Author: Breffni Banks

With Brave Giant’s online views and Spotify streams both nearing the 1 million mark at time for writing, the band have just announced their next Dublin headline show at The Button Factory on Saturday September 22nd. Tickets priced €14.50 (including booking fee) go on sale 10am, Friday 23^rd March. The Button Factory concert follows the band’s previous six headline shows selling out ,over an 18mth period, in the capital.

To coincide with the tickets for The Button Factory Show going on sale this Friday morning, March 23^rd, they are delighted to bring you the new single, ‘Dakota Dakota’ is already a major hit in the band’s live show, and this single version will go on release on April 12^th, with pre-sale live later this month.

In addition to announcing the band’s new headline show, Brave Giant will also perform alongside Hudson Taylor on their upcoming Irish tour. They guest at The Opera House in Cork (March 29^th), The Big Top in Limerick (April 1^st), and Ruby Room @ TF Royal, Castlebar (April 2^nd).

Brave Giant is also confirmed to play Sea Sessions 2018 on Sunday, June 24^th, and The Groove Festival on Saturday July 7th.

The new single, ‘Dakota’, follows October 2017’s No1 ‘Way To Love’. Brave Giant has received some wonderful support from Irish radio since their first commercial single (‘Lordy Lordy’, in 2016). The last (nearing) two years have been remarkable for the independent band. ‘The Time I Met The Devil’ single from 2017 has enjoyed almost 100,000 views alone (featuring Irish actor and comedian, Joe Rooney) adding to the band’s impressive overall tally of 1,000,000 online video views. It’s the song that also resulted in a Late Late Show invite last spring for the boys!

2017, built perfectly on the band’s growing list of followers. The Longford based four-piece celebrated their first official No 1 on iTunes, played to an enthusiastic, and large band of followers (and some new fans too) on their debut Longitude outing, sold out a number of regional headline Irish shows, together with making a trip stateside for the Milwaukee Irish Festival, and a headline show in Rockwood Music Hall in New York. The year concluded with Brave Giant playing their biggest headline Dublin show to date at The Academy. It was the band’s 6^th consecutive headline-show to sell out in the capital.

Previously, winning Joe.ie’s Le Crunch competition, joining Gavin James and Roisin O as musical ambassadors for Bord na Móna’s inaugural #HearthSessions campaign together with being invited to guest with Picture This still remain highlights since 2016. Formed in 2011, Mark Prunty (guitar/vox), Podge Gill (guitar/vox), Ross McNerney (banjo/mandolin), Emmett Collum (drums) are the four young Longford men of Brave Giant. Their love of Irish music is evident in their sound, a skilfully achieved blend of rock, folk and alternative influences.

Tickets on sale this Friday, March 23rd @ 10am for The Button Factory show (22nd September 2018)

Thursday, March 29th – Cork Opera House w/Hudson Taylor

Sunday, April 1st – The Big Top, Limerick w/Hudson Taylor

Monday, April 2nd – Ruby Room @ TF Royal, Castlebar w/Hudson Taylor

Sunday, June 24th Sea Sessions

Saturday, July 7th – Groove Festival 

Brave Giant on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram 

Darwin’s Daughter, aka Fiona, lives in Ireland and regularly travels to Scotland, and England  seeking inspiration and collaboration for new songs.  Recently graduating from songwriting at BIMM in Dublin, Darwin’s Daughter, is releasing her debut EP.

‘The Dark’, is a collection of four songs written by Fiona and recorded at Audioland Studios in Kildare.  In her songs Darwin’s Daughter offers a brave and thoughtful insight into love, loss and longing.  They are reflective, intimate, and at times ethereal making them hard to pin to a single genre. The EP will be launched on Saturday 24th March in Bello Bar.

Guest musicians on the EP are Max Greenwood (Piano), Kim V. Porcelli (Cello) and Anthony Gibney (Guitar).  The EP was recorded and mixed by Anthony Gibney at Audioland Studios  (Kila, Alien Envoy) and mastered by Simon Francis Mastering (Kodaline, Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, Aqualung, Kylie)

‘Fiona has made a wonderful EP.  In the last few years I’ve watched her blossom into a serious talent. Inspiring.’ Boo Hewerdine

www.darwinsdaughtermusic.com

Two years on from the moment they became a viral sensation with their Adele medley, which now stands at over 25million views, Glenn Murphy and Ronan Scolard are ready to release their first album ‘Horizon’.

