tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62744652766568678692024-03-14T07:20:15.614+00:00REMYREMY is an Irish music blog focusing on independent music from both Ireland and internationally. We feature music reviews, interviews and live music photography.RemyChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09840012344095446171noreply@blogger.comBlogger1670125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6274465276656867869.post-60425671931591545022019-05-19T14:07:00.001+01:002020-11-22T12:24:46.414+00:00Playlist 2014 - 2019: Thank You! From REMY<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9sJEIWemPYfKTY7pZtc0GgmQi73IdMqP2-IAQADuKkOVwKdxN2QDZ0aYoiOj5CMG_oAsJwD-Yx1qFU2icxKiWnwUPfYkOXIvIK-ipg8u9bXQzRIaxQ_dp3lJr2zdy0ACx9N4GgIXhEZE/s1600/REMY%2527s+Music+Blog+Ireland+Independent+Music.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="REMY's Music Blog Ireland Independent Music" border="0" data-original-height="805" data-original-width="960" height="536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9sJEIWemPYfKTY7pZtc0GgmQi73IdMqP2-IAQADuKkOVwKdxN2QDZ0aYoiOj5CMG_oAsJwD-Yx1qFU2icxKiWnwUPfYkOXIvIK-ipg8u9bXQzRIaxQ_dp3lJr2zdy0ACx9N4GgIXhEZE/s640/REMY%2527s+Music+Blog+Ireland+Independent+Music.jpg" title="" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/playlist/0JQDZLkm9OAned7fwtLhD2" width="300" height="380" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allow="encrypted-media"></iframe>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif">I was quite sad a few weeks ago when I decided to call time on what began in July 2012 as mostly a film review blog with a few pieces here and there on bands I love from the 60's and 70's. But I am very, very happy with how the last 6 years in particular turned out, and even moreso, incredibly lucky to have ended up meeting so many amazing and inspiring people, seeing god knows how many bands live who blew my mind, and in a nutshell, living a dream. </span><br />
<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><br /></span>
<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif">The over-riding reason I've decided to wrap up is purely time, in this game you are either all-in and 100% committed, or you're better off out, in my own view there's no in-between. The last thing I would want is for me to stop enjoying this, finding it a burden, and worst of all (which I had noticed on occasion over the last number of months) to start writing reviews devoid of passion and which are rushed, it's not fair on anyone, particularly the artist.</span><br />
<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><br /></span>
<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif">Music is my number one passion, and to somehow find myself witnessing the best period of Irish music, well, for wont of a better turn of phrase, doing this blog has been the best thing I've ever done on a personal level. A joy-filled adventure I will never forget, and which never would have happened unless there was an avalanche of incredible music flowing out from all over the island of Ireland.</span><br />
<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><br /></span>
<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif">So, enough of the sop, and I know this isn't the Oscars, but I do have a few people I'd like to be on the record thanking and yes...<b>*CLICHÉ KLAXON!*</b> sorry if I forgot anyone! Briefly though, the above Playlist contains 150 songs by Irish artists from 2014 - 2019 which have featured on these pages in the past, each track holding a specific and happy memory for me, it's in chronological order of when they were reviewed, a little archive for me to revisit when I'm feeling nostalgic! Thankfully I got to see 93 of the 150 live, #blessed.</span><br />
<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><br /></span>
<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif">Huge thanks go to the following people who provided massive support to me;</span><br />
<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><br /></span>
<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif">Irish musicians (all of them!), David Judge of Abner Brown's Barber Shop for too many opportunities over the years, Jim O'Donoghue Martin (VIDEO BLUE - for sending me my very first review request and inadvertently turning this blog on its head as a result!), the boys at Oh Joy! (once The Journals - the first time I brought a camera to a show was at one of their gigs and I used flash photography - didn't do it ever again after!).</span><br />
<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><br /></span>
<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif">The Dundalk family - a ridiculous amount of support and good-will came from people I now consider friends, Jim (already mentioned!), Gavin Murray (Trick Mist), Just Mustard (my favourite Irish band), the beautiful human that is Shane Clarke (Elephant), Aoife McCann (AE Mak), Nix Moon, </span><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif">Third Smoke, Larry & wordsmith deluxe David Keenan.</span><br />
<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><br /></span>
<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif">Takes breath....</span><br />
<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><br /></span>
<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif">Stef Edwards and Jenny Headen who facilitated some amazing live music memories (WeAreRedHead), likewise Emma Harney of Orchestrate PR who helped me hone my interview skills long ago! Jawdropper crew (John & Maya et al!) My absolute bae Dwayne Woods (Butter Wouldn't Melt PR), Liza Geddes & Linda Coogan Byrne, Naoise Roo, James McGregor (The Clockworks) and Noël Duplaa (CFIT and 20 other bands) for contributing amazing reviews to these pages in the past, my best buds in photography and beer Sarah Ryan and Niall O'Kelly, Margaret O'Sullivan (Femmepop), THUMPER, Dave Conway (Gigonometry), Tim Clifford (K-Fest), Andrea Keogh (The Sound House, DQF), Callum Browne, James Strain (Auxiliary Phoenix), Greg Whelan, Ryan Cashell, EllyD and Emma (Xx), James Geraghty & Adam McCabe (Brass Phantoms), Montauk Hotel (keep shimmering!), MUNKY (Xx), David Anthony McGeown (BODIES), Alien She, Brendan Miller (Zombie Picnic), Molly Sterling (heart-breaker), Laura McCabe (cello lady), Joey (Heroes in Hiding), Darragh O'Connor & Jack O'Flaherty (Exiles), Sick Love, Kevin Nolan, Herb Magee (Arvo Party), Ronan Kealy (Junior Brother), The Felonies, Classic Yellow, Silverbacks, Sean O'Brien (FIELDS), Chris Ryan (Robocobra Quartet), EHCO, and anyone who invited me to their shows, sent me their music.</span><br />
<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><br /></span>
<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif">All of the amazing photographers I met and who contributed to the last two end of year <a href="https://thebestofmusicandfilm.blogspot.com/2019/01/a-celebration-of-live-irish-music-photography-2018.html" target="_blank">photography galleries</a>, Zoe Holman, Ciara Brennan (SheBopImagery), Glen Bollard, Moira Reilly, Dara Munnis, Ruth Medjber (for also fixing my camera at HWCH 2017!), Nicholas O'Donnell, Jack Farrell, Aaron Corr, Kieran Frost, Billy Cahill, Faye Bollard, to name a few. </span><br />
<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><br /></span>
<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif">A very special thank you to Stephen White of <i><b>The Last Mixed Tape</b></i>, a man who understands the lonesome but happy life of the solo music blogger and gave me a lot of sage advice over the years, someone whom I have endless respect for, and a perfect companion at so many gigs and festivals. Also <i>Nialler9</i> and <i>The Thin Air</i> for the shout outs and support, it meant a lot.</span><br />
<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><br /></span>
<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif">Last but not least, my wife Anna, who educated me on music from the 60's / 70's and 80's, she's the Skynet of music databases and trivia. She never once complained about the amount of time I spent out and about at shows, or at home blogging, and her support was the most valuable of all. I look forward to getting to know her again ;)</span><br />
<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><br /></span>
<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif">Go to local shows, buy local music, and be happy!</span><br />
<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><br /></span>
<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif">Grá mór,</span><br />
<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><br /></span>
<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif">REMY Xx</span></div>
RemyChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09840012344095446171noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6274465276656867869.post-40491474684089217272019-05-19T11:52:00.000+01:002019-05-19T11:55:21.391+01:00Single: Montauk Hotel - White Billboards<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjosAIHMrnAHFVPsunP5hArLBPnqh7DhO4afuM0V2zVr4wmfVxXTfWUXH0_hHRTeetpDI6VAqVHlLGmjYS1dyK-MUv6QwrTR0xhSs-p7r-pN73qdNDVT8XP8HvxnbsM-c2c2OpYufJHe8U/s1600/Montauk+Hotel+-+White+Billboards.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Montauk Hotel - White Billboards" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjosAIHMrnAHFVPsunP5hArLBPnqh7DhO4afuM0V2zVr4wmfVxXTfWUXH0_hHRTeetpDI6VAqVHlLGmjYS1dyK-MUv6QwrTR0xhSs-p7r-pN73qdNDVT8XP8HvxnbsM-c2c2OpYufJHe8U/s640/Montauk+Hotel+-+White+Billboards.jpg" title="" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Photo: Declan Kelly</span></b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allow="encrypted-media" allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="380" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/track/3hvoFPoi2jUzh0DgTNTwHy" width="300"></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">'White Billboards' is a reflection on the power of advertising on in our society and how </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">models and standards influence our choices, happiness and feeling of adequacy. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The song pictures an imaginary future where as an result of over-saturation, people </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">have become indifferent to commercial models. Advertisers and brands have run out </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">of slogans and have lost their impact on people and society.</span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">There is a question left open, which whether a society with empty billboards would </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">indeed set us free to be happy or whether it would leave us lost and unable to regain </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">a personal identity.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></i>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I love this premise for the latest single '<b>White Billboards</b>', from Dublin jangle-pop outfit <b>Montauk Hotel</b>, it is the dystopian futures of Huxley and Orwell in reverse, where instead of humanity becoming more imprisoned, it is liberated.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">With the intro you know that Montauk Hotel's sound has now become irrevocably noticeable over the last few years, even before the vocal joins in. Guitar and percussion are, just like the theme, upbeat, positive and of a sunny, hopeful disposition. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The band could easily have stayed within the structure of the track for its entirety and the listener would have been more than happy, but lo and behold Montauk surprise us with a moving break at the 2:22 mark, lead-singer Claudia Verdecchia briefly pauses while a wonderfully deep bass-line pops up and is joined almost immediately by thundering bass-drum and stirring harmonies before closing. Consistently good and thoughtful song-writing, plus an ever-expanding musical landscape are what have seen Montauk Hotel's arc continue to rise upwards, long may that continue.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://open.spotify.com/artist/4jAGKoN1UfczuLA8qH6c99?si=ubwlQHSBTqmOryrE6_SlHQ">https://open.spotify.com/artist/4jAGKoN1UfczuLA8qH6c99?si=ubwlQHSBTqmOryrE6_SlHQ</a></span><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/montaukhotel/"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">https://www.facebook.com/montaukhotel/</span></a>RemyChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09840012344095446171noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6274465276656867869.post-52517255054715282412019-05-18T13:46:00.000+01:002019-05-18T13:50:42.259+01:00New Irish Albums (May): Mongoose, RUNAH & The Man Whom<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWHMTVXziXvSomOc_CzTOIAAy5Sx5xyOaaKBSMd6ovtY2SMlOScL_wpy7e6-FZtpZ4mTZtS9bINIs-nXK3TBVbVU5kY02h4i_ClqaqDb-8LaLWoyd-FJX1_WUvUI5y1HhgverXphTjVGg/s1600/Mongoose+-+Suck+the+Wound+-+Album+Review.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Mongoose - Suck the Wound - Album Review" border="0" data-original-height="590" data-original-width="960" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWHMTVXziXvSomOc_CzTOIAAy5Sx5xyOaaKBSMd6ovtY2SMlOScL_wpy7e6-FZtpZ4mTZtS9bINIs-nXK3TBVbVU5kY02h4i_ClqaqDb-8LaLWoyd-FJX1_WUvUI5y1HhgverXphTjVGg/s640/Mongoose+-+Suck+the+Wound+-+Album+Review.jpg" title="" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Mongoose - Photo: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/abigaildennistonphotography/" target="_blank">Abigail Denniston Photography</a></span></i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allow="encrypted-media" allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="380" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/user/11155734402/playlist/0cvB0cuaWvxXNQmuccRSlM" width="300"></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In our latest round-up of new Irish album releases which have come out over the past month, we feature the sophomore albums <i><b>Suck the Wound</b></i> from Dublin contemporary folk quartet <b>Mongoose</b>, and <i><b>The Dancer From the Dance</b></i> by Wexford's <b>The Man Whom</b>. We also have a wonderful debut LP via Dublin-based atmospheric art-folk artist <b>RUNAH</b>, titled <i><b>Strange</b></i>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>1) Mongoose - <i>Suck the Wound</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Few Irish bands carve apart modern folk and put it back together again with so many different layers for the listener to explore in the manner that Mongoose do. Following on from their hugely successful self-titled debut in 2015, the four-piece open plenty of new doors for us to peep into on <i>Suck the Wound</i>. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The opening title track is an empowering behemoth that sweeps away any feelings of anxiety or doubt right from the start, the dark tones and their seamless harmonies catch you in their trap in the most willing way early on on the LP. 'Hard Ground' shifts key in an instant, a confident jazzy strut which bursts apart at the 1:16 point, again that inspiring and assertive tone is so energising, there is sass everywhere.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">More melancholic moods unfurl on the sad but beautiful 'Draw the Line', a slow rhythm and tempo ease themselves across the track, and her the lead vocal and harmonies take on an almost medieval ballad hue, hearts are broken, but new chapters open. A very warm highlight arrives on the wistful dirge of 'Sister', steeped in bare classical folk á la Pentangle, the deep hum of the cello is brief but impacting, there is a lot of room for your ears to breathe here and soak it all up. 'While Away' picked me up and dropped me unceremoniously off at a dimly lit club in 1970's Greenwich Village, Joni vibes abound and every note trickles effortlessly off their instruments.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Lead single 'Body & Soul (For Cara)' arrives near the album's end, like what has come before, they execute the build expertly, but with more restraint, the melodies are enchantingly colourful as the percussion alternates between trundling passages and a slow metronome beat, it's a strangely beautiful and other-worldly experience. And that for me sums up in many ways <i>Suck the Wound</i>, it's a sprawling canvas of sounds, moods and themes, like one of those massive paintings you see taking up an entire wall in a French museum, you have to stand fully back to appreciate it (and attempt to) take it all in.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Key tracks:</b> 'While Away', 'Suck the Wound', 'Body & Soul (For Cara)', 'Sisters', 'Draw the Line'</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDwBelPiieNKPAA5zItFwyGvlMU_H0-xNhofG80ad33gl42u8NLbrfjwVihm0nzJeqyTpRcRdE36-UrTDyYURjmy3sS88LpSy_ejjbArIA9Tm9f2VT3fbqVk9TxrKXkZ0YAaeihtPODbE/s1600/RUNAH+-+Strange.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="RUNAH - Strange" border="0" data-original-height="399" data-original-width="960" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDwBelPiieNKPAA5zItFwyGvlMU_H0-xNhofG80ad33gl42u8NLbrfjwVihm0nzJeqyTpRcRdE36-UrTDyYURjmy3sS88LpSy_ejjbArIA9Tm9f2VT3fbqVk9TxrKXkZ0YAaeihtPODbE/s640/RUNAH+-+Strange.jpg" title="" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>2) RUNAH - <i>Strange</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Another act that excels at arranging mysterious landscapes is Tara May, aka RUNAH, her sophomore EP <i>Ghosts</i> which was released towards the end of last year came from a place you'd never tire of wandering around. <i>Strange</i> is markedly different in many ways, from the jazz-tinged opener 'Winter' whose bass recalls Sneaker Pimps and early Massive Attack vibes, RUNAH tears up her own songbook on these 10 tracks.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Gently trembling strings vibrate in the background on second track 'Shame', the bass rumbles and those early shy strings push themselves into a position of prominence giving added energy and power to her vocal, not that it was needed. There is so much to delight in on 'Ground', like a modern day Connie Francis, we're in spaghetti-Western soundtrack territory here, the music ambles in a lethargic yet purposeful manner as the vocal stares deep into our eyes and souls.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZZIxNgDzyNI" width="560"></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The tenderness and alluring beauty of 'Something Like a Prayer' is nothing short of heart-breaking, the enchantress possesses our entire being, a potion of deep and heavy piano keys, almost inaudible strings and ominous bass that kicks in at 2:32 take the listener hostage and the Stockholm syndrome is strong and cannot be unbound. Majestic. Closing with its title-track (above video) a rare moment of brevity which provides both a release of tension and also a platform for the artist to show another hand in her musical deck. This is utterly contemporary sonically, bordering on electronic, one last imprint on the listener's brain that won't be erased anytime soon. Escapist, hypnotic, mystique, power and a harrowing beauty, RUNAH's debut album has an individuality and uniqueness whose abstract creativity must be celebrated.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Key tracks;</b> 'Ground', 'Winter', 'Shame', 'Something Like a Prayer', 'Strange', </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>3) The Man Whom - <i>The Dancer From The Dance</i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Wexford's Ian Doyle, The Man Whom, released his much-lauded debut album <i>The Greatest Event</i> back in 2011, a mixture of melancholic and upbeat folk tracks with an alt-country hue, during which time the artist also made an appearance at Other Voices. Old man time has been nothing but kind to his song-writing in that 8 year intervening period, a glorious string-led introduction on the fittingly titled 'Time Reprise' makes a powerful opening impact, this is how you get back in the game.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/aT9_VNlAsoA" width="560"></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">'Saturdays She Plays Her Piano' is a thematically heavy and very real affair, opening with the line; <i>"Once she was a singer in a jazz band, but that all ended when the kids came along, her piano now sits silent in the corner, locked key lost, buried in a drawer, and she says 'evidently I'm afraid of failure....'" </i>Observance of the less happy twists and turns in life are a key feature in Doyle's lyrics, respectfully delivered with a benevolent vocal and moving musical passages.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">'Pennies for the Poor Basket' is an interesting moment on the LP, a fulsome introduction makes way suddenly to the barest of bones, a delicate vocal and sparse acoustic guitar lead towards a meandering bass and piano sequence. A recollection of childhood memories seen through the prism of adulthood, and importantly leaving aside rose-tinted glasses.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">For an album which regularly gravitates around a focal point of minimalism, The Man Whom is equally adept at producing grandiose orchestral flourishes, which are best captured on the captivating crescendos of 'Time', a track which initially disarms before pulling you out of your slumber to great heights. Towards album's end comes a key highlight in the form of 'Two Voices', an unusually morose warmth with a rich acoustic glow, again Doyle embraces simplicity in sound and rhythm because sometimes that just works far better than over-cooking. For a genre that I would probably not normally run to for gratification, The Man Whom has created an album which has far more depth than is initially noticeable on the surface, and more importantly, <i>The Dancer From The Dance</i> provides more than enough diversity to ensure longevity and repeated listens.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Key tracks;</b> 'Time Reprise', 'Saturday She Plays Her Piano', 'Time', 'Pennies for the Poor Basket', 'Two Voices'</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: magenta; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><b style="background-color: white;">For our previous new Irish Album round-up for April, go here </b><a href="https://thebestofmusicandfilm.blogspot.com/2019/04/new-irish-albums-old-hannah-jamie-adam-deaf-joe-arms-that-fit-like-legs.html">https://thebestofmusicandfilm.blogspot.com/2019/04/new-irish-albums-old-hannah-jamie-adam-deaf-joe-arms-that-fit-like-legs.html</a></i></span></div>
RemyChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09840012344095446171noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6274465276656867869.post-1775349695559561212019-05-13T20:53:00.000+01:002019-05-13T20:53:22.496+01:00Tipp Classical 2019 - Therapy? Interview<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRBYANWdaLKDh3GE7SAUSqNjZDnH-k6MVX3QQy2pF_BPTTvKIJ-771i1BTyy610NGNofhZgS3W4chT-wSbU9lXiFquwFpcWGGhDdZv4ovGIOHmMcoO5sLVp85X7KdzpsmsShUiuPegwBY/s1600/Therapy+-+Tipp+Classical+-+F%25C3%25A9ile+-+Remy+Connolly+-+Interview.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Therapy - Tipp Classical - Féile - Remy Connolly - Interview" border="0" data-original-height="1160" data-original-width="1600" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRBYANWdaLKDh3GE7SAUSqNjZDnH-k6MVX3QQy2pF_BPTTvKIJ-771i1BTyy610NGNofhZgS3W4chT-wSbU9lXiFquwFpcWGGhDdZv4ovGIOHmMcoO5sLVp85X7KdzpsmsShUiuPegwBY/s640/Therapy+-+Tipp+Classical+-+F%25C3%25A9ile+-+Remy+Connolly+-+Interview.JPG" title="" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/oH_yivWallk" width="560"></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Ahead of their main-stage performance at the inaugural<b> <a href="https://tippclassical.com/" target="_blank">Tipp Classical</a> Festival</b>, which rebooted last year to huge success as Féile Classical in Semple Stadium, Thurles, Co. Tipperary (music fans of the same vintage as myself may recall the origins as The Day Trip to Tipp in the 1990's, where the Buckfast flowed like wine), REMY had the privilege of chatting to <b>Michael McKeegan</b>, founding member of Belfast alternative-rock icons <b>Therapy?</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In <i>Irish Times</i> journalist Tony Clayton-Lea's must-have book, <i>101 Irish Records You Must Hear Before You Die </i>(2011, Liberties Press), referring to Therapy?'s 1994 sophomore album <i><b>Troublegum</b></i>, Clayton-Lea wrote; <i>"From the cover to the music, an unsettling, provocative, desolate yet highly individual atmosphere abounds - it's metal, it's punk, innately melodic and lyrically incisive" </i>He went on to note that Therapy? resisted pressure from their label to re-enact Nirvana, or become the European Metallica, and the band <i>"stuck to their guns and clung to their hero worship of Hüsker Dü and Steve Albini".</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDOMB0P8xIN6VGX0iGyKcjMa-7RceASIXKvXuYHgilq1-BRf8pyNLJgVwu4YFOPeIjO_S3LIffq2UHCcfFsZ_7j2SFPllu65i4B14NWa6HUAhSzzzb4ZeNojy-zy4WtVdtWl98MhqI4hk/s1600/Therapy+-+Troublegum+-+Remy+Connolly+-+Interview.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Therapy - Troublegum - Remy Connolly - Interview" border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDOMB0P8xIN6VGX0iGyKcjMa-7RceASIXKvXuYHgilq1-BRf8pyNLJgVwu4YFOPeIjO_S3LIffq2UHCcfFsZ_7j2SFPllu65i4B14NWa6HUAhSzzzb4ZeNojy-zy4WtVdtWl98MhqI4hk/s640/Therapy+-+Troublegum+-+Remy+Connolly+-+Interview.jpg" title="" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>REMY:</b><i> </i><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">Things
