Author: Press Officer

‘Writing about music is like dancing about architecture’ is a quip attributed to various individuals from Elvis Costello to Frank Zappa. Whatever its origins, there is no disputing the huge public interest in the work of those who endeavour to talk and write about music.

Reviews, articles, blogs, and podcasts are some of the ways in which writers connect with listeners and readers, fans and scholars. But how do you go about producing that content? What music do you want to write about? How do you convey sonic experiences in print? Which forms of communication will enable you to reach your desired audience?

To help address these questions, Sounding the Feminists has just announced STF Workshop 3! Writing about Music for the Public, a FREE workshop, which takes place at IMRO from 4 – 7pm on Friday, 18 October 2019.

Facilitated by Laura Watson of STF, the workshop features a panel of experts who write, edit and produce content for diverse audiences. Their work spans the spectrum of print media, academia, online media platforms, podcasts, radio, the blogosphere, and more. They are:

• Niall Byrne, Founder of Nialler9 Blog and Journalist https://nialler9.com/
• Michael Dervan, Irish Times Music Critic https://www.irishtimes.com/profile/michael-dervan-7.1837446
• Melanie Lynch, Founder and CEO of Herstory https://www.herstory.ie/home
• Toner Quinn, Editor and Founder of the Journal of Music https://journalofmusic.com/
• Helen Shaw, Founder and CEO of Athena Media; former MD of RTÉ Radio http://athenamedia.ie/blog/
• Danielle Sofer, Musicologist, Media Scholar, Performer, and Activist https://daniellessofer.wixsite.com/daniellesofer

Further details:

Who: female, trans, and non-binary writers and musicians of any age, any experience, and any musical genre are welcome to participate in this workshop.

Where: IMRO, Copyright House, Pembroke Row, Lower Baggot Street, Dublin 2. D02 HW59

When: Friday, October 18th 4pm to 7pm

Cost: Free. STF can offer to cover the travel expenses (bus or train return tickets) of artists travelling to the workshop from outside Dublin city centre.

To Confirm Your Participation: To participate, book your place by emailing info@nullsoundingthefeminists.com by 16 October 2019. Please give a 50-word summary of your musical interests / experience if relevant, and let us know if you require travel expenses

The IMRO sponsored beatvyne’s Music x Tech Experience has announced its list of Showcasing Artists from across Europe to perform at the 2019 event in Dublin this October 10-12. This curated line-up of the best emerging artists will play on multiple stages at the official Launch Party at the iconic Windmill Lane Recording Studios on October 10, as well as the MxT ‘Hive Stage’ on October 11 and 12 respectively for industry professionals from the entertainment and tech industries, international media and music fans.

The full line of artists from a multitude of genres includes: AikJ · Ailbhe Reddy · Bri · Double Screen · Fallen Lights · FIELDS · Fintan McKahey · Gary O’Neill · happyalone. · JaXson · Lōwli · Máni Orrason · Niall Mc Guigan · Pursued By Dogs · Rachael Lavelle · Reevah · ROE · Rumi · runabay · Sun Mahshene · SYLK · The Ocelots · VINCI · Weiss Video Orchestra

Each year, beatvyne’s Music x Tech Experience also selects a Featured Artist for a closer collaboration, widely featuring their music across different channels and facilitating access to mentorship for creative and entrepreneurial career development. 2019’s Featured Artist is female noir pop duo SYLK.

MxT2019 follows a ‘fan’-centric interdisciplinary approach, bringing together 2500+ global leaders and innovators of the music, tech and multimedia industries as well as connected ecosystems (automotive, health, retail, marketing etc.) to discuss the future of the entertainment industry and encourage interdisciplinary collaborations on the intersection of tech, creative and sustainability.

The Two-Day event will feature hands-on, immersive experiences with talks by the world’s leading companies and disruptors such as Amazon, IBM, Adobe, Sigur Rós, Magic Leap, Warner Music, AEG, The VOID, Lollapalooza Berlin, music performances as well as networking opportunities at intimate roundtable sessions, workshops, and stellar side events across the city.

Immersive showcases include the first ever AI-Artist live performance in Ireland, Extended Reality experiences such as Sigur Rós’ & Magic Leap’s “Tónandi” which just completed a successful run at Venice’s Biennale and many more, and follow in the footsteps of great experiences such as Björk Digital’s “Not Get” VR and Gorillaz’ “Saturnz Barz” VR experience which were on display in 2018.

