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Author: Breffni Banks

Eoin Dillon – ‘Pondelorum’ – 5 Star Album Out Now!

Written by Breffni Banks on . Posted in News.

‘Pondelorum’ the 3rd solo album from Dublin uilleann piper & Kíla founding member EOIN DILLON is now on release. Having just launched the album with a stomping set in Whelans on Sunday and a flying visit to perform at a festival in Norway on Friday, EOIN WILL BE ANNOUNCING MORE DATES AND A FURTHER RELEASE FROM THE ALBUM IN THE COMING WEEKS. ‘Pondelorum’ is now available from Claddagh Records, Spindizzy and online stores.

‘Pondelorum’ features the singles ‘Marina’s Kitchen’ with Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin on harpsichord & ‘Dancing on the Radio/Port Con Durham’ the opening track on the album. ‘Pondelorum’ has so far received glowing acclaim with a 5 star review from RTE.ie who called the album “warm and inviting” while the Irish Times praised the album as “a brace of exceptionally fine tunes”. The Sunday Times described it as “laden with nostalgia, warmth”.

‘Pondelorum’ features input from a host of musical collaborators including Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin on harpsichord, Brian Hogan on bass and Graham Watson on guitars & mandolin. ‘Pondelorum’ is Eoin Dillon’s third solo album having released his debut solo recording ‘The Third Twin’ in 2005 (named one of the best traditional albums of the year by RTE Radio One) followed by 2010’s ‘The Golden Mean’. Eoin has been playing the pipes and whistles since the age of 15. As a founding member of KÍLA he released 11 albums and toured the world with performances at top festivals including Glastonbury, Womad (Aus/NZ) and Montreux Jazz Festival.

As a solo artist, Eoin has guested with U2, Baaba Maal, Sinead O Connor, Donal Lunny & Jane Sibery. He composed the music with Kíla for 2 Oscar winning animation films in 2012/2015 – while his solo compositional work on ‘Ireland’s Wild River’ was nominated in the Best Music category at the 2015 Emmy Awards.

“admirable colour and verve…warm and inviting…boasts a shimmering, soulful blend of instruments” ***** – RTE.ie
“a brace of exceptionally fine tunes…writ large is Dillon’s singular vision, bold, unfettered and freewheeling” **** – Irish Times
“laden with nostalgia, warmth” – Sunday Times

You can follow Eoin on Facebook for more information

Roberta Howett returns with stunning ‘Love Like That’ single

Written by Breffni Banks on . Posted in News.

Roberta Howett is set to release her latest single ‘Love Like That’ on October 14th. An honest tale of unconditional love, Love Like That follows on from her singles released in 2015, ‘Broken Wings’ and ‘Water to Fire’. love-like-that-cover-artBorn in Dublin, Roberta has always been passionate about music. However it was only when she was a finalist on X-Factor in 2004 that she started developing a successful career as a musician and songwriter.

Although Roberta has not often stepped out on her own as solo artist, she is certainly not new to the music industry. She frequently sings backing vocals for many established artists, including Nathan Carter, Boyzlife (Brian McFadden & Keith Duffy), Sharon Corr, Ronan Keating and Bressie. Her live experience includes performances at Glastonbury and Oxegen, and as part of her band Fanfair, she supported The Wanted on a sold-out arena tour of the UK and Ireland. Roberta also had a brand partnership with Collection Make-up while with Fanfair, starring in their campaigns in the UK & Ireland, both instore & on television. She has worked with top producers over the years, including Arnthor Birgisson and Cutfather, and her previous solo single ‘Beautiful Lies’ saw her working with Jake Gosling, producer to Ed Sheeran.

‘Love Like That’ is available from October 14th.

www.robertahowett.com

itunes.apple.com/gb/album/love-like-that-single/

Apella Announce Their New Single ”Graceful Dancer” Set For Release On November 4th

Written by Breffni Banks on . Posted in News.

Dublin duo Apella have just announced the release of their second single, “Graceful Dancer” on Friday 4 November. The band are also set to play Whelan’s (Upstairs) on Saturday 22 October. Tickets for the show priced €10 including booking fee are on sale now from Ticketmaster outlets nationwide and www.Ticketmaster.ie

Hitting the radio in July with their debut single ‘We Met At A Party’ to huge support from both national and regional 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, Paramore, 30 Seconds To Mars, Scouting For Girls and Bon Jovi.

