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Author: Breffni Banks

The Deans Take 1st Place in International Song Competition Category

The Deans - Promo shotGalway-based band, The Deans, have achieved first place in the Rock category of international song competition, Unsigned Only 2013. Their song, “Lonely Like Me”, was selected from over 9,000 entries from 100 countries by a judging panel that included Chrissie Hynde, Cyndi Lauper and Black Francis.

Kildare band, Miracle Bell, also achieved second place in the “Pop / Top 40” category for their track “Love Sounds” while Northern Irish singer-songwriter, Ben Glover, was placed second in the “Folk / Singer-songwriter” category for “Melodies of Midnight”. Canadian country artist Wes Mack was the overall Grand Prize winner.

Unsigned Only is a unique music competition designed for solo artists, bands, and singers all over the world who are not signed to a major label record company or any of its affiliates, subsidiaries, or imprints. The goal of Unsigned Only is to find an outstanding, talented performer: a band, singer, or solo artist…a newcomer or veteran…raw or polished – the “gem” that needs to be discovered.

Since 2009 The Deans have toured extensively throughout Europe, playing venues and festivals throughout France, Spain, Switzerland, Germany, Belgium and Holland. After being sighted at the Guitare-En-Scene festival in France by the organisers of the Montreux Jazz Festival, the group were invited to perform at the 43rd anniversary of the world renowned music festival. 2011 saw the group’s first venture stateside to NYC’s lower east side, where they performed shows in The Studio at Webster Hall, Arlene’s Grocery and the prestigious Kenny’s castaways, to name but a few.

“Lonely Like Me” is now available for sale through iTunes. If you want to catch The Deans live before they head stateside once again in a few weeks, keep an eye on their Facebook page for news of upcoming gigs – https://www.facebook.com/thedeans.

http://www.unsignedonly.com

Debut Single from Miriam Watson in Aid of Enable Ireland

Miriam WatsonBalbriggan songwriter, Miriam Watson, has just released her debut single in aid of Enable Ireland. The single, “Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained”, also includes a b-side, “Now I’ve Learned”. All proceeds raised from the sale of the single will be donated to Enable Ireland, a charity which provides free services to children and adults with disabilities and their families throughout Ireland.

Miriam launched the single last week at Bewley’s Café Theatre. “Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained” is now available for download for 99c from iTunes, Bandcamp and Amazon.

To find out more about Miriam and her music, visit her Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Miriam-Watson-SingerSongwriter/199433420101503?fref=ts

Centre for Creative Practices to Host Artist as Entrepreneur Boot Camp

CfcpThe Centre for Creative Practices has invited the staff of the New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA) to Dublin, to present a complete “how-to” guide to being a professional and profitable working artist. The bootcamp will be held on 10th-14th of October and is aimed at those working in all art forms, be it visual art, music, film or photography to name just a few.

Topics covered will include Planning for Artists, Marketing and use of Social Media to promote one’s art career, Fundraising Strategies (Grants, Awards, Residencies, Fellowships, and Individual Donations/Sponsorships), International Artist Legal Issues (Copyright and Trademark), and other discipline-specific classes and consultations by NYFA staff
Participants will have forged a link with the New York and international arts market and will be encouraged and coached to pursue available international opportunities, and to create a bridges to expose US artists to the Dublin art scene. Selected participants will have also a chance to exhibit their work in the NYFA’s acclaimed Brooklyn space.

The discounted price for artists is €200. If you are interested in taking part send a CV and cover letter to: info@nullcfcp.ie

The deadline for applications has been extended to 13th September.

The centre will also host an information clinic on 27th September titled “Funding Opportunities for Ethnically Diverse Artists”. The event will run from 10am to 7pm and will include a mixture of presentations and clinics from a number of arts and funding organisations throughout the day.

Full details of both events are available at www.cfcp.ie

 

The Songwriter Club | Upcoming Meetings in Dublin & Galway

The Songwriter Club is back in Dublin on Saturday 21st September from 2pm – 5pm at The Teachers Club, 36 Parnell Square West, Dublin 1.

Special guest speakers will be Dave Conway (Gigonometry) plus Kev Kirwan and Naomi O’Shea (Timebomb Sessions).

On Sunday 29th September, the club will be visiting Galway for the first time. The meeting will take place from 3pm to 6pm at The Secret Garden, 4 William Street West, Galway and will be hosted by local singer/songwriter, Noreena Gill, along with Keith McLoughlin.

The Songwriter Club was set up by Keith McLoughlin and Sinead McNally and has been running in Dublin since October 2011. The idea behind the club is to bring songwriters together every couple of months to chat about songwriting, the music industry, share ideas, set up collaborating groups and have fun getting to know each other.

There are usually special guests at the meetings, sharing information from different areas of the music industry. All songwriters, whatever the genre, whatever the standard are welcome to attend. The organisers ask for a €2 donation per person towards the use of the venue.

Follow the group on Twitter @songwriterclub and Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Songwriter-Club/228119757249977

Villagers Announce Vicar Street Show

villagersVillagers will play Vicar Street on 17th December with tickets on sale now!

Villagers are set to release “Earthly Pleasure” as the next single from their critically acclaimed Number 1 album, {Awayland}. A compelling fantasy with ‘spiky lyrics, restless rhythms and a lovely melodic chorus’ (the Evening Standard), “Earthly Pleasure” will be available digitally on 23rd August. It follows on from previous singles “The Waves” and “Nothing Arrived”.  {Awayland} is the follow up to the debut Choice Music Prize nominated album Becoming A Jackal.

