Julie Feeney - New Single 'Dear John'

Julie Feeney, 'Dear John'

Julie Feeney is back with a new single ‘Dear John’ from her phenomenal album ‘Clocks’. This is Julie’s third album that she self-produced in November, 2012, and it went straight into the Independent Irish Album Charts at No. 1 and was voted 'Best Album' 2012 in The Irish Times 'Album of the Year' category for The Ticket Awards as voted by The Irish Times readers. 

The video for ‘Dear John’ premiered on USA Today after her sell-out 10 show run in New York City. The video matches the wide-eyed wonder of her art-pop song and if the song's title foretells of sad things, the song itself is something altogether different, a vintage concoction of harpsichord, harp and strings. The video features Julie on a contraption called a Pedal Praxinoscope which is an interactive sculpture, designed by artist Emily Robyn Archer and technician Conor MacCauge, based on an early moving-image machine called the Praxinoscope and made from reclaimed bicycles, wood, mirror and vinyl.

Julie has had an amazing 2013, she released Clocks in the US & UK to which it received critical acclaim including an 8/10 review in Uncut. Hailed by the New York Times as “charming, urbane and dreamy…theatrical on the shell, intricate at the core”, Julie’s sound is unquestionably original, rooted in classical whilst comfortably straddling pop and theatre. ‘Clocks’ was written in Ballinahinch Castle and Lough Inagh Cottages in Galway and recorded at Kylemore Abbey Gothic Church, a return to home ground for Julie. She has also performed to packed crowds this year at the Big House Festival & Westport Music & Arts Festival this summer and sold out a performance at the National Concert Hall in Dublin.

via www.orchestrate.ie

‘Dear John’ is available on iTunes on the 7th of February 2014 and you can also purchase the album Clocks here on Julie's website 
 http://www.juliefeeney.com/shop/ and you can also hear a load of Julie's songs on her Soundcloud page here https://soundcloud.com/juliefeeney

Upcoming Tour Dates:

Saturday 1 February  3 Bed Semi Presents, Ennis, Clare 

Friday 7 February      Ionad Culthurta, Ballyvourney, Cork 

Saturday 8 February  ‘Imbolc’, Ionad Culthurta, Ballyvourney, Cork 

Friday 7 March          Special guest speaker & performer at International 
                              Women’s Day, RDS, Dublin 

Friday 21 March        Fuaim Gala Concert, Cork Opera House, Cork 

Thursday 10 April      De Barras, Clonakilty, West Cork 

Sunday 27 April        Grain Store, Ballymaloe, Shanagarry, Cork

Saturday 3 May        PhizzFest, All Saints Church, Phibsborough, Dublin 

The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)

The Wolf of Wall Street trailer

Genre: Biography, comedy, crime
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Jonah Hill, Margot Robbie 
Director: Martin Scorsese
IMDB Rating: 8.6/10
My Rating: 9/10
Runtime: 3hrs


Synopsis: The Wolf of Wall St. is based on the true story of Jordan Belfort, a New York stockbroker who will do anything to make another million. Set in the early 1990s, Belfort lives a life of ludicrous excess and debauchery however the FBI are keeping a close eye on his escapades. 

I went to see Wolf of Wall St. on the night of it’s theatrical release - four cinemas were sold out but we managed to get tickets in the abandoned shopping centre of Point Village, where, three escalators up, the Odeon cinema lies. Quite fitting really as one can’t help but reflect on the senseless spending that went on in Ireland during the ‘property boom’ as you gaze at the white, empty walls of ‘what could have been’. Nevertheless there was a buzz about town, an anticipation, a sense that we were about to see something great... and I for one, wasn’t at all disappointed.

Scorsese is seventy one years old and still directing films that, even by today’s standards, would be considered both edgy and bold. The film is full of sex, drugs and foul language, so much so that, by the end of it, you’re left feeling somewhat drained. As you become immersed in Belfort’s relentless greed you’re left with no choice but to rout for him, even to sympathise with him? Scorsese tactfully places the viewer amongst Belfort’s army of salesmen, shouting and cursing down the telephones. By doing this, we are made to feel like one of them - wired and out of control. This feeling of pure investment in the story has been misinterpreted by many as glorifying the crimes of Belfort. In my opinion, the film serves to trick you into identifying with a crook and leaves you feeling dirty for doing so. 

Moral or immoral, the film is hilarious and exciting throughout. Leonardo DiCaprio will surely pick up an Oscar for his exceptional performance but the support cast were just as impressive. It’s Jonah Hill’s best film to date, Matthew McConaughey’s cameo is hilarious and Margot Robbie, the twenty three year old Australian actress is one to watch for the future. I’d urge everyone to watch this on the big screen because it’s more than worth the ticket price. This is a Scorsese classic, Wall St. x 10 and even more drugs than Charlie Sheen could handle. Why the hell wouldn’t you like it?

- by Gavin Fitzgerald

New Irish Act - Bold Things

Bold Things, 'Love the Bomb'

How pleasantly surprised was I when I got an email from these lovely chaps from Dundalk, Ireland, who are in the process of putting together their first release due in March of this year. Bold Things are best friends from Ireland who have been making music for years. With a fondness for eclecticism, sincerity and change; the four individuals have been exercising these commitments in bedrooms, balconies and bathrooms of London.

