Dublin-based band swords are set to play a headline performance in Whelan’s main venue on Friday July 5th, to launch their debut album “Lions & Gold”. It will be a significant step up for the band who have been working on the album for the past ten months.
Recording began last November in a cottage in remote Co Kilkenny with Karl Odlum on production duties, continuing with sessions in Dublin and most recently mastering in Abbey Road Studios.
The 11 track album has been pre empted by two single releases: “All The Boys” which became Phantom 105.2’s most played track and lifted the band into Dublin’s musical consciousness along with their Camden Crawl performance and an appearance on the TV show Other Voices. The second single, “Lions & Gold”, shows the bands depth & is a considered follow-up.
“Lions & Gold” the album will be available on iTunes, Google Play and Spotify from July 5th, and swords will have physical copies available for sale at the show in Whelan’s.
Check out swords’ latest video for “Lions & Gold”, with animation by David McSwiggan.
Singer songwriter Tony Floyd Kenna has got together with some other musician friends from Ireland and the USA to produce a benefit album in support of the 2013 Moore, Oklahoma, Tornado relief efforts. All profits will be directly donated to OpOK Relief.
“I look at that picture of the flattened street, and think this is all that remains of people’s homes, dreams, life’s work, life… Seeing and reading about it all a few days ago I felt it wasn’t enough just to empathise or sympathise, something more needed doing, but what could I do, half a world away ? … I write and play, have friends the world over who write and play… Couldn’t we do an album, even if it didn’t raise much money it would surely help raise and keep awareness alive ? maybe even lift spirits a little…….”
Contributors included Steve Bonino (New York), Alaina Blair (California), Billy Alexander (California), Jed McConkey (Northern Ireland), John David Scrader (New York), Hetty Bryce-Lane (Northern Ireland) and John Hohnstein (Colorado).
The tracklist for Tornado 13 is as follows:
1. The Hurt’ll Go Away – Steve Bonino, New York.
2. I Dream That Way – Alaina Blair, California.
3. I Can Only Dream – Jed McConkey, Northern Ireland.
4. Picture Show – John David Schrader, New York.
5. Calling Her Name – Hetty Bryce-Lane, Northern Ireland.
Louth-based singer songwriter, Maurice Byrne, has just released a new single, “Kinda Breathless”. Maurice has been writing songs for over ten years and is a member of West Coast Songwriters, a California-based songwriter collective. In the past he has written music for cinema and TV in the USA and has had music broadcast in Ireland, the UK, Denmark, Sweden, Switzerland and on Coast to Coast syndicated radio in the USA.
“Kinda Breathless” is Maurice’s first release since his five track EP, “A Few More Songs”, was released in 2012. In 2011, he released a CD called “Songs You Never Heard” which is now available on Spotify.
Irish band, The Enemies have released a track from their forthcoming album in aid of Down Syndrome Ireland. ‘Smile’ a catchy and upbeat summer tune is taken from The Enemies forthcoming debut album, ‘Sounds Big on the Radio’, and captures the essence of the work carried out by the charity, according to the band.
“We are delighted to be involved with Down Syndrome Ireland,” says Lead Guitarist Johnny Crean. “It’s a cause close to our hearts, and they carry out fantastic work throughout Ireland. We hope to stay involved with DSI for many years to come.”
All proceeds of the single ‘Smile’, backed by the Twitter campaign #SMILE4JUNE will be donated to Down Syndrome Ireland. The band have also been invited to perform the single live at Down Syndrome’s Ireland Garden Party on 30 June in Gardenworld, Kildquade, at the National Garden Exhibit Centre in Wicklow, in support of Down Syndrome Ireland & Laura Lynn Children’s Hospice.
Pat Clarke, CEO Down Syndrome Ireland said, we are thrilled to be associated with The Enemies and the beautiful record SMILE. We are very impressed with this young and very talented group and we are sure that their debut album will be a huge success. All money raised through the sale of SMILE is going to help with supporting services for our families all over Ireland. We are looking forward to seeing them live at our Garden Party in Gardenworld, please come early so you won’t be disappointed, it starts @ 11AM.
‘Smile’ is available to download on iTunes, CD Baby, and various other major digital sites, with limited CD copies available for purchase in Down Syndrome Ireland’s pop up store on 113 Grafton Street, Dublin 2.
Today marks Ireland’s National Music Day, a whole day and night of free live music events in villages, towns and cities across Ireland. Love:Live Music are calling on audiences young and old to get involved in the events taking place near you today.
