Author: Breffni Banks

Apella, today unveil the brand new video for their current single ‘Graceful Dancer’ and announce a huge headline show at Whelan’s on April 13th alongside a run of nationwide dates and festival appearances.

“Nowadays a lot of people are exposed to these pseudo perfect lives on the Internet. The concept for Graceful Dancer was to capture a relationship in turmoil behind closed doors. The part you don’t see on f**king Instagram” – Quilty, Apella

Graceful Dancer stars up & coming homegrown talent Ian McEvoy and Ciara Smyth, was directed by Fergal Costello and shot by Joe Van Velzen.

Last September Apella burst onto the scene with their debut single ‘We Met At A Party’ to huge support from both national and regional radio stations, the track is a serious declaration of intent from singer/multi-instrumentalist Dara Quilty and drummer Ronan Nolan; who’ve previously shared a stage with the A-List likes of Jimmy Eat World, Foo Fighters, Twenty One Pilots, 30 Seconds To Mars, and even Bon Jovi.

It’s no wonder then that Apella arrived fully formed and ready to win musical hearts and minds. Both ‘We Met A Party’ and the band’s current single ‘Graceful Dancer’ will make you want to hit the ‘repeat’ button as soon as they finish. That type of smart, sassy writing is repeated throughout their parent album, which showcases the duo’s new sound. Their first headline show at Upstairs in Whelan’s in October sold out two weeks in advance and 2017 is set to be a busy year for the pair with a host of dates in both Ireland and internationally already in the calendar.

“Rarely has heartbreak sounded so good! A swoonsome love song that’s impossible to resist” – Stuart Clark, Hot Press

Upcoming Shows:
Sat, April 8th: McPhails, Drogheda, Louth
Thurs, April 13th: Whelan’s, Dublin
Sun, April 30th: Kick Music Festival, Portarlington, Laois
June 23rd – 25th: Sea Sessions, Bundoran, Donegal
August 4th – 6th: Indiependence, Cork

Tickets for the bands headline show at Whelan’s are on sale now at Ticketmaster.ie priced €13.50 incl. booking fee

For More Information:

Facebook:  http://facebook.com/apellamusic
Instagram: http://instagram.com/apella
Twitter: http://twitter.com/apella
YouTube:  http://youtube.com/apella
Soundcloud:  http://soundcloud.com/apella

Glimmermen release their new single ‘All I Lack’ this week with a FREE download from Japanese based Transduction Records.

‘All I Lack ‘ is the third single taken from their critically acclaimed album ‘Breakin’ Out’, the song lyrically rocks through a history of self-doubt, movement, change and ultimately fighting back.

Watch this intense video by Trevor Murphy which captures the frenetic raw energy of the band and fuses an inventive use of colour, motion and light.

Glimmermen upcoming gigs include:
Roisin Dubh, Galway – Wednesday March 1st
Thomand Sessions, Limerick – Friday March 10th
B.A.R.E in the Woods Festival Portarlington, Laois – Friday June 9th

Check website for upcoming shows http://glimmermen.com

Irish duo The Thrash Blues present their new single ‘Wicked Man’, released independently on digital and physical format, with two extra ‘B-side’ tracks exclusive to the CD version.

The lead song from the single lands in R n’ R territory; here the band are beginning to draw together many of their influences – from Rock & Punk to Country & Blues.

More layered than the bands raw, stripped back live set-up, guitarist and singer Ro dusted off his beloved Fender Jazz bass this time around to accompany Drummer Liz in achieving a fuller sound, with plenty of slide guitar offering a sample of the bands folk blues influences on top of the electric rolling 4/4 rhythm. The other songs exclusive to the CD version are ‘Confessin’ Hands’ – a warm tube-driven acoustic led confessional about past mistakes, and ‘Fire & Stone’ – a perfect way to book-end the release, which shares the same mission as Wicked Man with its upbeat reminder to ‘Dance in your own way’.