Jim from the band also sent me on the above video they recorded in Ireland when they were home for Christmas, shot by their close film-maker friend Claire Byrne. The song is 'Love The Bomb', a nod to Dr. Strangelove, and I think it's great having given it multiple listens since last night. It's a really nice number with equally strong contributions from all band members from the acoustic bass, piano, muted drum snare and of course guitar and vocals.

When visiting the bands website, http://boldthings.com/, I also came across a few more great tunes, and really enjoyed both the song and the video for 'Hearts Ajar' which reminded me of a mix of Achtung Baby era U2 and Interpol. On a personal level I'm currently enjoying this track a lot, but it's hard to compare the two given the live vs. recorded nature of each respectively.

Bold Things, 'Hearts Ajar'

I have to say I'm really looking forward to see how Bold Things' future recordings turn out and will be checking in on them regularly from now on, and with any luck will get a chance to catch them playing back in the old country at some stage! For now here's another track from the guys via Soundcloud, I hope you enjoy them as much as I have.

Fox Jaw - New Single, 'Kerosene'

Fox Jaw, 'Kerosene'

Formerly known as Fox Jaw Bounty Hunters, the band have been touring incessantly since the release of their debut album The Devil In Music in 2011, playing over 100 shows in 24 months across Ireland, the UK and Canada. In that time they played many festivals and shared the stage with acts such as Editors, Ash, Fight Like Apes and Therapy? 

Described as a modern band with an old soul, their sound is bluesy and dark, without sacrificing an upbeat edge. Their new album, Ghost's Parade is also due for release over the coming months and was recorded with the help of producers and engineers who have worked with the likes of Whipping Boy, REM, Interpol and David Bowie amongst others.

Having being sent a link to the new single by the guys at www.orchestrate.ie I watched the video straight away, and along with some great music, I really enjoyed the humour and acting in the video too. The sound reminded me very much of some of the great but forgotten Irish bands from the late 90's, and also a hint of Bends-era Radiohead in the guitar-playing.

If you want to check out more of Fox Jaw's songs, you'll find them below, they're also playing Whelans of Wexford Street on Friday, 28th of February, and I think I might just go along and check them out myself.

Fox Jaw are Ronan Mitchell  (vocals, guitar, piano), Morgan Nolan (guitar, backing vocals, keys), Shane Serrano (drums, backing vocals, clarinet), Manolis Sheehan (guitar, backing vocals) and Kieran J. Sims ( bass, backing vocals).

http://www.breakingtunes.com/foxjaw

Dallas Buyers Club (2014)

Dallas Buyers Club, trailer

Genre: Biography, Drama, History

Starring: Matthew McConaughey, Jennifer Garner, Jared Leto
Director: Jean-Marc Vallée
IMDB Rating: 8/10
My Rating: 7/10
Runtime: 117 minutes


Synopsis: It’s 1985 and Ron Woodroof, cowboy, electrician and hustler catches the lethal AIDS virus, HIV, during a time when the disease was a huge taboo. Ron is given 30 days to live but his tenacious attitude and disregard for authority bestows him to take matters into his own hands.

The film is a true story and stars Matthew McConaughey as Ron Woodroof. McConaughey lost over 21KG to play the part which puts him far up the list of body transformations in Hollywood movies. Remarkably, one of the supporting leads, Jared Leto, who plays a junkie transvestite with HIV, also lost 13KG giving them a combined total weight-loss of five and a half stone for the film. No, this isn’t the ripped McConaughey we all know, this is a The Machinist version of the star. He’s unhealthy, filthy and deserving of an Oscar for his sublime performance.

Aside from the excellent cast, which also includes a strong performance from Jennifer Garner, the film is well made and has an absorbing story. The mood of the film is gritty and cramped with sick patients who nobody seems to care about. It’s crazy to think how different our attitude was to AIDS only a few decades ago. In a white, poorly educated area of Texas, the image of masculinity is inherently traditional and largely homophobic. Ron is immediately outcast from his hillbilly friends when they discover he has contracted the virus. Ron, who is equally homophobic, is forced to interact with the gay community as he needs a clientele to sell his self-tested remedies. Ron becomes an infamous supplier of nutrients and alternative drugs to those who can afford the join up fee for 'membership', and finds himself at war with the FDA (Food and Drug Administration). 

My only criticism of the film is that the story and its protagonist takes a dramatic shift as Ron transforms from hick to saviour. The contrast was a little too sharp in my opinion but it’s a great film nonetheless and one to be watched on the big screen. 

- by Gavin Fitzgerald

Gavin & Remy's Alternative 2013 Film Review

Welcome one and all to our Best of the Rest film review, myself and Gavin are on hand to recommend 10 films you might have missed last year, and we want to thank everyone for visiting the blog, Bookface page and your support over the last 12 months. You're all good people and we look forward to spending 2014 with all y'all. We plan to put up more regular videos this year so do call back. Peace and love.

Remy & Gavin

Our 2013 Film Review