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IMRO Artist Development | Production Seminar

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Artist Development | Production Seminar with Ken Mc Hugh (AKA Autamata)

Date: Saturday 11th June
Time: 11am – 5pm
Venue: IMRO, Copyright House, Pembroke Row, Dublin 2

Ken has been active in the music production business since early 2000. After graduating from Pulse Recording college he set up his own recording studio where his clients included Jon Bon Jovi, Cathy Davey, Mundy, Celine Dion, The Blizzards, Moya Brennan, Juno Falls, Jerry Fish and David Kitt. Ken has also worked with EMI and Warner records developing artists.

He released three critically acclaimed albums under the name "AUTAMATA". This original and innovative music caught the attention of TV/FILM executives around the world and he has worked on adverts, films and TV shows for a broad cross section of clients including Mitsubishi North America, Kaiser Permanente Healthcare USA, Yoplait, Birds Eye, 3 Mobile, Middlesex Bank, Greenflag, C.S.I. Miami, MTV, Setanta Sports, Channel 4 and RTE.

He has also created music for the Golden Globe nominated film Match Point as well as Tara Road, Standing Still, Swing State, Bickford Bchmeckler's Cool Ideas, The Actor's, Parked and Saltwater.

In the past year Ken produced and recorded the gold selling album "Doing Their Thing" for the Dublin Gospel Choir along with hotly tipped indie acts Hoarsebox, Dirty Epics and The Danger is, as well as releasing a new album of his own original compositions under the name WE SAW HEAVEN.

He is currently putting the finishing touches to the fourth Autamata album which will be released later this year.
Aside from all of this production work he has toured extensively with Autamata, runs his own record label, creates his own websites, music videos and album artwork.

Ken is running a DIY artist development week long workshop in various venues around Dublin in July. Check out www.musicacademy360.com for more info.

This IMRO seminar will be a daylong snapshot version of the workshop.

BOOK NOW!

IMRO members looking to reserve a place at this seminar should send an email to membership@nullimro.ie
(limited availability – no admission charge)
 

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IMRO Songwriting | Production Seminar

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Songwriting | Production Seminar with Finlay Dow-Smith
(AKA Starsmith)

Date: Saturday 4th June
Time: 11am – 5pm
Venue: IMRO, Copyright House, Pembroke Row, Dublin 2

Starsmith collaborated with Ellie Goulding on her Number 1 album, 'Lights', co-writing seven of the tracks in addition to producing the majority of the album. He also had subsequent number 1 albums in 2010 with both Cheryl Cole and Kylie Minogue. He co-wrote and produced the track 'Burn' for Clare Maguire's debut album in 2011.
 
He has notched up two remixes for Lady Gaga, as well as remixes for Robyn, Bombay Bicycle Club, Beyonce, N.E.R.D, Marina & The Diamonds, Timbaland and many more.
 
His debut single, released last autumn, was the double A-side vinyl release of Give Me A Break and Knuckle Duster. It received critical acclaim from the press such as Mixmag and The Guardian, as well as wide spread airplay from the likes of Pete Tong and Annie Mac.
 
Starsmith is currently balancing DJ’ing and songwriting/production and his forthcoming single is a collaboration with legendary French-House producer Alan Braxe. Coming summer 2011, it will be released on Braxe’s world renowned label Vulture.
 
BOOK NOW!
 
IMRO members looking to reserve a place at this seminar should send an email to membership@nullimro.ie
(limited availability – no admission charge)
 
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Announcing the launch of the Irish Association of Songwriters, Composers and Authors (IASCA)

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NOW OPEN FOR MEMBERSHIP!

IASCA aims to foster a community of songwriters, composers and authors, and to lobby and campaign on their behalf.

WHY JOIN?

“It’s great to finally have our own association in Ireland, one that will listen to us, and act on our behalf”  Cathy Davey, Chairman, IASCA.

What are the issues currently affecting you?

IASCA understands that music writers are experiencing major difficulties in the ever-changing music industry and often feel isolated.

They have created a private members area on their website, iasca.ie, where music writers can connect, discuss issues and support one another.

