Author: Breffni Banks

For 2 years we isolated from each other. Many were anxious and alone. Throughout these lonesome days, music and songs were a salve and an inspiration.

During this time, Scullion recorded an uplifting and inspirational collection of songs for the head and heart and will take to the highway, collapse distance and bring us back together in the halls, front rooms, back rooms and bar rooms of Ireland.

Their compelling new album, ‘Time Has Made a Change in Me’, is out now, Friday 30^th September 2022, coinciding with their album launch tour across the country.

“…moving, star-studded return from Irish legends” 8/10 – Lucy O’Toole, Hot Press

“a beautifully pitched affair that simultaneously nods to their past and embraces their present…” – Lauren Murphy, Irish Times

Formed in the mid-1970’s, Scullion are revered and feted as one of Ireland’s most innovative, original and brilliant live bands. Headed by Philip King, Sonny Condell, and Robbie Overson, their new record emphasises the band’s musical curiosity and like all of the band records, it breaks new ground.

Hear guest performances from Crash Ensemble, Conor O’Brien (Villagers), and Gemma Doherty (Saint Sister) throughout these songs. James Joyce, Bob Dylan and Sufjan Stevens are also woven into the DNA of this record, with the inspirational music of Sonny beating at the heart of the thing.

The album was produced by Leon O’Neill and recorded by David Anthony Curley at The Clinic Dublin. Additional recording by Sonny Condell, Leon O’Neill, Conor O’Brien & Eugene Wogan.

Speaking of the album’s title track, ‘Time Has Made a Change in Me’, Sonny Condell says “I first came across this song on the radio, it was a version by Lucy Simpson and friends. According to some brief research the composer was Harkins Freye. It was probably first recorded in the 1920. Time defeats us all in the end, but this song makes that certainty seem somehow up-lifting.”

Inspired by the words of Walt Whitman, Scullion take to the open road this month with their new album. ‘Afoot and light-hearted I take to the open road, Healthy, free, the world before me, the long brown path before me leading wherever I choose.’

TOUR DATES:

Oct 8^th – Unitarian Church, Dublin

Oct 9^th – Dolan’s Warehouse, Limerick

Oct 15^th – Theatre Royal, Waterford

Oct 20^th – The Greyhound, Kilkee, Clare

Oct 22^nd – The Inkwell Theatre Tracton, Cork

Oct 29^th – Solstice Arts Centre, Meath

Oct 30^th – The Courthouse, Down

Nov 18^th – Siamsa Tíre, Kerry

Philip King of Scullion says “Songs shift, change shape and come alive in magical ways when shared live. The electricity generated is palpable and energising. To head out on the road with these songs this month, bring them to life and share them with audiences around the country is a real delight. Can’t wait.”

Scullion’s new album “Time Has Made a Change in Me” is out now, Friday 30^th September 2022.

Listen here: https://linktr.ee/scullionband

For 2022 live show dates and tickets visit:

https://www.scullion.com/tour

“I think we’re always afraid of writing the same song,” says HamsandwicH guitarist Darcy ahead of their highly anticipated return with Magnify on September 30th 2022. Their forthcoming fourth album, released via their Route 109a Recordings, heralds an exciting new chapter for the trio.

On Magnify, the band incorporated an array of fresh influences and electronic soundscapes whilst maintaining melodic motifs integral to their idiosyncratic style. Of their latest body of work, Niamh reflects, “We’re a band who have constantly evolved over the years and this is our biggest evolution yet.” Initial steps towards this evolution were made when the trio entered the studio in Autumn 2019. Immediately HamsandwicH embraced the concept of making music for themselves; unconcerned with commercial success. “We’re always happy to push ourselves and take risks because we have to keep it interesting. Since we didn’t put pressure on ourselves to write songs for the radio, we felt that we could really do whatever we wanted. ‘The Next Contender’, for example, has a few different movements within the arrangement. That was a really refreshing way to write music because it gave us a great sense of artistic release,” describes Darcy.