Wicked Man is available Friday 24th March 2017 through iTunes and all major on-line retailers. 3-track CD version available at select stores. Check the bands Facebook page and wesbite for more details.

thethrashblues.com
facebook.com/thethrashblues

Irish rock trio Fangclub have announced a Belfast headline show at McHughs Basement Bar on April 2nd 2017. The band released their new EP ‘Coma Happy’ in November 2016. Tickets priced £10 plus booking fee are on sale now for the over 18s show from www.shine.net, www.ticketmaster.ie, Katy’s Bar & Ticketmaster outlets nationwide. Northern Ireland customers 0844 277 44 55 & Republic of Ireland customers 0818 719 300.

Fangclub are set to release their debut album later in 2017.

The band have already gathered major attention from press (Kerrang!, Rock Sound, Upset) and specialist DJ’s at BBC Radio 1 (Annie Mac, Huw Stephens, Daniel P.Carter, Phil Taggart) and Kerrang! Radio with their debut track “Bullet Head” (taken from from their debut EP “Bullet Head”). The band followed in its wake with standout tracks “Loner”, a head nodding, 90’s slacker rock inspired anthem and an explosive video and the brilliant “Dreamcatcher” which saw the seriously creepy video make its way onto the MTV Rocks and Kerrang! TV playlists.

“There is little doubt that, if considering brute force and infectious tunes, Fangclub have what it takes to make an impact” – Upset

“Their debut album due early next year looks full of promise – if it sounds anything like Bullet Head or Coma Happy a lot of people are going to be falling in love with Fangclub.”  – mosh.hitthefloor.com

“Bursting with explosively catchy tunes” – Kerrang!

“Destined for mainstream success” – Punktastic

“With a debut album expected early next year, it’s worth getting excited about this trio.” – Rock Sound

Having previously recorded an EP with punk legend and hellraiser Shane MacGowan, Candice Gordon is set to release her debut full length album ‘Garden of Beasts’ on the 3rd March 2017 via Proper Octopus Records.

Produced by labelmate A.S. Fanning, and mixed by Ingo Krauss (Swans, Iggy and the Stooges), the album was recorded in a country house in Ireland and at the legendary Funkhaus in Berlin. It presents a rich and brooding sonic landscape constructed using a variety of synthetic and natural instruments from Moogs to flutes, and Gordon even plays a one-string Kazakh instrument at times.

“Garden of Beasts is inspired by moving to Berlin and facing the very dark and heavy history that is visible and inescapable everywhere in the city. The second world war and the Holocaust feels very real and close here. It’s an exploration of human nature, the hubris of identity, dispossession, and the conflict between the allure of savagery and the desperation for salvation from that.” explains Candice.

“The Laws of Nature” is Gordon’s first single which evokes the dark and seedy side of 60s subculture ala The Doors or Jefferson Airplane. Gordon’s seductive vocal is both alluring and commanding, and the song tells of the tyranny of nature from which escape is futile.

The music video for Gordon’s first single off the album, ‘The Laws of Nature,’ features Butoh dancer and artist Zoe Darling. The mesmeric dance video is reminiscent of 60s psychedelia and shows Darling as a disjointed figure in an abyss, metamorphosing through animal forms, completely tense like a coiled spring, and then releasing herself into convulsions of both rapture and torture as she relinquishes control.

“Butoh is a Japanese dance form where you see a lot of transformation through animals. In the video, the dancer makes very slow dance moves and you see her transforming into different life forms. I wanted parts of it to be unclear and uncanny. It’s a very wytchy song, it’s about being under the spell of the natural order,” said Candice.

Candice Gordon grew up in Dublin, Ireland, but has on occasion called London, Berlin, and Botswana her home. She has previously performed at Bestival, Body and Soul, Electric Picnic and Truck Festival, and supported and shared stages with the likes of Shane MacGowan, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, The Horrors, Kurt Vile and the Violators, and Kevin Morby. She has toured extensively in Europe and the UK since 2012.

Tour dates will soon be announced.

