The thirteen track debut album from Dublin born songwriter Ryan O’Shaughnessy goes live on all digital platforms today, Friday the 11th of November. “Back to Square One” hosts songs ranging in genre from singer/songwriter to electronic.
The official launch night takes place @ The Grand Social, Dublin, on Wednesday the 16th of November.
Physical copies of the album can be purchased @ www.RyanOsMusic.com
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Derry four piece, PORTS are pleased to announce a Christmas show at The Limelight 2, Belfast. 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.
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.
Tickets on sale Friday November 04th at 9am from www.limelightbelfast.com, www.ticketmaster.ie Katy’s Bar & Ticketmaster outlets nationwide.
Northern Ireland customers 0844 277 44 55 & Republic of Ireland customers 0818 719 300
You can follow Ports on Facebook and Twitter for more information.
The top five acts for the IMRO Other Room OPEN CALL 2016 have been announced:
Ailbhe Reddy
Meltybrains?
Basciville
Jafaris
BARQ
The winner will play in the IMRO Other Room during the #eirOtherVoices festival this December. The performance will be recorded and included in the 2017 broadcast of Other Voices on RTÉ2.
In December 2015, for the first time, the IMRO Other Room was filmed in front of a live audience as part of the Other Voices Music Trail. In July 2016 an hour long special on the Other Room aired on RTÉ 2, featuring performances from Saint Sister, Talos, Gavin Glass, Bitch Falcon, HAWK and 2015 Open Call winner Saramai.
You have until Friday 11th November at 1PM to cast your vote for your favourite act via the link below:
After a year of recording, and gigging in the UK, Lithuania, Canada, the U.S., Alternative Singer-Songwriter Emma O’Reilly is back on Irish soil and will be performing in the intimate setting of Volt Studios on Friday November 18th, with special guest Sive. Tickets are on sale NOW on Eventbrite for €15/€12.
In addition, Emma recently premiered the music video for her new song “Shake” on The Last Mixed Tape. You can check it out below, and the song is available from Spotify and iTunes
From an early age, Emma has been singing and performing in a range of styles and contexts, going on to study music at Trinity College Dublin, majoring in Music technology. Since graduating, she’s been gigging with lots of different bands and groups, recording and producing several EPs and stand alone singles herself before stepping into the studio in 2014 to create PURGE, a short collection of songs with an orchestral sound, which saw her compared to the likes of Kate Bush, I Have a Tribe, Tori Amos and Cathy Davey. Before hitting the road earlier this year, Emma went to Arad studios to record the follow up EP, which explores a sound much closer to her live shows, and digs into her alternative rock influences. The result is alternately introspective and ferocious, vulnerable and dramatic, intricate and engaging.
For more information you can follow Emma on Facebook and Twitter
The last three months have been a whirlwind for Paddy Dennehy and The Red Herring. Having completed a string of high-profile dates, they have been busy bringing their soulful live performance to an enviable list festivals and venues around the country. The group have been pulling on the heartstrings of the audiences from the luxurious surrounds of King John’s Castle in Limerick as the support for Rockabilly chanteuse, Imelda May, to the outlandish Trailer Park stage of Stradbally’s Electric Picnic.
Hot on the heels of a fantastic summer, Paddy Dennehy and The Red Herring, release brand new single ”Hard Times”, a powerful track exploring longing, love and fear of disappointment, released on Reckless Records recently. The accompanying video is directed by Mario Beck and Dominik Kosicki featuring band members, Paddy Dennehy himself and singing partner Johanna O’Brien.
Paddy Dennehy & The Red Herring are a group who draw influences from as far back as the early 1900s right up to the present day. You can hear hints of Tom Waits’ theatrical warble; feel the passionate intensity of Louis Armstrong’s delivery; and be stirred by poignancy reminiscent of that of Hozier and Mick Flannery. A variety of influences then; all of them blended to form a live performance that is at once unforgettable and utterly unique.
You can follow Paddy Dennehy and The Red Herring on Facebook for more information.
PAUL MCDONNELL’s new single ‘BE ALL YOU CAN BE’ is the third single & video from his acclaimed current album ‘A Sweeter Confusion’. Catch Paul & his band live on Wednesday November 16th upstairs at Whelans, Wexford Street, Dublin €12 WAV Tickets/ 1890 200 078.