happened quite quickly for Therapy? from the beginning, following the release
of your debut single 'Meat Abstract' in 1990, you had support slots with now
cult acts such as Inspiral Carpets, Ride, Teenage Fanclub and Fugazi to name a
few</span><b style="text-indent: -18pt;">. </b><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">Can you recall your ambitions at
that time, i.e., was the subsequent success of shifting over 2 million album
copies across the course of your career beyond your early expectations?</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 32.2pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>MICHAEL: </b>Absolutely! We had no real game plan at the start other than
we would hopefully do some gigs and the biggest ambition was to have a 7" single on the racks in our local record store (Caroline Records off
Cornmarket). There was no real music scene or infrastructure at that time, the
Good Vibes/Belfast punk scene had gone quiet and everyone in NI wanted to sound
either like U2 or Guns N' Roses. For a band like us that had an 'outsider' musical approach we just did things ourselves, booking gigs and self-releasing.</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-indent: -18pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-indent: -18pt;"><b>REMY: </b>Fans
of Therapy? Will probably have a particularly misty-eyed nostalgia (I do!) for
the 5 albums you released in the 1990’s, </span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-indent: -18pt;">Nurse</i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-indent: -18pt;">
(1992), </span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-indent: -18pt;">Troublegum</i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-indent: -18pt;"> (1994), and </span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-indent: -18pt;">Infernal Love</i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-indent: -18pt;"> (1995) being a few
examples. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-indent: -18pt;">As a band were you able to
fully enjoy that early success, or was it fraught with stress and over-bearing
expectation?</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast">
<br /></div>
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Michael: </b>In retrospect a lot of the stress came from
ourselves in that we wanted things to be better...each album had to sound and
look better and that was a period of great creative growth for us. If I listen
to Baby Teeth and then Infernal Love, its a mad old leap in ability over those
5 short years. Of course we had a brilliant time, getting to travel the world
and play our music to appreciate audiences was incredible and we met so many
great folk along the way. I think when <i>Troublegum</i> became such a bit hit
(unexpected by the record label it has to be said!) then we sort of fell under
the scrutiny of the ‘big wigs’ at the label. And along with that came a lot of
outside opinions on how to band should sound and look, that was hard to deflect
when we were burnt out from all the touring.</span></span><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-zZ44S3ZIJM" width="560"></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>REMY:</b> In a peculiar way the chronology of Therapy? mirrors the beginning of a time of great hope in Northern Ireland in the lead up to the Good Friday Agreement, to the current day (your last album <i>Cleave</i> is just shy of 6 months old) plunged into the greatest uncertainty the Six Counties has faced in decades with Brexit. You've previously stated that the political landscape was never really to the forefront of your lyrics and song-writing, but do you think that on some level, the decades of upheaval for youth in Northern Ireland has led to such a level of despondency and disillusionment that it inevitably permeates the music of local artists, including yourselves?</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Michael:</b> Yes, looking back there are a lot of elements of the bands outlook and approach that could only come from an upbringing in NI. Obviously there's a lot of dark humour and a cynicism in there as well as a resilience and a "never give up" attitude, which has served us well over the years. I can't really speak for other bands and their experience but knowing quite a few of them personally I can see a similar mindset there.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>REMY: </b>Speaking of upheaval, drummer and vocalist Fyfe left the band in 1996, shortly after the experimental <i>Infernal Love</i> which you made with DJ David Holmes. Was it an easy decision to continue on with the band from that point, and what are your reflections on an album that some quarters viewed as a curve-ball?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Michael:</b> As harsh as it might sound, it wasn't that big a surprise when Fyfe left, we all knew he hadn't been happy for a while and both myself and Andy felt we had a lot more to do / say with the band. <i>Infernal Love</i> at the time was a very divisive album when it was released but to this day we get tons of people saying they didn't ‘get it’ at the time but now a bit further down the line they absolutely love it. I think there were quite a few elements on there that took people by surprise (cellos/slower songs/ambient interludes) but i’m really glad we did it and by not making <i>Troublegum</i> Part 2 (which would have been dead easy and probably the right ‘career move’ to do) we gave ourselves a longevity and a wider creative palette to which we enjoy to this day. In all honesty I think most people were more put off by the image we adopted for the album, it was meant to be a bit of fun but a lot of people wanted us top to toe in black, not smiling, as opposed to red frilly shirts and stick on moustaches! You live and learn.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/md7SJ1kDE24" width="560"></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>REMY:</b> Your lyrics have always been both arresting and thought-provoking, and laced with dark humour. The first time I heard <i>Nurse</i>, opener 'Nausea' caught me disarmed with the unforgettable line; <i>"Here I am motherfucker!"</i>. The opening verse of <a href="https://open.spotify.com/track/7xHofeSRU2jCuHL9qVO1p9?si=0zH2z0KxSxWr6XHWgH8uIg" target="_blank">'Gone'</a> on the same album is also a major blow to the head; "I know about the scars on your arms, I know your baby wasn’t born, I know that your mum hates your dad, I know that it fucked up your head". Then on 'Trigger Inside' from <i>Troublegum</i> there's the timeless line that every young person must wince at because it’s true;<i> "Here comes a girl with perfect teeth, I bet she won’t be smiling at me, I know how Jeffrey Dahmer feels, (lonely, lonely)"</i>. Are your lyrics reflective of imagined characters and scenarios, or do they stem from personal experience to a degree?</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Michael:</b> I’m not 100% the man to ask as Andy writes all the lyrics and rightly so as I think he’s written some incredible stuff over the years. From what I gather a lot of the initial ideas/concepts come from personal experiences and then they are framed using different characters (sometimes highly exaggerated/ hyper-real) to make the text come to life and become a bit more open to interpretation.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allow="encrypted-media" allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="380" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/track/1akXxQrGVDvTw1An7Gd9el" width="300"></iframe><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>REMY:</b> When you started out playing gigs, and I recall this myself from my teens, albums, EP's and singles were prohibitively expensive to record, and the avenues for recouping money were very limited unless a breakthrough happened with a label, maybe selling CD's at shows etc., with attendance at gigs mostly down to word of mouth. Today acts can record music at home in their bedroom to a pretty high standard with the right equipment, and advertise live shows and releases on social media for free, the downside of which is trying to stand out in an environment that is saturated. Do you think that overall bands have it easier getting noticed nowadays, or do the same difficulties ultimately apply regardless for independent musicians trying to break through?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Michael: </b>Again, i’m only going from our experience and I think there now are quite a few different ways of getting your music heard right across the world. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Of course what that means is there is tons of stuff to sift through to find that 'gold' so it can be a bit overwhelming for the listeners and confusing for the artist as to which route to take. Thankfully the playing field has levelled quite a bit so bands can make pro-sounding records cheaply and promote them in a way they feel comfortable with without having to rely on tradition label formats or distribution networks. I don't subscribe to the old mindset of there being 'taste makers' or 'gatekeepers', that's nonsense...you either like it yourself or you don’t. These days i’m much more likely to check out a band if someone recommends them to me personally as opposed to getting caught up in hype. The good thing now is I can get a listen straight away on my phone! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-aaQGgAu75s4CO2JkqzdE-wQR74iDud-FnA2CxaKPqWVFiMGMX2SCIoLrCIL2reKIkf7c3rxicFyWTXveo1Op6LF3XZJsnmIXEiQkS2ti7hKvOAHuCRgDzha6bCSHiGId52SeWtNYb50/s1600/Therapy+-+Tipp+Classical+-+F%25C3%25A9ile+-+Remy+Connolly+-+Interview+Mass.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Therapy - Tipp Classical - Féile - Remy Connolly - Interview Mass" border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="225" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-aaQGgAu75s4CO2JkqzdE-wQR74iDud-FnA2CxaKPqWVFiMGMX2SCIoLrCIL2reKIkf7c3rxicFyWTXveo1Op6LF3XZJsnmIXEiQkS2ti7hKvOAHuCRgDzha6bCSHiGId52SeWtNYb50/s400/Therapy+-+Tipp+Classical+-+F%25C3%25A9ile+-+Remy+Connolly+-+Interview+Mass.jpg" title="" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i><b>Féile Festival in the early 1990's</b></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>REMY:</b> Often with the passage of time bands such as yourselves who inspired people through grim and cutting observations mellow. When I listen to your latest album<i> Cleave</i>, thankfully that is something that doesn’t seem to have come to pass. Examples would be 'Kakistocracy', and the lines; <i>"Is this the end of empathy? Turn away from the poor, pulling up the drawbridge, and bolting the door"</i> – these lines instantly resonate with me in terms of the platform every single individual, regardless of their prejudices now have, empathy is becoming rarefied. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We are numb to tragedy and misfortune, both of which seem to be becoming a form of warped entertainment, guilt easily addressed through sharing virtuous thoughts online instead of taking action. 'Dumbdown' also seems to allude to the 'State of the Nation', the glacial political inertia in Northern Ireland over the last 2 years. Is it fair to say that the focus on the individual’s malaise has expanded to a broader malaise in Therapy?’s song-writing with the passage of time?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Michael:</b> Yes, I think we've broadened that out a bit. I mean it'd take a special kind of arrogance not to feel angry and disappointed with a lot of things that are going on in the world right now. We've always wanted our music to be inclusive and for everybody and being from NI and seeing the nonsense that's gone on here over the years I find it mind-boggling that in 2019 people want to become less-inclusive and build walls, either literally or figuratively.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zSTKXiDPvFY" width="560"></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>REMY:</b> Tipp Classical will take place in September, a throwback to the heady days of both Féile and The Trip to Tipp. Therapy? performed in 1992 and 1993 sharing the stage with the likes of David Byrne, Iggy Pop, and budding acts Manic Street Preachers & Spiritualized! What are your stand-out memories of those festivals, and who are you most looking forward to sharing the stage with in 2019?</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Michael:</b> Those shows were fantastic experiences, great line-ups and lots of madness on and offstage. The crowd made it of course, I think every band that played the shows were taken aback by the atmosphere, people going for it, drinking and rocking out despite the weather. We knew quite a few of the bands at the shows so backstage was a lot of fun, we’d known the Manics for a while and one surreal highlight was when Iggy Pop bounded up to our dressing room to say hello. He was shirtless and had that classic manic air about him...we exchanged small talk and the whole time inside my head i’m going <i>"Fuck me its Iggy Pop, be cool, be cool, be cool, BE COOL!"</i>. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This year I'm looking forward to seeing The Frank & Walters, Sultans of Ping and Mundy. I also see there's a set of Thin Lizzy songs which I'm excited about as I'm a huge Lizzy fan, <i>Live And Dangerous </i>is as iconic an album as you’ll get.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4F663zWWJ_o" width="560"></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>REMY:</b> Finally, who do you think are the most promising Northern Irish bands at the moment in your opinion?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Michael:</b> Noisy rock types
<a href="https://open.spotify.com/track/3nZVFleJ6RzMhYwHyVjE2Y?si=XezkHkN_TeaR70wNGEoc5A" target="_blank">Duellists</a> get my vote and on a more electronic tip the <a href="https://arvoparty.bandcamp.com/" target="_blank">Arvo Party</a> stuff is
fantastic. Also <a href="https://open.spotify.com/track/1SWKzJ8Jm7WPjhRSv8h414?si=K-S2uBeiQvubt-VaQHocbQ" target="_blank">Robyn G Shiels</a>' new stuff is well worth checking out.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Therapy? will be playing the main stage at Tipp Classical which takes place over the weekend of 20th / 21st of September, tickets are available to purchase via Eventbrite at the following link </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/tipp-classical-tickets-53808542800">https://www.eventbrite.com/e/tipp-classical-tickets-53808542800</a></span></b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><b><br /></b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For further information and line-up updates head over to the Tipp Classical website here </span></b></i><a href="https://tippclassical.com/"><i><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">https://tippclassical.com/</span></b></i></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><b><br /></b></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFfT7hbAJNfcajK9svSSPm75Jv_VQGMuaj9pUvY7rkps0wINYYRFtw1jjPTwpRiZMAhkXNfq-W73AoBfQP03pZQwSo1sBIj98jBPUftJWijthtfC6lZyhiMm-kbjpGao8bc0bGnt7UgB8/s1600/Tipp+Classical+-+F%25C3%25A9ile+-+Therapy+-+Interview+-+Thurles+-+Remy+Connolly.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Tipp Classical - Féile - Therapy - Interview - Thurles - Remy Connolly" border="0" data-original-height="1133" data-original-width="750" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFfT7hbAJNfcajK9svSSPm75Jv_VQGMuaj9pUvY7rkps0wINYYRFtw1jjPTwpRiZMAhkXNfq-W73AoBfQP03pZQwSo1sBIj98jBPUftJWijthtfC6lZyhiMm-kbjpGao8bc0bGnt7UgB8/s640/Tipp+Classical+-+F%25C3%25A9ile+-+Therapy+-+Interview+-+Thurles+-+Remy+Connolly.jpeg" title="" width="422" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
RemyChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09840012344095446171noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6274465276656867869.post-49332163688974802602019-05-13T14:07:00.000+01:002019-05-13T14:47:09.938+01:00Irish Playlist #057: Nix Moon, Cinema, Nealo w. God Knows, Trick Mist, Patricia Lalor & more<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimsmCG-1JfOeGqn6R7DJaKS3nze5EvWWrkbwuvZ5CZZqhOU_j8xS-FYHhWzyQtQtDDdxyE14N1MRlWKbIEuA_iwLdXCDFqmkp7zrMvouxVHJFx1HvJHUi1vAjTINm3SRVtVCSkX5IA0UU/s1600/Nix+Moon+-+Ceremony.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Nix Moon - Ceremony" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimsmCG-1JfOeGqn6R7DJaKS3nze5EvWWrkbwuvZ5CZZqhOU_j8xS-FYHhWzyQtQtDDdxyE14N1MRlWKbIEuA_iwLdXCDFqmkp7zrMvouxVHJFx1HvJHUi1vAjTINm3SRVtVCSkX5IA0UU/s640/Nix+Moon+-+Ceremony.jpg" title="" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Nix Moon - Photo: Curtis Morris</span></b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I've been away from home the last three weekends in a row, this is when I usually have time to catch up on reviews, so the latest Irish playlist is a bit of a bumper affair featuring 21 tracks which were released over the last few weeks, plenty to dip your wee ears into, lots of wonderful variety and then some! I recommend shuffle play, because there is no hierarchy of talent on this playlist.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allow="encrypted-media" allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="380" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/user/11155734402/playlist/4ymqoxOdNeMHxshu0vFofo" width="300"></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>1) Nix Moon - 'Ceremony'</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">One of the finest acts to emerge from Dundalk over the last number of years, Nix Moon share their latest single 'Ceremony' which will feature on their debut LP which is due for release later this year. Drawing on the best elements of 60's psychedelic folk-rock, trippy kaleidoscopic vibes wash over everything like a golden summer stream, a gorgeous aural balm.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>2) Cinema - 'Temptation'</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Peter Fleming aka Cinema released new single 'Temptation' with an accompanying video on the 2nd of May which he shot himself. A huge success on streaming platform <a href="https://soundcloud.com/cinemamusicireland" target="_blank">SoundCloud</a> over the last four years, his individualistic brand of lush ambient electronic music has amassed tens of thousands of streams. 'Temptation' is, to my ears, absolute heaven, disarmingly chill and subtly upbeat, Fleming masterfully melds old-school trip-hop with a contemporary flourish.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6jkCmmJaCPM" width="560"></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">3) Nealo feat. God Knows - 'Questions'</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I'm a late-comer to the music of Nealo who I caught live for the first time a number of weeks ago at Molly Sterling's headline show in Whelan's. The jazzy backdrop glistens with retro 70's funk and keys, Nealo's vocal is smooth and the best kind of nonchalant and despondent, and when Rusangano Family's God Knows joins the fray he balances that mood with more assertive tones, it's a doozy of a track from the pair.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>4) Trick Mist - 'Scribble'</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Cork-based experimental electronic artist Trick Mist has been such a musical gift to me over the last number of years, few acts have progressed their sound with such rapid pace, I'm <i>still</i> getting my head around last year's debut LP <i><a href="https://trickmist.bandcamp.com/album/both-ends" target="_blank">Both Ends</a></i>. 'Scribble' is another leap forward, Gavin Murray's imagination and desire to dig deeper into his creative well and push himself is admirable. The track is dark, textbook hypnotic, and powerfully pushes the listener to expand their own boundaries.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>5) Patricia Lalor - 'Anymore'</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It's astounding to me that Wexford indie-pop / jazz tinged act Patricia Lalor is a mere 13 years of age, her single 'Anymore' was released last month, and it's so easy on the ear, with its greatest strength emanating from her smooth and endearing vocal delivery. She has already received high-praise from Hozier for her cover of his track 'Cherry Wine' and amassed over 100k views of another cover of Mac DeMarco's 'My Kind of Woman'. This is a classic but rare case of a huge talent that can go anywhere over the next number of years is she is already writing songs of this quality.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBlQzhWJMMR5f5tH2rPs0CgawFaneYy6WhQ31LFOILJRz_0vLl0Ib79bPuYY2KONI20XQixZA_hWWH623J7wfn6BKy32EIZz2vmrzot_bgsgGm9w42H4kJVVRtVireD8i1-X3DU7VDlIo/s1600/Patricial+Lalor+-+Anymore.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Patricial Lalor - Anymore" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBlQzhWJMMR5f5tH2rPs0CgawFaneYy6WhQ31LFOILJRz_0vLl0Ib79bPuYY2KONI20XQixZA_hWWH623J7wfn6BKy32EIZz2vmrzot_bgsgGm9w42H4kJVVRtVireD8i1-X3DU7VDlIo/s640/Patricial+Lalor+-+Anymore.jpg" title="" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i><b>Patricia Lalor</b></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">6)<i> </i>Adam Garrett - 'On / Off'</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Kildare act (now Dublin-based) Adam Garrett's debut single 'On / Off' can be summed up in two words, disco chic. Sultry keys, bass and an amorous beat wrap their arms around this retro 70's zinger.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>7) Caleb & Walshy - 'Terminal 27' </b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">South East London and Dublin hip-hop producers Caleb & Walshy shared latest single 'Terminal 27' a few weeks ago. The musical canvas reminds me of the jazzy movements of St. Germain's Tourist album, but with a heavy dollop of enjoyable retro disco glimmer.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>8) BODIES - 'Roses'</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">David Anthony McGeown, aka BODIES released a compilation album of covers and new original material titled <i><a href="https://bodiesband.bandcamp.com/album/glue-mixtape" target="_blank">Glue</a></i> a few weeks ago, and it's quite different to the wonderful debut album <i><a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/25RSbRfiC41FDLA2nOfGkw?si=ytWqySagT7eNsuak1Sn86Q" target="_blank">Drench</a></i> he released last year. 'Roses' is far more upbeat and groove-laden to what we have become accustomed to from BODIES to date. Sleepy bass-lines and percussion set the scene on what is a very disarming and at times haunting piece of beauty that arches into bright and hopeful territories in its latter stages.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRuZc7KpcGa-cG9i0yFdiJusyuS2AjCRquEgFJVG8bxAYCQDrTXv87f2x4biWQCJXo9Keww_9qerN8YmW_bURRxUnHkcnBF4SN4NDAA03oTxGxyMIktpxSf0WS7pzV5ZG7UdyfqGC-Ucg/s1600/BODIES+-+Roses+-+Glue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="BODIES - Roses - Glue" border="0" data-original-height="974" data-original-width="1200" height="518" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRuZc7KpcGa-cG9i0yFdiJusyuS2AjCRquEgFJVG8bxAYCQDrTXv87f2x4biWQCJXo9Keww_9qerN8YmW_bURRxUnHkcnBF4SN4NDAA03oTxGxyMIktpxSf0WS7pzV5ZG7UdyfqGC-Ucg/s640/BODIES+-+Roses+-+Glue.jpg" title="" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><b><span style="font-size: x-small;">BODIES</span></b></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></b></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>9) VIDEO BLUE - 'Guts'</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The third Dundalk act to feature on our playlist, U.K.-based Jim O'Donoghue Martin is another act who seems to be effortlessly able to blow apart boundaries in his song-writing. A master at connecting indie-pop with the most colourful and uplifting electronic palette, 'Guts' tempers its brevity with a calmly emotive and morose vocal by VIDEO BLUE.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>10) The Vercettis - 'Cradula'</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Cork-based The Vercettis have dropped their third single, 'Cradula' recently, from their forthcoming EP (due 17th May), based on the pov of vampire Cradula, and self-described as a sleazy alt-rock number with hip-hop influences, it has one of the most surprisingly and brilliant twists at its half-way point. A ska-heavy affair that bursts from it's lumbering tempo into an all-out blues-funk guitar jam, I am in love with every second of this track.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>11) In Their Thousands - 'Water'</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Donegal indie-rock outfit In Their Thousands are set to share their debut album <i>Arcasia</i> with a launch at The Grand Social this coming Friday. The most recent single 'Water' confirms their well-earned praise from the likes of Hot Press and The Last Mixed Tape. Their control of mood and emotion in their song-writing coupled with the broad atmospheric horizons they paint on this single indicate we could be sitting on an Irish album of the year.