Written and recorded over the past year, and produced in Ireland by The Production Suite, who have worked on albums from fellow Irish artists such as Westlife and The Stunning, ‘Horizon’ shows that glenn&ronan are not just talented singers but are also talented songwriters.

Released on Irish label Liffey Records, the album is a perfect mix of brand new songs written by the boys along with some covers of their own favourite songs, including ‘Eve’ by BellX1 and Ed Sheeran’s ‘All of the Stars’.

“Horizon” makes for an impressive debut album from the duo who captivated audiences with their stunning blend of vocals: heart-warming and evocative, these unique vocals draw you into each and every song.

“Horizon” is available on Digital and CD from April 13^th, 2018.

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/glennandronan/

Twitter – https://twitter.com/glennandronan

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/glennandronan/?hl=en

YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkjw8XHC-wkSjUO8LYi34jg

Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/artist/1dckPbzTj3dmmZL5OO8feu

‘Accidents & Emergencies’ is the new single from Dublin quartet The New 52.  Written by frontman Darragh Cullen following an anxiety related seizure which landed him in hospital, the song features on the new EP ‘Green’ on release March 30^th.  The band play Dublin’s Workman’s Club on April 8^th and Galway’s Roisin Dubh on April 13^th.  The EP will be available for €4.99 from iTunes & all streaming sites.

Singer Darragh Cullen explains “I wrote the song following a seizure I suffered in 2016, a particularly harrowing anxiety incident which landed me in hospital for a night. I wanted the music (and lyrics video) to reflect the manic, overactive, and loud thoughts that anxiety produces. Plus, I wanted the song to really rock, because the band are so good at turning it up a notch – or three!”

The ‘Green’ EP is their first new collection of songs released since the 2016 debut album ‘Let me sleep’.  Since then, The New 52 supported Blue Rose Code on a successful Irish tour, and released 2 singles ‘Good Intentions’ and ‘I Am’ which reached Number 1 in the iTunes Rock Charts.

The 5 original tracks on the new EP were recorded in guitarist Conor’s home studio, Studio 57, and produced by Conor & Darragh Cullen.  The new EP is a departure for Cullen, who after recording all the instruments solo on the debut album when he was just 15, has now joined in a collective effort with the other members of The New 52 for the first time on these recordings – with Darragh on guitar/vocals, Conor McLoughlin on guitar, Mikey Deasy on bass/vocals, Sean O’Connor on drums.  Rebecca Geary (Sub Motion singer) guests on backing vocals, on the songs ‘We’ll Always Have Paris’ & ‘Is There Revolution?’.

The five original songs on ‘Green’ tackle diverse topics ranging from highly personal narratives to international affairs – ‘Accidents & Emergencies’ is an intensely personal chronicle of Darragh’s anxiety related seizure and hospital stay.  ‘Is There Revolution?’ is politically charged, about living in the Trump era.  ‘Love’ was inspired by the Netflix show of the same name, written directly after Darragh finished binge watching the first season.  ‘Controlling The Night’ is a fine illustration of how the collaborative energies of the band can change the dynamic of the song.  It was arranged based on the influences of all 4 members, including Mikey’s love of funk resulting in a slap bass solo and the band’s mutual love of Prince which influenced the guitar tones used on the recording.

GIGS:

April 8th – Workmans Club, 10 Wellington Quay, Dublin 2. Doors 8pm. €7 from workmansclub.com

April 13th – Roisin Dubh, Galway. Doors 9pm free admission

https://www.facebook.com/thenew52music @TheNew52Music

Dubliner Paul Alwright releases a new album ‘Hungry’ on 11^th May, with the single ‘Seeds of Doubt’ out now.

Musician and actor Paul Alwright released three albums under the name Lethal Dialect. Recently he shed the moniker and is releasing his forthcoming album ‘Hungry’ in May under his own name, citing a change in artistic direction.

