Author: Press Officer

‘Towels’ is the debut single release by Donegal/Dublin indie/folk/electronic trio For Foresters. A song about the morning that Gabriel’s father came into his room, with the news of his mother from the hospital. Lyrics resting in a bath of reverb, bass tones and throbbing percussion. The track was recorded in Attica Studios, Termon, Co. Donegal, and mixed + Co-Produced by Orri Mc Brearty.

For Foresters are a three-piece theatrical, poetic and expressive act from Co. Donegal. Formed in June 2015; they are comprised of Gabriel Paschal Blake (guitar/vocals), Conal Doherty (bass) and Gary Hamilton (drums + percussion). The trio have been playing together for the better part of six years. Each member of For Foresters having their own rich musical progression. Having toured with SOAK, played Electric Picnic and being said to be one of the highlights of the Other Voices Music Trail 2017. Their music is presented with a deep focus on lyrical narratives accompanied by ethereal tones and compelling melodies. Now playing in ensembles of up to 7, their shows have never been more dynamic or energetic. For Foresters are not just musicians but storytellers who recite their pro’s through raw, captivating tunes.

“Super promising.” – Nialler9
“A sonically sophisticated slice of indie- folk.. Never skips a beat in terms of songwriting.. A new and exciting sound bathed in reverb and given life by great melody, harmony and rhythm.. The trio’s wild-hearted folk sound will not stay a secret for very long.” – The Last Mixed Tape.
“For Foresters’ success seems to be of constant growth. Proven when they had their own lyrics sung back to them by an awed crowd.” – The Manuscript SOCIAL

Jack Lukeman has announced the release of double A side single “Sweet As Freedom”/“Deeper Down The Rabbit Hole” set for release on Friday 27 January 2017, the same date as the release of 12 track original album ”Magic Days”.

“Sweet as Freedom” is a modern topical soul song, giving snapshots of news reports from around the world in the verse and celebrating the joy of freedom in a post truth world in the chorus. Musically it is greatly inspired by Motown, especially Marvin Gayes’ “What’s Going On” album. Epic strings come courtesy of L.A based Irish Grammy Award nominee Brian Byrne.

Musically the track is like the sugar plum fairy on speed, with beautiful brass and strings arranged by Jack’s long time piano man Derek Cronin, with producing wizard Vasileios Gourgourinis. It’s very much a psychedelic fairytale chase across the morning fields, down whatever Rabbit Hole the listener chooses to apply, taking something from C.S Lewis’s Alice in Wonderland and The Wachowskis’ Matrix movie.

Fresh from a successful run at the Hollywood Fringe festival where Jack picked up 2 awards in 2016 and a successful U.K tour with Jools Holland’s Big Band culminating in memorable night in the Royal Albert Hall, “Magic Days” is his first new studio recording of original material since 2013’s “Great Wall of China”. This pivotal work refines the music that has come before and signals many exciting new directions. Lukeman, in possibly the finest voice of his career, worked with a veteran team of gifted musicians and friends with string arrangements from Grammy Nominee Brian Byrne and long-time collaborator Derek Cronin, guitar by Conor Brady (The Blades/Commitments), with drums by Conor Donovan of Damien Rice/Ed Sheeran fame all wrapped up in the production magic of Greek Sound Wizard Vasileios Gourgourinis and Jack.

From the opening horn-fueled swagger of “King of Soho” to the closing beauty of “Till I Saw You”, ‘The King of Soho’ displays the full career range of Lukemans’ imaginative songwriting, from beautiful ballads like “You are the Sea” to the avant cinematic soundscape of “Sky News Blues”.

On tracks like “Sunset Is Blue On Mars” Lukeman shows off a beautiful falsetto, while on “Diamond Days” we hear the old oak depths of his seasoned voice. With strong hooks and indelible melodies, this proves to be a Jack L classic.

There is an underlying political theme to songs like “Sweet as Freedom”, “Sky News Blues” and “Superman 2”, with “Left Hand Man” and “The Show” exploring alienation and parallel universes. “Diamond Days” is a homage to the joys of creativity and the imagination, while “Till I Saw You” is the tale of a time traveller who finally settles down.

The title “Magic Days” comes from the search for this magic days in life and while recording the album. According to Jack, “Of the 30 songs we recorded these were the ones that had the sparks of magic black or white. The songs stand out individually but basic theme of the album is that every song has a bit of magic in it. ‘Magic Days’ is about finding the magic in the mundane, the idea that every day is a miracle. It’s a step forward musically and song wise but also harnessing a lot of the different styles I’ve touched upon with the 10 or so albums I’ve released. It has varying musical influences, Blues, Rock, Pop, and Swing with themes varying from the wonders and woes of the world to the mystery and nature of consciousness. On a whole it’s a very positive album as the title ‘Magic Days’ suggests.”

