Speedking, the Castleblayney based hard rock band, have just launched their new album ‘Cause and Effect’. The album was produced and mixed by Ronan Morgan and mastered by Jon Astley, known for his work with Led Zeppelin, The Who, Jools Holland and the Sex Pistols, at Close to the Edge Studios London.
Recorded in Monaghan’s Attic Studio the album is the culmination of eight years of hard work. Over this time, Speedking have developed a unique hard rock sound, with the new album combining elements of progressive rock with strong melodies.
Throughout 2010 Speedking have been promoting ‘Cause & Effect’ nationally. At a pre-launch of the album in their hometown they filled one of the North East’s largest venues, receiving rapturous reviews from their wide fan base.
The official launch of ‘Cause & Effect’ will be followed by a heavy touring schedule, with international gigs lined up for 2011. For further details of venues and dates, visit – http://www.myspace.com/speedkingrock
July saw the release of Bairbre Munnis's stunning debut EP – Helium Heart. This four-track offering, from Dublin-based singer/songwriter is of a pop meets indie style, possessing commercial appeal while also offering that “dark horse” aspect. Each track offers a variety of sounds and lyrical content that is utterly relevant to today’s music enthusiast, and displays Bairbre’s talent as a singer and songwriter. Balcony TV’s Stephen O’Regan says “One of our all time favourites on the Balcony”.
Helium Heart was recorded over a period of eight months in Salt Studio’s and a home studio, while Bairbre finished her university degree. An array of fantastic musicians appear on the EP. These include Conor Donovan, drummer with Damien Rice, Dan O’Conner, guitarist with Boss Volenti, and Dara Munnis, who plays keyboards with Jack L and Gavin Glass.
Bairbre is no stranger to the Irish music scene and has been gigging all over Ireland from the age of 15, having supported numerous Irish artists, including Paul Brady. Bairbre was a winner of the prestigious 2fm Song competition in 2007. Influences such as Gemma Hayes, KT Tunstall, Joni Mitchell and Sheryl Crow are evident, whilst she creates her own individual sound.
Bairbre says that the launch of the EP “represents a big step in my music career” and she feels that “only positive things will come from the release of Helium Heart”. She has an ever-growing fan base both through gigging and being heard on social networks such as Myspace and Facebook. Bairbre recently completed a small national tour in June supporting singer/songwriter Keith Mullins, to promote this release, and now, is currently through to the second heat of the ‘Guinness Our Thursdays’ Competition. She can be found gigging around Dublin for the rest of the summer. Helium Heart was self released through iTunes and Amazon on July 20th and this release promises to be the beginning of something big for this 21-year-old artist. For information on Bairbre Munnis or to hear the full four track EP please visit www.myspace.com/bairbremunnis
Ray Heffernan, songwriter, commented, “great stuff, real quality in the songwriting and excellent performance and delivery too”.
VAT Registered businesses performing or staging international concerts and recitals are entitled to reclaim the tax (VAT) incurred on their overseas expenses. IMRO members can be entitled to reclaim expenses such as:
Stage Rental
Studio rehearsals
Audio-visual equipment
Technical services
Meals and accommodation
Travel and fuel costs
Advertising and promotional costs
Professional service fees
Taxback.commanages the entire VAT reclaimprocess from the initial stages of retrieving invoices, preparing the claim and completing the paperwork to eventually filing the claims with the relevant tax authorities.
Taxback.com will maximise your tax refunds whilst ensuring you are fully compliant with all the Irish tax regulations which apply to your individual circumstances.
If you earn an income from dividends or from domestic or foreign property rental, we can also look after your tax requirements but extra fees may apply. However, any supplementary fees will still be in line with our competitive fee structure for IMRO members.
Artist Exemption Scheme Tax Recovery
A certain proportion of royalty income earned by songwriters and composers may be exempt from tax in Ireland under strictly defined circumstances through the Artist Exemption Scheme (subject to individual circumstances, assessment and clearance by the Revenue Commissioners).
Section 195, Taxes Consolidation Act, 1997 empowers the Irish Revenue to make a determination that certain artistic works are original and creative works generally recognised as having cultural or artistic merit.
o This type of income must be declared through the Self-Assessed system
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Reclaiming Overseas Tax (e.g. Royalties etc)
Many IMRO members have overseas earnings from sources such as performance royalties, which may be taxed as much as 35%. Our comprehensive withholding tax refund servicewill minimise your tax liabilities so that you reclaim the maximum amount due to you. Thetaxback.comspecialists have crafted the IMRO service on the basis of an exhaustive knowledge of international tax treaties.
