Skip to main content

Author: Press Officer

Irish Songwriters Podcast now available on iTunes, Stitcher Radio and your favourite podcast app

From his vantage point in Northern Italy, and by applying this outsider’s view of Irish Songwriting and how it is nurtured and perceived in Ireland, Dublin Songwriter, Ray Heffernan has created a podcast to examine the craft.  By speaking with 48 other writers from all across the Island and further afield, from the absolute beginner to the internationally acclaimed, this 7-part podcast seeks to understand and reveal the history, motive, approach and inspiration as to why and how one becomes, and lives the life of, an Irish Songwriter.

To do this, Ray compiled a 49 question process that invites the writer to ask him or herself more difficult questions than those often answered in standard, press release based interviews. With the responses to these questions, and a selection of original songs by the particpant writers, he weaves together their different threads of thought to create an aural tapestry of today’s Irish Songwriting in a new and innovative podcast format.

This episode includes the input of such household names as Declan O’Rourke and Mick Flannery, alongside those of relative unknowns such as 21 year old Aoife Carton, cousin of Mic Christopher, who has just released her first e.p., through that of Jess Kav, the vocalist and frontperson of prominent Dublin band, Barq. All of these voices blend into one to narrate the story of songwriting in modern Ireland.

http://www.ispod.ie/

 

HOT PRESS MIX’ 18 – Special IMRO Member Discount

Want to get ahead in the music industry? The Hot Press MIX course is back for 2018

The course is aimed at musicians who want to learn more about the music industry, management, media, publicity, promotion, publishing, record labels and lots more. It’s for musicians who want to maximise their income. The course provides opportunities for musicians to learn from music professionals covering vital areas relevant to songwriters and recording artist.

There are still a few places available and Hot Press are offering IMRO members a special discounted registration rate.

It is a 13-week lecture based course (one each week) by top industry experts from the Irish and International music industry, past lecturers have included Mark Crossingham (MD, Universal Music), Steve Averill (U2 Designer), John McMahon (Head of RTE 2FM) and many more.

Key subjects covered in the course include Music Online, Record Companies, Music Marketing, Publicity, Image Development, Music Publishing, Working with the Media, Management, Finance, Touring and Distribution.

MIX ’18 will run in Dublin City Centre every Tuesday at 7.30pm from February.

You’ll also get a FREE Hot Press subscription for the duration of the course. Simply quote the Promo Code ‘IMROMIX2018′ to receive a special €50 IMRO discount.

For more information go to www.hotpress.com/mix

To secure your place and avail of this IMRO member offer, contact: Mark Hogan 01 24 11 509 of email mix@nullhotpress.ie

Microdisney Reform to Perform The Clock Comes Down The Stairs

On June 2 2018, legendary Cork band Microdisney reconvene after some 30 years for a one-off exclusive performance their seminal album, The Clock Comes Down The Stairs and more.  For The Record sees NCH celebrate and explore the context of the key recordings in Irish music. A dark journey through 80’s emigrant London, The Clock Comes Down The Stairs has regularly been termed the greatest Irish record ever…

Described by John Peel as “the iron fist in a velvet glove”, Microdisney is defined by Cathal Coughlan’s intelligent articulate lyricism, with his and Sean O’Hagan’s sweet well-arranged pop melodies marking them as a band of fierce intelligence. Released on Rough Trade records in 1985 and reaching No 1 in the UK Indie Charts, The Clock Comes Down The Stairs is born of an insecure and troubled Irish emigrant experience of London in the 80s. Dark, acerbic, witty and yet swathed in lush pop, the album is one of the great Irish albums and one of the most critically acclaimed.

Microdisney began recording in their native town of Cork, Ireland. Their first including Pink Skinned Man, were released on indie label Kabuki records. The group moved to London, and signed to Rough Trade releasing their debut album, Everybody is Fantastic. This was followed by The Clock Comes Down The Stairs in 1985. The band then signed to Virgin Records and released the albums Crooked Mile and 39 Minutes. Their notable singles include the radio hit, Town to Town and Singer’s Hampstead Home. Following the break-up of Microdisney, Sean O’Hagan went on to work with Stereolab and form his own much-loved band, The High LlamasCathal Coughlan went on to form The Fatima Mansions and is a solo artist.

