Irish singer-songwriter Ailbhe Reddy has just signed a worldwide publishing deal with BDi Music.
BDi Music are a hugely successful Grammy winning music publisher.
Ailbhe plans to release a new single in September followed by an extensive recently announced tour of Ireland and the UK.
She plays an MCD promoted show at Whelan’s in Dublin on 21st October.
‘If You Love Me’ is the 2nd single taken from his Velvet Cake – 4 track EP, released back in April. Teamed up with Nathan Barlow again, the film maker responsible for previous project as Lucid and Love Dies. Produced by Diffusion Lab.
‘The Velvet Cake EP’ has already received strong support from press and media in Ireland and abroad, including Annie Mac and Phil Taggart in BBC Radio 1. Jafaris provided his explanation to his latest project:
“The ‘If You Love Me’ video is almost like a continuation or second part to the ‘Love Dies’ video, as a man who was on the edge and broken in the streets of Dublin, looking to make amends with the woman he loves to no avail, he finds himself distant from society that’s why he lives in a warehouse in the middle of nowhere. He secluded himself and he’s almost useless until this mysterious woman comes out and hands him a ring which is a metaphor for purpose. Now that he’s been given reason to go on, he tries to make sense of it all but not once forgetting about the love of his life, which is shown by him writing a letter using the lyrics to the song as a memory of her. With anything great though, there are always people who are praying for your downfall, the pursuit in the video is representing anyone who is against you fulfilling your purpose “haters” is what we call them. The men in the video are out to take the ring from him but now that he has a chance to make things right with his life there’s no way he’s letting it go… without giving too much away just know it’s to be continued…”
All we can say, part 3 is coming…for now, enjoy “If You Love Me” on YouTube/Spotify
Live Shows:
1/2/3 Electric Picnic | Rankin Wood Stage + Other Voices Stage
Ivy Nations have had quite the summer following the release of their single “Live By Design” last spring. Their single received national airplay, they dominated the Irish festival scene with performances at Sea Sessions, Indiependence and the main stage of Castlepalooza, their debut music video premiered on UK blog, London on the Inside, and they traveled to London for their first ever overseas headline show.
Now, partnered again with their producer, Phil Magee (Kodaline, The Script, The Blizzards), the Dublin-based dance rock group are taking no breaks and returning with their fourth single, “Sentimental Hearts”. As with their past singles, the instrumentals and lyrical content often reflect opposite emotions with the lyrics being much darker than the music itself may sound. “The song is about a boy who lives in his head, but craves the truth,” says lead singer and lyricist, Joe Kiernan, who often writes about other characters. “He dreams of past lives as a superhero; carving up the present, confronting his fears, and restoring his faith.”
“Sentimental Hearts” is available everywhere on September 29, and you can hear it performed live at Electric Picnic as Ivy Nations take the Play the Picnic stage on Saturday night.
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Forced to leave his drumming career behind after dropping a piano on his foot during his studies at Sir. Paul McCartney’s Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts, Tiz McNamara was forced to change instruments and re-audition half way through his three year degree. The injury to his foot was so severe it left him unable to walk for five months with doctors fearing the need to amputate!
The new path of singing and playing the guitar has been a revelation as his debut single went on to be streamed more than 2.3 million times on Spotify as well as featuring in Emmerdale, Hollyoaks and on BBC Radio 2.
His live highlights include supporting Brit award winner James Bay, Other Voices, and Sound City Liverpool.
‘Slippery Slope’ is a beautifully understated folk song with subtle nods to R&B. Tiz has built his live following this year by performing at Sea Sessions as well as Main Stage slots at both Indiependence and Castlepalooza Music festivals. He and his band have a busy few months ahead with their Electric Picnic slot kicking off their September tour of Ireland and the UK before Tiz departs for a Canadian tour on September 27th taking in more than 25 shows.
“Rarely has an EP given off such prominent real love, until greeted with this radiant bestowal; truly mind-altering.” GETINTOTHIS, Liverpool (EP review).
“Wow, I don’t know what to say, it’s hard to find any words when something over powers you like that, amazing. I am so glad you starting writing songs” Gaby Roslin, BBC London.