In the run-up to National Music Day, we spoke to Sharon Rollston, CEO of Music Network, the organisation which co-ordinates the day’s events.
Sharon, could you give us a bit of background on National Music Day and how the idea came about?
Back in 2010, love:live music/National Music Day was initiated by Music Network as part of its national music development remit, with support from the Arts Council and the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. It aims to celebrate Ireland’s prolific music culture and the community spirit of music-making and it takes place on the 21st of June every year. Over the past 4 years the event has grown in size and profile as people’s ideas for it have become ever-more inventive, with events staged in all sorts of unusual spaces and places. It’s become a really vibrant, colourful highlight in Ireland’s cultural calendar. The date is also shared with celebrations in over 450 towns and cities globally, as the 21st of June is also International Music Day, a world-wide movement.
What has the reception for National Music Day been like to date from musicians, venues and the general public?
The response has been really positive. The event has grown year on year and last year around 45,000 people attended over 300 events involving more than 3,000 musicians in almost every county in Ireland. As well as arts venues, events have taken place in hospitals, schools and workplaces, in shops, cafés, parks and on the streets, with lots of participatory music-making involving people of all ages, as well as public performance events.
Why do you think it’s important for Ireland to have a day like this?
Music is something that many people living in Ireland have a talent for and this day is designed to celebrate that gift, whether as a performer or a music lover. The event is totally inclusive in that it’s open to anyone who wants to make music on the day, whatever their age, whether they’re amateur or professional and it covers any musical genre. Essentially it’s an opportunity to highlight the value of music in people’s lives, and the great work that goes on in communities and within groups and organisations across the country on a regular basis.
Do you think live music in Ireland is accessible enough to everyone who wants to enjoy it?
Music Network is about making live music happen around Ireland and access is central to what we do. Love:live music features only freely accessible events on this one day of the year so that everyone, no matter how limited their income, has the chance to experience and enjoy live music on the 21st of June.
What have been the most unusual or interesting events which have taken place as part of National Music Day over the years?
Last year events ranged from the boutique to the large scale – from White Collar Boy performing a live set on the Dublin-Waterford train, to Ennis’s outdoor concert featuring Lúnasa, the Kilfenora Céilí Band and Maura O’Connell, which attracted 2,200 people. In previous years two that spring to mind are the Irish Chamber Orchestra’s flash mob storming the shop windows of Brown Thomas in Limerick and the sight of harpers performing on Dublin’s Thomas Beckett Bridge which, of course, is better known as the harp bridge.
What are you most looking forward to about this year’s event?
One of the most exciting things about working on the event is the sense of spontaneity it creates – there’s always a great buzz on the day and inspiring things happening at every turn. Events to watch out for this year include a jazz street procession inspired by iconic 60s bandleader Sun Ra; some surprise performances by the National Chamber Choir in unexpected places; a choral gathering in Meeting House Square – everyone is very welcome and no choral experience is necessary – and there’s also the Ennis Tin Whistle World Record attempt being led by Lunasa’s Kevin Crawford to give you a flavour of just a few.
Sharon Rollston is the Chief Executive Officer of Music Network
You can find out more about the events taking place near you today at http://www.lovelivemusic.ie/ and follow Love:Live Music on Twitter at @lovelivemusicIE
Rory Fellowes began his working life writing fiction and songs but was distracted into the animation industry and spent the next thirty years or so working as an animator and animation director. In the mid-1980s Rory earned a reputation for fantastical stop-motion animation with his promos for such icons of pop as The Cure and Shania Twain and for his animation sequences in “Hellraiser 2: Hellbound” and “Clive Barker’s Nightbreed”. In the mid-1990s he re-trained in computer animation. Since then he has worked on TV series, commercials, and feature films, including “Harry Potter 2: The Chamber Of Secrets”, and cult hit “Free Jimmy”. Recently he has returned to writing. “Songs Of Love & Time” is his first solo album.
‘These songs are reflections on a life lived to the full, memories and commemorations of love given and love lost, and some that are just fun to play and sing. An evocative voice supported by great arrangements. Enjoy!’
Following their well-received debut EP “Paper Cutouts”, Red Sail are set to reveal their anticipated second release, “We Still Build Forts”.
Recorded by Tony Fitz in the characterful surrounds of Pickering Forest House, the EP also features renowned cellist Vyvienne Long.
Consisting of five new tracks, the band have worked to create a richer, more mature sound, using the simple building blocks of guitars, piano and layered vocals.
Think Crosby, Stills & Nash crossed with Feist and The National.
