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SWEET JANE

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Debut album Sugar For My Soul – release date July 2nd.

Sweet Jane are creating quite a stir both in Ireland and internationally.  Having spent the past two years since their formation honing their live set, the Dublin 4-piece release their debut album  Sugar For My Soul on Reekus on 2nd July, with the opening track, Bleed, released as a single that day. Fans of their trademark dreampop rock‘n’roll are in for a treat with Sugar For My Soul, with more of the band’s up to the minute take on the Velvet Underground and Jesus and Mary Chain, while songwriter Danda Paxton’s love of 60’s West Coast rock a la Flying Burrito Brothers and The Byrds is hinted at  in songs such as I’ve been Waiting, and Save a Little Place for Me.
 
Also guitarist with Sweet Jane, Danda has already a considerable reputation in indie rock circles, having been main songwriter in both Mainline and The Brothers Movement (whose album scored a superb 8/10 from NME earlier this year). Danda played keyboards and harmonica with TBM, and drums in Mainline.  Danda recently severed ties with The Brothers Movement to focus fully on Sweet Jane where he shares vocals with Lydia des Dolles, a vocal partnership that has been described in the press as ‘achingly sexy’.  Ruari Paxton on bass, and drummer Donagh O’Brien complete the line-up.

The album is getting daily play  from all the cool DJs, including Dan Hegarty, Dave Fanning, and  Paul McLoone.

Sweet Jane take their mesmirising live show Belfast’s Spring and Airbrake on June 26th, an all-ages free gig in Tower Records at 5.30 on July 2nd, Pacino’s in Suffolk Street Dublin at 11pm that night, and Oxegen on July 9th. 
 
Some early reviews of Sugar For My Soul in the UK;
 
I could wax lyrical all night about this record but for those of you who like to rate things this one hits 9.75/10 on the Richter scale for me!   (Battery in Your Leg Music Blog)
 
“Sugar For My Soul hones in all the right elements of a great record – simply put, it’s brilliant.”  – Sourmash Music Reviews
 
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The Contemporary Music Centre presents Play with Music

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The Contemporary Music Centre presents Play with Music as part of Temple Bar Cultural Trust The Summer Sensational Festival, 8 – 11 July 2010. Come and create weird and wonderful sounds and images using the very latest in music technology!

Play with Music offers an exciting opportunity for children and adults to interact with sound and vision. It consists of two different multimedia installations, Dinoeye and Two’s Company; Three’s a Crowd.

Dinoeye is by Brian Fitzgerald from Limerick, Shane McWeeney from Sligo and Ruairí Mac an Tuile from Carlow, all graduates of the Music Media and Performance Technology Degree at the University of Limerick. Dioneye distorts images through different sensors, which are then displayed through a TV screen so children and adults can have fun looking at themselves in a distorted way whilst simultaneously generating sounds through the movements they make.

Two’s Company; Three’s a Crowd is built on the innate interaction afforded by a park bench. As each individual sits on the bench music is triggered so a playful interaction ensues between all parties!  Two’s Company; Three’s a Crowd is also by a group of students from the Music Media and Performance Technology Degree at the University of Limerick. Liam Brennan and Darren Kirwan from Co.Cork; Maeve Garvan from Co. Carlow; and Philip Hayes from Co.Kerry, all graduates with a keen interest in digital technology and design.

Admission is free.  Both installations are located in The Contemporary Music Centre and will be open to the public from 1.00pm – 4.00pm, 8 – 11 July 2010. 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.

Luas are offering 2,000 free tickets during The Summer Sensational. The Contemporary Music Centre has a batch of these free tickets to give away. Tickets will be issued one per person on a first come, first served basis and will be available to pick up in person from The Contemporary Music Centre.

The Contemporary Music Centre
19 Fishamble Street, Temple Bar, Dublin 8, Ireland
Tel: + 353 1 673 1922 Fax: + 353 1 648 9100
http://www.cmc.ie

 

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Von Shakes

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Following the release of their debut single ‘The Routine’ earlier this year, Von Shakes have just  released their first album also titled ‘The Routine’, with a second single due out in June.

