THE FLATLANDERS
(Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Joe Ely and Butch Hancock)
::: LIVE ::: Vicar Street, Dublin - July 29th, 2009
The Texas Legends Only Irish Show of the Year!
Tickets are €38 on sale now through Ticketmaster and other usual outlets nationwide. Booking Line: 0818 719 390

"Hills And Valleys" – Out Now on New West Records
Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Joe Ely and Butch Hancock have been friends for almost 40 years, and members of that not-really-a-band, life-of-its-own musical entity known as The Flatlanders for nearly as long. They will be performing live together at Vicar St. this July 29th.

But when the trio decided to collaborate on songwriting for Hills And Valleys, the fourth in a rather elongated string of Flatlanders albums, they realized it wouldn't be easy. They'd done it before for one thing, first for the soundtrack to the 1998 film The Horse Whisperer, then for their "reunion" album, 2002's Now Again. So they already knew they'd be as likely to spend hours trading tales and laughing uproariously as they would trying to agree on a lyric.

And they knew how long that could stretch out, too. "Sometimes we'd work on one line of a song for several days," Ely reveals. "That's just one line, not a verse. It's hard to please all three of us at once."

But for Hills and Valleys, they not only managed to come up with eight eloquent joint efforts, they added Ely's "Love's Own Chains" and "There's Never Been," Hancock's "Thank God For The Road," one by Gilmore's son, Colin ("The Way We Are"), and, for good measure, their arrangement of Woody Guthrie's "Sowing on the Mountain." That one serves not only as an homage to one of their musical guideposts but, as Hancock notes, a representation of the album's general theme: "the ups and downs, emotionally, of peoples' lives these days."

"One moment you're sitting on top of the world," he explains, "and the next, you're ‘sowing on the mountain and reaping in the valleys.'"

They didn't set out with an agenda, but what Ely calls "the heavy-dutiness" of the last eight years-9/11, Katrina, Iraq, border walls going up while the economy careened downward-all were definitely on their minds as they wrote.

"Even though all of us are very active politically, a lot of times we don't want to bring certain things into our songs," Ely explains. "This time, we had to say, ‘Hey, let's look at this, not in a pushy way, but really
figuring it out in our own heads. Putting it into a song and trying to unravel it.'"


The psychological approach. Which explains how a song called "After The Storm" never mentions a specific deluge, but examines, via Gilmore's gentle tremolo, the feelings of loss and aloneness one might experience "looking out after the storm, wondering what to do and where to go."

That was the first song they came up with. The last was "Homeland Refugee," which addresses foreclosures and the "so-called security trust," though it was composed months before the credit crunch triggered a string of bank failures that unleashed even more economic calamity.

The song was partly inspired by an irony they saw in the current "reverse migration" of Californians to Texas, because their families had been part of the original Dust Bowl exodus. As they wrote at Hancock's home in Terlingua (writing sessions were also held in Austin, where Gilmore and Ely live), they also watched the construction of a wall designed to prevent Mexican people from migrating to America. Telling a simple story in simple words, they cut right to the core of these complex issues. An overt reference to Guthrie's "Pastures of Plenty" and an implied one to his "Deportee (Plane Crash at Los Gatos)" further allude to those hills and valleys of earth and life-which they put in irrefutable perspective in the line: For everything this world is worth, we're all just migrants on this earth, returning to the dust from where we came.

"After the Storm" and "Homeland Refugee" form a trilogy of sorts with the Tex-Mex-flavored "Borderless Love." Over the jaunty notes of honorary Flatlander Joel Guzman's accordion, the song draws the conclusion: A wall is a mirror, it can only reveal/one side of the story that passes for real.

But not all of these tracks are so obviously topical. "Just About Time" makes seeming allusions to a long-needed change in leadership, but it's also a song about mortality-the happiest little rocker about death you're likely to ever whistle inside the shower. It prominently features that early Flatlanders staple, Steve Wesson's singing saw-which automatically adds levity just by the weirdness of its sound. Another original Flatlander, Tony Pearson, performs mandolin and sings harmony on the disc; both were heard on the band's first recording, that long-fabled entity from 1972 that finally got a proper release 20 years later with the title, More A Legend Than A Band.

Though Ely produced its follow-up, Now Again, and 2004's Wheels of Fortune, Hills and Valleys was produced by another old friend who grew up in the cotton-furrowed flatlands of Lubbock: Lloyd Maines.

In addition to their long musical history with Maines (he was a member of Ely's band for years and produced Gilmore's Hightone Records debut), Gilmore points out a trait that further strengthens their bond: Maines' off-the-wall sense of humor is similar to theirs. His Dixie Chick connection apparently didn't hurt, either; daughter Natalie's bandmate Martie Maguire contributed some fiddle. A who's-who of Austin sidemen (and friends) also participated: Robbie Gjersoe on guitars; Glenn Fukunaga on bass; Rafael Gayol on drums; Bukka Allen on keyboards and accordion; Brian Standefer on cello; and Pat Manske on percussion. Maines played steel, mandolin, banjo and guitar, and contributed harmonies.

Perhaps all that involvement makes him an honorary Flatlander, too. But none of them takes the designation too seriously. As with each Flatlanders album or tour, no one knows about a next one; they're a product of fate, chance, inspiration, the gods ... and come around when they come around. They've each got successful solo careers to keep up as well.

But here they are, 37 years after they were prodded into recording together the first time, still collaborating-and still the best of friends. In his soft Texas drawl, Ely sums the philosophy behind their creativity: "We might as well write music and make songs up, because there's not anything that we'd rather be doing."

"Hills And Valleys" Tracklisting:

Homeland Refugee
Borderless Love
After The Storm
Wishing For A Rainbow
No Way I’ll Never Need you
Just About Time
Love’s Own Chains
Cry For Freedom
The Way We Are
Thank God For The Road
Free The Wind
Sowing On The Mountain


 
 
 
 
“Townes Van Zandt is the best songwriter in the whole world and I'll stand on Bob Dylan's coffee table in my cowboy boots and say that.” - Steve Earle

STEVE EARLE

www.steveearle.com ~ www.myspace.com/steveearlemusic ~www.newwestrecords.com

::: LIVE ::: Upcoming Irish Shows
Sept 26 - Johnny Keenan Banjo Festival, Longford - €41.70 ~ Tel: +353-87-281-7825 / www.johnnykeenan.com
Sept 27 - Belfast Open House Festival - £25.00 ~ Tel: +44 (0)28 90246609 / www.openhousefestival.com
Nov 09 - Galway, Town Hall - €40.00 ~ Tel: 091-569777 / www.tht.ie

Nov 10 - Galway, Town Hall - €40.00 ~ Tel: 091-569777 / www.tht.ie
Nov 11 - Cork, Opera House - €40.00 ~Tel: 021-4270022 / www.corkoperahouse.ie
Nov 13 - Ennis, Glor - €40.00 ~ Tel: 065-6843103 / www.glor.ie
Nov 14 - Castlebar, The Royal Theatre & Events Centre - €36.50 ~Tel: 0818 300000 / www.ticketmaster.ie
Nov 17 - Dublin, Olympia Theatre - €40/€36 ~ Tel: 0818 719300 / www.ticketmaster.ie


>>> For Information / Interview requests / Promotional Copies contact Berube Communications:
Stevo Berube on info@berubecommunications.com or phone 0872442695 <<<


New Album "Townes" OUT NOW on New West Records
15-SONG SET COMPRISED OF SONGS WRITTEN BY THE LEGENDARY SINGER-SONGWRITER,
::: TOWNES VAN ZANDT :::


Features Guest Appearances by TOM MORELLO (Rage Against The Machine, The Nightwatchmen), ALLISON MOORER, and appearing on a Steve Earle Record for the first time, JUSTIN TOWNES EARLE

Steve Earle releases "Townes", his highly anticipated follow up to the Grammy Award winning album Washington Square Serenade, on New West Records. The 15-song set is comprised of songs written by Earle’s friend and mentor, the late singersongwriter, Townes Van Zandt. Townes will also be available as a deluxe two-CD set, as well as double Limited Edition 180 gram vinyl.

The album was produced by Earle at his home in Greenwich Village, at Sound Emporium and Room and Board in Nashville, TN and The Nest in Hollywood, CA. The track “Lungs,” was produced and mixed by the Dust Brothers’ John King and features Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine/The Nightwatchman on electric guitar. Earle’s wife, the acclaimed singer-songwriter Allison Moorer, is featured on backing vocals on “Loretta” and “To Live Is To Fly.” Three songs cut in Nashville, “White Freightliner Blues,” “Delta Momma Blues,” and “Don’t Take It Too Bad” feature a bluegrass band consisting of Dennis Crouch, Tim O’Brien, Darrel Scott and Shad Cobb.

Earle met Townes Van Zandt in 1972 at one of Earle’s performances at The Old Quarter in Houston, TX. Van Zandt was in the audience and playfully heckled Earle throughout the performance to play the song “Wabash Cannonball” Earle admitted that he didn’t know how to play the tune and Van Zandt replied incredibly “You call yourself a folksinger and you don’t know ‘Wabash Cannonball?’” Earle then silenced him by playing the Van Zandt song “Mr. Mudd and Mr. Gold,” not an easy feat due to its quickly-paced mouthful of lyrics squeezed into just over two minutes of song. Their bond was immediately formed. On Townes, Earle and his son, singer-songwriter Justin Townes Earle (named after Van Zandt) trade verses on the tune, a song the two of them have been playing together since Justin was a teenager.

The songs selected for Townes were the ones that meant the most to Earle and the ones he personally connected to (not including selections featured on previous Earle albums). Some of the selections chosen were songs that Earle has played his entire career (“Pancho and Lefty,” “Lungs,” “White Freightliner Blues”) and others he had to learn specifically for recording. He learned the song “(Quicksilver
Daydreams of) Maria”
directly from Van Zandt, and taught himself “Marie” and “Rake” specifically for the album’s recording. Once a song he played during his live show, Earle relearned “Colorado Girl” in the original Open D tuning that Van Zandt played it in. Earle recorded the New York sessions solo and then added the other instruments later on in order to preserve the spirit of Van Zandt’s original solo
performances to the best of his recollection.

When speaking about Townes, Earle stated, “This may be one of the best records I’ve ever made. That hurts a singer-songwriter’s feelings. Then again, it’s some consolation that I cherry picked through the career of one of the best songwriters that ever lived.”

TRACKLISTING:

Pancho And Lefty
White Freight Liner Blues
Colorado Girl
Where I Lead Me
Lungs
No Place To Fall
Loretta
Brand New Companion
Rake
Delta Momma Blues
Marie
Don’t Take It Too Bad
Mr. Mudd And Mr. Gold
(Quicksilver Daydreams Of) Maria
To Live Is To Fly


Deluxe Limited Edition 2 x CD content – Acoustic version of the album. Fold out poster of the cover art. Expanded liner notes with lyrics.

 
 
 
 
THE CORONAS
::: LIVE ::: The Academy, Dublin - June 4th
Support from The Chakras and The Dirty Epics
Tickets 28 Euro inclduing booking fee on ticketmaster.ie; Over 18’s. I.D required
www.thecoronas.net / www.myspace.com/coronaband / www.thecoronas-band.bebo.com
The Coronas are currently recording the follow-up to their multi-platinum debut album "Heroes or Ghosts" in the famous Sawmills Studio on the River Fowey in Cornwall with John Cornfield who has worked with a vast selection of artists including Muse, The Stone Roses, Supergrass, Razorlight, Oasis and Robert Plant. The as-of-yet untitled new album is pencilled in for an Autumn 2009 release so keep your eyes peeled for it!

In addition to writing & recording the new alblum, 2009 has been a busy year for band. They signed a licensing deal in Japan with JVC for their first album, which found them travelling to Tokyo in March for a string of shows. The album ‘Heroes or Ghosts’ had its UK release in May 2009 where the band will be returning for another tour later this year.

The band will be playing several festivals throughout the Summer, including the main stage at OXEGEN on July 10th.

::: Upcoming Shows :::
29 May - Volvo Ocean Race Festival, Galway
30 May - Kilcornan House, Limerick
31 May - Kerry Rose Festival, Tralee, Kerry
04 June - The Academy, Dublin
26 June - Ballybunion Festival, Kerry
04 July - Diamond Festival, Donegal Town
10 July - Oxegen Festival, Punchestown Racecourse
16 July - Festival Internacional, Benicassim, Valencia
01 August - Merriman, Killena Festival, Killena, Clare
06 August - Bulmers Live, Leopardstown Racecourse, Dublin
Check
www.thecoronas.net for updates

The Coronas were nominated for two Meteor Irish Music Awards this year. For the second year running they were nominated for Best Pop act along side The Blizzards and The Script. Their second nomination is for Best Live act with Republic of Loose and Swell Season.

2008 was been a phenomenal year for The Coronas. Their debut album “Heroes or Ghosts” achieved platinum selling status in Ireland, they successfully embarked on tours in the UK and the US, and they ended the year with an amazing headline show in Dublin’s prestigious Olympia Theatre. When asked their highlight of their year recently Graham Knox (Bassist) said, “It’s hard to pick a highlight because the year has gone so fast and we’ve crammed so much in to it. I think for me one of the highlights was playing the Ambassador Theatre in Dublin in February as it was our first big headline show and it went as well as any of us could have possibly hoped.”

Danny O’Reilly (lead Vocal, Guitar and Piano) thought Oxegen ’08 was the highlight for him. “Playing the main stage at such a big festival was a dream for us. We had about 30,000 people singing our songs back to us. It really was a surreal and amazing experience”

 
 
 
 
THE DUCKWORTH LEWIS METHOD
Self-titled Maiden Album Released in Ireland July 3 on 1969 Records
::: New Single ‘The Age Of Revolution’ Released June 28 :::
www.myspace.com/dlmethod

With new ball in hand, The Duckworth Lewis Method release their eponymous maiden album, July 3 – exquisitely timed to coincide with this summer’s Ashes tour.

Written by Duckworth (Thomas Walsh) and Lewis (Neil Hannon) the album was recorded and mixed in Dublin and mastered just down the road from Lord’s in Abbey Road Studios.

All the songs are either loosely or tightly connected to the beautiful game of cricket, there are no covers, extra covers or cover drives for that matter. These are all wonderfully crafted pop songs for cricket lovers and non-lovers equally to enjoy.

First delivery, ‘The Coin Toss’, spins wickedly into lead single ‘The Age Of Revolution’, released June 28.

From ‘Jiggery Pokery’, which tells the tale of the Gatting Ball and features guest cameos from Phill Jupitus, Alexander Armstrong and Matt Berry amongst others, through the Trescothian angst of ‘The Nightwatchman’, to the triple century of ‘Test Match Special’. This album really hits ‘The Sweet Spot’ (track4!) with a guest appearance from Cathy Davey.

With trademark melodies and glorious harmonies, the anthemic ‘Meeting Mr Miandad’ is yet another album highlight. It depicts Duckworth and Lewis' epic road trip to meet the legendary batsman Javed Miandad.

"The Duckworth Lewis Method is an album steeped in the love of cricket and pop. The resultant twelve songs are a cacophony of leather and willow turning through a cosmos of searing melodies and all round tunes,” says Duckworth in his post match interview.

 
 
 
 

JESSE DEE
"Bittersweet Batch"
Irish Release 14-8-09 on Munich Records
www.myspace.com/jessedee
 If you are a Van Morrison, James Hunter, Al Green or Sam Cooke fan you should check out Boston's Jesse Dee!


Jesse Dee’s influences read like a Who’s Who of classic soul music. Otis Redding, Sam Cooke, Etta James, Al Green and many others. But Jesse Dee is not just a student of the classics. He also loves the new wave of rootsy artists – James Hunter, Amos Lee and John Legend, among them.


“Soul music has always hit me harder than any other kind of music,’’ says the Boston-based Jesse, who has learned his lessons well. He puts a convincing new spin on the subject with his debut solo disc, “Bittersweet Batch,’’ which should please anyone with a love of this heartfelt style. Jesse adds a stunning vocal expressiveness and a unique ability to inject and dissect emotions. He delivers it all with a warmth that comes from analog recording and from cutting a lot of the songs live in the studio.


Jesse co-produced “Bittersweet Batch’’ (consisting of all-original tracks) with Jack Younger in the latter’s Basement 247 Studio. Younger has also produced for fellow Boston roots phenomenon Eli “Paperboy’’ Reed. The record is targeted for an April release on Munich Records.

Jesse’s love of soul is honest to the core. When you step into his home studio, for example, you may find him putting on a vinyl copy of “The Best Chess Vocal Groups,’’ including cuts on the seminal Chess Records by the Moonglows, Miracles, and Flamingos. And on the walls are paintings that he has created of faves like Jackie Wilson and James Brown. The paintings are exceptional. Jesse is a graduate of MassArt (Massachusetts College of Art and Design) and almost went into art as a profession over music.


“I’ve been painting longer than I’ve played music,’’ says Jesse. “I have studied art most of my life and have been doing both for a while, but I made my decision to focus on music.’’


Raised in the Boston suburb of Arlington, Jesse started at MassArt by studying illustration, but switched over to its Studio for Interrelated Media, where he studied performance, production, mixed-media, and composition. During college he was in the ten-piece band Decifunk, which played up and down the east coast and released an original record called “Open Your Eyes’’ on Squeezebox Records in 2001. That was followed by a stint in the group The Dirty Whites (“more like Black Sabbath meets Motown,’’ he says). They put out a five-song, self-released EP in 2006.


Then came his own group under the name Jesse Dee, which includes guitarist Matthew Joy, bassist Jim Larkin, and drummer Matt “Pie’’ Beaulieu. They’re all on the new album, as are such top-notch guests as guitarist Kevin Barry (Paula Cole, Dennis Brennan), and the soulful duo of Dwight & Nicole, not to mention an all-star horn section with Scott and John Aruda, and Paul Ahlstrand, who has played with Susan Tedeschi.


The new record has some “bittersweet’’ themes, hence the title “Bittersweet Batch,’’ but most songs reflect Jesse’s ultimately positive view of the world. The standout “Slow Down,’’ which is on his myspace page (www.myspace.com/jessedee), has an easy-loping swing groove and the message that “people try to stay with the pace but the fact is that life is not a race.’’ Other upbeat tunes are “Still Here’ and the buoyant “Alive & Kicking.’’


Jesse, who has opened for Al Green, is also a cofounder of Sea Monsters, a popular club band he started with singer Christian McNeill. It’s a true musician’s band and has featured guest appearances from other Boston roots acts such as Tim Gearan, Miss Tess, and Dennis Brennan.


Jesse still paints and freelances as a graphic designer. The painting sparks his music. “I sing when I paint,’’ he says. “I’ve composed songs while I paint a number of times.’’
But exploring and updating soul music is his true passion. “I’m just trying to get better – to write better songs, get better at performing them, and enjoy myself in the process,’’ he says.

-- Written by Steve Morse, a former staff writer for the Boston Globe

 
 
 
 
THE MINUS 5
"Killingsworth"
Irish Release 3rd July 2009 on Cooking Vinyl
www.minus5.com ~ www.cookingvinyl.com

The Minus 5, led by underground icon Scott McCaughey, will be releasing a new album Killingsworth in Ireland on Friday 3rd July 2009.

>>> For Information / Interview requests / Promotional Copies contact Berube Communications:
Stevo Berube on info@berubecommunications.com or phone 0872442695 <<<

 

Killingsworth is an aptly named thoroughfare that borders northeast Portland's "Alberta Arts District", where the tracks were primarily conceived and executed. Scott's old buddy John Moen, who has been a Dharma Bum and a Maroon and a Jick, and is now a Decemberist, wove a noose out of papyrus, and helped lasso his current bandmates and other notables to flesh out the arrangements on a dismal and disturbing array of soon-to-be-classics. The effervescent smokin' drinkin' Little Sue and the four ultra-stylish priestesses once known as the Shee Bee Gees provided welcome feminine counterpoint to the song cycle's wanton depravity (it's not truly a song cycle, nor is it a Richard Strauss tone poem, but the caliber of the material deserves a modicum of pretension). Various members of M. Ward's combo, as well as the very great Norfolk & Western (some of them the same people), played crucial roles in delivering the goods. They were poorly remunerated. Noted novelist and Richmond Fontaine frontispiece Willy Vlautin provided a golden lyrical trampoline, and Timothy Bracy of Mendoza Line fame collaborated on the dance-floor-bound "Dark Hand of Contagion". As ever, Peter Buck (REM) put twelve strings or less to optimal use whenever cajoled. Ken Stringfellow sang on a Scandinavian ferry, fully clothed.

Thus begins a new chapter in the Minus 5 saga. Different than the rest, yet barking up the same monkey tree. And if you have any questions or comments about the music itself, Mr. McCaughey would be glad to elucidate all over you, to the best of his ability, which varies according to the situation.

Killingsworth is available on CD and as digital download, full track listing as follows :

01. Dark Hand of Contagion
02. The Long Hall
03. The Disembowlers
04. Th Lurking Barrister
05. It Won't Do You Any Good
06. Vintage Violet
07. Scott Walker’s Fault
08. Big Beat Up Moon
09. I Would Rather Sacrifice You
10. Ambulance Dancehall
11. Gash In The Cocoon
12. Smoke On, Jerry
13. Your Favourite Mess
14. Tonight You’re Buying Me A Drink, Bub

 
 
 
 

"SPARKS N' MIND"
AWARE - Charity Album
Release Date June 12th Through 1969 Records

Featuring Cover Versions by Irish Acts:
Bell X1, Republic of Loose, Lisa Hannigan, Ham Sandwich, Cowboy X, Damien Dempsey, The Flaws, Le Galaxie, Dave Couse, Dirty Epics, The Thrills
::: Tracklisting Below ::: For More Information Contact stcalbumproject@gmail.com

"SPARKS N' MIND" Album Launch
TOWER RECORDS, Wicklow Street, Dublin
Thursday, June 11th
1pm - Ham Sandwich
5pm - Le Galaxie
More Acts to be Announced, check www.towerrecords.ie for updates.


The Final Year students in the Sound Training Centre are putting together a charity album with all the proceeds going to “Aware”, an organistion that provides support and awareness programs for people suffering with depression. The concept and general theme of the album is “Songs That Inspire”. The album comprises of contemporary Irish artists covering influential musicians and songwriters that gave them the initial spark to start a band. The album is entitled “Sparks n’ Mind,” as it deals with themes of personal and creative growth, hope and guidance, which we feel are relevant to the themes “Aware” deals with, in helping people suffering from depression.

