Author: Breffni Banks

‘Move on, Move on’ is the fourth single to be taken from Oliver Cole’s critically acclaimed Father, Brother, Son album. This song was written for his dear brother Pat during his final days before his passing. The song is a letter of sorts directly to his brother. Cole explains ‘in many ways this song is the spine of the whole album. The album centres on love, loss, memory, appreciation and acceptance’

The string arrangement was written by renowned composer and string arranger Fiachra Trench who Oliver was lucky enough to work with on the recording of the album.

Cole launches the album in Whelan’s on the 16th of July where he will be joined by an all star band including some of his old TURN band mates

Rising Irish Pop Star Sophie Doyle Ryder is excited to announce the release of her debut EP ‘Beginner’s Luck’.

Sophie has released two tracks from this EP already and on the 13th of May her fans will get to listen to 3 new earworms. The 19Y/O Singer-Songwriter from Dublin has drawn comparisons to Rihanna, Ariana Grande and Anne Marie.

Beginners Luck is a special piece of art that portrays all the possible emotions of being a young person. It is full of bright and powerful feelings whilst also being fun and easy going. Sophie’s fun-loving and free personality is expressed in the writing.

Sophie’s debut EP “Beginner’s Luck” is full of chart- worthy hits. Beginner’s Luck depicts a new chapter in Sophie’s life.  Hunni Hunni and Don’t Want No Boyfriend reflects her spontaneous fun, in the moment and  lifestyle. She feels that Beginner’s Luck really shows who she is an artist and it was written during a crazy time in her life. The debut EP gives a full 360 view on relationship situations for the young artist. “You can really feel the rollercoaster of emotions throughout”. Beginner’s Luck is a timeline of the Summer of 2021 for Sophie and holds a special place in her heart. It is an expression of the transition period in life as the young singer finishes school and prepares for her future. “It feels like to perfect time to release this EP”.

Sophie collaborated with Lauryn Gaffney and Jake Curran on Beginner’s Luck. Lauryn Gaffney is an international award winning songwriter and musical theatre composer, she has won 6 BroadwayWorld awards for her debut musical Big Shot which recently had a sell out run Off Broadway in NYC. . Jake Curran is an established international touring musician. Jake has worked as Niall Horan’s Musical director and also has worked with Julia Michaels, Dermot Kennedy, The RTE Concert Orchestra. In recent years, Jake has performed live in many iconic venues such as Madison Square Garden and TV shows such as Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon and The Ellen Show.

Sophie is set to enjoy a major 2022 with being named RTÉ 2FMs Rising One To Watch list. She is releasing her debut E.P, shows and festivals in the U.K and Ireland and is currently signed with Paradigm Agency. (Billie Eilish, Take That).  Sophie will play Indiependence Festival and Forbidden Fruit Festival this summer.

Sophie’s previous releases have earned over 35 million Irish radio impacts. She remains as ‘One To Watch’ by many. In addition to International Spotify playlist placements, she has received airplay in the UK, USA and Australia.

YouTube l Spotify  l  Instagram l Twitter l  Facebook l 

Photo & Video credit: Ray Keogh

Beginner’s Luck EP was supported by First Music Contact MISC grant

Dublin alt-rock / postpunk artist Ava Vox presents her debut album Immortalised, a collection of eight powerful and lush tracks. Ava Vox is the pseudonym of Elaine Hannon, formerly of 1980s gothic rock / post-punk band The Seventh Veil, and Immortalised is the first long-player since launching this project in 2020. This album was previewed by two powerful lead tracks – Alone Again which features bassist James Blennerhassett (Elvis Costello, The Rolling Stones, Marianne Faithful, Van Morrison) and drummer Robbie Casserly (Elvis Costello, Mark Knopfler, The Commitments, Riverdance). Crash is a post-punk banger with lively video, produced by Isacc Burke, echoing an ominous warning about environmental devastation as the world crashes down.

Original compositions include the stunning Silent Tear and One Sweet Goodbye, which involves a 23 Piece String Ensemble / Orchestra by the Four for Music Ltd, Sofia Session Orchestra based in Sofia, Bulgaria. This album also features Ava’s rendition of The Cure’s Love Song, Soft Cell’s Tainted Love and David Bowie’s Life on Mars. Immortalised was produced by Ray McLoughlin (RMC Recording Studios), who has performed or recorded with innumerable artists, including Cliff Richard, Daniel O’Donnell, Francis Black and Rick Astley, and also served as musical director for shows for RTE, BBC, PBS America and SKY.