The writing and recording of Magnify encouraged new ways of working for the band, notably collaborating with producer Michael Heffernan (Dermot Kennedy, Ailbhe Reddy, Thumper) for the first time. Working with a different cast of collaborators, including Justin Gerrish (Vampire Weekend, The Strokes, Yeah Yeah Yeahs) as well as Emily Lazar and Chris Allgood (Beck, Haim) who mastered the record, also facilitated the band’s renewed perspective towards making music. Elaborating on their renewed artistic approach, Niamh says, “We realised during the making of Magnify that songwriting doesn’t need to be so rigid. It can be freer and that the sounds of the words you sing can be just as important to a song as the meaning behind them. It was about having fun with music and the process of it. It’s all about challenging yourself and keeping things fresh; not letting things get stale because it’s very easy to slip into a formula. That’s not something we can do, we’ve always sought to try new things. Music is so eclectic; there’s so much out there and we want to bring a similar variety into our own music and for people to connect with it.”

The application of this sentiment across their latest material has culminated in some of the band’s finest work. Writing remotely in different parts of the country (Dublin, Meath and Monaghan), swapping ideas over voice notes and recording between studios and Niamh’s kitchen over a staggered timeframe, the band’s adaptability is woven into the tapestry of Magnify’s essence. Their ease of moving from propulsive rhythms to introspective and sweet soundscapes is effortless and a testament to their remarkable musicianship and unwavering chemistry as a band. Opening with a bang, ‘Electro Wave’ hears HamsandwicH embrace an infectious 80s synth-pop arrangement, the sonic setting immediately re-contextualises Farrell and McNamee’s synonymous vocal pairing. “Do you still feel like your life’s a Saturday night?” McNamee poses throughout the track. Throughout their career, HamsandwicH have never cowered in the corner. On Magnify, they’re the life and soul of the party. Their enthusiasm is infectious. Playing with the timbre and tempo of the arrangements ultimately informed the enveloping world of the songs, as Podge reveals. “We got really inspired by the sound of the music. Tonally, ‘Fired Up’ is really intense and angry; it drew out a lot of the feelings that steered the lyrics and it came together quickly.” Impassioned performances and exhilarating instrumentation lay a solid foundation for HamsandwicH’s future, yet nostalgia and a celebration of important personal connections are crucial to Magnify’s essence. Nestled in ‘Good Friday’s’ luminous synth-laden arrangement is a recording of Derek Nally, their former manager who passed away in 2010. “‘Good Friday’ is a little bow that ties everything together on the record,” says Niamh. “A lot of the themes across the album recognise different connections between people who have been friends for a very long time and the dynamic that creates within a friendship who are all musicians. Including the snippet of Derek Nally in the middle of the song felt like we were making a kind of love note to that period in our life and paying tribute to how important he was to us, as well.” Those connections extend to friends and family lending additional backing vocals on single ‘Le Soleil’ and McNamee’s school friend, the artist Derik Smith, creating the remarkably eye-catching album artwork. Magnify is a testament to HamsandwicH’s spirited and assured artistic voice, of their penchant to be daring with their music.

Magnify is out September 30, 2022 with focus track ‘Julian’.

Vinyl Listening Party Dates

October 2 – The Red Church, Kells

Tour Dates

October 1 – Unitarian Church, Dublin (SOLD OUT)

October 2 – Workman’s Club, Dublin

October 31 – Puca Fest, Trim

November 5 – The Copper Tap, Omagh

November 12 – The Spirit Store, Dundalk

November 18 – Dolan’s, Limerick

November 19 – Monroe’s, Galway

November 25 – Sea Church, Ballycotton

November 26 – Set Theatre, Kilkenny

December1 – Cyprus Avenue, Cork

Connect with HamsandwicH

Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Recorded Live at Levis Corner House Ballydehob

Available online 7:00pm, Monday 10^th October 2022

Tickets €15 for online show

https://leviscornerhouse.com/product/secret-song-online-2/

SECRET SONG 22 is a one day music festival that will take place in Levis’ Corner House, Ballydehob, West Cork, on Sunday 2^nd October.

Over 17 acts will perform throughout the house on the day in a very unique and intimate setting that is Levis, a family pub and home.

