Irish rock trio Kopek have received an amazing review from gamer site, Next Gen Tactics. The band has been making a huge impression on US audiences recently during a busy touring schedule in the states.
Next Gen Tactics are huge Kopek fans and have personally reached out and requested to use Kopek’s various songs on their sites, sites which have 500,000 subscribers and 600,000 views a day across their network. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jakr1CP4nnA
After creating waves across Europe, in 2005 Kopek won the title of Best Live Act at the Global Battle of the Bands (www.gbob.com), earning them $100,000 and a world tour. In 2009 Dublin based record company Religion Music entered the picture and signed the band to a large multi-album deal. With guidance, help and production from Glenn Herlihy and mastermind mixer Tom Lord-Alge, their debut album, “White Collar Lies” was born.
The latest single from “White Collar Lies”, “Love is Dead”, has just been released in the US.
CISAC, International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers, has announced the appointment of Mr. Olivier Hinnewinkel as its new Director General. With 229 members – authors’ societies from 121 countries, including IMRO – CISAC is an international NGO representing about 3 million creators and publishers of artistic works in all genres including music, drama, literature, audio-visual and the visual arts.
Mr. Hinnewinkel was appointed by the CISAC Board of Directors following the 3rd successful edition of its Worldwide Copyright Summit held in Brussels this week. Born in 1964 and a graduate of the IMD business school in Lausanne, Mr. Hinnewinkel brings extensive experience in international management. For the past five years prior to joining CISAC, Olivier Hinnewinkel was CEO and Managing Director of Eurovision Asia-Pacific. Eurovision is the premier distributor of sports and news content for the world's top broadcast and media platforms. In his various positions with Eurovision Mr. Hinnewinkel has worked on three continents: US, Europe and Asia. He originally joined the organisation in 1996, holding positions of Director of Marketing, Head of Corporate Management and Head of Eurovision Americas.
Kenth Muldin, Chairman of CISAC’s Board of Directors, said, “I'm very pleased to welcome Olivier Hinnewinkel as the Confederation’s new Director General. He has the international experience and personal skills to lead CISAC into the future. The Board is looking forward to working with Olivier on the future strategy for collective management and copyright issues relevant for all CISAC’s members.”
Chaired by Robin Gibb, singer and songwriter of the Bee Gees, and visual artist Hervé Di Rosa, CISAC aims to increase both the recognition and protection of creators’ rights worldwide. In a globalised and digital world, CISAC’s main missions are to reinforce the international network of authors’ societies, to be the spokesperson for creators and their societies in all international debates and to reassert authors’ inalienable right to live by their creative work.
The countdown to Movement of Sound's Irish Tour begins. With just over one week until the premiere of this music and dance program hits Cork's MidSummer Festival in Triskel, Christchurch on the 14th of June. From there it head's to Belltable Limerick for an evening show on the 15th, followed by the final date on the 19th in Backloft, Dublin.
Movement of sound seeks to combine movement and sound in a way that will speak across a number of artistic platforms, attracting fresh and untried audiences and creating new and more complete experiences of movement, sound, movement through sound and sound through movement.
This project will involve 4 artists: Karen Power (composer / live electronics), Mary Nunan (dancer and choreographer), Deirdre O’Leary (clarinet/ bass clarinet) and Kate Ellis (cello).
This project aims at a true collaborative approach to music and dance, right down to the choice of touring venues being mutual arts spaces rather than specific to dance or music performances. once upon a space, the result of an intensive collaboration between renowned dancer Mary Nunan, composer Karen Power, and two of Ireland’s foremost musicians, Kate Ellis and Deirdre O' Leary. A conversation between dance/movement, space and sound, it headlines a choreographed program of Irish Premieres that explore sound in movement and movement of sound.
Movement of sound combines a new collaborative work by Power/Nunan with exciting Irish premiers by international composers; Saariaho, Tiensuu and Hyla.
Ian Doyle aka The Man Whom is proud to announce the release of his debut album ‘The Greatest Event’ out June 03rd 2011. Described by critics as “A magical indie-baroque blend of Villagers and Neil Young” Doyle’s music is superbly crafted, and at times beautifully heartfelt.
