Author: Breffni Banks

Bronagh’s acclaimed new album ‘Gather Your Greatness’ is her third album of original material. A strong personal statement and expressly honest, the record is the second of Bronagh’s to be self-produced, determined to make the sound of the recording live up to the emotional heart of the lyric.

Following a recent sold-out London Lexington album launch show, Bronagh will play a number of Irish and European shows in 2017. A masterclass demonstration of why Bronagh is rightly regarded as one of the great soul voices in Ireland, ‘Hand On My Heart’ finds her tipping her hat to Rod Stewart and The Faces with a blistering torch song. The track is accompanied by a stunning live version shot in Dublin’s Some Neck Guitars shop, which finds Bronagh’s burnished vocals perfectly matched by her band’s brass section. ‘Lonely Girls’ looks to the tribulations of others – “That song is about life long friends of mine that have found the whole relationship thing so disappointing in their lives. There are so many preconceptions in your youth that you’ll grow up to have the fairytale house and husband but for many they still look for their equal partner and live with a huge sense of lack and that they have failed in this area in their lives and I believe ‘Be proud of what you do have and look after your own mind and self, that’s the path’ ”.

Elsewhere, Maria McKee can be found singing guest vocals on the opening track ‘Can You Hear Me’ and Brian Eno singing BVs on the uplifting ‘Radio.’ As she finished the record, Bronagh also widened her perspective – making lyrical references to organised religion, greed and State-induced sources of anxiety on the final and closing track ‘Heal Me’. “I have the courage now to express my deep concern for where humanity is at and what we will leave behind… It stems from watching how we react on a personal level and global level in the many wars we still have raging… What is really going on behind the ruling headquarters with regards to the arms trade and human beings insatiable appetite for control and power over each other…”

“One of the purest, clearest talents I know – a fabulous singer, bursting with raw Irish soul. Striking and original songs and an effortlessly brilliant band”– Brian Eno

“Bronagh has always felt the music deeper than anyone I know, she also writes songs that are pitched at the same level of excellence and meaning. They sound instantly old world and yet vital and new. If you steep yourself in the good stuff for long enough you become a worthy channel, at least that’s what we all hope as songmakers. She cuts to the heart of what it is to be a singer. She’s a real star and always was.” – Glen Hansard

“Bronagh Gallagher’ is a superb recording artist. She nods repeatedly in the direction of the ‘60s and early ‘70s to marvellous effect with the band conjuring a delicious gospel feel under Gallagher’s gripping vocal. This suitably eponymous record is a triumph for Bronagh Gallagher herself.” – Jackie Hayden, Hot Press
“Swaggering like Carole King in her golden years” – *** Q

“A deep Irish Soul record full of passion and tunes” – Mail On Sunday

NEW LIVE DATES ANNOUNCED
March 16th, 2017 Ballina Arts Centre, Co. Mayo
March 25th, 2017 The Washerwoman, Ballina Co. Tipperary
April 1st, 2017 The Loft, Co. Galway
April 7th, 2017 Whelan’s, Co. Dublin
April 21st, 2017 Seamus Heaney Homeplace, Co.Derry

“I Got A Plan” is the latest original release from Stomptown Brass, Dublin’s very own 10-piece urban street funk band. The new single is accompanied by a brand new video featuring a performance from the Bernard Shaw that captures the feel-good essence of their live show.

The track bursts with good vibes and a groove made for bopping. Its gritty distorted vocals are reminiscent of the raw soul-filled voices of Motown. A swirling, swinging, upbeat blues riff drives the track, and occasionally explodes into a wild energy that only brass can create. There are hints of the gospel tradition in a group chorus of “Take that money, babe” with the song’s lyrics taking aim at the white-collar crooks who have done so much damage to our society.

After a whopper year of sold-out shows up and down the country, along with legendary festival sets at Electric Picnic, Longitude and Beatyard, Stomptown Brass are gearing up for their biggest Irish tour yet. Coinciding with the release of “I Got A Plan”, the band are hitting the road this March, and bringing their outrageously energetic live show with them. Anyone interested in hearing brand new original music played with passion and precision (or just having a deadly time dancing your ass off) needs to see Stomptown Brass.

Blending the sounds of funk and blues with a raucous cacophony of powerful driving rhythms, Stomptown Brass make the most of their impressive line-up: 3 drummers, 3 trombones, 2 trumpets, one saxophone and one big, dirty tuba.