It’s no wonder then that Apella arrive fully formed and ready to win musical hearts and minds. Both “Graceful Dancer” and ‘We Met A Party’ 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, and gets a live preview in October when Apella head out on tour.
Judging by the two low-key warm-ups they’ve already played, it’s going to be a blast! “

We supported Twenty One Pilots earlier this year in Dublin and Belfast. Not knowing who we were I thought everybody would head to the bar but, no, they were dancing and punching the air the second we hit the stage. We can’t wait for everybody to see our live show.”

‘Graceful Dancer’ is available for download on Friday 4 November.

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

Apella will be headlinging Whelan’s (Upstairs) on Saturday, October 22nd.

You can follow Apella on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and SoundCloud

A E R I E Announce Their Irish Tour Dates

Written by Breffni Banks on . Posted in News.

It is lively in the *aerie so expect the unexpected: crazy flights, elegant sails, diligent hunting, always checking for limits.

A E R I E creates exciting contemporary music – connecting written material and improvisation with rock and jazz grooves. Structures are expanded and melted down, then brought together again in a fresh way. Live, A E R I E continues to catch the attention of audiences by constantly varying the contours of their flights.

*nest of an eagle or large bird of prey

Building on the success of previous tours in Germany, Switzerland, Belgium and Estonia, this October sees the group’s debut Irish tour – supported by Arts Council Ireland’s touring award and Swiss funding body Pro Helvetia. A E R I E released their first album, ‘hatch and host’ on Neuklang Records in 2015 to great success and will be recording their second album in December 2016.

“… Hipp’s thoughtful compositions search out new spaces and new grooves. And, with the excellent rhythm section egging them on, Hipp and Comerford prove themselves capable of that elusive sound of surprise.“ -The Irish Times

“… there is a wildness contained in them that is always entertaining. A freedom that they can head in any direction and vary in speed or form… a bright and fast moving album that has many surprises along the way.” – Nomore Workhorse

DATES:
• Wed 5th Oct 9:30pm – Dolan’s Pub, Limerick (presented by Limerick Jazz)
• Thurs 6th Oct 8:30pm – Wexford Arts Centre
• Sat 8th Oct 8pm – The Mick Lally Theatre (part of Galway Jazz Festival)
• Sun 9th Oct 8pm – JJ Smyth’s (presented by Improvised Music Company)

BOOK TICKETS:
DOLANS Limerick
WEXFORD ARTS CENTRE Wexford
GALWAY JAZZ FESTIVAL Galway
JJ SMYTH’S Dublin

You can follow A E R I E on Facebook and their Website

‘The Girl With The Beret’ A New 1916 Concept Album From Kate O’Callaghan

Written by Breffni Banks on . Posted in News.

‘The Girl With The Beret’, a new 1916 Concept Mini-Album from Donegal based Singer/songwriter Kate O’Callaghan.

Comprised of a series of songs and spoken word tracks, which flow seamlessly from one into the other, Kate O’Callaghan weaves the story of a young woman caught up in the 1916 Rising in Dublin.

A fusion of alternative folk, popular ballad and classical strings. It gives a unique insight into the perspective of an ordinary girl living at that time and what it meant, as a female, to be involved in the Rebellion.

The Girl With The Beret features musicians: Kate O’Callaghan, Seamus Devenny, Tim Jarvis, Declan McClafferty and Martin Smyth (from alt. rock band In Their Thousands), Stephen McDaid, Billy Robinson, Paul Devenny and Kevin Murphy.

Recorded and Mixed by Orri McBrearty at Attica Audio, Donegal.
Mastered by Richard Dowling at WavMastering, Limerick.

Can pre-order on Bandcamp now at Bandcamp
Will be available on Bandcamp, iTunes & all major streaming sites from Release Date.

’The Girl with The Beret’ is inspired by my great-grandaunt Katie, otherwise known as Catherine Rooney (née Byrne). According to her witness statement, recorded with the Bureau of Military History (Ireland), she was the first woman to enter the GPO in Dublin on the day of the Rising on Easter Monday 1916. Having followed her brothers down O’Connell St., she kicked in a side window of the GPO and climbed in. She tended to the wounded, earning herself the title of ‘The Petticoat Heroine’ in the press in later years.