Visa Compliance for Tax Refunds
Whenlodging your Tax Returnyou will need to advise on your visa status whilst performing overseas. It is necessary that you were on the correct visa class to ensure eligibility for your tax refund. We can arrange visas for:
Artists or Musicians travelling to performing all over the world including Australia, USA, Russia and New Zealand
P Visas for performers travelling to the United States. These Visas enable internationally recognized performers and artists to work temporarily in the US. Spouses and children may accompany the holders of P visas for the length of the visa, but may not secure employment. P visas may be issued to an individual, a performing group, or an entire team.
Most Artists who have performed overseas will be aware of the difficulties that need to be overcome to secure the necessary paperwork to perform. We are here to ensure your visa application is submitted in a correct and timely manner and best meet your needs.
To discuss your tax and overseas situation withtaxback.com – complete ourregistration formand an advisor will call you.
Louth Contemporary Music Society Celebrate Terry Riley’s 75th Birthday with
Terry Riley, Talvin Singh, George Brooks
California Kirana – The West Coast Legacy of Pran Nath
An Tain Theatre Dundalk
29 Oct 2010 @8pm.
Louth Contemporary Music Society presents the world famous Terry Riley as he celebrates his 75 birthday to perform Indian ragas with arrangements on the saxophone played by the ever progressive saxophonist George Brooks and Mercury Music awarded tabla player Talvin Singh. Terry Riley who was listed in the London Sunday Times as "one of the 1000 makers of the 20th Century" is one of the founder fathers of minimalism in music. Terry Riley was invited by Louth Contemporary Music Society for his first visit to Ireland in May 2007.
This show is not only to celebrate Terry Riley’s birthday and welcome return to Ireland but also to see how Indian Classical music so easily flows into Jazz and minimalism, as well as seeing the young maestro and experimentalist of tabla, Talvin Singh, to perform in a traditional context.
Music, like all living beings, must evolve to keep pace with a changing environment. The ancient arts of India struggle for survival in a world moving at an every increasing speed. Technology and desire for wealth move us forward and leave little time for the reflection and introspection necessary to evolve the high art known as raga. Pran Nath’s music was rooted in the masters of the late 19h and early 20th centuries. As a young man he survived a harrowing journey during partition from Lahore to the new nation of India and later to the US where his most dedicated students absorbed his teachings and continue to reflect on them in deeply personal forms of artistic expression.
Pran Nath took the ancient traditions of fierce dedication to craft and guru and handed them to a new generation of American disciples. Terry Riley, Talvin Singh and George Brooks will perform traditional ragas arranged for piano, voice, saxophone and tablas, focusing on some of Pran Nath’s favorite ragas from the Kirana tradition such as Darbari, Bageshri, Malkauns, Yemen and Bhimpolasi.
In addition they will perform works from the Riley-Brooks duo repertoire including movements from “Salome Dances for Peace“ and “Ebony Horns“. Each artist will also perform a solo work.
California Kirana – The West Coast Legacy of Pran Nath is presented by Louth Contemporary Music Society (LCMS) in association with Create Louth. California Kirana – The West Coast Legacy of Pran Nath is funded by The Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon and financially supported by Dundalk Town Council and Louth County Council. RTE lyric fm are the media sponsor
.
Tickets for the performance priced €25 are available from
www.centralticketbureau.com Phone 0818 205 205(Ireland) 0870 850 2896 (UK)
Or from An Tain Box office : Crowe Street, Dundalk, Co. Louth T: 042 9392919
Terry Riley
California Composer Terry Riley launched what is now known as the Minimalist movement with his revolutionary classic IN C in 1964. This seminal work provided a new concept in musical form based on interlocking repetitive patterns. Its impact was to change the course of 20th Century music and its influence has been heard in the works of prominent composers such as Steve Reich, Philip Glass and John Adams. Terry Riley was strongly influenced by jazz and tape loop experiments when he began composing repetitive music. In 1964, Riley composed In C, which is generally considered the benchmark work of American Minimal music. Its impact was to change the course of 20th Century music and its influence has been heard in the works of prominent composers such as Steve Reich, Philip Glass and John Adams and many prominent rock bands such as The Who, Brian Eno and Curved Air. Later works like Cadenza on the Night Plain was selected by both Time and Newsweek as one of the 10 Best Classical Albums Of The Year. The epic string quartet cycle, Salome Dances for Peace, was selected as the #1 Classical Album Of The Year by USA Today magazine and was nominated for a Grammy. Terry Riley was listed in the London Sunday Times as "one of the 1000 makers of the 20th Century."