A Dublin native, Ava Vox now lives in County Meath. With a unique vocal timbre and commanding delivery, her musical style ranges from goth rock and post-punk to slow melodic atmospheric and dynamic rock. At 17, Elaine quickly graduating from backing to lead vocalist of The Seventh Veil, which disbanded in 1991 after significant airplay, excellent reviews and winning the Battle of the Bands competition, the prize for which was recording time with Dublin producer Paul Thomas (U2, Kate Bush, UB40, Status Quo, Davy Spillane and Clannad).

www.avavoxmusic.com

About the Alternative Sunday Social Club   

The Alternative Sunday Social Club was created so that music fans can enjoy some top tunes on the last afternoon of the weekend. Since we launched at the beginning of 2015, we’ve hosted gigs by Rocky DeValera (front man of legendry Dublin bands The Gravediggers and The Rhythm Kings), The Dubtones, Blood or Whiskey, JC Carroll (The Members), The Business, Brush Shield’s Skid Row, Trouble Pilgrims (formerly The Radiators from Space), The Lee Harveys, Eileen Gogan and the Instructions, The Winters, The Hacklers, TV Smith (The Adverts), Strand, The Unelectables and The Outcasts. We’ve had music from right across the spectrum with rock, guitar pop, punk, Americana, blues and ska and we’ve grown our crowd by word of mouth with all ages dropping by on Sunday afternoons. For the band they get the kick of their early live shows, and the audience gets to enjoy the music and the musician up-close and personal. It’s cheap, cheerful and above all fun for everybody who comes along. This isn’t 1000s of people in a converted warehouse; this is dozens of people enjoying music the way it was meant to be seen and heard.

www.facebook.com/Alternative-Sunday-Social-Club

Ava Vox

With Support from Krawler

Sunday, May 15^th     Doors 4.00pm     Tickets: €10 in advance or €12 on the Door

https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/ava-vox-plays-the-alternative-sunday-social-club-in-the-wild-duck-tickets-316928901877

The Wild Duck, 17/20 Sycamore St, Dublin 2

Phone: (01) 5356849     Email: hello@nullthewildduck.ie     www.thewildduck.ie

Dublin Hip-Hop / R&B producer and artist Carsten2X returns with his latest single “Pearls” April 22^nd via Paragon Records. Exuding confidence and humour in equal measure, Carsten2X regrouped with producer / mixer Richard Furch (Tobi Lou, Frank Ocean, BJ the Chicago Kid) for his first offering of 2022.

Of the new single, Carsten2X commented:

“When I was writing Pearls I was kinda stressing out about a lot of shit. I had all these songs but I’m there being a perfectionist (not to sound egotistical but just being picky with my own beats, and the type of music I’m making) and I was overthinking how to make my own sound. I actually do grind my teeth (no cap in my raps). And just venting about being an over thinker.”

Born in Dubai, followed by a short time in Kazakhstan, Carsten2X was predominantly raised in the Dublin suburb of Shankill. His moniker derives from a combination of his Danish heritage (his mother is from Denmark), and his Irish heritage, with the 2X being a throwback to a previous moniker and his home: Dublin (ie ‘double’n).

The accompanying video for “Pearls” was directed by Willow Kennedy who has done similarly great creative work for artists such as Khakikid, Bricknasty and others within the burgeoning Dublin Hip-Hop / R&B scene.

Speaking about the writing and production on “Pearls”, Carsten2X says:

“I think it’s the first one where I’ve balanced out like two sides of the stuff I make, from R&B / HipHop to my hard drive of old indie rockish type demos. Pearls is a funny one, I actually wrote the hook and 1st verse 2 years ago. I just had this original demo track with these crunchy guitars for a while, had a couple of different versions where I was messing around with it, until I got to the final version which is kind of a mix of all them. But it’s funny, when I got to writing the second verse and rewriting some bits, a couple of months ago, I fell back in with the track, like sometimes you have to leave a track for a bit. The things on my mind back then I can relate to now in a different way, and I tried to continue with in the second verse.”

Carsten2X’s single “Pearls” is out April 22^nd via Paragon Records, with more new music set for release later this year.

 Instagram: @CARSTEN2X

TikTok: @CARSTEN2X

Twitter: @CARSTEN2X

Facebook: /CARSTEN2X

Youtube: /CARSTEN2X

Soundcloud: /CARSTEN2X

Singer-songwriter Padraig Jack releases his stunning single ‘Making Sand’ on 13^th May, the titular song of his album released last year. Celebrating the Aran Islands with lyrics in both Irish and English, and haunting whistle melodies, ‘Making Sand’ is a metaphor for the passing of time and attempts to capture a sense of the awesome historical and cultural importance of the islands while acknowledging that the inhabitants are ‘just making sand out here’ and only passing through.

The accompanying video, shot in black and white on the Islands on one weekend last summer, was filmed and produced by Aisling Ní Fhlaithearta and Martin Hartnett. A beautifully atmospheric video, it intersperses portraits of Islanders from children to seniors, with familiar island sights like creels, dry stone walls, and wild rugged landscapes.

