As former frontman of The Laundry Shop, Robinson paid his Rock n’ Roll dues playing “a ton of sweaty gigs in every shit-hole imaginable”. Despite huge critical acclaim and a growing following, Robinson struggled to keep a steady line up together and ultimately decided to go solo.
Cork based Alternative Rock outfit Paradox return with their fourth official full length studio album to date which has been taking shape for over a year at Wavefield Recording Studios in Bantry, West Cork.
When Certified Ableton Live Trainer Martin Clancy was asked to create something special for the iDig Music Festival in April, he decided to put a spin on his popular ‘Ableton Push Playground’. The ‘Ableton Push Gaming Composition Workshop’ is gearing up to be one of the highlights of the Festival.
The Martin Clancy “Ableton Push Gaming Composition Workshop” is a drop-in music lab where you can try Push and Ableton Live for yourself and get expert advice and guidance from artists and trainers while composing your own unique gaming soundtrack. Martin and the trainers have some real treats in store for festival attendees. No musical experience is needed as Martin says ‘All you need is imagination.’ Clancy is keeping his cards close to his chest on this one, and hasn’t yet revealed what iconic gaming footage and soundtrack he will be using.
Ableton Live is an innovative music software that focuses on improvisation and live performance alongside time honored recording techniques. Ableton Practitioners include Deadmau5, Daft Punk, M83, Hot Chip, Nine Inch Nails. Martin’s unique evening classes in Ableton Live provide a creative outlet for DJs, Sound Designers, Songwriters, and producers of all genres. Students reflect the new demographic of Dublin coming from Russia, Brazil, South Korea and as far away as Waterford.
Martin’s Ableton Push Playground was picked as one of Nialler9’s Top Ten things to do at Culture Night 2014. It has been featured in the Irish Times, RTE Radio and Arena. The Ableton Push Playground showcased the Meltdown Festival 2014.
The iDigMusic Festival is the first Gaming Community music event held in Ireland and has partners such as Google, Microsoft and ConCast. Martin will be in the illustrious company of a number of Grammy and BAFTA Nominated composers such as Christopher Tin (Civilization) , Russell Bower (World of Warcraft Composer and Head of Music – Blizzard) and Ireland’s own Eimear Noone (Zelda) along with the composers of the Angry Birds Soundtrack and Jill Aversa (HALO, God of War). The festival takes place in the Convention Centre, Dublin from 4th to 6th April. Full details, including ticket info, here: http://idigmusicfest.com/
IMRO members can avail of a discounted admission price for the festival. Contact membership@nullimro.ie for full details.
The Clancy Brothers Songwriting Competition 2015 is now open for entries. With free entry and a prize fund in excess of €1,500, this is an open competition for new, original songs.
Following a successful first year, competition organisers are looking forward to hearing a wide range of music from across Ireland.
The competition is open to all musical genres and styles, and to all ages and nationalities. As long as it is a song, it is eligible for entry. Entries are accepted on CD or by email in MP3 format, so it couldn’t be easier to enter.
This is a songwriting competition with the songwriter in mind. Songs will be judged based on melody, composition, originality and lyrics. The quality of performance and production will not be considered.
The three finalists will perform their song at a concert on Sunday May 31st in the Nano Nagle Chapel, Carrick on Suir, during the Clancy Brothers Festival of Music and Art 2015 as part of a fifteen minute set. The winner will be announced at the end of the concert.
With cash prizes of €500 for the winner and €200 for each of the runners up sponsored by the Clancy Brothers Festival of Music and Art and IMRO, no one will leave empty handed. The winner also receives a voucher for CD duplication from Duplication Ireland and all three will gain premium services from InMusik.co.
With further support from IMRO (Irish Music Rights Organisation), Music Matters and the Clancy Brothers Festival, this songwriting competition is set to grow.
Last Year’s Winners
Lisa Loughrey’s winning song, ‘Lost with all Hands’ is the title track on The Mariannes’ new EP. The Mariannes are launching their CD in Whelan’s, Dublin, on Thursday April 9th. And runner up Robb Murphy’s song, ‘Mysteries of the Heart’, features on his new album, ‘Sleep Tonight’, due out in March.