Talvin Singh Producer, composer and tabla player. The Mercury Music Prize 1999 winner is known for creating an innovative fusion of classical Indian music and drum and bass. He is generally considered as a central figure in the electronica sub genre called Asian Underground. Also, his traditional tabla playing has gained him world recognition and respect. He has worked with the likes of Bjork, Blondie, Madonna, Siouxsie & the Banshees, David Sylvian, Sun Ra, DJ Spooky, Massive Attack, Future Sound of London, Ryuchi Sakamoto, The Master Musicians of Jajouka, and Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan.
George Brooks Saxophonist
George Brooks has performed with such notable musicians as Etta James, the Brooklyn Philharmonic, Kronos Quartet, Anthony Braxton, Zakir Hussain, and Terry Riley. His original compositions combine elegant melodies with the rich harmonies of modern jazz and the driving rhythms of North India to form a unique and wholly satisfying musical experience.
From the opening bars of her new single ‘Why Baby Why’, it’s obvious that Luán (pronounced LUON) Parle is ready for her close up.
She's come a long way since performing her own composition on ‘The Late Late Show’ aged 10; nabbing her first record deal at 12, picking up a Meteor ‘Best Irish Female Artist’ award; hitting the Top 10 with her fittingly haunting single, ‘Ghost’, one of the biggest selling singles by an Irish artist in 2008 and picking up Tatler ‘Music Women of the Year’.
Parle has taken the rough with the smooth, the major label mishandling along with the ever-growing fan base and the burgeoning critical acclaim. Through it all, Luán has been honing her craft, working alongside such music legends as Chris Kimsey (The Rolling Stones, INXS), and Bill Bottrell (Sheryl Crow, Michael Jackson).
You can almost taste that devilish drive and the steely determination in upcoming album, ‘The Full Circle’, as this 27-year old singer/songwriter steps off the ropes to deliver that sucker punch.
With ‘The Full Circle’, Luán is finally grabbing the wheel, taking control not only of the record's release (through her own label LPR Records label), but also its production, working alongside Gavin Ralston (Luan's long-time collaborator) and the legendary Bill Bottrell & Chris Kimsey.
Parle and Bottrell wrote and recorded ‘Why Baby Why’ during a 9-month session back in 2006, in California's Mendocino. The hope is that, as the dust settles on an old contract, those earlier recordings will surface in full. One major fan of that earlier session was the late Michael Jackson, who, just before his untimely death, had planned on recording his own version of ‘Why Baby Why’. Other collaborations include Niall Breslin (The Blizzards) and Hal Lindes (Dire Straits).
Like all great artists, Luán Parle defies categorisation. Let's just say, she's got soul. Her music manages to encompass Aretha, Ray, Cash, Waits, Erykah, and whatever you're having yourself, and yet still sound unique. Maybe it's all down to that Irish heartbeat.
As much as that journey has all been leading to ‘The Full Circle’, Luán Parle also knows that she is in this for the long haul. You can hear it in her music. It's timeless. It's heartfelt. And it's going to leave you reeling…
The single ‘Why Baby Why’ is released digitally from Friday August 20th followed swiftly (watch your inbox!) by the album, ‘The Full Circle’ – available everywhere from Friday September 17th, on the LPR Records label.
A nationwide tour is also booked to coincide with the album release from September and “The Full Circle” will be officially launched on Thursday 16th of September
An outdoor music trail and event programme throughout Dublin’s Historic Quarter
The streets of Dublin’s Historic Quarter are set to resound with the sound of new music from 21 August to 1 September 2010 as part of the Contemporary Music Centre’s new initiative, Music in the Historic Quarter. Music in the Historic Quarter consists of The Contemporary Music Centre Outdoor Music Trail and an event programme.
The Contemporary Music Centre Outdoor Music Trail contains works by different Irish composers playing in five outdoor locations. There is an inner trail with three locations playing music outdoors daily from 1pm to 4pm. There is also an extended trail incorporating the first three locations, plus two additional locations which can be followed and listened to with a smartphone by downloading a free app for iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4 and Android devices. The extended trail employs the very latest in location-based, augmented reality technology.
‘Music in the Historic Quarterhas come about as a result of the rich music tradition in the area in which we are located, which continues right up to the present day. The Historic Quarter is home to many music organisations and venues and we are delighted to be working with many of these as partners in our new initiative’ says Karen Hennessy, Promotion Manager, The Contemporary Music Centre.
Music in the Historic Quarteris to be launched with a private preview, 5pm to 7pm, Friday, 20 August 2010 by Evonne Ferguson, newly appointed Director of the Contemporary Music Centre. This is Evonne’s first official engagement after taking up the position of Director of The Contemporary Music Centre in August 2010.