“Brooding atmospheric songwriting packed with ominous poetics and powerful vocals.” Clash

“Agreeably bonkers slice of horror themed garage rock raucousness.” The Guardian

“The greatest song never to feature on the Twin Peaks soundtrack.” Hotpress

“Watch out we’ve got a badass over here.” Nylon

“Sweetly dark folk-tinged music, like ‘Murder Ballads’ era Bad Seeds.” Time Out London

Website: http://candicegordonmusic.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pg/candicegordonmusic
Twitter: https://twitter.com/candicegordon
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/candice-gordon
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/candicegordon
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/candicegordonmusic/

Scoops release their new single “Quicksand” today.

Scoops hailing from Dublin Ireland with their Acoustic Driven Rock/Pop sound have been one of the big surprise packages on the Irish music scene in the past 12 months. Selling out their first ever show in Dublin’s iconic Whelan’s venue in January 2016 weeks in advance and 4 short months later going on to tour the UK and Ireland on their own headline tour which included sell out shows in Dublin, London, Edinburgh, Amsterdam and many others along the way.

Not content with just success on the livescene their debut EP DzScenes of Joydz charted 2nd in the Official Irish iTunes Charts on release (second only to Adele).

Having been the chosen support for acts like Walking on Cars, Hudson Taylor and others their fan base has grown wildly and has seen them begin tours further afield in Scandinavia and mainland Europe. Now full time touring, with a second EP (April 2017) on the way, a live set packed with energy, sold out shows everywhere they go, an ever growing array of songs and growing support from Irish and International Radio and Industry people this band are one of the must see live Acts coming out of Ireland.

Their stage motto is simple: GIVE ENERGY – GET ENERGY.

Live Dates:
2 MARCH – GMIT MOXEGEN Galway, Ireland
4 MARCH – Emerald Sounds London 2017 London, UK
29 MARCH – Whelan’s Dublin, Ireland
SUN 11 JUNE Bare In The Woods 2017 Portarlington, Ireland

Socials:
Website: www.scoopsmusic.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Scoopsmusic
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/Scoops1989
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scoopsmusic
Snapchat: @scoopsmusic
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Scoopsmusicdublin

Forget the Eurovision, come to the Seven Oaks Hotel this Saturday night, February 25th for the Pan Celtic Song Contest where eighteen original songs will be vying for the top prize of €1,000 and the honour of representing Ireland at the International event in Carlow in April.

Once again, and for the sixth year running, Carlow has the honour of hosting the gala final. The 18 songs shortlisted from over 40 entries will feature participants from across the country including counties Cork, Kerry, Galway, Dublin, Clare, Westmeath, Laois, Kildare and Carlow. The Carlow entries were penned by Mary Griffin, Tadhg Ó Grifín and Eva Kavanagh.

The gala event is sponsored by IMRO, Gael Linn and Glór Cheatharlach and musical director is Ollie Hennessy. The evening will also feature performances from guest artiste Eric Butler. Adjudicating panel will consist of Seathrún Ó Casaide of the well known Na Casadaigh family group from Donegal, RTÉ produce Brian Páircéir and traditional singer Deirdre Nig Eanruig.

Prizes will include €100 for 3rd place, €200 for 2nd place with the composer of the winning song receiving a cash prize of €1,000. The song will represent Ireland at the Pan Celtic International Song Contest when the festival returns to Carlow in April where it will be up against entries from the other participating Celtic nations of Wales, Scotland, Brittany, Cornwall and The Isle of Man.

A great occasion not to be missed on Saturday night in the Seven Oaks Hotel, Carlow. A packed audience is expected for the event and tickets cost just €10. Doors open at 7.30pm and the show begins at 8pm. Tickets are available on the door on the night. A raffle will take place during the interval with a cash prize of €100 compliments of Dan Morrissey & Co up for grabs as well as a Seven Oaks Hotel voucher and a Carlow Food hamper.

Website

Sub Motion are a Dublin based explosive punk/rock band, that have been around for 4 years now. After releasing several EP’s, the band took some time to revamp their sound and image in early 2016. The result of this was their single “HEADCHECKED”, released in October 2016. This single marked a new beginning for the band and gained immediate praise, with Hot Press telling everyone to “Meet the band of unashamedly serious rockers defiantly pushing against the grain of indie and folk bands in Ireland”. RTE 2fm’s Dan Hegarty announced it as his “favourite song towards the end of 2016“, along with radio stations from the UK and US playlisting the track. The last few years have seen the band playing the Button Factory, the RDS, Roisín Dubh, Sin É, ‘Vantastival’, ‘K-Fest’, the ‘Vibe for Philo’ headlining and selling out Whelan’s numerous times and playing in the UK.

