Exploding Eyes are an explosive power trio hailing from Dublin, Ireland. The band draw influence from heavyweight rockers such as Stooges, MC5 and Pink Fairies. Their Jim Diamond (White Stripes, Sonics) produced debut LP is set to drop January 27th 2017 via Big Neck Records.
Exploding Eyes – Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/explodingeyes
Regarded as one of Ireland’s finest guitarists, Dónal Clancy is the son of the world renowned singer Liam Clancy of The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem and has, since the death of his father, focused his attention on the family repertoire of songs that he grew up with, while keeping the Clancy tradition alive with his solo performances.
Dónal grew up in a household and community steeped in music. He spent his early childhood in Canada and the US before his family settled back in An Rinn, Co. Waterford in 1983. His father gave him his first guitar at the age of eight and he was playing professionally by his early teens. A founder member of the group Danú, Dónal left to join a trio with his father Liam and cousin Robbie O’Connell. Their debut tour in 1996 took them across the US from the Santa Anita Race Track in Los Angeles to the Lincoln Center in New York. They continued to tour together for a couple more years and recorded two albums before they disbanded in the early noughties.
In 1998, Dónal moved to New York where he became the go-to guitarist for many of the top Irish music acts in the US. He toured and recorded with Riverdance fiddler Eileen Ivers and was a guest with The Chieftains on their Tears of Stone Tours in Japan and the US. He has also been a member of the Irish-American super group Solas and contributed to the soundtrack of Ric Burns’ award winning documentary film New York. In 2006 he released his first solo guitar album Close To Home which The Boston Globe dubbed “a sweet masterpiece of melodic grace and riveting groove.”
In 2009 Dónal returned to live in Ireland with his wife Mary and their three children and in 2014, to much critical acclaim, he released Songs of a Roving Blade. The Irish Post awarded the album 5* calling it “folk singing at its best” and “a smashing album that should help to ensure these songs will never be lost.”
Dónal’s latest album On the Lonesome Plain features a mix of seven vocal tracks and six guitar instrumentals, including two of his own compositions A Strike for Victory, commemorating the 1916 Easter Rising, and an instrumental piece entitled Máirseáil na Conrach, preceded by The Green Fields of Canada. This is a particular highlight and showcases Dónal’s fingerstyle playing to great effect. Other standout tracks are Open the Door Softly from the pen of Scottish folk legend Archie Fisher and the classic ballad Reynardine.
“Most of this recording happened serendipitously in the Spring of 2015 while experimenting with various microphones and guitars. At the time I’d just acquired a turntable and some records by Anne Briggs, Martin Carthy, Shirley Collins and Davy Graham, which undoubtedly had an influence on the mood of the music. Along with the songs, I had a renewed interest in guitar playing which led to six instrumentals finding their way on here. It feels like this is a record of where I’m at musically at this time.” – Dónal Clancy
“The first time I met Dónal Clancy he was a small boy. I was working with his father Liam Clancy and Tommy Makem. The minute I heard this record it reminded me of his father – his tone and turn of phrase. As well as being a great singer, Dónal is also a great guitar player. This new record is a gem: Dónal’s singing and guitar playing throughout the album is excellent. If Liam Clancy were alive today, he would be very proud of this recording. He IS very proud of it, I’m sure!” – Arty McGlynn
“Dónal Clancy’s new CD is a classic recording of a man and a guitar, great material beautifully played and sung.” – Martin Simpson
For the third year running, AVA (Audio Visual Arts) Festival and Conference is set to return to its Belfast home at T13, this time across two days on the 2nd and 3rd of June 2017. For it’s first full weekend outing, AVA pulls out all the stops with a packed agenda of conferences, talks, music and arts from a wealth of global and local artists. You’ll 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.
A UK and Ireland debut, Jeff Mills will be collaborating with French lighting designer Guillaume Marmin to create ‘Close Encounters of the Fourth Kind’, a full sensory experience recreating the sensation of entering and existing in another reality, for what is set to be a truly one-of-a-kind experience. Bicep return to their home ground, after a solid run of live performances and studio time on their rumoured upcoming album, expect new material and some insight into their 2017 output, plus techno hero Marcel Dettmann heads to Belfast’s Titanic warehouse, the ideal dystopian setting for his intense sound. Respected selectors Ben UFO, Job Jobse and Midland all join, journeying from disco classics to bass-tinged techno, and dark, steely tones from Birmingham’s own Rebekah, who will perform a hybrid set as part of her ‘Fear Paralysis’ album tour. One of many live performances comes from man of the moment Fatima Yamaha, whose 2016 album was one of last year’s most celebrated releases, exploring the emotive side of house.