The artists involved with the album range from the cutting edge of the Irish Indie scene to the some the most established acts in the country. The album varies from big selling Irish artists like Bell X1, Republic of Loose, Damien Dempsey and Lisa Hannigan, to up and coming alternative acts like Ham Sandwich, Cowboy X, The Flaws, and LeGalaxie, to name but a few.

Many of the bands will be recorded in Temple Lane Recording Studios, state of the art Apollo studio, by the Sound Training Centre final year students.

The release date is set for the 12th of June through 1969 Records

Tracklisting:

1. The Flaws - The Killing Moon (Echo & the Bunnymen)
*2. Ham Sandwich - Stay (Shakespeare's Sister)
3. Republic Of Loose - God Moves On The Water (Blind Willie Johnson)
4. Damien Dempsey - The Hackler From Grouse Hall (Christy Moore)
5. Dave Couse - Caroline, No (Brian Wilson / Beach Boys)
6. Lisa Hannigan - Courting Blues (Nick Drake)
*7. LeGalaxie - Maneater (Hall& Oates)
*8. Cowboy X - Gigantic (Pixies)
9. Dirty Epics - Glory Box (Portishead)
10. The Thrills - Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me (The Smiths)
11. Bell X1 - No Retreat, No Surrender (Bruce Springsteen)

* Featured on the radio promotional single / Copies available from Berube Communications: info@berubecommunications.com or phone +353 87 244 2695

 
 
 
 
THE LEMONHEADS
New album "VARSHONS" due 15th June 2009
www.myspace.com/thelemonheads / www.thelemonheads.net / www.evandando.co.uk / www.cookingvinyl.com

Gibby Haynes Produced Collection Features Covers of Songs by: Gram Parsons, Leonard Cohen, Townes Van Zandt, G.G. Allin, Wire, July, and More

 THE LEMONHEADS, who have entered into a licensing agreement with Cooking Vinyl, have announced they will be releasing their long-awaited covers collection, VARSHONS, through the label on Monday 15th June 2009.

>>> For Information / Interview requests / Promotional Copies contact Berube Communications:
Stevo Berube on info@berubecommunications.com or phone 0872442695 <<<

 

It makes sense that the new album from The Lemonheads sounds like a mix tape slipped to you by a music-obsessed friend anxious to turn you on to something new. In fact, the idea for the band’s new covers record was inspired by Gibby Haynes, ringmaster of the Butthole Surfers, who for years has made mixes for his longtime friend Evan Dando. “Making a good mix is an art, and Gibby has it down,” says Dando. “I thought it would be fun to share these songs with other people like he shared them with me. So I picked the ‘greatest hits’ from his mixes and covered them, along with a few other songs I always wanted to play.”

VARSHONS was produced by Haynes and features Dando along with Vess Ruhtenburg (bass) and Devon Ashley (drums). The collection is filled with strange bedfellows - from G.G. Allin to Texas troubadour Townes Van Zandt and garage rockers The Green Fuz. The Lemonheads make each track their own, with help from actress Liv Tyler, singing back up on Leonard Cohen’s “Hey, That’s No Way To Say Goodbye,” and Kate Moss, who sings over the dance groove of Arling & Cameron’s “Dirty Robot,” which also features lead guitar by John Perry on loan from The Only Ones.

VARSHONS unearths a pair of psychedelic treasures with “Yesterlove” – a song recorded in 1969 by the group Sam Gopal featuring future Motorhead bassist Lemmy Kilmister – and “Dandelion Seeds” from July, record collector’s Registered Landmark Band. For “Layin’ Up With Linda,” the band filters Allin’s cold-blooded tale through the swaggering country-honk of The Stones’ “Dead Flowers.”

Filled with obscure nuggets, the tracks on VARSHONS cut a wide swath, jumping from early British psychedelic to Dutch electronica and like all good mix tapes, you never know what is coming next.

Full tracklisting as follows :

1. “I Just Can’t Take It Anymore” (Gram Parsons)
2. “Fragile” (Wire)
3. “Layin’ Up With Linda” (G.G. Allin)
4. “Waiting Around To Die” (Townes Van Zandt)
5. “Green Fuz” (Randy Alvey & Green Fuz)
6. “Yesterlove” (Sam Gopal)
7. “Dirty Robot” v/ Kate Moss (Arling & Cameron)
8. “Dandelion Seeds” (July)
9. “Mexico” (Fuckemos)
10. “Hey, That's No Way To Say Goodbye” f/ Liv Tyler (Leonard Cohen)
11. “Beautiful” (Linda Perry)
* Original artist in parenthesis

 
 
 
 
BUFFY SAINTE-MARIE
"Running For The Drum"
Also includes DVD "A Multimedia Life"
Irish Release Date 3rd July 2009 on Cooking Vinyl
www.buffysainte-marie.com ~ www.cookingvinyl.com

 Buffy Sainte-Marie to release first album in over 15 Years!

Buffy Sainte-Marie virtually invented the role of Native American international activist pop star. She was a graduating college senior in 1962 and hit the ground running in the early Sixties, touring all alone in North America. She entertained and educated audiences and record companies with their initial dose of Native American reality in the first person who expected to see Pocahontas in fringes.

Her concern for protecting indigenous intellectual property, and her distaste for the exploitation of Native American artists and performers has kept her in the forefront of activism in the arts for forty years.

By age 24, Buffy Sainte-Marie had appeared all over Canada, Europe, Australia and Asia, her song Until It’s Time for You to Go was recorded by Elvis, Barbara Streisand and Cher, and was voted Billboard’s ‘Best New Artist’ for her very first album. She disappeared suddenly from the mainstream American airwaves during the Lyndon Johnson years, as part of a blacklist which also affected Eartha Kitt, Taj Mahal and a host of other outspoken performers. Her name was included on White House stationary as among those whose music “deserved to be suppressed”.

Throughout her career, she has made 17 albums of her music, three of her own television specials, spent five years on Sesame Street, scored movies, helped to found Canada's 'Music of Aboriginal Canada' JUNO category, raised a son, earned a Ph.D. in Fine Arts, taught Digital Music as adjunct professor at several colleges, and won an Academy Award Oscar for the song "Up Where We Belong"

Running For The Drum is Buffy’s first album since the 1992 release Coincidence and Likely Stories. The album contains twelve new inspired songs and stories about current events, art, politics and the aboriginal people that showcase her emotional integrity and thrilling voice!

The DVD A Multimedia Life, will mark the first time Buffy's extraordinary life story is told on screen. From her early days bursting onto the Greenwich Village folk scene in the 60's, to becoming an Oscar-winning songwriter, a Sesame Street regular, an international Aboriginal spokesperson and a pioneering digital artist. The hour long documentary also features interviews with several well known musicians and includes archival footage and music from a dozen or so songs of hers including "Up Where We Belong", the anti-war anthem "Universal Soldier" and more.

CD Track Listing:
No No Keshagesh
Cho Cho Fire
Workin' for the Government
Little Wheel Spin and Spin
Too Much is Never Enough
To the Ends of the World
When I Had You
Bet My Heart on You
Blue Sunday
Easy Like the Snow Falls Down
America the Beautiful
Still This Love Goes On


DVD - Tracks / Chapters
Opening
Greenwich Village
Growing Up
Consciousness Raising
Until It’s Time For You To Go
Hawaii retreat
Digital Art
Sesame Street
Up Where We Belong
Buffy And Chuck
Cradleboard
Between Two Worlds
Going Home
Ending


 
 
 
 
SPINAL TAP
"Back From The Dead"
Irish Release 12th June 2009 - THE LABEL INDUSTRY RECORDS
www.spinaltap.com ~ www.myspace.com/officialspinaltap
The loudest Rock band in the World, Spinal Tap, Nigel Tufnel, David St. Hubbins and Derek Smalls have announced that they will be returning to the UK this June to kick off their one time only exclusive special show at London's Wembley Arena with very special guests The Folksmen. 2009 marks the 25th anniversary of the iconic cult classic rock movie 'This is Spinal Tap' and Spinal Tap are celebrating this in a big way! By reuniting for the 'One Night Only World Tour' the band had the following to say:

"If we're going to do a World tour on only one night, at least it's this world" - Nigel Tufnel
"This show will be dedicated to all of our drummers who have passed on, either to their reward or to middle management at Sainbury's." - David St. Hubbins
"One night is not enough, and it's way too much!" - Derek Smalls

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the cult classic film "This is Spinal Tap" and now England's Loudest Heavy Metal Band, SPINAL TAP, is celebrating with the release of their first new album in almost two decades, Back From The Dead. SPINAL TAP's last album was 1992's Break Like The Wind.

On Back From the Dead, Tap members David St. Hubbins, Nigel Tufnel and Derek Smalls unearth their long-self-suppressed studio versions of the classic songs from the movie "This is Spinal Tap," as well as six new additional songs, and an exclusive hour long accompanying DVD featuring a track-by-track video commentary by the band. Back From The Dead also features guest appearances by Phil Collen, Keith Emerson, John Mayer and Steve Vai. "This album title says it all. We're back from the dead. But we weren't dead. But we definitely are back," proclaimed Hubbins.

Back From The Dead is a deluxe CD/DVD package aggressively priced and containing 19 original Spinal Tap songs, a one-hour DVD and unique pop-up diorama package that unveils three 12-inch action figures (courtesy of Sideshow Collectibles) of the band along with a proportionally sized Stonehenge. Back From The Dead is destined to be a collector's item, especially among collectors.

The new album includes the newly interpreted Tap classics 'Hell Hole,' 'Tonight I'm Gonna Rock You Tonight,' 'Heavy Duty,' 'Rock 'n' Roll Creation,' 'America,' 'Cups and Cakes,' 'Big Bottom,' 'Sex Farm,' 'Stonehenge,' 'Gimme Some Money' and '(Listen to the) Flower People.'

"While the movie and soundtrack accurately represented our stage sound at the time, the studio versions of these songs on this album represent the cosmic maturation of the material, within a digital context. Also, they're louder," stated Smalls.

The new songs recorded specifically for Back From The Dead include 'Warmer Than Hell,' 'Short and Sweet,' 'Celtic Blues,' Rock 'n' Roll Nightmare,' 'Back From The Dead' and "the first known studio recording of the soon-to-be-long-forgotten 'Jazz Oddyssey.'"

Back From The Dead once again shows SPINAL TAP defies categorization, hop scotching from genre to genre all with moments of brilliance. The album is that perfect combination of Loudness, Vulgarity and a pinch of Evil. Back From the Dead promises to finally give SPINAL TAP their rightful place in history as "The true unsung and misunderstood geniuses of Rock 'n' Roll" and they dedicate this new album to all those metal titans the world has come to love—or at least tolerate.

Back From The Dead was produced by CJ Vanston, who arranged and played keyboards on the band's Break Like The Wind album and was musical director for their 1992, 2000 and 2007 tours. As a film composer, he has produced music for Christopher Guest's movies "Waiting For Guffman," "Best In Show," "A Mighty Wind," and "For Your Consideration."

TRACKLISTING
01. Tonight I'm Gonna Rock You Tonight
02. Back From The Dead
03. (Funky) Sex Farm
04. Rock 'n' Roll Creation
05. Jazz Oddyssey I
06. Gimme Some Money
07. Rock 'n' Roll Nightmare
08. Heavy Duty
09. America
10. Jazz Oddyssey II
11. (Listen to the) Flower People (Reggae Stylee)
12. Hell Hole
13. Big Bottom
14. Celtic Blues
15. Jazz Oddyssey III
16. Warmer Than Hell
17. Stonehenge
18. Short And Sweet
19. Cup And Cakes

+ accompanying DVD giving a track by track rundown from Nigel Tufnel, David St. Hubbins and Derek Smalls (60 mins)

 
 
 
 
Jinx Lennon
“Trauma Themes Idiot Times”
OUT NOW on Septic Tiger (Distribution on EMD)
www.jinxlennon.com

::: LIVE :::

04 JuneSugar Club, Dublin
19 June Pavilion, Cork
27 June Spirit Store, Dundalk
30 October - The Picket, Liverpool

IN HIS OWN WORDS: An awful man Jinx stands at the outer edge of the periphery of the Hibernian music machine picking the dirt beneath the fingernails of fading septic tiger landscape while the larvae practise their new voices in their bedrooms in front of mirror contemplating visualization for the mid Atlantic voiced shiny ''discover me'' dream that will enable them to become new chrysalis transformation and escape. Jinx once lay horizontally in early am before school unconsciously soaking up the neo nuclear 4 minute warning sirens of the nearby factory 8 am work shift cattle round up, and the spooky echoes of metallic brewery noise and far off railway line vibrato ghosts. Now he pulls out these cranial archives into new shapes and TRAUMA THEMES of word and sound along with the rage built up from border town omnipresent soccer fascism environment and mundane assembly line worlds where hard chaw lads and doomed faced women walked along the conveyor belt towards cement block Invasion of Body snatchers / Stepford Wives package existence. JINX LENNON FREE STATE NOVA is an Irish wordsmith here to primarily uplift people and squash the unseen energy vampires in all myriad forms. Making room to weave some modicum of hope and dignity Jinx is the dying light in the red leech face of disgraced solicitor contrite and pleading now no longer poster boy for the gimme gimmes, but he brings the message that one must try their best to FORGIVE THE C***S and move upwards. These sounds are not just for those tired of listening to the empty heads, but also for the helicopter Icarus people who crash land back to earth in these IDIOT TIMES.

This album deals with isolation, the sort that transforms people and leads them into difficult situations, it also deals with themes of spiritual deadness and being aware of this fact in oneself before one turns into a lifeless Invasion of the Bodysnatchers / Stepford Wives type entity. It’s slightly darker than the other records I have made so far.

Jinx Lennon is a punk / poet / performance artist whose repertoire contains elements of spoken word, electro, social commentary with a rage and rawness that is complimented by Jinx's stage partner Miss Paula Flynn and her magnificent voice.

Tracklisting

1/ TRAUMA THEMES INTRO 2/ MY HEAD IS SLOWLY DISAPPEARING UP MY OWN ARZZZ 3/ EVERYONE'S GOT A MENTAL HOME I.T.H. 4/ PROTECT THYSELF AND HOME 5/ SPLATTERED EGGS
6/ THE MEN WHO SAVED THE FACE OF FOOTBALL 7/ FUNERAL FAYSIS 8/ TAXI MAN FACE 9/ THE FERRIS WHEEL AT DOWDALLSHILL 10/ FOLK MUSIC FOR THE MIDLANDS 11/ THE ORANGE CRANES OF GREENORE 12/ 40 F/GLAZED I CLUB 13/ BIG PROTEST DAY 14/ YOU C'ANT KEEP EVERYONE HAPPY 15/ AWKWARD AND REAL 16/ ASCEND! ICEHOUSE HILL


Reviews for TRAUMA THEMES IDIOT TIMES

IDIOTS BEWARE: JINX IS BACK - NICK KELLY, IRISH INDEPENDENT
This country has produced its fair share of singer/songwriters who can't see further than their own plectrum and sing about little else but their own reflection. But with Ireland in the midst of a collective nervous breakdown, it seems like it's high time someone tried to reflect in song what's really happening right here, right now.

I remember going to see the Fatima Mansions play in the early 1990s. Cathal Coughlan would often begin a song with a tragi-comic spoken-word intro that seemed to sum up the state of the nation at any given time. Part bar-room philosopher, part punk poet, Coughlan aimed both barrels at his carefully chosen targets, the often surreal imagery of his steaming streams of consciousness braided John Cooper Clarke with Bill Hicks.

Having long since exiled himself to France, I sometimes wonder what the contrarian Corkonian would make of the fine mess we've got ourselves into now. There seems to be precious few artists out there with the smarts or the willingness to take up the cudgels. You could argue that Damien Dempsey has had a go, especially with his broadsides against clerical sex abuse ('Industrial School') and the heroin epidemic that has large swathes of our cities in its grip ('Ghosts of Overdoses'). But there are still too many shades of green in his music for my liking.

You might also point to the title track of Paul Cleary's Crooked Town album, which castigated the cubs of the Celtic Tiger for their racist attitudes towards our immigrants. Yes, but that was eight years ago.
Do any of the modern day troubadours have the spirit of Cathal Coughlan coursing through their veins? They appear to be few and far between -- but I believe Jinx Lennon is one. I like the cut of his jib. He called one of his albums 30 Beacons Of Light For A Land Full Of Spite, Thugs, Drug Slugs And Energy Vampires, which I'm sure is a favourite on the playlists of 4FM.

The follow-up, Know Your Station Gouger Station!!! featured a photo of our hero laying prostrate by the side of an anonymous motorway. A star of the County Louth, Jinx distinguishes himself from his peers by refusing to sing in the mid-Atlantic twang that has become the industry standard.

Instead, Jinx's accent is unapologetically -- and unmistakably -- hewn from the sod of Dundalk. So much so that you half expect him to declare, a la Stan, 'I'm the gaa-ffer -- what I say goes' . . . an observation which I'm sure will earn me a clip round the ear next time I find myself anywhere near Termonfeckin. (But I plead diplomatic immunity: my dad's an Ardee man!)

Jinx's trademark get-up of snazzy suit and shades would make him look like a door-to-door Mormon or shady FBI spook if it wasn't for his habit of Tipp Ex-ing his sunglasses with his latest slogan -- which instead makes one think of Northern agit-pop masters That Petrol Emotion (who pulled a similar trick on the cover of their Babble album). More than the Petrols, though, Jinx seems closer to an Emerald version of New York troubadour-poet Hammell On Trial, with whom he has toured here.

Jinx's new album Trauma Themes, Idiot Times -- released yesterday on his own Septic Tiger label -- thrusts a steel-capped Doc Marten into the underbelly of 21st century Hibernia. From heartless taxi drivers watching passively as their passenger is knocked down, to the soullessness of the new-sprung ghost estates in the greater Dublin commuter belt, Jinx casts a withering eye on modern Irish life -- and decides that, yes, it's mostly rubbish.

Combining the soap box with the beat box, Jinx is part manic street preacher, part Mike 'Streets' Skinner. He defends the right of isolated old people to defend their homes from burglars; he decries the soccer hooligans of his home town. In 'Folk Music For The Midlands', he casts a cold eye on life in a part of the country that, Pure Mule apart, has been largely neglected by our songwriters and filmmakers (with good reason, says you). From the lonely old pensioner stuffing her mattress with wads of bank notes to the smug nouveau riche upstarts, Jinx paints a picture of a people full of fear and (self) loathing.
The factories in 'Ascend! Ice House Hill' belch out carcinogenic smoke and rats with brain tumours lie dead in the ditches; sinister gangs of alcoholic middle-aged men with perverted sexual tendencies lurk on the outskirts of town . . . Local women go missing, never to be seen again.

As for the general public at large, Jinx doesn't much like what he sees "all through the offices and restaurants": "You're not even 23, and you've already got the sourball, blank, puppet, stupid, quarry-stone grey, taxi man face."

As chat-up lines go, I'd say it needs a bit of work. To be fair, there are moments where Jinx puts down the loud-hailer and tries a little tenderness, usually with 'Miss Paula Flynn' (she who sang that silky cover of Bowie's 'Let's Dance' on a TV ad) in tow to soften those Louth vowels. 'The Ferris Wheel at Dowdallshill' is positively romantic.

The worry for Jinx is that the populace, jaded from the endless drip of bad news stories from the front line of the Recession, will run a million miles from anyone banging on about life as it's really lived in this banana republic.

Somehow, though, I can't quite see Jinx queuing up for the next round of X Factor auditions. Jinx Lennon – Trauma Themes Idiot Times – (Septic Tiger)

IRISH TIMES /THE TICKET
Trauma Themes Idiot Times Septic Tiger Records
It’s impossible to decide whether Jinx Lennon is a poet, a chancer or simply a daft scoundrel. He’s
certainly a character, one endearingly out of step with the mainstream. Think John Cooper Clarke atop a beer-crate soapbox on a dreary Friday night in Dundalk. Nevertheless, the Louthman revels in eccentricity, and his latest album brandishes more of his unique social commentary. Vocalist Miss Paula Flynn provides the occasional melodic flourish, but Lennon’s lyrical deftness, combining comedy and tragedy in one fell swoop, means that the mostly jazz-poptinged soundtrack is ultimately trifling. Regardless, Jinx is a true individual, and there will always be a place for him – or at least
someone like him – in Irish music. www.jinxlennon.com
LAUREN MURPHY

TRAUMA THEMES IDIOT TIMES: ALAN JACQUES - LIMERICK INDEPENDENT
If the Louth noisemaker’s last album ‘Know Your Station Gouger Nation’ was a ‘King Lear’-like ‘madness before the storm’ epiphany with dark swirling clouds casting an ominous shadow over modern Ireland, then this time round Jinx uses that very same psychosis as a means of self-preservation as he dances rabidly on the Celtic Tiger’s mangy and reeking pelt.
With rapid economic growth in Ireland during the nineties and noughties we were happy to sell our souls for sunshine holidays, houses with two cars in the driveway, nights on the beer, golf club membership, lapdances and IKEA furniture.

Dundalk legend Jinx Lennon, a revolutionary musical figure compared by actor Keith Allen as “a cross between Johnny Cash, Joe Strummer, and Ian Paisley” tolled the death knell for our boom times with intelligent and witty lyrics spat out at a bullet pace in a thick and deadly border-town brogue.

Now that the party’s well and truly over, Lennon is back with a new album ‘Trauma Themes Idiot Times’ examining our spiritual deadness and how we have turned into an Island of ‘Invasion of the Bodysnatchers’/’Stepford Wives’ type entities. However, this is no bleak winge-fest of a record but an uplifting call to arms for every Irish man, woman and child to redeem themselves of that ‘gimme gimme’ mentality and dig deep within their souls to find true hope and purpose.

In his own words this unique and inspiring artist explains, “These sounds are not just for those tired of listening to the empty heads, but also for the helicopter Icarus people who crash land back to earth in these Idiot Times”.

‘Trauma Themes’ is a much darker record than ‘Know Your Station Gouger Nation’. Throughout the album Jinx comes across like a bacon and cabbage-chomping version of Patrick Bateman, the well-groomed serial killer from Bret Easton Ellis’s ‘American Psycho’ novel. There is a claustrophobic atmosphere to most of the songs here as we are lured into the murky and unhinged corners of a mind tormented and suffocated by loneliness and frustration brought on by the apathetic nature of the world around it.