An extensive event programme follows from 21 August to 1 September involving St Audoen’s Church, The Amphitheatre at Dublin City Council, Christ Church Cathedral, St Patrick’s Cathedral, The Back Loft, City Hall, The Coach House and the Smock Alley Theatre. Please see attached list of events.
The Contemporary Music Centre Outdoor Music Trail is free. The event programme is mostly free. Some events have admission charges. Please refer to each event for booking and ticket information. A microsite, will be built as part of www.cmc.ie and will contain all downloading instructions along with an interactive music trail map and further details on all composers, works, locations and the event programme.
Music in the Historic Quarteris made possible through the funding support of Dublin City Council and the Summer in Dublin programme www.dublincity.ie as well as the ongoing funding support of the Contemporary Music Centre by the Arts Council/An Chomhairle Ealaíon.
The Contemporary Music Centre is Ireland's national archive and resource centre for new music, supporting and developing the work of composers throughout the Republic and Northern Ireland. It is used on a national and international basis by performers, composers, promoters and members of the public interested in finding out more about music in Ireland.
For further information and to arrange interviews with any of the composers or performers involved contact Karen Hennessy, Promotion Manager, Contemporary Music Centre, 19 Fishamble Street, Temple Bar, Dublin 8, tel: 01 673 1922, email: khennessy@nullcmc.iewww.cmc.ie
Music in the Historic Quarter
The Contemporary Music Centre Outdoor Music Trail
Inner Trail
Music playing outdoors 1pm – 4pm daily
The Gutter Bookshop, Cow’s Lane Atlantica Ian Wilson (2001) 7’
Contemporary Music Centre, Fishamble Street Four Guitars Kevin Volans (2003) 6’
Civic Offices (Christ Church Entrance) ahu-akiva Gordon Delap (2007) 5’ phorM Judith Ring (2003) 15’
Extended Trail
The extended trail comprises all 5 locations and requires a compatible smartphone
Dubh Linn Gardens (opposite the Coach House, Dublin Castle) The Bell of Bronach Eibhlis Farrell (2009) 8’
Baginbun – 1170AD Vincent Kennedy (2006) 3’
St Patrick’s Park(beside St. Patrick’s Cathedral)
Streetwalker Donnacha Dennehy (2003) 12’
Music in the Historic QuarterCalendar of Events
21 Aug Daoiri Farrell and Friends, St Audoen’s Church, Cornmarket. 3pm – 430pm Free t: 01 6770088 www.heritageireland.ie
25 Aug Rawstorne Singers Choral Evensong, Christ Church Cathedral. 6pm – 7pm Free t: 01 6778099 www.cccdub.ie
26 Aug Don Giovanni (Mozart), Dublin City Council Opera in the Open series, The Amphitheatre. 1pm – 2pm. Free
“How can your skin betray how you really feel about a song? Why is a minor chord sad? How is music linked with memory?” Gavin Friday, Kate Ellis – who is one of the lead instrumentalists on Gavin’s new album – and BP Fallon will appear at ‘Biorhythm Live’ on September 16th, as part of Dublin’s Science Gallery’s BIORHYTHM: Music and the Body festival to talk and improvise about the subject of music and emotion.
FIGHT LIKE APES
THE BODY OF CHRIST AND THE LEGS OF TINA TURNER
The new album releasing in Ireland Friday August 27th, 2010
“Please accept our sincerest apologies, sue Mum & Dad”
from 'Come On, Let's Talk About Our Feelings' by Fight Like Apes
To solve the mystery of the golden medallion (turns out it was Mr. T all along…), Fight Like Apes put the tour into Tourette’s and dragged their sorry simian asses all over the world, from New York to Newcastle, Berlin to Benicassim. Rings were wrestled in, wrongs were righted.
200 shows later, the band came back to Ireland. Furniture was moved around, FLA dropped a shoulder, threw a dummy and knuckled down with vim and vigour to work on new songs in a North Dublin garage. Thumbs got split, chicks got lit, as they sculpted dirty great big black chunks of noise with synths, fuzz pedals, hammers and oxyacetylene torches.
FLApes decamped to London to work with producer Andy Gill (Gang Of 4, Futureheads, Young Knives, Red Hot Chili Peppers). Here, hidden behind the street traders of Leather Lane; the new Fight Like Apes long player, entitled Fight Like Apes: The Body Of Christ And The Legs Of Tina Turner was kicked and screamed into being. Played live in the room. Black, no sugar.
