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Author: Breffni Banks

Syrias Vibes – Fundraiser Supporting Rescue Services in Syria Tonight In The Workman’s Club

Written by Breffni Banks on . Posted in Industry News.

In response to the crisis in Syria a small group of Irish bands have come together to put on a fundraising night this Monday, December 19th in The Workman’s Club. All the proceeds of the night will go towards funding vital humanitarian groundwork in Syria.

The organisers will be working with Syrias Vibes, a Dublin based charity who are currently fundraising to put two new ambulances on the ground in Syria. Syrias Vibes was created by Dublin born DJ – Calvin James to support the civilians of Syria in their plight for freedom and safety. They’re currently at 44% of their goal, with one ambulance expected to be active by next week. Organisers are hoping that a sold out show could help to make this a reality.

The night boasts a great line up from the Irish music scene that will include music from Paddy Hanna, Tandem Felix, Floor Staff, Participant, Myles Manley and Cal Folger Day as well as DJ Set from Ben Bix of Meltybrains? and some special guests.

Calvin James of Syrias Vibes will also speak on the night about his experiences in Syria.

Show at 8pm and tickets are €10 on the door

You can also donate directly to the Syrias Vibes ambulance fund here:

https://www.justgiving.com/campaigns/charity/scoop/syriasvibesambulance

or to MSF (Doctors Without Borders) here: https://www.msf.ie/syria

‘You Raise Me Up’ Named As A Song That Defined America

Written by Breffni Banks on . Posted in News.

Music author James E. Perone has penned ‘SMASH HITS – The 100 Songs That Defined America’ and has listed ‘You Raise Me Up’ written by Brendan Graham and Rolf Løvland as one of the songs that defined America.

The book contains 100 songs which cross a number of demographics and genres and generated mass appeal in the States. The author reviews the songs chronologically from the date of creation rather than release to show what environment shaped the composition.

‘You Raise Me Up’ is described as a worldwide phenomenon, stemming from Josh Groban’s version of the song and subsequently Westlife’s. It has become a song of inspiration and is used extensively as a hymn in worship services so much so that it ‘keeps this folk-like song a part of public consciousness that extends well beyond its success in the recording world‘.

Grammy Nomination For Celtic Woman Album ‘Destiny’

Written by Breffni Banks on . Posted in News.

Celtic Woman have just received a GRAMMY nomination under the Best World Music category for their album ‘Destiny’.

The multi-platinum act has sold over 10 million albums worldwide and recently received a No.1 in the Billboard World Music Chart and Classical Chart with their album ‘Voice of Angels’.

This is Celtic Woman’s 12th consecutive No.1 in the Billboard World Music Charts since the group’s formation in 2005.

Celtic Woman are Mairéad Carlin, Susan McFadden, Éabha McMahon and Máiréad Nesbitt.

Their album ‘Destiny’ was released in January 2016 internationally featuring the works of IMRO writer members Brendan Graham, Alana Graham, David Downes, Jimmy MacCarthy, Gavin Murphy, Méav Ní Mhaolchatha, Máiréad Nesbitt and Dick Farrelly (Snr) as well as IMRO publisher members Liffey Music and Rathmines Music.

The album is released through Celtic Collections and on Manhattan Records in the US. A number of Irish producers worked on the album including Gavin Murphy, Graham Murphy and Chris O’Brien.

The GRAMMY Awards take place on Feb 12th 2017 at the Staples Centre in Los Angeles.

Ports Play Christmas Show At The Limelight 2 On December 18th

Written by Breffni Banks on . Posted in News.

Derry four piece, PORTS are pleased to announce a Christmas show at The Limelight 2, Belfast on Sunday 18th December 2016. The band recently released their new single ‘The Few and Far Between’ and announced that the track has been chosen as soundtrack for the NI Tourism Discover Northern Ireland campaign for 2016/2017.

Tickets on sale NOW from Limelight Belfast, Katy’s Bar and Ticketmaster outlets nationwide. Northern Ireland customers can phone 0844 277 44 55 & Republic of Ireland customers 0818 719 300.

PORTS are a four piece band from Northern Ireland. They consist of Steven McCool (Bass and Vocals), Mark O’Doherty (Drums), Ryan Griffiths (Guitar) and Conor Mason (Piano). 2016 saw the release of their debut album “The Devil is a Songbird” which has been shortlisted for the Northern Ireland Music Prize. Having performed in Ireland, UK and Canada PORTS have gone from strength to strength after the release. Gameplay, the first single released from the album, made an impact after being used for MTV Teen Drama “Awkward”. That momentum has continued to grow with State.ie naming the band as one of the “Faces of 2016”.

The summer also saw them establish themselves as a main stage festival band at Festivals such as Stendhal, Moira Calling and Open House Festival
At Music City festival in May 2016 they opened the festival as support for the Mercury Prize Shortlisted band “The Villagers”

‘The Few and Far Between’ has continued that trend by being chosen for the NI Tourism Discover Northern Ireland campaign for 2016/2017.