“I am institutionalised behind walls/ my house is like a purgatory box/ I use a machine of plastic, steel and glass to take me to nasty places I haven’t seen before/ without leaving my room,” Jinx earnestly confesses on ‘My Head Is Slowly Disappearing Up My Own Arzzzz’.

A visionary and poetic lyricist, Lennon walks that fine line between madness and genius as he delivers lunatic bursts of exhilarating social commentary filled with rawness and rage. But he needn’t worry about his own sanity as it soon becomes evident on ‘Everyone’s Got A Mental Home Inside Their Heads’ that he does not hold the exclusive rights on crazy.

“There’s no need to walk round town like you are a SIM Card in a new range of phobias/ Cos no matter what you do or where you go/ There is one thing that quickly becomes apparent and that is/ Everyone’s got a mental home inside their heads,” he assures us adamantly.

A man who believes in standing up for his rights, Jinx Lennon is a formidable foe that is not to be crossed. A true maverick, this punk-poet messiah has a distinct style and forceful energy that would slay you as fast as look at you with its provocative out of step beats, incendiary one-chord riffs and hot-headed bullhorn rants. He has the ghosts of Muhammad Ali, Che Guevara and Ian Dury riding in his corner so God help you if you tried to break into his Pearse Park bachelor pad. He stoutheartedly opines on ‘Protect Thyself And Home’ that everyone should be entitled to protect themselves in their own house.
“If someone breaks into your house to murder you/ You should be entitled to stick a knife in their eye and say/ Listen if one of us is going to die/ It’s not going to be me,” he proclaims with a serene calmness that would give you goosebumps.

Thankfully Miss Paula Flynn is on hand on tracks such as the poignant ‘The Ferris Wheel At Dowdallshill’ and ‘The Orange Cranes of Greenore’ to help subdue the murderous fury that streams out of Jinx’s every pore. And while her soft and sultry tones add a wonderful sense of creepiness to ‘Trauma Themes’ it quickly becomes apparent that there is no containing this barking headbanger.

He takes a swipe at nonchalant protesters on ‘Big Protest Day’ with his insightful glimpse into the psyche of people who turn out to support trendy causes just to be part of the crowd. “What is this protest about anyway? / Oh cluster bombs/ Well isn’t that nice/ And maybe later on we can get to the sales before the shops all close.”

On ‘The Men Who Saved The Face Of Football’, one of the album’s 16 highlights, it’s boorish and pea-brained football hooligans that feel the crappy end of Jinx’s stick.

While elsewhere the Mark E Smith-tinged ‘Taxi Man Face’ lets fly at the indifference of today’s society and how our selfish wants zap our lust for life. “You had a red face eager beaver/ Now you are no longer a believer/ Now you are full of rust/ You don’t believe you are going to the road to damnation/ But you must,” Jinx warns in a chipper tone like a man just gagging for the opportunity to gun down these mopish sheep.
Jinx Lennon jumps from genre to genre — electro, folk, chant, rap, and poetry — at breakneck pace. ‘Trauma Themes Idiot Times’ is a record that steadfastly refuses to be pigeonholed and while there is no question that Jinx’s ubiquitous style is an acquired taste; with music this original and rousing on the menu, you’d be an absolute idiot to not at least try and relish its mouthwatering flavours.
(5/5)

ANALOGUE MAGAZINE TRAUMA THEMES IDIOT TIMES BY KARL MC DONALD
One of Ireland’s less grumpy musical poets Mumblin’ Deaf Ro once talked about disrupting the small set of perspectives that music deals in, by writing from new perspectives. The idea was that breaking up the cosy relationship between the self-regarding “I” and the imaginary female “you” would help little-respected song lyrics move forward, and be a little more like literature. On his fourth album, Jinx Lennon goes a way towards fulfilling that mission. Over beats that are sometimes surprisingly catchy, he writes songs about the Other side of modern life - not so much angry complaints, which are plentiful and pouring out of everyone from Green Day to Lily Allen, but “awkward and real” criticisms. Rather than shouting nihilistically, Lennon seems to simply shine a light on things-as-they-are and say “see for yourself”. It works.

Some of the “trauma themes”: The fact that a football team is not a satisfactory replacement for actually living a worthwhile life, in ‘The Men Who Saved The Face of Football’. A study of the “don’t get involved” phenomenon of the unconcerned modern world in the particularly Fall-like ‘Taxi Man Face’. Sticking a knife in the eye of a house invader in ‘Protect Thyself And Thy Home’. Anything is potential subject matter.
It’s also a little refreshing just to hear the voice of the towns - a guy who speaks in a fairly thick Louth accent and makes no apology for it. There is no secondarity about it, no effort to squeeze through some sort of US/UK/urbane mould. Who else would bother with ‘Folk Music For The Midlands’, as Lennon does on the tenth track of this album? Where else are you going to hear about places like Oriel Park, Dowdallshill, Delvin Co. Westmeath or the De La Salle school from Ravensdale Forest? Or “mormons on bikes and in pairs” or even “some bollocks from Jonesboro I did an electronics course with”?

I suppose part of Jinx Lennon’s project is to make poetry out of those places and those people. There’s nothing that says they’re not worthy, and Lennon follows in a proud line of Irish poets and writers from Patrick Kavanagh through to John McGahern and Patrick McCabe by writing about them. That’s the way to get to “modern Ireland”, you see. You can’t just work in generalisations. You have to dig a little, notice things outside Dublin 2. Jinx Lennon, as much as anyone else, is writing the story of this country. Romantic Ireland is long gone and all but forgotten. What’s there now is a “tape recorder/answering machine/type voice”, a blankness with “rusted Pope’s medals” and memories of Italia 90 keeping people linked to a time long ago, but little else to permeate the bullshit of housing estates and “selfish stupid automatons”.

It’s not just a gloomy State of the Nation address though. It’s also incredibly funny, in a very dark way. And its songs, some of which come complete with potentially shout-along choruses, are eminently listenable. Which is convenient, because it’s almost important that people listen to this record, so that they can have the proverbial “one good look at themselves” in Jinx’s nicely polished looking glass.

JOHN MEAGHER IRISH INDEPENDENT
TRAUMA THEMES IDIOT TIMES

The punk-poet from Dundalk is one of the country's singular talents. Once you've heard Jinx Lennon's acerbic, witty words, you're unlikely to confuse him with anyone else. His spoken-word 'songs' can pack quite a punch. He has made his name dissecting the ills of modern society, and there's no let up on this 16-track album as he offers his unflinching take on malevolent nightclub bouncers and football hooligans.

I would recommend seeing this man in action -- this album certainly suggests the live experience is not to be missed -- but as an album, this will have very limited appeal once heard, absorbed and appreciated. Maybe that's just me. **

CONNECTED MAGAZINE
Jinx Lennon Trauma Themes For
Idiot Times *****
A punk poet in the vein of John Cooper Clarke, Jinx Lennon's one of Ireland's greatest living storytellers – a comedian, a preacher, a troubadour and a rebel but, overall, a Celtic Tiger philosopher. Track two, 'My Head Is Slowly Disappearing Up My Own Arzzz' sets the tone wonderfully. 'Protect Thyself And Home' argues that everyone has the right to 'stick a knife into the eye' of burglars. Nobody can listen to Jinx Lennon and not be affected. Instantly he becomes your best friend, your blood-brother, your cooler cousin; giving priceless advice in this f**ked up world

CLARE PEOPLE
Trauma Themes Idiot Times
Jinx Lennon -Trauma Themes Idiot Times
8/10
There is no one – and I mean no one – in Ireland making music quite like Jinx Lennon. With the release of his latest album the Louth poet come punk-songster it finally stretched his legs, ready to take flight.
And if ever their was an artist who possessed the ability to diagnose a nation in the middle of a nervous breakdown it’s Lennon.

The tone is set early with the deliciously self deprecating ‘My Head Is Slowly Disappearing Up My Own Arzzz’. What follows is 16 songs of anger and pain, fantasy and joy – no holds barred, no ideas left unchallenged, no feeling left unhurt.

But the key is that hand-in-hand with the punk-poetry comes a soundscape that is immensely listenable. Much of the credit for this must go to the increasing prominence of Miss Paula Flynn - you remember, the girl who sand ‘Lets Dance’ on the Ballygowan advert.

True, this album is still unlikely to get too many spins at your local club but you can easily listen to Trauma Themes Idiot Times without feeling like you’ve been through a soul destroying sermon.
Andrew Hamilton

SUNDAY BUSINESS POST
Jinx Lennon Trauma Themes Idiot Times
Louthmouth is back. Jinx Lennon, the soi-disant punk poet from Dundalk, has returned with a fourth album which, as ever, casts him as a sort of border version of John Cooper-Clarke, only with even rougher edges and less polish.

To a backdrop of simple, no frills garage rock, Lennon belts his yarns of Louth life out in a pleasingly unsanitised Dundalk accent, even if you find yourself thinking once or twice that Steve Staunton has wandered into the studio. But there’s a surprising amount of anger here – Protect Thyself And Home advocates murdering anyone who breaks into your house, Taxi Man Face ridicules an ageing cab driver ‘‘full of rust’’ in ‘‘a soft dull place’’, and Big Protest Day is a broadside at barricade-manning marchers who don’t even know what they’re railing against. The rough-and-ready nature of much of the music is a big problem: the bellowed, wordless chorus of Everyone’s Got a Mental Home Inside their Head sounds totally silly, and The Ferris Wheel at Dowdallshill is simply a hastily-strummed mess. You can imagine a lot of this stuff being much more effective in a live setting, so it’s no surprise that Lennon is renowned for being a fine on-stage performer – another thing he has in common with Cooper-Clarke, whose records have never matched the glory of his gigs. *** J O’B

 

 
 
 
 
“The Prodigy’s fifth studio album sounds just like The Prodigy should. Only leaner, harder, and even faster than before.” Q ****, April 2009
“It’s hard to imagine many better records being release this year.” London Lite, 5/5, 16th February 2009

THE PRODIGY "Warriors Dance"
The New Single From the Chart Topping Album "Invaders Must Die"
Irish Release: OUT NOW on Take Me To The Hospital / Cooking Vinyl
www.theprodigy.com
/ www.invadersmustdie.com / www.cookingvinyl.com

::: Upcoming Irish Dates :::
LIVE AT THE MARQUEE -- June 18th, 2009 ~ Docklands, Cork ~ Info on www.aikenpromotions.com
LIVE IN THE PARK - June 19th, 2009 ~ Donard Park, Newcastle Co. Down ~ Info on www.planetlovemusic.com
SLANE CASTLE - Supporting OASIS -- June 20th, 2009 ~ Slane, Co. Meath ~ Info on www.mcd.ie

Back at the top of their game with the release of their 5th album ‘Invaders Must Die’ (which went straight in at No. 1 and is already one of the best selling album this year), The Prodigy get ready to release the all out monster ‘Warriors Dance’.

One of the many highlights of the album, ‘Warriors Dance’ is old skool Prodigy – a grizzly mix of 91’ hardcore warehouse rave and ecstatic diva vocals only catapulted confidently into the modern age. The perfect reminder that yes, there have been a fair few pretenders attempting to emulate them in recent years, but quite simply … no one does or could ever sound like The Prodigy.

The band are about to embark on a sold out arena tour, taking in two Wembley Arenas and have just announced a third date at 02 Academy Brixton on April 18th. This will be an all night affair with support from Dizzee Rascal, Kissy Sellout and Chase And Status. Tickets are priced at £35 and go on sale Thursday 26th March.

 
 
 
 
the pale
"PROPER ORDER"
Features the Single "Chocolate Factory"
Irish Release Date May 15th on 1969 Records
www.pale.ie ~ www.myspace.com/thepaleie ~ www.1969records.com

:: LIVE :::
07 May 2009 - Whelans, Dublin - Album Launch Show East
12 June 2009 - The Roisin Dubh, Galway - Album Launch Show West

* Recorded and produced by long term member Darren Flynn.
* The new album is ten songs long and is as concise and direct as the title suggests.
* The Pale will be touring in Ireland and Eastern Europe this Summer to promote the new album.
* A single called "Chocolate Factory" has already been released from the forthcoming album. It was released last year as a free downloadon the band's website.

Here is what Hot Press Magazine had to say about it ...

The Pale "Chocolate Factory" (1969 Records)
"An exotic Mediterranean flavour permeates this catchy little acoustic ditty from the always-enjoyable Pale. After a well-received return last year with "The Contents Of A Shipwreck", it seems yet more new material is in the works - and if this single is anything to go by, we could be in the middle of something of a golden age for Pale fanatics" - Stephen Errity, Hot Press

Here is what 1969 Records had to say about The Pale recently...

"There are also rumours of a collection of Pale music and tracks for later on in the year. As anyone who has seen the recent live shows will know, there is still a great affection for earlier tracks and notwithstanding the long unavailability of these tracks on CD, this is something that the band are hoping to address in the coming months, as well as including some rare material" - Daragh Bohan , 1969 Records
______________________________________________

Here's what some reviews had to say about "The Contents Of a Shipwreck"...

"The Contents Of A Shipwreck is a welcome return by an oft missed, much needed band" John Brereton


"File under Welcome Back" Jackie Hayden

"As comebacks go, then,The Contents Of A Shipwreck is one of constant, delightful suprise" Eamon de Paor

"The Pale are back with a new album that adds even more to their reputation" Stephen Rapid

For Gig Bookings Contact Eoghan Kavanagh phone 0863967391
For Record Company Contact www.1969records.com / daragh@1969records.com

 
 
 
 
THE CHAPTERS
Debut Album "PERFECT STRANGER" ~ Out June 5th on 3ú Records
Featuring the New Single "VIDEOTAPES"

www.myspace.com/thechaptersofficial ~ www.thechapters.com ~ www.thechapters.bebo.com
Dublin 5-piece The Chapters release their debut album Perfect Stranger on 3u Records on June 5th 2009. The eagerly awaited debut from The Chapters nearly didn’t happen when the label initially due to produce the record crashed in the financial downtown. A band with songs like these were never going to be homeless for too long and within 48 hours had signed a deal with Dublin based independent label 3u Records, home of The Coronas.

With the deal signed, there was no holding back a band that have been together since they met in college. Brilliant up and coming Irish producer Ciaran Bradshaw took the band through Beechpark & Suite studios to produce a fantastic album of brilliant song writing.

Debut single VIDEOTAPES was released as a digital only release charting at No: 15 on the iTunes Top 100 and No: 2 on the iTunes Rock chart making the track the highest ranking Irish track that week. The Single also charted at No: 41 in the main Irish charts, an incredible feat for a download only debut single.

Despite the initial chart success, it is on stage where The Chapters really come into their own, having sold out their Dublin return at the Academy 2 on April 30th, they now embark on a nationwide tour in support of their debut album. The tour includes;

June 1st -- Greystones Theatre, Greystones
June 6th -- De Barras, Clonakilty
June 14th -- Cyprus Avenue, Cork
June 18th -- Whelans, Dublin
June 19th -- The Stables, Mullingar
June 26th -- Electric Avenue, Waterford (w/Floyd Soul & The Wolf)
August 1st -- Castlepalooza Festival, Tullamore
August 2nd -- INDIE-PENDENCE Festival, Mitchelstown

Many more live dates and Instores to be confirmed!

What the Press said:

“The Chapters find themselves nicely positioned somewhere between Smog & Talking Heads, a rug cutting piece of funk punk” 4/5 – Kevin Courtney, The Irish Times

“The next big thing in 2009” - Claire Connellan – 98 FM

“Sh*t Hot” – Sinister Pete – Phantom FM

“Something of a best kept secret, they could be your new favourite band, just give them a try” – Gareth Maher – Totally Dublin

“….one of the best things to come out of Ireland in years…great songs that set the bar higher then its been in a long time … they have what it takes for the long haul…” – Niall Stokes – Hotpress

The Chapters debut album Perfect Stranger is one of the best Irish albums to be released this year. You only need to listen to it to believe!

 
 
 
 
Sarah Lee Guthrie & Johnny Irion
www.sarahleeandjohnny.com

::: LIVE ::: 2009 Irish Tour
May 4 Dublin, Whelan's (upstairs)
May 5 Galway, Roisin Dubh
May 6 Cork, Cyprus Avenue
May 7 Belfast, Errigle Inn
May 8 Roscrea, Leap Castle


“FOLKSONG” - THE NEW 2 DISC SET FEATURING A LIVE DVD RECORDED IN CALIFORNIA AT THE MAVERICK SALOON AND AN AUDIO CD FEATURING FOUR NEWLY RECORDED SONGS INCLUDING “ WHEN THE LILACS ARE IN BLOOM” AND “NEVER FAR FROM MY HEART” IS NOW AVAILABLE.

>>> For Information / Interview requests / Promotional Copies contact Berube Communications:
Stevo Berube on info@berubecommunications.com or phone 0872442695 <<<


Coming up in spring 2009, Sarah Lee Guthrie and Johnny Irion will release two new projects including Sarah Lee Guthrie & Family's "Daddy's Shoes" and "Folksong," a live HD DVD capturing their unforgettable Valentine's Day 2008 show at Tales from The Tavern at The Maverick Saloon in Santa Ynez, California.

Sarah Lee Guthrie & Family's "Daddy's Shoes" invites four generations of Guthries and Seegers to sing, play and clap along to 13 newly recorded children songs. "Daddy's Shoes" features previously unreleased Woody Guthrie lyrics set to three new songs, two traditional children songs and nine original compositions written by Sarah Lee Guthrie and her husband Johnny Irion. Arlo Guthrie, Pete Seeger, Tao Rodriguez Seeger, Johnny Irion and seven grandkids contribute guitar, ukulele, banjo, autoharp and vocals amidst Sarah Lee's beautiful voice. Carrying on the Guthrie tradition of timeless family friendly songs, Sarah Lee Guthrie & Family's "Daddy's Shoes" is a playful and charming set of down-home, country-folk tunes fit for an assortment of family occasions.

"Folksong" is a 2 disc set featuring a HD DVD film of Sarah Lee Guthrie and Johnny Irion's Valentine's Day set at the Maverick Saloon and an accompanying audio-only CD of the 13 songs performed that special evening. "Folksong" includes four new compositions and highlights the duos' caressing harmonies, high-lonesome folk melodies and unadorned American roots music.

 
 
 
 
"The Prefect Remedy for doom laden ression Talk: Unstoppable Euphoric Pop" - Hot Press
"A Single Worth Saving For" - The Star
"The Band The South East has Been Looking For" - Brendan Keane
"Saving J prove themselves diligent students of the golden age of 90's US Pop" - Hot Press
Saving J
"ABC"
Available in all good music shops, iTunes, & Downloadmusic.ie
SAVING J's previous singles: "Indication Street", ”Bus Stop”, "Valentine”, and “Kick Off”
www.savingj.com ~ www.myspace.com/savingjmusic ~ www.bebo.com/SavingJ

CLICK HERE to View the Crackin' New Video for ABC!

Kilkenny-based purveyors of power-pop SAVING J return with their 5th single, the blissfully dark "ABC" which takes the band's sound down a rockier road from their usual back-beat brilliance complete with buzz saw guitar licks and ultra deadly lyrics! It's yet another string in the Saving J bow!

The band continus to tour the country with the likes of The Coronas, The Blizzards, Ham Sandwich, winning the musical hearts of all and bouncing all over the radio waves with their blitz of quality singles. Doing it the good old fashioned way by releasing a steady flow of brilliant singles, their ‘live’ following has grown to impressive numbers. Definately one to watch!

The video for ‘ABC’ was produced & directed by Alan Slattery from Mycrofilms in Kilkenny, who also made the band's "Kick Off" video.

Upcoming SAVING J Live Dates:
07 May - Cork - Pavillion, Cork
09 May - O’ Keefe’s, Clonmel
13 May - De Burgos, Galway
29 May - Cuba, Galway
31 July - Kazbar, Waterford

More to be announced; check
www.savingj.com
 
 
 
 
HAYSEED DIXIE
“Golden Shower Of Hits: The Very best Of Hayseed Dixie”
Irish Release May 15, 2009 on Cooking Vinyl
www.hayseed-dixie.com

American “Rockgrass” raconteurs, Hayseed Dixie, are releasing a retrospective of their 9 year, 7 album career,
titled: Golden Shower of Hits: The Very Best of Hayseed Dixie

For Information / Interview requests / Promotional Copies contact Stevo Berube
Berube Communications: info@berubecommunications.com or phone 087-244-2695

Blending together exceptional musical skill with extreme irreverence and brash humor, Hayseed Dixie have performed over 1,000 live shows in 21 different countries since forming in the Appalachian Mountains of the Southeastern United States in the Fall of 2000.

Since the release of their first album, “A Hillbilly Tribute To AC/DC,” in April of 2001, critics and audiences alike have been extremely divided on Hayseed Dixie, either absolutely loving the band or absolutely hating them. And that suits the band just fine. As singer Barley Scotch says regarding record reviews, “I don’t give a damn about the opinions of people who don’t have to pay for their records. But either way, we play music that we like to play while we’re drinking beer – we do it for ourselves and all the other beer drinkers around the world. And since we’ve sold over 600,000 albums worldwide, that tells me there are a lot of beer drinkers out there.”

Golden Shower of Hits collects 18 of the most popular songs from the band’s previous 7 studio albums, featuring classic original songs such as the tender love ballad, “I’m Keeping Your Poop (In a Jar)” along with their rockgrass reinterpretations of songs from acts as diverse as AC/DC, Motorhead, Black Sabbath, Green Day and Scissor Sisters.

Whether simplemindedly dismissed as a novelty or wisely heralded as musical pioneers, this album is a testament to Hayseed Dixie’s perseverance and endurance for nearly a decade as they continue to do what they love: get stark-raving plastered and rock out in their own unique and inimitable way.

From the fertile valley of Deer Lick Holler, deep in the heart of Appalachia, comes a sound that is old yet new. In an area completely isolated from outside cultural and musical influence, this band of acoustic musicians grew up playing the traditional music of their forefathers. Then, as fate would have it, one crisp fall afternoon a stranger passed through the holler. Well, he almost passed through.

Unfortunately for him, but fortunately for appreciators of great music worldwide, the stranger crashed his muscle car into a stately old oak tree at Devil's Elbow curve. Sadly, the stranger expired, but his legacy lives on. In the back seat of his car the boys found a box of old vinyl records as they went through his belongings looking for some identification. The name of the band on the records was AC/DC, and though all they had on which to listen to them was an old Edison Victrola that only played at 78 R.P.M., the boys all agreed that it was mighty fine country music - a bit different, but mighty fine just the same.