The opportunity to spend a considerable amount of time crafting and developing his debut album serendipitously came about due to the current economic situation and by extension, the activities of the Irish bankers, developers and some politicians. From here, Doyle set the task of recording his songs and attaining the one thing that had eluded him for many years, despite his best intentions; his first studio album. Enlisting the skills of musicians and friends, Brian Hassett (bass), Christian Best (drums), and recording engineer Donal Byrne, Doyle and his band retreated to the seclusion of a house in Kilrane Village and worked intensely to record the majority of the album.
Further contributions to Doyle’s album include polished string arrangements written by composer Peter Fahey and performed by the Mamisa Quartet, as well as local guitarist Clive Barnes who played peddle steel for the track Over and Under.
For the finishing touches, Doyle spent two weeks in Exchequer Studios, Dublin with producer Brian Crosby and mixing engineer Phil Hayes who shaped and honed the original recordings.
The result is an album which is the sum of its parts, held together by a shoestring and interwoven with the goodwill of creative, talented (albeit jobless!) friends.
Tour Dates:
11th June 2011 – St Iberius Church – Wexford
26th June 2011 – Wexford Arts Centre – Wexford
14th July 2011 – Whelans – Dublin
‘The Greatest Event’ is available now from Itunes and all good Online stores and through www.themanwhom.com, the new single 'Over & Under' is available from July 08th 2011.
Trócaire to Hold ‘Thank You’ Gig for Supporters of Lenten Campaign
A leading city-centre music venue will be transformed into a hub of Central American-themed music, food and activities for a special gig being organised by the development NGO Trócaire in the coming weeks.
The ‘Thanks, from Trócaire’ gig will take place at the Grand Social on Liffey Street in Dublin on Thursday, 23rd June, from 7pm until 1am. The event is being organised to thank people who supported Trócaire’s Lenten campaign earlier this year and to raise awareness of the organisation’s work in the Central American country of Honduras and other regions.
Alternative / electronic quartet C O D E S will headline the gig, where they will be joined by blues-rockers The Hot Sprockets and rising Irish five-piece Storyfold. Tig Linn – a collective with members from Kíla, Discovery Gospel Choir and the Afro-Irish music group De Jimbé – will open the gig, while acoustic performances by a variety of acts will take place throughout the venue over the course of the night.
2FM’s Ruth Scott will be the special guest MC for the event, and the gig will close with a DJ set by internationally acclaimed DJ iZem.
To add a Central American flavour to proceedings, Latino guitarists will be on hand; cocktails inspired by the region will be available; and Honduran-inspired snacks will be cooked to order in an outdoor beer garden. Film footage, games and crafts from Central America will also be on show, and guests will be invited to join in activities such as learning a Latin American dance step.
In 2011, Trócaire’s annual Lenten campaign highlighted the plight of people in Honduras, where human rights abuses are an everyday occurrence. As part of the campaign, Trócaire focused on the story of a five-year-old girl called Digna. Last January, Digna and her family were held at gunpoint by armed security forces, who attempted to remove them from their land.
During Lent, Trócaire encouraged members of the Irish public to send a letter to the Honduran President, asking him to keep Digna and her family safe and to bring to justice those in her community who are abusing their power. A total of 8,420 people responded to this campaign and sent letters to President Porfirio Lobo Sosa.
Over the coming weeks, a number of free tickets for the ‘Thanks, from Trócaire’ gig will be available to people who participated in Trócaire’s Lenten campaign. The gig is also open to members of the public who were not involved in the campaign: tickets – costing only €5 – are available now from www.eventelephant.com/thanksfromtrocaire and will also be on sale on the door on the night, on a ‘first come, first served’ basis.
At today’s launch, popular broadcaster Ruth Scott urged people to check out ‘Thanks, from Trócaire’ for an alternative entertainment experience.
“I’m delighted to be involved in this event, as I’m a long-time supporter of Trócaire,” she said. “The line-up that has been put together is amazing, with some of Ireland’s most exciting contemporary acts performing.