The song is no stranger to high praise – in 2014 ‘Be all you can be’ won the IMRO Christy Hennessy Award for Songwriting, an award which Paul McDonnell has won twice in a 15 year songwriting career – Paul is the only double winner of that award. ‘Be all you can be’ is also the theme song for the acclaimed US film ‘37’.
‘BE ALL YOU CAN BE’ was written by Paul with long time collaborator Dave Molloy (Cellar Club) & American film music composer Cathleen Flynn who will be performing with him at Whelans. A deeply poignant song, Paul outlines the theme “When a loved one is saying goodbye to you & the world, their parting wish is that you find a wonderful new life without them. I lost my parents in recent years & after the pain subsided I found a sense of release in saying goodbye, even though a part of me felt ashamed by the freedom it created”.
His third album ‘A SWEETER CONFUSION’ was released in August and chronicles Paul’s search for love, connection & truth. The album received acclaim with Hot Press calling it “instantly appealing”. Previous singles ‘Storm Chaser’ & ‘Lovers on the lawn’ were playlisted on Radio One and Ocean FM and the album was selected by BBC Radio Ulster’s Late Show as ‘Album of the Week’. Over his 15 year songwriting career, Paul has written in the songwriting epicentre of Nashville and composed for DE DANANN, TOMMY FLEMING, LISA LAMBE, LEAH MCFALL. His songs have been placed in films, on TV and used in advertising campaigns internationally.
“Lyrically very clever & musically beautiful – terrific” Pat Kenny, Newstalk
“This is simply stunning!” Paul Power, KFM Radio
“instantly appealing…classy stuff” Hot Press
“Heartfelt” *** Irish Mail on Sunday
“Every song on the album is such an eloquent story so wonderfully told” Musician.ie
‘Album Of The Week’ Late Show, BBC Radio Ulster
For more information on Paul’s music, you can visit his Website or follow him on Twitter and Facebook
IMRO are sad to learn of the passing of acclaimed songwriter and valued member Donal Coghlan who suffered from Multiple Sclerosis for many years.
Along with Gerry Leonard, Donal was one half of Hinterland who signed to Island Records in 1989. The renowned Dublin based duo signed to Island records in 1989 and released the much-acclaimed Kissing the Roof of Heaven album in 1990.
IMRO would like offer its condolences to Donal’s family and friends at this sad time.
The Christie Hennessy Song Competition takes place as a tribute to the life and music of one of Tralee’s most famous sons. The ten finalists below were selected from over 200 entries and they will perform their original song in front of a live audience and a panel of expert judges. The winning songwriter will be presented with a cheque for €1,000 on the night, courtesy of Tralee Credit Union while the runner up receives a cheque for €300.
Featuring a special guest performance from John Spillane
Saturday 26th November 2016
The IMRO Christie Hennessy Song Competition 2016 Live Final
In association with Tralee Chamber Alliance, Tralee Credit Union & The Rose Hotel
Venue: The Rose Hotel, Dan Spring Road, Tralee, Co. Kerry
Time:8:30pm / FREE ENTRY
Further information at www.imro.ie / 01 661 4844 / E: events@nullimro.ie
Finalists –
Carrie Haskins – Hell On Wheels
Carrie Haskins is a young singer, songwriter and musician from Kildare who describes her musical style as ‘country crossover’.
Carrie Haskins (moniker of Carolann Haskins) has ‘listened to and been inspired by country music’ since she was a child. While her style is rooted in an ‘honest blend’ of American Country and Pop, her palette of influences range from Brad Paisley to Tammy Wynette. Carrie ‘emits a beautiful and emotionally real sound that wins over many listeners’.
Carrie has studied music for a total of six years. Commencing her musical education at the Ballyfermot College of Further Education, her studies continued at the British and Irish Modern Music Institute (BIMM) Dublin, where she recently completed the song writing stream graduating in 2015 with a B.A Honours Degree in Commercial Modern Music
Celebrating the release of her Debut EP ‘Country Spirit’ in 2014, Carrie’s records can be described as a mix of upbeat and more relaxed ballads. Musical gems like “The Letter Goodbye” (released as a single and video), “Country Spirit”, “Don’t Wanna Dance”, “Mine” and “Revenge” make for a captivating and rapturing listen. Her arrangement of lush instrumentation intertwined with rich vocal lines and harmonies from her opening track ‘Country Spirit’ right through to the closing track ‘Revenge’ transport you (the listener) through a journey of emotional highs and lows, lyrically, melodically and instrumentally.