In memory of the stranger who had perished, the boys set about learning these new songs, injecting elements of their own traditional mountain style. And thus, from these unlikely beginnings, an entirely new musical and cultural synthesis was set in motion. Rockgrass was born. As if the Creator Himself had uttered, "Let there be Rockgrass!"

HAYSEED DIXIE are … Barley Scotch - singer, fiddle, guitar / Dale Reno – mandolin / Don Wayne Reno – banjo

 
 
 
 
BOOKER T
::: LIVE ::: Two Rare Irish Shows Announced
New Album "Potato Hole" Out Now on Anti-Records
www.bookert.com

Dublin - Vicar Street ~ Monday July 20th
Galway - Roisin Dubh ~ Tuesday July 21st
 Hammond B3 alchemist Booker T Jones is one America's most prolific, distinguished and instantly recognizable musical forces, and the arrival of his new Anti- album, Potato Hole, not only re-affirms his greatness, it also re-introduces the neglected all-instrumental format to a noisy, crowded marketplace crying out for precisely the type of soul satisfying pleasure which Jones excels at.

With choice accompaniment by the capable Southern rock visionaries Drive By Truckers and a sound often pushed into over drive by the volcanic lead guitar of rock and roll legend Neil Young, it is an altogether extraordinary set. Featuring a mixture of newly written songs and a trio of intriguing covers, all recorded in a scant one weeks time, Potato Hole captures Booker T at the critical peak of a renewed creative phase in his storied career.

"I really feel like I've been opened up again, I've got the creative muse working for me," Jones said. "It's like I have discovered a new method, a little road I can take to open it up, and I'm excited about playing this music."

The album rolls through a selection of far-ranging compositions, each separate and distinct pieces that, by turn, manifest his characteristic adoration of the groove, exploring and exploiting each mood to the limit. Whether it's a case of cosmological serenity or funky staccato chicken peck work-outs, Jones' melodic vision and expansive arrangements are delivered with a mesmerizing quality. The album also pushes into sometime previously unvisited-by Jones territory: lead track "Pound It Out" is a brawny, relentless exercise in hard rock, an intense, driving song that's far more of a head-banger than a blast of steam-heated soul.

If that seems out of place, you don't really know Mr. Jones; "I like rock music, always have." he said. "Otis [Redding] did too, and we were getting into it a bit, but couldn't really do it back then. It just wasn't right for Stax." The statement is more than a bit provocative, but the musician tosses out such revelations like carelessly hurled thunderbolts, an arsenal accrued over the course of his remarkable career.

Born in Memphis, Tennessee on November 12 1944, Booker's interest in music manifested itself early, and as a child he both sang gospel in church and received classical training on the piano. A fascination with the Hammond B3 grew to the point where he funded his own organ lessons with newspaper route money and by his teens, Jones found himself at Stax Records, first as an underfoot hanger-on and soon on staff, as leader of the house band. Backing fabled stars like Rufus and Carla Thomas, Otis Redding, Sam & Dave and Eddie Floyd both in the studio and on the road, the teenager's multi-instrumental prowess--on keys, brass and reeds--was impressive.

With his Memphis Group cohorts Steve Cropper, Donald "Duck" Dunn and Al Jackson, Jones laid out the blueprint for the fabled Stax sound and reaped his own rewards with a string of hits that frequently crossed over to the pop charts. Jones post-Stax resume has been equally impressive, recording with everyone from Bobby Darin to John Lee Hooker and producing for numerous artists (including Bill Withers' signature Just As I Am album and Willie Nelson's 1978 multi-platinum blockbuster Stardust). Jones and the MGs re-formed to serve as house band for the famed 1991 Bob Dylan tribute at Madison Square Garden (which led to a sustained alliance between Neil Young and Jones). Along the way, he's also scored numerous films and enjoyed induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1992.

Potato Hole demonstrates that not only is Jones' talent and power undiminished, it also reveals how much there is to his music that we've never heard before. Jones has a remarkable knack for telling a story with his melodies, compositions so thoughtfully constructed that one can almost visualize narrative events, as the self-explanatory "Pound it Out", the room-to-room filial warmth of "Family Reunion", the illimitable intimacy and affection of "Nan" (Jones' wife), and, in the case of title track (the term is a 19th century Afro-American colloquialism for the spot where smuggled food items were stashed beneath slave quarters), a cinematic, almost epic recounting of the struggles and spiritual resilience slavery imposed.

This quality is so pervasively seductive that you may find yourself singing along, as if Jones was telegraphing lyrics that exist only within the listener. Even the three songs here that did not originate with Jones (Outkast's "Hey Ya," Tom Waits' "Get Behind the Mule" and the Drive By Truckers' own "Space City") are transformed into vintage Booker T jams, shimmering with relaxed, after-hours atmosphere and full of the fiery, taut organ work for which he is rightfully prized.

Whether laying down a meditative ramble or hard-charging rocker, Jones' sense of artistic liberation and depth of involvement on every track here is breath taking--with Potato Hole, the cat is going into orbit. "The Hammond B3 and me have this thing goin' on. It's always there inside me. I've heard whole pieces in my head that I'll never even remember--and now I'm finally getting them out." he explained. "It gives me a freedom that I didn't have . . . I sort of had it with the MG's in the 60s, but even then it was more murky. This is lot more clear. I don't know how to put it, except it's like I can see again."

 
 
 
 

STEVE EARLE
"Townes"
Irish Release on May 15, 2009 on New West Records

www.steveearle.com ~ www.myspace.com/steveearlemusic ~ www.newwestrecords.com

15-SONG SET COMPRISED OF SONGS WRITTEN BY THE LEGENDARY SINGER-SONGWRITER,
::: TOWNES VAN ZANDT :::


Features Guest Appearances by TOM MORELLO (Rage Against The Machine, The Nightwatchmen), ALLISON MOORER, and appearing on a Steve Earle Record for the first time, JUSTIN TOWNES EARLE

>>> For Information / Interview requests / Promotional Copies contact Berube Communications:
Stevo Berube on info@berubecommunications.com or phone 0872442695 <<<

 

Steve Earle is set to release Townes, his highly anticipated follow up to the Grammy Award winning album Washington Square Serenade, on May 12th via New West Records. The 15-song set is comprised of songs written by Earle’s friend and mentor, the late singersongwriter, Townes Van Zandt. Townes will also be available as a deluxe two-CD set, as well as double Limited Edition 180 gram vinyl.

The album was produced by Earle at his home in Greenwich Village, at Sound Emporium and Room and Board in Nashville, TN and The Nest in Hollywood, CA. The track “Lungs,” was produced and mixed by the Dust Brothers’ John King and features Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine/The Nightwatchman on electric guitar. Earle’s wife, the acclaimed singer-songwriter Allison Moorer, is featured on backing vocals on “Loretta” and “To Live Is To Fly.” Three songs cut in Nashville, “White Freightliner Blues,” “Delta Momma Blues,” and “Don’t Take It Too Bad” feature a bluegrass band consisting of Dennis Crouch, Tim O’Brien, Darrel Scott and Shad Cobb.

Earle met Townes Van Zandt in 1972 at one of Earle’s performances at The Old Quarter in Houston, TX. Van Zandt was in the audience and playfully heckled Earle throughout the performance to play the song “Wabash Cannonball” Earle admitted that he didn’t know how to play the tune and Van Zandt replied incredibly “You call yourself a folksinger and you don’t know ‘Wabash Cannonball?’” Earle then silenced him by playing the Van Zandt song “Mr. Mudd and Mr. Gold,” not an easy feat due to its quickly-paced mouthful of lyrics squeezed into just over two minutes of song. Their bond was immediately formed. On Townes, Earle and his son, singer-songwriter Justin Townes Earle (named after Van Zandt) trade verses on the tune, a song the two of them have been playing together since Justin was a teenager.

The songs selected for Townes were the ones that meant the most to Earle and the ones he personally connected to (not including selections featured on previous Earle albums). Some of the selections chosen were songs that Earle has played his entire career (“Pancho and Lefty,” “Lungs,” “White Freightliner Blues”) and others he had to learn specifically for recording. He learned the song “(Quicksilver
Daydreams of) Maria”
directly from Van Zandt, and taught himself “Marie” and “Rake” specifically for the album’s recording. Once a song he played during his live show, Earle relearned “Colorado Girl” in the original Open D tuning that Van Zandt played it in. Earle recorded the New York sessions solo and then added the other instruments later on in order to preserve the spirit of Van Zandt’s original solo
performances to the best of his recollection.

When speaking about Townes, Earle stated, “This may be one of the best records I’ve ever made. That hurts a singer-songwriter’s feelings. Then again, it’s some consolation that I cherry picked through the career of one of the best songwriters that ever lived.”

TRACKLISTING:

Pancho And Lefty
White Freight Liner Blues
Colorado Girl
Where I Lead Me
Lungs
No Place To Fall
Loretta
Brand New Companion
Rake
Delta Momma Blues
Marie
Don’t Take It Too Bad
Mr. Mudd And Mr. Gold
(Quicksilver Daydreams Of) Maria
To Live Is To Fly


Deluxe Limited Edition 2 x CD content – Acoustic version of the album. Fold out poster of the cover art. Expanded liner notes with lyrics.

 
 
 
 
DOLORES O’RIORDAN
"No Baggage"
Irish Release 21st August, 2009 on Cooking Vinyl
www.doloresoriordan.ie / www.myspace.com/doloresoriordan / www.cookingvinyl.com
 Dolores O’Riordan, songstress and critically acclaimed voice of The Cranberries, has announced that she will be releasing her second solo album, No Baggage, in Ireland on Friday 21st August.

Co-produced by Ontario-based Dan Brodbeck, the album sees O’Riordan exploring many emotive subjects. “I probably haven’t worn my heart on my sleeve like this since the second Cranberries album [1994’s No Need to Argue],” she says. “It’s at times very confessional and dealing with my true emotions. Everyone, through their experiences or their background, has had terrible moments where they think they can’t handle it. With this record I’m trying to show that, no matter how bad things may seem, it’s not really that bad in the big picture.”

Looking forward and backwards – sometimes simultaneously – is one of the new album’s primary themes, as evidenced on tracks such as the quasi-Beatlesque ‘Fly Through’ and its yearning for unambiguous solutions, the bittersweet nostalgia of the insinuatingly catchy ‘It’s You’, and the blunt, seemingly self-critical ‘Stupid’. ‘Skeleton’, meanwhile, takes its title not just from the physical structure at each person’s core but also from the all-too-common “skeletons in the closet” that we all have. ‘Throw Your Arms Around Me’, with its Indian-styled instrumentation and structure is a song that O’Riordan is clearly proud of. “That song’s really about how there are two kinds of people: those who are believers and have faith, and those who scoff at such things,” she says. “It has a kind of mysterious sound to it, unpredictable; it doesn’t sound anything like normal.”

Available on CD and as a digital download, the album’s full tracklisting is as follows :

1. Switch Off The Moment
2. Skeleton
3. It’s You
4. The Journey
5. Stupid
6. Be Careful
7. Apple Of My Eye (new version)
8. Throw Your Arms Around Me
9. Fly Through
10. Lunatic
11. Tranquilizer

Since leaving The Cranberries, who sold more than 40 million albums worldwide, O’Riordan has been splitting her time between Dublin and Ontario, Canada. Her interests in life extend far beyond her musical abilities; she is a devoted wife and mother to four beautiful children, and is also a gifted visual artist.

 
 
 
 
MEXICAN INSTITUTE OF SOUND
"Soy Sauce"
Featuring the Single "Yo Digo Baila"
Irish Release Dates "Soy Sauce" 1/5/09 & "Yo Digo Baila" 11/5/09 on Cooking Vinyl
www.myspace.com/mexicaninstituteofsound ~ www.cookingvinyl.com

 One man mariachi Camilo Lara aka Mexican Institute of Sound, has announced he will be releasing a new single, Yo Digo Baila on Monday 11th May.
Taken from the forthcoming album Soy Sauce, the single, which Lara describes as “my most to the point dance track - it has sounds of cumbia but in a very radical way”, will be released as a digital download only.

By day Lara works as the head of EMI Mexico but by night he emerges as the conveyer of what can only be described as electronic works of art; a true icon of the city as well as the underground.

“Soy Sauce” (Irish Release Friday 1st May) traverses his wild musical imagination with a witty sense of humour for good effect - whether it’s converting the traditional sounds of cumbia to a full-on electronic dance track, paying tribute to hip hop luminaries J Dilla and Biggie with Mexican sonidos, or singing a love song as if Serge Gainsbourg had spent time in the Mayan jungle.

Produced by Holger Beier (one half of Bungalow’s Le Hammond Inferno), the album features almost entirely original songs recorded with a live band and vocals. Lara also invited some of his influential musician friends to perform on the album, including Café Tacuba lead guitarist Joselo Rangel, and Ad Rock of the Beastie Boys who remixed ‘Alocatel’ – an explosive dance anthem that bridges the worlds between Mexico City and New York.

Mexican Institute Of Sound’s 2007 album Pinata received incredible critical acclaim, including Rolling Stone magazine calling it “One of the 10 Best albums of the year”, and tracks were featured on Ugly Betty and in adverts for Pizza Hut and FIFA 2008.

>>> For Information / Interview requests / Promotional Copies contact Berube Communications:
Stevo Berube on info@berubecommunications.com or phone 0872442695 <<<

Camilo Lara never set out with the intention of taking his personal musical career seriously. At first, he was simply creating holiday mixes for friends. But then his friends convinced him that he should take his songs off his computer and into the studio. Now four years later, Lara, known as the Mexican Institute of Sound (M.I.S.) is building on the momentum of his breakthrough sophomore release ‘Pinata’ with a highly-anticipated new album “Soy Sauce”, released on Monday 4th May

“Soy Sauce” traverses Lara’s wild musical imagination with a witty sense of humour for good effect ... whether it’s converting the traditional sounds of cumbia to a full-on electronic dance track, paying tribute to hip hop luminaries J Dilla and Biggie with Mexican sonidos, or singing a love song as if Serge Gainsbourg had spent time in the Mayan jungle.

While early M.I.S. songs combined a variety of vintage samples into instrumental tracks, “Soy Sauce” features almost entirely original songs recorded with a live band and vocals. “Holger Beier, the mastermind behind German act Le Hammond Inferno, is the producer for the album,” Lara says. “He helped give the songs structure and brought new flavours for my ideas.”

Beier’s contribution is most evident on a song like ‘Yo Digo Baila’. “This is my most to the point dance track,” Lara explains. “I have to thank Holger for pushing me to being open minded to these sorts of ideas. What I like is that it has the sounds of cumbia but in a very radical style.”

Lara also invited some of his influential musician friends to perform on the album. “When I was working on ‘Soy Sauce,’ I was obsessed with Café Tacuba’s classic album ‘Re’,” Lara says. “I wanted to record an album like that - going from polka to punk in one second. That’s why I had found it so fascinating. I wanted my album to really cover the entire scope of my musical tastes.”

So he ended up recruiting close friend and Tacuba’s lead guitarist Joselo Rangel to play on the tracks ‘Hiedra Venenosa’ and ‘Alocatel’. From there, Ad Rock, of hip hop icons the Beastie Boys, decided he wanted to remix the track ‘Alocatel'.

“I’ve been friends with Mike D of the Beastie Boys for a long time,” Lara explains. “So one night after one of their shows in Mexico City, I had the group over to my place for dinner. Mike introduced me to Ad Rock and I gave him some of my music from the new album that I had been working on. Months down the line, he got back in touch, saying that he wanted to collaborate.”
The result is an explosive dance anthem that bridges the worlds between Mexico City and New York. It represents a common theme across the M.I.S. catalogue; fusing the sounds of contrasting music genres and cultures. On ‘White Stripes’, M.I.S. makes its own personal tribute to hip hop legends J Dilla and Biggie. The song features the vocals of Mexican pop star Paty Cantu. “I had wanted to do a hip hop track with a Mexican vibe,” Lara says. “The result? Well, it’s the opposite.”

As the M.I.S. recording and songwriting process has evolved, so has the live show. It has developed from simply "pushing buttons" to incorporating a live drummer, bassist and DJ. In the past year, M.I.S. has brought the band to rock stages from Central Park Summer Stage in New York City all the way out to Japan, and the group will be performing at this years prestigious Coachella Music Festival in California in April.

In the past, Lara has attended Coachella as a fan but performing for the first time has special meaning. “For me, it is part of the Mount Olympus of rock,” he explains. “This includes feats like getting covered in Rolling Stone, Spin, Q and playing Coachella, Reading and Glastonbury. Yet another dream to cross off!”

Full tracklisting as follows :

01. Cumbria
02. Alocatel
03. Yo Digo Baila
04. White Stripes
05. Hiedra Venenosa
06. Te Quiero Mucho
07. Jalale
08. Comité Culificador Part 1
09. Comité Culificador Part 2
10. Karate Kid 2
11. Reventon
12. Sinfonia Agridulce
13. Alocatel (Ad Rock remix)
14. Chiflideur

 
 
 
 
THE BROKEN FAMILY BAND
"Please And Thank You"
Featuring the Single "Salivating"
Irish Release 24/4/09 on Cooking Vinyl
www.thebrokenfamilyband.com ~ www.myspace.com/thebrokenfamilyband ~ www.cookingvinyl.com

 The Broken Family Band has announced it will be releasing its seventh album, Please And Thank You in Ireland on Friday 24th April, which includes the single Salivating.

Mixed by veteran producer George Shilling, Please and Thank You is, according to singer and lyricist Steve Adams, an album loosely centred around the uncontroversial yet indeterminate idea of “being nice to people”. From its stomping opener ‘Please Yourself’, a sceptical look at hipsters (with ‘cocaine in your moustache’) offended by his cheap guitar with nods, lyrically and musically (and not accidentally) to Elvis Costello’s classic masturbation anthem ‘Pump It Up’, to its conclusion, a gentle ode to burying the hatchet, country-tinged ‘Old Wounds’ (the only trace of their folksy origins), it covers a lot of ground. The gentle ‘Mimi’ is about a beautiful girl who worked in an 'adult' shop, according to its writer, while the drably titled ‘St Albans’, effectively a short story about a man who went to the wrong place to have sex with an Eastern European girl set to an ominous melody, started out as the more exotic ‘St Petersburg’, a title that was deemed to be “unrealistic”. ‘Borrowed Time’, with its anachronistic plea to “keep on choogling, even when we’re tired”, neatly captures the band’s split personality while ‘Cinema Vs House’, a witty dissection of the eternal dating seesaw, starts sweetly and ends up as a rock juggernaut. Eight years in, The Broken Family Band have gradually shed the accordionists, the cute girl singers, the banjo players, even the American drawl, and reduced themselves to the unchanged core of Adams, bassist Gavin Johnson, guitarist Jay Williams and drummer Micky Roman. And they’ve made their best album so far.



Available on CD and as a digital download, the full track listing is as follows :

1. Please Yourself
2. Salivating
3. St. Albans
4. You Did A Bad Thing
5. Cinema vs House
6. Borrowed Time
7. Mimi
8. Don’t Bury Us
9. Stay Friendly
10. Son Of The Man
11. The Girls In This Town
12. Old Wounds


THE BROKEN FAMILY BAND is … Steve Adams (vocals/guitar) / Gavin Johnson (bass) / Jay Williams (guitar) / Micky Roman (drums)

 
 
 
 
ALPHASTATES
"Human Nature"
Featuring the singles "HUMAN NATURE" & "CHAMPAGNE GLASS"
Out 24/04/09 on Maji Records
www.myspace.com/alphastates
Prepare to be blasted by pop delusionists of grandeur. Alphastates deliver their sound under the blanket of unselfconscious art. Fed on Joy division, Portishead, Tom Waits, Sonic Youth, Edith Piaf ..., this band will manage to reassure you that there's still urgency, passion, and art left in music.

They continue to blend slow elastic beats with delicously dark pop soundscapes on a grander scale. Graced with the addictively evocative vocals of Catherine Dowling and with music that is beautifully pop yet ethereally alternative. Alphastates have the potential to leave a massive imprint. "Human Nature" is the follow up to their critically acclaimed "Made from Sand"

Music and misfits always come together. An after-hours gig in a warehouse in Dublin introduced Catherine Dowling to Gerry Horan. Some years later they formed alphastates. In the hands of music composer Gerry Horan, Dowling expressed the dark comedy of the Human Condition. "Pop is a perfect avenue for human tragedy". Shy of performances and people, they hung in the background. She sang her twisted off-kilter melodies over his guitar and electro noise assaults. Other talented misfits joined the melting pot. It started simple and their only goal was to write beautiful songs.

Champagne Glass was the first single taken from their very beautiful second album "Human Nature", the follow up to their critically acclaimed "Made from Sand". "Human Nature" will be released to the public on the 24th April 2007. Already making its way to the dance floors in New York, Champagne Glass is a pop song draped in house beats but smiling through the eyes of disco. Featuring two remixes by acclaimed production duo "Arveene and Misk" and mastered by Nilesh Patel, the face behind the mastering of Daft Punk's Homework, Champagne Glass is a hook-laden pop sparkler that won't leave your head once inside.

Having toured with Cat Power, Mercury Rev, Deus, Zero 7, Sinead O'Connor, The Beta Band to name but a few, alphastates have had their music appear on both Irish and International film productions. They've played Oxegen numerous times as well as the Electric Picnic together with an a number of high profile festivals across Europe. Currently put the closing stages to the contract with their US record label, "HUMAN NATURE" is to see a release date Stateside at the end of 2009.

With music that is beautifully pop yet ethereally alternative, alphastates have the potential to leave a massive imprint.

 
 
 
 
“With an endless barrage of dry humour and damn catchy riffs, plus lush harmonies and of course some mean guitar solos, the world is a better place because of this band.” – Big Cheese
“The Seattle band’s quirky pop is clearly at odds with current trends, yet that’s a huge part of the appeal. They don’t care if they sound different or weird. So they create songs like Bad Times and Truckstop Butterfly that are full of wit, charm and amusing anecdotes. And as PUSAs enduring popularity shows, there’s always a place for music that puts a smile on your face.” – Rocksound
“Pop magic” – Plan B
“Hard, fast, good-time rock’n’roll” – Classic Rock
THE PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Announce the release of three digital EPs on Cooking Vinyl
www.presidentsrock.com / www.myspace.com/thepresidentsoftheunitedstatesofamerica / www.cookingvinyl.com

::: LIVE ::: Friday April 3rd, 2009 - Vicar Street - Dublin

 

The Presidents of the United States of America has announced it will be releasing three digital EPs next year. Each EP will feature two songs, plus a brand new video. Each lead track is taken from the band’s latest album, These Are The Good Times People (Released Backin March 2008).