Now, Sub Motion are set to release their highly anticipated new single “Soccer Mom” on 24th February 2017. Recorded live and with James Darkin at the helm (Kanye, Funeral suits, Hozier,
Will.i.am, Rihanna), this song has grabbed the attention of many big hitters in the industry. With other singles to follow in 2017, it won’t be long till you see these rockers making a very big impression on the music scene.

“Headchecked is a song that promises so much and doesn’t disappoint, with its raw energy and slap to the face pace” – Dublin’s 98FM
“With the likes of Queens of The Stone Age and Foo Fighters having played sold out gigs in recent times, Ireland is ready for distorted guitars, heavy drums and heavy rock. One of these bands making a name for themselves over the years is Sub Motion” – Dublin Concerts
“It’s always refreshing for a rocker at heart like myself to see unfettered loudness and instant impact from a live show” – REMY
“I love ‘Headchecked’ so much I want to marry it. Can you marry a song? Cause if you can…” – ISX Radio NYC

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With the world’s guitarists at your fingertips, Ards and North Down Borough Council is delighted to announce the line-up for this year’s Ards International Guitar Festival. The festival returns in April 2017 with an eclectic mix to suit every taste. Celebrating all that is brilliant locally with a clever mix of international artists.

From the 5-9 April Newtownards will be alive with the sound of classical, blues, folk, jazz bluegrass and a smattering of rock to keep audiences on their toes. Every genre is covered. Whether you play the guitar yourself or just love music there will be something for you. Check out the full festival programme at www.ardsguitarfestival.co.uk

This festival is real opportunity to hear world renowned musicians such as Jon Gomm. The UK based guitarist combines jaw-dropping guitar playing skills and artistic soul to craft instrumental compositions that reflect ambient and progressive music that transcends global cultures. Jon will be supported by Becky Langan, a remarkable percussive fingerstyle guitarist.

Other highlights this year include Irish classical guitarist John Feeley, jazz guitarist Hugh Buckley in conversation and in session with Ronnie Greer, excellent young guitarists Will McNichol and Joseph Leighton and a trio of Sunday Songbirds Sarah McQuaid, Brigid O’Neill and Eilidh Patterson.

International acts this year include Grammy Award winner and Solid Air Records artist Amrit Sond whose unique contemporary instrumental music draws on elements of his African and Asian roots, jazz, classical, folk, rock and new acoustic techniques.

A uniquely talented guitarist and singer, Narciso Saul interprets tangos, milongas and Argentine folk music as well as creating his own compositions and will perform a free drop in gig at Ards Arts Centre.

Sure to be one of the highlights of this year’s festival the Rumours Re-Told event sees a cast of major local talents unite for a unique one-off event to bring the classic Fleetwood Mac album to life in honour of the 40th anniversary. The album will be performed in its entirety and the event will also feature some unique interpretations and arrangements. Performers include, Anthony Toner, Stevie Moore, Gary Lutton, Billy Cook, Gavin Ferris, Ken Haddock, Matt McGinn, Suzy Coyle, Ellen Weir, Cormac Neeson, Emer Maguire, The Lazy Flies, Matthew Malcolm, Paul Mahon, Paddy Anderson, Una Clarke and Wookalilly.

Tours of the Avalon guitar factory will provide visitors with an insight into the production line of the handcrafted guitar. The guitar clinics will allow guitar aficionados to learn the techniques from the masters in an intimate environment.

There are a number of free events taking place at Ards Arts Centre including a rare opportunity to see George Lowden sit down with BBC Radio Ulster’s Ralph McLean to talk about his inspiration, his passions – and the guitars that have taken his name to concert stages across the world.

Ards International Guitar Festival is a must for the music enthusiast. For ticket details or to view the full programme please visit the website www.ardsguitarfestival.co.uk or alternatively call Ards Arts Centre on 028 9181 0803