Secret Song Festival is exactly as it is titled – a Secret. On the day, everyone moves from room to room, to the back garden, from the Parlour, to the ‘Outback’ without knowing who is playing. They’ve even had ‘a gig’ in a cupboard. The performers themselves do not know who else is playing until the day. They are given (at best) a time and a place to be. Every year audiences take a leap of faith, and purchase tickets for the day, without knowing the names of the performers. Every year it sells out.

As usual, it will be followed by ‘Junior Secret Song’ on Monday morning, 3^rd October, for the local schools in Ballydehob. Junior Secret Song is a ‘mini’ version of the festival, includes live performances from Secret Song Artists and open only to children.

Throughout the year Levis hosts over 100 live music events, with artists from all over the world. Unknown and known, all perform over The Shop Counter, Outback, On The Grassy Knoll.

Secret Song guests from previous years include: John Blek, Paddy Dennehy, Mick Flannery, Lisa Hannigan, Joan Shelley, Rozi Plain, Niamh Regan, Clare Sands, Lisa O’Neill, Saint Sister, Duke Special & many many more.

Joe O’Leary of Levis’ says “We are so proud to welcome all this talent through the door and grateful that people continue to come out, gather and enjoy. We know all our heads and hearts are the better for it.”

The Tickets for LIVE Secret Song sold out the evening they were made available to Levis Mailing List.

For those who were not lucky enough to bag a ticket,  Levis’ will have a film crew recording all the performances to the very highest standards.

“We would love to stream live but this has been too challenging in the past due to wild west internet, time constraints, artist & audience considerations etc”

So in addition, on the 10th October – 8 days after the Live event, Levis’ will broadcast ‘The Secret Song 2022 Show’ – behind the scenes footage, chat and performances from all the Artists.

Tickets for the online show are €15. On purchase you receive a link and the show will be made available on the 10th October to enjoy and watch as many times as you like!

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Live 🎶 At Levis 2022 has been supported by The Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media
Levis Corner House is a member of www.livevenuecollective.ie

Pink Rabbits – the project of songwriter Paul Walsh – releases his latest single ‘Fallen’ on September 30th. It’s the 4th single to be released from his forthcoming debut album.

The song was inspired after seeing a loved-up couple in a park. “I saw a couple in a park one day and they seemed so enthralled by each other that it stuck with me. There could have been riots taking place around them but they wouldn’t have known… they were in their own little world! I thought of them while writing this song and I think it conveys the feelings they have for one another” said Paul Walsh.

Paul – also known from his time as a popular Sports broadcaster on Virgin Media TV – quit his role during the summer and joined RTE as a freelance sub-editor on live sporting events. Walsh says the move had a knock-on effect regarding the planned release date for his album: “The summer was busy, not only due to the change of jobs but also the work schedule. This was why I made the decision to delay the release of my album until early next year. The delay worked out well, as it allowed me to finish another couple of songs and I love how they sound. Trying to fit them onto the album is another issue, but I guess it’s a good problem to have!”

Connect with Pink Rabbits

Bandcamp | Instagram | Twitter

On Friday September 30th, Sean ‘Doctor’ Millar releases ‘Communion Money’, the second single from his broadly acclaimed album ‘Ruining Everything’ and the follow up to the recent ‘Look What She Threw Away’.

Talking about the track, Sean says “I originally wrote it on the Sheeps Head Peninsula in West Cork, but Communion Money is about being a sibling, and that deep innate love. It’s based on an actual dream I had twenty years ago.”

“In it myself and my brother and my sisters were all floating out in Dublin bay, just drifting with no oars, off the coast. We were all just sitting, silent and happy, with that kind of peaceful happiness that sometimes descended on the house when we were young.”

“The title comes from my memory when I was 7 of making the princely sum of ten pounds on my holy communion, a fortune back then for a kid. We all went into town and spent it and bought things and had burgers and milkshakes, opulence beyond the dreams of avarice! Such a great memory.”

“Being cut off from my mother, who is in her nineties, and my family during lockdown was extremely stressful. I kept thinking that they were all just a few miles down the coast. Recording the song, became my way of being with them all again.”

