Author: Breffni Banks

Following their highly acclaimed collaboration with renowned Icelandic composer, Atli Örvarsson, on his score for Oscar-winning director Kevin Macdonald’s latest film, “The Eagle,” the Neff Brothers are to perform at the prestigious LA Composers Salon. With grant assistance from Culture Ireland, the Neff Brothers will reunite with the prolific composer and the superbly talented soprano Thórhildur Örvarsdóttir, to recreate the film score in a much anticipated live performance.

Cashier No 9, the Belfast five-piece are hugely pleased to announce their signing to the feted record label Bella Union. Their debut release for the leading indie imprint will be preceded by Goldstar, out April 25th on CN9 recordings. It was produced by the hugely-rated and respected David Holmes.
 
Simon Raymonde, MD of Bella Union, tells how he came to sign Cashier No.9:
“I had a call from David Holmes out the blue and he told me a story that made my heart sing. What he has been doing for Cashier No 9, was in so many ways, what I have been doing with Bella Union. Bringing bands to my studio flying them in from wherever, recording them and producing them at my own expense, just ‘cos I loved them, that was how Bella Union worked in its early years when the label had the use of our Cocteau Twins studio. Hearing David speak about the band in this way, I was naturally intrigued, but a good story would be somewhat empty without some plot and substance. So interest firmly piqued, I listened to the album that night and was blown away by it all. The songs, the talent, the production, yes but most of all, the truth that we are all looking for. These are not songs for the sake of it, they are songs with heart and soul. The album has a deep soul, and I imagine this is what David saw. I now see it too, and I am delighted to welcome the band to the Bella Union family. They already feel part of it to me.”
… From the UK's RECORD OF THE DAY (Issue 417)
 
April 25th marks the release of Goldstar, the new EP by Belfast five-piece Cashier No 9, which was produced by none other than David Holmes and mixed by Hugo Nicloson of Screamadelica, Boys Own and In Rainbows fame.
 
Adding to the dream team involved, further contributions come from Jason Falkner who’s played with Air & Beck, Sly Stone’s horn section and American recording legend Tommy Morgan, who laid-down the harmonica solo on Goldstar. Tommy has played with Elvis, on the Beach Boys’ Pet Sounds and was responsible for the intro to He Ain't Heavy by the Hollies.
 
Cashier No 9 conjure up a warm feeling of summer-evening-good-times-by the-sea, with Echo and The Bunnymen, The Byrds, Teenage Fanclub, Joy Zipper, Phil Spector and Creation-era Primal Scream breezing from the radio.
 
The record was recorded over the course of the last year in Belfast, LA and Paris and comes with a remix by the hotly-tipped electronic outfit Keyboard Choir.
 
Cashier No 9 have played Glastonbury, Oxegen and The Great Escape, headlined shows at the Belfast Limelight Empire Music Hall and broadcasted live on BBC 1 from a performance in the Ulster Hall. They’ve supported Air, Two Door Cinema Club, Republic Of Loose, Frightened Rabbit and Foals.
 
Cashier No 9 are Danny Todd (guitar/vocals), James Smith (guitar/vocals), Stuart Magowan (bass), Ronan Quinn (guitar vocals) and Phil Duffy (drums).
 
Watch this space for information on the forthcoming David Holmes produced album – expectations are high.

Gemma Hayes has announced a very special Irish tour where she will be playing songs from her much anticipated fourth studio album ‘Let it Break’, due out in May.  Long established as one of Ireland’s top musical talents, Gemma’s latest album is an evolution of her unique style of music, combining prog rock, folk and electronica. The album is another collaboration with producer David Odlum, and features Paul Noonan of Bell X1 and Ann Scott, among others.
Catch Gemma live around the country this summer. Tickets on sale today.

 
 
24th May                Spirit Store, Dundalk. €13.50
25th May                The Royal Theatre, Castlebar. €15
26th May                Triskel Christchurch, Cork. €15
27th May                Button Factory, Dublin. €16
4th June                  Dolans, Limerick. €15
7th June                  Theatre Royal, Waterford. €15
25th June                Sea Sessions, Donegal. €79.50
10th July                 Newbridge, Riverbank. €18
13th July                 Great Hall, Kilkenny Castle. €15
 
 
For more information contact LHP @ info@nulllhpublicity.ie  or Ph:01 4970313 www.lhpublicity.ie
 
www.gemmahayes.com

The Contemporary Music Centre and the Irish Composers’ Collective join forces to present a third Night of New Music in the Kevin Barry Room of the National Concert Hall, 27 April 2011. Following on from the  other highly successful Nights of New Music, this night begins again with The Contemporary Music Centre’s new music::new Ireland salon series, followed by the Irish Composers’ Collective monthly concert, with a special offer on wine and tapas in the National Concert Hall during the break.

The 2011 IMRO sponsored Sligo New Music Festival takes place from Friday 15th to Sunday 17th April. The festival will be Ian Wilson’s 8th and last as director and the very special guests will be two outstanding Australian musicians – electric guitarist and soundscape artist extraordinaire Oren Ambarchi (www.orenambarchi.com ) and one of the world’s leading recorder players, Genevieve Lacey (pictured) (www.genevievelacey.com ). Oren and Genevieve will each perform an exciting solo concert and the festival’s highlight will be a collaborative performance featuring both artists playing together in public for the first time.

The festival will also present the world première of Ian Wilson’s new collaborative improvisatory work with saxophonist Cathal Roche and the Vanbrugh Quartet, The Book of Ways, which will open the festival as part of a concert which will also feature the 2nd performance of Wilson’s work re:play for improvising saxophonist, piano, string quartet and double bass.
 

Continuing the festival’s Improvisation theme, a new improvising duo called crOw (Cathal Roche, saxophones and Ian Wilson, live electronics) will make its debut in the Atrium space of the Model.

HMV will welcome Declan O’ Rourke to its Grafton St store on Saturday April 9th at 12.30pm. The platinum record selling singer-songwriter will be playing live and signing copies of his highly anticipated third album Mag Pai Zai.

The release of Mag Pag Zai represents an exciting venture for Declan O’ Rourke; it is the first album to be released on his own record label Rimecoat Records. Recorded primarily at The Factory and Windmill in Dublin and mixed at the world-famous Platinum Sound Recording Studios in New York, Mag Pag Zai sees the return of some old collaborators such as Steve Wickham.

That Declan O’Rourke is in a new, different and more elevated place as a songwriter is proven by the sheer quality of the material on Mag Pai Zai. From the deceptively simple opening song, Slieve Bloom and the heart-wrenching tale found within Langley’s Requiem to the life affirming Be Brave And Believe, he has fortified his talent with a firm mixture of intuitive lyrics and pure melodies.

Declan follows the release of Mag Pai Zai with a nationwide tour in May and June which will see him play in Limerick, Cork, Galway and Dublin to name a few. For more information on the tour log on to: www.declanorourke.com

Due to its popularity, the Philip Lynott Exhibition has extended its run until the May Bank Holiday. IMRO has secured a special discounted ticket price for all our members to visit the exciting new Philip Lynott Exhibition this April and May.