Author: Breffni Banks

Ivy Nations, an indie-pop quartet from Dublin who are setting the dance rock world on fire, have just released the video for their single ‘Live By Design’. Ivy Nations have been added to various Irish festivals this year with Sea Sessions, Indiependence and YouBloom announced so far and are gearing up for their own headline show at the Grand Social on 29 June 2017.

Speaking about the video, director Benn Veasey and producer Rufus Pinkerton explain, it’s “a story focusing on the ideas of determinism, design, choice & freedom…in a dystopian world that was at once dated and a bit grubby, but at the same time really quite colourful and vibrant in places.”

New single “Live By Design” holds faithful to the energetic, dreamy sensibilities of the band’s previous releases, but pushes forward. It’s a shade darker, the band shares, and influenced by themes in Charlie Chaplin’s “Modern Times” and Godfrey Reggio’s “Koyaanisquatsi”. Singer Joe Kiernan says of the single, “[Live By Design] deals with the pace of modern life, where live out our fantasies while existing on the outer edges. The song reflects frustration, an inability to change the inner discourses that hold us back, and a desire to remove oneself from the race.”

Only three singles deep, Ivy Nations have been praised for their refined sound established with producer Phil Magee (Kodaline, The Script). Their debut track “The Mile Road” was released to universal plaudits and reached #3 on the HypeM Twitter chart. Second single, “You Are the Centre of Me” premiered on BitCandy in December 2015 receiving national airplay in Ireland & non-com radio in Australia and the USA. Current single ‘Live By Design’ has been racking up national daytime airplay in Ireland since it’s release.

2016 saw the band perfecting their live show with performances at Whelan’s Ones To Watch, Electric Picnic and Other Voices, a sold out headline show in Whelan’s Upstairs, and coveted support slots for acts like The Academic, Kodaline, The Strypes The Frank And Walters and The Blizzards.

‘Live By Design’ available now for download from all digital platforms.

Live Dates:
June 4 – The Mercantile (YouBloom Festival)
June 25 – Sea Sessions
June 29 – The Grand Social
August 4 – Indiependence

www.facebook.com/IvyNationsOfficial
www.twitter.com/IvyNations
www.soundcloud.com/ivynationsofficial
www.twitter.com/IvyNationsvynations.com

IMRO would like to extend their condolences to the family and friends of musician Patrick “Fitzy” Fitzpatrick who passed away following a battle with cancer yesterday, Wednesday 19th April.

Keyboardist Pat was originally from Belfast and trained at the Royal College of Music in London before going on to play with Katmandu and Van Morrison, The Blades and Something Happens, as well as Aslan, with whom he performed for over twenty years.

Paying tribute on their Facebook page Aslan said, “Pat played keyboards with us for over 20 years and was there with us on all the gigs and recordings that we did. He was not ours alone, he played with Something Happens, The Blades , Van Morrison and lots of other great bands but we liked to think of him as ours. As recently as 11 days ago he was rocking the roof off The Cork Opera House with us and stayed up for drinks with us and his wife Rebecca. We have great memories of all the great gigs we did together, Vicar st, Made in Dublin Revisited last Chrismas . The Olympia on paddy eve , The INEC Killarney and lots more.“

Participant is Stephen Tiernan, a songwriter and producer from Dublin, Ireland. At its core Participant is fragile and emotionally direct songwriting, wrapped within a sonic armour of layered samples and textures. With 2 acclaimed EP’s to his name, ‘Bit Slow’ and ‘Content’, Tiernan has become known for his considered recordings, stunning music videos, and experimental live performances.

Recently Tiernan has collaborated with award-winning director Bob Gallagher (Girl Band, SOAK, Saint Sister) on the bleak yet beautiful video for ‘Your Better’, accompanied by a sprawling 8-minute remix by Conor O’Brien of Villagers.

‘Next Year’ his brand new single, is taken from Tiernan’s most recent release ‘Sampler’. A compilation cassette collecting his singles on side A and a myriad of samples and textures on side B, Tiernan added ‘Next Year’ as a cassette exclusive track for the first month of release.

‘Next Year’ finds Tiernan exploring themes of complacency, self-worth and commitment. Anchored by a heartfelt vocal, the song ebbs and flows on a bed of acoustic guitar and violin, building in intensity and atmosphere throughout. ‘Next Year’ is yet another demonstration of Tiernan’s ability to combine his emotive songwriting with his intricate production style.

In his own words – “When I was putting ‘Sampler’ together I felt it was important I add something new to better make it a true collection, not only of what I’ve done but where I’m going or hope to be. ‘Next Year’ is a song that for me deals with the idea of stillness, ignoring opportunity or responsibility and so I thought it could be cathartic to finish it and make it the first song on a compilation of my work.”

