Author: Breffni Banks

Linda Buckley has just been announced as RTE lyric fm’s Composer-in-Residence 2011/12.  The Head of the Station, Aodán Ó Dubhghaill, has described her appointment as “an exciting initiative in the creation of new music for lyric. Linda’s compositional talent doesn’t so much span as ignore in a very informed way the boundaries between the live acoustic sound of an orchestra and electronics.”

Cork-born Linda Buckley will be RTÉ lyric fm’s second Composer-in-Residence in association with the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra from September 2011. During her tenure as Composer-in-Residence, Linda will write four new works of music for broadcast on lyric including a piece for the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra, a new Christmas carol and her own interpretation of the station’s jingle.

Linda will also mentor two young composers in the creation of works for the RTÉ Concert Orchestra, a project co-funded by the Irish Music Rights Organisation (IMRO). You might even meet Linda in your area as she will be visiting selected schools around the country to give composition workshops and don’t miss her broadcasts on lyric and online blog.

From the Old Head of Kinsale and currently based in Dublin, her music has been described as "strange and beautiful" (Boston Globe, July 2004), a "fascinating interaction between live sound and electronics" (Irish Times, Nov 2006), with “an exciting body of work that marks her out as a leading figure in the younger generation of Irish composers working in the medium” (Journal of Music, Sept 2008). She holds a Ph.D in Composition from Trinity College, where she also lectures.

To learn more about Linda, check out her video interview with Eamonn Lawlor at www.rte.ie/lyricfm/composer
 

NAVAN TOWN – SEPTEMBER 12TH – 18TH

After almost a decade of recording abstinence, touring the Irish Club scene  ,Irelands’ German-Italian born rock musician and producer, Rob Mancini is back on track with two singles, “Edge of a Broken Heart” and the follow up “Every Time You Cry” from his album “Rock’n’Roll Circus”, released on July 31st 2011.

Northern Ireland artists and companies are increasingly working internationally in a range of global territories. Showcasing events and international trade fairs such as SXSW and MIDEM are key gateways to working internationally and working with the international industry.

This event will be useful for any artist or band interested in showcasing at SXSW and MIDEM. It would also be valuable for: those looking towards other UK or international events; managers or management companies working with artists; labels; agents and the media.

Both MIDEM & SXSW include strong interactive and digital elements so the event will also be relevant for artists and companies working in these areas.

Monday 5th September
2.00 – 5.00pm
Black Box 18-22 Hill St
Cathedral Quarter
Belfast

Speakers include:
Una Johnston – UK & Ireland Representative, SXSW
Javier Lopez – UK Representative, Reed MIDEM
Phil Patterson – UKTI Music Specialist

Representatives of PPL and PRS will also attend the event.
The session will cover the major aspects of both events including SXSW Interactive, the application process, selection, planning & preparation, budgeting, the visa process, when to attend, advice on getting the most out of these events and selecting the best time to apply. The event will also provide one to one networking opportunities with all of the key speakers and organisations.

Admission is free but spaces are limited.

To request a reserved place at this event please send an email to info@nullffwdni.com with ‘International Music Events’ as the subject title.

This event is part of a series of UK wide events during September delivered by UKTI in partnership with AIM, BPI, PRS for Music, MPA & PPL.
 

Following the album Innocence Lost released in December 2009 there now comes Stockholm Sky as the first single from the new BURNS album also titled 'Stockholm Sky'. Online release date: 01 SEPTEMBER 2011.

Email: info@nullinacoustic.com
Website: http://www.inacoustic.com/
Music: http://www.inacoustic.com/blog/podcast/iama-podcast-october-2010.mp3
 

The 8th Annual IAMA (International Acoustic Music Awards) is currently accepting entries. IAMA promotes excellence in acoustic music performance and artistry. Acoustic artists in various genres can gain exciting radio and web exposure through this competition. Participating sponsors include D’Addario Strings, New Music Weekly, Loggins Promotion, AirplayAccess.com, Sonicbids.com, Reverbnation.com, Kari Estrin Management, SongU.com, Acoustic Cafe Radio Show and Sirius XM Satellite Radio. More sponsors will be announced shortly.

Unlike American Idol, IAMA is open to all independent artists and labels, there is no age limit and people from all countries can enter and best off all entrants do not have to stand in line for hours or days in order to audition. Entrants need to mail in an entry form along with a CD recording or enter online on IAMA’s website.

Win prizes in 8 different categories: Folk/Americana/Roots, AAA/Alternative, Instrumental, Open, Bluegrass/Country, Best Male Artist, Best Female Artist, Best Group/Duo. There will also be an Overall Grand Prize winner awarded to the top winner worth US$11,000, which includes radio promotion to over 250 radio stations in US and Canada. Therefore, winning songs will be heard on radio. Winners and runner-ups will also be featured on IAMA’s compilation CD.