In 2011, Carrie received major accolades and recognition appearing on and reaching the battle stages of “The Voice” in Ireland.
You can follow Carrie on Facebook
Elaine Goddard – Change
Elaine hails from Dublin and has been singing, writing music and playing gigs for many years. Her musical influences range from Nirvana to Jeff Buckley, Joyce to Bishop to her family and friends. When she is not playing music, Elaine writes poetry and paints. Her Debut album, ‘The Clay We Stood Upon’, is due out in the New Year.
Katie O’Connor – Just Too Young
Katie O Connor, is 18 years old, and is currently living in Raheny, Dublin.
Having just started her first year studying music in BIMM, she has been singing and writing since the age of 12.
Her dream is to become a professional singer/songwriter, and at the age of 15, she wrote a song for her cousin who was diagnosed with very serious cancer aged 5. The song is available on iTunes and you can view the video on YouTube.
Katie, has performed her song live on various radio and television shows including – TG4, The Pat Kenny Show and Radio Nova to name a few. As well as performing live on radio, Katie also performs her original songs live, in various well known venues around Dublin.
You can follow Katie on Facebook
Leo Capper – Memories Just Remain
Leo Capper is a Songwriter and Music Producer, based in Dublin, Ireland. Over the last 5 years he has won two Songwriting Awards and has been writing and producing music seriously since 2010. Music has always been a passion since his childhood.
He has featured in music magazines, such as Hot Press and Future Music. Leo enjoys writing in multiple genres of music, from Pop & Dance, Urban/ Hip Hop to Ballads and Tropical House. His talent was enhanced by attending Songwriting camps and this has led to numerous successes, i.e: entry into Ireland’s Junior Eurovision (2015) and music placements on MTV USA.
He is currently working world wide, collaborating with Songwriters in Los Angeles, Italy, Berlin, London and Sweden.
In August 2015 he travelled to Hollywood, California to work with other Songwriters, which has led to further placements.
His latest release was issued from Berlin under Sony Music and Warner Music and is a Dance track called “Sing Forever”. It was released in summer 2016, the song is featured on 5 Dance compilation CDs, currently charting at No.2 in the Dance charts in Germany. Following on from this success, he is continuing to work on future releases. Eva Campbell who is Leo’s cousin will be performing ‘Memories Just Remain’ at the final. Both Leo and Eva reached the final stages of the Irish Junior Eurovision last year.
You can follow Leo on Twitter
Louise Bolger & Sian Hanley – Heal
Louise Bolger and Sian Hanley are a duo of songwriters based in the southeast of Ireland, who have been collaborating since the end of 2015. Unified by their shared love of all things indie folk, influences include Gregory Alan Isakov, Laura Veirs, Damien Rice and Leonard Cohen.
Previously, Sian produced tracks for Australian YouTuber Thommy Wilson and co-wrote with South African RnB artist Casey Leigh van Rooyen. Louise has written songs with Liam McCabe (currently the bassist with Heroes in Hiding), as well as being a regular performer at local gigs.
Both Louise and Sian have day jobs which keep them from pursuing their passion fulltime. Nonetheless, their goal is to continue to write whenever time permits and to release their upcoming Christmas song in time for 2016. Their style has been described by other musician’s as falling somewhere on the indie folk spectrum.
Neil Moran – In Time
Neil Moran is a singer songwriter from Kilbeggan, Co Westmeath. He has been writing songs since his mid-teens and has been performing in venues around Ireland for the past 4 years. Artist’s influences include Damien Rice, Glen Hansard, and Mick Flannery.
2015 was a breakthrough year for Neil. He performed as a supporting act in the Olympia Theater, Dublin in February, followed by a small summer tour along the west coast of Ireland.
Currently he is working on the final touches of his debut EP titled ‘In Time’ which is set for release December 2016.
You can follow Neil on Facebook
Pine The Pilcrow – Don’t Need Me
Pine The Pilcrow write stilling, lullaby-esque music compromising of piano (Kevin Murray), cello (Robert Campbell) and fiddle (Hannah
Ryan) with a combination of gruff and angelic vocals. Melancholic melody lines evoke emotion as they drop onto your ear and cause a ripple
of reflection.