A Rock ‘n’ Roll four piece from Dublin, the band have finally brought the sound that has enthralled audiences in Ireland, England, Germany and even Russia to the recording studio.

With the production help of Conor Brady (The Blades, The Revanants) and Phil Hayes (Delorentos, Bell X1), Von Shakes have translated their electrifying live sound onto record, capturing everything that has contributed to their critical acclaim in the past year.
 
The album ‘The Routine’ contains 11 tracks of classic rock for a new decade. This is a collection of modern anthems with no limitations in terms of its appeal to music lovers everywhere.  Gritty vocals, clean instrumentals and infectious choruses – ‘The Routine’ is evidence of the bands’ musical aptitude.
 
Playing live every week this past year has served to cement Von Shakes as one of the tightest bands in Dublin and this is effortlessly demonstrated in every song on the album.
 
Bold but not pretentious. Classic but relevant. This is the ‘The Routine’.

Single Reviews:

Nothing if not punchy, Von Shakes know when to build up and when to break down, making this track far from the same old routine" – Celine Murphy, HOT PRESS
 
'The Routine' shows a band that have grown in stature since their debut EP 'Mind Your Head' and if they keep going in the direction they are, could grow to be a force to be reckoned with." – Music Review Unsigned
Album Reviews:
 
Trading in a blend of fast and furious rock & roll, spiky guitar pop and punk angst, this scintillating debut from the north Dublin four-piece should prove a suitably impressive kick-start to their recording Colm O’Hare – Hot Press
 
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The composer Robin Gibb and artist Hervé Di Rosa to front fight to protect creators´ rights

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CISAC, the International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers, representing 3 million authors worldwide – announces the extension of Robin Gibb as President of the organisation and the election of Hervé Di Rosa as Vice- President.

British singer-songwriter, Robin Gibb, a member of the Bee Gees, and French painter and co-founder of the “Free Figuration” movement, Hervé Di Rosa, will represent CISAC over the next three years.
Approved by the unanimous vote of the General Assembly held on June 11th, in Bilbao, the choice reflects the determination of CISAC to support the cause of creators in all artistic repertoires, to defend their rights and to promote collective management worldwide.
 
Robin Gibb, re-elected President of CISAC, said: "It is a great honour to serve as your President for three additional years. The presidency of CISAC is a role that means a great deal to me because, as a songwriter, I am a passionate believer in the collective management of rights by authors’ societies. While the entire entertainment sector is at a crossroads, I want to leverage this new mandate to help develop a management rights system that is sustainable in the digital age, a system that meets public demand for easy access to all our works while preserving the rights and interests of everyone, including fair payment for creators to use their works. "
 
In his message of thanks, Hervé Di Rosa, who succeeds the Mexican director Alfonso Cuarón as Vice President of CISAC, said: "For several years, I have been involved in defending the rights of visual creators. This election will allow me to continue my work at an international level. And there are a lot of issues to address, such as the liability of internet service or content providers or the resale right. The internet and social media are great tools for the promotion and dissemination of our work, but also a source of concern for the respect of the rights that guarantee our freedom to create."
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SoundSet Choir Auditions

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SoundSet, an innovative new ensemble, will be holding choir auditions on Thursday July 8th in the Kevin Barry Room in the National Concert Hall from 6:30pm.

The aim of SoundSet is to put on high quality concerts which feature repertoire from a huge variety of musical genres- contemporary, electronica, old music, Baroque and anything well-written and exciting!

The ensemble will be a combination of string and voice sections, with a view to expand into a full orchestra over the next few years.

Any singers unable to attend the auditions on Thursday July 8th should contact the directors of ensemble, Laura Kilty and Emma O’Halloran, to arrange an alternative date.

The audition process entails singing Panis Angelicus by Franck (without accompaniment) an excerpt from Was Ist Sylvia? by Schubert (English is permitted and an accompanist will be provided) and a piece from any genre: the choice is entirely yours. Show us what you think suits your voice best- it can be unaccompanied or you can bring someone to accompany you/a CD etc. for this piece. There will also be a short sight-singing test and some vocal exercises to determine your range.