Sean Millar Tour Dates…

October 6th – Whelan’s, Dublin (with Brian Hogan, Jayne Pomplas, and Miriam Ingram) – TICKETS

October 13th – Spirit Store, Dundalk (with Brian Hogan) – TICKETS

October 28th – Droichead Arts Centre, Drogheda (with Nick Kelly, as DOGS) – TICKETS

‘Ruining Everything’ is out now on Gentlemen Recordings – Buy It HERE

Patrick stefan is an Irish-Dutch singer and wayfarer; born in Co. Clare now based in Dublin, he’s travelled & lived in different corners of the world from Scandinavia, Brazil to Africa. Inspiration for his songs come from a colourful background of experience: learning tribal songs in Mali, jazz guitar in Boston, folk singing in Helsinki and drumming in north Brazil. His songs have been compared in sound to Paul Simon, Jose Gonzalez, Sufjan Stevens, Nick Drake, James Blake, Milton Nascimento and Peter Broderick.

Patrick Stefan shared his debut album, ‘Wayfore’ on 23^rd September 2022, today he shares a new lead track from the album, and accompanying video, directed by Patrick, and produced by Dovile Krasnickaite, DOP Philip Kidd/Idiosync Films.

Speaking of the song ‘I Can’t Make You Love Me’, Patrick says:

“I grew up listening to George Michael singing this song on the radio. As a child I was introverted & melancholic and this is the earliest I can remember a song’s lyrics completely disarming me. I was far too shy to show anyone that I loved the song as I had no reference for romance or heartbreak aged 12 – but still always wanted to cover it.

Thereafter I wrote songs throughout my teens never showing anyone, so it feels right to channel that confused teenage angst through one of the most-covered pop songs into what has become the lead single for my debut album.

Turns out that almost everyone has felt the message of this song mean something in their own lives. I put my own stamp on it, making it faster and singing mostly in falsetto voice resulting in a kind of fragile, bouncy angst ballad.”

‘Wayfare’ the debut album from Patrick stefan is out now.

Stream/Buy: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/patrickstefan/wayfare

Hot on the heels of last year’s Radio Days album, which yielded nine singles and many thousands  of radio plays, Tommy Keyes is releasing  the superb Storytime – another collection which, in the words of Jackie Hayden of Hot Press “confirms Tommy as a thoughtful and inventive composer with a finely-tuned musical instinct for what a song needs”.

The album includes the hit single Suzi Quatro (Teenage Discos ’73) which topped the Irish download charts in July and earned Tommy the endorsement of the legendary Ms Quatro herself.   The title track Storytime, which is released simultaneously with the album, is a very special song which will bring a warm glow to anyone, parent or grandparent, who has ever grappled with the task of getting a hyperactive toddler to sleep.  Built on a beautiful piano melody, with a plaintive string arrangement by Robert Molumby and sublime backing vocals by Ellen O’Mahony, the song finishes with a cameo appearance by the grandson who inspired it.

Tommy Keyes describes himself as a 1970’s singer-songwriter.  He returned to music in 2016 after an absence of 40 years and has subsequently built up a very strong reputation as a songwriter, performer and, latterly, radio presenter. Storytime is his 7^th album.

The album is available from 30 September in good record stores and on all download and streaming platforms.

After two years of writing, composing, recording, arranging, mastering, fine-tuning sleeve artwork and shooting videos, it’s here: WISDOM & GRAFT goes live on September 30, 2022.  

Like most musicians around the globe, Berlin-based Irish singer-songwriter Danny O Connor found himself at home with no live gigs to play in the foreseeable future with Murphy’s Law, his beloved and normally busy Irish Folk Band, in March 2020. Between making a living as a Graphic Designer and keeping then three year old daughter Roxy entertained, he took to the guitar and a notebook. 

Melodies and lyrics developed and were soon recorded with musical collaborator and friend Moe Jaksch at the latter’s studio. The pair experimented with arrangements, debated a lot, recorded, discarded and started over again. Eventually, twelve tracks were found worthy by the pair to see the light of day, and three of them, NORTHERN LIGHTS, THE WINNER and NEW LIFE were pre-released as singles and videos over the summer months in the run-up to the album release.