CEO of the Music x Tech Experience Kenn Davis emphasises the event’s objective: “We live in a rapidly changing world. The Music x Tech Experience is an exciting opportunity for the entertainment and tech industries to keep up to speed on current developments that are redefining and influencing all sectors working with music and sound and to find the next big breakthroughs by getting together with the leading technologists, entrepreneurs and creative professionals and defining the way forward.”

beatvyne’s Music x Tech Experience 2019 will take place October 10-12, 2019. For more information, please visit beatvyne.com/mxt. To register for the event, please visit beatvyne.com/mxt/tickets.

MxT2019 is supported by Fáilte Ireland, Windmill Lane Recording Studios, IMRO, Miloco Gear, Music Gateway, Startup Ireland, MusicTech Germany, and International Sound Awards.

Marc Ribot joins Sam Amidon at Tradition Now for a special performance which will explore the relationship between traditional music and jazz. Ribot is best-known for his work with Waits but his talents have been in demand from a host of other luminaries over the years including Elvis Costello, John Zorn, Wilson Pickett, Chuck Berry, Marianne Faithfull, Robert Plant and Alison Krauss and many more.

Marc is widely credited with helping Waits define a new musical direction on Rain Dogs (1985) and their work together continued on Franks Wild Years (1987), Big Time (1988), Mule Variation (1999), Real Gone (2004), Orphans: Brawlers, Bawlers & Bastards (2006) and Bad As Me (2011).

Another heavyweight with whom he is closely associated is Elvis Costello – his skills can be heard on revered long-players Spike (1989), Mighty Like A Rose (1991) and Kojak Variety (1995).

Marc has released 25 albums under his own name over a 40-year career, exploring a dizzying array of genres. He has also composed and contributed to numerous soundtracks including Martin Scorsese’s The Departed, Spike Jonze’s Where The Wild Things Are, Johnny Cash biopic Walk The Line and Liev Schreiber’s Everything is Illuminated.

2018 saw the release of two politically charged albums: YRU Still Here? – the long awaited third album from Ribot’s post-rock/noise trio Ceramic Dog – and Songs of Resistance 1942-2018 (featuring guest vocalists Tom Waits, Steve Earle and Sam Amidon).

He reunites with Sam for this special Tradition Now show on October 6 exploring the hidden connections between trad and jazz. In the second part of the evening revered concertina player Niall Valley presents his Sounds Like Freedom project with New York power Jazz trio Harriet Tubman, which explores the links between Irish and US civil rights struggles. For more on Tradition Now: https://www.nch.ie/Online/article/Whats-On-Tradition-Now-19

“Open Mic Dublin – The Movie” has been selected for a screening at the Great Lakes International Film Festival 2019. Showcasing the best films of the season, the Great Lakes International Film Festival will be held LIVE in Erie, Pennsylvania, starting on September 19th. This is the second festival screening this year for these new film makers after a screening on February 9^th at the Irish Film Festival New Jersey. This film is becoming a popular choice with American judges.

This feature length documentary is the result of a two-year comprehensive examination of the artists and hosts of the scene in Dublin. It also includes an interview with the man who started the first open mic in Dublin, ran open mics for 25 years, and who influenced the development of successful artists like Gemma Hayes, Damien Dempsey, Luka Bloom, Glen Hansard and many more.

Open mic hosts Alan Morton and Conor Clancy, of the Jailbreak Sessions in the Patriot Inn Kilmainham, have created what could be the feel-good movie of the year. The whole film is awash with superb music and poetry, captured live and in the raw and has wild stories of the extraordinary things people have seen at open mics.

A bonus of these festival selections is that the artists featured in the film are being introduced to American audiences and through that they are adding to the charm and allure of Ireland as a cultural destination. It also brings attention to a phenomenal part of Dublin’s nightlife, rarely spoken about, but infinitely praiseworthy.