The financial times being as they are at present, SoundSet don't foresee it possible to pay musicians in the first year. Funding and sponsorship applications will be made to this end though, and they aim to have the funds in place for this in the second year. What you will get for being a member of SoundSet from the very beginning is:

  • Help in your professional development including workshops and masterclasses
  • Weekly group vocal lessons before rehearsals
  • Professional photographs and professional recordings to add to your portfolios
  • Opportunities for solos
  • Opportunities for touring

Should you wish to audition, please register your interest by sending an email to soundsetensemble@nullgmail.com.  Scores required and piano versions of the pieces will be forwarded to you (please include your voice type).  Applications must be returned by 5pm on Thursday 1st July. Your audition time will be sent to you after this date.

Download Application Form Here
 
 

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Christy Moore to headline Burmese/Irish concert celebrating 65th birthday of Aung San Suu Kyi

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The National Concert Hall, Dublin | Saturday 19 June, 2010

Christy Moore will join broadcaster Eamon Dunphy and author Deirdre Purcell in a top line-up of Irish entertainers hosted by Marian Finucane, at the only Irish event to celebrate the 65th birthday of incarcerated Burmese activist, Nobel Peace Prize winner and Freewoman of Dublin Aung San Suu Kyi.
 
On June 19th, Aung San Suu Kyi will turn 65 having spent most of the last 20 years under house arrest. To celebrate her life and her political cause, Moving Hearts musician Keith Donald has assembled a stellar line-up of Irish literary and media legends including Eamon Dunphy and Marian Finucane. The evening will also feature performances and readings from Damian Gorman, the Dublin Gospel Choir, Fiachra Trench, Carmel McCreagh, Deirdre Purcell,Brendan Graham, Niall Toner, Noel Eccles and more.
 
This is will be the first time such a group has assembled and in drawing attention to her birthday, the concert will raise public awareness around the on-going detention of Suu Kyi and the violent and oppressive military rule under which the people of Burma continue to suffer. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is the symbol of hope for the Burmese people. In 1990 she was elected by a huge majority to form a civilian government, but was imprisoned by the Burmese military.  She has been under house arrest most of the time since then.  Her political colleagues were also imprisoned and many have died in custody.
 
Speaking about the Irish concert, her cousin, Prime Minister in Exile Dr Sein Win, said: “Music is the international language of people and musicians play an important role in conveying the message of oppressed people to the world through music and song. In that way, musicians are responding to the call of Aung San Suu Kyi, who has asked us all to use our liberty to promote the freedom of Burma’s 52 million people who are prisoners in their own country.”
 
Of his involvement in the cause, Irish folk legend Christy Moore said “I am constantly aware of Aung San Suu Kyi’s situation, I am constantly aware of her incarceration”. Keith Donald adds “Aung San Suu Kyi is the Mandela of the twenty first century. Her situation serves to remind us that we should be grateful for our freedom and do whatever we can to help others achieve it.”
 
All proceeds from the concert will go to Burma Action Ireland. 
 
BOOKING AND LISTINGS INFORMATION
 
What:                   Aung San Suu Kyi’s 65th birthday concert featuring Christy Moore and others
When:                  Saturday June 19, 2010
Time:                   Doors at 7.30pm ; concert starts at 8pm
Tickets:               €45/€35/€20
Booking:             In Person: National Concert Hall box office (DAYS AND TIMES)
                                Telephone: 01 4170000
                              Online: www.nch.ie <http://www.nch.ie/> 
 
** All proceeds from this concert will go to Burma Action Ireland to aid their continuing efforts to raise awareness for the violent military oppression suffered by the people of Burma. For further information on Burma Action Ireland – www.burmaactionireland.org http://www.burmaactionireland.org/
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SONIC ACADEMY Announce Educational Training Programme

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Northern Irelands most unique and cutting edge music business is finally with us, a company not only created to assist with the learning and creative development of budding DJ’s and musicians throughout the world, using their online portal, but to have a modern inviting Apple accredited workspace complete with everything you will ever need, from Video training to a full recording studio suitable for all ages. With a working in house team of Industry professionals, Sonic Academy provides one of a kind educational training for students who want to take the next step in their career or just love music. With the announcement of Sonic Academy 2010 open days and monthly training events, Sonic Academy is certainly cementing itself as a key player within the Music Industry and is set to grow and grow.