“I Got A Plan” is available everywhere on March 31, and you can catch the band on tour on the following dates:

March 10 – Cyprus Avenue, Cork
March 11 – Connolly’s of Leap, West Cork
March 16 – Central Arts, Waterford
March 17 – Monroe’s Live, Galway
March 18 – Black Box, Belfast
March 25 – Dolan’s, Limerick
March 30 – Spirit Store, Dundalk
March 31 – Chocolate Factory, Dublin

Announcing the new single “Dark Mornings” from Joe Chester’s critically praised fifth studio album The Easter Vigil, available Friday 10th March. Gathering fans from a diverse range of media taste makers, the accomplished musician and producer’s fifth album is being hailed as his most accomplished to date. Joe joins August Wells for live dates in March and has just announced a solo headline show in Dublin’s Unitarian Church in April.

RTÉ LYRIC FM – MARTY WHELAN’S ALBUM OF THE WEEK
NEWSTALK – TOM DUNNE’S ALBUM OF THE WEEK
“Another beautifully produced collection. Recommended” – The Sunday Times
“Dark Mornings is melody incarnate” – The Sunday Business Post
“A hugely rewarding album” – Hot Press Magazine
“Deep, personal and intriguing” – The Evening Herald
“The Easter Vigil is his most profound and moving work yet” – RTÉ

LIVE DATES
March 9th – Cleere’s Kilkenny (support to August Wells)
March 11th – Workman’s Dublin (support to August Wells)
April 23rd – The Róisín Dubh, Galway
April 28th – The Unitarian Church, Dublin
May 4th – The Spirit Store, Dundalk

Tickets: http://www.joechester.com/tour-dates/

Montauk Hotel are a shimmer-pop act based in Dublin. Taking influence from the glimmer of early 80s indie-pop, Montauk Hotel have fused strong melodies with glistening guitars to create a sound that is their own.

Formed late last year, Montauk Hotel are made up of Claudia Verdecchia (vocals), Shell Dooley (guitars), Aoife Hester (bass) and Karima Dillon-El Touhky (drums).

Montauk Hotel made an impressive impact on the Dublin live music scene in 2016 with shows including The Last Mixed Tape’s Lost Tapes series, The Bowery, Whelan’s, The Sound House and Sin E and supporting acts such as Paddy Hanna, Beauty Sleep, Jem Mitchell and Slow Riot.

Their debut single ‘Black Dress’ was released in late January to critical acclaim. Montauk Hotel will release their self-titled E.P. on March 10th with a headline gig in Whelan’s Upstairs on the same night.

“Black Dress is an intro to a band who have already found their music and know exactly how to use it.”
The Last Mixed Tape

“Dripping in metallic guitar vibes and early ‘80s indie pop, ‘Black Dress’ is a charming melodic opening gambit”
Nialler9

“A gorgeous jangly pop noise”
Hot Press

New Irish Artist of the Week – Nialler9’s New Irish Music, The Irish Times

Praise for ‘Montauk Hotel’ E.P.
“…a highly stylised record filled with vivid flourishes of brilliance that set the four-piece apart… Leaving them in their own shimmer-pop milieu”
9/10, The Last Mixed Tape

SOCIAL MEDIA:
Twitter: @MontaukHotel
Facebook
Bandcamp
Soundcloud
Breaking Tunes

West Clare songsmith and European troubadour, David Hope is back with a new collection of heartfelt, raw, gritty songs. Hope is set to release his eagerly anticipated third studio album entitled ‘Tough Love’ on March 10th, 2017 on Swiss label, TOURBOmusic.

Produced by Christian Best at Monique studios, Cork / Ireland, ‘Tough Love’ is the follow up to the critically acclaimed ‘Scarecrow’, which was released in 2013 and enjoyed extensive radio play and successive tours both in Europe and Hope’s native Ireland.

‘Tough Love’ features a collection of ten new songs which showcase Hope’s finely wrought lyrics and impressive vocals. Hope’s language invites listeners to venture into his world of beauty, humour, darkness and disdain. Producer Christian Best features on percussion which has lifted Hope’s songs to a new level in terms of sound and focus, while internationally acclaimed composer, pianist and vocalist Michael Gallen has added rich texture and tone giving Hope’s music a broader presence and stride.