Katie also delivered several dispatches during the week, including one important note written by Joseph Plunkett and given to her by Pádraig Pearse. She concealed the note in her hair and brought it to the Four Courts. Katie describes running under fire and narrowly escaping death, when a bullet passed by her head leaving two holes in her beret. She also describes her family’s involvement in the War of Independence, in the years following the Rising. Their house, at 17 Nth Richmond St., was used as a secret HQ for a special squad called the ‘Guards of the Active Service Unit’. Firearms and ammunition were temporarily hidden in various secret places in the house, including the first Thompson gun smuggled into Ireland. Her Mother, Mrs Catherine Byrne (née Dowling), provided a safe house during this time, feeding and tending to the many men who were involved and needing a place to hide.

Kate O’Callaghan is a Donegal based singer/ songwriter who combines evocative melodies with intelligent considered lyrics. To date she has recorded & released an EP, debut Album, received National & International Radio Play and toured in Ireland, UK and the US.
On Easter Monday 2016 Kate was invited to take part in RTÉ’s ‘Reflecting the Rising’. She performed a sell-out concert in the Four Courts, Dublin and featured in a live broadcast show – ‘A Centenary Special’, presented by Keelin Shanley at the Royal Irish College of Surgeons, which focused on women in 1916 and the women of the Rising.

Previous Reviews:

“Subliminal, understated and simply glorious” – Fatea Magazine (UK)

“Powerful..deeply atmospheric..genuinely lovely” – R2 (Rock n Reel) (UK)

“A salvo of stirring strings and graceful guitars” – PureM (IRL)
TOUR DATES:

‘The Girl With The Beret – Songs from a Witness Statement’
In collaboration with Donegal Camerata String Ensemble and supported by Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme and Donegal County Council

1st Oct – Regional Cultural Centre, Letterkenny, Donegal
(for more information and tickets – http://regionalculturalcentre.com/kate-ocallaghan/)

2nd Oct – Abbey Arts Centre, Ballyshannon, Donegal
(for more information and tickets – http://abbeycentre.ie/events/the-girl-with-the-beret-songs-from-a-witness-statement/)

9th – 23rd Oct – German Tour

www.kateocallaghan.com

Eoin Dillon Announces The Release Of His New Track ‘Marina’s Kitchen’

Written by Breffni Banks on . Posted in News.

EOIN DILLON marks release of 5 star album ‘Pondelorum’ by unveiling NEW tune ‘MARINA’S KITCHEN’

LIVE – THIS SUNDAY OCTOBER 2ND AT WHELANS UPSTAIRS, WEXFORD STREET, DUBLIN 2. Doors 8pm E10 Bookings wavtickets.ie tel: 1890 200 078

“admirable colour and verve…warm and inviting…boasts a shimmering, soulful blend of instruments” ***** RTE.ie
“laden with nostalgia, warmth” Sunday Times

Today marks the official release of ‘Pondelorum’ the third solo album from Dublin uilleann piper & Kíla founding member EOIN DILLON. To celebrate, Eoin has shared another tune from the album – ‘Marina’s Kitchen’ is the second track on Pondelorum and features Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin on harpsichord. This Sunday October 2nd, Eoin and his band will play Whelans Upstairs – tickets e10 on sale now.

The album has so far received glowing acclaim with a 5 star review from RTE.ie “an appealing album of ten original compositions, arranged with admirable colour and verve…warm and inviting…boasts a shimmering, soulful blend of instruments” while the Sunday Times described it as “instrumentals laden with nostalgia, warmth and mournfulness”.

‘Pondelorum’ is Eoin Dillon’s third solo album having released his debut solo recording ‘The Third Twin’ in 2005 (named one of the best traditional albums of the year by RTE Radio One) followed by 2010’s ‘The Golden Mean’. Eoin has been playing the pipes and whistles since the age of 15. As a founding member of KÍLA he released 11 albums and toured the world with performances at top festivals including Glastonbury, Womad (Aus/NZ) and Montreux Jazz Festival. As a solo artist, Eoin has guested with U2, Baaba Maal, Sinead O Connor, Donal Lunny & Jane Sibery. He composed the music with Kíla for 2 Oscar winning animation films in 2012/2015 – while his solo compositional work on ‘Ireland’s Wild River’ was nominated in the Best Music category at the 2015 Emmy Awards.

Over ten new compositions, ‘Pondelorum’ captures Eoin’s characterful, blistering and playful performance in full flight and showcases his innate skill as “a composer of first class tunes” (Irish Music Magazine). As for the theme of the album Eoin says “I’m not sure if there is a theme that I can put my finger on. I tried to record a few times but couldn’t or it wasn’t working, but when I began writing wee stories it seemed to give me the start I needed. It was a very enjoyable experience – we took our time and people just seemed to fit in. For me, if I can put it into words, the album is a moment in time, a celebration of people and our history and the road we have travelled.”