The programme for the 7th annual BLUEFIRE STREET FEST has been announced. The one-day, all ages festival will take place on Saturday 21st September in Smithfield Square, Dublin.  All events are free to the public – booking is required for some.  Most events are suitable for all ages but there are some restrictions – see website for details https://www.bluefiredublin.ie/   

BlueFire is proud to be the first Irish organisation to launch a MUSIC DECLARES EMERGENCY stage with live music on Smithfield Square from Munky, Outsider Yp, Shakalak & more.  ‘LIFE’S TOO SHORT FOR SMALL TALK’ will discuss hot button topics including ‘Irish Media | Misrepresenting The Irish’ and ‘Hypersexualisation Of Women’.  ARTIVISM| ART ON A MISSION will be led by noted Artivists Will St Leger and Emily Robyn Archer.  A new addition for 2019 is HEALTH AND HARMONY, a global therapies fair including Children’s Yoga Workshop.  Feast on food from around the globe at GLOBAL VILLAGE and admire jewellery and art from far flung destinations.  DUBLIN YOUTH DANCE COMPANY will perform a choreographed piece while at the DANCE PLAZA all age groups can enjoy fun dance moves including Bollywood Beats for Kids and Capoeira. Stunning STREET ART OPERA will light up the sky in Smithfield, projected onto Jameson Tower accompanied by a magical operatic soundtrack.  WORKSHOP TENT will feature an array of classes packed with creativity and fun activities from arts & crafts to writing, head dress wrapping and screen printing.

BlueFire Street Fest will open at 11am with a Peace Ceremony including ‘Midday Global Minute of Silence’ led by the Lord Mayor of Dublin Paul McAuliffe with Naoimh McNamee, CEO of Glencree Peace and Reconciliation Centre and members of the Tibetan Buddhist Centre.  The festival coincides with International Day of Peace, whose 2019 focus is Climate Action and also with the 150th Anniversary of the birth of one of the world’s greatest peace-makers Mahatma Gandhi.  It is in honour of these significant events that the festival will embrace the theme of Peace | People + Planet throughout its programme. 

The festival has proudly partnered with the Embassy of Colombia for a special opening event for Culture Night on Sept 20th at Voodoo Lounge, 40 Arran Quay.  From 8.30pm acclaimed artist Julio Victoria and band will take fans on a sonic ride that goes from 80 to 126 bpm, merging electro rhythms with indigenous instruments. The event is free but tickets must be pre booked here.

Bluefire Street Fest is a non-profit social enterprise with a mission to promote social integration and cohesion amongst young Dubliners across all cultural backgrounds.  Now is its 7th year and with the support of its funders the Arts Council and Dublin City Council, BlueFire Street Fest has refocused its artistic vision, expanded its team and taken a bold step in the direction towards becoming a more socially responsible and ‘conscious festival’. 2019 will see the festival and its community of young change-makers embrace a wider public discourse, exploring the impacts we have upon each other and on our planet.

It has been another stellar year in radio broadcasting on the island of Ireland and the crème de la crème were today announced on the IMRO Radio Awards 2019 shortlist. A major highlight of the industry year, the Awards, which are sponsored by IMRO and BAI, will take place on Friday 4th October at the Lyrath Estate Hotel Kilkenny. The names of those taking home the trophies will be a closely guarded secret until the night itself.

Prior to the main Awards night, the IMRO Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be held at the BAI offices on Tuesday 24th September. Four new inductees will be awarded the honour and join the list of those who have made significant contributions to radio in Ireland.

Speaking about the significance of the event, Chair of the IMRO Radio Awards committee, Tom McGuire said “The IMRO Radio Awards is an important media milestone as it recognises the excellence of Irish radio; celebrates the contribution of broadcasters to the national conversation and for one night only brings together the nation’s stations.”

Eleanor McEvoy, IMRO Chairperson said “After much deliberation and debate the judges have selected an incredible shortlist of 185 Finalists whose broadcasting output fully embodies the broad spectrum of radio content in Ireland today. Irish audiences’ appetite for quality radio output continues to grow, fuelling outstanding creativity, story-telling and audience engagement from broadcasters throughout the country. And this is abundantly evident from the quality of submissions received this year. We wish all of the shortlisted entrants the very best of luck.”

Michael O’Keefe, Chief Executive of BAI said “The BAI is delighted to support the IMRO Radio Awards 2019, which recognise creativity and excellence in the Irish radio sector and highlight the impressive level of high-quality, culturally relevant radio content available to audiences in Ireland. The IMRO awards are highly regarded and coveted and the BAI congratulates all the shortlisted candidates and wishes them well on the awards night in October.”

Shortlist

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