Formed in spring 2015, Pine the Pilcrow has enjoyed a busy and warm reception to the Dublin music scene. They quickly found themselves rising in demand as they were chosen to perform at The Hard Working Class Heroes Festival, Smock Alley’s Scene & Heard arts festival, Vantastival and a record four stages at this year’s Electric Picnic.
They have supported Anderson and Inni-K nationally and were named by The Ruby Session’s Conor Donovan in The Irish Times as one of his top 3 highlights of 2015. Their recent debut EP has received widespread critical acclaim.
They have just been nominated as Best Newcomer at the 2016 Pure M awards and are looking forward to an exciting 2017.
You can follow Pine The Pilcrow on Facebook
Robert Grace – Talk to Me
‘TALK TO ME’ may have been Robert’s debut solo release, however, this all rounder from the beautiful town of Graiguenamanagh in Co. Kilkenny is no stranger to the studio, or the charts!
In recent years Robert has developed into a songwriter/producer/performer of note. Robert wrote three and co-produced four tracks on (Louis Walsh – boyband) Hometown’s recent chart topping album released on Sony Music. He has also co-written with some of the best-known songwriters in the UK including: Dan McDougall (The Wanted, The Shires), Blair MacKichan (Paloma Faith/Sia/Lily Allen), Phil Thornalley (Natalie Imbruglia/Pixie Lott), Josh Wilkinson (One Direction / 5 seconds of Summer) and David Munday (Tina Turner/Pixie Lott/Belinda Carlisle)
In his capacity as writer and producer, Robert has helped other artist’s music achieve chart success.
It seems righteous, therefore, that his own EP, ‘Talk To Me’ entered the iTunes album chart at No 2 on its release in May, and that the title track from the EP has garnered strong airplay across the country since its issue. Indeed, ‘Talk To Me’, the radio single, was the most played song on RTE Radio 1 this June.
You can follow Robert on Twitter
Shane O’Fearghail – Push
Irish Singer Songwriter and multi instrumentalist Shane Ó Fearghail has his own take on being a full-time traveling musician. “Writing strong songs and delivering them with even stronger performances”, is how he assumes the mantle of the performing songwriter.
Shane, has learned a thing or two over the years and has the mileage to prove it! Between playing more gigs than there are days of the week and working with songwriting collectives throughout Europe, you would think that this Irish singer songwriter would have no time to fit more in. Think again! Having just managed to add another great title to his ever growing list of albums – ‘They Might See Dolphins’ – album number three, has made its way quietly and effortlessly out into the world!
You can follow Shane on Facebook
Without Willow – Sail My Direction
Without Willow are a folk musical duo from Co Donegal, Ireland. Consisting of Karen Kelly and Simon McCafferty, the pair write and perform their own material, amassed from a wide variety of influences, they blend various styles of music to craft a unique sound that is truly their own.
Together they weave songs of love, loss and hope with enchanting vocal melodies, harmonies and a subtle yet intricate guitar style that sets them apart from their contemporaries. The pair have performed together numerous times, including at Clubeo, hosted by Moya Brennan of Clannad, The Swell Festival, Earagail Arts Festival and have supported Declan O’Rourke, Eddi Reader and most recently Vieux Farka Touré.
You can follow Without Willow on Facebook
Belfast singer Bap Kennedy, passed away on Tuesday, the 1st of November, following his battle with bowel and pancreas cancer.
A statement on Bap’s Facebook page said, ”We are devastated to announce that Bap passed away this evening. Bap was extremely brave until the end. We would like to thank everybody for their kind messages of support over the past few months, these meant a lot to Bap and Brenda and helped Bap stay positive throughout his illness. We are also extremely grateful to all the staff at the Marie Curie hospice for their kindness and warmheartedness during his stay.”
He will be remembered for his long term presence on the Belfast music scene, and for the music that he has left behind. During his time he has worked with great musicians like Mark Knopfler, Van Morrison, Steve Earle and Shane MacGowan along with many other great artists. Having formed the bands 10 past 7 and Energy Orchard during 1980’s, his career went from strength to strength spanning four decades and leaving us with lots of great music and memories.