MAGIC DAYS IRISH TOUR 2017
19 JANUARY – BELLTABLE THEATRE, LIMERICK21 JANUARY – THEATRE ROYAL, WATERFORD
27 JANUARY – SOLSTICE THEATRE, NAVAN
3 FEBRUARY – RIVERBANK ARTS CENTRE, NEWBRIDGE
11 FEBRUARY – TOWN HALL THEATRE, GALWAY
1 APRIL – CORK OPERA HOUSE
8 APRIL – NATIONAL CONCERT HALL, DUBLIN
22 APRIL – HAWKSWELL, SLIGO

Dublin born singer songwriter Keith Cullen is starting 2017 on a high as his debut single “Say Something” is making waves on the Billboard Charts in the USA. A dream of many, Keith is making his mark stateside and currently sitting at number 25 on the Billboard Charts. “When I set out to make music, releasing an album was a dream. So, when I saw “Say Something” climb the Billboard Dance charts, it was truly beyond my wildest dreams.”

“Say Something” is Keith’s first single from his upcoming debut album “Dear Future Me”. The catchy track is featured on the soundtrack for High Strung, a Sony Pictures released film directed by Michael Damien.

Dear Future Me is a collection of catchy alt-pop tracks with inspired lyrics that showcase Keith’s vocal range. When asked to describe his music, Keith calls it Honest Pop. “There is a lot of noise in our world today.” he says. “There is such a need for someone who says something genuine. My lyrics are about authentic stories – people don’t always get to the point of being honest with each other, much less themselves.”

Keith has signed with former CEO of Virgin Records, Warner Bros and EMI, Phil Quartararo. Having recently performed alongside fellow Irishman Hozier and a performance on BBC Live has proven 2016 has been Keith’s year.

When asked to speak about Keith’s talents, Jackie Hayden from Hotpress says “Keith has an unerring instinct for quality pop. He sings songs as if he’s lived in them, always injecting just the right level of passion and never overdoing it. It’s a skill others in the pop field could learn from.”

Keith currently splits his time between Dublin and Venice, California, where he is currently recording with multi-Grammy Award winning producer, Robert Cutarella who has worked with music legends from Eric Clapton to Sting. Keith is certainly set for big things in 2017.

When asked about his career and success of Say Something, Keith says, “Waking up everyday doing something you love is a dream come true, I get to do music everyday now but having that validated with a chart position has just been the most surreal and amazing experience.”

Say Something is currently available to buy and download, Keith’s debut album, Dear Future Me, is set for release in early 2017.

Keith is available for interview ahead of the release of his debut album and the success from his first single.

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Renowned Irish singer, songwriter, and producer, Joe Chester, releases his 5th studio album, The Easter Vigil, on February 24th 2017. The album is preceded by the lead track, Juliette Walking In The Rain, which is currently with radio stations.

As well as releasing 4 widely acclaimed albums, Joe has written, played, and produced for numerous acts, including Hozier, Gemma Hayes, The Coronas, Mundy, and Ryan Sheridan, to name but a few.

‘The Easter Vigil’ will be released on the, newly formed, Bohemia Records, who will also re-release Joe’s albums The Tiny Places Left Behind, She Darks Me, and Hope against Hope.

What started as rough mixes, after a lengthy period of reflection and writing, very quickly became the foundation of the album. Within a few days – less than a week in fact – piano, guitar and vocals, all relatively raw and unfiltered, made the cut. Joe asked friends and long time collaborators to lend their talent to the project. Cellist Vyvienne Long and violin by Steve Wickham add a subtle flavour foregoing superfluous embellishment.

Joe explains some of the themes of the songs: “The album begins with Spy Wednesday, continues through Holy Thursday (Like A Rose Tattoo), through to The Easter Vigil itself and finishes on Easter Sunday (Not A Christian Anymore). It’s about the rewinding of a man’s faith. The loss of belief, almost a perverse enlightenment told through the story of the passion.

Juliette Walking In The Rain is about the night myself and my wife saw the legendary French actress Juliette Binoche walking across a deserted square in Dublin. Just a very poetic moment – magic realism.

The Valley of Tears is an area of clifftop on Inis Mor in the Aran Islands. When the islanders were forced to emigrate they would travel by currach to the mainland where they would then board the ship for America. This ship would then shelter in the Gregory Sound awaiting favourable weather for the voyage. The ship would lie close enough to this particular clifftop that you could almost reach out and touch your loved ones who were leaving the island, never to return. It was these scenes of heartbreak that gave it the name, Gleann ne nDeor, The Valley of Tears.”

www.bohemiarecords.ie