The album is produced by David Prendergast. Co-produced by Benjamin Garrett. Mixed & mastered by Aidan Cunningham at The Forbidden Zone studio.

Guest musicians on the album include Lia Wright, Nic Hegarty, Maverick Sabre and Damien Dempsey. Album cover artwork by Christian Tierney / Photos by Tara Morgan.

Tracklist – Genius / Believe / Giants / Hungry / The Auld Chinaman / One Life / All Love ft. Maverick Sabre / Seeds of Doubt / Human ft. Damien Dempsey.

Live

Fri 18^th May – The Workman’s Club, Dublin

https://www.ticketweb.ie/event/paul-alwight-hungry-album-launch-the-workmans-club-tickets/8231155?pl=TWC

July 14^th – Iveagh Gardens, opening for Damien Dempsey. 

The video is about the perennial fear we have of how we are observed and perceived in a world where we are constantly under some form of surveillance or scrutiny. Paul’s torturers represent his doubts, self esteem and consciousness. The final shot of the flaming chair are those doubts dispelled and set a blaze.

The video is directed by Luke Daly, produced by Bold Puppy.

@Paul_Alwright) | Twitter

https://www.facebook.com/PaulAlwrightMusic/

KILLA YAN, one of a number of acts under the guidance of Dublin-based collective Diffusion Lab, makes his return to the limelight with the release of his new single ‘Damn Right’. This follows on from the success of his debut ‘Like I Used To’, released in 2017.

KILLA YAN’s musical journey began when he joined his first school choir at the age of five. He quickly began writing his own music and by the age of nine, he had finished writing his first song. In his teens, he found himself spending an increasing amount of time in recording studios across Dublin and as the years went by, he became friends with other local musicians and found himself helping them writing their own music. 

‘Damn Right’, is a pop classic set to the tune of heartbreak, as the lyrics recount the breakdown of the artist’s relationship, despite his best efforts.

“It’s about a relationship I really put everything into and I just knew it wasn’t working, the chorus really means I’m not blaming or cursing you away” KILLA YAN reveals “it’s a more mature way of looking at things, at looking at the end”.

If success was based on drive alone, there would be little doubt as to who would come out on top. KILLA YAN is full to the brim with both talent and determination, and is sure to become the name on everyone’s lips in 2018. 

‘Damn Right’ by KILLA YAN, is available to stream now at  https://s.disco.ac/zsccmdqoflsa

Follow KILLA YAN on FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM 

More at www.dflrecords.com

Pale Rivers announce a new single ‘Montparnasse’, following on from previous releases.  The song was recorded and produced by Owen Lewis and Steven Mullan and will feature on their debut EP due out in the next few months. The video is directed by Lochlainn McKenna.

Based out of Cork and Tipperary, the band began playing their first shows around the country including slots at Hard Working Class Heroes, Whelans One’s To Watch and Electric Picnic, as well as some high profile supports for acts such as Teleman, British Sea Power and The Wedding Present.

Tour dates (+ The Shaker Hymn)
April 19 – The Roisin Dubh, Galway
April 20 – Bello Bar, Dublin
April 27 – Gleesons, Clonmel
May 4 – The Roundy, Cork
May 5 – Connolly’s of Leap

We are Pale Rivers, a five-sided case study, sound vehicle. To speak of the past is, often times, erroneous at best. But to not share some details of how things came to pass would be wasteful, un-opportunistic and questionable.

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Paul Doran has been a highly regarded songwriter for many years. Known for songs like ‘Natives’ (Christy Moore and Paolo Nutini) and ‘Poison Words’ (Mary Black and Mary Coughlan), Paul has joined forces with some legends of the Irish music scene to record his debut album ‘Sand’.

‘Natives has touched listeners round the globe with it’s universal quality’ – Christy Moore

Featuring nine songs written by Paul, including ‘Natives’ and ‘The Gardener’ both recorded by Christy Moore and a cover of Tim Hardin’s ‘The Lady Came From Baltimore’ it brings together quality songs, a unique voice and musicians who have performed with Van Morrison, Rory Gallagher, Chuck Berry, Sinead O Connor, Ron Wood, Paul Brady and The Fleagh Cowboys.