Last year’s winner went to Canadian folk singer-songwriter David Francey who won the overall grand prize as well as the Best Folk Artist. David Francey is also a Juno awards winner (Grammy equivalent) and is a prolific singer-songwriter touring all over North America. 

Judging is based on excellence in music performance, songwriting/composition and originality. Winners are selected by a panel of established artists and industry professionals. Other past winners include: Liz Longley (2010 Winner), The Refugees (2009 Winner), UK singer-songwriter Charlie Dore (2008 winner). Charlie Dore is most famous in the United States for her 1980 pop single, “Pilot of the Airwaves,” which hit Top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 Charts and shot to international worldwide fame. Fertitta and McClintock (USA), Jen Foster USA), Mistin’ (Australia), David Francey (Juno award winner from Canada), April Verch (Canada) and Millish USA).

Winners and finalists of the Awards will be featured in the IAMA website and e-newsletters, read by music press, talent buyers, promoters and other industry insiders. All songs submitted must be submitted must be original and submitted online or via CD, the artist may also perform original material not yet released and written by other songwriters or composers. Cover songs are permitted. 

Early Entry Bonus: first 1,000 entrants entered by September 9, 2011 will each receive a free gift. Check out:
http://www.inacoustic.com

Well, it’s been a while coming but today This Club (formerly known as Hoarsebox) release the first single ‘I Won’t Worry’ from their debut album with Warner Music Ireland.
 
This vintage pop track has already been getting rave reviews from respected music blogs around the world (see below).
 

You can check out the track on the band’s new website www.thisclubmusic.com and if you like what you hear – it is now available to buy on iTunes below:
iTunes: I Won’t Worry: http://bit.ly/oxXKBp
 

All iTunes download sales gratefully accepted this week to help the song’s chart impact in Week 1!
 

Some Blog Reviews:
“Basically it's another summer staple for your headphones, complete with an epic breakdown that begins as a handclap-laden hook before being completed by a twisting bassline and shouting harmonies. This won't bring the people to the party, this will bring the party to the people”
Neon Gold Blog NYC
 

“I Won’t Worry’ is the kind of indie-pop song that deserves to be heard by lots and lots of people……. .with its cheery disposition, harmonies and bright instrumentation.”
Nialler9 Blog
 

“Get ready for your minds to be well and truly blown, folks. Yesterday a brand new track appeared…It’s exuberant, it’s lively and quite frankly absolutely genius. Titled ‘I Won’t Worry’, it comes from Dublin based four piece This Club and it’s quite literally the best thing since sliced bread, to coin the phrase.”
Clixie.co.uk

New Irish artist, Emmet O'Malley will release his debut album, 'Playtime', in Monroe's Backstage Bar on Friday 9th September 2011. The album will be released on CD and as a digital download from iTunes.

This eclectic range of music by Daniel James Ward includes Irish and American Country along with the odd nostalgic and up-lifting harmony.
 

Included in his album ‘Clicking Clocks & Cold Whiskey’, is the song ‘Smith &Wesson’ which held strong at the No.1 spot on the British And Irish Independent Chart for 7 weeks. And made it to No.2 on the Hotdisc Chart.
Each of his original songs draws on a personal experience or story he had been told or maybe even invented himself. His song ‘Croagh Patrick‘, when you listen, will let you feel each harrowing step he took on his Climb of the Irish Mountainin 2006. ‘Ship Made Of Dreams’ was written for a family friend who had passed away suddenly. Anyone who has lost someone special can relate very closely to this emotional and heartfelt song. Yet ‘The Whispering Man’ takes you on a different journey, with dark and aggressive undertones.
 

His obvious references to alcohol in many of his songs is a direct and open-hearted way of expressing, through deeply personal lyrics; the times he endured, people he met, those who touched him in many ways and those who were a true inspiration for him during his battle with alcohol.
 

Daniel’s home has and always will be in the quaint countryside neighbouring the Mountains of Mourne in County Down. However it was his time away from home that seemed to inspire the creative side in him. Daniel’s song writing began during the years he spent in America during the ‘noughties‘. His love of music was always present but his time spent overseas allowed him to finally express in words, the stories and lyrics, that had been buried inside him waiting for a creative outlet.
 

www.danieljamesward.co.uk

Lisa Hannigan's second album, Passenger, is set for release on 21st October in Ireland through PIAS.
 
Earlier this year, Lisa and her band together with producer Joe Henry (Elvis Costello, Ani DiFranco, Solomon Burke, Loudon Wainwright III) went to Bryn Derwyn studio in Wales and to record Passenger the follow up to Sea Sew in a week.
 
Lisa's debut Sea Sew which went double platinum, was nominated for the Choice Music Prize, the Mercury Prize and saw Lisa play bewitching guest spots on the likes of 'Later…With Jools Hollland', The Late Late Show, Other Voices, 'The Tonight Show with Jay Leno' and 'The Colbert Report.'
 
Passenger is out 21st October 2011.  Check out www.lisahannigan.ie for news of pre-orders coming soon.