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WT3tHvVvVWQ" width="560"></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">'Arcasia', the title-track from In Their Thousands' forthcoming debut album</span></b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">12) THUMPER - 'In My Room'</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My favourite noise-makers of the last number of years, THUMPER released latest single 'In My Room' last month, a delightful slice of thrashing guitar-pop with little strands of Weezer-esque be-bops and rhythm. Retaining their trademark caustic distortion, the group do shed just the slightest amount of the dizzying wall of sonic mayhem as they proffer a more pop-focused sound. Their best single in my opinion from the last 12 months.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/69A4GF9eosI" width="560"></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">13) Ghostking is Dead - 'Deflector'</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The freshest sound-maker to emerge from Cork recently, Ghostking is Dead's sound is already becoming recognisable as his very own. 'Deflector' is a devilishly entertaining hybrid of electro-funk and dark-wave electronica, bubbling with a vibrancy that is notably different to his immense 2018 EP <i><a href="https://ghostkingisdead.bandcamp.com/album/this-is-doubt-2" target="_blank">This is Doubt</a></i>. It's a word I have used extremely sparsely over the years, but there's a definitive genius to the music Matt Corrigan is making right now.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">14) </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A. Smyth - 'She Kicks'</span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Ahead of the release of his debut album later this year, alt-pop act A. Smyth shared latest single 'She Kicks' on the 1st of May. His metamorphosis from indie-rock band member at the beginning of his musical journey to solo act continues apace, an homage to the women who continue to break down barriers, the Bruce Springsteen-inspired track grows rapidly on you after only a few listens.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>15) ELKAE - 'I Feel'</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">'I Feel' is only the second single from Dublin electro-pop artist ELKAE, but she is already making a big name for herself among her peers. Her debut single 'Sold' received airplay on all of the major Irish radio stations, and she was in the Top 10 of IMRO's 2018 Songwriting Competition, and now a slew of major Irish festival performances await. The track is a fusion of classic 80's synth with modern escapist downtempo dance notes littered throughout, this is a really nice and addictive little pop pill from Laura Keane.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOg74IVaFuTFxrbY7buTofBBlXtgjP2TyKSg5NDOulZTSj8FYnX6rIStHQfWwIFuL1IqwClxBqhoSKqrphZ1rfFFBHPxZqTDYYB7RcZcmkJmbmIHsx-08ligvsGGrHV0vsg9HEVDuz67k/s1600/ELKAE+-+I+Feel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="ELKAE - I Feel" border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOg74IVaFuTFxrbY7buTofBBlXtgjP2TyKSg5NDOulZTSj8FYnX6rIStHQfWwIFuL1IqwClxBqhoSKqrphZ1rfFFBHPxZqTDYYB7RcZcmkJmbmIHsx-08ligvsGGrHV0vsg9HEVDuz67k/s640/ELKAE+-+I+Feel.jpg" title="" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><b><span style="font-size: x-small;">ELKAE</span></b></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></b></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>16) Ferals - 'TwentySevenOne'</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Continuing the line of brash and hard-rock that Ulster has gratefully flown the flag of over the last few years in Ireland, Belfast post-rock outfit Ferals released latest single 'TwentySevenOne' at the end of April. A really fine homage to the golden 90's era of the genre (a little bit Idlewild <i>100 Broken Windows</i> album) there is a very endearing bedroom-DIY rock feel to the crunching guitars, bad-ass bass and drums. Stop-start motion and rhythm abounds and a superb vocal from Shane acts like the anchor in the storm, this is by far their best single that they have shared to date.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">17) R</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">êves - 'Short Dress'</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Dublin indie-pop band R</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">êves</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> (dreams) fucking kill it on new single 'Short Dress', this is like a synth version of an Old Hannah track, you can take it two ways, float away with the fun vibes, or slip underneath and let the deeply understated and almost unnoticeable melancholy of the vocal and lyrics grip you in another manner. An emotional dance-floor filler with great depth on a number of levels.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>18) Shrug Life - '2009'</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">If I may blow my own trumpet a little here, one of my favourite song descriptors that I ever wrote was about Shrug Life's 2016 single 'Marvin Gaye' which went; <i>"</i></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>This is how I'd imagine Weezer and Morrissey combining after the The Smiths frontman finally found his bag of Xanax which he misplaced back in '83." </i>'2009' drops Weezer but still has that Morrissey tint courtesy of lead singer Danny Carroll's personality-filled vocal. A joyous swarm of anarchic drums and guitar riffage, if you don't like this song, even if Dua Lipa or Michael Bublé are your normal bag, I think you are going to live a very unfulfilled life.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0j5IwkpZuYA" width="560"></iframe>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">19) Paj - 'Yemanja'</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Following debut single 'Friends Confused' shooting its way onto the 'Breath of Fresh Éire' Spotify playlist, Paj drops the outrageously funk-laden follow-up 'Yemanja' without delay. Dubliner Paddy Groenland is immersed in world music, which soaks into every pore of this track, an ode to the Afro-Brazilian sea goddess of the song's title. Loosely it reminds me of The Isley Brothers, The Meters and a lil bit of Sly & The Family Stone, but lathered with a culturally diverse veneer. One of the most heart-wrenching soul vocals in Ireland obviously adds infinitely to the supreme pleasure of his music.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>20) Tanjier - 'Days'</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Tanjier push themselves further into well-produced haute-pop commercial enclaves with latest track 'Days'. It's a bone-fide top-down sunshine state three-minutes plus road trip that hits our ears just in time for (the Irish) summer. Whilst my inner-hipster tells me "I preferred their earlier stuff, maaaaan" one of the hardest-working Dublin-based bands are so deserving of a wider audience and bigger stages.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>21) Danny G & The Major 7ths - 'Believing'</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Danny Groenland, yes, you guessed it! Brother of above <i><b>soul</b></i>-brother Paj (side note: I envy how handsome those two dudes are), was one of the first Irish acts I saw live when I started the blog, and I'm pretty sure the first musician to invite me to a live show back in October 2014 in The Grand Social. Anyway, the music, 'Believing' literally sings to me, if in an alternative universe I could only listen to three genres of music for the rest of my life they'd be rock, blues and soul. Danny G has an almost scientific ability to deliver the smoothest and most velvetine soul sound, this man knows his shit when it comes to honouring the genre in the most respectful and brilliant way. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">At 1:16 when the flute and singer Gráinne McCarthy enters proceedings the banger starts to bang bang bang. The track is an antidote to sadness, melancholy and dark personal times, music is a drug that remedies so many ailments, and you'll spend days, weeks and months trying to find a better prescription than 'Believing'.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG2HrlEPQuJVbnUhSYX0DOfTNaDWsh2qaMr__hFmb_xIIpkRvxCblcvPQ6sptoPs-3wmL209U2sIglwaTqckUkjqEse__wfeRcmp9uLiaSwNxuobkKfATIsfio24S3MYU8_TsyK631yt4/s1600/Danny+G+%2526+The+Major+7ths+-+Believing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Danny G & The Major 7ths - Believing" border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG2HrlEPQuJVbnUhSYX0DOfTNaDWsh2qaMr__hFmb_xIIpkRvxCblcvPQ6sptoPs-3wmL209U2sIglwaTqckUkjqEse__wfeRcmp9uLiaSwNxuobkKfATIsfio24S3MYU8_TsyK631yt4/s640/Danny+G+%2526+The+Major+7ths+-+Believing.jpg" title="" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b><i>One night in 2014, Danny G & The Major 7ths @ The Grand Social.</i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;"><b><span style="color: magenta;">To listen to our last Irish independent playlist, go here! </span></b></span></span><a href="https://thebestofmusicandfilm.blogspot.com/2019/04/irish-playlist-lux-alma-daniel-john-paxton-sprints-in-their-thousands-runah.html">https://thebestofmusicandfilm.blogspot.com/2019/04/irish-playlist-lux-alma-daniel-john-paxton-sprints-in-their-thousands-runah.html</a></i></span></div>
</div>
RemyChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09840012344095446171noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6274465276656867869.post-31857085246195901352019-05-06T18:14:00.003+01:002019-05-06T18:26:04.102+01:00SelfMade - Mind YourSelf: Maria Kelly Interview<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsIfZwmx_GQS3-BTUA-NJ3yXVJO3YwWqS8tT2KJlBiUw56x6Y-uWU8WC_0UztnTakjbJ_iIMVH94J3qV0dZKeDbKPH457ZezEe10W_2SasN7V2Iiz2nqot_sSrMh5LPD_BHhR2beBHC8U/s1600/Maria+Kelly+Interview+-+SelfMade+-+Remy+Connolly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Maria Kelly Interview - SelfMade - Remy Connolly" border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsIfZwmx_GQS3-BTUA-NJ3yXVJO3YwWqS8tT2KJlBiUw56x6Y-uWU8WC_0UztnTakjbJ_iIMVH94J3qV0dZKeDbKPH457ZezEe10W_2SasN7V2Iiz2nqot_sSrMh5LPD_BHhR2beBHC8U/s640/Maria+Kelly+Interview+-+SelfMade+-+Remy+Connolly.jpg" title="" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>On Saturday May 25th, <b>SelfMade</b> will run a two-part event, <b>Mind YourSelf: Mental Health and Music</b>, sponsored by IMRO, looking at mental health in the Irish music scene and in particular the challenges affecting developing musicians in their professional and personal lives. There has been a huge step-up in the level of conversation on mental health in recent years and we’re proud to use our next event to encourage conversation, break the stigma, and facilitate a route to a healthier music industry. </i></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In advance of the event REMY chats to Mayo alternative folk artist <b>Maria Kelly</b> about her musical journey; early successes, re-locating to Berlin, and the importance of learning to listen to both your head and body when they're trying to get you to hit the pause button and slow down.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>REMY: </b>Can you indulge us a little as to when it dawned on you that music was a source of wonder whose path you wanted to wander above all others?</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Maria:</b> I don’t think I had a defining moment of ‘this is what I want to do’. It was always something I had been involved in since I was about ten, and it was what I had always been drawn to throughout my school years. I did consider studying languages in my final year, but it felt quite natural to just keep pursing music for as long as I could, as it excited me more than anything else.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>REMY:</b> You've always been very upfront that one of the deepest wells of inspiration for your songs has come from anxiety; over-thought interactions with other people, finding yourself in a place of darkness or strain over over-expectation. Has dealing with these topics in your songwriting brought much relief and enlightenment over the past 4 years?</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Maria:</b> I think it definitely has. Enlightenment for sure, as I think songwriting has been a way for me to learn about my own mental health, it allows me to take a closer look at what I am actually thinking and feeling. But it has also been very relieving, as sharing very personal experiences in a tangible way has created an external connection for me, to other people who are experiencing similar things.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
</div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>REMY: </b>Things moved quite suddenly after the release of your debut EP <i>The Things I Should</i>, multiple festival slots, being included in <i>The Irish Times</i> '50 Best Tracks of 2016', and a support slot with KT Tunstall in London. In retrospect, did it all feel a bit out of control and overwhelming at this point?</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Maria:</b> On reflection, yes it feels a little overwhelming to think about. I was actually quite out of touch with myself through a lot of that, just kind of floating along. That gave way to bouts of depression and anxiety for sure. I don’t feel like it felt out of control though – I was very lucky to have a great group of people around me (my lovely fam at Veta Records) from the beginning of the project, and they really helped to guide me through any difficult or overwhelming patches. I think having a strong team around you is pretty vital in the music industry as it gives you people to lean on. You don’t have to do everything yourself! </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZFYipRliMCc" width="560"></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Maria Kelly - 'June' (Live at Other Voices 2018)</span></b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">REMY: </span></b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In June of last year you moved to Berlin, and were also back and forth to Ireland for festivals such as Other Voices, whilst also recording your second EP, <i>notes to self</i>. How did that change in environment affect you most musically, i.e. in terms of conjuring up the songs for the EP?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Maria:</b> I didn’t expect to write a whole lot when I first moved, I made a decision to just put a pin in music and live a bit, try other things. I had just studied music for four years, and I felt a bit tired of certain aspects of it to be honest. But I spent a lot of time alone when I first got to Berlin and had a lot to mull over, and songs sort of fell out of me – it’s a thing I always come back to I realise, to connect to myself again, even when I try to escape it! And having that time and space to concentrate on this new flow of songs, I think it added to them sounding a bit more honed and polished than what I’d released before. I had time to think about it in a more conceptual way, and to test out new ideas. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>REMY: </b>Speaking of Berlin, there’s a very strong Irish music community in the city who help each other out, what has the feedback been like from the indigenous music-goers in Berlin to Irish talent?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Maria:</b> Yes, there is, it’s been great – a home away from home of sorts. In general, I’ve only had a positive experience with music-goers. People are very willing to actively listen here, and will make a point of coming up to you after the show to thank you for your music. They also are very supportive in buying merch/staying in touch – it’s a nice place to grow an authentic community I feel. We’ve seen that a lot through shows that I run with Veta Sessions – a branch off of our label, where we host house concerts every month. It’s been a fantastic way to get familiar with the scene here, and to discover new music in our own living rooms. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vMhcI5LEXAg" width="560"></iframe><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>REMY: </b>In February this year you shared that you were going to have to cancel your Irish tour dates, you mentioned creative burnout as a factor in this tough decision, and that you were looking to delve back into the 'song-writing cave' as you put it. Did this feel like a very low point for you, or was it a bit liberating to finally be able to say to yourself that your health, physical and mental well-being were going to take number one priority for the first time with no preconditions attached? It must have been incredibly difficult in the weeks preceding that decision?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Maria: </b>It felt like a low point at first. I hadn't cancelled anything before, and it felt AWFUL to feel like I couldn’t do something that I had planned to do. Since the beginning of the project, I had just hopped from thing to thing, full steam ahead. And when I initially booked the tour, I had the same mind set – 'ok so what’s the next thing'. But the closer it got to the date, the more I realised how detrimental the shows would be to me. Not just the shows themselves, but the months of promo, ticket pushes, rehearsals, costs, keeping the buzz up, there was so much to do and I just wasn’t in the right frame of mind to do it successfully. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I hated posting that update, but in the end I thought about the fact that I wouldn’t want to go see a musician play who didn’t want to be there, or felt like they couldn’t give their best performance. That would be so disheartening to watch! The response online was nothing but lovely, supportive and completely understanding. Kind of like a "well duh…why would you do a tour if you are not in the right mind set to do it?" </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It was a relief, as I instantly knew I had made the right decision, and had been putting a lot of pressure on myself to do otherwise. It made me think about our tendency to overlook emotional / mental signs of exhaustion. Or not even exhaustion, just overlooking the fact that you're not feeling the way that you know you should. I completely overlooked my own needs in favour of just not 'giving up' or 'trying hard enough'. It made me reevaluate my own mind set when it came to how I approach my mental health. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOQlUk4rGgYNHjuHfO_sZgyan-pHTc6B4k8S-uD9m4BUzlYJpjwAY9ZBzq16IG_naiBvHB9wnfL955hAWgRPLiVfQrHHOp2zSwTAHOO1fhM_dKvJ5nZ9T9jv7JsbtY-b9qhIeXZCwGinw/s1600/Maria+Kelly+-+Remy+Connolly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Maria Kelly - Remy Connolly" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOQlUk4rGgYNHjuHfO_sZgyan-pHTc6B4k8S-uD9m4BUzlYJpjwAY9ZBzq16IG_naiBvHB9wnfL955hAWgRPLiVfQrHHOp2zSwTAHOO1fhM_dKvJ5nZ9T9jv7JsbtY-b9qhIeXZCwGinw/s640/Maria+Kelly+-+Remy+Connolly.jpg" title="" width="426" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i><b>Photo: Remy Connolly</b></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>REMY: </b></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">How does the ideal 2019 end for Maria Kelly? What do you hope to achieve most in life and music between now and December?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Maria:</b> I'd like to have a big bulk of unreleased material behind me by the end of this year. I’ve been spending more time writing and honing in on what I’d like a body of work to sound like. But honestly, I have more personal goals this year than musical ones – I’m trying to learn how to look after myself at the minute, all the boring stuff like healthy eating and exercise! And I want to look after my head in a more productive way – I think good work will naturally follow that. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>REMY:</b> You’ll be joining a really great panel for Mind YourSelf: Mental Health and Music on the 25th of May organised by SelfMade, joined by fellow-musicians Paddy Hanna, members of Wyvern Lingo and LeGalaxie among others! Despite great strides being made to make the public more aware, and remove the stigma of the past attached to people who suffer from mental health issues, what would you identify as the biggest obstacle that we still have to overcome here in Ireland?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Maria:</b> Long-term, more available and more affordable resources. Getting to a place where it doesn’t cost a bomb to go to your GP, then to a psychiatrist of psychologist, a therapist, a councillor – whatever you need. That it isn’t this massive, impossible, privileged mountain to climb, whether your problem is big or small. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">And short term, talking. I know it’s almost cliché at the stage, but continuing an uncomfortable conversation is effective. Asking your friends how their head is, no matter how much you think they have their shit together. Just opening up a conversation, not aiming to solve it, but aiming to lend an ear is a very powerful thing to do. </span><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>For more information and to book tickets to SelfMade's upcoming event, </i></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>Mind YourSelf: Mental Health and Music, head over to the event page here</i> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/385791448665594/" style="text-decoration-line: none;">https://www.facebook.com/events/385791448665594/</a></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvMmy0zaQOty2hFEAxIRuWZF4s7hWyiK8R5IajcdpkKiMDdD5EGVDdhC_UZFqSQacmm5zQApSlihSY8dBqXiiZJqvJNt5gEGjbcfJNqVXUIRYMd_cFLaFSt3xDIyecNHbt-7ha517X_2c/s1600/Mind+Yourlself+-+SelfMade+-+IMRO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Mind Yourlself - SelfMade - IMRO" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1127" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvMmy0zaQOty2hFEAxIRuWZF4s7hWyiK8R5IajcdpkKiMDdD5EGVDdhC_UZFqSQacmm5zQApSlihSY8dBqXiiZJqvJNt5gEGjbcfJNqVXUIRYMd_cFLaFSt3xDIyecNHbt-7ha517X_2c/s640/Mind+Yourlself+-+SelfMade+-+IMRO.jpg" title="" width="450" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
</div>
RemyChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09840012344095446171noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6274465276656867869.post-678384560153060682019-05-04T10:20:00.001+01:002019-05-04T10:25:12.246+01:00SelfMade - Mind YourSelf: Paddy Hanna Interview<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivyRSeDAxbfl8UuBlOPokHAEKMJpks5bwvmSCMfBLt5Ib6Iu79_5PcIF0yNUg6c6-Q1O_SU8MVK4ImvZK9si8RRaSUnsRMqukvp33KNzZwF3jZv0La5srGwvm8Fi4mORSv2TaimRbHze0/s1600/Paddy+Hanna+Interview+-+Remy+Connolly+-+SelfMade.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Paddy Hanna Interview - Remy Connolly - SelfMade" border="0" data-original-height="539" data-original-width="960" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivyRSeDAxbfl8UuBlOPokHAEKMJpks5bwvmSCMfBLt5Ib6Iu79_5PcIF0yNUg6c6-Q1O_SU8MVK4ImvZK9si8RRaSUnsRMqukvp33KNzZwF3jZv0La5srGwvm8Fi4mORSv2TaimRbHze0/s640/Paddy+Hanna+Interview+-+Remy+Connolly+-+SelfMade.jpg" title="" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Photo: Stephen White (The Last Mixed Tape)</span></b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>On Saturday May 25th, <b>SelfMade</b> will run a two-part event, <b>Mind YourSelf: Mental Health and Music</b>, sponsored by IMRO, looking at mental health in the Irish music scene and in particular the challenges affecting developing musicians in their professional and personal lives. There has been a huge step-up in the level of conversation on mental health in recent years and we’re proud to use our next event to encourage conversation, break the stigma, and facilitate a route to a healthier music industry. </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In advance of the event REMY chats to Dublin troubadour <b>Paddy Hanna</b> about his musical journey, his sophomore album <i>Frankly, I Mutate</i>, and the existing gaps in supports for those suffering with mental health.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>REMY:</b> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Can you recall the moment you decided you wanted to wade into the world of making music? Was it as a result of a live show you were attending for example or a less spontaneous happenstance?</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Paddy:</b> I wanted to perform from a very early age but was a cripplingly shy child. I used to hide in a moulding playhouse at the back of our garden with a crappy tape recorder and sing in to it, just to see how I sounded, but I could only do that in secret. I didn’t perform publicly till I was 15, at a school talent show. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>REMY:</b> Your early days on the Irish music 'scene' saw you as one of the collaborators in the <a href="https://popicalisland.bandcamp.com/" target="_blank">Popical Island</a> collective circa 2010, was that a period you have care-free memories of?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Paddy: </b>For the most part. It was a great time for drinking cans, playing sweaty venues that hold about 20 people and churning albums out in a weekend. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=3181696275/size=large/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/tracklist=false/artwork=small/track=265698483/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 120px; width: 100%;"><a href="http://paddyhanna.bandcamp.com/album/leafy-stiletto">Leafy Stiletto by Paddy Hanna</a></iframe>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>REMY: </b>With the release of <i>Frankly, I Mutate</i> last year you were quite open about a core theme of the album, and if I may quote at length because I feel it’s important;<i> "I allude to mental illness in my work. It’s considered by many to be a neurosis that spurs on creative work, however it is nothing but a crutch on my own creativity. My time in a depressive haze is spent in complete emptiness, weeks will go by, my beard will have grown out, my pen dried up. So when indeed I allude to mental illness it would usually be during a happy period where I can function. One of the most important days in my life came when I finally opened up about depression and was not met with jeers but rather acceptance and understanding."</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">To jump back to your debut 4 years earlier, <i><a href="https://paddyhanna.bandcamp.com/album/leafy-stiletto" target="_blank">Leafy Stiletto</a></i>, it seems in lyric and song-titles even, that you were already on a path to exploring expressing those feelings, take for example tracks like 'Mind’s Wearing Make-Up' and the escapism of 'Heaven of Heavens', would that be an okay assumption to make?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Paddy:</b> It surely would be. I make a point of not dwelling on the meaning of my tracks, I like to leave them open to interpretation, that said it's usually easy to spot the central themes. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>REMY:</b> There was a four-year period in between <i>Leafy Stiletto</i> and <i>Frankly, I Mutate</i> (you were still active in this time with the likes of Autre Monde). What would you say was the most notable difference in how you approached your song-writing for each LP?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Paddy:</b> I listen to loads of music and make a composite in the ole head of how the album should sound, then I fit the songs around that sonic theme. When discussing <i>Frankly</i> with Daniel we knew immediately what kind of album we were going to make, our chemistry was such that I’ve basically kidnapped him for the next record we're making.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/track=376557895/size=large/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/tracklist=false/artwork=small/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 120px; width: 100%;"><a href="http://paddyhanna.bandcamp.com/track/bad-boys">Bad Boys by Paddy Hanna</a></iframe><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">REMY: </span></b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>Frankly, I Mutate </i>was across the board one of the most well-received Irish albums of 2018, if you could pick one track of the 12 which would you say pleases you the most in terms of how it turned out on the album?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Paddy:</b> 'Bad Boys', we nailed that one.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>REMY:</b> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">On the 25th May you’ll be a member of the panel discussing mental health titled Mind YourSelf: Mental Health and Music run by the great folks and music lovers SelfMade. Mental health has thankfully had a strong spotlight shone on it in recent years, that said, where do you feel the biggest gaps regarding awareness and resources remain?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Paddy:</b> It's very difficult for someone to campaign for elections on a mental health platform, it’s not a short term solution and therefore many folks are inclined to vote for the more quick fix policies, but we need to lay the seeds now, I for one would be happy to know that kids 15 years from now won't feel broken or lost as I did, and that their mental health was treated with the same regularity as treating the common cold. That's where we need to be. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vqcKIA3sgpw" width="560"></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">For more information and to book tickets to SelfMade's upcoming event, </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Mind YourSelf: Mental Health and Music, head over to the event page here </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/385791448665594/">https://www.facebook.com/events/385791448665594/</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFQ54Gw4qS2y4nLZz591EHdZpgccy5Vns-R5001ELKPcOsq-OiSaI5NwN9sfN9p6A1ur8LOOiI3o7P0bOFAzBDQijX_vpvTTkpVaeBWmpSQG0PWPPK0wiajJwVcARHtHkXx0-IQWTmCuw/s1600/Mind+Yourlself+-+SelfMade+-+IMRO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Mind Yourlself - SelfMade - IMRO" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1127" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFQ54Gw4qS2y4nLZz591EHdZpgccy5Vns-R5001ELKPcOsq-OiSaI5NwN9sfN9p6A1ur8LOOiI3o7P0bOFAzBDQijX_vpvTTkpVaeBWmpSQG0PWPPK0wiajJwVcARHtHkXx0-IQWTmCuw/s640/Mind+Yourlself+-+SelfMade+-+IMRO.jpg" title="" width="450" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
RemyChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09840012344095446171noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6274465276656867869.post-70679197965080301852019-05-04T09:28:00.001+01:002019-05-04T09:28:57.025+01:00EP: Eve Clague - Young Naive Me<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCpgFxlzo9VJyDZ6eKjStes-8ahacGCXDPoQPI4ozLbV-fHVcjX3O4ybkHDp3viUbGgdDaBk1i6XSsbuyxGXsBKD44LsB2Zi5YF-iR3L4rs3QV8_AMGfKcQyhCAukTPdacru4YZPzW8y8/s1600/Eve+Clague+-+Young+Naive+Me.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Eve Clague - Young Naive Me" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCpgFxlzo9VJyDZ6eKjStes-8ahacGCXDPoQPI4ozLbV-fHVcjX3O4ybkHDp3viUbGgdDaBk1i6XSsbuyxGXsBKD44LsB2Zi5YF-iR3L4rs3QV8_AMGfKcQyhCAukTPdacru4YZPzW8y8/s640/Eve+Clague+-+Young+Naive+Me.jpg" title="" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Photo: Simon Curran</span></b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allow="encrypted-media" allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="250" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/album/0PtyAUfwUEi7RN3AiqmiuG" width="300"></iframe><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Eve Clague</b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"> is an urban-folk / singer-songwriter hailing from Clonakilty in West Cork, who released her debut EP </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">Young Naive Me </i>last week</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Of the gorgeous opening self-titled track we wrote back in March; <i>"</i></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><i>On her debut single Eve Clague is nothing but natural, and there's a very fulfilling clarity and pristine delivery to her vocal here, no distractions. On first listen you are struck by the classic sound of both voice and music, but it also sounds effortlessly timeless, like it could never sound dated no matter when it was released. A disarmingly gentle sway drifts all across the track, comforting and warm, yet confidently driven towards a determined rallying call, sitting somewhere in the apex of folk, soul and even little hints of jazz vox."</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">It doesn't get more sleepy, and enchanting in the most melancholy manner, than on 'Endless Emotion', it's a stunning performance from Clague. During my late 20's to early 30's I would say 90% of my listening was 60's and 70's music, very little contemporary which I fell completely out of the loop with. Point being, this track, and other parts of Young Naive Me have me scratching my head as to what they are doing being born in 2019, this would have seen her make ripples between the late 60's and early 70's by any measurement, this is <i>not</i> hyperbole.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Falling back into contemporary folk territory, deft guitar plucking and a sweet jazz-infused electric guitar progression set the scene. Clague's vocal again is intoxicating, the pristine and lucid delivery is unique, even on its softer moments the power is observable. The orchestral movement and what sounds like upright-bass bending into the final thirty seconds add to the mystery and atmosphere.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">By 'To and Fro' (and actually earlier on the EP after a few listens) you begin to note a defining characteristic of her song-writing, you think you are embarking on a bare acoustic-led journey, but the artist always has an ace up the sleeve later in each track where we are lifted to heightened plains of emotion, that said, this is probably the calmest moment on <i>Young Naive Me</i>. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Closing with 'In Needing Others' you are challenged moreso than at any point previously, that heart-bruising feeling the likes of Joni Mitchell or Jeff Buckley could conjure up with their voices, lyrics and music in combination is flush. Thematically, as the EP title suggests, the collection of songs are about vulnerability, and in this particular moment an admirable honesty admitting that there is a reliance on company, the opposite of the oft-used cliché of "I'm just fine on my own", independence doesn't lead to happiness in all cases.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Young Naive Me</i> is so beautifully picturesque, it's authenticity can be heart-breaking and moving, sometimes more than you'd like to allow it to be, as an entire package you'll struggle to hear a more complete piece of song-writing by an Irish artist this year.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://open.spotify.com/artist/0hzYbpzAvLzn7pXeTo8qkz?si=IygbdxWURyW-EeAIaN6bpQ">https://open.spotify.com/artist/0hzYbpzAvLzn7pXeTo8qkz?si=IygbdxWURyW-EeAIaN6bpQ</a></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/eveclaguemusic/"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">https://www.facebook.com/eveclaguemusic/</span></a></div>
</div>
RemyChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09840012344095446171noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6274465276656867869.post-76464108481471028042019-05-04T08:50:00.002+01:002019-05-04T08:50:56.277+01:00Video: Stephen Robinson - Sunrise (Live)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLveyw4vS7z_cbFBkjDH0N2dERKLdE0kfpN5ejJhVZSJNhem9lS8JcIRt8ABtXScBERusNx-XeQboHbbChdhkRJDZ9pRhrkvErL3kBfeHrTmsIdNUb3-ILTDRT9fsr00I5IviRuhUIKTE/s1600/Stephen+Robinson+-+Sunrise.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Stephen Robinson - Sunrise" border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLveyw4vS7z_cbFBkjDH0N2dERKLdE0kfpN5ejJhVZSJNhem9lS8JcIRt8ABtXScBERusNx-XeQboHbbChdhkRJDZ9pRhrkvErL3kBfeHrTmsIdNUb3-ILTDRT9fsr00I5IviRuhUIKTE/s640/Stephen+Robinson+-+Sunrise.jpg" title="" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1yqPolKb2FY" width="560"></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dublin-based soul & blues singer-songwriter <b>Stephen Robinson</b> released his debut solo EP <i>The Rest of the Night</i> in 201, and is now putting the finishing touches to debut album <i><b>Sunrise</b></i>, a live studio version of the title-track was released a few weeks ago which you can enjoy above. There are a few familiar faces to be seen also in the band line-up such as Dec Quinn on keys and Aisling Browne on vocals.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Deep keys set the mood, and it doesn't take long at all to know you're in the thick of a very pleasing serving of classic blues-rock. Robinson's vocal is powerful and clean and the build is a swoon-filled affair, and then...at 2:47, Robinson's one-minute plus blues solo pushes everything next level, it's exhilarating and exactly what I love about this genre. Live videos rarely give the whole picture for what to expect from an album you haven't heard yet, but this is the perfect level of intrigue as we await <i>Sunrise</i>. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/stephenrobinsonmusic/"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">https://www.facebook.com/stephenrobinsonmusic/</span></a></div>
RemyChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09840012344095446171noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6274465276656867869.post-91503169933085181012019-05-01T19:21:00.000+01:002019-05-01T19:21:45.081+01:00EP: Felonies - What Comes Next<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh3Y5G5MbW8AYCc56TBDWzwDyV7AXf-ICHEoUEWe5YeGYXz8ahDOGbgVWdZ0MHdBj-9v25_Q2tbjE2cKQUHG1zxxyd9Q_roWy5j3TLGbCWg07AXmpoXjy0vmsBwxfMTUJnqgzO4D6GYF8/s1600/The+Felonies+-+What+Happens+Next..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Felonies - What Happens Next." border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh3Y5G5MbW8AYCc56TBDWzwDyV7AXf-ICHEoUEWe5YeGYXz8ahDOGbgVWdZ0MHdBj-9v25_Q2tbjE2cKQUHG1zxxyd9Q_roWy5j3TLGbCWg07AXmpoXjy0vmsBwxfMTUJnqgzO4D6GYF8/s640/The+Felonies+-+What+Happens+Next..jpg" title="" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Photo: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/nicholasodonnellphotographs" target="_blank">Nicholas O'Donnell Photography</a></span></b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allow="encrypted-media" allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="300" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/album/1V7PS9oSPNCpIAe4zp1itn" width="300"></iframe><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Formed in 2015, Wicklow-based alt-punks Felonies have striven to define themselves as one of Ireland’s most exciting live acts. Taking inspiration from the re-emergence of distorted garage rock and post-punk, the band combines raw lyricism, harsh musicality and melodic hooks to carve their unique sound.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There's a brash and intensely enjoyable hi-octane trundle that barges it's way unforgivably right across the entire 6 tracks of <b>Felonies</b> debut EP <i><b>What Comes Next</b></i>. This smash and grab sound trickles like dark melted treacle over the themes of the DIY-recorded and produced collection of tracks, whose theme is borne from the frustration of the myriad reasons behind the mass emigration of Irish youth over the past number of years. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is an important concept to have delivered in 2019, when the crash happened it was jobs that were the issue, but despite 'positive economic forecasts', young Irish people still bear the impact of the crisis. Pay is negligible when looked at as a ratio to the cost of basic needs such as a roof over your head (merely renting), seeing colleagues further into their career but doing the same work (or less) earning multiples of your salary due to 'temporary' cut-backs, has led to a brain drain in many areas.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The opening passage finds us at an airport waiting to board, you can't even leave the country because of the weather! On 'Welcome' a background snare rattle and wonky riff light the match and set fire to the frustration, cleverly using the pilot's on-board announcement to explain why you are young, Irish, and fucked, musically Felonies fling catchy hooks at us like ninja stars whilst bone-rattling their way through a caustic and distorted call and response. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Following the skulking darkness of the drug crutch that is 'S.A.P.', lyrical delivery is spot on once again on the anti-rose glasses 'Small Town Syndrome', a despondent ode to those left behind, not just in the country, but by society, and who have given up all hope, condemned to what feels like a meaningless existence. The cross-over between psych-rock and punk from 2 minutes onwards is a joy to behold. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you want to get aurally bruised the intro to 'You're so Dark' is just the ticket, here Felonies flush 90's noise-rock right down the middle of the sonic funnel, rabid and chaotic, the finale is a thunderous hand-slap in the face almost drawing blood. 'Guide to Art' is a highlight for me, again incorporating the call-and-response vocals which duel frantically amid hard-rock, in one song the band have managed to traverse punk, classic and heavy rock in the most entertaining way. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sometimes artists can over-construe themes, burying them so deep and making them so broad that the message can get lost. Felonies are acute and precise with both lyrics and the idea behind <i>What Comes Next?. </i>It's a brave topic for a young band to take on, there or no illusions or allusions, it wears it's heart on its sleeve and it doesn't dwell on complexity, which isn't really a merry bedfellow for punk-driven angst anyway. Although they've been together for a number of years, it's still early doors for Felonies in terms of their output and reach, coupled with what I deem to be one of the best live bands in the country right now, and an ambitious debut EP, the world can be their oyster at the moment, and the path to the top of the mountain isn't looking too steep.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>
RemyChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09840012344095446171noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6274465276656867869.post-43419287570840652752019-04-29T16:03:00.000+01:002019-04-29T16:03:31.624+01:00Album: Larry - Larry<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigUwMxWduEuduh1nvtvkmrpZ9coN-U6UAUf5GitoK38LXWNK-UnYpdy6bMJhH9Fo8zA2l2BnS2bF2GRvoJUIClLlU-ZG8cpRA1UIuWq2kDeYizLrMmrz3EDEiKfPKbIu0K4RErHWXS_Nc/s1600/Larry+-+Larry+-+Album+Review+-+Dundalk+-+Steve+Albini.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Larry - Larry - Album Review - Dundalk - Steve Albini" border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigUwMxWduEuduh1nvtvkmrpZ9coN-U6UAUf5GitoK38LXWNK-UnYpdy6bMJhH9Fo8zA2l2BnS2bF2GRvoJUIClLlU-ZG8cpRA1UIuWq2kDeYizLrMmrz3EDEiKfPKbIu0K4RErHWXS_Nc/s640/Larry+-+Larry+-+Album+Review+-+Dundalk+-+Steve+Albini.jpg" title="" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allow="encrypted-media" allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="380" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/album/0XAr7JpJkxw4IjLnMpSh5x" width="300"></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>Larry is a three piece band from Dundalk. A combination of lofi alt-rock with raw emotive lyrics & pop sensibilities stems from the likes of Sparklehorse, Pixies and Wilco. Larry recorded their debut album with Steve Albini (Nirvana, Pixies, Shellac) in September 2018.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Having read an article recently by a medical professional in <i>The Irish Times</i> on how pointless vitamin supplements were (in relation to a new tax or something), I ceased taking my daily 1,000mg cod liver oil capsules which I have religiously consumed daily for the last 10 years. Whilst I feel liberated and have an extra 2 euro in my pocket every 2 months, some things are fading in my memory. Hence I cast myself back to a review of the first time I saw Dundalk trio <a href="http://thebestofmusicandfilm.blogspot.com/2018/05/photos-just-mustard-album-launch-bello-bar-hot-cops-larry.html" target="_blank">Larry in The Bello Bar</a> for the first time in May last year, supporting Just Mustard and Belfast's Hot Cops, Jesus, what a line-up that was. I'm glad I did, because the small number of lines I wrote at that time, which was also my first time hearing any of their music, are uncannily accurate to how I feel almost a year later with two singles, and a debut album now released.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>"The first three songs were enjoyable slow-burners (</i><b>29/04/19 - note:</b><i> </i>this is why I don't like reviewing live shows, Christ)<i>, and I found the sound particularly resonated very well with my inner love for old school US slacker-rock. I was enjoying my zoned-out slumber when they started to ratchet proceedings up in the second half and lead-singer Joey Edwards shifted from low tones to high to close out their set and leave you with a lovely rock-tinged finale. There are two sides to Larry's coin, and both are shiny."</i></span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/k5kc9Fb-V5Q" width="560"></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">With the new album well into the ear-drums, and the happenstance of having seen Larry on Friday night just gone at The Sound House in support of Third Smoke, the observation of both their sound and Edwards' vocal rising unexpectedly in their songs is fresh in the mind just as it was after seeing them perform for the first time.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I always love a gentle / rousing combination in lo-fi guitar-based music, the key for me is emphasis on the former, a roughly 80% / 20% split, and Larry do this so well. The two most influential albums on me since I was a teenager within this genre or style are Weezer's <i>Blue Album</i> and Pavement's <i>Brighten the Corners </i>which I reference a lot on these pages, particularly the latter. The great thing about <b>Larry</b>'s sound is that they don't recall the sonic aesthetic of either, but more the platform DNA of both. The only track on the album that specifically reminded of Pavement is 'Liar' towards the end, and even then it's a stretch, reaching back for me to <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4IzhMfKPGk" target="_blank">'Old to Begin'</a>, the calm and the surprise raucousness of both vocal and percussion just when you are reaching peak-lull mood.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Edwards himself is a music producer whose name you will see in plentiful places in the production credits for other Irish acts, which undoubtedly was a contributing factor to Steve Albini wanting to cast his wand over proceedings last year. Having read a few interviews with Albini he always states that his modus operandi for working with bands is based on his gut feeling with that first listen, things like where you're from, what stage of your career you're at, or to be crass, economic benefits, are all irrelevant to him, it's purely based on his ear and nothing else, quite a ringing endorsement to say the least. Thankfully this process has been documented by KT Ball in an upcoming short which is due for release soon (trailer below). So, yeah, the album!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/2RTzrnyLtwM" width="560"></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Opening with most recent single 'Cocker Spaniel', the track encapsulates the see-saw of understated energy and sleepiness of Larry's sound. There's plenty of thrash (not trash) early doors, jangly guitars and up and down drums, with the bass acting like a rope on a pier, holding a ship where it should be despite wanting to disembark. On a personal level it reminds me of one of the few hopeful passages from the gospels, Matthew 6:26:30 if memory serves me correctly; <i>"</i></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>Look at the birds in the sky! They don’t plant or harvest. They don’t even store grain in barns. Yet your Father in heaven takes care of them. Aren’t you worth more than birds?" </i>Turns out god was a communist after all. Envy of the freedom and simple desires an animal enjoys (when they're not being hunted by a predator) vs. the complexity of meaningless anxieties humans experience as a result of our 'higher intelligence'.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/toRI4NxrmdE" width="560"></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">'Wah' was the first track I heard from the album when Larry released the live video last year, and unusually for me I've found it hard to move on to a 'new favourite' as time has passed. It's perfect in a circular way, there are no rough edges, and everything is concise. Call it what you like, but it's prime lackadaisical slacker real estate, there are two sinkhole moments on the track, the guitar bend bang in the middle of 40 and 41 seconds, and that devilishly sleepy passage from 1:28 to 1:58, almost mathematical in its execution. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">'Sea of Ringo Starrs' comes next, this track sprung out as something that should be on an OST for a Tarantino film (induced by a recent podcast I was researching for to a degree), it's <i>Pulp Fiction</i> / <i>Reservoir Dogs</i> soundtrack incarnate with a bruising finale, Dick Dale vibes abound, but also Link Wray's classic 'Rumble', here's where the past merges with a contemporary guitar rock sound.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">'Marco' is by far the sleepiest track on the LP, the moment you pass out. As much fun as we've had with Larry's sound so far, this is an important stop-gap to remind us of the subject matter behind the song-writing, it's a non-pretentious and casual examination of our most basic insecurities, desire to be lauded and accepted, basically a blunt observation of one of the evolutionary hard-wired weaknesses of the human condition. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">'Pushing' is a well-placed follow up, life is definitely not a miserable place on this album, overtly saying that insecurity and doubt is futile and you need to shake it off before it takes hold in a "you might be dead tomorrow" kind of way, so indulge yourself in the way you want to, not how you're told to. After the lament of 'Doggo', which may be an homage to a much-loved canine that is no longer trotting with us, comes 'Fako'. It's breezy, but in a different way to what we've heard thus far, that balance between light-heartedness and seriousness echoing from the drums and managed in a controlled way by Edwards' vocal.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Following the grunge-rock tone of 'Liar', the trio cast off from the pier with a whisper compared to what has come before on 'Deeper', a fitting swansong to bridge the gap between the next chapter. The tenderness of the song claws just enough at your innards to grab your focus without causing any emotional distress, the whistling somehow acting as the mascot for the entire collection of 9 tracks on Larry's debut album, if we can do this, you can do it too.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Larry's debut LP is now available on all good streaming platforms and a physical vinyl format can be ordered via Pizza Pizza Records' Bandcamp page here</i> </span><a href="https://larrymusic.bandcamp.com/"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">https://larrymusic.bandcamp.com/</span></a></div>
RemyChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09840012344095446171noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6274465276656867869.post-13611650825469307942019-04-29T12:03:00.000+01:002019-04-29T12:03:03.680+01:00Video: EHCO - Hunted (Live)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC_PQl9utmTyNaVsftYqNCZeoKLY-w5eM4vx_ssjuhyAARuRjYe7y20XVuhVU1_I4Bt-A0y9kY8LrdkiTr2M1ggE-_nJoPOm7-b1wHBk9ULxahBzX2ohIKnoiL3waX2brTVriOY6kkvFQ/s1600/EHCO+-+Hunted+-+Live+Video.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="EHCO - Hunted - Live Video" border="0" data-original-height="433" data-original-width="650" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC_PQl9utmTyNaVsftYqNCZeoKLY-w5eM4vx_ssjuhyAARuRjYe7y20XVuhVU1_I4Bt-A0y9kY8LrdkiTr2M1ggE-_nJoPOm7-b1wHBk9ULxahBzX2ohIKnoiL3waX2brTVriOY6kkvFQ/s640/EHCO+-+Hunted+-+Live+Video.jpg" title="" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Photo: Faye Bollard</span></i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/V1WoSjH8Rqs" width="560"></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">REMY is particularly delighted to share the first look at Wicklow experimental electronic act <b>EHCO</b>'s live video for their most recent single '<b>Hunted</b>' which was shot in The Mermaid Café in Bray under the stewardship of director Rosie Barrett, with lighting by Conor Biddle. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">After starting out as a solo project for ex-Enemies musician Eoin Whitfield circa summer 2017, the project quickly evolved when he teamed up with vocalist Jessy Lord on their first release 'Raise it up'. The pair have since released two other singles in 'FIA' and 'Éiclips'. After establishing their live performance in local venues in their hometown and Dublin, numerous festival performances followed such as Other Voices and Castlepalooza, and more recently EHCO remixed DAITHÍ's latest single 'Orange'.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Patience has been one of the bedrocks of EHCO's growing success, a remarkably hard work ethic in fine-tuning their live set and recording new material has pushed them quickly to the forefront of the Irish music consciousness. The pace has quickened slightly in recent months as the momentum builds, and they are due to release their debut EP shortly which has just been completed, as well as the concept video for 'Hunted' premiering on Nialler9 last week (see below - DOP - Robert J. Kavanagh).</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Of the single itself, in our recent review we wrote; <i>"</i></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>With their fourth single, EHCO, led by Eoin Whitfield and fronted by Jessy Lord move firmly into the heat zone, they have truly found their groove now and taken it to another level. 'Hunted' has a life of its own, the movement of sound is so chill and all-encompassing that it takes control of your mind and switches every other sense off for its entire duration, incidentally, Lord has also become my favourite Irish vocalist in recent times. Not many acts are able to deliver such well executed escapism and such a spiritual drift in their music. That's 4 out of 4 for EHCO now."</i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/HkVEbK323zg" width="560"></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You can catch EHCO live on the following dates below;</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="color: #0a0a0a; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">May 18th - The Harbour Bar Bray </span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="color: #0a0a0a; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">May 23rd - Future Proof at BelloBar</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="color: #0a0a0a; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Spotify:</b> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://open.spotify.com/artist/3ugAjv3W0R7Ei0TyR8c6UM?si=_9Gma6pgQ-aGqznpRwX_Vg">https://open.spotify.com/artist/3ugAjv3W0R7Ei0TyR8c6UM?si=_9Gma6pgQ-aGqznpRwX_Vg</a></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Facebook:</b> </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/EHCOMUSIC/">https://www.facebook.com/EHCOMUSIC/</a></span></div>
RemyChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09840012344095446171noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6274465276656867869.post-8310842784742203912019-04-29T10:51:00.001+01:002019-04-29T10:51:06.124+01:00News: Hard Working Class Heroes re-brands to Ireland Music Week for 2019<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE1yy0IRpkIOBC8YMPOkn03ByeMe-Q6r38-L7ZjpXb2PiJ1k4YNE6d1or3MPiAJgGEn6nVBRyLuwIrMmHUF191HIxsDPHSLLs_Ta9tZHTHxU8d93NrWXMVh2QWJW1Wzk9BQYgyF7pMR6c/s1600/Hard+Working+Class+Heroes+-+Ireland+Music+Week+-+Ae+Mak+-+Remy+Connolly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Hard Working Class Heroes - Ireland Music Week - Ae Mak - Remy Connolly" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE1yy0IRpkIOBC8YMPOkn03ByeMe-Q6r38-L7ZjpXb2PiJ1k4YNE6d1or3MPiAJgGEn6nVBRyLuwIrMmHUF191HIxsDPHSLLs_Ta9tZHTHxU8d93NrWXMVh2QWJW1Wzk9BQYgyF7pMR6c/s640/Hard+Working+Class+Heroes+-+Ireland+Music+Week+-+Ae+Mak+-+Remy+Connolly.jpg" title="" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Photo: Remy Connolly</span></b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Always placed perfectly in the annual calendar with a nice break after the mayhem of the summer festival schedule, one of our long-term favourite music festivals, Hard Working Class Heroes, is re-branding as <b>Ireland Music Week</b> for this coming October. The core elements of providing Irish music artists with an opportunity to network with a slew of local and international industry experts, plus showcasing 50 acts that are readying themselves for international exposure remain. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>For artists of all levels, the conference will give them a chance to learn and develop their craft and create new opportunities with agents, labels, bookers, music supervisors and services from all over the world.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Additions to this core programming will include a dedicated B 2 B day to facilitate the needs of the newly formed FMC-founded AIM Ireland, along with other offerings from new strategic partners introducing new audiences for Irish music around Europe as well as more networking and masterclasses to be announced closer to the dates.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>"The new name will more accurately represent the strategic role of the festival in launching export-ready Irish artists to global prominence at our export supported events such as Eurosonic, SXSW, The Great Escape, and more" says Angela Dorgan, CEO of First Music Contact. "Ireland Music Week will also expand to develop the infrastructure of the Irish music industry as a whole".</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>On the announcement of the new name, Christine Sisk, Culture Ireland’s Director commented –</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>"Culture Ireland’s support for Ireland Music Week is based on the important role it plays in introducing the next generation of Irish talent to global audiences and strengthening the connections between Ireland’s independent music industry and international markets. Ireland’s music is known worldwide and it is important that we maintain and build on our already strong reputation. The creation of international opportunities for emerging talent is vital to help sustain careers in the music industry."</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>First Music Contact, who run Ireland Music Week, work with Irish acts from the very beginning. This annual showcase is an opportunity to offer Irish acts some vital exposure provided by the stellar mix of influential Irish and international delegates who attend including avenues for agent, label, management deals and more. FMC also run Music From Ireland, the Irish music export office.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><b>Artist applications for this year’s festival will open in May.</b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Some of last year’s big successes to progress from the festival include Just Mustard, The Wood Burning Savages, Wild Youth, Æ Mak, Flynn, Pillow Queens, ROE, Bad Bones, A. Smyth, Kitt Philippa, Laoise, THUMPER, Maria Kelly, Molly Sterling, Joshua Burnside and more.</i></span><br />
<i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></i>
<i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Since its inception in 2003, the festival has showcased many of Ireland’s best-known acts including Fontaines DC, David Keenan, Soulé, Daithí, whenyoung, Bitch Falcon, Jafaris, Chasing Abbey, Saint Sister, Wyvern Lingo, Jealous of the Birds, Fangclub, Touts, The Academic, Choice Music Prize winners Rusangano Family, Villagers, 2013's breakthrough act Hozier, along with Girl Band, Jape, The Coronas, Talos, Le Boom, Loah, Soak, Ham Sandwich, All Tvvins, Otherkin and many more.</i><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>For more information on how to sign-up and keep tabs on announcements, head over to the new website here </i></span><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://irelandmusicweek.com/">http://irelandmusicweek.com/</a></span></i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9xPQ-D0s8PdhzHSJ2yGSqhUN31aeZrJmfcNd8rG1m0QSvWfaffccmOhRYgxVFTtUqIK2BAeoBoguEFTIEo3AN1tUk-O7NxQjYAcOV0UoqTLuN_R4-u0T3wwJELzR__qQ2NB27FkbWMIw/s1600/Hard+Working+Class+Heroes+-+Ireland+Music+Week+2019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Hard Working Class Heroes - Ireland Music Week 2019" border="0" data-original-height="312" data-original-width="820" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9xPQ-D0s8PdhzHSJ2yGSqhUN31aeZrJmfcNd8rG1m0QSvWfaffccmOhRYgxVFTtUqIK2BAeoBoguEFTIEo3AN1tUk-O7NxQjYAcOV0UoqTLuN_R4-u0T3wwJELzR__qQ2NB27FkbWMIw/s640/Hard+Working+Class+Heroes+-+Ireland+Music+Week+2019.jpg" title="" width="640" /></a></div>
RemyChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09840012344095446171noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6274465276656867869.post-236502148948611102019-04-27T09:49:00.000+01:002019-04-27T09:50:48.136+01:00The VidList #016: LE BOOM & Æ MAK, Paddy Hanna, Third Smoke, The Murder Capital & Laura Duff<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMpj6e6rYI9zqIi8Bu7doAqXMe818zsm0jHhGkfTlk7S7kp7igQOf7Hp6KJiqPgZNlMmqoi4qN5vs-nAe3SNSy_wMQ8AUlQK2_g8ugEq3iC-7RAfiy7UarMsB3iEuor16f7rTaoPEhNf0/s1600/Dancing+Bug+-+LE+BOOM+%2526+%25C3%2586+MAK.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Dancing Bug - LE BOOM & Æ MAK" border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMpj6e6rYI9zqIi8Bu7doAqXMe818zsm0jHhGkfTlk7S7kp7igQOf7Hp6KJiqPgZNlMmqoi4qN5vs-nAe3SNSy_wMQ8AUlQK2_g8ugEq3iC-7RAfiy7UarMsB3iEuor16f7rTaoPEhNf0/s640/Dancing+Bug+-+LE+BOOM+%2526+%25C3%2586+MAK.jpg" title="" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Photo: Tim Shearwood</span></i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Our regular series of The VidList captures the best music videos (and tracks!) released over the past few weeks. Below we have new music videos across varied styles, from dance, indie, electronic, blues-rock and contemporary folk.</b></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>1) </b></span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Æ MAK & Le Boom - 'Dancing Bug'</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">What a combo, Le Boom and Æ MAK, two of the most progressive and artistic acts of the last few years merge their talents on 'Dancing Bug' which they recorded and wrote together over the course of a mere few hours. The combination of Le Boom's trademark bubbling electronic dance beats and Aoife McCann's vocal are highly complimentary, to the point you'd hope this isn't a once off. On many moments during the track, even though it's just under 3 minutes long, each act shares the best of what they do. Fun fact: the video was shot on Carnew Street in Stoneybatter, Dublin 7 and is the same location where pop queens The Spice Girls made their own video for their single 'Stop' back in 1998!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vtaxrGHYlXE" width="560"></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2) Paddy Hanna - 'Frankly, I Mutate'</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">From what was easily one of the best Irish albums of last year, Paddy Hanna shares the title-track music video for 'Frankly, I Mutate', directed and produced by Niall McCann. It's a majestic visual that acts like a microcosm of his song-writing, theatrical drama, brevity, humour and awkwardness acting like a thinly layered bubble surrounding the deep themes of his music. As always the lyrics are poetic and provide huge scope for the listener's interpretation and imagine to run off with, and there's also a melancholy feeling of isolation which reveals itself right at the end.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vqcKIA3sgpw" width="560"></iframe>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>3) Third Smoke - 'We Run in Bare Feet'</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I haven't been able to stop listening to the latest (and best?) single from Third Smoke since its release a few weeks ago, and now there's a music video by Greg Corcoran to accompany it which captures their individual and collective live power. From our recent review of 'We Run in Bare Feet', feel the power.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A much more intense indie-rock affair from Third Smoke compared to their previous singles, the quintet opt for rattling columns of sound on 'We Run in Bare Feet'. With multiple injections of joy coming from all angles, I'm tempted to say this is their best single to date, but it's a tough call as their sound varies enough across their tracks. A pounding drive of bass, percussion and electric guitar first push and then drive frontman Hugh Donlon's vocal to celestial heights. I love it."</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/X_ZHtdD9ekw" width="560"></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>4) The Murder Capital - 'Green & Blue'</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It's a tough spot to find yourself in before you've even released your first single, The Murder Capital were already being piled on by a small but vocal number of cynics before they'd even released debut single 'Feeling Fades' earlier this year over the hype they were generating locally. This is the type of shithousery we've seen with fellow Dublin band Fontaines D.C., the classic Irish trope of "look at that fucker up there on the top of the hill, grrr". After seeing an arresting and kind of intimidating in a memorable way (this is what you want) performance of theirs last year I could see first hand that they deserved any success that was coming their way. You have to judge bands on their abilities and their music, and of course how that translates on stage. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Latest single 'Green & Blue' is a doom-laden post-punk affair that doffs its cap to the gothic sounds of The Cure's 80's output such as <i>Pornography</i> and <i>Disintegration</i>. Rumbling hypnotic percussion and crisp yet thick bass-lines ensure the mood stays sombre, yet engaging through the entirety of the track, the sparseness of the instrumentation allows lead singer James McGovern's domineering vocal to provide the unsettling discomfort that is quickly becoming a hallmark of their sound.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ddBjpD5kHVY" width="560"></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">5) Laura Duff - 'Up To You'</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Singer-songwriter Laura Duff released her single 'Up To You' towards the end of 2018, and now shares the accompanying music video directed by Róisín Little. This is a wonderfully colourful and addictive slice of psychedelic indie-pop, which is given the most fitting visual companion between the mid-60's pop lighting, rhythmic movement of the contemporary dance and kaleidoscopic backdrops. Duff has that easily loveable escapist vocal style that produces a nonchalant and disarming effect on the listener, haute-chill. 'Up To You' is taken from Laura Duff's promising debut EP <i><a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/3EwXla1SYonI6043YKfLA3?si=Q4G-3PKJRp6H9DudxhsZ-Q" target="_blank">For Your Company</a></i> which was released on the 27th of February, listen <a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/3EwXla1SYonI6043YKfLA3?si=Q4G-3PKJRp6H9DudxhsZ-Q" target="_blank">here</a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7wAgHkOjA_I" width="560"></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;"><span style="color: magenta;">Check out our previous VidList, No. 015, here </span></span><a href="https://thebestofmusicandfilm.blogspot.com/2019/04/the-vidlist-015-jafaris-otherkin-cfit.html">https://thebestofmusicandfilm.blogspot.com/2019/04/the-vidlist-015-jafaris-otherkin-cfit.html</a></span></b></i></div>
RemyChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09840012344095446171noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6274465276656867869.post-18761885423136687302019-04-22T15:12:00.000+01:002019-04-22T15:12:07.148+01:00Single: Paj - Yemanja<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjae4Gqfd-7rzY8wPBnD7eaMGgmz1fRCP4R-wHNO42rJVbB6WMXGEZdQXOEG2eb7788IzU0c8PeLDEFteO0ptnT732sSjG4yv2Q28fdIRPe3ReXIIMCnEBSaI2Sb9n63_78DCWY0h66gXE/s1600/Paj+-+Yemanja.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Paj - Yemanja" border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjae4Gqfd-7rzY8wPBnD7eaMGgmz1fRCP4R-wHNO42rJVbB6WMXGEZdQXOEG2eb7788IzU0c8PeLDEFteO0ptnT732sSjG4yv2Q28fdIRPe3ReXIIMCnEBSaI2Sb9n63_78DCWY0h66gXE/s640/Paj+-+Yemanja.jpg" title="" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/track=665613937/size=large/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/tracklist=false/artwork=small/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 120px; width: 100%;"><a href="http://pajmusic.bandcamp.com/track/yemanja">Yemanja by Paj</a></iframe><br />
<br />
<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Yemanja is the Afro-Brazilian goddess of the sea, the mother Orisha. This song was written after her 3 day celebrations spent in North east Brazil, enjoying the carnival but at the same time trying to shed some personal baggage. It's the feeling of going out but your heart's not in it.. at first, here Yemanja calls you back to your true centre."</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></i>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dublin soul act <b>Paj</b> (aka Paddy Groenland) shares the follow-up single '<b>Yemanja</b>' to debut 'Friends Confused' which was released in February. For an artist steeped in global sounds as a result of his passion for self-education beyond standard genres, the new single acts like a melting-pot of the best of soul and traditional world landscapes. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The groove is over-flowing like a thick foam of sunshine beats and a slick rn'b vocal delivery filled with determination and passion. This throws me straight into classic OST's like <i>Shaft</i> and <i>Superfly </i>but with a massive dollop of super heavy funk. The tempo is aggressive in a manner that would recall George Clinton's Parliament, but the softness of a Shuggie Otis passage in those first 50 seconds. Interestingly it's in the percussion and loose rhythm that those earlier mentioned influences subtly lap in between the ravaging but fun-filled chaos. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Paj plays his next show with full band and AV show on Saturday, April 27th in Whelan's.</i> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.whelanslive.com/index.php/paj-mother-tongues/">http://www.whelanslive.com/index.php/paj-mother-tongues/</a></span><br />
<br />
<b><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">'Yemanja' will also be live on Spotify and other major streaming platforms from the 9th of May.</span></i></b>RemyChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09840012344095446171noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6274465276656867869.post-71369367157182465812019-04-21T12:33:00.000+01:002019-04-21T12:33:36.237+01:00Photos: MUNKY @ The Grand Social with The Family Dog & Skinner - 12th April<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheNlaX4Az19LHDYT7baaG7SinTLWSNFGcyU1VcAAL4_MtJ6XakL4teX24UfU2AeOziu56kqscoM6ZGeMxQvAWa49VTd_DlNzUn5jgadGXOM78_8dEW1RqGYo84tiyA-ckzxTYHyzF_W2I/s1600/MUNKY+-+The+Grand+Social+-+Remy+Connolly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="MUNKY - The Grand Social - Remy Connolly" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheNlaX4Az19LHDYT7baaG7SinTLWSNFGcyU1VcAAL4_MtJ6XakL4teX24UfU2AeOziu56kqscoM6ZGeMxQvAWa49VTd_DlNzUn5jgadGXOM78_8dEW1RqGYo84tiyA-ckzxTYHyzF_W2I/s640/MUNKY+-+The+Grand+Social+-+Remy+Connolly.jpg" title="" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<b><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Photos: Remy Connolly (click on 1st image to begin slideshow)</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i></b>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Last weekend on Friday, 12th of April, Dublin funk / blues / rock (take your pick) band <b>MUNKY</b> took to the main stage at <b>The Grand Social</b> to launch their excellent debut EP, <i><b><a href="https://munky2.bandcamp.com/album/un-deux-trois-cat-ep" target="_blank">Un, Deux, Trois, Cat</a></b></i>. In front of a jam-packed house we were collectively blown away, with their live shows always different from the last, but always high-entertainment and a straight up boogie. Support on the night was equally impressive, Barnet psychedelic folk-funk four-piece <b>The Family Dog</b> were ablaze with energy, in no small part to 13-year-old frontman Isaac's ridiculously energetic performance. It was also my first time seeing post-punk act <b>Skinner</b>, and I was so impressed with his set, hearing single '<a href="https://skinner97.bandcamp.com/" target="_blank">Headroom</a>' live and subsequently playing it on loop since, and also what I recall may be the next single 'Slouch' brought much joy to my ears.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJGgv33xba5on8bDEa_j-UoE5_vI0u60OzOWVsSw8ovbaE4B63UAF2K3NlURr7zUEcgP9qpmuwgK5l_7Y4Q8bJ5sX2JFP9p2LJ_tb9XNEoFnFrq_DitV8WCgMgjKmuCEbOrhKCmZ1B83g/s1600/DSC_0001_InPixio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJGgv33xba5on8bDEa_j-UoE5_vI0u60OzOWVsSw8ovbaE4B63UAF2K3NlURr7zUEcgP9qpmuwgK5l_7Y4Q8bJ5sX2JFP9p2LJ_tb9XNEoFnFrq_DitV8WCgMgjKmuCEbOrhKCmZ1B83g/s640/DSC_0001_InPixio.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieyvX7RfTXF9XG8a17JIHT1NGS1gqx4hKrRCbVcNNauSTIrzl_R7XyiZmIC06GuU2RWqOm8xqw1sAbf0TTBtpybGIjCe5AElRSXWM75esBfOhWfhLY4XOxOrvsA7caJG1bEOwgruGWKoM/s1600/DSC_0086_InPixio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieyvX7RfTXF9XG8a17JIHT1NGS1gqx4hKrRCbVcNNauSTIrzl_R7XyiZmIC06GuU2RWqOm8xqw1sAbf0TTBtpybGIjCe5AElRSXWM75esBfOhWfhLY4XOxOrvsA7caJG1bEOwgruGWKoM/s640/DSC_0086_InPixio.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuAdi-w4DeLeVFU92LUztEUNVbHZM7mAdNEs2DWgr1GzhXe3an_9q5-3cFizz34Th7IX8epwo9_fsHXHknjygiQmTwEIoLzfwJcGF7MJyKjW-iWDTojA6W8kcYe4pak1hCEr5TntMO7Ho/s1600/DSC_0124_InPixio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuAdi-w4DeLeVFU92LUztEUNVbHZM7mAdNEs2DWgr1GzhXe3an_9q5-3cFizz34Th7IX8epwo9_fsHXHknjygiQmTwEIoLzfwJcGF7MJyKjW-iWDTojA6W8kcYe4pak1hCEr5TntMO7Ho/s640/DSC_0124_InPixio.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_mbOs5I338PSDvPEVdOwOkMOHH6MYRZ34A7rZTf2zqeAjtPDZh4w8nKbmbo8d8LuSKCrfc2LSO6bKfaw6PaIL1hQbmF7oYlc-lrdD-T9wVlrZTOH2SYzbT4yWg3y4lVSlaucxnxAORq0/s1600/DSC_0191_InPixio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="615" data-original-width="924" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_mbOs5I338PSDvPEVdOwOkMOHH6MYRZ34A7rZTf2zqeAjtPDZh4w8nKbmbo8d8LuSKCrfc2LSO6bKfaw6PaIL1hQbmF7oYlc-lrdD-T9wVlrZTOH2SYzbT4yWg3y4lVSlaucxnxAORq0/s640/DSC_0191_InPixio.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiN9gZ6__k_nLcx0VFcGeBRJPVHYIhlelGuNk3J70UhYq1oJrFgGUcyjDd9rszaS2DWUQLUmQTfzq74A9XJOXTTdJSigp_61PiRQ_K0pGep-QYN0vorwysRS9Plgh4ps7rMlvS_ZHIsfc/s1600/DSC_0819_InPixio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiN9gZ6__k_nLcx0VFcGeBRJPVHYIhlelGuNk3J70UhYq1oJrFgGUcyjDd9rszaS2DWUQLUmQTfzq74A9XJOXTTdJSigp_61PiRQ_K0pGep-QYN0vorwysRS9Plgh4ps7rMlvS_ZHIsfc/s640/DSC_0819_InPixio.