To celebrate the song and the album, Padraig Jack will be playing ‘Making Sand: The Show’ in Aran on Monday’s and will play two shows on Tuesday’s a matinee and evening show in July and August beginning on Monday 4^th of July in the famous Joe Watty’s bar in Kilronan on Inis Mór.

A native of the Islands himself, Padraig Jack is from a musical family. His dad is bilingual songwriter Barry Ronan and he is the nephew of the Irish poet and Aosdána member Mary O’Malley. Like his father, Padraig is proudly bilingual and writes music in both Irish and English. With influences ranging from James Taylor and The Eagles to Van Morrison and Shane McGowan, Padraig appreciates strong songwriting with a distinct point of view.

2022 has been a busy year for Padraig. He joined Dubliner Damien Dempsey on a sold-out tour of Ireland including shows in Cyprus Avenue, Róisín Dubh, Dolan’s, The Set Theatre and TF Royal as well as Vicar St. last October. He also wrote and recorded a song for the legendary Foster and Allen, and performed it with the duo for a recording in the Pepper Canister Church in March 2022. This concert is due to be broadcast on RTÉ One in autumn 2022.

The rest of the year continues in the same vein. In addition to his gigs on the Aran Islands, he is gigging throughout May and June in Ireland, and then continues with a solo tour of Wales in the last days of June.

Denise Brennan releases a song called “See You Again” on Friday 13th May written with Gillian Tuite and Keith McLoughlin, recorded by Beardfire Music Studio. The song is about reconnecting with friends after not seeing them for a while. It’s a catchy pop song that was submitted for RTE’s Eurovision Song Contest entry for Ireland.

Denise Brennan is a singer, actress, performer, songwriter, and teacher from Wicklow.

Denise also recorded on a song in late 2021 called “Raise A Glass To The New Year” which was also written with Gillian Tuite and Keith McLoughlin, recorded by Beardfire Music Studio. The song got played on RTE Radio 1, Eastcoast FM and many more.

She has toured internationally as a vocalist with Bill Whelan’s Riverdance in America, Canada, Mexico, and at the opening ceremony of the Special Olympics in 2003 at Croke Park. Denise has performed as a soloist with The Dublin Philharmonic Orchestra and with Woman of Ireland including a summer residency which featured special guests Frankie Gavin and De Dannan at the INEC, Killarney. In 2019, she performed in the Netherlands with Celtic Gold The Show.

Denise trained with Sr. Agnes at St Marys College, Arklow and also with Dr. Veronica Dunne at the Leinster School of Music. She won the Pearl Atock Trophy in the Mezzo Soprano Competition at Feis Ceoil, Dublin. Denise studied Musical Theatre Performance at the famous Guildford School of Acting, London and received her Licentiate in Musical Theatre Performance.

She has had the privilege of playing leading roles in many Irish Musical Theatre Productions such as Beauty and the Beast, Oliver, Wizard of Oz, 9 to 5 and Jesus Christ Super Star to name a few, as well as playing Grace Farrell in Festival Productions “Annie” at Dublin’s National Concert Hall. Denise played the role of Kitty Kiernan in Michael Collins A Musical Drama for which she was nominated for a Best Actress Aims Award. A talented singer songwriter, Denise’s songs “Two Lone Stars” and her most recent release “Something Special” is available on all streaming platforms. Denise received her Higher Diploma in teaching Contemporary Singing from, The Voice College, London and is currently teaching at Spotlight Theatre School in County Wicklow.

Links: Facebook • Instagram

Having just formed in April 2021, Dublin based alt-electronic artist wornoc (aka Conor Walsh) has carved out a niche in forward-pushing alternative-electronic sounds from these shores. At the heart of his craft is a sensibility rooted push-and-pull of post-rock – all gossamer phrases one moment and surging release the next – inspired by the likes of God Is An Astronaut, Massive Attack and Bonobo. Having championed the likes of Rock Sound Magazine, BBC Introducing, RTÉ and Hot Press Magazine, it’s clear there is something special and novel to his work, sounds that are far removed from what’s going on in the Irish music scene. wornoc’s music is cinematic, intense and emotional. Driven by infectious grooves, lush ambient textures, melodic guitar riffs and electronic music. wornoc’s debut album is set to be released this September.

Released on the 13^th May, new single ‘Distorted Views’ is wornoc’s sixth studio release in the lead up to his debut album release this September. The track features rich ambient synth textures accompanied by syncopated acoustic drums with lush atmospheric guitars that slowly builds up to an optimist cinematic rock outro. The intro violin textures feature close friend and incredibly talented bandmate, Ellie McGinley.