The ten-track album is a mix of full-band tracks which have the instantly recognizable and often jaunty feel of his earlier works, as well as a fresh vitality. It is, however, in the stripped-back, exposed solo recordings where the song-writing maturity Hope has found over the last few years really shows, cutting to the bone of a song and unearthing a poignant intimacy. Hard working and weather beaten by constant touring, this third studio album is a coming of age for the man from County Clare.

http://www.davidhope.ie/

As festival line ups across the country fill up quickly, new Irish artists are being offered the chance to play at the quickest growing event of the summer, BARE in the Woods.

Taking place at Garryhinch Woods, Co Laois, on June 9-11, BARE in the Woods has already announced hip hop legends House of Pain and Mike Skinner with more headline acts due to be released imminently. In the meantime, BARE17 is directing new Irish artists to download the Mobstar app and upload an entry for an opportunity to play this year’s festival.

Mobstar is the first and largest open network of authentic music talent that will allow users and fans to immediately discover, share, engage, follow and directly support their favourite rising talent.

Already, Heroes in Hiding, Craic Appeal, Mind Riot, Scoops, Chasing Abbey, Buniscionn, Wolves of Youth, Exiles, The Revellions, Emma Jai, The Kilo 1977, Dreaming of Jupiter, Montreal State, Not Monsters, Gemma Bradley and Quangodelic have been chosen to play BARE17 through the Mobstar app.

Festival organiser, Peter Dunne, said: “The quality of the acts that have entered through Mobstar so far have been amazingly good. We still have slots to fill over the three-day event, so we are encouraging anyone who would like to find out what its like to play a great Irish festival to download the app and get involved!”

BARE in the Woods is located only 50 minutes from Dublin and is accessible via motorway networks to all major Irish cities in under two hours. The site is located close to Portarlington railway station and serviced by Dublin Coach, with a 24-hour service to Dublin, Limerick and Cork.

#BARE17

Katie Laffan has never been an artist to stand still. From a debut EP of lo-fi bedroom funk pop to last year’s subtle, affecting ‘Trophy’, the Dubliner delights in taking influence from a wealth of genres. Along the way, she and her band played shows across the country – including Cork Jazz, Electric Picnic, K Fest, Canalaphonic, Body & Soul and Townlands Carnival, before finishing the year with two gigs at Other Voices.

New single ‘Tastemaker’ sees her take another left turn, this time into the world of disco and pop. Produced by Liam Caffery of Music for 18 Machines and mastered by John Flynn, who worked with Björk on her 2015 album ‘Vulnicura’, the song is her most polished released to date – while never losing her uncanny skill for a sharp lyric and a memorable melody.

Invited by Other Voices producer Aoife Woodlock to play the National Concert Hall in Dublin on March 18th as part of the St Patrick’s Festival Young Blood event, Katie performed alongside Hare Squead, Rusangano Family, Kojey Radical and a number of Ireland’s most acclaimed spoken word artists.

Katie plays the following dates over the summer…
The Bowery, Dublin – 27th April (Opening for Maverick Sabre)
BARE in the Woods Festival – 9-11^th June (Day TBC)
Body & Soul Festival – Woodlands Stage – 23rd June
Groove Festival – Kilruddery House, Bray – 19th August

https://www.katielaffan.com/

There was a tremendous turnout in the Seven Oaks Hotel for the Pan Celtic national song contest where eighteen original songs went head to head for the top prize of €1,000 and the honour of representing Ireland in the International Contest in April.

The 18 finalists from across the country, including three from Carlow, performed live before an audience of more than 300 and the judging panel of Seathrún Ó Casaide of the legendary Na Casadaigh family group from Donegal, RTÉ producer Brian Páircéir and traditional singer Deirdre Nig Eanruig.

Musical director for the contest was Ollie Hennessy while the Pan Celtic House Band featuring Ollie on piano and keyboard, Aoife Kavanagh on fiddle, Shane Hennessy on guitar and Tom McDermott on drums provided accompaniment for many of the compositions.