Full digital EP tracklistings and release dates below:

Monday 26th January – Ladybug EP
1. Ladybug
2. Rooftops In Spain
3. Ladybug video


Monday 23rd February – More Bad Times EP
1. Bad Times
2. Ballad of the Unstoppable Female (The Anna Nicole Smith Story)
3. Bad Times video


Monday 30th March – Rot In The Sun EP
1. Rot In The Sun
2. Scrappy Puppy
3. Rot In The Sun video



Since the Seattle-based trio first burst into the public eye in 1995 with its twice Grammy-nominated eponymous debut – on the strength of radio smashes like “Lump” and “Peaches” – the band has been serving out its trademark joy-pop to crowds worldwide ever since. Their latest offering, These Are The Good Times People is an inventive, uplifting and often brilliant rock & roll album. Recorded with Northwest legends The Fastbacks’ and Young Fresh Fellows own Kurt Bloch (Robyn Hitchcock, Mudhoney, Les Thugs) and mixed by Martin Feveyear (Screaming Trees, The Epoxies, Amber Pacific), PUSA dig deep and pull off their most diverse and accomplished record yet, which shares the landscape with recent acclaimed efforts by like-minded groups The Hives and They Might Be Giants. PUSA’s eponymous debut album continues to thrive as an enduring modern rock disc since peaking at #6 on the Billboard Top 200.

 
 
 
 

THE PRODIGY "Warriors Dance"
The New Single From the Chart Topping Album "Invaders Must Die"
Irish Release: May 8th on Take Me To The Hospital / Cooking Vinyl
www.theprodigy.com
/ www.invadersmustdie.com / www.cookingvinyl.com

::: Upcoming Irish Dates :::
LIVE AT THE MARQUEE -- June 18th, 2009 ~ Docklands, Cork ~ Info on www.aikenpromotions.com
LIVE IN THE PARK - June 19th, 2009 ~ Donard Park, Newcastle Co. Down ~ Info on www.planetlovemusic.com
SLANE CASTLE - Supporting OASIS -- June 20th, 2009 ~ Slane, Co. Meath ~ Info on www.mcd.ie

Back at the top of their game with the release of their 5th album ‘Invaders Must Die’ (which went straight in at No. 1 and is already one of the best selling album this year), The Prodigy get ready to release the all out monster ‘Warriors Dance’.

One of the many highlights of the album, ‘Warriors Dance’ is old skool Prodigy – a grizzly mix of 91’ hardcore warehouse rave and ecstatic diva vocals only catapulted confidently into the modern age. The perfect reminder that yes, there have been a fair few pretenders attempting to emulate them in recent years, but quite simply … no one does or could ever sound like The Prodigy.

The band are about to embark on a sold out arena tour, taking in two Wembley Arenas and have just announced a third date at 02 Academy Brixton on April 18th. This will be an all night affair with support from Dizzee Rascal, Kissy Sellout and Chase And Status. Tickets are priced at £35 and go on sale Thursday 26th March.

 
 
 
 
THE CHAPTERS
Debut Album "PERFECT STRANGER" ~ Out June '09 on 3ú
Featuring the New Single "VIDEOTAPES" ~ Out May 1st, '09

www.myspace.com/thechaptersofficial ~ www.thechapters.com ~ www.thechapters.bebo.com

 ::: LIVE Academy 2, Dublin ~ Thurs, April 30th :::


Tickets for the Academy 2 are strictly limited and available from Ticketmaster priced at 12.50 Euro including booking fee.
www.theacademydublin.com for further details! Tickets available from www.ticketmaster.ie and www.mcd.ie

The Chapters play their first Dublin show in 8 months as they showcase debut album Perfect Stranger in the intimate setting of Academy 2 on April 30th.
Having recently become stable mates of The Coronas by signing to 3u Records and with a new Management structure in place, The Chapters have been busily putting the final touches to their debut album with proucer Ciaran Bradshaw.



For Information / Interview requests / Promotional Copies contact:
Stevo Berube / Berube Communications: info@berubecommunications.com / 0872442695
Management: Shane Dunne - shane.thechapters@gmail.com / 086 886 8612



 
 
 
 
RORY FAITHFIELD
"Born In Sydney Town"
Irish Release 10-04-09 Blind Romantic Records and Downloadmusic.ie
Also Features the Full Story Version of the Live Favourite
"Sooner Or Later"

::: Both Songs From the Forthcoming New Album :::
"Songs For Sooner"

www.faithfield.com ~ www.myspace.com/roryfaithfield
>>> For Information / Interview requests / Promotional Copies contact Berube Communications:
Stevo Berube on info@berubecommunications.com or phone 0872442695 <<<

::: Currently touring in Australia with Declan O'Rourke :::

The latest single from the forthcoming 'Songs For Sooner' album. Written on a Qantas flight to Sydney and recorded late last year back in Dublin. Featuring Johhny Boyle on Drums, Gavin Murphy on keyboards, Nick Scott on Bass and Bill Shanley on lead guitars. Recorded at The Cauldron Studios Dublin & Spiral Studios, County Meath.

Renowned for his positive energy and infectious enthusiasm, with songs that bounce between folk, rock, trip hop and every place in between, Rory's solo acoustic shows are a simultaneously mystical and energising experience. Described as "Power Acoustic" by the Irish Independent.

An attitude of exploration, demonstrated by a childhood spent "digging up stuff in the backyard", and early years playing in garage punk bands around Sydney Australia, led to a move to Ireland 18 years ago where songs became the obsession. After writing and developing his craft amongst the heavily populated singer-songwriter scene in Dublin, Rory started quietly slipping off to mainland Europe, touring solo acoustic, refining and expanding his repertoire with literally hundreds of gigs and continues to tour regularly both in Australia and Ireland.

Described by one journalist as "a strength that will move and inspire you with jolts of positive energy", 1998 saw the UK-only release of his debut album and first single 'NOWHERE SOMEWHERE ANYWHERE', recorded in Dublin.

Rory's second album, 'BLOOD, BONES & SOUL', was also recorded in Dublin, with Bill Shanley and Ciaran Byrnes sharing production duties at 'The Cauldron Studios'. An uplifting and energised set of songs featuring the metaphysical imagery of 'SHED MY SKIN' and the invigorating 'RISE ABOVE'. The Irish Times observed that his “relentlessly upbeat folk-rock courses with positive thinking and surges with vigorous musicality....Faithfield is invigorating and inspiring....”

In 2007, Rory Faithfield returned with his third and fundamentally solo acoustic album 'CIRCLE DANCE'. The intriguing song 'CLONARD' opens the album, and to quote the West Australian newspaper: “This is beautiful, straightforward storytelling, saturated in Irish folk traditions but with a keen edge born of Faithfield's days as a punk rocker in Sydney. I was reminded of Paul Kelly's more lyrical excursions, which is a high compliment"

 
 
 
 
JERRY FISH & THE MUDBUG CLUB
"The Beautiful Untrue"
Featuring the upcoming single "Back to Before"
Irish Release 24-04-09 on The Mudbug Club and distributed by RMG Chart Entertainment

>>> For Information / Interview requests / Promotional Copies contact Berube Communications:
Stevo Berube on info@berubecommunications.com or phone 0872442695 <<<

The New studio album from ‘Jerry Fish & The Mudbug Club’ entitled: ‘The Beautiful Untrue’ is scheduled to be released in Ireland on April the 24th.

The album features some extraordinary guest vocal performances from two of Irelands up and coming female singers Imelda May and Carol Keogh (Automata, Tychonaut).

The first Single to be taken from ‘The Beautiful Untrue’ entitled ‘Back to Before’ (feat. Carol Keogh) Will be released to radio mid March and available on itunes as a download only single.

Produced by Jerry Fish, Recorded by Dick Meaney (The Jesus & Mary Chain, My Bloody Valentine) and Mixed by Phil Hayes ( The Cake Sale, Bell X1)

"The Beautiful Untrue" is the follow-up to the multi-platinum "Be Yourself" which featured no less than four chart hits, including the immensely popular single “True Friends” which was used as the soundtrack for the Vodafone TV commercials.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

THE PRODIGY "Invaders Must Die"
ENTERS BILLBOARD EUROPEAN TOP 100 ALBUM CHART AT #1
Out Now Take Me To The Hospital / Cooking Vinyl
www.theprodigy.com

::: Upcoming Irish Dates :::
LIVE AT THE MARQUEE -- June 18th, 2009 ~ Docklands, Cork ~ Info on www.aikenpromotions.com
SLANE CASTLE - Supporting OASIS -- June 20th, 2009 ~ Slane, Co. Meath ~ Info on www.mcd.ie

The Prodigy’s fifth studio album ‘Invaders Must Die’ has entered the Billboard European Top 100 Album Chart at #1. The chart is compiled from sales charts in 20 European countries.

The critically acclaimed album, which has been hailed as a triumphant return to form for The Prodigy, has entered the Top 5 in the Album Charts of eight European Countries.

"Invaders Must Die’ is released on the bands own imprint ‘Take Me To The Hospital’ via Cooking Vinyl. This marks a double success for the CV group as the first UK #1 for the label and for the sales division Essential Music.

Says MD Martin Goldschmidt: “After 23 years we have paid our dues - I am totally stoked!”

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


NEW ALBUM "Invaders Must Die"
::: Note ::: New Release Date (Ireland): 20/2/09 / The single "OMEN" Out 13/2/09
Label: Take Me To The Hospital

www.theprodigy.com

::: Upcoming Irish Dates :::
LIVE AT THE MARQUEE -- June 18th, 2009 ~ Docklands, Cork ~ Info on www.aikenpromotions.com
SLANE CASTLE - Supporting OASIS -- June 20th, 2009 ~ Slane, Co. Meath ~ Info on www.mcd.ie

>>> For Information / Interview requests / Promotional Copies contact Berube Communications:
Stevo Berube on info@berubecommunications.com or phone 0872442695 <<<

The Prodigy return with the release of their fifth studio album and a free download.

‘Invaders Must Die’ is 40 minutes of having your head battered by future nostalgia, serotonin levels twisted by feel-good horrorcore and your synapses snapped by whiplash attitude. It's the sound of The Prodigy mixing up genres, contorting the past and rewiring the future, ram-raiding through the tranquility of music's status quo like a blot on the landscape of England's dreaming.

The first thing you notice about Invaders Must Die it is how complete it sounds, a consistent collection of bangers all firing from the same cannon. The next thing you notice about Invaders Must Die is just how melodic it is. Not just melody in the vocal sense but in the heyday-of-hardcore keyboard-hookline sense. Yes, if The Prodigy have learned anything from the hugely successful live shows was that those old skool rave anthems still rock hard - and are every bit as iconic to their generation as punk was to the nation's forty-somethings.

So Invaders Must Die is awash with references to the free party generation, thundering along like the mother of all E-rushes, all hairs tingling, spine jumping and lips buzzing. But not a retroactive arms-in-the-air, water-sharing nostalgia trip, but a set fuelled by punk's saliva-dripping rabid snarl. Take 'Colours', the first tune The Prodigy recorded for this set with it's 1992 polysynth riffing that sounds like The Stranglers' 'No More Heroes' parachuted into the middle of a Castlemorton circa 1992. Or 'Thunder', the 21st century bastard child of the classic 'Out of Space'.

‘Take Me To The Hospital' finds Keith and Maxim flexing over a vintage Prodigy riff. Suitably rusted, distorted and in need of urgent medication it bites like the soundtrack to Dante's Inferno. While the live favourite 'World’s On Fire' resurrects a 'flaming' theme and applies it to a groove straight out second album 'Music for the Jilted Generation. 'Omen' and ‘Warrior’s Dance’ are both beamed straight into the moshpit from rave central, while 'Piranha' rips the threads from the back of 60's garage and beats it into the filthy gutters of modern urban life.

Any old skool bonhomie floating around the riffs of this album are quickly slaughtered by 'Run With The Wolves' where The Prodigy's self-assured, gang-minded campaign turns into a maniacal, nose bleeding, heads-against-the-wall warzone. With added drum-pounding energy supplied by Dave Grohl.

And finally Invaders Must Die delivers its last brilliant twist with ‘Stand Up’ a horn-led sunrise anthem that aches with the positivity of a new dawn, walking the line of a burning horizon with the swaggering look of satisfaction that only comes when you instinctively know you've achieved what you set out to do.

Cocky? Perhaps, but wouldn't you be if you'd seen off all of the invaders with your most complete album yet, the first for your own record label?

Invaders Must Die is the unique sound of The Prodigy, still breaking and entering where other's can only dream of following.

ALBUM TRACKLISTING:

01. Invaders Must Die
02. Omen
03. Thunder
04. Colours
05. Take Me To The Hospital
06. Warrior's Dance
07. Run With The Wolves
08. Omen Reprise
09. World’s On Fire
10. Piranha
11. Stand Up

 
 
 
 

BEN LEE
"Rebirth of Venus"
NITE: NEW IRISH RELEASE DATE: March 20th on New West Records

www.ben-lee.com ~ www.myspace.com/benlee ~ www.newwestrecords.com

::: LIVE :::
Sunday, March 29th 2009 – Sugar Club, Dublin

Tickets 15 Euro incl. booking fee – on sale now ~ Info on www.mcd.ie

>>> For Information / Interview requests / Promotional Copies contact Berube Communications:
Stevo Berube on info@berubecommunications.com or phone 0872442695 <<<

 

BEN LEE PAYS TRIBUTE TO FEMININITY WITH THE REBIRTH OF VENUS

PORTION OF PROCEEDS FROM ALBUMS SOLD TO BE DONATED TO FINCA'S VILLAGE BANKING PROGRAM SUPPORTING THE WORLD'S LOWEST-INCOME WOMEN IN ENTREPRENEURIAL EFFORTS

Ben Lee dedicates his seventh studio recording to Venus, the Goddess of Love and Beauty. A bold move for a man, but Ben recognizes that the strongest feminine qualities "such as compassion, nurturing, creativity, spontaneity, intuition, playfulness, tenderness and warmth...are qualities that we all, men and women, need to cultivate." The Rebirth of Venus (February 10th, 2009) was produced by Brad Wood, who also produced Ben's breakout Awake Is The New Sleep (as well as his critically acclaimed debut Grandpaw Would and sophomore album Something To Remember Me By). A portion of proceeds from albums sold will be donated to FINCA's Village Banking program. FINCA offers financial services, not charity, to the world's lowest-income women entrepreneurs. This creates jobs, builds assets and generally improves the standard of living in these destitute communities.

The album's cover re-creates Botticelli's Birth of Venus, but with a rock and roll twist. Ben is featured in the clamshell with fiancé Ione Skye and band mates as angels above him. Other musicians who appear on the album include Missy Higgins, Cary Brothers, Patience Hodgson of The Grates, Nic Johns, John Alagia (producer of Ripe) and longtime collaborators and musicians Lara Meyerratken and Nic Johns.

Ben wears his heart on his sleeve in his songs as PASTE magazine describes of Awake Is The New Sleep, "...Lee has become a writer so adept at communicating his personality through song, that it's easy to feel like you know him after just a few listens." With The Rebirth of Venus, Ben continues to let listeners get to know him while exploring the balance between masculine and feminine nature. One song on the album that exemplifies this quest is "I'm A Woman Too." Ben urges that "until we recognize that we are all made up of the same stuff, we are bound to keep hurting each other."

The Rebirth of Venus' first single, "What's So Bad (About Feeling Good)," showcases Ben's trademark pop craftsmanship and sense of humor. Complete with catchy hooks and sing-along chorus, the song features Ben's future stepdaughter on pots and pans as well as backing vocals.

Ben Lee has been living as a working musician for over half of his lifetime. Beginning at the age of 14, he has stayed grounded and spiritually focused. Aside from the honor of winning four ARIA Awards (Australia's equivalent to the Grammy), Ben has started to make regular appearances with various symphony orchestras throughout Australia. Following the first set of sold out symphony performances with the Western Australian Symphony Orchestra, Ben will play with the Queensland Orchestra in Brisbane featuring hits such as "Catch My Disease," "Cigarettes Will Kill You," "We're All In This Together," and more. He also wrote and produced the original soundtrack to the film "The Square," which is nominated for Best Soundtrack at the 2008 AFI Awards (Australian Equivalent to the Academy Awards).

Ben's songs have been used in over 30 film, TV and commercial syncs off his last two albums. In the last year he's had syncs on "Grey's Anatomy," "One Tree Hill," and Kohl's Department Stores in the US and Coca Cola internationally. His music was also recently used in the trailer for "He's Just Not That Into You," starring Ben Affleck, Jennifer Anniston, Drew Barrymore and Scarlett Johansson. Awake is the New Sleep (Ben's first release for New West Records) garnered rave reviews, career-high worldwide sales, and a hit in the track "Catch My Disease." The album went Double Platinum in Australia, where the single went on to become the first ever independently released #1 radio song in Australian history and went Top 10 in Canada, Spain and the Benelux, and Top 20 in the US.

The Rebirth of Venus Track Listing:
1. What's So Bad (About Feeling Good)
2. Surrender
3. Sing
4. I Love Pop Music
5. Rise Up
6. Yoko Ono
7. Boy With A Barbie
8. Bad Poetry
9. Blue Denim
10. Wake Up To America
11. I'm A Woman Too
12. Families Cheating At Board Games
13. Song For The Divine Mother of the Universe

 
 
 
 
Jinx Lennon
“Trauma Themes Idiot Times”
Irish Release March 20th on Septic Tiger (Distribution on EMD)
www.jinxlennon.com

::: LIVE ::: Jinx Lennon - Irish Tour Dates

19 March Sugar Club, Dublin - Special guests: Captain Moonlight and Stephen James Smith
20 March Pavilion, Cork - Special guests: Cajun punks Los Langeros
21 March Spirit Store, Dundalk Special guest Acoustic Dan
03 April Glen Centre, Manorhamilton, Co. Leitrim
13 April Roisin Dubh, Galway
17 April De Barras, Clonakilty, Co. Cork
01 May - CQAF, Belfast

IN HIS OWN WORDS: An awful man Jinx stands at the outer edge of the periphery of the Hibernian music machine picking the dirt beneath the fingernails of fading septic tiger landscape while the larvae practise their new voices in their bedrooms in front of mirror contemplating visualization for the mid Atlantic voiced shiny ''discover me'' dream that will enable them to become new chrysalis transformation and escape. Jinx once lay horizontally in early am before school unconsciously soaking up the neo nuclear 4 minute warning sirens of the nearby factory 8 am work shift cattle round up, and the spooky echoes of metallic brewery noise and far off railway line vibrato ghosts. Now he pulls out these cranial archives into new shapes and TRAUMA THEMES of word and sound along with the rage built up from border town omnipresent soccer fascism environment and mundane assembly line worlds where hard chaw lads and doomed faced women walked along the conveyor belt towards cement block Invasion of Body snatchers / Stepford Wives package existence. JINX LENNON FREE STATE NOVA is an Irish wordsmith here to primarily uplift people and squash the unseen energy vampires in all myriad forms. Making room to weave some modicum of hope and dignity Jinx is the dying light in the red leech face of disgraced solicitor contrite and pleading now no longer poster boy for the gimme gimmes, but he brings the message that one must try their best to FORGIVE THE C***S and move upwards. These sounds are not just for those tired of listening to the empty heads, but also for the helicopter Icarus people who crash land back to earth in these IDIOT TIMES.

This album deals with isolation, the sort that transforms people and leads them into difficult situations, it also deals with themes of spiritual deadness and being aware of this fact in oneself before one turns into a lifeless Invasion of the Bodysnatchers / Stepford Wives type entity. It’s slightly darker than the other records I have made so far.

Jinx Lennon is a punk / poet / performance artist whose repertoire contains elements of spoken word, electro, social commentary with a rage and rawness that is complimented by Jinx's stage partner Miss Paula Flynn and her magnificent voice.

Tracklisting

1/ TRAUMA THEMES INTRO 2/ MY HEAD IS SLOWLY DISAPPEARING UP MY OWN ARZZZ 3/ EVERYONE'S GOT A MENTAL HOME I.T.H. 4/ PROTECT THYSELF AND HOME 5/ SPLATTERED EGGS
6/ THE MEN WHO SAVED THE FACE OF FOOTBALL 7/ FUNERAL FAYSIS 8/ TAXI MAN FACE 9/ THE FERRIS WHEEL AT DOWDALLSHILL 10/ FOLK MUSIC FOR THE MIDLANDS 11/ THE ORANGE CRANES OF GREENORE 12/ 40 F/GLAZED I CLUB 13/ BIG PROTEST DAY 14/ YOU C'ANT KEEP EVERYONE HAPPY 15/ AWKWARD AND REAL 16/ ASCEND! ICEHOUSE HILL


“Brimming over with words, intelligence, humour, badly sampled beats and scary proselytizing...
...But much better”
– Everett True

''A brilliant soul singer, a cross between Johnny Cash, Joe Strummer, and Ian Paisley!'' -- Keith Allen - Actor - in MOJO Magazine

''The best lyricist in Ireland' -- Damien Dempsey - Musician

“Bow Lilliputians and pay due homage!” -- Patrick Mc Cabe - Author

 
 
 
 
ALPHASTATES
New single CHAMPAGNE GLASS Out on Friday March 25th 2009
Taken from their upcoming new album HUMAN NATURE on Friday April 17th 2009
www.myspace.com/alphastates ~ www.myspace.com/arveeneandmiskmusic

::: LIVE ::: Wednesday ~ March 25th 2009 ~ Whelans, Dublin (Main Venue) - 10 Euro

Upcoming ALPHASTATES Show:
Wed 25th March - Whelans Dublin
Friday 10th April - Greystones Theatre, Greystones, Co. Wicklow
Wednesday 15th April - Whelans Dublin
Friday 1st May - Electric Avenue, Waterford with RSAG
MORE TO BE CONFIRMED

ALPHASTATES RETURN WITH THEIR BRILLIANT NEW SINGLE "CHAMPAGNE GLASS" OUT MARCH 25TH; NEW ALBUM "HUMAN NATURE" OUT APRIL 17TH.

Prepare to be blasted by pop delusionists of grandeur. Alphastates deliver their sound under the blanket of unselfconscious art. Fed on Joy Division, Billie Holiday, Tom Waits, Sonic Youth, Edith Piaf, Portishead, The Velvet Underground..., this band will manage to reassure you that there's still urgency, passion, and art left in music.