Sonic Academy was established in Belfast in 2003 as a quality music production training academy by Kevin Traynor – a former member of one of Ireland’s most successful bands, The Divine Comedy and Phil Johnston, one of Northern Ireland’s leading producers of electronic music. The idea behind Sonic Academy was simple – to provide quality face to face support for aspiring musicians, musicians, producers and DJs. Kevin and Phil saw a gap in the market for quality music technology training and set up Sonic Academy to meet this demand.
 
Based at their training facilities in Belfast City Centre, Sonic Academy consists of a dedicated team of professional musicians, producers and DJs with a wealth of experience in working within the music business, community and education sectors. Using top of the range equipment, they offer training programmes in music technology and other urban disciplines. Their professionalism, the support of the sponsors and the high standard of training means that Sonic Academy offer some of the best courses not only in Ireland but anywhere in the UK and Europe.
 
Sonic Academy’s success lies in their informal, yet professional approach to training in all aspects of music and technology. Students at Sonic Academy receive a broad cross section of practical-based training, covering all relevant areas of the music industry, from mixing to promotion and production techniques. Sonic Academy has grown steadily since its inception in 2004 to its current status as an award winning and music technology training centre. It remains the only dedicated DJ and music technology training school in Ireland. People travel from the UK and beyond to attend training courses at Sonic Academy.  
 
Sonic Academy has delivered successful projects on behalf of clients such as The Prince’s Trust, BBC, Invest NI, Belfast City Council, CCEA, the Department of Education, B&Q and Arts & Business. In 2005, Sonic Academy co-founded the highly successful Urban Arts Academy – an annual creative industries training programme held at Belfast Waterfront Hall – run in conjunction with Belfast City Council. The programme is now the largest and most comprehensive event of its kind anywhere in the UK & Ireland.
 
In 2006 Sonic Academy won a contract via the DETI Broadband Initiative to develop an online version of their Belfast based training centre. Sonic Academy secured £220k of funding to develop a website with supporting training material. In April 2008, SonicAcademy.com was launched. The website is already being used by a community of music makers from across the globe to access their high quality video training tutorials online.
 
“Really impressed with the site and the tutorials and looking forward to more advanced tutorials. I'd like the use  the site as my main resource for music production”
NICK DAVY – ENGLAND
 
“You guys are doing a great job!”
DJ PAQO, USA
 
“I think SonicAcadamy.com is a great site for any level of music learning“
STUART ROBINSON, USA
 
Sonic Academy is an award winning creative business – the Managing Director won the Prince’s Trust Young Achiever of the year award in 2005 for setting Sonic up and more recently the company won the Creative Industries award at the 2008 Belfast Business Awards.
 
Sonic Academy is an example one of the new breed of indigenous creative industries in Northern Ireland today. They are an Invest NI client company and are members of the Momentum and The Digital Circle (who recently described Sonic Academy as “one of the rising stars in the Digital Content industry in Northern Ireland.”)
 
For further information regarding Sonic Academy or their training events please use the information provided.
www.sonicacademy.com or info@nullsonicacademy.com
 
Course Calendar
 
JUNE
June 19th 2010 – OPEN DAY
June 26th – June 27th 2010 – Recording for Singer/Songwriters
 
AUGUST
August 09th – August 21st 2010 – Sound Camp
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Irish Songwriter Wins US Award

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At its 2010, Award ceremonies, in New York, 16th June, the National Music Publishers Association (NMPA) of America, presented Irish songwriter, Brendan Graham, with a Platinum Award, for US sales of over 1 million copies of Josh Groban’s recording of the single of Graham’s song You Raise Me Up. The song was the single from Groban’s 8 Million plus, selling album Closer and was performed by the singer at Superbowl 2004, in a NASA tribute to the crew of the Space Shuttle Columbia.