Championing the plethora of Irish talent is at the heart of AVA Festival’s ethos, and there’s loads to discover at AVA 2017. Ever more recognised as a focal point for the electronic underground, Belfast’s heart, soul and history make it a must-visit destination for the clubbing community. AVA 2017 hosts duo Tinfoil (Live set – formed of Sunil Sharpe and DeFeKT) bring a fresh take on analogue sound, plus techno-master Ejeca and Nocturne Records boss and local party-starter Jordan. Fresh off the back of a Hotflush release, Or:La joins Sub Club regular Hammer, a live show from JC Williams, as well as stalwarts of the Belfast scene Timmy Stewart and JMX. Find effortless blends from Saoirse, raw energy from The Cyclist and no holds barred techno from Myler, plus Ryan Vail’s instant melodic electronic vibe, Swoose and Cromby’s grooving classic house sound and Holly Lester’s king-pin sets. Dublin’s New Jackson will play live, plus Techno and Cans, Subject DJs and Cork’s own ELLLL. Completing the first set of names for this year’s festival there is a whole host of residents and regulars from Bobby Analog, Inside Moves, Nez, Ryan Dallas, Brien, to Alice Meat Free, Jika Jika and Twitch DJs, Clockwork, a live set from Paragon, Cave DJs B2B Kapoor, MisFit and GIRL.
Alongside a solid roster of incredible artists playing across the two days, there’s an emerging DJ and Producer competitions, discovering the next generation of talent, workshops with Ableton and Pioneer demos, as well as talks from industry insiders, professionals and artists. Leading Belfast creative collective Guerrilla Shout will be on hand, creating illustrious visuals and light displays, extending the event past just sounds and into a 360 degree sensory experience. With world class sound systems, a heavy roster of artists, workshops and expert visual displays – AVA Festival has it all covered.
Keep eyes peeled for more information on the conference, Boiler Room sign up, conference details and lineup additions – all coming very soon…
AVA FESTIVAL AND CONFERENCE 2017
02-03 June 2017
T13 – Titanic Quarter – Belfast
PRE-SALE WEEKEND TICKETS : Sold Out
WEEKEND TICKETS now from £50: http://avafestival.com/tickets/
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 – Guerrilla 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 Analogue – Brién – Nez – Ryan Dallas – Clockwork – Paragon Live – Cave DJs: B2B Kapoor – Jika Jika – GIRL
A new study showing the powerful economic and employment contributions of creative industries in Italy was published today at an event attended by Minister of Culture and Tourism Dario Franceschini, as well as creative and cultural industry leaders. The study was commissioned by authors’ society SIAE and prepared by EY. It follows from the global study on the creative industries, “Cultural Times”, published by CISAC at UNESCO in December 2015.
Italia Creativa has identified that the creative and cultural industries are the third largest employer in Italy; larger than food, automobile, real estate and luxury goods. The study reinforces the data presented in “Cultural Times – The First Global Map of Cultural and Creative Industries“, prepared by EY and commissioned by CISAC. It finds that the creative sector is an engine of economic activity throughout the world, worth US$2,250 billion to the global economy and employing 30 million jobs.
CISAC President Jean-Michel Jarre delivered a statement during the launch of Italia Creativa, and declared, “For many years, we have known that our economic growth in the future will not come from manufacturing or traditional industries, but from knowledge and creativity. But now, we also have comprehensive studies – domestic and global studies – spread across multiple sectors and territories, to prove it. These studies translate the forecasts into hard evidence and data. This data shows a truly impressive picture. Not only of what our creative sectors have achieved, but also what they can go on to achieve if the right environment is provided for them in the future.”
Jarre underscored the importance of creators around the globe, who “are the engine of this success. Their works are driving the growth of the digital world.” The Italia Creativa and Cultural Times studies are about “building more success” in order to unlock the potential of creative and cultural industries. Jarre called policy makers to address the problem of “transfer of value” in the digital market, where the enormous value generated from the use of creative works is captured by intermediaries and not shared with the creators. The European Union is currently discussing this issue under a new proposed Copyright Directive.