Local musician and singer Eric Butler was guest performer for the evening opening proceedings with a powerful sean-nós song as Gaeilge while his three songs at the interval ‘Mr Joe Bangles’, ‘Dhá Gabhairín Buí’ and ‘Farewell To You’ were magical. Main sponsor of the gala event was IMRO and director of marketing Mr. Keith Johnson was in attendance to present the national trophy and a cheque for €1,000. Gael Linn and Pan Celtic sponsored the runners up prizes.

The judges were extremely impressed by the high standard of the entries and were visibly moved by the professional delivery of all finalists.

Having listened to all 18 songs and marked each performance under the agreed criteria the marks were finally totted up and the winners announced. A big cheer went up when local young singer/songwriter Tadhg Ó Grifín was declared for 3rd prize and received €100 for his composition ‘Abhainn an Ghrá’. Méabh Ní Bheaglaoich of the great Begley family from West Kerry picked up 2nd prize and €200 for her song ‘Amhrán na nGael’ while the top prize of €1,000 and the Pan Celtic trophy went to Emer O’Flaherty of Ennis for her magnificent composition ‘Taibhse’. Emer will be back in Carlow on Thursday, 20 April to perform her winning song ‘Taibhse’ and represent Ireland at the Pan Celtic International Song Contest competing against the entries from the other participating Celtic nations of Wales, Scotland, Brittany, Cornwall and The Isle of Man.

http://www.panceltic.ie/

Live-streaming giants Boiler Room have been part of the AVA Festival family since day dot, delivering a fist-pumping, foot-stomping vibe to their AVA stage year on year. Returning to Belfast for the third year running, Boiler Room announce their heavy selection of Irish and UK acts on board, with Ejeca, Denis Sulta, OR:LA, Saoirse, DJ Deece, JC Williams and Twitch DJ’s all setting the pace. Broadcasting the Belfast craic to the world and highlighting some outstanding Irish talent, Boiler Room’s limited capacity stage at T13 Titanic Docks is one of the most highly anticipated elements of AVA. To gain guaranteed entry to this stage for the first hour of it’s opening, ticket holders must RSVP via the AVA Festival website – sign up will open closer to the event and all ticket holders will receive details of how to sign up. Keep an eye on socials announcements and emails from AVA in coming months. Weekend tickets are still available from just £60 from www.avafestival.com, which secures a spot at T13 Belfast across 2nd – 3rd of June, and the chance to be at the prestigious Boiler Room show. With payday weekend calling, there is no reason not be be a part of AVA Festival and Conference 2017 – This one is not one to be missed. Since AVA launched Boiler Room in Belfast 2015, the live broadcast and online content has reached over 5 million views, spanning 144 countries, making this the most viewed Boiler Room ever!

For its third incarnation, Boiler Room have selected Belfast mainstay Ejeca to head up the bill, as label boss of Exploris, and a purveyor of hardy house and techno – there’s no better fit for the occasion, taking place in the industrial outskirts of the Titanic docks. The only non-Irish talent on the line-up had to be an absolute belter, and Denis Sulta will no doubt rise to this challenge, the Glaswegian young gun and Rubadub employee has released on the likes of Mister Saturday Night as well as his own Sulta Selects imprint. Next up, local hero, The Night Institute resident and Nocturne head honcho Jordan will be making his Boiler Room debut, with Hotflush signee and Deep Sea Frequency boss OR:LA, set to present her signature fusion of obscure cuts galore.

In addition to the BR line-up there’s Dublin native Saoirse joining the shindig, expect seamless blends across techno, dub, jazz and beyond from this selector on the rise, as well as a performance from DJ Deece, a stalwart in the Southern Irish circuits and longtime Hidden Agenda resident. Rounding off the line-up for this years stream, is a welcome live addition from 4LUX affiliate JC Williams, and Belfast veterans from the Twitch family, who celebrate their tenth anniversary year in the game in 2017. Across five hours, expect rhythms to dart between genres with ease, as the team dig through disco, house, acid, techno and everything in between.

Boiler Room’s presence in Belfast has become infamous since AVA Festival invited them to cross the water for their Irish debut back in 2015, and now its gained notoriety ever since, with highlights including Phil Kieran’s impromptu crowd surf and Space Dimensions Controller spinning Alya to a rapturous crowd. Boiler Room’s partnership is a chance to spotlight on the buzzing Belfast electronic circuit, bringing well-earned attention to an international audience. To gain guaranteed entry to this stage for the first hour of it being open, ticket holders must RSVP via the AVA Festival website – sign up will open closer to the event and all ticket holders will receive details of how to sign up – keep an eye on socials announcements and emails from AVA in coming months.