You Raise Me Up, written by the Mayo-based songwriter in June 2001, has since then been rarely out of the charts, somewhere in the world. Earlier this year, nine years after it was written, it was the No.1 single in the Netherlands for newcomer Wesley Klein. First performed by Secret Garden with Brian Kennedy, the Belfast singer’s tribute to George Best became a solo hit. It was UK Record of the Year for Westlife, in the process selling over a million copies and becoming the band’s biggest ever song. With over 300 recordings, You Raise Me Up has become one of the most successful songs in the recent history of popular music.
As well as at Superbowl, You Raise Me Up has been performed at the Olympic Games Gold Medal Ceremonies; at the opening of the Northern Ireland Assembly; twice at The Nobel Peace Prize Concert and at the White House.
For the past 7 years it has been continuously, the No.1 selling single sheet music in America – and, last month in the US was included by publishing giant Hal Leonard in its Sheet Music Collection THE WORLD’S GREATEST STANDARDS – 51 of the Most Popular Standards Ever Written, the only song from the 21st Century to be so included.
Graham has previously written songs like Rock ‘n’ Roll Kids; The Voice; Isle of Hope, Isle of Tears; and Winter, Fire & Snow…and recently collaborated with the Chieftains on their much-lauded San Patricio album.
Brendan Graham was unable to personally collect his US Award this week, as he is in Dublin for this Saturday’s National Concert Hall premiere of his newest song – Nor The Heart Weary Be, written with the Chieftains’ Paddy Moloney, to honour Burmese Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi on her 65th Birthday.

 

SKIBUNNY Announce New EP Release

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Smalltown America have done it again, with the release of the infectious new EP from SKIBUNNY, this is a and admired far and wide by the media and fellow musicians alike. This melodic masterpiece is due for release on June 07th 2010 through what can only be described as the most talked about Independent label of the year, Smalltown America.

Tracklisting:
1. Walk Don’t Walk
2. Walk Don’t Walk (Cereal Spiller Re Mix)
3. Ossington
4. Cut and Run

SKIBUNNY are TANYA Mellotte – vocals, guitar, keys and MARK Gordon – vocals, bass, guitar, keys; bittersweet yet uplifting electro-pop with a lush dark underbelly sitting somewhere between Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Fourtet and The Cure keeping one eye on the tunes and the other on the dancefloor.  Having already shared the stage with everyone from HOLY F**K to DAVID HOLMES, Skibunny jumped into 2009 with a live showcase at CANADIAN MUSIC WEEK, DJ sets in Brooklyn, an impressive 6 shows at SXSW in Austin, Texas (plus a guest appearance with THE MAE SHI) and a packed out show at THE CAMDEN CRAWL. Skibunny then retreated into the studio to complete their debut album, emerging only to play or DJ at a few key festivals, including T IN THE PARK and a main stage DJ slot at BESTIVAL.

They also managed to fit in a few remixes here and there, including TILLY & THE WALL (Moshi Moshi), THEM:YOUTH (Dirty Boots), THE MAE SHI/YEAH BIG & KID STATIC (Moshi Moshi), DAG FOR DAG (Saddle Creek), PALOMA FAITH (Sony) and labelmates AND SO I WATCH YOU FROM AFAR before ending the year supporting HAR MAR SUPERSTAR.

Debut album 'Hugs' will be released in September 2010, and boasts guest vocals by MAPS and Kaori Tsuchida from THE GO! TEAM. Preceding the full length will be the 4 track ‘Walk, Don’t Walk’ EP which includes 2 non-album original tracks and a Cereal Spiller remix of the lead track. Skibunny will be touring extensively in support of both records.