“Wondrously numbing, Tiz McNamara has the ability to serenade a million sinking ships with his soothing vocal flicks and joyously tasteful guitar strokes, invading imaginations with the songwriter’s Irish heritage.” Lauren Jones, Liverpool, Echo.
Live Dates:
Sept 1st – Stradbally, Electric Picnic
Sept 10th – London , Green Note
Sept 11th – London, Green Note
Sept 14th – Dublin, Whelans,
Sept 15th – Kerry, Nelliefreds
Sept 21st – Laois, Kavanaghs, Portlaoise
Sept 22nd – The Mariner, Bantry
Sept 23rd – Roscommon, JJ Harlows
Sept 24th – Belfast, The Black Box
Tebi Rex are an alternative hip-hop duo based whose style can fluctuate from catchy, upbeat pop to strikingly dark and complex lyricism. Following the success of 2016’s ‘Black Enough’ their first single of 2017, ‘Everything You Say Is A Poem’, picked up major radio support from the likes of 2XM, 98FM, RTE Pulse and Beat 102, as did the (sort of) summer anthem ‘Icarus’.
In their latest music video they and fellow duo Elkin tackle the most iconic romantic moments in film and music history, taking the message of the song one step further by creating a video that not only spoofs your favourite romantic comedies (featuring Taylor Swift, Heath Ledger, Ingrid Bergman, John Cusack and Humphrey Bogart) but also acts as a social critique of a system that perpetuates unrealistic standards about what love looks and acts like. They’re also fairly bitter and petty so there’s that too.
Love is quick, love is cruel. It is envious, it is boastful, and arrogant.
It dishonours those around you, it is self-serving, it is easily angered, it keeps all records of wrongs.
Love does not delight in what is pure but rejoices in all that is petty .
It always attacks, always faults, always chokes, always disappoints.
Irish Hiphop group Loud Motive have returned with the release of their new single “July 16th” featuring talented singer songwriter Sallay Matu Garnett “Loah” and co-produced by Chris Kabs and Loud Motive. Following the release of Honda Accord, the boys give us a different side to their music. With steady lyrical jabs accompanied by a smooth instrumental inviting evocative guitar strings, July 16th is reassuring us that they are more than capable of bringing something different to the table. Soothing vocals by Loah compliment the track and adds a little more to the atmosphere.
With a youthful video shot in the early stages early July directed by Stephen Beatsmith, Loud Motive have given us a vibrant piece of work. A well crafted sample of this era’s explosive scene, Loud Motive are sure to blow up in a major way.
‘July 16th’ will be available for download on all major platforms shortly.
IMRO member Brendan Graham’s ‘You Raise Me Up’ has been chosen as the ending title track on the 30 episode series Father Charles Soong.
The series is based on the life of Charlie Soong, who, along with his daughters, is seen as one of the founding figures of the People’s Republic of China. Born in 1863, Soong went on to become one of China’s most successful businessmen while his children also went on to lead important roles in the beginnings of the People’s Republic of China.
The role of Charlie is played by award winning Hong Kong born actor Tse Kwan-ho.
‘You Raise Me Up’ which was composed by Brendan Graham and Rolf Løvland, is one of the most recognisable songs in the world having been recorded by over 1,000 artists and has been for a hit for performers including Josh Groban and Westlife.
Martin Hurkens performs “You Raise Me Up” in the closing credits for Father Charles Soong.
Following two successful solo albums and tours Shane Filan has announced that he is back with his third album, ‘Love Always’ featuring some all-time classic love ballads alongside new original songs. The 12 track album features some of Shane’s favourite ballads along with some fan suggestions, from all time classics like ‘Make Me Feel My Love’ and ‘Eternal Flame‘ to new hits including ‘Beautiful in White’ which has already amassed over 70 million views on You Tube. The album will be on sale on Friday 25th August 2017.
Shane says, “This is an album I have been wanting to make for a long time, I love singing ballads and this album is full of some of my all-time favourite songs as well as some fan choices such as the Bangles hit ‘Eternal Flame’ which I had never thought about covering but loved recording, to one of my own personal favourites Bryan Adams’ ‘Heaven’. Picking the tracks was the most difficult part of the process and I wanted to put my own take on them and I’m really proud of the versions I have done. There are also three brand new original tracks that I’ve written following requests by fans for some new music and I am really proud of how they sit alongside the other songs”.