Upcoming Shows
Participant supports Peter Silberman (The Antlers) this Friday, April 21st in Dubin’s Unitarian Chruch

Facebook / Twitter / Bandcamp / Soundcloud

Zack Boone is an Irish recording artist, whose music featured on BBC Radio, and in various international award-winning movies. He is a multi-instrumentalist and vocalist, but is equally adept as a producer.

He has a degree in Biotechnology, captained his County Under 21 Gaelic Football team and was a National Junior Discus Champion. His track Is It True? was chosen by Tom Robinson as a BBC6 Radio, Top 15 track of 2015. Boone was subsequently asked by Robinson to support the 80’s pop legend on his Irish tour and by Damien Dempsey for his 2017 southern Irish tour.

Zack Boone signed an international music publishing deal with GD78Music for his track Ellis Island. Zack Boone recently composed a song to highlight the homelessness crisis in Ireland. He was asked to perform this track ‘Home Sweet Home’ live separately on Dublin’s Near FM, Midlands 103 and LMFM Radio.

Zack Boone’s Upcoming Dates
1/7/2017 Smiddy’s (Mullingar, Ireland)
20/8/2017 The Big Viking Picnic (Ireland)
2/9/2017 Electric Picnic (Ireland)

http://www.zackboone.com/

A shared love of Chicago Blues, 50’s R n’ B and the blues of New Orleans is the musical touchstone for Square Pegs, Dublin based players from the worlds of rock, blues and jazz.

Known for their work with such artists as Van Morrison, Glen Hansard, Toots and the Maytals, Villagers and many more, the band convene when they can between their other musical commitments.

Square Pegs comprise of guitarist and vocalist Colm Quearney (ex Lír), ex Therapy? and Frames drummer Graham Hopkins, keyboardist with the Frames Justin Carroll on organ, bassist Keith Duffy, Conor Brady on guitar and numerous guests floating in and out.

Their groove based repertoire make them a great live show – playing music that they all clearly love and enjoy. Square Pegs have played numerous gigs and festivals since they got together in 2010.

2017 sees the release of their self-titled debut.  Featuring classics such as Trouble in Mind, Big Legged Woman and original song Rise & Shine written by Colm Quearney, the album is a cornucopia of goodtime blues.

Album launch show : 
Sin É, Dublin – Friday April 28th

http://www.facebook.com/SquarePegsmusic/
https://twitter.com/SquarePegsmusic

Dublin soul rockers The Hot Sprockets grab the summer by the scruff of the neck with the announcement of a new single, a new video, and a date at Dublin’s Opium Rooms on Wexford Street!

Back with a bang, this April the band release their new single  “Right Spots”, the first song off their eagerly awaited new album.  With all the classic hooks and sounds the Sprockets are loved for, this song will definitely keep fans yearning for more.

The video for Right Spots – which is directed by their longtime collaborator Luke Sweetman (Little Beast) – in production as we speak, and due for release early May.

On Saturday May 13th, the boys headline The Opium Rooms in Dublin with a brand new explosive show and their very own Sprockets Vintage Clothing Line Merch Stall.  No doubt this will be the Rock ‘n’ Roll show of the year!

http://www.thehotsprockets.com/

Leading musician’s from the Irish music industry, such as Bell X1’s Paul Noonan, Gavin Glass and Maria Doyle Kennedy, are gathering for a special concert in Kilkenny on Wednesday, 26th April to mark the 31st Anniversary of the world’s worst nuclear disaster and raise vital funds for CCI’s life-saving programmes in Belarus and Ukraine.

A special evening of music and entertainment is due to take place in the heart of Kilkenny 26th April, to commemorate the 31st anniversary of the Chernobyl accident and the inaugural United Nations “Chernobyl Disaster Remembrance Day”.

Set Theatre Kilkenny, which was awarded the accolade of ‘National Live Music Venue of the Year’ in 2015, will play host to the Bell X1 frontman and many more in an effort to raise funds for Chernobyl Children International’s Kilkenny Outreach Group on a day that is being described by President Michael D. Higgins as a “beacon of hope”.

On April 26th 2016, the 30th Anniversary of the accident at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, Adi Roche addressed a special session of the United Nations General Assembly suggested that as part of a campaign to raise global awareness of the consequences of the Chernobyl accident, April 26th should be designated as a day of remembrance for the victims of Chernobyl and on 8th December 2016 the United Nations ratified “Chernobyl Disaster Remembrance Day” as a result of the Voluntary CEO’s request.