“But what’s really great about this event is that, in addition to hearing great music performed like at a regular gig, punters will also get to enjoy a little bit of Central America, right here in city-centre Dublin.
“I can’t wait to check out the delicious Honduran food that’s going to be on offer and to find out more about customs and traditions in the Central American region. I know there’s going to be arts and crafts on display on the night, Latino music, Central American inspired cocktails and even piñatas and other games, so I’m really looking forward to a fun evening that’s a little bit different to the normal gig experience.”
Further information about Trócaire’s 2011 Lenten campaign is at: www.trocaire.org/lent.
Following a successful start to 2011 – releasing their debut single/video State Of Affairs, touring Ireland, some great reviews, national airplay and Hot Press magazine labeling them ‘Hot for 2011’, Limerick band Protobaby won this year’s Rock to Bialystok competition.
The prize was an all expenses trip to Bialystok, Poland to play at Juwenalia 2011 Rock Festival on May 20th. The rock festival was attended by over 20,000 people and headliners were German rock stars Guano Apes.
Protobaby took to the stage after Guano Apes and played a high energy set in front of thousands of Polish rock fans. The gig was a huge success and the band have been inundated with requests to return with many fans citing their set as the best of the 3 days of Juwenalia Bialystok 2011. The band also managed to perform at the Odeon Jazz club in Bialystok and went down a storm. Plans are in motion to return to Poland in the near future.
Protobaby will be playing 2 more live dates in Ireland before hitting the studio to record their debut album with producer Owen Lewis. These will be the 10th June – Dolans Warehouse, Limerick and 9th July Crane Lane Theatre in Cork.
"Models" is the follow-up single to "Ants", "The Naturist" & "Oh-Oh" from the band’s critically acclaimed album White Fox. Featuring Niamh Farrell's subtle lead vocal contrasting with her previously brassy approach on "Ants", the band changes direction yet again in what has become a sonic rollercoaster gently driven home by Sarah Lynch's masterful violin work. Ham Sandwich have become one of the most consistent acts in the country in regards to producing a steady diet of pop-tinged melodic songs with a twist.
Gradually brushing off their ‘guitar-indie band’ tag, Ham Sandwich’s fan base continues to grow steadily as the band pushes the boundaries with their song writing, instrumentation, & arrangements. Now regarded as one of the best drawing live acts in Ireland, the band's live shows have consistantly garnered excellent reviews. With the album "White Fox" consistantly in the charts & their singles gaining regular radio play across the country, 2011 has now become the year of the Ham Sandwich!
White Fox is Produced by Karl Odlum & mastered in Abbey Road Studios by Peter Mew (David Bowie, Beatles, ELO, Bob Marley)
"There isn’t a duff tune here, which makes it that very rare thing: an album you can listen to all the way through without being tempted to press fastforward"
~ Tony Clayton-Lea THE IRISH TIMES (The Ticket – Review of "White Fox")
::: Upcoming Ham Sandwich Shows :::
June 4th – FORBIDDEN FRUIT FESTIVAL, IMMA, Dublin
June 5th – Leixlip Festival
June 10th – Douglas, East Village
June 11th – Helium Festival, Longford
June 17th – No Place like Dome, Sligo
June 19th – London Feis Festival, Finsbury Park, London UK
June 24th – Sea Sessions, Bundoran, Co. Donegal
June 25th – Ballybunion Co Kerry
July 16th – Gig for Derek Nally, Whelans, Dublin -Tribute Show for Ham Sandwich's late manager
July 17th – Prawn Festival, Clogherhead
July 23rd – Boyle Arts Festival
July 29th – Le Cheile Festival, Oldcastle co Meath
July 30th – Indiependence Festival, Mitchelstown Cork
July 31st – Rockstock Music Festival, Gorey, Wexford
More dates to be added! Check hamsandwichmusic.com for updates.