Microdisney perform The Clock Comes Down The Stairs: 
Cathal Coughlan, vocals
Sean O’Hagan, guitar
Jon Fell, bass
Tom Fenner, drums

This event is now sold out

Tickets:

Room: Main Stage NCH
Prices: €38, €34, €29.50

Buy Here


“The Greatest Irish Album Ever? But the fact is, if my house was on fire, I would rescue Microdisney. I love it. I love Cathal Coughlan’s voice and Seán O’Hagan’s Beach Boys-infused melodies and brilliant guitar solos. Above all else I love Cathal’s dark, laugh out loud mischevious lyrics about the perils of being an Irish Catholic emigrant in a world gone mad. But while it rails at the absurdities of life, it is still a life-affirming joy. Tom Dunne, The Sunday Times. 

“Coughlan’s intelligence and passion are a rebuke to a vapid music industry, his chronicles of disaffection and disgust an inspiration.The Guardian 

IMRO | NCH Trailblazer Award 2018

Microdisney will be awarded the IMRO | NCH Trailblazer Award 2018 a new music award presented by IMRO and NCH celebrating seminal albums by iconic Irish musicians, songwriters and composers.

For The Record

Irish music has produced a wide and varied album output some of which is widely acclaimed and known yet much seminal work remains to be celebrated in the digital era. For The Record sees the album performed in concert and perhaps equally importantly it explores the artistic, social and political context of the release. For the Record looks at seminal recorded moments anew.

 

AIC Presents | In Conversation: Hearing Women | Approaches to Achieving Gender Balance in Music Programming

Date:  Thursday 30 November
Time: 6pm (café open from 5.45pm)
Location: First Draft Coffee, Filmbase, Temple Bar, Dublin 2

Join the AIC for a discussion about approaches to tackling the issue of gender balance in new music programming. How can we achieve parity and diversity in music programming, across all genres and all areas?

Reflecting on the recent launch of Sounding the Feminists, we talk to two programmers about their initiatives to promote women in music, and their approaches to programming with diversity in mind: Aoife Concannon, the Creative Producer of Improvised Music Company’s BAN BAM festival celebrating women in jazz, and Robbie Blake, the new curator of the In Conversation series and artistic director of Tonnta, a vocal ensemble that prioritises representative programming.

Admission is free

About In Conversation

In Conversation is a series of talks and discussion events hosted by the AIC, as part of their dedication to creating new media for discussion and presentation of new music. In Conversation provides opportunities for composers, performers, presenters and the public to get together to discuss aspects of new music openly over a decent coffee. Events include talks and presentations by guest composers and performers, panel discussions, listening sessions and more.

Part of the Irish Composers on Irish Music series, which also features articles and reviews on the AIC New Music Journal at www.aicnewmusicjournal.com. Supported by Arts Council Ireland and IMRO.

IMRO Other Room Acts Announced for Eir Other Voices Festival 2017

We’re delighted to reveal that the following artists will be appearing in the IMRO Other Room at Eir Other Voices in Dingle (1-3rd December):

Joshua Burnside // LE BOOM // Maria Kelly // Katie Laffan // katie kim // Rosborough // Pillow Queens // Slow Riot

Also appearing on the Other Voices Music Trail in association with Heineken will be: Alex Seel Music // Bitch Falcon // David Keenan // Hiva Oa // Josienne Clarke and Ben Walker // LAOISE // Molly Sterling // Malojian // Nialler9 // Sorcha Richardson // The Remedy Club

For more info see othervoices.ie || Eir Other Voices Festival | Dingle 2017

Ulaid & Duke Special announce the December release of their new collaborative album “A Note Let Go”

Ulaid & Duke Special announce the December release of their new collaborative album “A Note Let Go”, followed by dates across Ireland & UK in February 2018.

When contemporary song writing and traditional Irish music meet, the results can be something to be treasured. Such is the case with the new release ‘A Note Let Go’, a collaboration between traditional group Ulaid, and singer-songwriter extraordinaire Duke Special.