You can follow Ports on Facebook and Twitter

David Hope Announces His New Single ”Christmas Day”

Written by Breffni Banks on . Posted in News.

The man from Clare is back with new music and just in time for Christmas. ‘Christmas Day’ is the first single from Hope’s forthcoming third studio album ‘Tough Love’, which is due for release in March 2017. The track was recorded and produced by Christian Best (Mick Flannery / Marc O’Reilly / Jack O’Rourke) at the renowned Monique Studios in Co. Cork.

The song is a modern twist on the classic Christmas story of the nativity, mixed with the eternal struggle of travelling home to be with family and loved ones. Hope has left down his trusty acoustic guitar in favour of a more electric, robust pop orientated sound.

‘Christmas Day’ was chosen as the RTE Radio One song selected for the European Broadcasting Union Christmas Music Project and will feature on a playlist across all member states. The single will also feature on RTE Radio One’s Christmas Playlist 2016 and a number of stations in Germany and Austria.

A new music video was shot on location in Hope’s native County Clare, produced by award winning Limerick based cinematographer, Steve Hall.

David Hope, the Irish folk troubadour with the infamous Celtic growl hails from County Clare in the West of Ireland. Over the past 13 years, Hope has performed and toured extensively in both his native Ireland and mainland Europe, averaging in excess of 200 shows per year. During this time, Hope has built a reputation as one of the very best live performers on the touring circuit today.

The new single ‘Christmas Day’ available on iTunes, Apple Music, Google Play and Spotify now.

You can follow David on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

Blink Announce Plans To Re-Release All 3 Of Their Critically Acclaimed Albums In 2017

Written by Breffni Banks on . Posted in News.

Blink have announced plans to re-release all 3 of their critically acclaimed albums in 2017 on their Garage Records label.

To celebrate the re-release of “A map of the universe” on March 3rd they are releasing “Happy Christmas 22 (I still miss you)” on December 18th.

The band said “To mark the re-release of the entire Blink catalogue, the original Christmas song has been at long last been released as a single – 22 years behind schedule it would seem, although the title would suggest that this was the plan all along!?

Never a band to run with the standard way of doing things, we’ve avoided many requests to see the song issued as a single in its own right, and up until now it has only been available on “A Map Of The Universe By Blink”.

The recording features John O’Neill of The Undertones on guitar, alongside Steve Hillage.

Happy Christmas 22 (I Still Miss You) is dedicated to Aiden Lambert, brother of Dermot Lambert, and the effervescent mastermind behind Blink’s many adventures and releases, who sadly passed away just before Christmas 2015.”

Blink – Happy Christmas 22 (I still miss you)

• From “A Map of the Universe” re-released March 3rd 2017 on Garage Records

• Features John O’Neill (The Undertones) and Steve Hillage

You can follow Blink on Facebook and Twitter for more information.

IMRO present award to We Banjo 3

Written by Breffni Banks on . Posted in News.

Keith Johnson from IMRO was delighted to present We Banjo 3 with an award in recognition of their String Theory album going straight in at No.1 in the  Billboard World Music Chart in August of this year.

Award-winning quartet WeBanjo3 from Galway, Ireland combine Irish Music with Old-Time American and Bluegrass influences to reveal the banjo’s rich legacy and roots. When this band of brothers take flight in a wave of virtuosity, verve and joie-de-vivre, feet tap and pulses race.

Featuring banjo, fiddle, mandolin, guitar, vocals and percussion We Banjo 3 make a bold and extraordinary musical statement. Creativity, sensitivity and passion are present in full measure and Irish music is at the heart of what they play.

We Banjo 3 play with swing and soul, effortlessly combining the best of Irish and Bluegrass banjo music and song, mining the rich vein of the American Old Time tradition and thoroughly reinventing the banjo band sound. Modern rhythms, traditional melodies, virtuosic technique and innovative arrangements of music and song add up to an incredible feast of banjo and mandolin music – guaranteed to put a smile on your face and get your feet tapping.

Keep an eye on these guys because 2017 promises to be a huge year.

www.webanjo3.com

18 year old Katie O’Connor wins 6th annual IMRO Christie Hennessy Song Competition

Written by Breffni Banks on . Posted in News.

Singer songwriter, Katie O’Connor who hails from Raheny in Dublin was crowned the winner of the 6th annual IMRO Christie Hennessy Song Competition with her song ‘Just Too Young’.

Katie was inspired to write the song when she was 15 after she discovered her 5 year old cousin was diagnosed with cancer.

The live final took place on Saturday, 26th November at The Rose Hotel, Tralee, with a special guest performance from the much-loved singer songwriter John Spillane. Ten finalists were selected from over 200 entries from across Ireland and beyond to perform their original song in front of a live audience and panel of expert judges.