NORTHERN LIGHTS, an up-tempo gospel, soul and rock track, went live on June 6 and was picked up by several radio stations in Danny’s native Ireland, among them Highland Radio and Ocean FM, who added it to their “New Irish” playlist. The video was written and produced by the talented Florian Keller, who quickly went from being Just Another Drummer and the latest addition to Murphy’s Law to an invaluable artistic collaborator. NORTHERN LIGHTS was produced by Moe Jacksch and features gospel and soul legends Ingrid Arthur and Tracey Duncan on backing vocals. Both also live in Berlin. 

THE WINNER went live on August 5 and features the meanwhile five year old Roxy O’Connor, Danny’s daughter, who is definitely following in her Daddy’s footsteps. A dancer and singer who has already been on stage, she started taking fiddle lessons with band member Sara Wegen and will no doubt have Dad’s band supporting for HER one day. Until then, she enjoys making music with Danny and has learned from him how to turn unexpected life events into positives. That’s what this song is about.

NEW LIFE is about Danny’s relative Billy and his journey back to life from a debilitating chronic illness. It was released on September 2, 2022.

“This album has lived inside me since I’ve started making music”, says Danny. “It just took me all those years to find the right people to record, produce and eventually perform it with to get it out there. It is about making things happen, never giving up and making dreams come true even and particularly during  challenging times. Today, I am happy to be able to do what I love and thankful for my family’s support, as well as for the friends and fans who helped with their inspiration, input and, eventually, when we finalised it amidst lockdown, a crowdfunding campaign. That happiness and sense of “having arrived where you belong” is reflected throughout the album, whether you’re listening to one of the upbeat dance songs or one of the quiet ballads I sing Roxy to sleep with.”

WISDOM & GRAFT is available from September 30 on Spotify, Apple Music and on Amazon Music. A “sneak pre-listen” performance on September 4 during Berlin’s legendary Konzertsommer will be followed by the official record release party at Kulturhaus Karlshorst on November 19, 2022.

Follow Danny on Facebook or Instagram for release dates, tour info and radio performances. 

ARTIST BIOGRAPHY

Danny O Connor was born and raised in the musical Northwest of Ireland. Growing up in Ballyshannon, Co. Donegal, early influences were his brothers and the traditional and folk musicians staying at his parental home during the annual Ballyshannon Folk & Traditional Music Festival. 

By the age of 12, he was already fronting a band and making an impact on local audiences with cover songs and last not least his remarkable talent for engaging and entertaining audiences, which remains one of his trademarks until today and has endeared him to audiences across Europe and the United States.

His college years saw him perform solo and with rock band Inuendo, with whom he toured the Netherlands, Ireland, and Germany. Settling down in Berlin after his graduation and a brief interlude as a graphic designer in Dublin, he founded Murphy’s Law, today Berlin’s most popular live band, and released his solo debut BLACK SHEEP in 2016. It anticipates some of the various musical styles Danny explores on its follower WISDOM & GRAFT, transcending his folk roots, but always remaining true to his musical heritage.

WISDOM & GRAFT is the result of Danny’s growth as an artist and Dad over the years since the release of his debut, of establishing a trusted circle of musical friends and collaborators, a long lockdown and the support of his committed fan base who helped fund the production.

Coming just before his highly anticipated Ireland Music Week appearance and fresh off a very exciting festival season, Irish singer/songwriter and producer F3miii releases his latest single ‘in my head’. This record is an Indie/Alternative Rock jam that will definitely have your head bopping!

Produced by the musical powerhouse himself, ‘in my head’ can be described quite literally as a look into F3miii’s head. In the record the artist illustrates the ongoing “wars and battles” that happen in his head on a daily basis. The majority of the song is written in the second person which helps drive the main ideas of this song such as self-reflection and realignment.

Sonically, the track takes some inspiration from the musical legends the Gorillaz and Tame Impala.

This record also happens to be F3miii’s first release with his long time collaborator and good friend KhakiKid. A pioneer in the alternative Irish scene, Khakikid has also had an amazing summer performing at all the big festivals from Longitude to Trinity Ball and even Electric Picnic! On the track KhakiKid gives us some serious bars that really add that icing to the cake.

Connect with F3miii

Spotify | Instagram | Twitter | TikTok