Entries
Email entries:
cbsongwritingcompetition@nullgmail.com
Postal entries:
Clancy Brothers Songwriting Competition
C/O The Tudor Artisan Hub
42 Main Street
Carrick-on-Suir
Co. Tipperary
Ireland.
Closing date: April 29th, 2015.
Finalists will be notified by May 13th, 2015.
Please read the full rules before entering.
For full rules and information go to www.clancybrothersfestival.org or find us on Facebook and Twitter.
Lace Weeper have just released their debut album, “As the Crow Flies” via French record label, M&O Music. Featuring ex-Nirvana drummer Chad Channing, and recorded at Silverline Studios in Wicklow, “As The Crow Flies” showcases heavy guitar-based grooves, quirky acoustic melodies and soaring vocal lines.
Lace Weeper are a rock band from Wicklow, Ireland. They counter driving hard rock rhythms with mellow acoustics, and a keen sense of
melody. The idea for the project was started by guitarist Matt Hayward and vocalist Sebastian Florek. Bassist Os Andres and drummer Kevin Liffey were later added to the lineup, two like-minded musicians who added the final necessary dynamics.
The band’s previous EP releases, Self-Titled, One Man Jury and Tusk, helped them to establish a strong international following. They have spent the last few years touring throughout Ireland while building a strong fanbase in the US.
“As The Crow Flies” will be launched in Whelans, Dublin this Friday.
For more see www.laceweeper.com or follow Lace Weeper on Facebook and Twitter.
Acton Bell is the new musical face of singer, songwriter and former drummer Dez Foley.
One time member of well-regarded indie-pop upstarts Crumb (with the late Derrick Dalton) and Irish Indie stalwarts, The Sewing Room; Foley has climbed out from behind the drum kit to have a bash at recording his debut solo album, “You Don’t Know What Love Is”.
“Different” is the first song to be revealed from The Academic‘s forthcoming debut EP.
The band consist of Craig Fitzgerald (lead vocals/guitar,) Dean Gavin (Drums) and brothers Stephen (Bass) and Matt Murtagh (Lead guitar). Coming from the outskirts of Mullingar, Co.Wesmeath, the band have been friends since school and played under different guises and monikers throughout their teens.
The Academic officially came into being at the end of 2013. From playing battle of the bands competition’s in their home town to within 12 months, playing festivals such as Electric Picnic, Longitude, Benicassim in Spain, Indiependence, Other Voices, opening for bands such as The Pixies, Little Green Cars and Kodaline and finishing off the tail end of last year with a national tour with Delorentos, it has been nothing short of a whirlwind for the 4 piece. It is all the more impressive considering the band have not released any music up until now.
“Different” is the first track from The Academic’s forthcoming debut EP which will be out on April 24th. With a number of festivals this summer in the Ireland and the UK already confirmed and with more to be announced, expect to see a lot more of this young indie/rock band over the coming few months.
Check them out on Facebook, Twitter and Soundcloud.
For anyone who enjoys music and great songs, Songwriters in the Round is an absolute treat. This month in the stunning Archer Room at Hole in the Wall – Sean Millar (AKA Doctor Miller), Eamonn O’Connor (Lucky Bones), and Ed Romanoff will play in the captivating ‘in the round’ format, taking turns to play from a special selection of their work, to share stories of songwriting and the origin of their songs.
It doesn’t happen very often, but every now and again an emerging band are given a big break.
White Chalk were contacted last October by Rea Garvey who is originally from Tralee but moved to Germany over 20 years ago to pursue his musical career. Rea is now a very big star in Germany and invited White Chalk to be the main support on his arena tour of Germany, Switzerland and Austria.
‘Foireann Bhrí’, led by well-known songwriter Brighdin Carr, were a hugely popular choice with their song ‘Árainn Mhór’ at the Pan Celtic National Song Contest held in Carlow on Saturday night. The song was composed by Brighdin and delivered by singer Jason Ó Frighil supported by ‘Foireann Bhrí’ including a host of musicians and singers.
The song contest was sponsored by IMRO and Brighdin was presented with a cheque for €1,000 by Keith Johnson, Director of Marketing & Membership at IMRO. ‘Árainn Mhór’ will go forward to represent Ireland at the Pan Celtic International Song Contest in Derry on Thursday, 9th April.
For more, see www.panceltic.ie