As the winner, Katie was presented with a cheque for €1,000, courtesy of Tralee Credit Union and Kilkenny man Robert Grace received €300 as a worthy runner up for his song ‘Talk To Me’ which he co-wrote with James Foley and Glenn Herlihy.

The competition which is a tribute to one of Tralee’s most famous sons had over 200 entries from across Ireland and beyond. Now in its sixth year, the competition has grown in stature over the years to become one of Ireland’s leading song competitions and continues to attract a high calibre of songwriters from Ireland and overseas, covering a broad range of musical genres. Previous winners have included Paul McDonnell, Dave Molloy, Alan Kavanagh, Enda Reilly/Christine Deady and Míde Houlihan.

Twitter: @oconnorkatie9

Elephant Named As the Conor Walsh Memorial Bursary Winner

Written by Breffni Banks on . Posted in News.

HWCH are delighted to announce that the winner of the inaugural Conor Walsh Memorial Bursary is Dundalk act Elephant.

In March 2016 an alumni and friend of the festival, Conor Walsh from Mayo, died suddenly. At HWCH this year all 100 bands participating were asked to vote for the act who most embodies Conor’s talent and bravery among their number. Elephant will be awarded €2,500 toward a recording or touring bill. http://breakingtunes.com/elephant

The HWCH Industry Convention took place in the Chocolate Factory this year and provided an opportunity for international delegates, Irish bands and domestic music industry professionals to meet face to face and make important first contacts. The panels and discussions were recorded and are now available to listen to on podcast. Topics include How to apply for a US performance Visa, 21st Century Labels, a conversation with Chris Douridas and many more.

“We are thrilled with the success of this year’s event and the impact it has had on the reputation of Irish music here and abroad. We look forward to next year’s event and all that happens in between” – Angela Dorgan HWCH Director.

HWCH returns next year on the 28th, 29th and 30th September 2017. For both Irish and international music professionals and music fans, HWCH is an essential one-stop shop for new Irish bands.

The annual European showcase, Eurosonic Nooderslag will take place in Groningen in January of next year. Music From Ireland have announced that the Irish bands taking part in 2017 will be Aine Cahill, Bonzai, Brian Deady, Bry, Ex Magician, Hare Squead, Lisa O’ Neill, Picture This, Saint Sister, The Eskies, Walking On Cars and Wyvern Lingo. RTE 2FM will preview the festival over the coming weeks. For full details see http://musicfromireland.org/

All aspects are possible due to valued support from The Arts Council and Culture Ireland, with added assistance from Failte Ireland/Tourism Ireland.

See Hard Working Class Heroes for further updates on the festival throughout the year.

€210,000 ANNOUNCED FOR MUSIC CAPITAL SCHEME 2016

Written by Breffni Banks on . Posted in News.

Music Network today welcomed the announcement by Heather Humphreys TD, Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, confirming capital funds of €210,000 for the Music Capital Scheme 2016.

The Music Capital Scheme, supported by the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs and managed by Music Network, comprises two distinct awards that provide funding for the purchase of musical instruments to both non-professional performing groups and to professional musicians.

Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs Heather Humphreys TD said: “The Music Capital Scheme is a fantastic initiative which literally puts instruments in the hands of both experienced and aspiring musicians. It has benefited thousands of people across the country since it was set up in 2008. We know that encouraging participation in the arts, such as learning to play a musical instrument, is very beneficial for our young people, and the Music Capital Scheme is one of the ways in which my Department aims to make that easier. I am very pleased to be able to support the Scheme again this year and I wish all of the musicians benefitting all the very best with their future endeavours.”

Commenting on the announcement, Music Network CEO Sharon Rollston said: “As the number of people making music in Ireland is increasing, due by a large degree to the exceptional work of Music Generation among others, there is and will continue to be an increased demand for access to instruments to enable musicians to flourish. The Music Capital Scheme is a key resource nationally and is central to Music Network’s ambition to establish a National Music Instrument Fund to ensure that no musician is prevented from reaching their full potential. We are indebted to the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs for its vision and its continued support in addressing this need.”

The Music Capital Scheme was established by The Arts Council, The IRMA Trust and Music Network in 2008 as an action-research initiative designed to provide support for the purchase of musical instruments. In response to the success of the initial pilot scheme, funding has been made available since 2011 by the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.

The Music Capital Scheme has funded 227 musicians, groups and organisations, benefitting up to 30,819 people throughout Ireland since its inception in 2008.

The Music Capital Scheme will open for applications on Wednesday 30th November 2016, with a deadline of 12 pm Thursday 26th January. Further information is available at www.musicnetwork.ie/musicians/funding/.

Music Capital Scheme Advice Clinics will be held in Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick & Sligo during the week of 9th January 2017. For further details, please contact Music Network’s Programmes Administrator Sarah Cunningham at Tel 01 475 0224/ programmesadmin@nullmusicnetwork.ie.

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