The collaboration of these acts draws on two vastly different worlds of music. Through his skills in song writing, Duke Special injects drama and theatricality into the mix, bringing storytelling to the fore with meditative twists and turns amid the melodic architecture. Ulaid’s mixture of skills in arrangement, interpretation, composition and performance lend a peculiarly folk-but-modern, urban-but-pastoral air to the whole.

For a collaboration that may have seemed unlikely in theory, it proves itself thoroughly in practice; when heard, it somehow seems inevitable – Colin Harper

Release Date: 4th December 2017

All Together Now with Jeremy Cunningham (The Levellers), Liam O’Maoinlai (The Hot House Flowers)


Date:
Thursday
23rd November
Time: 8:00pm (Doors @ 7:30pm)
Location: Tailors’ Hall
Tickets: €7.50 (including complimentary glass of wine)
Bookings: http://templebartickets.ie/e/10/festival-of-politics

Can the universal language of music make a difference? We examine how song can make make a powerful statement and bridge differences where the political lexicon often fails.

Culture (noun): the arts and other manifestations of human intellectual achievement regarded collectively; the ideas, customs, and social behaviour of a particular people or society.

When can culture, in particular music, influence change in our socio-economic system? Can music soften views on religion, ethos and ethnicity to marry opposing sides and effect meaningful change? We look at how music has impacted for the better on world matters, crossing boundaries and shaping opinions.

Panel includes:

Jeremy Cunningham lead bass guitarist of The Levellers, British pioneers of political folk-punk. The Levellers  music has always had a political edge and they were one of the few bands of their generation to translate this into mainstream commercial success, selling more than six million records, including two number one albums, in the 90s.

Liam O’ Maoinlaí a musician and frontman for The Hot House Flowers, who explored the possibility of music as a common language between cultures in his 2008 documentary Dambé: The Mali Project with fellow musician Paddy Keenan. Together, the pair made their way across 3,000 miles, collaborating with musicians from village tribes and Nomadic Herders to form a united path of song.

Annette Bellaoui a Danish activist and Muslim convert who is changing the narrative through music and humour. Bellaoui is founder of Tavse Stemmer – Missing Voices.de, a project created by Muslim women for Muslim women with two objectives: present opportunities for Muslim women in the arts; and debunk the myth that there is little more to Muslim women than subservience and religious bondage.

Nadine O’Regan, journalist and presenter of Today FM’s ‘Songs in the Key of Life’ will chair this event.

 

Making the Grade | Special Screening | IMRO Member Ticket Offer

When: Tuesday 21st November
Time: 6.30pm
Venue: The Light House Cinema, Dublin 7.
Bookings: (IMRO Member Guest List Offer Email: events@nullimro.ie

Hosted by IFTA

A feel good musical journey of piano playing from absolute beginner through to accomplished pianist.

In Ireland over 30,000 students prepare for piano exams each year. Making The Grade is a musical journey through a demanding piano grading system from an absolute beginner through to accomplished pianist. It is a stirring journey of students’ musical passions and perseverance, of teacher dedication, parental ambitions and the occasional musical drama.

Director Ken Wardrop has been described as one of Ireland’s freshest creative talents. His authentic filmmaking voice has led to many original cinematic works. With a strong emphasis on the aesthetic and a delicate humanity, Ken’s art has garnered much International attention. Screening at some of the most prestigious festivals including Sundance and Cannes. His films have received many international awards including a European Film Academy Award for his short film UNDRESSING MY MOTHER in 2005.

In 2004 Ken co-founded the film production company Venom and commercials company Antidote with his long time creative collaborator Andrew Freedman.

 

Rising Irish electro-pop duo Le Boom set to release second single | 24 November

Since appearing as a duo under the Le Boom name last summer and garnering 230,000 Spotify plays for their debut single, Christy Leech and Aimie Mallon have quickly become one of the most sought-after new acts in Irish music.

Their electronic house-pop is a rush, it starts dance parties. Between Leech’s falsetto and Mallon’s manic percussive energy, there’s an infectious buzz in their music.

 Last August, the band released their debut single ‘What We Do’ and in the intervening months (with only a remix in the meantime), they’ve done great things on live stages from Body & Soul to Electric Picnic and beyond at Latitude, Hard Working Class Heroes. Castlepalooza, Sea Sessions and Indiependence to name a few.