“Paul Doran’s brilliant ‘Poison Words’ will doubtless see The Holy Ground hovering at or around the top of the charts till year’s end” – Hot Press

‘That Was My Heart’ is the first single to be released and is available from Bandcamp and CD Baby

Paul Doran began performing his own material supporting acts like Moving Hearts, John Martyn and Christy Moore while also working as a session singer for producer Bill Whelan and others mostly singing jingles’ for radio and TV. He co-wrote ‘Make It Work’ for the Self-Aid concert with Christy Moore who first recorded ‘Natives’ in 1987 leading to several other covers of the song. Over the years Paul’s songs have been performed by Christy Moore, Movin’ Hearts, Paolo Nutini, Mary Black, Mary Coughlan, Eleanor Shanley and others.

“I was dying to sing this song for years but I didn’t have the guts” – Mary Coughlan

Shot in Dublin City by Bold Puppy, Stephanie Rainey has just released the colourful video for her new single ‘Question Mark’.

Speaking about the video Stephanie Rainey said: ‘The video stays true to what the song is all about: that person from the past who could’ve been the one. With someone like that there is always an underlying, unspoken tension. Since I put out the track I’ve had so many messages from people saying that they know exactly who their Question Mark is – which is so mad. I think everybody has one so I think the video will resonate with a lot of people”.

‘Question Mark’ is the follow up to her recent radio hit  ‘Sorry’ and singles ‘100 Like Me’ and ‘Nothing of You Left to Love’ which have amassed nearly 10 Million streams across all platforms as well as over 6000 plays on Irish radio in 2017 alone. 2017 saw Stephanie Rainey play the main stages of Ireland’s biggest festivals Electric Picnic and Indiependence and she capped off 2017 with her first first 5 date tour of Ireland with sold out shows.

Now in 2018, she has embarked on her spring tour playing in venues doubled in capacity. Live, audiences are captivated by Stephanie Rainey’s honesty and humour and she never fails to make a connection. With only a few tracks released so far, she manages to have people singing for the duration of her shows while for songs like ‘Please Don’t Go’, you could hear a pin drop.

Stephanie has the look of a young Chrissie Hynde and her songs lie in the emotional hinterland between Adele and Ed Sheeran. Her music is not about gloss and glamour but the grit and grind of the real world. Her’s is a voice that is authentic and honest.

Stephanie Rainey is the Irish singer songwriter who made the impossible happen. With no funding, no manager, no contacts and no carefully calculated social media campaign, she created a music industry stampede of epidemic proportions with just one heart-stopping song – ‘Please Don’t Go’. Within 24 hours of the song being uploaded onto Facebook, Stephanie, had more than a million hits (it quickly rose to 5 million views across both Facebook and YouTube), offers pouring in from US and UK record companies and world-wide media attention.

‘Question Mark’ is available for streaming and download across all digital platforms now.

Upcoming Live Date 

25 April – Cork Opera House as part of Music Cork with Hermitage Green, The Strypes & Fontaines D.C.

http://stephanierainey.com/
https://www.facebook.com/stephanieraineyband/
https://twitter.com/stephanierainey
https://www.instagram.com/stephanieraineymusic/

Supertonic Sound Club are an 8 piece Dublin based band influenced by old school soul-funk and authentic reggae.  They have performed in session on both RTÉ and BBC and have received national airplay throughout Europe.  Members of the band have performed with a diverse range of leading international acts including Oasis, Sinead O’Connor, Tony Allen and James Galway.

Their latest single, ‘Please Don’t Ask’ features Sweden’s Kristina Glasnovic on vocals and is an uptempo slice of modern soul.  The single is now available on CD and digital download and will be released on 7 inch vinyl in April.  A video for the single has been produced featuring Dublin’s finest comedy improv group and that latest dance craze, towel dancing.

A single launch will take place on Thursday, 12^th April at East Side Tavern on Lower Leeson Street.  The following week, the band will be performing at the Freedom Sounds Festival in Cologne, Germany.

‘Please Don’t Ask’ is currently on the RTÉ Radio One playlist and the band will be performing on ‘The Late Late Show’ in April.