• Strength in numbers gives creators and IASCA a louder voice
• Network with members in your particular area of expertise all over Ireland
• Join forces on every day issues that affect music creators
• You will receive discounts within the industry – earn your membership fee back!!
• You will receive advice and education from professionals – songwriters / film composers / lyricists / producers
• You will hear about opportunities – (songwriting competitions / composer submissions/ songwriting and composer awards)
• Your membership supports and finances IASCA projects and grows the association

For more information on IASCA, and to find out about their ongoing projects, visit: https://www.iasca.ie/

JOIN NOW!

Click here to join IASCA: https://www.iasca.ie/index.php?option=com_community&view=register

What you will need to join:
• Online registration: Your IMRO CAE number, credit card or laser
• Postal Registration: application form, IMRO CAE number, credit card, laser, cheque or postal order.

Membership is €50 per year

IASCA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Cathy Davey – Chairman
Joe Chester
Fiachra Trench
Luka Bloom
Luán Parle
Moya Brennan
Shay Healy
 

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DUBLIN’S Q102’S Q FACTOR!

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 Have you got the Q Factor?


Dublin's Q102 and www.emeraz.com team up to find Irish songwriting talent!
Dublin's Q102 are looking for Dublin's best new song. They are inviting songwriters from all over Dublin to submit their original compositions to their judging panel.
 
Criteria:
 
•The song must fit the format of Dublin's Q102 (Adult contemporary/easy listening)
•The song should be no longer than 4 minutes
•Entry is open from Monday April 18th till Friday April 29th.(All entries should be received by Friday April 29th)
•Entries should be submitted on Compact Disc only
•Entries must be accompanied by a completed entry form
•CD must be labelled with Composer name and Song Title
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Sean McCarthy Traditional Irish Ballad Competition

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Open For Entries!

Rules of the Ballad Competition

1. Entries to be received by no later than Friday, July 1st 2011
2. Entries to be submitted on CD with 3 typed copies of lyrics (Or in very clear handwriting).
3. Entries to be accompanied by cheque/postal order for €25.00.
4. No entries will be returned.
5. Name, address and telephone number to be clearly written on CD cover and back of each copy of lyrics.
6. Finalists will perform their entry at Finuge G.A.A Hall on Saturday 30th July 2011 at 8.30 p.m (Teach Siamsa is under repair).
7. The overall winner and runner-up will be decided then.
8. Entries may be in English or Irish.
9. Entries must be original and not previously performed or published.
10. No in-house music supplied by committee.
11. No pre-recorded backing music allowed.
12. Adjudicators’ decision is final.
13. Make Cheques or Postal Orders to Sean McCarthy Weekend.
13. Performances on the night of the final may be recorded and /or video @ the Committees discretion. Such recordings may be played/transmitted on the sound and visual media, e.g. radio, television, internet ECT, entrants are deemed to have given their permission for same unless otherwise indicated by them to the Committee
 
 
Send entries to:
 
Peggie O’Connell, Irremore, Listowel,Co.Kerry . Phone 068-40203
Mobile: 087 -9049371
Enquiries: Bridget O’Connor, phone 087–6250516
E-mail: infofinugeweekend.com www.finugeweekend.com
 
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FREE MUSIC INDUSTRY ADVICE DAY | GALWAY

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IASCA in association with First Music Contact and Music Managers Forum Ireland present:

FREE MUSIC INDUSTRY ADVICE DAY | GALWAY

Roisin Dubh on Saturday 16th April @ 11am 

The day will include an introduction and discussion followed by a Q&A and will be rounded off with a demo-advice session where demos will be picked at random, listened to and feedback given in the room.

The panel of experts will include artist support associations, managers, bookers and media who will be there to talk about the challenges facing artists in Ireland, starting with the basics like gigging and demos but covering whatever your burning questions are about the music industry right now, covering topics like…

– Recording and submitting demos to labels/radio etc
– Gigging / building fans live
– Developing online presence and fan interaction
– Collaborating with other artists (on production, design, videos, remixes etc)
– Applying for showcase events (such as Hard Working Class Heroes)
– When, how & why (or why not!) to contact 'industry types'!