As initiators of the day of commemoration the Cork-based charity, who are the only United Nations recognised NGO working in the Chernobyl affected regions, are co-organising a photo exhibition and round-table discussion at the United Nations Headquarters in New York due to be attended by United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres.

The full lineup includes Bell X 1’s Paul Noonan, actress and singer Maria Doyle Kennedy & Kieran Kennedy, Gavin Glass, Wexford’s Ian Doyle aka The Man Whom and Ollie Cole.

Tickets for “A Night for Chernobyl” are priced at €25 and are available from www.set.ie and Rollercoaster Records, Kilkenny. Doors 7.30pm.

Róisín O’s much anticipated second album is set to be released later this year. With its foreboding lyrics, ominous melodies and haunting guitar riffs, forthcoming single ‘Warn Me of Silence’ shows O at her best. The single has already gained success online as the song which rang out the last episode of the RTÉ1 Amy Huberman drama series ‘Striking Out’.

Set for release on April 28th, the accompanying music video shows Róisín travelling around Dubai while on tour, juxtaposing its stark desert with its colossal cityscapes. This Friday night Róisin will attend the VIP Style Awards where she has been nominated in the “Most Stylish Newcomer” category.

Róisín plays the Repeal Project gig in Olympia Theatre on April 23rd. Some amazing acts including David Gray, Wyvern Lingo and Le Galaxie will also be taking the stage on the night, tickets for this great cause from Ticketmaster.ie

http://roisino.com/

Music Cork is about creating a unique opportunity in Ireland to listen to the best industry professionals talk about their work and experiences, see the best new talent perform and enjoy plenty of opportunities to network with speakers and delegates over 3 days of intimate social gatherings and shows, all in the most fun and friendly city in Ireland from 10th to 12th May.

They’ve confirmed some great speakers for the event including one of their Key Note Speakers, Darcus Beese, President of Island Records. In addition to Darcus, they’ve also got agents of the calibre of Geoff Meall (UTA / Muse), Steve Zapp (ITB / Biffy Clyro) and Josh Javor (X-Ray / Coldplay), people who understand publishing like Martin Toher (B-Unique) and Tommas Arnby (Locomotion) as well as manager of Kodaline and Stephanie Rainey, Ricardo Zambak, Adam Barker, Director of Business Affairs for Universal Music UK, Rebecca Allen, Managing Director of Decca and Marc Robinson, Managing Director of Globe. They have also confirmed Rob Stevenson (Universal Republic Records), Mike Smith (Managing Director of Warner/Chappell UK), Sarah CAsey (LPO), Ken Allen (Faction) and Andy Smith (Kendall Calling). The full line up of speakers can be viewed at www.MusicCork.com 

Delegates at Music Cork will not only have the opportunity to listen to these fantastic speakers but also to network with both speakers and other delegates in an informal setting during the day or over a beer in the evening. You’d also never know who you would be grouped with on the Music Cork Pub Trail (Weds).

The Music Cork Showcase will give some of Ireland’s best artistic talent the opportunity to perform in front of some of the biggest names in the music industry. Artists performing include Ailbhe Reddy, Le Boom, Lyra, Cry Harridan, Jafaris, Little Hours, Super Silly, Alex & Echoes, Barq, Fangclub, Rob Burch and more to be announced.

Tickets for Music Cork are available now from www.MusicCork.com

Having entered the Irish Top 40 this week with their self titled debut album, Darling have just released their new single. ‘It’s Only Love’, to radio.

‘It’s Only Love’ is the follow up to the successful radio single, ‘Bright Light Switch’.

Gary Harding and James McGuire, two young men from Dublin, have made a substantial impact with their synth speckled, indie guitar drenched pop-rock since their birth in late 2013. The pair, who play live as a four-piece, have headlined sold out Dublin shows, made notable festival appearances and have been invited to support Echo & The Bunnymen, White Lies, St. Raymond, Embrace and Rae Morris. Substantial national and regional airplay of their two Stephen Lipson produced EP’s followed, in addition to national TV and critical acclaim. The band recently completed recording their debut album with renowned Dublin based producer Philip Magee (The Script, Kodaline).

Darling celebrate the release of their self-titled debut album with a headline show in Whelan’s main room on Saturday 27 May 2017.  Tickets €10 from http://darlingmusic.ie/live

“DARLING” album out now – http://smarturl.it/darlingalbum

“EVERY BIT AS STADIUM-SIZED AS WE HOPED” 8/10 – HOT PRESS
“IMPRESSIVE?? VERY.” 4/5 – IRISH TIMES
“THIS DEBUT ALBUM UNASHAMEDLY REACHES FOR THE BIG TIME… CATCHY? HECK YES!” – IRISH INDEPENDENT