Music and misfits always come together. An after-hours gig in a warehouse in Dublin introduced Catherine Dowling to Gerry Horan. Some years later they formed alphastates. In the hands of music composer Gerry Horan, Dowling expressed the dark comedy of the Human Condition. "Pop is a perfect avenue for human tragedy". Shy of performances and people, they hung in the background. She sang her twisted off-kilter melodies over his guitar and electro noise assaults. Other talented misfits joined the melting pot. It started simple and their only goal was to write beautiful songs.

Champagne Glass is the first single taken from their very beautiful second album "Human Nature", the follow up to their critically acclaimed "Made from Sand". "Human Nature" will be released to the public on the 17th April 2007. Already making its way to the dance floors in New York, Champagne Glass is a pop song draped in house beats but smiling through the eyes of disco. Featuring two remixes by acclaimed production duo "Arveene and Misk" and mastered by Nilesh Patel, the face behind the mastering of Daft Punk's Homework, Champagne Glass is a hook-laden pop sparkler that won't leave your head once inside.

Having toured with Cat Power, Mercury Rev, Deus, Zero 7, Sinead O'Connor, The Beta Band to name but a few, alphastates have had their music appear on both Irish and International film productions. They've played Oxegen numerous times as well as the Electric Picnic together with an a number of high profile festivals across Europe. Currently put the closing stages to the contract with their US record label, "HUMAN NATURE" is to see a release date Stateside at the end of 2009.

Alphastates continue to blend their slow elastic beats with delicously dark pop soundscapes on a grander scale. Graced with the addictively evocative vocals of Catherine Dowling and with music that is beautifully pop yet ethereally alternative, Alphastates have the potential to leave a massive imprint.

 
 
 
 
NIALL COLFER "Finds"
Featuring After All That's Happened, Dawnin’, & Stole Away
Irish Release Date March 3rd on 1969 RECORDS
www.myspace.com/niallcolfer ~ www.niallcolfer.com

Album Launch ::: LIVE::: – WHELANS, Dublin – March 18th

>>> For Information / Interview requests / Promotional Copies contact Berube Communications:
Stevo Berube on info@berubecommunications.com or phone 0872442695 <<<

Niall’s first solo project after fronting the critically acclaimed Wexford band SALTHOUSE. Recorded and produced over the last year partially in his home studio, partially in Sun Studios with additional production by Gareth Mannix, Finds is Niall’s first solo project. Playing many of the instruments on these new tracks himself, Niall has honed a distinctive style; a hushed confidence of melody and groove, inside disco, rock and sometimes even folk. Not afraid to admit where his inspiration comes from, he says it’s everything from love, loss, and the history of life. You’ll find street scenes in one song, ancient maps in another.

Niall’s songs come across as honest explorations of everyday feelings without the smaltz. He hits a characteristic groove in each song, which just continues on through, hooking you in. Together, the songs leave an impression of subtlety, individualism and toe-tapping rhythm, with lyrics that creep on up and get you thinking.

Additionally, he’s composing the music for a documentary about his novelist brother Eoin Colfer, author of the Artemis Fowl series.

Finds, Niall’s forthcoming album, will be released on Friday March 6th 2009.

 
 
 
 
JERRY FISH & THE MUDBUG CLUB
"The Beautiful Untrue"
Featuring the upcoming single "Back to Before"
Irish Release 24-04-09 on The Mudbug Club and distributed by RMG Chart Entertainment

The New studio album from Jerry Fish & The Mudbug Club entitled: ‘The Beautiful Untrue’ is scheduled to be released in Ireland on April the 24th.

The album features some extraordinary guest vocal performances from two of Irelands up and coming female singers Imelda May and Carol Keogh (Automata, Tychonaut).

The first Single to be taken from ‘The Beautiful Untrue’ entitled ‘Back to Before’ (feat. Carol Keogh) Will be released to radio mid March and available on itunes as a download only single.

Produced by Jerry Fish, Recorded by Dick Meaney (The Jesus & Mary Chain, My Bloody Valentine) and Mixed by Phil Hayes ( The Cake Sale, Bell X1)

"The Beautiful Untrue" is the follow-up to the multi-platinum "Be Yourself" (2002) which featured no less than four chart hits,

including the immensely popular single “True Friends” which was used as the soundtrack for the Vodafone TV commercials.

 
 
 
 
“The best work of his career” – Q **** ( Q Recommends )
::: LIVE :::
CHUCK PROPHET (solo)
Plays Four Irish Shows as part of his Solo European Tour
www.cookingvinyl.com / www.chuckprophet.com / www.coppertreerecords.com

March 01, Sunday - Spirit Store - Dundalk
March 02, Monday - Cyrpus Ave - Cork
March 03, Tuesday - Whelans - Dublin
March 04, Wednesday - The Empire - Belfast


The Critically Acclaimed New Album “SOAP AND WATER” out now on Cooking Vinyl (Reviews below). Featuring the singles "The FRECKLE SONG" and "WOULD YOU LOVE ME?"

>>> For Information / Interview requests / Promotional Copies contact Berube Communications:
Stevo Berube on info@berubecommunications.com or phone 0872442695 <<<

 

"Even in this iPod era, albums can be journeys of discovery. When I started out on Soap and Water I was armed with a huge admiration for San Francisco-based guitarist and songwriter Chuck Prophet, his work with seminal alt. everything band Green on Red, and his large body of solo work. Soap and Water, however, seemed cloaked in obscurity and the music was oddly rootless. A few dozen plays later and there is not a track I'd change - though I might argue a backing vocal here or a guitar lick there. This is a monumental album of constant surprise, chilled intelligence and quietly assured song writing skill, singing, playing and production. Prophet has said it was inspired by wayward rock icon Alex Chilton, but I also hear Randy Newman's caustic amusement at the human condition, especially on the epic New Kingdom. Wonderful, but time is required."
~ FIVE out of FIVE Stars ***** - Joe Breen - Irish Times

“The odd electronic beat may beef up Prophet’s swampy blues and dusty country, but his ninth solo album is lavish and haunting, from the post-punk attitude of Doubter Out Of Jesus (All Over You) to Freckle Song’s bog riffing.” – “The best work of his career” ~ Q Magazine / ****, Q Recommends

“His most satisfying album yet. The rang of styles is impressive, from the pale hip hop of Something Stupid to the title track’s murky southern fun and the swamp-blues of A Woman’s Voice.” ~ Uncut ****

“Soap and Water runs the gamut of Prophet's influences, from Bob Dylan (Naked Ray) to Alex Chilton (Let's Do Something Wrong) and the Stones (Soap and Water), all of it delivered with a quixotic swagger and Prophet's declamatory sneer of a voice. His quicksilver fretwork still impresses - especially on the Television-like stomper Freckle Song, though the stand-out track is the burnished, redemptive ballad Would You Love Me, replete with a Methodist children's choir and a counterpoint melody that could melt the stoniest heart.” ~ Mojo ****

_________________________________________________________________________

Soap and Water was recorded in Nashville at the Alex the Great Recording Studios, with producer Brad Jones (Yo La Tengo, Dolly Parton, Josh Rouse) manning the desk. Chuck is joined by his own band The Mission Express, Todd Roper (of Cake) on drums, and The Spinto Band. Hell, they even drafted in the local Methodist children’s church choir for a few tunes. The album sees him blending his twisted soul-country-rock; a Alex Chilton-meets-Waylon Jennings via Dylan thing, with that Fender Telecaster he’s had since his Green On Red days weaving a singular common thread throughout. From the beautiful lyricism and arrangement of “Would You Love Me?”, the witty and wicked call-and-response of the title track, to the pure rock and roll ecstasy of “Let’s Do Something Wrong” featuring Chuck’s well-honed six-string abilities. “We goofed on some agitated single coil cubist junk, got serious with the spring reverb on mournful ballads” says Chuck.

It’s been three years since his last album, “Age of Miracles”, but Chuck Prophet is not a man to sit about. He revived the band that started that whole goddamn alt-country thing, Green on Red, for a recent spin around Europe. He produced and helped co-write Kelly Willis’ new album “Translated From Love”, and is currently collaborating with Alejandro Escovedo on his next album. Chuck has also made his debut on the silver screen, acting the part of the dope dealer in the new film “Revolution Summer” (with a fine soundtrack by Jonathan Richman) as well as contributing his own tracks to the Sundance Jury Award winning film “Teeth” about a woman with a toothed vagina. If that work doesn’t make you break out in a sweat, the thought of a toothed vagina should do the trick for the rest of you.

Chuck started it all as a kid back in the eighties when Green on Red plucked him out of Berkeley, CA and threw him in the van for an eight year ride and the recording of as many albums. Green on Red were seminal purveyors of American Roots-Rock and broke up in 1992 just before an entire movement followed in their wake. Since then Chuck has recorded seven amazing solo albums and toured and recorded with the likes of Lucinda Williams, Aimee Mann, Cake, Alejandro Escovedo, and Jonathan Richman. Ryan Adams, Solomon Burke and Heart have recorded his songs, along with a host of others. Chuck’s never been one to rest on his laurels and ride it out. He’s always manically chopped and changed; with his distinctive panache for a classic tune always in tow.

www.cookingvinyl.com / www.chuckprophet.com / www.coppertreerecords.com

 

 
 
 
 
ART BRUT
"Art Brut vs Satan"
Irish Release Date 17/04/09 on Cooking Vinyl
Featuring the Single "Alcoholics Unanimous", Out 03/04/09
www.artbrut.org.uk ~ www.myspace.com/artbrut ~ www.cookingvinyl.com
 “We recorded the album in a punk-as-f**k two weeks in Salem, Oregon,” explains lead singer Eddie Argos. “I don't always enjoy the recording process - all that fiddling with guitars and drum sounds waiting for my turn to ‘sing’. This time though, we did it just right. We spent a day getting the sound of the instruments perfect, then with all of us in the same room at the same time, with the amazing Black Francis conducting us, we pressed record, jumped around and played our songs. This is how I always thought albums were made and it’s definitely how we're doing it from now on!”

The first single to be released from the album will be Alcoholics Unanimous, in Ireland on 3rd April. More details to follow …

ART BRUT is … Eddie Argos (vocals) / Ian Catskilkin (guitar) / Jasper Future (guitar) / Freddy Feedback (bass) / Mikey Breyer (drums)

Tracklisting:

Alcoholics Unanimous
DC Comics And Chocolate Milkshake
The Passenger
Am I Normal?
What A Rush.
Demons Out!
Slap Dash For No Cash'
The Replacements
Twist And Shout
Summer Job
Mysterious Bruises

 
 
 
 
LITTLE PALACE
"Invitation Time"
Featuring the single "Eviction"
Release Date April 3rd, 2009 on LP Records
www.littlepalace.ie ~ www.myspace.com/littlepalacemusic ~ www.bebo.com/littlepalace ~
www.facebook.com/pages/Little-Palace/46064697732

 Influential Kells-based band reconvene with a new album and live dates around the country.


::: LIVE :::
29 March - Sun - Crane Lane - Cork
31 March - Tue - Roisin Dubh - Galway
01 April - Wed - Dolans Warehouse - Limerick
03 April - Fri - Spirit Store - Dundalk
04 April - Sat - Headfort Arms - Kells
07 April - Tue - Whelans - Dublin
09 April -Thu - The Backroom - Meath


>>> For Information / Interview requests / Promotional Copies contact Berube Communications:
Stevo Berube on info@berubecommunications.com or phone 0872442695 <<<



Little Palace went back into the studio in 2008 to record some songs written by Michael Brunnock. "They were good songs and we all felt that there was unfinished business, so why not!" says Michael. These recordings became "Invitation Time" the new album from the band.

Previously they had released two very successful E.Ps. The debut "Beekeeper" featuring the song "Gift" produced by "Dead Can Dance" main man Brendan Perry, and the follow up "Car" which were both accompanied by extensive touring of Ireland, several dates in the U.S and some shows in Paris, France.

Long term member and co-producer Martin Quinn says of the new record "This is some of the best work we've ever done and it all came together pretty easily!"

The new album features a re-working of the very popular song "Secret" with a fine piano performance by James Quinn, also a member of the band since day one, and additional strings played by Colm Mac Con Iomaire of the Frames.

Little Palace will be releasing "Invitation Time" on April 3rd, 2009 and this will coincide with shows around the country which can be viewed on our gigs page.

Band Members
Ann-Louise Mulvany - Vocals
Michael Brunnock - Vocals/Guitars
Anthony Cregan - Vocals/Guitars/Bass
Martin Quinn - Vocals/Guitars/Bass/Keyboards/Producer
James Quinn - Piano/Keyboards
Ian Melady Drums/Percussion
David Butler - Manager

 
 
 
 
Scott Weiland
“Happy In Galoshes"
Featuring the single "Missing in Cleveland"
Out Now Soft Drive Records / New West Records
www.scottweiland.com ~ www.myspace.com/scottweiland

 Sophmore album from Stone Temple Pilots and Velvet Revolver frontman.

Deluxe Edition includes two discs, 19 songs & over 88 minutes of music as well as an expanded, full colour 16-page booklet.

>>> For Information / Interview requests / Promotional Copies contact Berube Communications:
Stevo Berube on info@berubecommunications.com or phone 0872442695 <<<


_____________________________________________________________

Following the success of his red-hot reunion tour with Stone Temple Pilots, Scott Weiland has announced the release of his highly-anticipated sophomore album, 'Happy In Galoshes' out 19th January 2008 via his own Softdrive Records (via New West Records).

Rocketing to the forefront of the music world in 1992, Scott Weiland has become one of the music world's most highly-respected and prolific artists. As the front man for Stone Temple Pilots, Weiland has remained a dominant force in rock music since the group's inception. Now with his sophomore solo release Weiland proves that his music and song-writing is as potent and powerful as ever.

'Happy In Galoshes', produced by Scott Weiland and Doug Grean (Velvet Revolver, Sheryl Crow, Crystal Method), with select tracks recorded by Steve Albini features a collection of songs that bring a revitalizing sound to Weiland's highly praised and unique musical style. The album also features several guest appearances including Adrian Young, Tony Kanal and Tom Dumont of No Doubt who, along with Grean and Weiland, penned "Paralysis," which features Young on drums. "She's so Cold" was co-written by Gary Beers from INXS. The album also includes other standout tracks such as the dynamic "Missing Cleveland" and the catchy hooks of "Talk About Love." Scott Weiland plans to tour in support of the release in early spring, following the release of the album.

STP's impressively extensive and top-selling music has sold more than 35 million albums worldwide. The band's catalogue includes five studio albums have spanned countless hits including the album Purple, which went to #1 on Billboard's Top 200 Album Chart. The band was also awarded a Grammy Award in 1994 for "Best Hard Rock Performance" for its song "Plush." In 2004, Weiland became front man for rock super-group Velvet Revolver and lead the group to achieve both critical and commercial success for their debut album Contraband, which included the hit song "Slither" that won the 2005 Grammy Award for "Best Hard Rock Performance." The release was followed up by a sophomore album entitled Libertad in 2007. Weiland's debut album, 12 Bar Blues, was released in 1998.

TRACKLISTING:

Disc 1
1/ Missing Cleveland
2/ Tangle With Your Mind
3/ Blind Confusion
4/ Paralysis
5/ She Sold Her System
6/ Blister On My Soul
7/ Fame
8/ Killing Me Sweetly
9/ Big Black Monster
10/ Beautiful Day

Disc 2
1/ Crash
2/ Hyper-Fuzz-Funny-Car
3/ The Man I Didn’t Know
4/ Sometimes Chicken Soup
5/ Somethings Must Go This Way
6/ Pictures And Computers (I’m Not Superman)
7/ Sentimental Halos
8/ Reel Around The Fountain
9/ ArchAngel

 
 
 
 

"Break Me"
Out 06/03/09 on Actual Size Records
www.myspace.com/cowboyxmusic
The follow-up to last Autumn’s radio hit “Japanese Toy”, COWBOY X return with “Break Me”, another sneak preview from the upcoming album "Meant To Be Machines" (Out Sept. '09) in what is certainly going to be one of the much-anticipated albums of the year. "Break Me" takes the band into new territory, displaying a high energy pop sheen that sits in tandem with their electronic indie rock sensibility. Definately a band on a high creative run!
________________________________________

New Video for "Japanese Toy"!
Director: Lauren Brady ~ DP: Kristopher Rey-Talley
Watch the Evil Karen battle it out with Good Karen:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUmC1g6fO8A&feature=related
________________________________________

Last year’s ELECTRIC PICNIC performance & recent tours of Germany & Ireland have reconfirmed their place in the upper echelon of Irish music scene. Firmly established as one of Ireland’s top bands with their crackin’ 2006 debut “Who Are These People” which featured the massive hit “Gabbi”, Cowboy X are firing up the engines!



Cowboy X are Karen McCartney, David Grealy and John Hanley. Hailing from Carlow, Longford and Roscommon respectively, they formed in 2006 in a recording studio and took their name from an obscure Sesame Street character.

Influenced by a blend of the Pixies, Kraftwerk and Tori Amos and a sick sense of humour they recorded their debut album ‘Who Are These People?’ It was released in the summer of 2006, and was very well received by the press and radio.


 
 
 
 
the laundry shop
"The Daily Special" & "Highs & Lows"
::: From the Debut Album "Grandstanding" :::
Out March 6th on Medicine Ball Records ~ Available on iTunes now
www.myspace.com/thelaundryshop ~ www.thelaundryshop.net

 Limited Edition Double A-Side Single Featuring:
"THE DAILY SPECIAL" - the 2nd single taken from the album "GRANDSTANDING"
"HIGHS & LOWS" - their debut single which featured in the DISCOVER IRELAND TV Ad Campaign.

the laundry shop ::: LIVE :::

06 February 2009 - The Stables , Meath
10 February 2009 - NUIG, Galway
12 February 2009 - Dolan’s Upstairs, Limerick
19 February 2009 - CIT (Rag Ball) Cork
22 February 2009 - NUIG Student Bar (Rag Week), Galway
26 February 2009 - 17:00 - NUIG College (Ragweek) Student bar
26 February 2009 - 22:45 - Roisin Dubh, Galway
02 March 2009 - University Limerick (Rag Week) Limerick
09 March 2009 - Griffith College (Rag Week), Dublin
15 March 2009 - Whelans, Dublin
16 March 2009 - South by Southwest Festival 2009 - Austin, Texas

 
 
 
 

Latest Single "Indication Street"
Available now in all good music shops, iTunes, & Downloadmusic.ie
SAVING J's previous singles: ”Bus Stop”, "Valentine”, and “Kick Off”
www.savingj.com ~ www.myspace.com/savingjmusic ~ www.bebo.com/SavingJ

The new video for the bands "Indication Street" was shot in Dublin is Directed by cult Director Eddie King and Produced by Paul Ward.
The video cast includes “Hollywood Trials” actor Emmett J Scanlon who is currently working with Justin Timberlake for an MTV production called “The Phone” and has starred in the CSI Miami in recent weeks.

View the INDICATION STREET Video on MUZU: www.muzu.tv/savingj

Kilkenny-based purveyors of power-pop SAVING J continue to tour the country with the likes of The Coronas, The Blizzards, Ham Sandwich, winning the musical hearts of all and bouncing all over the radio waves with their blitz of quality singles. Doing it the good old fashioned way by releasing a steady flow of brilliant singles, their ‘live’ following has grown to impressive numbers. Definately one to watch!

Upcoming SAVING J Live Dates:
11 Feb 2009 Pravda, Dublin
19 Feb 2009 Limerick Institute of Technology - Rag week
24 Feb 2009 N.U.I.G. - Galway- Rag week
03 Mar 2009 W.I.T - The Dome (w/ The Blizzards), Waterford - Rag week
12 Mar 2009 O Keefes Clonmel
13 Mar 2009 Wexford Arts Cenre, Wexford
27 Mar 2009 Greystones Theatre, Wicklow
03 Apr 2009 Purty Loft, Dun Laoighaire
22 Apr 2009 Whelan’s, Dublin

More to be announced; check www.savingj.com

 
 
 
 

DOUG SHERIDAN
Releases 3 Songs "Wait A While", “Ghost For You” & “I’m on Fire”

www.myspace.com/dougsheridanmusic

"Songs >From Just Outside The House" DELUXE EDITION Out 13/03/09 on Clothes Horse Music and iTunes



Two of the featured songs from the upcoming re-issue of the critically acclaimed album "Songs From Just Outside The House" DELUXE EDITION.
New single "Wait A While" and the radio hit "Ghost For You" now available on iTunes.
'Live' favourite "I'm On Fire", a cover of the Bruce Springsteen classic, has been made available due to popular demand.

A rising new talent on the Irish scene, Doug Sheridan’s bittersweet, haunting vocal style and his heartfelt lyrics are becoming a rising force across the country. Rich with raw emotion and poignant lyrics from start to finish, it takes you on a musical journey through hope, heartbreak and despair. One to watch!