Panel:

Chair: Alan Cullivan (ASIWYFA) 
FMC/BT/MFI/HWCH: Angela Dorgan 
MMF: Jim Lawless 
IASCA: Sinead Troy
Venue & Festival bookings: Gugai 
Radio: Jon Richards

This is a great opportunity to meet industry professionals and get invaluable tips and advice.

Attendance is free and spaces will be allocated on a first-come first-served basis on the day.

 

 

 

 

 

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Irish Blood | English Heart

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IRISH BLOOD,
ENGLISH HEART:
Second Generation Irish Musicians in England
by Sean Campbell
Published by Atrium
An imprint of Cork University Press
 
Second-generation Irish musicians have played a vital role in the history of popular music in England. Irish Blood, English Heart is the first full account of popular music-making amongst the Irish diaspora.
 
This book explores the role of Irish ethnicity in the lives and work of these musicians, focusing on Kevin Rowland and Dexys Midnight Runners, Shane MacGowan and The Pogues, and Morrissey/Marr and The Smiths. It follows the diverse 'routes' pursued by second-generation Irish musicians, tracing their different styles and personas. The book disputes the view of England's Irish as a peripheral and problematic presence, seeing the second generation as a highly active and creative presence at the forefront of both British and Irish culture.
 
The book includes the following previously unpublished material:

– An account of Kevin Rowland’s meetings with Sinn Féin representatives in the early 1980s, leading to his plans to perform a Dexys concert for the republican movement
– An account of The Pogues’ reception in mid-80s Ireland, when they were viewed as suspect (English) interlopers, making unwelcome incursions into Irish culture, leading to claims that the band were ‘anti-Irish racists’
– An account of The Smiths’ Irish tour in 1984, when the band received threats from paramilitary factions and were praised by An Phoblacht
 
Advance praise for Irish Blood, English Heart:
'Irish Blood, English Heart is a constantly intriguing and often provocative book about the complex process – and peculiar freedom – of not wholly belonging to one culture or the other' – Sean O’Hagan, The Observer
 
Sean Campbell is Senior Lecturer in the Department of English and Media at Anglia Ruskin in Cambridge, UK. He was raised in an Irish family in the north of England in the 1970s and 80s. He is a musician and writer, and is the co-author of Beautiful Day: Forty Years of Irish Rock (Cork University Press, 2005) His next book will be Combat Rock: Popular Music and the Troubles.
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World Premiere’s For Vincent Kennedy

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The coming days will see the world premiere’s of two new works by the composer Vincent Kennedy.

On the Friday 15th and Saturday 16th April the world premiere of Where the North Wind Blows will take place. Vincent was commissioned by the The North Wind Blows project to write this music.  That project is a Peace and Reconciliation project funded by the International Fund for Ireland and administered by the County Donegal VEC Music Education Partnership. Vincent has written a 10 minute piece of celebratory music for an ensemble made up of Lambeg Drum, Bodhrán, two Brass Bands, a Ulster Scots Highland Pipe Band, and additional woodwind and percussion. The players are from different community backgrounds in Counties Donegal and Tyrone. Vincent will conduct the premiere with St Joseph’s Brass Band Strabane, the Bready Ulster Scots Pipe Band, Glenties Brass Band, and woodwind, brass and percussion players from the Donegal School of Music. The first performance takes place at the Balor Theatre Ballybofey, County Donegal on April 15th at 8pm and the following evening a second performance takes place at the Alley Theatre, Strabane.
Also in these performances will be the world premiere of Open Air by the Belfast composer Neil Martin and arrangements of You are the Voice, She Moved through the Fair, and The Water is Wide by Brendan Breslin and Maggie by Stephen Cairns as well as a performance of the ever popular Highland Cathedral by the entire ensemble.

On Love: Live Music Day, Friday April 8th the distinguished cellist Annette Cleary will give the world premiere of Vincent Kennedy’s Etude for Cello as part of a cello recital entitled “From Baroque to Modern”. The premiere will take place at Newcastle Hospital, Newcastle, Co. Wicklow at 12pm followed by a further performance at 2.30pm at the Happy Pear, Main St. Greystones.  Speaking about the world premiere Vincent Kennedy said “I think that particularly on “Live Music Day” musicians should endeavour to perform in places from where people are unable to get out to performances. I am delighted therefore that the premiere of “Etude for Cello” is taking place in Newcastle Hospital.”
 