A letter signed by 23 cultural and creative organisations calling for support to defend the cultural and creative industries in Italian and European legislation was also addressed to the President, Ministers and Parliament of Italy during the Italia Creativa launch. The letter urged support defending the industry against piracy as well as protecting the rights of creators in light of the proposed Copyright Directive. Jean-Michel Jarre’s comments also appeared in a commentary published today in the Italian newspaper La Stampa. He reinforced the need to protect the rights and promote the interests of authors of all repertoires both in Italy as well as throughout the world.
To read the full statement of CISAC President Jean-Michel Jarre:
http://www.cisac.org/Media/Studies-and-Reports/Publications-PDF-files/20170124-Jean-Michel-Jarre-Italia-Creativa-Statement
To read the complete Italia Creativa study:
http://www.italiacreativa.eu/settore/scarica-lo-studio/
The line-up for this year’s RTÉ Choice Music Prize Live Event, in association with IMRO & IRMA, was announced today on RTÉ 2fm. Acts performing to date at Vicar St on Thursday 9th March include:
All Tvvins | Bantum | Wallis Bird | Katie Kim | Overhead, The Albatross | Rusangano Family and We Cut Corners.
Tickets for the Choice Music Prize live event are available at all Ticketmaster outlets and at http://www.ticketmaster.ie priced €26.50 including booking fee.
The Irish Album of the Year 2016 shortlist can be listened to in full on the RTÉ Choice Music Prize website www.choicemusicprize.ie and on www.2fm.ie/rtechoicemusic. The winning album will be announced at the live event on Thursday 9th March. As part of the new partnership with RTÉ, the event will be broadcast live on RTÉ 2fm in a special four-hour extended programme from 7-11pm and on RTÉ2 as part of a special RTÉ Choice Music Prize TV programme, approximately one week later.
The winning act will receive €10,000, a prize fund which has been provided by The Irish Music Rights Organisation (IMRO) and The Irish Recorded Music Association (IRMA). All of the shortlisted acts will receive a specially commissioned award.
RAAP, Culture Ireland, The BAI & Golden Discs are also official project partners.
Culture Ireland will fund the attendance of influential overseas Industry executives to attend the Choice Music Prize Live Event, while Golden Discs will feature special stands showcasing the RTÉ Choice Music Prize nominees across their stores nationwide from next month.
Shortlist:
All Tvvins – IIVV (Warner Music)
Bantum – Move (Self Released)
Wallis Bird – Home (Mount Silver / Caroline International)
The Divine Comedy – Foreverland (Divine Comedy Records)
Lisa Hannigan – At Swim (Play It Again Sam)
Katie Kim – Salt (Art For Blind Records)
James Vincent McMorrow – We Move (Faction Records)
Overhead, The Albatross – Learning to Growl (Self Released)
Rusangano Family – Let The Dead Bury The Dead (Self Released)
We Cut Corners – The Cadences Of Others (Delphi)
RTÉ Choice Music Prize – Irish Song of The Year 2016
The shortlist for the RTÉ Choice Music Prize – Irish Song of The Year 2016 will be announced on Wednesday 1st February, 2017 on RTÉ 2fm’s Tracy Clifford Show. A Special event featuring exclusive performances from Song of the Year nominees will be held that evening in Dublin’s Workman’s Club.
Stay up-to-date with the latest RTÉ Choice Music Prize news on RTÉ 2fm and by following @choiceprize, @rte2fm, @rte and @rte2 on Twitter and Facebook and @explorerte and @rte2fm on Instagram using #rtechoiceprize. For Snapchat updates, follow @rte2fm.
Further information can be found at:
http://www.choicemusicprize.ie
http://2fm.rte.ie/
http://www.rte.ie/
http://twitter.com/choiceprize
Minimalist electronic composer Ryan Vail has teamed up with Jealous of The Birds songstress Naomi Hamilton to create a one-off single, “Love is a Crow”. The track opens with Hamilton’s gentle spoken word, betraying an obsession with the psychedelic poetry of Allen Ginsberg, before her lustrous vocal harmonies astutely negotiate Vail’s considered beats.
On Friday 24th February Ryan Vail will be bringing his A/V show to Homebeat at D-Light Studios, Dublin with Wastefellow and Hvmmingbyrd.
“Daring and emotionally affecting… deserves your full attention.” – The Independent
“Combines modern classical music and electronic sonics for a sound all his own.” – Stereogum
Listen to Soundcloud Link Here.