In March Villagers played two sold-out shows in Dublin’s Olympia Theatre. More recently they have toured in North America and played a standout show at Glastonbury Festival. Earlier this month Conor O’Brien was invited to appear at Beck’s Song Reader Live at The Barbican in London, alongside Jarvis, Franz Ferdinand, Charlotte Gainsbourg and others. Conor performed his own sensitive version of “Old Shanghai” which was hailed as a standout of the evening by The Independent and also performed a duet with Beck on closing song “Do We, We Do”.   Villagers have had a busy summer with appearances at T in the Park, Latitude, Longitude and Pukkelpop Festivals. They will also be appearing at Reading & Leeds this weekend.

Tues 17 Dec – Vicar St, Dublin

www.wearevillagers.com

Corrina Jaye to Play Whelans Ahead of Debut EP Release

Corrina_JayeDublin singer-songwriter, Corrina Jaye, has spent the past few weeks recording her debut EP. As she prepares for its release next month, Corrina will be performing some of her new tracks at Whelan’s this Friday, 30th August.

After releasing her debut single, “Dark Room”, last November, Corrina has gone on to support bands like Rooftop Anthem and The Shoos, and to play alongside artists such as Róisin O and The Young Folk.

Tickets for the show are €8 including booking fee. Support on the night comes from Myth, Frankenstein Bolts and Rachael McCormack. Doors open at 7:30pm.

http://www.whelanslive.com/index.php/corrina-jaye/

http://corrinajaye.com

New Single from Jemson Green | “Who Am I”

Dublin band, Jemson Green, have just released their latest single “Who Am I” in Ireland and the UK. The first track from their upcoming album, “Who Am I” is the first release by the band since April 2012.

Jemson Green (l-r) Conor Shaun Ronan Bambi Shane  Meghan O'Dowd 2013

It has been a momentous year for Jemson Green having already performed at Comic Relief Does Dublin (alongside Bipolar Empire, Walking on Cars, The Enemies, Keywest and Paddy Casey), a support performance for KERBDOG in Galway’s Roisin Dubh as well as their first UK appearances in London this April and June and a spot with MRU Live on 9th May.

You can check out the brand new video for “Who Am I” below.

http://www.jemsongreen.com/sound

New Video from Ghost Estates | “Winters Day”

Ghost Estates have just released a brand new video for their song “Winters Day”, taken from their debut album.

To coincide with this, the band have made the album, also called “Ghost Estates”, available for free download from their Bandcamp page – http://ghostestates.bandcamp.com/album/ghost-estates

Ghost Estates are currently working on their second album which they hope to release in 2014. You can catch them live next month when they play the Valentia Isle Festival in Kerry.

The video is directed by Ruairi Galavan, who has previously made videos for Lisa O’Neill, Mossy Nolan and Cry Monster Cry among others.

The Brady’s Sessions Returns to Terenure

The Brady's Sessions - Terenure, IrelandThis September sees the return of The Brady’s Sessions, a monthly singer/songwriter night taking place on the last Friday of the month. Since it was set up in June 2012 by Keith McLoughlin, musicians from around Dublin and throughout the country have taken part in the event hosted at Gub Dandy’s at Brady’s Pub, Terenure.

After a summer break the next event takes place on Friday 27th of September at 9pm till late with six acts booked in to play the night – Suzie Whelan, Ria Czerniak, Written in Sound, Denis Delaney, Emma O’Reilly and Al Keogh.

For more info visit The Brady’s Sessions on Facebook

 

The Factory Launch Advanced Songwriting Course

thefactorylogoThe Factory is excited to announce a new innovative course in Advanced Songwriting: Performance & Expression.

This intensive 6 day course is aimed at singer/songwriters looking to improve their songwriting and performance skills, culminating in a special showcase for Industry professionals.

Confirmed industry tutors & guests include: Glen Hansard (The Frames), Mark Greaney (JJ72), Colm Quearney (LiR), Steve Wall (The Stunning) and Shimmy Marcus (Soul Boy / Good Cake Bad Cake) with more to be announced shortly

Performers are both challenged and directed in new ways of understanding the art of songwriting from a more personal perspective that will eventually lead to, and compliment, a more interesting standard of performance technique.

Course topics include: Understanding Song Structure Learning by doing. Writing songs in groups using techniques provided by facilitators.

Musicality & Instrumentation and Refining Lyrics Show and tell: participants select a song from their repertoire and receive honest and critical feedback from peers and facilitators

Interpretation & Visualisation What makes for a great song performance? Deconstructing of great songs performed by iconic artists.

Arrangement As songwriters we learn from each other and this is an opportunity to work in two areas: as a musician being directed by a songwriter and as a songwriter directing musicians. Learning about and defining both of these rolls.

With so much music now being consumed on Youtube, especially as a primary source, course participants will also study the importance of additional topics such as:

Connecting with the Audience Setting the mood and tone of your performance.

Ownership Conquering fear of performance, interviews etc

Self Expression Finding your own true voice to express the meaning of your song.

Camera Technique Understanding how the camera can be your friend. Students will also get to watch back filmed performances in The Factory’s Cinema with feedback and critical analysis from the tutors.

Course dates: Week 1 September Tues 3rd – Wens 4th – Thurs 5th Week 2   Mon 9th – Tues 10th – Wens 11th  Showcase  Date TBC

Course fees are €600 each with only limited places available.

Applicants should apply with short paragraph on why they want to do the course along with a soundcloud link with an example of their work to:

Application deadline is: aug 23rd

www.thefactory.ie

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