Speaking about this work Vincent said “While experiencing the splendour of the great Atlantic waves breaking along the coast of North Donegal, as clouds bigger than mountains floated above on a perfect blue sky, I heard in my mind the beginnings of what became “Etude for Cello”. I worked on it later that day so that I could leave the music as a gift dedicated to the Gormley family whose hospitality I was enjoying at the time.”
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Colette Henry – Album Launch

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“Colette Henry is a fine new Jazz singer with crystal clear delivery and empathy for classic songs. One to watch.” Dermot Rogers, Dublin City FM.

“Colette is a bright young vocal star on the rise and proved a big hit in the Festival Club at the 2010 Jazz Festival in Cork.” – Jack McGouran, Programme Director, Guinness Cork Jazz Festival.
“Colette is a most positive all rounder ****” Sean Brophy, Presenter of Jazz Spec, Dublin South FM
“Sublime album, perfect late night music” Totally Dublin
“Her debut album is proof of the wisdom of spending time on voice-training and style development… Lush Life has been sung by some of the greatest. Without copying any of them, Colette Henry interprets it in her own way, making it sound as natural as breathing.
Her pure voice falls gently on the ear, while her precise diction and feeling for the lyrics bring out all the nuances of Billy Strayhorn’s haunting song.” – Grainne Farren, Sunday Independent 27th March 2011.
“We heart Colette Henry’s album. It’s an impressive debut that trascends genres and finds its own rather unique groove.” – IMAGE magazine April 2011.
‘You stole my heart’ is the name of Colette Henry’s debut album and that’s what it does, it steals your heart.  Colette’s voice transcends genres as she moves effortlessly between a purity of tone that haunts you, and the gritty power of a soul singer.  Audiences find there is an honesty and energy in her performances that draws them; this album distills this experience with creative integrity.
As a singer with almost 15 years experience in many different genres, she has spent over 2 years crafting her debut album, writing and producing many of the songs in a way that is fresh and accessible to a wide audience.
Her influences create a landscape of sound that show a genuine love of the timeless jazz songs, sultry tango rhythms and a good kick of modern R&B.
In a fast paced world, this album creates an intimate space and reveals its beauty slowly; it creeps inside to melt and steal your heart.
*************
To launch the album, Colette and her band of stellar musicians (Johnny Taylor – piano, Andrew Csibi – double bass, Dominic Mullan – drums)
are putting on a very special full-length show.   They will play songs
from the album as well as other uptempo swing tunes, feisty blues and bittersweet ballads.  It promises to be a lively night that takes the audience on the journey of making the album as Colette tells the stories linked with the music choices.
You are invited to come along and join us upstairs in 4 Dame Lane. Our show will be followed at 10.30pm by excellent DJ Ian Clarke who’ll be playing chart, soul, funk and house, till 3am.
Listings information:
Date: Friday 8th April 2011 7pm
Event: Colette Henry Album Launch + full show
Time: Doors 7.00pm, Show 7.30pm, DJ 10.30pm
Price:  €8/14 with album
Venue: (upstairs) 4 Dame Lane, Dame Lane, Dublin 2.
Website: www.colette.ie
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Help The Homeless Charity Gig

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‘ALISON, Daughter Of Our Nation’ Charity Gig.

Maggies Farm featuring Tony Floyd Kenna, Heather MacLeod & The Sisters Of Fate will perform at a charity concert for the Capuchin Day Centre For Homeless People on April 11th. They recently released ‘Alison, Daughter Of Our Nation’ written by Tony Floyd Kenna, to promote this great cause.
 
Guests on the night will include RAID, Peter Fitzpatrick and The Pinfires. The venue is Walters, Dun Laoghaire.
The Capuchin Day Centre provides meals and day care facilities for people who are homeless or in need and food parcels for those on the poverty threshold. Alison is the story of a homeless girl living on the streets of the city. Cold, hungry and unwanted, Alison is brushed aside like dust and in time will disappear, just another statistic.
 
It is hoped to raise both awareness and badly needed funds with this talent laden gig. All are welcome.
 
The song is available for download on itunes, all profits go to The Day Centre.
Full information and links at
http://www.myspace.com/559443908
 
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