‘Don’t Need It Now’ is a live favourite from the past year. It’s a song that has that same melodic playfulness as their debut single with an added rhythmic toughness and swerve. The song comes with an extended club mix and an instrumental

In November, Le Boom play their first sold out headline show in Whelan’s Dublin on Friday 24th November (HMU for guestlist) and have many more gigs on the way in 2018.

Release date: 24 November 2017

http://www.leboomlovers.com/

Interview with Iconic International Music Video Director Steve Barron (Michael Jackson, Madonna & David Bowie) | IMRO Ticket Offer

Steve Barron: In Conversation

Hosted By Irish Film and Television Academy (IFTA)

Date: Sunday 19th November,
Time: 2pm
Location: Windmill Lane Recording Studio, 20 Ringsend Rd, Grand Canal Dock, Dublin 4.
Bookings: IMRO Free Ticket Offer | Email: events@nullimro.ie

Steve Barron is an Irish director whose diverse body of work over four decades has spanned feature film, television drama, and iconic international music videos.

Steve is renowned for his ground breaking and innovative 1980s music videos with some of the world’s biggest music stars including Michael Jackson, Madonna and David Bowie. Many of these award-winning videos are now included on ‘Greatest Music Videos’ lists. In 1992 the ‘Billie Jean’ video was inducted into the Music Video Producers Hall of Fame

The London based director is posting his most recent feature film, cast by Louise Kiely, Supervized, starring Tom Berenger, Beau Bridges and Fionnula Flanagan. Other feature film work include the hughly popular Mike Bassett: England Manager (2001), Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990), Coneheads (1993) and Rat (2000). Steve started his career as clapper loader on Ridley Scott’s The Duellists in 1977. Steven’s television drama works includes notable projects Treasure Island, Merlin, and The Durrells.

He has been nominated for 27 Emmy Awards and five Golden Globes.

Steve will be talking about his fascinating career, working with the biggest music stars in the world at the beginning of the MTV generation, creating and directing award-winning and innovative music videos (including the concept of the music video as a short film for Michael Jackson’s ‘Billie Jean’), and working in feature film and drama in Ireland, UK and US, for over 40 years.

He has also been nominated for 27 Emmy Awards and five Golden Globes.

Some of the notable music videos Barron directed include:

– Michael Jackson – “Billie Jean” (1983)
– Fleetwood Mac – “Hold Me” (1982)
– Madonna – “Burning Up” (1983)
– Paul McCartney – “Pretty Little Head” (1986)
– David Bowie – “As the World Falls Down” (1986) “Underground” (1986)
– Dire Straits – “Money for Nothing” (1985), “Calling Elvis” (1990), “Heavy Fuel” (1991)
– A-ha – “Take on Me” (1985), “The Sun Always Shines on T.V.” (1985)
– Bryan Adams – “Run to You” (1984), “Heaven” (1985), “Summer of ’69” (1985)
– Simple Minds – “Promised You a Miracle” (1982)
– Eddy Grant – “Electric Avenue” (1982), “I Don’t Wanna Dance” (1982)
– Culture Club – “God Thank You Woman” (1986)
– Fun Boy Three – “It Ain’t What You Do….” (1982)
– Heaven 17 – “Penthouse and Pavement” (1981), “Let Me Go” (1982)
– The Human League – “Don’t You Want Me” (1981), “Love Action” (1981), ‘Fascination” (1983)
– The Jam – “Strangetown” (’78), “When You’re Young” (’79), “Going Underground” (’79)
– ZZ Top – “Rough Boy” (1986), “Sleeping Bag” (1986)
– Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark – “Maid of Orleans” (1982)
– Sheena Easton – “For Your Eyes Only” (1981), “Telephone” (1983)
– Joe Jackson – “Steppin’ Out” (1982), “Real Men” (1982), “Breaking Us in Two” (1982)
– The Skids – “Iona” (1981)
– Styx – “Haven’t We Been Here Before” (1983)
– Supertramp – “Cannonball” (1985), “Better Days” (1986)
– Tears for Fears – “Pale Shelter” (1983)
– Toto – “Africa” (1982), “Rosanna” (1982)

Keep up to date with IMRO news and events

Please select login