Upcoming ::: LIVE ::: Doug Sheridan Shows:
06 Feb - Bewleys Cafe Theatre, Dublin
27 Feb - Passion Fruit Theatre, Athlone
08 March - The Purty SessionsDu, Dublin
13 March - Debarras, Cork


>>> For Information / Interview requests / Promotional Copies contact Berube Communications:
Stevo Berube on info@berubecommunications.com or phone 0872442695 <<<

 

In mid 2008 Doug Sheridan releases his first album 'Songs From Just Outside The House'. It was recorded & mixed over 15 days at Sonic Eye Studios, Dublin. "The album is loosely based on a few people in a small town. It's from their perspective. Most of them are broken people I suppose. It's what they might say if they were asked how they really feel about things"

The album came about when Doug's brother introduced him to producer Rob Mac Leod. "I'd heard some stuff Rob had recorded and we talked about the kind of album I was going for. It was an intense 15 days but it turned out really well I think. I'm very proud of it. It wasn't about getting everything in tune or in time, just about getting a feeling across & I think we got that"

REVIEWS

SOUND + VISION "Graffiti"
'this album features ten beautifully written songs, all pegged by Sheridan himself. Rich with raw emotion and poignant lyrics from start to finish, it takes you on a musical journey through hope, heartbreak and despair. Accompanied by a set of beautiful melodies, the depth of these emotions is well evident throughout the album......This album is hopefully only the first of many offerings from this amazingly talented artist – GA

THE SUN
'This is a lyrical dream - well crafted, heartfelt stories with an incredibly addictive voice. He is a breath of fresh air'

THE STAR
'Songs From Just Outside The House is full of poignant and entertaining songs. The bursts of experimental flourishes show a promising future lies ahead'

HOTPRESS
Rising new Irish talent Doug Sheridan has a set of pipes that could please the angels. His voice is raw, haunting yet utterly impressive. Songs From Just Outside The House is a collection of tunes written from the point of view of different people living in a small town (something we can all relate to) and it’s a low-fi tour de force. There are shades of Thom Yorke and Jeff Buckley throughout and at times it can get a little gloomy but it doesn’t take away from the fact that as debuts go this one is world class - 4/5 Stars ****

Updated Tracklisting for the New Deluxe Edition of "Songs From Just Outside The House":

1. After All
2. Speed Dating
3. The Shakes
4. Ghost For You
5. Hanlon's Lane
6. Wait A While
7. I Knew I Wouldn't Sleep Tonight
8. The Love Being Chased
9. Is It That Time Again
10. We Won't Talk About It
11. There's The Sun

 
 
 
 


THE CORONAS
Nominated For Two METEOR IRELAND MUSIC AWARDS
Best Irish Pop Act and Best Irish Live Performance

Their Debut Album "HEROES OR GHOSTS" Out Now on 3ú Records.
Featuring the Chart Hits "San Diego Song", "Heroes or Ghosts", "Grace Don't Wait", "Decision Time" and "The Talk".

www.thecoronas.net / www.myspace.com/coronaband / www.thecoronas-band.bebo.com

The Coronas were nominated in two categories in this year's Meteor Ireland Music Awards 2009 - Best Irish Pop Act and Best Irish Live Performance . The awards, which will be held in the RDS Dublin on St Patrick’s Day Tuesday 17th March 2009 and are now in their ninth year, will be presented by Amanda Byram.

To vote in Best Irish Pop Act, click here.
To vote in Best Irish Live Performance, click here.

THE CORONAS - Upcoming College / University Tour Dates
::: February 2009 :::
4th WIT, Waterford
5th UCD, Dublin
6th The Granary, Killarney
7th Horans, Tralee
11th Dolan's, Mary Immaculate, Limerick
12th UCC, Cork
13th ITT, Dublin


The Coronas are an Irish four-piece rock-indie-alternative band from Terenure in Dublin who formed when the members were just 15.

2008 has been a phenomenal year for The Coronas. Their debut album “Heroes or Ghosts” achieved platinum selling status in Ireland, they successfully embarked on tours in the UK and the US, and they ended the year with an amazing headline show in Dublin’s prestigious Olympia Theatre.

When asked their highlight of their year Graham Knox (Bassist) recounts their first big headline gig in the Ambassador theatre in Dublin while the thrill of playing to 30,000 fans at Oxgen proved a surreal and amazing experience for Danny O’Reilly (lead Vocal, Guitar and Piano) 2009 is looking to be an even busier year for band, after signing a licensing deal in Japan with JVC for their first album, the band travel to Tokyo in March for a string of dates.

2009 will also see The Coronas release their first single ‘Decision Time’ in the UK on the 23rd of March with the album ‘Heroes or Ghosts’ to follow in May.

With such a great year behind them The Coronas are very much looking forward to the next 12 months and getting in to the studio again to record their eagerly awaited second album.

 
 
 
 
Juliet Turner
"JOY" - Remixed by Aidan McGovern ~ Mastering Metropolis London by Andy "Hippy"Baldwin.
From the 2008 Album "PEOPLE HAVE NAMES" features the singles "TRICKSTER" and the original version of "JOY"
Out Now on Hear This! Records (Distributed By Universal Music)

www.julietturner.com / www.myspace.com/burntheblacksuit
JULIET TURNER New Dates!
07/03/09 - Glasgow, King Tuts
09/03/09 - Chester, TelfordsWarehouse
11/03/09 - Sheffield, The Boardwalk

12/03/09 - Leicester, The Musician
13/03/09 - London, The Back Room
16/03/09 - Maidstone, Maverick Zebra Bar
17/03/09 - Cardiff, The Point
19/03/09 - Milton Keynes, The Stables
20/03/09 - Bury, The Met
21/03/09 - Mallow, The Lodge
All dates: special guest Gentry Morris www.gentrymorris.com

>>> For Information / Interview requests / Promotional Copies contact Berube Communications:
Stevo Berube on info@berubecommunications.com or phone 0872442695 <<<


Turner's live shows should be experienced. She is a quiet, relaxed performer with a wicked sense of humour. Her voice is unusually clear and sweet and her between song anecdotes are amusing, eccentric and off-the-cuff. Prepare to be drawn in and bowled over.

With three studio albums, a live album, double platinum sales and a Meteor Music Award under her belt, Juliet Turner decided that a change of scene was needed and in October 2006 returned to Trinity College Dublin to undertake a four year BSc in Clinical Speech and Language Studies.
Alongside the studies, the songwriting and performing continues and Juliet has been recording a fourth studio album with producer Keith Lawless in a warehouse in Dublin. The new album, “PEOPLE HAVE NAMES” was released on the 6th June 2008 and has been garnering rave reviews:

Irish Times four stars. ****
JULIET TURNER: People Have Names

“Just as Juliet Turner’s palate for life’s sweet and salty moments has evolved, so her palette of sound has rumbled onwards as well, and her appreciation for life’s minor chords has grown. The title track (left to the end of the album, where it can seep into the subconscious) is a thought provoking meditation on life’s defining qualities: “It’s the work of a life time to love and be loved in return, to love to the end”. Lyrically, Turner’s attention turns to the big and small ticket stories; loneliness (Tuesday Night Ladies), romance (High Hopes) and the contradictions of youth and age (The Elder of the Tribe). Arrangements are spacious and unforced, with suitably tinted brass and strings, and Turner’s wisdom in letting her cds percolate for olympian periods is palpable on this gloriously taut collection”.

Belfast Telegraph
JULIET TURNER: People Have Names
(Hear This) 4 Stars ****

You’d be hard pushed to find a flaw in Juliet Turner’s musical armoury.
The Omagh-born songstress has usually delivered in both recording studio and stage. She’s a natural at encapsulating a marriage between folk and the singer-songwriter genre. “Season of the Hurricane” from 2004 was an excellent body of work — but since then she’s swapped the studio for the lecture hall and gone back to Trinity College Dublin to do a four-year degree in speech and language therapy.
Fast forward to 2008 and Turner has just made the album of her life.
People Have Names is a quite stunning collection of material — gorgeously presented by simple, sumptuous arrangements that are underpinned by Turner’s delicate vocal chords. The single Trickster is among the many highlights, but the two outstanding tracks are High Hopes and the opener Invisible to the Eye.

Hot Press Music Magazine ****
Irish Maverick is Album of the Year Contender.

"Whereas many of her contemporaries have lost momentum, their best work behind them, Juliet Turner’s fourth studio album is an intoxicating example of an adventurous artist moving forward, discovering fresh topics, literate themes and intriguing sounds with which to tease her artistic muse. “Invisible to the Eye” is a striking song with Turner’s voice at its most sublime. The Cohenish “High Hopes” looks at the vicissitudes of love, “Elder of the Tribe” focuses on contrasting generational differences, while the unsettling, country-tinged “Tuesday Night Ladies” - boasting a particularly exquisite vocal from Turner - is a graphic depiction of modern lives lived with no direction home. Despite the slow tempo, “Joy” is uplifting and brash, with a self-confident sweet swagger, but “Trickster” is the real gem, a deceptively catchy tune with the refrain “What do you mean you don’t like shopping? What do you mean you don’t watch TV?”. Keith Lawless’s production, drizzled with warm strings and splashes of accordian and brass, brings a seductive and uncluttered feel to a bunch of songs that Turner seems to have been tenderly nurturing for a while. “People Have Names” is about as faultless as it gets and is a serious contender for album of the year."

Sunday Life
JULIET TURNER: People Have Names

"Turner has quietly evolved into one of our best singer/songwriters, and this fourth album, with a rich production and an increasingly sophisticated musical palette, may just be her best yet. Its songs are personal snapshots that reflect on the hard, bitter truths of life and are suffused with an air of sadness and regret that chime perfectly with the melancholy edge to Turner’s voice."

 

 
 
 
 
"A fascinating and endlessly listenable contradiction." - 8.2 out of 10 - PITCHFORK
"A companion piece to Bon Iver's For Emma, Forever Ago, the album is an extraordinary debut from an extraordinary artist." - THE SUNDAY TIMES
JESSICA LEA MAYFIELD
"With Blasphemy, So Heartfelt"
Featuring the single "Kiss Me Again"
Irish Release Friday March 6th on Munich Records
myspace.com/jlmayfield ~ jessicaleamayfield.com

 ALBUM PRODUCED BY DAN AUERBACH OF THE BLACK KEYS

"With the edge and attitude that Kurt Cobain possessed coupled with a rich musical family history similar to Maybelle Carter’s, Jessica Lea Mayfield is the most exciting new artist in the scene today." — Scott Avett (The Avett Brothers)

The album was recorded over a two-year span in Dan Auerbach's home studio in Akron. With Blasphemy So Heartfelt features Mayfield on acoustic guitar and vocals, Auerbach on a variety of instrumentation and Mayfield’s brother (David) on upright bass. Dr. Dog’s Scott McMicken and Frank McElroy provide vocal harmonies on the track “I’m Not Lonely Anymore.” Says Auerbach of the recording experience, “I think she’s dark and moody in a mysterious way, not unlike Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds.” He adds, “I’m just always really excited to make music with her.”

The 18-year old first performed with her family band One Way Rider at the age of eight. In 2007, Mayfield lent her voice to the track “Things Ain’t Like They Used To Be” on The Black Keys’ album, Attack & Release, making her the first guest vocalist to appear on any record released by The Black Keys.

On September 16, 2008 Polymer Sounds released "With Blasphemy, So Heartfelt" in the USA; the European release will be on Munich Records March 2009.

The album was produced by Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys and recorded over a two-year span in his home studio in Akron, Ohio (USA).

"Jessica Lea Mayfield is the American equivalent of the wave of precocious female singer-songwriters in the British music scene. She seems old before her time, tacking lust, regret, infatuation and rejection with an all-too-adult ambivalence." - The Independent

"A companion piece to Bon Iver's For Emma, Forever Ago, the album is an extraordinary debut from an extraordinary artist." - The Sunday Times

"What would strike any listener lucky enough to experience the bluesy tones of Jessica Lea Mayfield is the astounding level of maturity which pervades the 19-year-old's 12-track debut." - The Sun

"Stick with her lucid settings, slow moans and snakey charms, and a strong, dreamy spell takes hold." - The Daily Mirror

"This Ohio teenager sings about heartbreak with a bluesy conviction and a scathing eye for detail. She is an adept acoustic guitarist, albeit one who isn't afraid to electrify her arrangements." -The Daily Mail

"A fascinating and endlessly listenable contradiction." - 8.2 out of 10 - PITCHFORK


Tracklisting:

1 Kiss Me Again
2 For Today
3 I Can’t Lie to You, Love
4 We’ve Never Lied
5 I’m NotLonely Anymore
6 Hold You Close
7 Call Me
8 Greater Heights
9 The One ThatI Love Best
10 Bible Days
11 Is This Love?
12 You’ve Won Me Over

 
 
 
 
Sign to XTC's Andy Partridge's APE Label 
The Dubliners sign a 5 year deal for the U.S, U.K, Europe and the Far East
Photos of the Signing on: http://www.pugwashtheband.com/news/pugwash-go-ape

One of Ireland's Best Albums of 2008, "Eleven Modern Antiquities" available on 1969 Records www.1969records.com

>>> For Information / Interview requests / Promotional Copies contact Berube Communications:
Stevo Berube on info@berubecommunications.com or phone 0872442695 <<<


AN IRISH AND ENGLISH SETTLEMENT…..

HELLO ALL…..!!
First off we would like to wish all our wonderful fans and friends a very happy new year for 2009. Here’s to a memorable one.
Which leads us to our very special new year news which has been promised for a while now (a 1000 apologies for the delay folks) but because good things come to those who wait we are eXsTatiCally proud to announce that Thomas, on behalf of Pugwash, has inked a 5 year deal with Andy Partridge’s APE label in England…..!!

HERE WE GO…..!!
The deal, which will incorporate all manner of poppy goodness could never have been reached without the tireless work of Daragh Bohan (on behalf of Thomas and 1969 Records) and Steve Young (On behalf of Andy and APE). The undoubted communicative and legal skills of these two men kept the deal afloat through some rough seas last year and for that they should be applauded!!

DARAGH BOHAN & TOSH FLOOD…..
A little history now : The friendship between Thomas and Andy has been a very strong one for a number of years now and initially, musically, bore fruit on the 2005 Jollity album closer Anchor, which also featured respected songwriter and Pugwash band member of the time Duncan Maitland on the song credits.

THOMAS & NEIL HANNON…..
At that time the first signs of a possible Pugwash/APE link up were mooted and the negotiations got pretty far down the Swindon Old Town hill…..but unfortunately, for reasons all too…..RIGHT, the deal stalled. We say ‘right’ because the friendship and connection that Thomas and Andy have now established was only forming back then and the feeling all around was let’s wait a while. Come 2008 and Thomas and the band release, what most fans and critics alike say is their greatest album to date in "Eleven Modern Antiquities" but Ireland still taps it’s feet whilst a baying U.S, Europe and Far East all want to see the band play and buy the music.

NOW IT FEELS RIGHT…..!!
Thomas and Andy tentavtively re-opened negotiations in the late summer of 2008 and as we’ve already said Daragh and Steve got to work thrashing out a deal that would see Pugwash proudly on the APE roster for the next 5 years with the U.S, U.K, Europe and the Far East all the major targets now as regards Pugwash releases. We couldn’t be happier or more proud.

Then in seperate signing sessions Thomas and Andy put pen to paper. The Dublin signing was done in the familiar and warm surroundings of The Lower Deck public house on the banks of the royal canal, Portobello. In attendance was Thomas and 1969 legend and label boss Daragh Bohan. Also there in their capacity as witnesses to the deal were close friends Tosh Flood and Neil Hannon. Andy’s signing session was performed in his beautiful home in Swindon and memorialised by his partner Erica.

ANDY IN SWISHBACK BROOMSTICK RHYTHM…..
And so…..as rubber faced animal slaughtering failed footballing food warmer Gordon Ramsay would say – Pugwash/APE deal.....DONE!!

The very latest news we can bring you is that the first release of The Pugs on APE will be a career spanning retrospective entitled Giddy. The final track-listing (compiled by Andy) will pull tracks from the long deleted and much sought after "Almond Tea"…as served by and Almanac albums, as well as 2005’s Jollity and last years Eleven Modern Antiquities. The artwork is being prepared at present and as soon as a possible release date is scheduled you will of course be the first to know Pug-People!!

Andy has described Thomas in the past as a “saviour of modern pop” and “Better than McCartney, fatter than Lennon” (which we think must be up there with other classic Partsy-Quotes) but Andy adopted a more serious head on his shoulders recently and stated that Giddy runs “like a modern day ‘White Album’....”, which is undoubtably huge praise, but hey…..we here at Pug Towers won’t contradict the new boss, especially in these times of recession!! Thomas on the other hand has been unable to function let alone speak since the deal was finally…..FINALISED. But he has since blurted out “Andy Partridge, songwriter of the God’s, bona-fide 100% cotton pickin’ life-long influence and role model to me…..can someone pinch me, WITH A HAMMER.”

There is also plans to follow up Giddy later in 2009 with a special release of "Eleven Modern Antiquities" which will include new artwork (we’re very proud of the original artwork but different artwork abroad is a lifelong tradition and one that we’re excited about) and possible very special bonus tracks…..all to come in ‘09.

~ Thomas Walsh / Pugwash (Jan. 2009)

 
 
 
 
“One of our most interesting and significant artists.” – Observer Music Monthly, album of the month.
“What really impresses about this honest and open album is the range of vocal talent, and the moving, thought-provoking lyrics that maintain real clarity and life.” – Clash
“An arresting collection that’s as valid musically as it is for any message it’s sending.” – Mojo ****
“We adore Nitin Sawhney’s eighth studio album, London Undersound, a moving account of the changing face of London post 9/11. It’s atmospheric and eclectic, featuring the likes of Paul McCartney and Natty, whose opening track – about the reggae artist’s experience of the Stockwell shooting – is particularly poignant.” – Grazia
“An ambitious, beautiful album. Sawhney has been sculpting some of the most vital cross-cultural sounds of the past decade and this is a thoughtful and troubled look at London after 9/11.” – Daily Mirror
“A contender for next year’s Mercury Music Prize.” – Daily Mail ****
“A powerful album about London from one of Britain’s most interesting musicians.” – Evening Standard ****
NITIN SAWHNEY
New digital single MY SOUL feat. Paul McCartney
Released 23rd February 2009 on POSITIV-ID
www.nitinsawhney.com / www.myspace.com/nitinsawhney / www.cookingvinyl.com

Nitin Sawhney has announced he will be releasing a new digital single, My Soul (Radio Edit) featuring Paul McCartney, on Monday 23rd February 2009.

Taken from Sawhney’s critically acclaimed eighth studio album, London Undersound, My Soul is prefaced by McCartney referring to the people who take such photographs as having "stolen your soul" - an idea once written off as superstition, which has gained new currency in the era of celebrity culture and the concomitant rise of the paparazzi. The single also includes the previously unreleased Ek Jaan (Bob Holroyd Deep Blue Mix) featuring Reena Bhardwaj.

A limited edition of 1,500 deluxe box sets of London Undersound is available now through www.amazon.co.uk and contains the following content:

London Undersound CD, featuring guest contributors Natty, Reena Bhardwaj, Ojos de Brujo, Anoushka Shankar, Roxanne Tataei, Tina Grace, Aruba Red, Imogen Heap, Faheem Mazhar and Paul McCartney
London Undersound Instrumental CD, featuring unique versions of ‘Distant Dreams’ and ‘October Daze’, plus 5 diverse and eclectic mixes
Video/data DVD containing Antony Gormley / Nitin Sawhney commentary with moving picture gallery. The DVD also contains the ‘Distant Dreams’ video and multi-track sessions files for ‘October Daze’ and ‘Last Train To Midnight’.
2 x 12” 160gsm audiophile quality 12” vinyl of London Undersound
36 page perfect bound catalogue of Antony Gormley drawings supplied for London Undersound
Poster of the London Undersound front cover image by Antony Gormley

 
 
 
 
Judy Collins
::: LIVE ::: Tuesday, January 27 - Whelans, Dublin
Tickets 30.00 Euro
www.whelanslive.com ~ www.judycollins.com ~ www.myspace.com/judycollins2

The Legendary American Singer / Songwriter Plays a intimate rare Irish show on Jan. 28 in Dublin's Whelans, Wexford Street, D2.
 >>> For Information / Interview requests contact DEREK NALLY on dereknally@gmail.com or phone 0876493264 <<<

Judy Collins has thrilled audiences worldwide with her unique blend of interpretative folksongs and contemporary themes. Her impressive career has spanned more than 40 years. At 13, Judy Collins made her public debut performing Mozart's "Concerto for Two Pianos" but it was the music of such artists as Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger, as well as the traditional songs of the folk revival, that sparked Judy Collins' love of lyrics. She soon moved away from the classical piano and began her lifelong love with the guitar. In 1961, Judy Collins released her first album, A Maid of Constant Sorrow, at the age of 22 and began a thirty-five year association with Jac Holzman and Elektra Records.

Judy Collins is also noted for her rendition of Joni Mitchell's "Both Sides Now" on her classic 1967 album, Wildflowers. "Both Sides Now" has since been entered into the Grammy's Hall of Fame. Winning "Song of the Year" at the 1975 Grammy's Awards show was Judy's version of "Send in the Clowns," a ballad written by Stephen Sondheim for the Broadway musical "A Little Night Music."

Released on September 29th, Judy's new book, Sanity and Grace, A Journey of Suicide, Survival and Strength, is a deeply moving memoir, focusing on the death of her only son and the healing process following the tragedy. The book speaks to all who have endured the sorrow of losing a loved one before their time. In the depths of her suffering, Judy found relief by reaching out to others for help and support. Now, she extends her hand to comfort other survivors whose lives have been affected by similar tragedy.

In a recent appearance on ABC's Good Morning America, Judy performed "Wings of Angels," the heartbreaking ballad that she wrote about the loss of her son. The song is currently available on the newly released Judy Collins Wildflower Festival CD and DVD, which also feature guest artists Arlo Guthrie, Tom Rush and Eric Andersen. This extraordinary concert was filmed at the famed Humphrey's By the Bay in San Diego, CA. The concert was the culmination of a 25 city national tour.

Judy Collins continues to create music of hope and healing that lights up the world and speaks to the heart.

 
 
 
 
“A storming album from the finest rockers around.” – Artrocker (Recommended)
“High School Hoodlums is like any song about school done by 30-somethings: amazing. Best of all is Eye Of The Needle, an epic Doors-y mood piece with a storming outro. It’s like finding a roast beef dinner inside a bag of popcorn.” - NME
“This self-produced album is something of a return to form – the best one they’ve cut since their debut. It’s raw and they’ve got really good at doing longer wig-outs full of class A shredding.” – The Stool Pigeon
“Head Stunts stands alone as a pretty fine effort; enough melody and rhythm (‘Ready, Set, Go!’) to avoid total hearing decay, but some super fine prog moments too (‘Eye Of The Needle’) and of course, countless crouch-grinding, ’70s guitar solos.” - Clash
“The riffs are thunderous, teetering between punk and metal like early Motorhead, Human Error and So Long are powerful enough to rearrange the atoms in your head.” - Classic Rock
THE DATSUNS
New digital single "SO LONG" released 16th February 2009
New album "HEAD STUNTS"
::: Out on COOKING VINYL :::
www.thedatsuns.com ~ www.myspace.com/thedatsuns ~ www.cookingvinyl.com
::: LIVE :::
To coincide with the single release, the band will also be doing 3 Irish shows as part of their 2009 European Tour:
Wed 4th Feb '09 - DUBLIN - Think Tank (formerly The Hub) - www.mcd.ie
Thurs 5th Feb '09- GALWAY - Roisin Dubh - www.roisindubh.net
Fri 6th Feb '09 - BELFAST - Spring And Airbrake - www.springandairbrakebelfast.com

 The Datsuns will be releasing a new digital single, So Long, on Monday 16th February. Taken from their recently released acclaimed album, Head Stunts, the track is described by singer Dolf as “catchy power pop: it’s more Cheap Trick than AC/DC, even though we’re meant to sound like Deep Purple. Maybe we’re heavier than we think. It’s very much based on that pop aesthetic, with lots of hooks.” The single will also include a new track, What’s Happening To Me?