‘Pondelorum’ features input from a host of musical collaborators including Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin on harpsichord, Brian Hogan on bass and Graham Watson on guitars & mandolin. The album was recorded in stages – initial recordings took place in Ó Súilleabháin’s home in Tipperary, the piano was recorded in the Unitarian Church on Stephens Green with the rest taking shape in Watson’s Floodplain Studio, Clontarf. The album is available from Claddagh Records & Spindizzy and online stores.

Ben Pyne releases his second E.P ‘For Just A While’

Written by Breffni Banks on . Posted in News.

Dublin-based pianist Ben Pyne releases his second E.P “For Just a While” this month. The singer-songwriter from Balbriggan in Dublin showcases his ability to perform in a variety of genres, from ‘Open Door’, a jazz piano ballad with shades of James Vincent McMorrow, to ‘Oceans’, an R n B track featuring rap artist Esko de Ville.

The music video for the lead track, ‘When We Were Young’. features a beautiful story of dog and boy (Kyle Faulkner, Co. Meath). It was shot by Irish videographer Andrew Jordan of AJ Films in the beautiful surroundings of Balbriggan, Co Dublin and Gormanston, Co Meath.

The E.P is is available now on iTunes.

Oski Bravo EP Launch At Odessa Club, October 1st

Written by Breffni Banks on . Posted in News.

Oski Bravo are a Dublin outfit specialising in an addictive line of melodic indiefolk, acoustic rock. The band came together in late 2015 and in early 2016 finished recording their self-titled EP.

Their debut single ‘Automatic’ was released in July and we were very grateful to receive a wealth of radio play. In August we followed up with Age of Statues and again were delighted to receive great support.

To coincide with the EP release, their final single ‘Mouth to the Wheel’ is released and they are looking forward to a fantastic night on 1st October in the wonderful Odessa Club.

Automatic Review –  ”With hooks and vocals that will have you recalling the warmth of early REM, Idlewild, Juniper, The Frames, King Creosote, Damien Rice, Bellx1 and Revelino, this track is brought to life by the raw tenderness of Egan’s voice and the beauty of Robinson’s soaring and at times menacing cello.”

Oski Bravo go hard on harmonic acoustic rock here, and you could label it as indie¬folk if the acoustic guitar playing and cello work weren’t so hypnotic. The tune builds to a crescendo with the title track refrain before really bursting into life and transforming into a bit of a stomper.”

You can follow Oski Bravo on Facebook and Twitter and SoundCloud

Graham J. Set To Releases His New Single ‘I Miss You Most On Sundays’ And Announces Sugar Club dates

Written by Breffni Banks on . Posted in News.

Graham J. continues to create a fresh and exciting live show for his growing audience. This year alone he has had sell out show’s at Dublin’s JJ SMYTH’s, Nick Munier’s Avenue, The Sugar Club, Whelan’s, London headline show at Nell’s Jazz & Blues Club, headline at the London Pride Official Launch Party in Zebrano’s, and a standout performance at Vince Power’s new jazz venue the WILLIAM IV in London. Graham J. makes a welcome return to The Sugar Club on Wednesday, 12th October 2016 and he will release his new single ‘I MISS YOU MOST ON SUNDAYS’ on Friday, 28th October 2016.

“I MISS YOU MOST ON SUNDAYS” is about the tragic loss of a loved one through suicide. Graham J. lost his partner through suicide and this song is very personal to him. It is a beautiful, haunting song with a very simple but tragic message. Tragically in October 2013 when Graham’s partner took his own life, Graham was devastated and due to the shock lost his voice. However the song now makes him think of someone who touched his life and left an indelible mark. “While every time I sing the song, brings back so many sad memories , performing it has been very cathartic” says Graham. “It also seems to touch a chord with the audience and brings home how short and precious life is and how it is important to celebrate both life and our treasured memories”. October 2016 marks the 3rd Anniversary of this tragic event and ‘I MISS YOU MOST ON SUNDAYS’ is released in Graham’s partner’s memory. The song’s haunting melody and reflection on traumatic loss underscore the feeling of comfort from holding onto memories of happier times.