FLA: TBOCATLOTT (as it is surely destined to become known) sees our intrepid sonic stevedores sink deeper and darker into the treacly tar pits of their collective dank and fetid imagination. Here Indie Monsters are called out and slain, limbs are severed. Puke stained lipstick smears tell of your ice cream demise, as elsewhere hookers' victims politely remove their brains. Diamond hard tunes with pitch black rhymes and ridicule – Fight Like Apes take the tumescent cadaver of 21st century pop and hotwire it with a million volts of electro-punk therapy.
Like a snotty kid poking a dead crow with a shitty stick; or a scabby knee that you just can't help but keep picking at; these are scenes from the A&E at the end of the world, and Fight Like Apes are open for admissions.
The lead single Hoo Ha Henry was released in all the usual download places on August 20th and Fight Like Apes: The Body of Christ and the Legs of Tina Turner releases in stores and online on Friday August 27th. All releases are on Model Citizen Records.
www.fightlikeapesmusic.com
Current live shows:
Friday 27th August Cyprus Avenue, Cork
Saturday 28th August Roisin Dubh, Galway
'Sink Your Teeth In’
The New single from Joe Echo
Released on iTunes on 4th Sept
Sample the joys of Joe Echo as he takes you on a journey of sheer mind blowing vocal power and diversification with his blend of acoustic, rock and dance with a relentless attitude and killer tunes to match. – Mid Ulster Today
Joe Echo has one of the most extraordinary voices I’ve heard in a long time. – Gary Lightbody Snow Patrol
2009/10 has been a year of building on Northern Ireland artist JOE ECHO’s foundations through continual touring, writing and recording.
His Live work includes shows with The Script, Paolo Nutini, James Morrison, Joshua Radin, Powderfinger and Eskimo Joe amongst others. Following successful 2009 summer festivals he toured Australia for the first time playing a major festival in Perth, shows with Paolo Nutini in Sydney and Melbourne and several headline club dates.
Touring in 2010 is a priority and he’s recently secured the services of one of the worlds leading live agents, X-Ray Touring’s Steve Strange. Joe says “I’m really happy to be included on Steve’s great clients list that includes Snow Patrol, Coldplay and Eminem and he’s now become an integral part of the Joe Echo team which has gone from strength to strength in the past year.” Summer shows and festivals this year include Ireland’s Oxegen Festival and a most successful recent appearance at Hard Rock Calling in London’s Hyde Park with Paul McCartney.
His writing over the past year has been as busy as it’s been diverse as he builds on his now extensive catalogue. Following writing stints with various artists from Paul Oakenfold to Groove Armada the year ended with a Grammy nomination for the Madonna worldwide hit “Celebration” which he co-wrote with Madonna and Oakenfold. His songs have appeared in various TV programmes from a US Newsweek series to Australia’s ‘Home and Away’.
Joe has written, recorded and co-produced all of the original songs for ‘KILLING BONO’, a new movie based on Neil McCormick’s memoirs of his years at school with Bono and U2 and his rather less successful rival band as they went through the 1970’s. Described as an “Irish music-based comedy”, it’s written by Ian Le Frenais and Dick Clement the screenwriters of “The Commitments” and “Almost Famous”, is directed by Nick Hamm and stars Ben Barnes and Robert Sheehan. Filming began in January in Belfast in and the movie, through Paramount, will initially open in 300 cinemas across UK and Ireland in early 2011 along with a SONY MUSIC Entertainment soundtrack album.
His other movie work includes recording, co-producing and performing the songs for Philip Ridley’s award winning dark fantasy movie ‘HEARTLESS’ starring Jim Sturgess and was released last month in the UK to five star reviews along with a UNIVERSAL Records soundtrack album and in the US in October.
Another song ‘Waves’ appears in the just released ‘Wild Target’ starring Bill Nighy and Emily Blunt with the soundtrack on SONY/EPIC Records. Two other Joe Echo songs feature in ‘Love and Suicide’, the first American movie shot entirely on location in Cuba.
He recently re-mixed tracks for Thailand’s multi-million selling female artist Tata Young.
He’s just completed the recording of his first JOE ECHO album prior to Summer shows after which there are plans to spend time in the US co-writing and showcasing followed by more touring including a return trip to Australia.
Bell X1 have just announced a 14-date acoustic tour of Ireland celebrating the 10th Anniversary of the release of their debut album, Neither Am I.
Having recently played on the Main Stage at Oxegen 2010, the band are looking forward to stripping things back and performing songs from the entire catalogue as well as debuting some new ones. The band will be doing a similar tour in the US in October.