Facebook
“Love is a Crow” Tracklisting:
1 Love is a Crow – Jealous of The Birds and Ryan Vail
2 Love is a Crow (Instr) – Jealous of The Birds and Ryan Vail
3 Love is a Crow – The Cyclist Remix – Jealous of The Birds and Ryan Vail
4 Love is a Crow – DIE HEXEN Remix – Jealous of The Birds and Ryan Vail
Eleanor McEvoy and Usher’s Island set for Double Headliner concert not to be missed on St Patrick’s Day at the Watergate Theatre, Kilkenny
24th January 2017: Kilkenny Tradfest has today announced that Eleanor McEvoy, one of Ireland’s most accomplished singer/song writers and musical sensation Usher’s Island will appear at a Double Headliner concert on St Patrick’s Day (March 17th) at 7pm, the Watergate Theatre, Kilkenny City.
Usher’s Island sees the coming together of five of the most influential and acclaimed names in traditional Irish music including, Andy Irvine and Donal Lunny, both members of Planxty, Paddy Glackin a founding member of The Bothy Band, Mike McGoldrick of Lunasa and Capercaillie and John Doyle who played with Solas. Each is a talented soloist in their own individual right, but in this new band they offer a blend of old and young and of vocal and instrumental talents that results in exceptional music. Combined with the enchanting sounds of Eleanor McEvoy this is set to be a very special Double Headliner concert not to be missed.
Eleanor McEvoy has enjoyed both national and international success throughout her career and received much critical acclaim. Naked Music is the title of Eleanor’s new album, recorded alone in the studio to create an intimate collection of her music at its most raw – one instrument, one voice, performed live. Best known for her songs Sophie, Harbour, The Secret of Living and of course Only A Woman’s Heart, Eleanor’s new album features exclusive artwork by the famed painter Chris Gollon.
Commenting, Malcolm Noonan, Kilkenny Tradfest Chairperson said, “We are absolutely delighted to welcome Eleanor McEvoy and Usher’s Island to our 2017 Kilkenny Tradfest festival. It is a privilege for us at the festival to be able to host such a wonderful concert – seeing Eleanor live is always spectacular, and Usher’s Island includes some of the most significant and influential Irish musicians of our age, so I’ve no doubt it will be an evening to remember.”
Mr Noonan continued, “This year we’re celebrating five years of Kilkenny Tradfest, and once again we have a jam-packed schedule for all music lovers. The festival seeks to celebrate our musical heritage, as well as showcase some of the new emerging talent Ireland has to offer. With something for all the family, Kilkenny Tradfest is the place to be this St Patrick’s Day weekend (16th – 19th March).”
Tickets for Eleanor McEvoy and Usher’s Island Double Headliner will go on sale from Friday 27th January – in person from Rollercoaster Records, Kilkenny or online from watergatetheatre.com or ticketmaster.ie €25 plus Booking Fee.
I HAVE A TRIBE -Whelans, Dublin – Friday 3rd March
“After We Meet” is taken from the debut album Beneath A Yellow Moon, which came out last year on Gronland Records. Lyrics and music by Dubliner Patrick O’ Laoghaire.
With the forthcoming single, “After We Meet”, Patrick has teamed up once again with Myles O’ Reilly for the video. Patrick worked on the newly recorded single this month in Berlin with additional vocals from Mary-Kate Geraghty.
I Have A Tribe will play Whelans, Dublin on Friday 3rd March
You can follow I Have A Tribe on Facebook, Twitter and their Website
Beoga, who recently collaborated with Ed Sheeran will play in Paris Texas, Kilkenny City on Thursday 16th March as part of Kilkenny Tradfest
Wednesday 18th January 2017: Kilkenny Tradfest is delighted to reveal that Irish trad and folk band, ‘Beoga’, are coming back to Kilkenny to join the line-up for this year’s festival. The acclaimed Antrim based five-piece band, will make their debut performance at the festival with a special concert in Paris Texas in Kilkenny city centre on Thursday 16th March at 10pm. The event is free, but early arrival is advised.
Kilkenny Tradfest, takes place over the St Patrick’s Day weekend (16th – 19th March) and this year the festival will celebrate its 5th anniversary. Once again Kilkenny Tradfest will showcase and celebrate the best of Irish traditional and folk music in a variety of unique venues across Kilkenny city, and over the coming weeks the packed schedule, with something for all the family, will be revealed.
Beoga (gaelic for ‘lively’) are based in County Antrim, and have been together since 2002, when they were drawn together after ‘jamming’ in a ferocious session at the All-Ireland Fleadh. The bedrock of their sound lies firmly within the Irish tradition. However, they are not afraid to incorporate other genres’ into their music. From bluesy riffs to Astor Piazzola-style jazz, to a raunchy New Orleans jamboree vibe, their music always returns to a wonderfully bouncy Irish sound. The result is traditional, with a huge sense of fun and adventure and it all works wonderfully well.