The official launch of “We Still Build Forts” will be celebrated on June 15th upstairs in Whelan’s.
Support on the night comes from Biggles Flys Again and Sive.
Tour Dates
EP launch, Whelan’s, Dublin – Saturday 15th June
Citóg, The Cellar, Galway – Wednesday 19th June
The Sky and the Ground, Wexford – Friday 21st June
Haus Am Walde, Bremen, Germany – Sat 29th & Sun 30th June
‘t Oude Pothuys, Utrecht, The Netherlands – Monday 1st July
‘My Only Disease’ and ‘ Who Am I ‘ are the first releases of 2013 by Dublin-based hard rockers Jemson Green.
Recording in Electra Studios, these are the first releases by the band since April 2012. Reflecting the newly found solidity of the band and début recordings with guitarist Conor Dempsey ‘My Only Disease’ and ‘Who Am I’ are as hard-hitting and intense songs as you will hear all year.
This release reaffirms Jemson Green as a strong contender in Irish unsigned music. They are back stronger and more powerful than ever before. With an upcoming album now highly anticipated by fans worldwide, these brand new tracks are just a taste of what’s to come.
‘The only time I felt devastated during this song was when I realised I hadn’t got long hair and could not headbang properly to its exhilarating, guitar squealing, riff rocking, symbol crashing brilliance…5/6’
– Music Review Unsigned
‘Our influences have come together to form a style of music each member is proud of and proud to be a part of.’
– Jemson Green
This year is set to be a journey of incredible momentum 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 appearance in London this April and a spot with MRU Live on May 9th, they are a force to be reckoned with.
With these two tracks from their upcoming album already fit for release, you can be sure that 2013 has much to offer for this dynamic Irish rock band. This first single will capture every sense and leave you crying for more.
Evolution, the brand new album from PictureHouse is out June 7th. Featuring the singles “Hello” and “Some Night She Will Be Mine” the album is the first new PictureHouse LP since “Madness Sadness Gladness” in 2002.
Recorded between Sweden and Dublin with long time collaborator Adam Kviman, the album enforces it’s Swedish roots with 5 songs cowritten by Lasse Anderson, writer of many euro hits including Emelia’s Big Big World and who is also the son of ABBA’s Stig Anderson.
Starting with the pop chimes of “Some Night She Will Be Mine” (currently being played on high rotation on Irish radio) and ending with the beautiful pipes and whistles of “Our Inner Voices” featuring Frankie Gavin of De Dennan, The album is an evolution from the bands past to the bands present.
Evolution and most notably “I am Lightning” finds the band and songwriter Dave Browne at his most positive citing that “there’s nowhere you can be that’s better than where you are now” a theme that strikes often throughout the record.
During recording, a track written 20 years ago with Graham Lyle (cowriter of Tina Turner’s “What’s Love Got To Do With It” and headhunted by the Beatles to write for the ill-fated Apple Corp project in the late 60’s) surfaced. “Papers in the Park” was the result and the final piece of the puzzle.
‘Evolution’ Album Launch-Vicar Street-Fri June 07th
Dublin band The Shoos, are creating a new video with graffiti artist Jeff McDowell and Videographer Michael Golden on the day of release of their brilliant new single ‘Battlescars’ – Friday 7th of June. Jeff will be filmed while painting his creation to make a time-lapse video for ‘That’s What She Does To Me’ from The Shoos current album ‘Panic Slowly’. The event will be taking place in The Showroom on Erne Street, just down the road from Holles Street Hospital from 5-8pm. Good way to start your Friday evening eh?
While Jeff and Michael are doing their thing there will be food and refreshments available for everyone who attends in the fabulous forms of El Porko Loco (Mexican) for all you burrito fans, for those of you who are on a health buzz The Shoos have got you covered with Nobó the dairy free ice cream made from Almond milk, and J.W. Sweetman Pub will be there to give out samples of their craft beers straight from their brewery. Not only will you be rubbing your belly with satisfaction there will also be music to your ears from Jon Jon (former 98FM), who will be DJing throughout the evening.
If that’s not enough to keep you entertained Splitter Van Ireland, Ireland’s only splitter van hire company, will be there demoing their splitter vans for tours.
The Shoos are planning some live dates, festivals and maybe a few emails over the coming months so keep your eyes peeled for when they’ll next be in a town near you!
Dublin-based band swords are set to play a headline performance in Whelan’s main venue on Friday July 5th, to launch their debut album “Lions & Gold”. It will be a significant step up for the band who have been working on the album for the past ten months.