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig6vIsw1vTp0mn5oEvlBJnHvQGtdFi2inUXidgEi5pB_zJetQp2ZqOshqQCxA4Beb5pl9E-BxUEiBhKNwqu-ZSg8dBm_Y8uahAzzqEuB9BWNVHcvCN95inW_YB2Kfov-Kuqc8GIFQpT44/s1600/DSC_0829_InPixio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig6vIsw1vTp0mn5oEvlBJnHvQGtdFi2inUXidgEi5pB_zJetQp2ZqOshqQCxA4Beb5pl9E-BxUEiBhKNwqu-ZSg8dBm_Y8uahAzzqEuB9BWNVHcvCN95inW_YB2Kfov-Kuqc8GIFQpT44/s640/DSC_0829_InPixio.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmY6dBlCFs7fIP0s4J431r793l0en6_xP9IeFWIlZ-WZQ0PoPHFNLJfHEGpySikTxZGB-9w7AI782oPjvcn2ZvoM-e0kYWWi06iIcb6b1YoFpFUkxXUNrXJG938e7WQrq54bdoB2Fhisw/s1600/DSC_0970.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmY6dBlCFs7fIP0s4J431r793l0en6_xP9IeFWIlZ-WZQ0PoPHFNLJfHEGpySikTxZGB-9w7AI782oPjvcn2ZvoM-e0kYWWi06iIcb6b1YoFpFUkxXUNrXJG938e7WQrq54bdoB2Fhisw/s640/DSC_0970.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW3mU3xsOZXdTqKJLzmkD_HnQ2p-zqDMKNTEuHHzjXDtmBELB_ZUCBCcra-ULsILdjbspY6rxcIYxq-EPrGbKGfcwqXnjdPzR6nbXNwMe2Oi1Yg-pRhrO8Fwq1kaXptTufEuOLyGF0Pv0/s1600/DSC_0970_InPixio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="613" data-original-width="409" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW3mU3xsOZXdTqKJLzmkD_HnQ2p-zqDMKNTEuHHzjXDtmBELB_ZUCBCcra-ULsILdjbspY6rxcIYxq-EPrGbKGfcwqXnjdPzR6nbXNwMe2Oi1Yg-pRhrO8Fwq1kaXptTufEuOLyGF0Pv0/s640/DSC_0970_InPixio.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs3UzCONSoJ2yiyrCdVzWwD9SoKZCBOLekdy_0cXh579zcB2XeElrWtrbwGl15r_pCnMKCrKKutUhM5uUqDxC8uBfam1RpiFP6vY8h1GRAillWm2J1Cczxwklh2dXzQ7wx-oQg-ke11T8/s1600/DSC_0975_InPixio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs3UzCONSoJ2yiyrCdVzWwD9SoKZCBOLekdy_0cXh579zcB2XeElrWtrbwGl15r_pCnMKCrKKutUhM5uUqDxC8uBfam1RpiFP6vY8h1GRAillWm2J1Cczxwklh2dXzQ7wx-oQg-ke11T8/s640/DSC_0975_InPixio.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxU6LPhprVhdNon9sLzj7yt8NmsLYcTS22OfhrDrTqVOnY7EIr3sCx_tAsKn24rME3GJp0SnMwT2-nzCwv50EtvjetApQDdTNcx9_8O4wtZY-WfWc9QqlXiPmjYt2SqpZ1PNeSoaE5j8E/s1600/DSC_0032_InPixio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxU6LPhprVhdNon9sLzj7yt8NmsLYcTS22OfhrDrTqVOnY7EIr3sCx_tAsKn24rME3GJp0SnMwT2-nzCwv50EtvjetApQDdTNcx9_8O4wtZY-WfWc9QqlXiPmjYt2SqpZ1PNeSoaE5j8E/s640/DSC_0032_InPixio.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ksbA-e8gLimJKZ01F5mG0dmp585EUiavZbWldlE96QRmIpMI3u-OXkxHDyvrhq7HQ3Lsb0XDY7UdIOPh2xZUZcpPyOKROIMxkTi1DhF6IeaK4PBI-d5XVXJzbMjmM-vd1kEJiKZRkIY/s1600/The+Family+Dog+-+The+Grand+Social+-+Remy+Connolly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Family Dog - The Grand Social - Remy Connolly" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ksbA-e8gLimJKZ01F5mG0dmp585EUiavZbWldlE96QRmIpMI3u-OXkxHDyvrhq7HQ3Lsb0XDY7UdIOPh2xZUZcpPyOKROIMxkTi1DhF6IeaK4PBI-d5XVXJzbMjmM-vd1kEJiKZRkIY/s640/The+Family+Dog+-+The+Grand+Social+-+Remy+Connolly.jpg" title="" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjTVt_Zv4DUwYH6SpoQMIjvTsu_Aao7dCAFM76Ni4zVRd7oQNYX8180XIvIActujz7AG_w_MOQXwNiwcP0tRrs-KfLvAc2r2hfgINIJDxIG_pPUpkdo7gyReXwU-vMwnTQG4t1fWUKfVw/s1600/DSC_0501_InPixio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjTVt_Zv4DUwYH6SpoQMIjvTsu_Aao7dCAFM76Ni4zVRd7oQNYX8180XIvIActujz7AG_w_MOQXwNiwcP0tRrs-KfLvAc2r2hfgINIJDxIG_pPUpkdo7gyReXwU-vMwnTQG4t1fWUKfVw/s640/DSC_0501_InPixio.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP76SBHTXfUAuLD4iETutJE2fGhL7pyFnJ2_fmf-gDfl2oxLgGrogrAI6Gz6O0XZD_DHwf_lmbL9vVrmrKKuhffsNc8_2-yjI4R0Yk7z421O_dhCLUzs0qcKUOXW59LX1j-_jCMjhrX74/s1600/DSC_0544_InPixio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP76SBHTXfUAuLD4iETutJE2fGhL7pyFnJ2_fmf-gDfl2oxLgGrogrAI6Gz6O0XZD_DHwf_lmbL9vVrmrKKuhffsNc8_2-yjI4R0Yk7z421O_dhCLUzs0qcKUOXW59LX1j-_jCMjhrX74/s640/DSC_0544_InPixio.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiREzDZlQpLZzH1yceQc4Z6o6T9hAU-MokoUvYwU-6GAtLurOiiDNQrbH_IkmJpWlrtYkAM5fQrRNKYsdRbv53VIBiMIhIep9-S1aNcL1ve3aL-ZUJG2JWvx2f2PXUP4575MEzIXUlVzdA/s1600/DSC_0594_InPixio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiREzDZlQpLZzH1yceQc4Z6o6T9hAU-MokoUvYwU-6GAtLurOiiDNQrbH_IkmJpWlrtYkAM5fQrRNKYsdRbv53VIBiMIhIep9-S1aNcL1ve3aL-ZUJG2JWvx2f2PXUP4575MEzIXUlVzdA/s640/DSC_0594_InPixio.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvh0dCjDcO-CYD9o_vGZJiE_HkRxlaVrslW_WO47hqIg5CFqF_9v93EkBpgev3ZiugIwWAOFHy0sO90m84AXS9MeYAk-qZF_p07d66TCNaJggJqHuCWMukvpY7S9tdQoVW4W_s4HkWJzA/s1600/DSC_0640_InPixio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvh0dCjDcO-CYD9o_vGZJiE_HkRxlaVrslW_WO47hqIg5CFqF_9v93EkBpgev3ZiugIwWAOFHy0sO90m84AXS9MeYAk-qZF_p07d66TCNaJggJqHuCWMukvpY7S9tdQoVW4W_s4HkWJzA/s640/DSC_0640_InPixio.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9WWnXsxXouNWl5fsLMuN8270jxPOptdV03j7kcoJRKY4QZ-KZSuMMOr7_tQT4eegDTwOoAMezDgqNWxbm3Kmkl8jdzrmQxwYn4qChqVy8WPB5tos5aDtiWx0QPWpfdbFqz_HLL9l3BIk/s1600/DSC_0673_InPixio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9WWnXsxXouNWl5fsLMuN8270jxPOptdV03j7kcoJRKY4QZ-KZSuMMOr7_tQT4eegDTwOoAMezDgqNWxbm3Kmkl8jdzrmQxwYn4qChqVy8WPB5tos5aDtiWx0QPWpfdbFqz_HLL9l3BIk/s640/DSC_0673_InPixio.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd_CEAjjwNqawBtr-uwAk5w2cbSHCDo316Ra837uVhWgVAwoLpUAm0g3SHWqijI42ypLaAeIw34V6AKIke9FIaR5el59Oy4oatek_6_ijAkkKFWaBcIJNwYBiQi7VXGrEmJycncidH5LM/s1600/DSC_0692_InPixio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd_CEAjjwNqawBtr-uwAk5w2cbSHCDo316Ra837uVhWgVAwoLpUAm0g3SHWqijI42ypLaAeIw34V6AKIke9FIaR5el59Oy4oatek_6_ijAkkKFWaBcIJNwYBiQi7VXGrEmJycncidH5LM/s640/DSC_0692_InPixio.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Rqv8_hfCSuM2E6UyJ_hN8b1WfUfqS2iE_kUSWs_yNPqXGDBdxG9vfLauLw2Qvmy-cg1830N6WqpSfnWUlZwl9yx13qhGDaH6eBUnu4wlDSARqd_gjHBbibbbSOIk_VFliyibmz3sIxU/s1600/DSC_0715_InPixio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Rqv8_hfCSuM2E6UyJ_hN8b1WfUfqS2iE_kUSWs_yNPqXGDBdxG9vfLauLw2Qvmy-cg1830N6WqpSfnWUlZwl9yx13qhGDaH6eBUnu4wlDSARqd_gjHBbibbbSOIk_VFliyibmz3sIxU/s640/DSC_0715_InPixio.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik6b74UckNXIdNg1BaTH_9psJv2u4T5VCR2N5WJyvi3HHqlEfQYBq7u0GGJc49BZQ3qHf0oGBigXAjzO2rZydXAXqIVBCXKGGYzWulUFN_z9b5iDuDXqLwVPTXSEUHcUDr5nQ-4rL7j_8/s1600/DSC_0767_InPixio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik6b74UckNXIdNg1BaTH_9psJv2u4T5VCR2N5WJyvi3HHqlEfQYBq7u0GGJc49BZQ3qHf0oGBigXAjzO2rZydXAXqIVBCXKGGYzWulUFN_z9b5iDuDXqLwVPTXSEUHcUDr5nQ-4rL7j_8/s640/DSC_0767_InPixio.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJO5jG8kIgb_tb60AZQSq1IJ84KmwS5UEmZ5hOhssJqYypTsOSgpwf8k4KE8eqRU75USYqHemUKjObqsOWEygRkEMfhatw1kAuT7r3iXbbgVY0PiU08ELvWxmZcuRH5_fpTId2WWO2oBs/s1600/DSC_0194_InPixio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="611" data-original-width="921" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJO5jG8kIgb_tb60AZQSq1IJ84KmwS5UEmZ5hOhssJqYypTsOSgpwf8k4KE8eqRU75USYqHemUKjObqsOWEygRkEMfhatw1kAuT7r3iXbbgVY0PiU08ELvWxmZcuRH5_fpTId2WWO2oBs/s640/DSC_0194_InPixio.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Q6Bk_hv5TG7Nareynu_R1wZMYqKdXBAOcD6yVZxwx2vDEidsioFYRfDBenORj-wsCsAO-8kZZv053BbR_coAdPz3OOFT1QsnMI6pZNbTKUA0b2lYywbqJFqNbnGoyRK2oL9oMdx0GWE/s1600/DSC_0410_InPixio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Q6Bk_hv5TG7Nareynu_R1wZMYqKdXBAOcD6yVZxwx2vDEidsioFYRfDBenORj-wsCsAO-8kZZv053BbR_coAdPz3OOFT1QsnMI6pZNbTKUA0b2lYywbqJFqNbnGoyRK2oL9oMdx0GWE/s640/DSC_0410_InPixio.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Q0tTLB39EUnHydz_EceL_JwVaMZPBKUmh04iYl_S91oKJRx_MLR0krk-g3C5l-yiVPBfgqn1wGU3F4hToKFp9peunrq2lPmRf-jFj6hS_tWoyqbB5eQPoFudeSSSVbTKyoUh18YGGXA/s1600/DSC_0431_InPixio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Q0tTLB39EUnHydz_EceL_JwVaMZPBKUmh04iYl_S91oKJRx_MLR0krk-g3C5l-yiVPBfgqn1wGU3F4hToKFp9peunrq2lPmRf-jFj6hS_tWoyqbB5eQPoFudeSSSVbTKyoUh18YGGXA/s640/DSC_0431_InPixio.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2kAlFkonntYa4MrHS0MASIfPiA4nOJY3aP4xIaFZrAHTLCH0yv-kuAGWE43NaCGUf3XSxl0OoN0H-DOkyt2KyLwnAvNBj2xPAyk1SMPOPuxmQTd1REn2wLTnfhowynyN8E13R3Eqigfc/s1600/DSC_0439_InPixio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2kAlFkonntYa4MrHS0MASIfPiA4nOJY3aP4xIaFZrAHTLCH0yv-kuAGWE43NaCGUf3XSxl0OoN0H-DOkyt2KyLwnAvNBj2xPAyk1SMPOPuxmQTd1REn2wLTnfhowynyN8E13R3Eqigfc/s640/DSC_0439_InPixio.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX8c8ZdCw3GsMH3KC49628LOUUP7yMRYIcCLqh5xzfj4aFM6CSJL5lvg6UefZxH9FVnREs1vYtOzfwN9N_q0eDl16S231Zgj6oHZYh-XNqRoKwm2AtEfzglHShUWtaLijUENn_kQ509qA/s1600/DSC_0465_InPixio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX8c8ZdCw3GsMH3KC49628LOUUP7yMRYIcCLqh5xzfj4aFM6CSJL5lvg6UefZxH9FVnREs1vYtOzfwN9N_q0eDl16S231Zgj6oHZYh-XNqRoKwm2AtEfzglHShUWtaLijUENn_kQ509qA/s640/DSC_0465_InPixio.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkCN4Iv3xUriShmfCHRbVOF6Nrl_jRwSeCCA-VFD657Jh4iZZ5zwykx6aZkcMF-HXfDFVfzufSNrqfykjKtbpJ6xNUqFEeUeTKPHIr7zp3iLr5Xra5YeJN8xY1h-cpUblI-tirYSJDCNs/s1600/Skinner+-+The+Grand+Social+-+Remy+Connolly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Skinner - The Grand Social - Remy Connolly" border="0" data-original-height="613" data-original-width="921" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkCN4Iv3xUriShmfCHRbVOF6Nrl_jRwSeCCA-VFD657Jh4iZZ5zwykx6aZkcMF-HXfDFVfzufSNrqfykjKtbpJ6xNUqFEeUeTKPHIr7zp3iLr5Xra5YeJN8xY1h-cpUblI-tirYSJDCNs/s640/Skinner+-+The+Grand+Social+-+Remy+Connolly.jpg" title="" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>RemyChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09840012344095446171noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6274465276656867869.post-45645738929057257992019-04-20T18:32:00.001+01:002019-04-23T11:22:30.098+01:00EP: Hatchlings - Gay Hymns<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvhi526prtBpk6ZTScWbzaAipBPSSKErgap8ZgNSOlvDY6mYjCZ7UK6cgZEgWXAYnuzDmb6nAaamC4Sm4od_lkez8PO5b-gABjCfRR9okFkeEH2HXeeAn0h3O-O4MdoUXvEq3cchG4ksU/s1600/Hatchlings+-+Gay+Hymns.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Hatchlings - Gay Hymns" border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvhi526prtBpk6ZTScWbzaAipBPSSKErgap8ZgNSOlvDY6mYjCZ7UK6cgZEgWXAYnuzDmb6nAaamC4Sm4od_lkez8PO5b-gABjCfRR9okFkeEH2HXeeAn0h3O-O4MdoUXvEq3cchG4ksU/s640/Hatchlings+-+Gay+Hymns.jpg" title="" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Photo: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/ritaperryphotography/" target="_blank">Rita Perry Photography</a></span></i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Few would argue that Maynooth originated band<b> Hatchlings </b>are to the fore-front of Irish contemporary-folk, a genre description that is so limited in terms of their spread, and doesn't even begin to describe them. Their previous output confirms this and personally seeing them live, I was wooed. But they have verbally and aurally moved themselves into new spaces with latest EP <i><b>Gay Hymns.</b></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allow="encrypted-media" allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="240" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/album/5LpiZJIaxvsPKptaPZHpSj" width="300"></iframe>#<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Opener 'Conduit' is a serene piano-laden beginning to Hatchling's sophomore EP, the follow-up to 2017's Montessori, which was a more punchy but no less emotive affair. Here the vocal is painfully authentic and moves far beyond merely relaying a story, it demands transference of feeling to the listener, tenderness and a smidgen of melancholy, the peaks and troughs are so easily mounted and descended. This doesn't come as any surprise as Jamie Bishop, Conor Cunningham, Peter Kelly, Eamon Travers, and Niall Quinn are all fully accomplished musicians individually and match up seamlessly in delivering this holistic sound.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">'Sin É' is a humorous jaunt which also addresses a life less lived and a reluctance to express ones true feelings; <i>"I was watching Fair City and the girls were quite pretty, I saw my old love as an extra on the show, she bought a box of Carrolls from a shop called Farrells..." </i>Here the theme bluntly lists the futility of holding grudges, meaningless exercises in escapism, a gradual linear progression which ultimately ends up six-feet underground, you had your chance, but now it's too late.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/MusZwiJNC6o" width="560"></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Whilst both are excellent, I find myself enjoying the live version (above video) of third track 'Until the Cows Come Home', this is Hatchlings in full jazz-mood and blue-eyed soul, Julie London-era old world style. You'll struggle to hear a warmer and more soothing vocal than Cunninghams, and the harmonies are so beautifully understated from Bishop and Kelly. This is a slip off the Earth into a self-induced coma that clears away all mental clutter it's that absorbing.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In a review of the first single from the EP 'Choir in the Belly' we wrote; <i>"</i></span><span style="background-color: white;"><i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Vocally echoing Kings of Convenience, 'Choir in the Belly' from Hatchlings is a gorgeous serenade to the self. Undoubtedly masters of the harmony, the band seamlessly tie in classic folk with a contemporary polish, it's wonderfully sleepy and balances pensive happy / sad feelings effortlessly giving it a very timeless feel."</span></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A strong finish to the five tracks arrives on 'Gay Hymn', lyrically </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">intriguing, a personal recollection of a relationship that brought great happiness at one point. Like all recanting of stories about characters, you're left wanting for more insights, what went wrong, how does the story end? Hatchlings are probably eager that you fill those gaps yourself. A sweeping final minute sees all instrumentation, harmonies and energy converge in the most robustly glorious manner. As a collection of tracks, <i>Gay Hymns</i> really does feel like a short album in the sense of how broad it is (yes, yes, that's generally what an EP is) and it feels a lot longer than its combined 20 minutes when taken as a whole. There is pretty much no room for improvement here on the EP, and it must be marked out as one of the best collection of song-writing to emerge so far this year.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><i>Hatchlings' 'Gay Hymns' Tour begins tonight at St. Mary's Church in Maynooth, tickets are available at the door.</i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqg-ymurrI2_yqmAWDIr1aTOF4oqA1l1uEZ0gaKOiTekoMHUgPmU2EItE5eTTrpR3O5gFQrn_38KTLF87ypPxmt2v2UlZvIK3OOPAKdmRWVgA28fqbNp5E30tlG79Pva-5G38Dr5CzLnk/s1600/Hatchlings+-+Gay+Hymns+Tour.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Hatchlings - Gay Hymns Tour" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="679" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqg-ymurrI2_yqmAWDIr1aTOF4oqA1l1uEZ0gaKOiTekoMHUgPmU2EItE5eTTrpR3O5gFQrn_38KTLF87ypPxmt2v2UlZvIK3OOPAKdmRWVgA28fqbNp5E30tlG79Pva-5G38Dr5CzLnk/s640/Hatchlings+-+Gay+Hymns+Tour.jpg" title="" width="452" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
RemyChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09840012344095446171noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6274465276656867869.post-91036434908094842962019-04-20T17:26:00.000+01:002019-04-20T17:26:21.120+01:00EP: Variant Sea - Selene<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDi1fsUO0fygiMMRSBsxbjhvY640YJrcNuH5PdO9IOlPMqoueCpAei-g-lnJsedB_ACUr0stpM0IeYh1ubdolm9CtbV6b5C19zeZuEYz7TIzwHAg2yUFkOzEUopX20wwbT6SvUCnaPGvo/s1600/Variant+Sea+-+Selene.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Variant Sea - Selene" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDi1fsUO0fygiMMRSBsxbjhvY640YJrcNuH5PdO9IOlPMqoueCpAei-g-lnJsedB_ACUr0stpM0IeYh1ubdolm9CtbV6b5C19zeZuEYz7TIzwHAg2yUFkOzEUopX20wwbT6SvUCnaPGvo/s640/Variant+Sea+-+Selene.jpg" title="" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allow="encrypted-media" allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="250" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/album/7BDKQDLaQd1oMZpF2mSaz3" width="300"></iframe><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In September 2015, pianist <a href="https://www.instagram.com/luke_t_music/" target="_blank">Luke Duffy</a> and guitarist Shell Dooley combined to create an ambient post-rock and instrumental project with a trio of EP's as <b>Variant Sea</b>, the first release of which was <i><a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/0KIYB10zFnRuAywP01QlxO?si=VdWM4gZWTzCpqW1bFCROLg" target="_blank">Seasons of Mist</a></i>, followed by <i>Fable</i> in 2016, and now <i>Selene </i>which was just released yesterday. Pianist Luke Duffy is based in Reykjavik, Iceland, whilst Dooley ploughs her musical trade as the lead-guitarist of Montauk Hotel in Dublin. Across the 1,500 kilometres between both capital cities, both musicians have dedicated themselves to their ongoing collaboration, when it would have been easy to ask "Why?" and call it a day.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's (the music) beautiful, sad, classical, life-affirming and in some ways makes you, the listener, a little bit too aware of your own mortality. Beauty is a desperately fleeting thing, and it's all around us, but we are numb to noticing it. I've always felt that Variant Sea were there to remind us of that waste. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Selene</i> digs into places you want to and don't want to feel, the introduction to the EP conjures an image of an oak-wood panelled room filled with guests around the piano listening attentively. 'Winter Dance' is a sad beauty, there are so many tangents the listener can go off into here, an unhappy childhood, an optimistic life that just never worked out, the piano is the hopeful promise, the guitar is the reality. One of the great hoodwinks of life is that it should be filled with happiness and joy, it's not, and not in a pessimistic way, it just isn't.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A gentle breath is exhaled at the opening of 'Selene', a sigh of relief, a break from the world. Duffy's piano playing here is sadness, too real, and the gentle sway of the music is far more powerful than it asks for. A guttural choke expands on 'Khione' before what is a piano masterpiece in 'Ghosts', those nymph like keys at the intro grow into sublime beauty, the protagonist is lost, the grandeur emphatic, once again this collusion between both artists breaches musical standards. It's a relationship hued in beauty and feeling, and there are no gaps.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://variantsea.bandcamp.com/"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">https://variantsea.bandcamp.com/</span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
RemyChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09840012344095446171noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6274465276656867869.post-89771332304232114102019-04-20T15:23:00.000+01:002019-04-20T15:23:58.587+01:00Irish Playlist #056: Lux Alma, Daniel John Paxton, Sprints, In Their Thousands, RUNAH & more<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGqzB_K6WwXRy4qnem_jOK5-ea32G_U6f34oyvqqliT5VOwuyiMnTUhUqd0T89iX7k8h-QwXpOW-CNphZ_oeza1ezrGU6lrQYT1oJAPD8m1V0inGaFzAk4nLlsrQvtInpuat6ZVdC6ylU/s1600/Lux+Alma+-+The+Visit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Lux Alma - The Visit" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGqzB_K6WwXRy4qnem_jOK5-ea32G_U6f34oyvqqliT5VOwuyiMnTUhUqd0T89iX7k8h-QwXpOW-CNphZ_oeza1ezrGU6lrQYT1oJAPD8m1V0inGaFzAk4nLlsrQvtInpuat6ZVdC6ylU/s640/Lux+Alma+-+The+Visit.jpg" title="" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allow="encrypted-media" allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="380" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/user/11155734402/playlist/5pLcl0WmkVxkcI5srXH3LV" width="300"></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Above and below are a selection of Irish singles which were released in the last week or so that I have taken much enjoyment from. Familiar faces, debut singles, blasts from the past! I hope you enjoy too.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><b>1) Lux Alma - 'The Visit'</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Alma Kelliher, aka Lux Alma continues to experiment with varying soundscapes, with previous singles such as 'The Tomb' incorporating a deep electronic sound, now on 'The Visit' the focus is more on the ambient and mystical. Like an ancient Irish pagan incantation spoken in the dark forest, it's a celestial experience, culminating in the sky above opening to reveal the secrets of the universe.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><b>2) Daniel John Paxton - 'Meadows'</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">I've been surprised at how quickly Daniel John Paxton has found his own groove since going solo, with 'Meadows' only the second release, it feels like he's settled in with great ease. The track is a very bright sliver of indietronica, the pensive beat and soaring sound effects </span><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">accompanying</span><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"> his emotive vocal make for a most enjoyable and wholesome listening experience.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><b>3) Sprints - 'Pathetic'</b></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">YAWSS!! I was real excited to hear that Sprints were emerging from the ashes of Kevyn, and their debut single 'Pathetic' is a no holes barred scything rock blow out. Savage guitar riffage which harks back to the golden age of the 70's and assertive vox / lyrics are the perfect launch-pad back into the Irish music consciousness. Fans of Bitch Falcon will enjoy this very much. Their single launch party is tonight in The Sound House on Eden Quay.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuWLR36i4ekOfa277Bb7ZGDRBWqIKSJhRTsxvfdQ-kTC9gXTJcbPFwS_upobqEjt7u8qIlKJbU-jSXZprN7Kzjsg2Pvjsa7u4wAD716r3o6DNK1dZEr_l9Vhow-IW5KFqq2AUQSDWxa8Q/s1600/Sprints+-+Pathetic.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Sprints - Pathetic" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuWLR36i4ekOfa277Bb7ZGDRBWqIKSJhRTsxvfdQ-kTC9gXTJcbPFwS_upobqEjt7u8qIlKJbU-jSXZprN7Kzjsg2Pvjsa7u4wAD716r3o6DNK1dZEr_l9Vhow-IW5KFqq2AUQSDWxa8Q/s640/Sprints+-+Pathetic.png" title="" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><b>4) In Their Thousands - 'Sit and Breathe'</b></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">It's nice not to have to show personal bias towards a band from Donegal, In Their Thousands' new single 'Sit and Breathe' is a powerful statement of intent ahead of the release of their debut album ACRASIA which is released next month. A trundling indie-pop tunnel of muted guitars, slick percussion and wonderfully energising and impassioned vocals, with the briefest soft passages. Though stylistically very different, I would predict that their debut album will sit very favourably with music critics in the same was as We Cut Corners' <i>Impostors</i> LP did in 2018. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><b>5) RUNAH - 'Strange'</b></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">The final single to be released before the release of her album of the same name next month, 'Strange' is RUNAH's best to date. From that skulking soft bass intro to RUNAH's as always crisp vocal, the track breaks into a funky groover with buzzing electronic effects. I love how her vocal controls and directs the rhythm and motion of the song, there's a lot going on, throw in the bongo effect and lethargic pace and you have a track that mixes chilled-out passages with wonderful confidence.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA3Q3YXO8tlyUassBuSupbmCgICCYfxY1lfMbnpG26YgATdW_VsrBnkr11_f_149Yyz8PqCxEyytRiUdCiQk_0i6NEnv9FMs49sHPG-RUta28hlLzF-sP89G0olsQbDOVgt0_MRQNHdV8/s1600/RUNAH+-+Strange.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="RUNAH - Strange" border="0" data-original-height="1069" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA3Q3YXO8tlyUassBuSupbmCgICCYfxY1lfMbnpG26YgATdW_VsrBnkr11_f_149Yyz8PqCxEyytRiUdCiQk_0i6NEnv9FMs49sHPG-RUta28hlLzF-sP89G0olsQbDOVgt0_MRQNHdV8/s640/RUNAH+-+Strange.JPG" title="" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><i><b><span style="font-size: x-small;">RUNAH - Photo: The Rose Mill</span></b></i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><i><b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></b></i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><b>6) Lady Landscape - 'Kitsilano'</b></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Meath-based indie-pop quintet Lady Landscape released their debut single 'Kitsilano' (a neighbourhood in Vancouver, Canada where one of their founding members resided for some time). First off this tickles much of my indie-inklings from over the last 15 years, a warm indie glow shrouds everything that is accentuated by the inconsolable vocals. I love music that casually expresses an apathy with its subject matter (in this case an aversion to dating!), and here Lady Landscape nail that mood. The happy tempo of the music clashes with the vocal, and this conjures up pictures of a broken character lost in a crowded street who just wants everything to go way. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><b>7) The Late David Turpin - 'Unsolved Mystery'</b></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Rest my weary head, and take away all my troubles. The music of The Late David Turpin thankfully came into my life recently with his last single <a href="https://open.spotify.com/track/6vlOm8ERWyQ46Oz9kRLLAF?si=wtON813fQ6uWRcaDOOYTfg" target="_blank">'Concubine'</a> feat. Elephant. 