Graham J. is fast gaining an international reputation with sell out performances in Ireland, the UK and Europe. His debut album “Wild Is…” has been critically acclaimed for its individual style. Following the UK release of ‘Into My Arms’ he was contacted by BBC DJ Justine Greene to say that ‘Into my Arms’ was chosen for the BBC Sunday Selection Show. It received airplay on Alex Lester’s BBC Radio 2 show, ‘Into My Arms’ was play-listed by CHBN Radio in the UK, remaining in the Top 5 Listeners Poll for several weeks. It has also been play-listed and receiving airplay on Shoreditch Radio, London and KMIX Radio in Los Angeles, Radio Oxford, BBC Radio Ulster among others. The BBC filmed 5 of Graham’s songs as part of his live in studio performances on Sunday Breakfast with Justine Green for BBC Coventry and Warwickshire. The performance was filmed for BBC Music site and streamed through BBC iPlayer, receiving over six thousand views within the first two days.

Graham J. is a unique and powerful singer. On his debut album ‘Wild Is… Graham explores elements of jazz, blues, classical and alternative contemporary. The avant-garde, almost vaudevillian, presentation underlies themes of evolution and transformation which define the work. Graham has been hailed as the vanguard of ‘Cabaret Noir’, an emerging genre of music blending influences from others and known for its dark subjects and emotional impact.

Catch the very special talent that is Graham J. live @ The Sugar Club on Wednesday, 12th October 2016 and Tuesday, 15th November 2016.

Graham J.’s debut album ‘WILD IS…’ is available on all digital formats

His Single “I MISS YOU MOST ON SUNDAYS” is released on Friday, 28th October 2016
You can follow Graham J on Facebook and Twitter

Garageland Announces New Radio Show On RTE 2XM

Written by Breffni Banks on . Posted in Featured Articles, News.

In a year that has seen a massive resurgence of the long running Garage Gigs, this latest series of shows is set to play host to over 50 acts in two of Dublin’s prime venues, The Grand Social and The Workman’s Club, whilst plans are already underway for a massive spring series, which will reach out across the country and culminate in a major event in 2017.

2XM, the digital branch of RTE has also confirmed that “Garageland on 2XM with Dermot Lambert” will begin broadcasting live from Monday 26th September. This show will feature music from bands and artists from The Garage Gigs 16 year history who have never had any radio exposure, as well as some of the Garageland luminaries such as The Script, Delorentos and Ham Sandwich (all of whom started life playing on The Garage Gigs).

Dermot will have guests in to co-host each show, and he has also promised to spill the beans on some of the adventures that happened during his time with legendary indie band Blink (fights in dressing rooms with Oasis, making friends with Blink 182, smashing guitars onstage with Moby – that kind of thing).
Bands and artists wishing to be included in the live shows, or indeed the radio show are invited to set up their own profile on the brand new Garageland website, where they can also book their own shows online in yet another unique initiative from Garageland.
www.garageland.ie

Live Dates
Thursday 13th October – The Grand Social
YaYa Vuze / Strata / Warped Minds / Lebowski
Doors 7.45pm – Admission €10

Sunday 16th October – The Workman’s Club
Runamo / Dry Roasted Peanuts / Killian O’Driscoll / Guests
Doors 7.45pm – Admission €10

Saturday 29th October – The Workman’s Club
(Scary Halloween Special)
Shag Haired Villains / Pills For My Nerves / Key / Peter Davis
Doors 7.45pm – Admission

Thursday 10th November – The Grand Social
Motion Control / Sin Verdad / Andrew Berry / Guests
Doors 7.45pm – Admission €10

Thursday 17th November – The Grand Social
Lineside Fire / Guests
Doors 7.45pm – Admission €10

Thursday 17th November – The Workman’s Club
Enemy Lines / Guests
Doors 7.45pm – Admission €10

Sunday 20th November – The Grand Social
The Clockworks / Guests
Doors 7.45pm – Admission €10

Thursday 24th November – The Workman’s Club
To Be Announced
Doors 7.45pm – Admission €10

Saturday 26th November – The Workman’s Club
YaYa Vuze / Sun.Set.Ships / Tanjier / Guests
Doors 7.45pm – Admission €10

Sunday 27th November – The Grand Social
TBA
Doors 7.45pm – Admission €10

Sunday 4th Decemeber – The Workman’s Club
All Ages Special Matinee Show
Apean / Weather Underground / The Steps / Yylem / Dissension Rising / Buckshot Amber / TBA
THIS IS AN ALCOHOL FREE EVENT
Doors 1.00pm – Admission €8

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