Commenting, Malcolm Noonan, Kilkenny Tradfest Chairperson said, “We are thrilled to welcome Beoga to Kilkenny Tradfest 2017. Fans of traditional and folk music are in for a special treat with this five-piece sensation set to enthral those lucky enough to attend, with their glorious sound on Thursday 16th March. The event is free, and we expect there to be huge demand so we’re encouraging everyone to get there early. We at the festival have been followers of Beoga’s music for years, and they continue to blaze a pioneering trail, rewarding world music fans with fresh creative energy. Their recent collaboration with Ed Sheeran will no doubt send the band’s profile into orbit, and rightly so.”
The band, who have released six albums and played shows all over the world have received much critical acclaim globally, most recently however they made the headlines as a result of their collaboration with singer Ed Sheeran. The band joined Sheeran at Decoy studios in Suffolk last June to record two tracks, one about Galway and one about Wexford, where Ed has strong family roots.
Beoga have been inundated with questions about the collaboration with Ed Sheeran but the band insist they have been sworn to secrecy on his upcoming third album ‘Divide’. Fiddle player and vocalist Niamh Dunne, who hails from Limerick said, “We did two songs with Ed but I can’t tell you anymore! I’m sworn to secrecy! We did one song when we got there that he hadn’t written so the whole thing was very natural really. I’d say the songs are folky.” she added. According to Bodhrán player Eamon Murray the opportunity to record came about quite organically “Our pal and fellow Northerner, Foy Vance is on Ed Sheeran’s record label and they’d been listening to a couple of our tracks on tour. When it came to making a new album, Ed himself reached out and asked if we’d like to be involved, and we said aye!”
Beoga will play Kilkenny Tradfest on Thursday 16th March at 10pm, and fans will be treated to a range of their music, including songs from their most recent album, Before We Change Our Mind. Released in 2016, Before We Change Our Mind is the band’s 5th studio album and has positioned them at the arc of Irish traditional music’s new wave. Under the stewardship of producer Michael Keeney (Foy Vance & Ed Sheeran, Lisa Hannigan & Bonnie Rait), recording was undertaken with live takes where possible, resulting in a refreshing and ebullient feel, whilst losing none of the polish or veracity of previous efforts.
Over the coming weeks more acts and performers will be announced as part of the Kilkenny Tradfest’s eagerly anticipated line-up, information on tickets etc. can be found at www.kilkennytradfest.com. Announced last week, Singer, Songwriter and Instrumentalist, Paul Brady will headline this year’s festival.
12th January 2017: Kilkenny Tradfest has announced that singer, songwriter and instrumentalist, Paul Brady will headline this year’s festival. Kilkenny Tradfest, takes place over the St Patrick’s Day weekend (16th – 19th March) and this year the festival will celebrate its 5th anniversary. Once again Kilkenny Tradfest will showcase and celebrate the best of Irish traditional and folk music in a variety of unique venues across Kilkenny city, and over the coming weeks the packed schedule, with something for all the family, will be revealed.
Making his debut appearance at Kilkenny Tradfest, Paul Brady’s performance will be a highlight of the festival, with Paul taking centre stage within the stunning setting of St.Canice’s Cathedral on Thursday 16th March.
Commenting, Malcolm Noonan, Kilkenny Tradfest Chairperson said, “It is with great excitement that we announce internationally renowned Paul Brady, as our headline act for this years’ festival. Paul will be performing a very special concert at St.Canice’s Cathedral in the heart of Kilkenny City. Paul is one of Ireland’s most highly regarded and successful artists. He continually crosses musical boundaries, incorporating folk, rock, blues, traditional Irish and classic pop styles into his song writing. It is a really special treat for Kilkenny Tradfest and we’ve no doubt tickets will be in high demand.”
Paul’s live performances, whether solo or with full band, include songs from his extensive catalogue of 40 years. He began to write songs in the early 80s and has since forged a reputation as one of Ireland’s finest singer-songwriters, releasing many popular and critically acclaimed records. An evening with Paul Brady on stage is a captivating experience, as he invites you into his world of songs and music in a way that will surprise in its intimacy, sense of fun and raw power.
Tickets on sale from Friday 13th January – in person from Rollercoaster Records, Kilkenny or online from ticketmaster.ie €35 plus Booking Fee