'Unsolved Mystery' doesn't ask you to be, or feel any way, but without choice you experience beauty in its sheerest form, an embrace of the ears that is simply stunning, few people can write music and compositions such as this, and the vocal of jazz-singer Jaime Nanci wandering in the background just pushes it over into genius territory, an artist that must be cherished.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWZsLEcQSmnyjmpSFnDZMbj7bv36U6g_8cuH6eyZgH0x0rpx6VoUFqtR2ZFCnFf4nYvqmCRbLhVDd6cBv0eK4OuoOPEFnsrZHtH7BqJ9ANsZokq8JxumFGp2XrDj1HA321bTXLijGxqBQ/s1600/Unsolved+Mystery+-+The+Late+David+Turpin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Unsolved Mystery - The Late David Turpin" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1140" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWZsLEcQSmnyjmpSFnDZMbj7bv36U6g_8cuH6eyZgH0x0rpx6VoUFqtR2ZFCnFf4nYvqmCRbLhVDd6cBv0eK4OuoOPEFnsrZHtH7BqJ9ANsZokq8JxumFGp2XrDj1HA321bTXLijGxqBQ/s640/Unsolved+Mystery+-+The+Late+David+Turpin.jpg" title="" width="454" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i><b>The Late David Turpin - Photo: Ruth Medjber</b></i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><b>8) A Scene From Jaws - 'Keep Calm and Carry On'</b></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Cork natives and now Berlin-based, film graduate Declan Hyland and Kay Finan released third single 'Keep Calm and Carry On' this weekend. Lots of interesting things happening here, firstly their vocals strangely sound like a cross-over between choir and contemporary folk, secondly the gear shifts between twinkling tender music and (not too much) in your face bursts of energy are a tight and invigorating experience. I talk a lot about builds and crescendos in songs, but, here you go, this is the thing!</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>9) Skins F.C. - 'Flash Photography'</b></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Over the last few years all the talk from Louth has been about Dundalk acts,<b> </b>you know who they are! But Drogheda, whilst not pumping out the volume of music just yet, can be overlooked. Local act Skins F.C. released their debut single 'Flash Photography' on the 5th of April and at just under two minutes in length, it achieves its objective of screaming for the attention of your ears. Rapid guitar riffs, chunky bass-lines, rapid-percussion, these are all fine, but need to be combined coherently, which Skins F.C. manage. It's punky, rollicking, angry and fluid, it's early doors, but it seems like they're getting their ducks in a row in the right way.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicuxVniFgBv6a1vXXINPFkGZ7mZyCoRsJ_YBWxR-unYRIsZi2I-S3GCl6tvLM0KC1sDOUajva-UmVhLWi6srqlw-6emmYG03QEXjgJqqQ-8WC7-IfQFx4BXXzNU2pPQyYEH48M3axcUXQ/s1600/Skins+FC+-+Flash+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Skins FC - Flash Photography" border="0" data-original-height="959" data-original-width="960" height="638" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicuxVniFgBv6a1vXXINPFkGZ7mZyCoRsJ_YBWxR-unYRIsZi2I-S3GCl6tvLM0KC1sDOUajva-UmVhLWi6srqlw-6emmYG03QEXjgJqqQ-8WC7-IfQFx4BXXzNU2pPQyYEH48M3axcUXQ/s640/Skins+FC+-+Flash+Photography.jpg" title="" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>10) Sarah Buckley - 'Wedding Bells'</b></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Cork singer-songwriter, now Dublin-based, Sarah Buckley has taken the road less travelled of Robert Frost's poem. Starting out a number of years ago, life took hold as it often (always) does with independent artists, career stymies time to create art. Lately she has re-emerged, and is writing music that matches the desire to pursue it full-time. 'Wedding Bells' is emotion-heavy, filled with optimism and regret, and deeply personal. Hopes and dreams shattered in the most cruel manner, her vocal calmly tells the story without trying to influence the listener. It's a beautiful dirge steeped in the traditional folk story-telling of generations past, and her vocal at track's end is a haunting moment.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><b><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;"><span style="color: magenta;">To listen to our last Irish independent playlist, go here! </span></span><a href="https://thebestofmusicandfilm.blogspot.com/2019/04/irish-playlist-qwasi-ganiyutlg-fields-god-knows-nerves.html">https://thebestofmusicandfilm.blogspot.com/2019/04/irish-playlist-qwasi-ganiyutlg-fields-god-knows-nerves.html</a></b></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
RemyChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09840012344095446171noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6274465276656867869.post-46867869436720363822019-04-19T13:23:00.000+01:002019-05-01T18:32:44.830+01:00New Irish Albums (April): Old Hannah, Jamie Adam, Arms That Fit Like Legs! & Deaf Joe<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKukAdgPLsNV-vi3zFdrVgnC_UBXJ6kt5BfzxkQB3HCIJOPY50p1eChH1bq1sluVNbf1IMzT6XXKdKdHEpf0_ywhPAccD_wqY19EuG2dtejGxqDC66m1SJW3WqaiMPBcakvt1bSgpcF9Q/s1600/Old+Hannah+-+Borealis+-+Album+Review.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Old Hannah - Borealis - Album Review" border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKukAdgPLsNV-vi3zFdrVgnC_UBXJ6kt5BfzxkQB3HCIJOPY50p1eChH1bq1sluVNbf1IMzT6XXKdKdHEpf0_ywhPAccD_wqY19EuG2dtejGxqDC66m1SJW3WqaiMPBcakvt1bSgpcF9Q/s640/Old+Hannah+-+Borealis+-+Album+Review.jpg" title="" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allow="encrypted-media" allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="380" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/user/11155734402/playlist/2ZZQZ03TtaeWVDaBf7qZxE" width="300"></iframe>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">One of my most eagerly anticipated Irish albums of 2019 has been <b>Old Hannah</b>'s <i><b>Borealis</b></i>, singles to date 'Find You' and 'The Way Light Falls on the Water' did much more than whetting the appetite, the latter of which has been my foremost companion in transit since its recent release. <b>Jamie Adam</b> has enthralled with his singles over the last 12 months and his debut LP <i><b>Melodic Electronic</b></i> is stuffed with singles, ear-worms, and ultra-happy moments. Dublin post-rock quartet <b>Arms That Fit Like Legs! </b>have been together for over ten years, their latest album <i><b>Legwork</b></i> is an abrasive sonic assault which grips, tears and pleases in the most enjoyably haphazard manner. From the delicate ambience of 2018's <i>Stuck</i> (oh my god single 'Where's Your Loving Gone' still gives ultra-chills), Waterford's <b>Deaf Joe</b> flips the table over on new album <i><b>Love Stories</b></i>, the vocals are fully shed on an arresting sea of minimalist noise.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>1) Old Hannah - <i>Borealis</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A shift in sound from the contemporary folk of their earlier output, Old Hannah spread their wings on <i>Borealis</i>, but without slicing out their musical DNA in the process. Much of the album, despite its calming nature, is intensely powerful, there are multiple instances of heightened and overwhelming euphoria. The opening title-track glides the back of its hand gently across your cheek before thrusting you way beyond the ether of the present at the 2:04 mark, sporadic but sharp drums and Lucie Crichlow's vocal are like an overdose of a potion.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">'Follow' is like the sister-track to 'The Way Light Falls on the Water', almost an intro for what is to come. Then comes 'Find You', sleepy brushes and acoustic guitars are the pillow underneath Luke Mercer's desperately comforting vocal, melancholy rarely provides such solace to the listener, it's humbly beautiful in every way. 'On the Road' is the most bittersweet moment on the album, a lot of space for us to contemplate on the lyrics; <i>"Tell my mother that I'm coming home, tell my wife that it's going to be alright, tell my father that I did no wrong"</i>. I often think about the final message I would like to give to those closest to me, that I love the most, what would I write or say to them? How could I succinctly articulate my feelings? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">'The Way Light Falls on Water' encapsulates that power I mentioned earlier, quite simply a stunning piece of song-writing, mood, pace, beauty, sadness. Every little and big piece is a critical combination, the flute, Jesus, the harmonies have never sounded better, and the rhythm and rise are the point where the heart, soul and mind all get scooped up at once. <i><a href="https://oldhannah.bandcamp.com/album/borealis" target="_blank">Borealis</a></i> is the type of album I dream about coming out in the year ahead around December / January such is its effect on me, easy shoe-in for the top end of all those end of year lists.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Key tracks:</b> 'The Way Light Falls on Water', 'Find You', 'Borealis', 'On the Road'</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IUPwaBQxDAk" width="560"></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>2) Jamie Adam<i> - Melodic Electronic</i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">An artist with a fire in his belly, electro-pop wizard Jamie Adam can't help but concoct the most joyful and colourful sounds - loads of touchpoints that you think you can hear but just won't fit those round songs into square holes. Lazily MGMT / Peter Bjorn & John / Panda Bear I suppose. On <i>Melodic Electronic</i> it's a smorgasbord which won't let you settle on any one style, and that contrast is immediately apparent in the first two tracks. 'Nocturnal' is one of my absolute favourite singles, this is effervescent smile-inducing guitar-pop at its most addictive, that droning fat synth and big fuck off beat at the intro are just the best. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Then 'Last Ones Down' goes down into the 80's dark synth-wave lake with house beats, soundtrack-level dance music that is primed for a really aggressive techno remix. 'The House That I Built' is chaotic and sees Adam reef the lid off his barrel of sounds and kick it over, we'll take a moment to acknowledge how suited his vocal is to what he's creating here. After a rippling break the fire is lit at 2:26 and the finale becomes more and more claustrophobic as the space narrows into the final seconds. If you want kitsch and brazen fun 'The Power' is where it's at, this is the beauty of going with your gut and indulging yourself, more bulging retro synth atmospherics and generous dance-inducing bops.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Laid-back, breezy, summer pop, it's 'Cold Blood', the reverbed guitar is to die for and shortly into the track Adam gives a perfectly-time rock injection before reverting back to the mellow. Day-glo sounds and trippy psychedelic vibes proliferate across the track. 'Your Decision' displays the final string in the bow of the album, crunching electronic glitches and thick fuzz batter the ears, tempered by a vocal that provides calm amidst the milieu of noise. Care-free as they come, <i>Melodic Electronic</i> is a very, very strong debut album by any measure.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Key tracks: </b>'Nocturnal', 'Cold Blood', 'The House That I Built', 'The Power'</span><br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8x4X7XUaJRk" width="560"></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>3) Arms That Fit Like Legs! - <i>Legwork</i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">At the end of March the genre-spanning Arms That Fit Like Legs! dropped new album <i>Legwork</i>, opening with the instantly gripping electro-pop banger that is 'You Will Go On My First Whistle', a vigorous blending of high-tempo beats and coil-springed electronic effects that swerves into meandering downtempo passages. A calmer jam unfolds on second track 'Will You To Lunch?', doffing it's cap to one of their self-proclaimed influences, The Redneck Manifesto', it also recalls Mogwai on uppers. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">ATFLL's float further south on the twinkling stream that is 'At Arms Length', a smooth and mood-laced journey into the subconsciousness, a forelorn circular warped effect holds the mechanical percussion and keys together as you slip deeper under its spell. Yet energy awaits, and alien landscapes are revealed gradually from behind the theatre curtain. A big highlight that caught my attention on <i>Legwork</i> is 'My Mind is Going', like Four Tet in their more openly accessible moments, the trundling rhythm is again central to conveying the mood and sprite-like chimes add an unarming (no pun intended) element to what unfolds. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Following the bubbly and bass-heavy 'For Good Measure' ATFLL show us just how broad their sound can be, and diverse, on the sweet down-beat 'Try the Window'. Acoustic beginnings make way to shimmering echoed guitars, pace is the key, and it's executed well as the band push us further and further away from reality. It's rare a band can direct your mood and thought-process in so many direction across the course of just one album, yet on <i><a href="https://armsthatfitlikelegs.bandcamp.com/album/legwork" target="_blank">Legwork</a></i> that's just what Arms That Fit Like Legs! have achieved. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Key tracks:</b> 'You Will Go On My First Whistle', 'My Mind is Going', Try the Window'</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hZN6BGntc0w" width="560"></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>4) Deaf Joe - <i>Love Stories</i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Also released at the end of March is <i>Love Stories</i> from Deaf Joe, and as mentioned, the shift in sound from his last LP is noticeable and interesting, in his own words; <i>"The tracks are themed after the places I've been with some of the most important people in my life."</i></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> The strongest link between the two albums being his innate ability to foment a broad canvas for the listener to explore, and most importantly, to abscond to at will.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It's a metaphor I use often when describing ambient music (obsession with science fiction), opener 'Taal Lake' begins in space, not down here on Earth, a gliding mass rotating through deep space in a lifeless vacuum. The multitudinous layers of sound grating against each other like tectonic plates in ever-increasing frequency. Goodbye brain, hello dream-state.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">'Havnegade' ushers in a mixture of impending danger and subsequent flight, rippling urgently alongside a tense electronic beat, both moving dizzyingly to the background and forefront in tandem like a dance-off that probably isn't going to end well for one or both, but our fears were unfounded and the danger suddenly passes. 'Reynisfjara' is a black-sand beach in Iceland which is best known for how powerful and unpredictable its waves are, an apt choice of title for a track on this album. That lapping sound is either a harbinger of something unwelcome or merely a warning of what it could become if the wrong choices are made. The swell of energy begins to reach its peak just before the 3-minute mark as the thudding beat gets so wound up it feels like it's going to blow everything in the vicinity to smithereens once it snaps. Alas, once again, Deaf Joe leads us to safety, the juxtaposition of fear and shelter are a unique listening experience for me, and I like it a lot.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">From the more relaxed and free-flowing 'Ocean Beach' comes the wonderfully vivid and inspiring 'Cambodian Sirens', an incredible example of how sound without words can tell a story. When you hear the daily comings and going of life and muffled voices playing out underneath the music it feels like post-Khmer Rouge Cambodia learning to build a new future, but the screech of the 'sirens' are a potent warning and a dark cloud that dare you to forget the past. Which Deaf Joe is going to show up next? I love not knowing, but knowing I'll love it.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Key tracks:</b> 'Taal Lake', 'Havnegade', 'Cambodian Sirens', </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">'Reynisfjara'</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN2gUW3NjLl_HNUTRVtOVQO5QOKk4S3gacGEtaYu5lXuv534uPLYEaKuakMFSD-zcVQnYc2PAESdj77rhHWU5ytPjMX6vJISvQL_pVBh-4eo-hJ1_Ie6YJbRLVfrg5TfI4i05kBL_FuAM/s1600/Deaf+Joe+-+Love+Stories+-+Album+REview.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Deaf Joe - Love Stories - Album Review" border="0" data-original-height="739" data-original-width="951" height="496" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN2gUW3NjLl_HNUTRVtOVQO5QOKk4S3gacGEtaYu5lXuv534uPLYEaKuakMFSD-zcVQnYc2PAESdj77rhHWU5ytPjMX6vJISvQL_pVBh-4eo-hJ1_Ie6YJbRLVfrg5TfI4i05kBL_FuAM/s640/Deaf+Joe+-+Love+Stories+-+Album+REview.jpg" title="" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><i>For our previous new Irish Album round-up for March, go here <a href="https://thebestofmusicandfilm.blogspot.com/2019/04/new-irish-albums-march-conor-walsh-saoirse-casey-john-blek-jafaris.html">https://thebestofmusicandfilm.blogspot.com/2019/04/new-irish-albums-march-conor-walsh-saoirse-casey-john-blek-jafaris.html</a></i></b></span></div>
RemyChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09840012344095446171noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6274465276656867869.post-90020266312871394962019-04-19T10:06:00.000+01:002019-04-19T10:06:20.974+01:00The VidList #015: Jafaris, OTHERKIN & CFIT <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbtJ8Rc8p-bbND20jHZFfKgbU-uEvxDCYXiB1tLNkospUW7myV7SYhUxw_2pt12rvRvZaZsmZzDJxC4GlRgosrCuWniATrKhz7eyIz2Jcw5pUh6PjWgfrp_spFmGUR2Tc5l23UBsGIbsk/s1600/Jafaris+-+INVISIBLE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Jafaris - INVISIBLE" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="886" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbtJ8Rc8p-bbND20jHZFfKgbU-uEvxDCYXiB1tLNkospUW7myV7SYhUxw_2pt12rvRvZaZsmZzDJxC4GlRgosrCuWniATrKhz7eyIz2Jcw5pUh6PjWgfrp_spFmGUR2Tc5l23UBsGIbsk/s640/Jafaris+-+INVISIBLE.jpg" title="" width="590" /></a></div>
<br />
<b style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Our regular series of The VidList captures the best music videos (and tracks!) released over the past few weeks. Below we have new music videos across varied styles, from rap, indie and alternative rock.</span></b><br />
<b style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b>
<b style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">1) Jafaris - 'Invisible'</span></b><br />
<b style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>"Invisible is me entertaining my ego with no filter," explains Jafaris. "I’m shouting about my accolades, my gifts and my work ethic. I wanted this video to be the first time people see the darker side of me". Casting himself as the kingpin in an organised crime epic, the 'Invisible' video sees Jafaris on the wrong side of the law. Directed by Nathan Barlow, the cinematic visual follows Jafaris as he leads boxing matches, gambles and reconciles himself with therapy.</i></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In the video for 'Invisible', the latest single from his excellent debut album <i>Stride</i>, Jafaris takes a satirical pop at both himself, and the tropes of music videos from the past decade or so by artists such as Sisqo and 50 cent for example (from my perspective). Bling, wannabe gangsters and amour propre. References to the screen may also be taken in the shape of the likes of <i>Goodfellas</i> (discarding of corpses), <i>Carlito's Way</i> (the club) and <i>The Sopranos</i> (therapy). It's a culturally interesting and entertaining synopsis of the glory that ultimately consumes in the end.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zlDAPDNQJAQ" style="background-color: transparent;" width="560"></iframe></div>
<div style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>2) OTHERKIN - 'All That Remains Won't Be The Same'</b></span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>Of the new song, front man Luke Reilly says: The lyrics to 'All That Remains Won't be the Same' were written at the end of 2017 as the horror stories emerged of everyday abuse and sexism perpetrated by men of power in all walks of life. The song is a rejection of anyone who feels they can behave that way and the title itself is a declaration for change, a statement that these vile actions have no place in society today."</i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">On a micro-level there may be part-inspiration from an appalling incident that occurred at an OTHERKIN show in London in late 2017 where a young girl was sexually assaulted in the mosh-pit during their live show at Camden Assembly. OTHERKIN released an immediate and stern rebuke of that incident, heart-broken that the young victim was in tears and felt the need to apologise to the band for 'ruining' their show, the band fully aware these types of incidents are not infrequent in all walks of life.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nCDHXGepBmM" width="560"></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>3) CFIT - 'End This Year'</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Noël Duplaa, aka CFIT releases the first single from forthcoming album <i>CFIT vs. Gravity</i>. In summary; <i>"</i></span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>The track is a poppy upbeat number about how, upon review, having given it a few months, maybe we should just wrap up 2019 altogether." </i>The global political and social turmoil that has been unravelling since 2016 is reaching peak-Black Mirror right now, infantile populist world leaders, mass movements based on untruths and hyper-paranoia, where facts are made out to be lies, and lies made out to be facts. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Footage comes courtesy of director Cecile B. DeMilles' original silent version of <i>The Ten Commandments</i> (1923) which he later rebooted in technicolor in 1956 with a then whopping budget of $13m in 1956 with one Charlton Heston playing Moses. The colourful bop of the perky guitar riffs and upbeat percussion backdrop a despondent vocal, a self-reflective monologue to the self that has been shared with the rest of us, but it's not all doom and gloom, with the message placed in a spinning capsule that we could actually "end this year on a high", here's hoping! All you have to decide is whose team you're on, Rameses or Moses!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qI7aNuK4qk8" width="560"></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><span style="background-color: white; color: magenta;"><b>Check out our previous VidList, No. 14, here </b></span><a href="https://thebestofmusicandfilm.blogspot.com/2019/03/the-vidlist-014-jamie-adam-grainne-cotter-fat-pablo.html"><b>https://thebestofmusicandfilm.blogspot.com/2019/03/the-vidlist-014-jamie-adam-grainne-cotter-fat-pablo.html</b></a></i></span></div>
RemyChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09840012344095446171noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6274465276656867869.post-82479107974960367252019-04-16T19:32:00.000+01:002019-04-16T20:02:05.075+01:00The Gig Guide: Third Smoke, Hausu Records, Junior Brother / PowPig & Spiral Stairs (Scott Kannberg of Pavement)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4DwusnsnzaPMwkfGkvEhYMu5B4p5emHudyNFKWDqtL1kb1hz5jsTwIfFHqO-4fRKiORaDH16mHmAovoIO4rVYWffvL95uxVU6dqiIgQu0I8ScKSwDYFwGwtFn9dNRBVvIkL9CTi-vBBc/s1600/Third+Smoke+-+The+Sound+House.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Third Smoke - The Sound House" border="0" data-original-height="611" data-original-width="959" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4DwusnsnzaPMwkfGkvEhYMu5B4p5emHudyNFKWDqtL1kb1hz5jsTwIfFHqO-4fRKiORaDH16mHmAovoIO4rVYWffvL95uxVU6dqiIgQu0I8ScKSwDYFwGwtFn9dNRBVvIkL9CTi-vBBc/s640/Third+Smoke+-+The+Sound+House.jpg" title="" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A round-up of must-see gigs in the coming days and weeks is below, plus some with tickets on sale now, but which are taking place later in the year. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Hausu Records Showcase - Good Friday, 19th April - Pot Duggans, Co. Clare</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Cork collective <a href="https://hausurecords.com/" target="_blank">Hausu Records</a> have been one of the most exciting new indie labels to emerge in recent times, on very Good Friday they will be showcasing some of our favourite acts, Ghostking is Dead, Automatic Blue, Arthur Valentine and Actualacid at the award-winning Pot Duggan's pub and live venue in Ennistymon, Co. Clare. Tickets are €5-€7 and can be booked <a href="https://hausurecords.com/press/hausu-night-pot-duggans-2019-04-19/" target="_blank">here</a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQWLLAIhCOoDbmB53y9idtBXN5pp-a-FNdNTv5htMDiDTQREbZ1GNLWHBDhzPvoiBAWaybhIWGCXigSrDbZ_xbE-3IatfyuVkb0Mwt_mLYjxEvpvoLfX4wUjJXx1qxHhiV4CGTmr7s4K8/s1600/Hausu+Records+-+Pot+Duggans+-+Ghostking+is+Dead+-+Arthur+Valentine+-+Automatic+Blue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Hausu Records - Pot Duggans - Ghostking is Dead - Arthur Valentine - Automatic Blue" border="0" data-original-height="539" data-original-width="960" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQWLLAIhCOoDbmB53y9idtBXN5pp-a-FNdNTv5htMDiDTQREbZ1GNLWHBDhzPvoiBAWaybhIWGCXigSrDbZ_xbE-3IatfyuVkb0Mwt_mLYjxEvpvoLfX4wUjJXx1qxHhiV4CGTmr7s4K8/s640/Hausu+Records+-+Pot+Duggans+-+Ghostking+is+Dead+-+Arthur+Valentine+-+Automatic+Blue.jpg" title="" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Junior Brother & Powpig - Thursday, 18th April - The Grand Social</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Hot on the heels of announcing his debut album release Pull The Right Rope on the 24th of May, Dublin-based Kerry native Junior Brother takes to the main stage at The Grand Social with one of Ireland's most exciting new bands, Limerick quartet PowPig. Tickets are priced at €12 and can be purchased via Ticketmaster <a href="https://www.ticketmaster.ie/musictown-presents-junior-brother-powpig-dublin-04-18-2019/event/18005645DF7752DB" target="_blank">here</a>. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM8pcvWZZbg5gT1-bGV_FWfwsbU3erf_0awENTt8TDNUNMlLrj8coo73AekdPc2Wann0J0_algJyTNDf7jhD1TpqQjGZSvtjOBr8MgsYVBfSJA1UsYP4RS32HIQ5qG0TyMyNgGYA5pF1A/s1600/PowPig+-+The+Grand+Social.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="PowPig - The Grand Social" border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM8pcvWZZbg5gT1-bGV_FWfwsbU3erf_0awENTt8TDNUNMlLrj8coo73AekdPc2Wann0J0_algJyTNDf7jhD1TpqQjGZSvtjOBr8MgsYVBfSJA1UsYP4RS32HIQ5qG0TyMyNgGYA5pF1A/s640/PowPig+-+The+Grand+Social.jpg" title="" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b><i>Photo: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AaronCorrPhotography/" target="_blank">Aaron Corr Photography</a></i></b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Third Smoke with Larry - Friday, 26th April - The Sound House</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Three of Dundalk's finest acts take to the stage at The Sound House above The Wiley Fox pub on the 26th of April. With Third Smoke having just released one of their best singles to date in 'We Run in Bare Feet', and Larry due to release their debut self-titled album on the day if the show, plus the multi-disciplinary talents of Hunting Hall, aka Tim Shearwood, it is set to be an overwhelmingly good night of fresh tunes from both acts. Tickets are €14 and can be purchased via Eventbrite <a href="https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/third-smoke-tickets-57783336515" target="_blank">here</a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Spiral Stairs - Thursday, 26th September - Whelan's</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Co-founder of one of the most iconic lo-fi indie bands of the 1990's whose influence remains as strong as ever, Pavement's Scott Kannberg brings his band Spiral Stairs to the main stage in Whelan's. Having just released their third album, <i>We Wanna Be Hyp-No-Tized</i>, last month, it's a rare chance for Irish music fans to get up close to the legendary musician. Tickets are €20 and are on sale now via hosts Selective Memory's website <a href="http://selectivememory.ie/spiral-stairs/" target="_blank">here</a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc7eT24EcEuWerPALD-rjV-OpZZSflyOxk5Ik7oQuKLJlqpkuepVDZn2KbGGGSCUdDNg8iiygSbnitITETAk2EIr4OhY8ExQRdSMaukxw3QtUlLTjEkW2wQYTxA31Kn9KDbkOsOVe3SA8/s1600/Spiral+Stairs+-+Whelans+-+Pavement.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Spiral Stairs - Whelans - Pavement" border="0" data-original-height="1117" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc7eT24EcEuWerPALD-rjV-OpZZSflyOxk5Ik7oQuKLJlqpkuepVDZn2KbGGGSCUdDNg8iiygSbnitITETAk2EIr4OhY8ExQRdSMaukxw3QtUlLTjEkW2wQYTxA31Kn9KDbkOsOVe3SA8/s640/Spiral+Stairs+-+Whelans+-+Pavement.jpg" title="" width="458" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>RemyChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09840012344095446171noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6274465276656867869.post-23542857042435350422019-04-15T19:13:00.000+01:002019-04-16T18:32:50.414+01:00Single of the Week: Just Mustard - Frank<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcRTDyFm21_jhkem6vFVen443zbTqe4rNBXXCcqEoSga9EAo8wPfW3HVNHII7H-hW9tljl_0bGkk1U68WzX2TE4iEPOSzv_8GLeCF3DA2fKU9sHENUSe9Fv1i-9pcverxc_gtiScZIJeI/s1600/Just+Mustard+-+Frank+-+Review.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Just Mustard - Frank - Review" border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcRTDyFm21_jhkem6vFVen443zbTqe4rNBXXCcqEoSga9EAo8wPfW3HVNHII7H-hW9tljl_0bGkk1U68WzX2TE4iEPOSzv_8GLeCF3DA2fKU9sHENUSe9Fv1i-9pcverxc_gtiScZIJeI/s640/Just+Mustard+-+Frank+-+Review.jpg" title="" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Photo: Karl Walsh</span></b></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/2121UMmk_M0" width="560"></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">If <i>Wednesday</i> was the roaring sea, '<b>Frank</b>' is the aftermath on the storm-ravaged beach. <b>Just Mustard</b>'s first single since releasing their critically-acclaimed debut album last year follows a metronome beat, a deadened bass and trademark lurching percussion. Perhaps the most noticeable difference in comparison to previous releases is how much more audible the lead vocals are, removing a small layer of mystery, but not too much. The final 45 seconds of 'Frank' still see the skulking unseen leviathan sound roused, a presence in their music which is summoned both live and on record, those eyes want to and will consume you with distortion and sluggish menace. Once again, almost effortlessly, Just Mustard have released an imperious single which gets the listener in their magnetic choke-hold.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>'Frank' / </i></span><i style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">'October'</i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i> will be released as a double A-Side on limited edition 12" vinyl on 1st of June and can be pre-ordered here </i></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://justmustard.bandcamp.com/album/frank-october">https://justmustard.bandcamp.com/album/frank-october</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allow="encrypted-media" allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="380" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/track/09PQiefxkduQeaNUknZj8S" width="300"></iframe></div>
RemyChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09840012344095446171noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6274465276656867869.post-64911826560167053502019-04-14T16:02:00.000+01:002019-04-14T16:13:41.515+01:00Album: Fontaines D.C. - Dogrel<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg15VJOd8gMBXZ3eJgJF1az70fWH3gPn9jlQg8J5LZw4MucXckh6iL3OBf7NsGCp3CVwXGp-yPbguWE5hN3bCnchykeGCKV97qU65mwEtFe1O2wI-yBJ77IAUPW90QbRu_B-dwqH1472bY/s1600/Fontaines+D.C.+-+Dogrel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Fontaines D.C. - Dogrel" border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg15VJOd8gMBXZ3eJgJF1az70fWH3gPn9jlQg8J5LZw4MucXckh6iL3OBf7NsGCp3CVwXGp-yPbguWE5hN3bCnchykeGCKV97qU65mwEtFe1O2wI-yBJ77IAUPW90QbRu_B-dwqH1472bY/s640/Fontaines+D.C.+-+Dogrel.jpg" title="" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Photo: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/mollykeanephoto/" target="_blank">Molly Keane Photography</a></span></b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allow="encrypted-media" allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="380" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/album/1i9PDv6BO8c8Y5lxMG6Lej" width="300"></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Dublin post-punk quintet <b>Fontaines D.C.</b> released their eagerly awaited debut album <i><b>Dogrel</b></i> on Friday, the culmination of more than a few years of graft, live appearances and touring. With a central theme revolving around a love / despair relationship with the capital city they call home, the path from childhood to adulthood, societal malaise and the tunnel with no light at the end of it that young people in Ireland are faced with, the branches are many and spread across all 11 tracks.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Rattling straight out of the blocks with recent single 'Big' the band push their intransigent angst right up to your nose and ears, this is how it's going to be, listen up. The opening lines are a withering indictment of suffering imposed on the meek; <i>"Dublin in the rain is mine, a pregnant city with a Catholic mind, starch those sheets for the birdhouse jail" </i>possibly a direct reference to the cruel Magdalene Laundries which are dotted around the poorest areas of the city. Our protagonist however is not going to become subordinated to theocratic rule in <i>his</i> city.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/aiLk6G5N-3Y" width="560"></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Following The Clash-indebted 'Sha Sha Sha', a satirical sleight at the dark underbelly of night-life and the characters that play it out with a sweet guitar riff at 1:32, comes 'Too Real'. The defiance in the face of subjugation rises again, the money men have stolen your youth, a current and topical commentary on the ongoing (and worsening) reality facing young people who merely want a fair opportunity to build a decent life in their home country. A rebuke to the greed which grows like a fatberg as it gets fed more and more money, with a cartoon smile it drags itself across the land leaving crumbling futures in its wake. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Another classic post-punk act casts its ghost over 'Television Screens', this time it's Joy Division with a hint of early Idlewild. It's a melodic affair but minus the fury we've encountered to date, despondent and melancholic, Fontaines D.C. temporarily submit to the overwhelming obstacles they rage against. Early single 'Hurricane Laughter' is an epically raucous diamond of a track, aggressive, strident and staring you chillingly straight in the eyes. A song whose lyrics would have probably (definitely) seen it censored and banned in McQuaid's Ireland, a broadside at the morally corrupt men in robes who plundered childhoods for gratification. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">'Roy's Tune' is a pretty lament which shows another side to frontman Grian Chatten's voice, anguish subsiding to tenderness, the dulcet tone carries a regretful sadness that has been carried around for a long time in the most mentally burdensome manner. My current favourite track on <i>Dogrel</i> is 'The Lotts', a classic post-punk bass-line snakes through the song, the atmosphere is sullen but with a flicker of hopeful light, here Fontaines D.C. excel at building energy, dropping off, and rising once again. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/L6tKcqI8Ml8" width="560"></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The first of three singles to run consecutively into the second half of the album, 'Chequeless Reckless' <i>is</i> Fontaines D.C., it encapsulated almost all of their song-writing traits and themes in two minutes and fifteen seconds. The opening guitar riff, Chatten's penchant for spoken-word lyrics which ensure you, the listener, get the message loud and clear. <i>"A sellout, is someone who becomes a hypocrite, in the name of money // An idiot, is someone who lets their education do all of their thinking // A phoney is someone who demands respect from the principles they effect"</i>. These lines along with later verses again reference the cancer of greed eating away at the rightful goal of an egalitarian society, heavy stuff articulated so well. In summary it targets the demise of independent thought, and a willingness, almost enthusiastic in nature, to sprint off the cliff into a sea of economic slavery.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The debut single 'Liberty Belle' was absolutely the correct choice for the groups first recorded share with the music public. It's the most light-hearted moment on the album, it's invigorating and the appeal is instant, infused with all of the best elements of classic old school rock that sounds timeless. An homage to the local watering-hole on Francis Street near where the band studied music, as a long-term resident in the neighbourhood I can't help but crack a mental smile at the opening line; <i>"You know I love that violence that you get around here, that kind of ready steady violence..." </i>but it's not a disparaging observation in the lyric, more a loving ode filled with humour. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">After the bumpy and fun bluster of the chaotic 'Boys in the Better Land', a curve-ball, and a truly appreciable one at that. The first time I listened to 'Dublin City Sky' I felt a little lump in the throat, aside from the obvious dirge to the capital, it flooded my mind with memories of growing up in a stale, grey, coal-filled city in the 1980's, an unrecognisable version today. The folk poetry of the lyrics nod their head to The Pogues and The Waterboys, something I just did not expect to hear on <i>Dogrel</i> given the singles released to date, it's a sound and tone that fits the band very, very well. We all think we know what Fontaines D.C. are all about, but perhaps we don't have a clue, we'll only learn a little bit more with each release. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Local music is currently in the healthiest state it has ever been, and the fruits are now being born, two years ago bands were hoping to get people into their shows, now they're selling out, they were hoping to record an album, now they're getting signed to European labels. Fontaines D.C. will / are being held up as the Olympian torch bearers for the independent music scene as a result of the huge comparative success they have attained to date. With such success comes snipers who have been waiting a long time, patiently in the long-grass, to controversially attach their name to this rising tide. That doesn't mean there should be no analysis of any shortcomings however, so long as they're coming from a genuine and dispassionate place.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>Dogrel </i>is rightfully being lauded as one of the best Irish albums to be released this year so far and probably further back, but the band themselves will be aware that a debut album is rarely perfect, in a strange way it would be disappointing if it was. Influences that pop up early in the album could be a little less overt, and I personally felt the second half of the LP was more coherent than the first and that Fontaines D.C. were more in their natural habitat as the album progressed beyond the first 4 or 5 tracks. Those small gripes aside I love <i>Dogrel</i>, it means something more than the sum of its parts, it is powerful, insightful and a wonderfully poetic piece of social commentary told through a wide variety of different characters. I've rarely been more excited about a sophomore album so soon after a debut has been released. Those who have followed the Irish music scene closely over the last 6 or 7 years desperately needed a band like them to achieve what they have so everything hasn't just been in vain, and for that I'm incredibly grateful to them.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
RemyChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09840012344095446171noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6274465276656867869.post-68534107361093348622019-04-14T13:08:00.000+01:002019-04-14T13:08:10.339+01:00Irish Playlist #055: qwasi, GaniyuTLG, FIELDS, God Knows, Nerves & more<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1_X9N8enwlnUY6apEEZHOohnS-lzreCZ7v2JPrKvP6hah12913KAvoOhNqvkX5lHnm8Pht4c4w0PuB9YHUlUVK3TbTQKArqnuaHA0MWYeR-hD2nmx74yNGhnhVTL0kJVytPMIdl0MGCk/s1600/qwasi+-+Skip.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="qwasi - Skip" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1_X9N8enwlnUY6apEEZHOohnS-lzreCZ7v2JPrKvP6hah12913KAvoOhNqvkX5lHnm8Pht4c4w0PuB9YHUlUVK3TbTQKArqnuaHA0MWYeR-hD2nmx74yNGhnhVTL0kJVytPMIdl0MGCk/s640/qwasi+-+Skip.jpg" title="" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">qwasi - Photo: Peggie McKeon</span></b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allow="encrypted-media" allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="380" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/user/11155734402/playlist/5FJA3p4gadtk0T28PyE8Lj" width="300"></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Above and below are a selection of Irish singles which were released in the last week or so that I have taken much enjoyment from. Familiar faces, debut singles, blasts from the past! I hope you enjoy too.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>1) qwasi - 'Skip'</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Cosmic sonic sparks and flames burst sharply throughout the latest single from Dublin electronic ambient act qwasi on new single 'Skip', rapid-fire clicks and beats are sprinkled with glistening chimes and a mechanical rhythm that is at once both calming and energising.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>2) GaniyuTLG - 'Around Here' feat. Klaudia Gasowska</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Dublin's GaniyuTLG comes back with a dark and imposing new single in 'Around Here' accompanied by Klaudia Gasowska on additional vox. A reflection on the sinister underbelly of the urban environment, GaniyuTLG strafes effortlessly between rap passages and trap. Its bumpy rhythm is hypnotic and the overall feeling is of a creeping inertia that crawls under you skin and into the veins.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>3) FIELDS - 'Border Boys'</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A lot has changed in the North of Ireland since the GFA, but I recall travelling as a child to Donegal via the Six Counties and British soldiers ordering our family out of our car before it was hoisted up in a corrugated barracks shed to search for explosives in the under-carriage, it was very intimidating as a child. Even without that personal experience I find the background to FIELDS' new single 'Border Boys' engaging, in the words of frontman Sean O'Brien;</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>"The song was inspired by a yarn of my Grandfather's about a night in the late 50's where he and a friend were detained by the police at Middletown Barracks, Co. Armagh overnight, after they were meeting by the border junction of Ballagh-bridge, north of Mullan, Co. Monaghan. While there was no wrongdoing at play, such was the climate they lived in where you could be in the wrong place at the wrong time and become complicit in a situation not of your own creation."</i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It's a gorgeous and emotive ballad that is very timely, once again they excel at relaying story into music so tenderly. The video by Paul Kelly adds perfectly to this sense of tension.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Dni3_vCzHO8" width="560"></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">4) God Knows - 'Crown'</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Rusangano Family's God Knows released a brutalistic and aurally jarring affair (these are positives) in the shape of new single 'Crown' this weekend. Clunky and haphazard beats swarm his references to local and international hip-hop artists, with respite coming from breaks such as at 1:44. Perhaps the most pleasing thing about this single is how it shines a light on God Knows' personality musically and it's going to be enjoyable to discover more on future releases.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>5) Nerves - 'Slow Drive'</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Earlier this week we featured the excellent debut single 'Faces' from Dublin trio Nerves, sophomore single 'Slow Drive' builds on that promising introduction with a slick AF moody guitar and heavy bass intro. Here Nerves summon the new wave dark-rock sounds of the likes of Depeche Mode, INXS and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club. It's a gloriously enjoyable track which seeps out effortless cool from multiple points, peaking with the grating distortion of the riff at 2:58, the two singles to date suggest something big could be in the offing for the band before long.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>6) Will De Burca - 'Dance in the Sun'</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Follow the universal praise for his 2017 album <i>Embedded</i>, experimental electronic artist Will De Burca's latest offering, single 'Dance in the Sun' retains the sunshine pop of elements of that album, whilst going hard at it in terms of a colourful and bursting 80's electro-synth homage. The pattern of the music all springs outward from a core of dance and house beats to create an uplifting and high tempo gem.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN9jgTz8lU3KOEsJiOIkFAaRmT2QjMbxP7AcVGUaFQScJwlJBDhupQ2oHpv3D5fZqFXEnpvea7zGoCYsFUCEizq1HNqiuLCTbA6gjt5t5EUu7Q2AhBIRvSfC2nGoILFKLN32TdCAiI6M0/s1600/Daz+-+Keep+It+Real.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Daz - Keep It Real" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1143" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN9jgTz8lU3KOEsJiOIkFAaRmT2QjMbxP7AcVGUaFQScJwlJBDhupQ2oHpv3D5fZqFXEnpvea7zGoCYsFUCEizq1HNqiuLCTbA6gjt5t5EUu7Q2AhBIRvSfC2nGoILFKLN32TdCAiI6M0/s640/Daz+-+Keep+It+Real.jpg" title="" width="456" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Daz - Photo: Conor McGuinness</span></b></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></b></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">7) Daz - 'Keep it Real'</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Man am I enjoying the debut single from Dublin hip-hop act Daz in conjunction with producer F.O.B.. There's a lovely easy-going flow to 'Keep it Real', the eternal struggle, Daz uses humour to communicate the anxieties surrounding the decision to be honest about your feelings with those closest to you, or suppress them. A mellow, mellow chorus and tight rhymes that match up with great ease make for an exciting intro to the Tallaght artist's talents.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>8) lullahush - 'If Spring Had a Spare Room I'd Rent It With You'</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">One of the most gifted producers and musicians on the Irish landscape over the last few years having worked with the likes of AE Mak, Elkin and Bad Bones, lullahush shares debut single 'If Spring Had a Spare Room I'd Rent It With You'. I have to admit, that despite it's jovial upbeat delivery, it took me a few listens to fully appreciate the track, I wouldn't expect anything less however from an act who clearly thinks deeply about marrying a variety of sounds and changes in pace. This is what it would sound like if Animal Collective wrote the OST for Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. A broader picture will unfurl with the release of his debut album <i>A City Made Of Water And Small Love</i> due out later this year. See below the single's accompanying video directed by Tim Shearwood, it's lullalush. (*I'll get my coat*).</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VLMfIzOaOiI" width="560"></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">9) Lyndsey Lawlor - 'Eat the Money'</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Another debut comes from 21-year-old Dublin songwriter Lyndsey Lawlor's 'Eat the Money'. Inspired by an article she read on how little time is left on the ticking clock of the impact of human behaviour on the planet, a melancholic guitar and earnest vocal set the stage. This unexpectedly gets blown out of the water with a crashing rock grenade and defiant angst-ridden vocal explosion. From early mysterious beginnings, 'Eat the Money' rockets upward and into punk territory, a sonic reflection of an apocalyptic end game.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxVolkFgTH0f9PiktdxVZB_d_d8hI670oHk7s9YAm67LMMwSzIYm78Pz6DT3GTcRmMXcAOk5rT5OcX7B7f1uBJQIzZVPejZfOi4b-1uLZ7Zh8YRpVS57ZN_Cq26T_NaMvjwGyUv2xP_kc/s1600/Lyndsey+Lawlor+-+Eat+the+Money.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Lyndsey Lawlor - Eat the Money" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxVolkFgTH0f9PiktdxVZB_d_d8hI670oHk7s9YAm67LMMwSzIYm78Pz6DT3GTcRmMXcAOk5rT5OcX7B7f1uBJQIzZVPejZfOi4b-1uLZ7Zh8YRpVS57ZN_Cq26T_NaMvjwGyUv2xP_kc/s640/Lyndsey+Lawlor+-+Eat+the+Money.jpg" title="" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i><b>Lynsdey Lawlor - Photo: SheBopImagery</b></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>10) Cry Monster Cry - 'High'</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Cry Monster Cry released the stripped-down single 'High' on Friday, the pair aiming to get closer to the live sound which they feel suits their music better than over-polished production. The result is a swaying dirge dealing thematically with your entire self being subsumed by someone close to you over a long period of time, and the sometimes detrimental effect it can have on your well-being and individuality. Customary sweet harmonies and heart on sleeve emotions run to the fore all across its 3 minutes.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><span style="color: magenta; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><span style="background-color: white;">To listen to our last Irish independent playlist, go here! </span><a href="https://thebestofmusicandfilm.blogspot.com/2019/04/irish-playlist-damsel-jj-lee-susie-blue-feibhar-otherkin.html">https://thebestofmusicandfilm.blogspot.com/2019/04/irish-playlist-damsel-jj-lee-susie-blue-feibhar-otherkin.html</a></b></span></i></div>
RemyChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09840012344095446171noreply@blogger.com