For Information / Interview requests / Promotional CDs:
Stevo Berube / Berube Communications info(at)berubecommunications.com or +353 (0)87 244 2695
*"One of the best live bands in the country" Hot Press*
*"Well constructed songs and a great live act" Metro*
*"These songs show why they are earning such a strong reputation as a live group" Drop-D magazine*
IN the blue corner with their Dukes up and ready to leave their mark all over 2011 are serious musical contenders *TKO*. Since forming two years ago the Dublin-based sextet have been punching well above their weight opening shows for heavyweights such as The Frames, The Wailers, The Waterboys, Martha Wainwright, Mercury Rev and Damien Dempsey. They have also made countless festival appearances including Temple House, Sea Sessions, Festivals of World Culture and Cork X Southwest, played numerous sell out shows at Whelan's in Dublin, secured a Top 40 Irish single, won the vote to play Castlepalooza by the readers of Hot Press, and reached the finals of the 'Our Thursdays' Guinness competition and performed at Arthur's Day 2010.
Having pummelled audiences across the country into submission over hundreds of gigs, TKO have built a well-deserved reputation for their uplifting live shows, blending rock, jazz, funk and folk into a deadly and euphoric assault. The Dublin outfit were even hailed by Irish music bible Hot Press as "one of the best live bands in the country".
TKO will now bob and weave their way across the nation to deliver the killer blow with their sure-footed *'Keystone EP'* featuring the infectious lead single *'The Busker', *released on March 18th. Prepare to be floored!
*For media enquiries contact Alan Jacques at Flagship PR.*
TKO Tour dates:
Sunday 5th June
West Fest,
Aghamore, Co. Mayo
Playing with Imelda May, Republic Of Loose, Damien Dempsey and more
Saturday 11th June
Temple House Festival,
Temple House, Co. Sligo
Playing with Ash, Lisa Hannigan, Stand and many more
Friday 17th June
Sandinos,
Water St, Co. Derry
Saturday 16th July
Seabreeze Festival,
Arklow, Co. Wicklow
Sunday 24th July
Buncrana Music Festival,
Buncrana, Co. Donegal
Playing with Toto, Shadowplay, Mark Black and more
Saturday 31st July
Waterford Music Festival,
Waterford Regional Sports Centre, Co. Waterford Also playing 50 Cent!
IN VALOUR is the product of a musical alliance between Cork songstress Valerie Hely and Sydney based electronica artist howard. They work from opposite ends of the globe to create their own unique sound, forged from a blend of cultures, styles, tastes and experience.
Their single ‘Into the Light’ is available as a free download on http://invalour.bandcamp.com/ and was mixed by Dublin music producer Stephen Shannon (Strands). Live shows are facilitated by Sean Breathnach who takes over laptop duties, as well as backing vocals for howard.
IN VALOUR have been tipped as one of ‘The Acts to Watch in 2011’ by Dan Hegarty, 2fm on Heinekenmusic.ie Here’s what he had to say about them;
“You could say that In Valour are a geographically challenged band….However, the thousands of miles between them hasn't obstructed their creative chemistry. They've concocted a sound that fans of
Cocteau Twins, Sigur Ros and Glasser will adore… beautiful stuff!”
Tracks to check out: 'Higher' and 'Into The Light'
"Sultry post- dance floor pop." Jim Carroll, (The Ticket) Irish Times
"Love 'Higher'. The songs remind me a bit of Cocteau Twins. This is a good thing." Cian Ó Cíobháin, RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta
"Hely’s ultra-tuneful voice floats atop a swathe of dreamy synthy washes." Jackie Hayden, Hot Press Magazine
“In Valour have a really interesting origin and produce some beautiful music” 2uibestow (music blog)
“Listen to these songs, you’ll love them like I do! They’re only starting out, but what a start.” Dan Hegarty, RTE 2fm
Bell X1 played a gig on the rooftop of the Dublin Facebook building on Friday and to everyone's surprise, Mark Zuckerberg was in the audience. The band chatted to him after the performance and gave him a copy of their new album Bloodless Coup.
Tour dates
25th June – Sea Sessions, Bundoran
1st July – Live at the Marquee, Cork
16th July – Galway Arts Festival
6th August – Marlay Park, Dublin (special guests Editors)
