sessions, who return to the unique festival setting of Donegal’s Bundoran, have just announced their hotly anticipated stage times for the festival weekend from 22 – 24 June 2018. Organisers are celebrating 10 years partying by the beach so this year is guaranteed to be bigger and better than any year yet!

The full line up for Sea Sessions 2018 includes headliners Dizzee Rascal on Friday 22 June, Walking On Cars on 23 June and Rudimental on 24 June. Hannah Wants and Duskywill headline the new Astoria Dance Stage and Irish album chart toppers Delorentos and The Blizzards will headline the new Monroe’s stage. Also taking to the Sea Sessions stages are Everything Everything, Chasing Abbey, Hudson Taylor, Le Galaxie, Jerry Fish, Kormac (Av Show), Fekky, Versatile, DJ Yoda (AV Show), Wild Youth, Greg Wilson, Stomptown Brass, Fabio, Ryan Mc Mullan, The Hot Sprockets, DJ Deece, David Keenan, Wille & The Bandits, Slow Place Like Home, Waldorf & Cannon, Amber & The Bear, Marc O Reilly, Get Down Edits, DJ Mek, Brave Giant, Interskalactic,New Valley Wolves, Elaine Mai, The Clandestinos, 1000 Beasts, Vernon Jane, Thumper, Alan Finan, Delta Fuse,BPM, Colin Perkins, A Different Animal, Order of The Mess, Molly Sterling, Sixpenny Plug, Waking Android,  Ciara Brady, Myth and Motion DJs.

With their unique blend of quality acts, beach sports, surfing and a stunning location right on Bundoran beach on the Wild Atlantic Way, Sea Sessions is much more than just a music festival.

Sea Sessions surfing and sports events have become an important kick off to the tourist season in Bundoran and have made Sea Sessions an integral part of the Irish festival circuit.  Winner of IMRO Festival of the year at the 2017 IMRO Venue Awards alongside picking up the gong for Festival of the year at the “Excellence in local Government Awards”, Sea Sessions has gone from strength to strength.

The Festival started way back in 2008 as an after party for a Surfing Competition. Now it holds the top Surfing Competition in the country as well as hosting the worlds top skateboarders, BMX’ers and loads of beach sports. Supported by and working with DonegalCounty Council and Failte Ireland the event has become an important kick start to the tourist season for the capital of Irish surfing in Bundoran.

Limited tickets on sale now from Ticketmaster outlets nationwide, www.ticketmaster.ie. Priced from €109.90 for 3 days and €134.90 including 4 nights camping. There’s also limited single day tickets available from €49.50, Surfer Bar (VIP) Upgrades from €50 extra plus Glamping options.

Check www.seasessions.com for more details.

Sea Sessions

 22nd – 24th June 2018.

 www.ticketmaster.ie and Ticketmaster Outlets Nationwide