Shane has cemented his position as one of the UK & Ireland’s most popular male solo artists, following phenomenal success with Westlife – one of the world’s most successful bands of the last few decades – and he shows no signs of slowing down, “There’s nothing that make me happier than singing and being on stage” he says, “it’s something I am very proud of and it’s what I want to be doing for the rest of my life.”
The new album will also be accompanied by a UK and Irish tour also titled ‘Love Always’. “The great thing about thing about this new album and forthcoming tour is that the set list is going to be so strong with the addition of these songs to my set list, with some of my earlier singles and obviously the Westlife favourites. The fans will know every single word of every song, it’s nice to look forward to a tour knowing the crowd are really going to love it, it’s going to be a new chapter and everyone is going to be singing along to these songs”.
Westlife had fourteen chart topping singles and forty-four million sales. Their career, Shane says, “fulfilled all of our dreams 1000 times over.” It’s been a remarkable journey for a singer songwriter who grew up inspired by an admiration of Backstreet Boys and Michael Jackson.
Track Listing:
This I Promise You
Don’t Dream It’s Over
Make You Feel My Love
Beautiful In White
Need You Now
Heaven
Completely
Unbreakable
Eyes Don’t Lie
I Can’t Make You Love Me
Crazy Over You
Eternal Flame
Tour dates 2017
October
Van Morrison has released the first single proper from his forthcoming album via all digital services.
‘Transformation’ is a sublime piece of soulful music; the kind of gloriously transcendent song that only Van Morrison seems to write. The track features regular Van collaborator Chris Farlowe on additional vocals alongside UK jazz great Jason Rebello on piano and legendary guitarist/former Yardbird Jeff Beck. The video for ‘Transformation’ was filmed at Van’s recent gig at London’s Porchester Hall.
‘Transformation’ is taken from ‘Roll With the Punches’ – his 37th studio album – due for release via Caroline International on 22nd September 2017. As well as several of his own compositions, ‘Roll With the Punches’ features Van’s interpretations of a selection of undisputed classic rhythm and blues songs, reconnecting Van with music he came of age with in the ’60s. Of the album, Van says:
“From a very early age, I connected with the blues. The thing about the blues is you don’t dissect it – you just do it. I’ve never over-analysed what I do; I just do it. Music has to be about just doing it and that’s the way the blues works – it’s an attitude. I was lucky to have met people who were the real thing – people like John Lee Hooker, Jimmy Witherspoon, Bo Diddley, Little Walter & Mose Allison. I got to hang out with them and absorb what they did. They were people with no ego whatsoever and they helped me learn a lot.”
Van Morrison plays previously announced dates in the autumn. The shows are:
Dec 4th Belfast Europa Hotel
Dec 5th Belfast Europa Hotel
Garage-rockers Otherkin keep the pressure on with the release of the video for their brand new single, entitled “Come On, Hello”, as the buzz builds for their much-anticipated debut album, called “OK”, which will be released at the end of the summer.
2017 has already been a tornado of touring for the band, having completed three UK adventures, one headline, one with The Amazons and a third with punk legends the Dead Kennedys. Furthermore, the band opened for Guns ‘N’ Roses at the legendary Slane Castle, made their Download debut at Castle Donington and kept the Otherkin flame burning in Holland and France. Just recently, they were championed by Metallica’s Lars Ulrich on his Beats1 radio show.
“OK” was recorded in Ireland with David Prendergast, Jason Boland and the band at the controls. The tracks were mixed in London by Jolyon Thomas, best known for his work with Slaves and Royal Blood. Showing real commitment to their art, singer Luke and drummer Rob both had fresh “OK” tattoos committed to flesh for the album artwork.
To support the release of the album, Otherkin will be out on tour as both special guests of INHEAVEN in the UK and headlining their own gigs in fifteen European countries. They are also confirmed for the Leeds / Reading festival at the end of August.
The album “OK” will be released on Friday 29th September on vinyl (with poster insert) and CD, and is available to pre-order now from Apple Music and all digital music platforms. Fans who pre-order will receive four instant grat tracks – “Ay Ay”, “Feel It”, “Bad Advice” and “REACT”.