Heading into year three AVA Festival and Conference has programmed two full days of conferences, workshops, talks, and arts, on top of a huge roster of local and international talents set to get the legendary T13 Titanic Docks warehouse space bouncing. Across the weekend, find a rare Jeff Mills and Guillaume Marmin collaboration, Marcel Dettmann, Bicep, Fatima Yamaha Live, Rebekah Hybrid set, TinFoil Live and a host of local legends ready to descend across the vast Belfast warehouse space. On top of this, there’s the return of the almighty Boiler Room, plus AVA’s all-important conference on the Friday will educate on all areas of the music industry and technology. With weekend tickets starting from £60 there’s no excuse not to be a part of AVA 2017.

AVA FESTIVAL AND CONFERENCE 2017
02-03 June 2017
T13 – Titanic Quarter – Belfast
WEEKEND TICKETS from £60: http://avafestival.com/tickets/

BOILER ROOM LINE-UP
Ejeca – Denis Sulta – Jordan – OR:LA – Saoirse – DJ Deece – JC Williams (LIVE) – Twitch DJ’s

FESTIVAL LINE-UP
CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE 4TH KIND by JEFF MILLS & GUILLAUME MARMIN Marcel Dettmann – Bicep – Fatima Yamaha LIVE – Midland – Ben UFO – Job Jobse – Rebekah (Hybrid Set) – Ejeca – Denis Sulta – New Jackson LIVE – Timmy Stewart – TinFoil Live (Sunil Sharpe & DeFekT) – Techno & Cans Crew – Jordan – Hammer – Or:La – Myler – Schmutz – Twitch DJs – Inside Moves DJs – Saoirse – Guerilla Shout – The Cyclist – Ryan Vail LIVE AV & Album Tour – Swoose & Cromby – MisFit DJ’s – Subject DJs – Alice Meat Free – ELLLL Live – JMX – JC Williams LIVE – Holly Lester – Bobby Analog – Brién – Nez – Ryan Dallas – Clockwork – Paragon Live – Cave DJs: B2B Kapoor – Jika Jika – GIRL

Interskalactic are set to release their forthcoming EP titled ‘Interskalactic’ on March 31st, ahead of a host of pre-summer shows throughout Ireland. Hailed as “the future of ska in Ireland” (Ryan Tubridy, The Late Late Show), Interskalactic have firmly marked their place as a truly unique favourite on the Irish live music scene by adding their modern big band flavour to first-wave, old-school Jamaican ska and Interskalactic certainly know how to keep a dance floor busy.

Their upbeat set features covers from classic ska artists including Prince Buster, The Skatalites and Byron Lee & the Dragonaires, their own ska-ified versions of popular hits from the last few decades and now also their own music – this upcoming EP features five brand new and original big band ska tracks.

Stellar live performances since the band’s formation in 2013 include:
RTE’s The Late Late Show
Electric Picnic, Body&Soul, Cork Jazz Festivals
Opened for Madness M.A.D.H.E.A.D. Tour in the 3Arena and Odyssey Arena Belfast
Performances in prestigious venues Vicar Street, The Workman’s Club and Whelan’s and at countless festivals, events, parties and venues all over the country.

With an incredible few years behind them, their debut EP with original recordings ready to release this March, Interskalactic are set to stay on this trajectory throughout 2017 and beyond!

EP Track Listing
1. Sneaky G (Original)
2. Full Moon Ska (Original)
3. The Foreign Legion (Original)
4. Return Of The One Eyed Monster (Original)
5. Clad In Gold (Original Single)
6. The Grunt (Cover)

DEBUT EP LAUNCH TOUR
April 1st – 5th On Teeling, Sligo
April 8th – Whelan’s, Dublin
April 15th – Monroe’s, Galway
April 27th – Harbour Bar, Dublin
May 5th – Cathedral Quarter Arts, Belfast
May 6th – Crane Lane, Cork
May 26th – Dolan’s, Limerick
May 27th – Live On Air, Sligo
June 4th – Halfway Skafest, Wexford

Website: http://interskalactic.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/interskalactic/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/interskalactic
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfibHmgoC0vTrBmvvsO-r9w