“There are many reason why this track feels extra special to me; firstly, it’s released roughly a year after my very first single ‘Signs’ and secondly, I feel as though it showcases everything wornoc represents in terms of my ongoing developing “sound” and improvements in production/writing. I am still shocked at the positive responses from people about my music, this project was meant to be a personal creative outlet with little expectation of ever taking off, but here we are!! I am pumped to get the album out this September and reschedule some tour dates that were cancelled due to Covid. Here’s to the next chapter of wornoc!!”

Facebook  Instagram  Spotify  Twitter  YouTube

Seán McComish is a pop artist and songwriter from Fethard-On-Sea, Co. Wexford. Growing up surrounded by music and a musical family, it was not long before he inevitably picked up a guitar. Upon hearing the album ‘Music and Me’ by Michael Jackson, he knew from an early age what he wanted to do with his life…

Play Music. Write Songs.

2015 marked the beginning of Seán as a solo artist, by leaping into the deep end, with his first two shows being performed in the prestigious venues of Whelans and The Ruby Sessions. Followed by the release of his debut E.P, ‘The First Step’ in August 2015 to much critical acclaim, which earned him the opportunity to perform with major acts such as Calum Scott, Gavin James, and The Academic, and to also feature on popular websites such as JOE.ie and HER.ie. 2016 ended with his involvement in a charity single in aid of Pieta House, alongside prominent national artists such as Ryan O’Shaughnessy. The soul-stirring single attained Number One on the iTunes chart, with a live RTE One performance to follow.

2017 saw Seán prioritise writing new material and developing his live show. To further expand his live sound, he united with drummer extraordinaire, Darren Bradley, to devise a more energetic live experience.  After acquiring an endorsement from world-renowned vocal care specialists, Vocalzone, they then commenced a string of shows in wondrous Austria, followed by extensive touring across Ireland. From performing 2 sets across 2 stages at Ireland’s largest festival Electric Picnic, supporting ‘Dancing with the Stars’ winner Jake Carter, opening for Irish rock legends Aslan, to supporting Irelands hottest group Wild Youth at Wexford Spiegeltent, 2019 was hectic. Ending the eventful year with a bang, with the release of Beat 102-103 and RTÉ 2FM favourite ‘Only One’. 

2020. Need I say more? With the unforeseen worldwide shutdown and closure of studios, Seán concentrated on building a studio at home. Countless hours and days were utilized grafting and toiling over a glaring laptop screen, studying the captivating craft of professional mixing. Seán always had an innate desire for music production, but his newfound adoration for mixing flourished as the motionless year of extended lockdowns carried on. Proving his capabilities in 2021’s ‘Stay Away From Me’.

Seán returns with the release of chilled summer sing-a-long, ‘May’. Although originally written in 2019, he feels the summer of 2022 is the right time to release a feel-good song such as this. Following up from the aftermath of the everyday doom and gloom that Covid life brought upon us. This summer looks hopeful and joyous, and Seán is trying to portray that relaxed summer feeling in ’May’.

“It would feel counter-productive if I released this song during any other month” laughs Sean McComish, as he explains that although the song has been ready for release for quite some time, now is the only time that feels right to him. He also reminisces about how an early draft of ‘May’ was performed live on ‘Liveline with Joe Duffy’ on RTÉ Radio 1, not long after it was written.

With soothing vocal under-layers, bouncing Caribbean congas, and an unexpectedly rip-roaring guitar solo, ‘May’ is a natural summer hit that brings you straight to the blue skies of a blistering beach.

Twitter    Instagram     Facebook   Spotify

The fourth single to be released under Cabin, ‘Whatever You Have’, completes the collection of four tracks that were conceived and produced within a particular time, that ultimately led to the inception of Cabin as a musical project.

‘Whatever You Have’ is Cabin’s signal to classic Pop and Soul balladry, laced with the distinctive psychedelic production style shown across his work. This personal and expressive track is richly layered with a moving and emotive vocal performance, backed by an array of lush and textured instrumentation that build to an intense and encompassing crescendo.

On the track, Cabin says; “This is a piece that embodies how I look at and approach creating music as an individual. That we now have the ability to create something far larger

than ourselves, we should strive towards that.” Cabin (aka Adam McCabe) began crafting his song writing and production skills as part of post-punk outfit Brass Phantoms, and has had his music featured on the likes of BBC Radio 6 with Steve Lamacq, Spotify’s Hot New

Bands, Clash Magazine, Hot Press, The Last Mixed Tape, Golden Plec and more.

In producing, writing, recording, and mixing his work, Cabin offers a singular artistic voice, yet attempts to push beyond individual limitations into grander compositions.

Drawing influence from the classic songwriters, his psychedelic sound is glittered with the palpable anxiety of Post-Punk, and exuberant tenderness of Soul music.

His focus is for his music and lyrics to imbue the aspects of modern-day disillusionment and existential dread with a defiant sense of radical optimism and to try to see the colour through the grey.

Facebook | Instagram | Soundcloud |  Bandcamp | Spotify