“Promoters, remixers, dj's and a mighty fine band. They make a kind of disco-shoegaze sound, exuberant and exploding into feisty tunes that sound good”
HUW STEPHENS – RADIO ONE

“Fine, top-drawer crunchy electro-rock with big choruses which shout in your ear about a party going on in a house six streets away”
THE IRISH TIMES

“Belfast's no.1 remixers, promoters and commotion causers…they do something pretty special to the crowd”
NME
 

TOUR DETAILS:
JUNE
Thurs 10th June – Inverness, GO North
Fri 11th June – Inverness, GO North
Sat 12th June – Rockness Festival, Inverness, Scotland
Tues 15th June – LONDON, The Monarch
Wed 16th June – NOTTINGHAM, Spanky Van Dykes (live and DJ set)
Thurs 17th June – BRISTOL, Mothers Ruin
Friday 18th June – MANCHESTER, Sub 61
Sat 19th June – LEEDS, Carpe Denim
Thurs 24th June – BATHGATE, Harleys
Fri 25th June – GLASGOW, Capitol
Sat 26th June – EDINBURGH, Electric Circus

JULY
Fri 02nd July – ABERDEEN, Tunnels

SEPT
Sat 18th Sept – PORTSMOUTH, Southsea Festival

The EP, ‘’Walk Don’t Walk’, is available from June 07th 2010 on Itunes and as limited edition CD from the Smalltown America web store.

www.myspace.com/skibunnyclub

www.smalltownamerica.co.uk

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Yes Cadets Announce New Single Release

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"The most exciting new band in the country"
RIGSY-BBC ATL
 
 "If you haven't heard of Yes Cadets yet, you're going to… tipped for big, big things in 2009/2010”
RORY MCCONNELL – BBC RADIO ONE
 
 "Accomplished and infectious, this is one of the most exciting debuts of the year" (8/10)"
LEE GORMAN – AU MAG
 
 
A band who have truly taken Ireland by storm are Yes Cadets, since releasing their self titled debut EP in September 2009, Yes Cadets have stamped a mark on the music scene. With the release of the bands new single ‘Lies’, on June 07th 2010 the success is set to continue, a deeply melodic track produced by Andrew Ferris, a tune made for radio.
 
Yes Cadets were formed in Belfast over the summer of 2008, united by an unhealthy obsession with Canadian indie and an ear for an off-kilter hook. It was not long before their brand of electro-tinged art-rock was causing a scene on national radio. Their first home recorded demo 'Charm Offensive' received airplay on Radio 1, 6music and 1xtra amongst others, and earned them a place in the hearts of the Northern Irish music press as "the most exciting new band in the country".
 
Yes Cadets have established themselves as a force to be reckoned with on the live circuit, with performances at Oxegen and Glasgowbury and a host of notable support shows, most recently opening for alt-rock luminaries Sunset Rubdown.  Drawing influences from as far afield as Prince, Wolf Parade and Nick Cave, they enjoyed success throughout the media with their debut EP which was released late 2009, being added to playlists throughout Ireland including the Phantom FM ‘A’ List and recording a live session for RTE TV, their new single ‘Lies’ comes at an exciting and optimistic time for the band, who will be touring the UK and Ireland. 2010 is certain to be an eventful year for Yes Cadets…  
 
 Tour Details:
 
June 09th 2010  STIFF KITTEN – Single Launch, Belfast
June 11th 2010  The Stables, Mullingar, Ireland
June 12th 2010  The Pumphouse, Killkenny, Ireland
 
July 03rd 2010  Bakers place, Limerick
July 04th 2010   Black Box, Belfast
July 24th 2010   Glasgowbury, Draperstown
July 31st 2010   Independence Festival, Cork, Ireland
 
August 01st 2010  Castlepalooza Festival, Co Offaly, Ireland
 
November 05th 2010  NME Weekender, Hastings, UK
 
 
The single, ‘Lies’ is available now from the bands myspace and all major download sites from June 07th 2010. More information can be found using the links below.
 
www.myspace.com/yescadets                 www.yescadets.com
 
 

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