Featuring 12 new tracks, “Head Stunts” was recorded in early 2008 in Sweden, and is self-produced. From the full-throttle opener Human Error, to the dirtbike guitars and frenzied pummelling of Yeah, Yeah, Just Another Mistake and the 70’s stomp rock of Highschool Hoodlums, the album finds the band unleashing their finest work to date. Of the album, singer Dolf says, “Lyrically it’s about mind games really, ‘Head Stunts’ is an anagram of The Datsuns. We were aware of it all along but we didn’t want to make it too obvious. We got a new member of the band on drums, Ben Cole, so it was like making our first record again, with new influences and new abilities. With a new person, we were able to feed off each other in different ways, and also revive some old ideas that did not click before. Taking those ideas, and then flipping them around, just like you do with an anagram. So I suppose there is some kind of clumsy poetry there.”

 
 
 
 
ARLO GUTHRIE
::: LIVE ::: 2009 Irish Tour Dates:
Jan 17 Saturday
- Cork - Cyprus Avenue
www.cyprusavenue.ie
Jan 18 Sunday
- Dublin - Whelan's
www.whelanslive.com
Jan 20 Tuesday
- Galway - Roisin Dubh
www.roisindubh.net
Jan 21 Wednesday
- Limerick - Dolan's
www.dolans.ie
Jan 23 Friday
- Roscrea - Grant's Hotel
www.grantshotel.com
Jan 24 Saturday
- Castlebar - TF Theatre
www.theroyal.ie
Jan 25 Sunday
- Culdaff - McGrory's
www.mcgrorys.ie
Jan 26 Monday
- Belfast - The Managerie
www.ticketmaster.ie
More info on www.arlo.net

 40th Anniversary of Woodstock!

>>> For Information / Interview requests / Promotional Copies contact Berube Communications:
Stevo Berube on info@berubecommunications.com or phone 0872442695 <<<

“Sometimes you just want to do things yourself,” says Arlo, as he sets off across the United States and Canada with guitar in hand.

(Washington, Mass.) Over the last four decades Arlo has toured throughout North America, Europe, Asia and Australia winning a broad and dedicated following. In addition to being an accomplished musician—playing the piano, six and twelve-string guitar, harmonica and a dozen other instruments—Arlo is a natural-born storyteller whose hilarious tales and anecdotes are woven seamlessly into his performances.

In 1961 a young Arlo Guthrie took to the stage for the first time … solo. He played in England, Scotland and Denmark during the summer of 1965, showing up at clubs or singing on street corners … alone. In November that same year he began work on his epic adventure, “Alice’s Restaurant.” He worked as a solo artist touring around the world to as far away as Japan for the next two years until “Alice” was recorded. In 1967 “Alice’s Restaurant” hit the radios and the record stores.

In 1969 four events converged to change everything. He appeared at Woodstock Music Festival, starred in the motion picture Alice’s Restaurant, married Miss Malibu, Jackie Hyde, and bought an old farm in Massachusetts. He has rarely toured solo since those Woodstock days.

In 1983, alongside his thriving performing career, Arlo launched his own record label, Rising Son Records that holds his complete catalogue. His latest album, In Times Like These, is a dynamic work in which Arlo collaborated with the University of Kentucky Symphony Orchestra. It will be released on his 60th birthday, July 10.

In 1991, Arlo bought “The Church” which now houses The Guthrie Center, a not-for-profit interfaith church foundation, and The Guthrie Foundation, an educational foundation, dedicated to providing a wide range of local and international services.

In December 2005, using the Guthrie Foundation as a springboard, Arlo and his family rode the Amtrak City of New Orleans train from Chicago to New Orleans, stopping along the way to perform benefit concerts. “‘We saw the disaster unfold in New Orleans, on a level that probably hadn’t been seen since the Dust Bowl era…and I wanted to do something that would actually help.’ said Arlo” – The Wall Street Journal. Arlo Guthrie & Friends – Ridin’ on the City of New Orleans (Benefiting Victims of Katrina) raised over $100,000 directly targeted for musicians.

Now Arlo continues on alone - rambling through songs and tales, “Guthrie is philosophical in a naturally funny and folksy way and, as with great storytellers such as Will Rogers and even his own father, he always manages to pluck a gem from a lot of dirt.” - The Los Angeles Times

“Some people think a folksinger is someone who just sings their own songs. That’s a shame. It’s like being of the tradition, rather than in it. I’ve taught myself to make any song I like my own.” – Arlo Guthrie

 
 
 
 
The Latest Releases in the Hugely Popular
LIVE FROM AUSTIN, TX
Series

::: From the Austin City Limits TV Show in the USA :::
Includes CD+DVD ~ dts 5.1 Surround Sound
Irish Release 19-12-08 on New West Records

Merle Haggard
From His 1978 Performance
Waylon Jennings
From His 1984 Performance

Merle Haggard
Live From Austin, Tx
Includes CD+DVD
From His 1978 Performance on Austin City Limits
Features Five Number One Country Singles

The ‘Live From Austin, TX’ series returns with a brand new look and for the first time features CD & DVD combo packs. To celebrate the occasion they have dug deep into their vaults to retrieve some classic live sets, one of the first being Merle Haggard.

When he stepped onto the Austin City Limits stage for the very first time on that brisk January day in 1978, Merle Haggard was at the top of his game. It had been over a decade since his first national hit, Sing A Sad Song, and not that long after Okie From Muskogee had firmly planted his music in the public consciousness. He had already been declared “Entertainer of the Year” by both the Country Music Awards and Academy of Country Music – in the same year (1970). He had just released A Tribute To The Best Damn Fiddle Player In The World (Or My Salute To Bob Wills), which sparked a revival of interest in western swing. And with his band, The Strangers, it’s no stretch to say that he had the best live show in country music of his day.

  • Merle Haggard’s very first Austin City Limits performance, recorded in January 1978
  • 12 different songs than previous Live >From Austin, Texas release (recorded in 1985)
  • Five #1 Country singles (The Fugitive Song, Sing Me Back Home, Cherokee Maiden, The Farmer’s Daughter, and Workin’ Man Blues)#
  • Features 4 classic Bob Wills (King Of Western Swing) songs with Merle on fiddle

Tracklisting:

1. Working Man Can’t Get Nowhere Today
2. Silver Wings
3. Ramblin’ Fever
4. The Fugitive Song
5. Sing Me Back Home
6. Orange Blossom Special
7. Old-Fashioned Love
8. Long Black Limousine
9. Cherokee Maiden
10. San Antonio Rose
11. Misery
12. The Farmer’s Daughter
13. Brain Cloudy Blues
14. Workin’ Man Blues

_______________________________

Waylon Jennings
Live From Austin, Tx
Includes CD+DVD
Eight Top 10 Singles including 3 Number1 Hits!
His First Performance on Austin City Limits in 1984


The ‘Live From Austin, TX’ series returns with a brand new look and for the first time features CD & DVD combo packs. To celebrate the occasion they have dug deep into their vaults to retrieve some classic live sets, one of the first being Waylon Jennings.

Looking back, why did it take ten years to finally lure Waylon Jennings to the Austin City Limits stage for his first performance? Like everything else about the man, he did things his own way - when he was damn good and ready. Maybe it had something to do with that other Texas singer, that Red-Headed Stranger who shook things up in Austin and country music in general. Waylon wasn’t sure what the fuss was all about (as he sang, “It don’t matter who’s in Austin, Bob Wills is STILL the King!”).

  • Waylon Jenning’s FIRST Austin City Limit’s performance, recorded in August 1984
  • 10 different songs than previous Live From Austin, TX release (recorded in 1989)
  • Seven Top 10 singles including two #1s (I’ve Always Been Crazy, I Ain’t Living Long Like This)


Tracklisting:

1. Are You Ready For The Country
2. Clyde
3. I Can Get Off On You
4. People Up In Texas
5. It’s Not Supposed To Be That Way
6. Don’t You Think This Outlaw Bit’s Done Got Out Of Hand
7. You Ask Me To
8. Dreaming My Dreams With You
9. Good Hearted Woman
10. I May Be Used (But Baby I Ain’t Used Up)
11. Let’s Turn Back The Years
12. Honky Tonk Heroes
13. I Ain’t Living Long Like This
14. I’ve Always Been Crazy

 
 
 
 
Steve Earle & The Del McCoury Band
"THE MOUNTAIN"
Re-issue in Ireland 23/01/2009 on New West Records / Essential Music
Features contributions from Emmylou Harris, Iris Dement, Jerry Douglas, Marty Stuart, Gillian Welch, Gene Wooten and John Hartford

Originally released in 1999 and widely regarded as one of the best albums of that year, New West is proud to reissue one of Steve Earle’s finest works.
Finally reissued after many years out of print, "The Mountain" marks a radical departure from Steve Earle’s previous works as it was his first wholly bluegrass album. He later revealed that he had made the album as a tribute to the founder of bluegrass music the legendary Bill Monroe, who had died in 1996.

In order to help flesh out the songs he had written for the album, Steve Earle called upon the famous bluegrass band of Del McCoury; widely regarded as one of the finest bluegrass bands on the planet who at that point had won 12 International Bluegrass Music Association Awards, including best album, instrumental group of the year (twice) and entertainer of the year (4 times).

The album was a critical success and yielded Earle’s 7th Grammy nomination when it was nominated for ‘Best Bluegrass Album’ in 2000.

Available on 180g double vinyl for the first time ever

Tracklisting:
1. Texas Eagle
2. Yours Forever Blue
3. Carrie Brown
4. I’m Still In Love With You
5. The Graveyard Shift
6. Harlan Man
7. The Mountain
8. Outlaw’s Honeymoon
9. Connemara Breakdown
10. Leroy’s Dustbowl Blues
11. Dixieland
12. Paddy On the Beat
13. Long, Lonesome Highway Blues
14. Pilgrim

 
 
 
 
"A determined rock ensemble bringing an energetic live show and an earnest, gritty aesthetic." New Yorker Magazine


STAND
::: LIVE :::
Sunday Dec 21, '08 - Whelans, Dublin - Ticket Price - 15 Euro
www.standland.com ~ www.myspace.com/standland
Last Shows of 2008!
"Dressed To Kill" - Goodguy UK D2K Remix Available to Download from www.reverbnation.com/stand

Original version on the Dublin band’s much-anticipated 4th album TRAVEL LIGHT which proved to be a radio hit in Ireland & the USA. Legendary Club Re-mixer Goodguy heard the track on radio in London & contacted the band immediately to produce this stonkin’ version! Since decamping to New York 5 years ago, STAND has amassed a huge stateside following which saw them on many ‘best of’ lists including Billboard, Rolling Stone, New York Times for both their live shows and on Albums. Featuring the two completely different vocal styles (Alan Doyle & Neil Eurelle) blend together to make a wall of sound with beautifully melodic results.

New York - November 2008

After months of sonic construction and underground whispering, Dublin's STAND released their fourth album proper, “Travel Light” onto the world last November. What emerged can only be described as their strongest body of songs to date.

Mr. Walsh wore the producer hat, sifting through the do's and dont's, letting the songs core breathe, giving a fine “Slan” (Goodbye) to tiresome layering. The melodies carry the weight. This album finds Neil and Alan in fine voice.

The venues: Buffalo, Rhinebeck, Manhattan, NYC and Lexington KY. Work started in a northern blizzard and finished under a southern sun. A departure from and companion to the 2005 guitar driven Transmissions, Travel Light has been hailed by critics and fans on both sides of the sea.

The band has been playing these songs across the web and in the rock rooms of Dublin and the US Northeast while writing material for the next recorded effort. After selling out the famed Bowery Ballroom last spring, the band will return to New York to test drive new material at The Mercury Lounge on Thursday, December 11th. From there, onward.
_________________________________________________

"It was their first time playing here and they sold out two nights weeks in advance. We sensed a phenomenal buzz ....a huge sense of momentum. We can tell when there's a band on the rise and it was clear to us that this band is definitely going somewhere.''
Bill Bragin - Director Joe's Pub at the Public Theater (now Lincoln Center)

"This is a gimmickless band. Deeply melodic and able to generate feverish excitement both onstage and in the studio." The Buffalo News

"They're now coming on in lyrical leaps and musical bounds.....While there's much light to be found here, it's thankfully not the frothy kind. Stand may Travel Light, but they mostly fly first class."
Hot Press

"It is as if this Dublin-based group could do no harm. Perfect in many, many ways..." Smother Magazine EDITOR'S PICK

"The show you catch in a pub or club will be the same you catch in the arena. Trust me, that's where these Irishmen are headed." Rochester City News

"A sonically dense record, it is a pitch perfect mélange of tight hooks, engaging studio textures and infectious percussion." Irish Voice

"Imagine the writing of Neil Finn mixed with the wide-open spaces of Pink Floyd" Irish Examiner

"A determined rock ensemble bringing an energetic live show and an earnest, gritty aesthetic." New Yorker Magazine

_________________________________________________________________

The four lads from STAND met and began playing together in southwest Dublin. After two discs on their indie label produced singles on Irish radio charts, the band took a trip to Austin's SXSW. They relocated to New York and spent the past few years playing on the limitless stages of the eastern U.S. where critics and college audiences alike took notice.

Their near constant touring has earned them a fiercely loyal fan-base, developed by penning consistently intelligent, distinctive songs, and delivering them through a captivating live show. After one appearance before a massive summer festival crowd, Buffalo News rock critic Jeff Miers declared them a "a gimmickless band, able to generate feverish excitement both on the stage and in the studio."

In early 2006, STAND stood still in Buffalo, New York. Stuck in a February blizzard after a sold out show, the band took refuge at Chameleon West, home to that town's beloved Goo Goo Dolls, and commenced the recording of their latest workbook, Travel Light. Started in a Buffalo blizzard and completed in the late summer sun of Lexington, Kentucky, this is their most exploratory work to date and the early reviews are in. After a break in the homeland, the band returns to New York and will pick up the Travel Light tour where it last left off. The band played to a sold out room at The Bowery Ballroom in February '08 and return to the States to do it all again in mid June '08. Stay tuned.
www.standland.com

 
 
 
 
GRAND DUCHY
(The Pixies' Black Francis & Violet Clark)
Debut album
"Petits Fours"

Irish Release 13th February 2009 on Cooking Vinyl
www.blackfrancis.net/ ~ www.myspace.com/violetclark ~ www.cookingvinyl.com

Friday 13th February sees the Irish release of Petits Fours the debut album from Grand Duchy, aka Violet Clark and Black Francis. Featuring 9 tracks, Petits Fours is joint venture between Clark and Francis, rather than a solo Francis project, and contains driving bass lines, a healthy dose of synths and some excellent vocals from Clark, alongside Francis’s trademark guitar squalls.

“Once upon a time, Violet and I went into the studio together for a day as an experiment, and we came out that night with Fort Wayne,” explains Francis. “A leaked version seemed to please others, and so we decided to continue the ‘experiment’. We decided that, while we were not expert players on all rock ensemble instruments, we would play everything ourselves as we had done on the Fort Wayne session.

“She was innocent. I hadn't felt innocent for years. She digs the 80's. I had spent the latter part of the 80's doing my part to destroy the 80's. Our second recording session involved a fair amount of shouting and throwing things, much to the horror, I'm sure, of our two engineers Thaddeus Moore and Jason Carter; being pros they just smiled at us.

“A ‘band’ truce developed. Over time we threw less objects and began to enjoy our creative tension. We fantasized about the future, about success, as new bands do, and decided during a drive to the studio that we would take any proceeds and make a down payment on a house in Luxembourg (for some strange reason, I can't remember now - perhaps my longstanding obsession with micro states). I guess that's where the name Grand Duchy came from. Maybe that's where we will come from one day. Crossroads of Europe. Near to here and there, but far from Oregon. Cold, grey Oregon.

“I guess Luxembourg isn't exactly St. Tropez, either. But we could rule our Garage Rock Synth Chick Non-Stop Erotik Poussez-Poussez Dominion from a place like that. Just a little place on the river, in the ravine, in the trees, in the stars. Our pied-de-terre. A place to stop on our way to your European nite klub.”

Available on CD and as a digital album, the full tracklisting is as follows :

1. Come On Over To My House
2. Lovesick
3. Fort Wayne
4. Seeing Stars
5. Black Suit
6. The Long Song
7. Break The Angels
8. Ermesinde
9. Volcano!

 
 
 
 

DAVID BYRNE & BRIAN ENO

"Everything That Happens Will Happen Today"
::: Irish Release date November 14th, 2008 through Essential Music (No Label; self-released) :::
www.everythingthathappens.com

The first collaboration of David Byrne and Brian Eno in nearly 30 years

David Byrne will be playing two Irish shows early next year playing songs from this album:
April 6 2009 - Dublin - National Concert Hall - SOLD OUT
April 7 2009 - Belfast - Belfast - Waterfront


BRIAN AND DAVID: HOW & WHY ....

This record was born as a dinner conversation. While dining in New York with David and some other friends, I mentioned that I had accumulated a lot of music, which, despite my intentions, I had never formed into songs. David volunteered to give them a try. By and large, we stuck to our separate territories: I worked on the instrumentals, and he generally focused on the lyrics and vocals. This arrangement seemed to work well. Upon starting this project, we quickly realized we were making something like electronic gospel, music in which singing becomes the central event, but whose sonic landscapes are atypical of such vocal-centered tracks. I want music to be inviting, to offer the listener a place inside it. I think David responded to this with sensitivity and skill, and his natural edginess made those familiar progressions sound new to me once again. Brian Eno - London

The foundations of some of the tracks are much like those of traditional folk, country, or gospel songs before these styles became harmonically sophisticated. Brian's chord structures were unlike anything I would have chosen myself, so I was pushed in a new direction, asked to face the unfamiliar, and this, of course, was a good thing. The challenge was more emotional than technical: to write simple, heartfelt tunes without drawing on cliché. The results, in many cases, are uplifting, hopeful, and positive, even though some lyrics describe cars exploding, war, and similarly dark scenarios.

These songs have elements of our previous work — no surprise there — but something new has emerged here as well. Where does the sanguine and heartening tone come from, particularly in these troubled times? As I hinted at above, some of my lyrics and melodies were a response to what I sensed lay buried in the music. My task was to bring forth into language what was originally non-verbal. In the end, we have made something together that neither of us could have made on our own. DB - Hell's Kitchen, NY

Tracklisting:

1. Home
2. My Big Nurse
3. I Feel My Stuff
4. Everything That Happens
5. Life Is Long
6. The River
7. Strange Overtones
8. Wanted For Life
9. One Fine Day
10. Poor Boy
11. The Lighthouse

 
 
 
 
Willy Vlautin
A Jockey’s Christmas
Irish Release December 5th 2008 via Shellshock
www.willyvlautin.com ~ www.richmondfontaine.com

* 1st spoken word album from Willy Vlautin of Richmond Fontaine
* features Paul Brainard of Richmond Fontaine + Farrel Newton and Ralph Huntley
* Limited Edition to 1500 - catalogue number decor014cd

 A Jockey’s Christmas is Willy Vlautin of Richmond Fontaine’s first spoken word album backed with musical accompaniment. A Jockey’s Christmas is a dark comedy about JD, a misfit, overweight, alcoholic jockey whose career has dried up. JD spends more time betting and boozing then he does preparing for the track. The story chronicles his adventures on a journey home to Reno to spend Christmas with his family told in seven chapters. The album ends with two songs “The Track” and “The Fifth Race” written about the same race but told from different perspectives. Willy has been a long time fan of the horse tracks and earlier this year bought his own horse. Sadly things didn’t work out and he was thrown from the horse which left Willy with a broken arm and in bed for over a month….damn horses.

Willy released his second novel “Northline” with it’s own cd soundtrack at the beginning of this year which again received as much attention as his first novel “The Motel Life”. Just recently, film writer-director Courtney Hunt has signed on to write and direct “Nortline” has set her next project. Hunt won a Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival in January for her working-class drama "Frozen River. Vlautin’s critically acclaimed debut novel, The Motel Life (2007), won the Nevada Silver Pen Award and also has been shortlisted for the Ken Kesey Award for Fiction.

Willy Vlautin | The Motel Life (2007)
“…mournful, understated and proudly steeped in menthol smoke and bourbon. Slighter than Carver, less puerile than Bukowski, Vlautin nevertheless manages to lay claim to the same bleary-eyed territory, and surprisingly — perhaps even unintentionally — to make it new.” NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW

“A hugely compassionate, wildly original road movie of a novel” ESQUIRE

“The work of a careful and conscientious writer… Vlautin, like his musical equivalents Tom Waits and Shane MacGowan, manages to render pathos without sentimentality in prose whose tone is downbeat, fatalistic and hangdog.” HOT PRESS

Willy Vlautin | Northline (2008)
“Quiet, sad and suffused with a melancholic serenity, it begs to be read” SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE

“Vlautin’s Northline is a wrenching and realistic novel that Velcros itself into the memory like a mournful country tune… Northline heralds the emergence of a major realist talent” SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER

“... a mournful and compelling story of working-class lives in Las Vegas and Reno… Raymond Carver and Tobias Wolff come to mind rather than Nick Cave, which isn’t to knock Nick Cave, only to say that Vlautin has a literary voice that feels more grounded.” LA TIMES

On Willy Vlautin
“Vlautin… is nothing less than the Dylan of the dislocated” THE INDEPENDENT

“This guy writes like the secret love child of Raymond Carver and Flannery O’Connor—just plain, true, tough, irony-free, heartrending American fiction about people living in the third-world sections of our country.” MICHAEL GRUBER

“Vlautin is becoming one of America’s most fundamental artists in words and music” MOJO

 
 
 
 

PIERCE TURNER ::: LIVE :::

December. 29th -The Sugar Club- Dublin

26 Euro including booking fee
Tickets available from the Sugar Club 01 678 7188, www.ticketmaster.ie - Tel. 0818 719 300

The Mini-Album: "Catch A Wave"
Features the song "Fading Away" - Out Now on 50/30 Sounds
More informationon www.pierceturner.com

See the video for "Fading Away", a brilliant parody of "Oh Brother where art Thou" made by John Rokonski - Click Here

Rave reviews in the LA Times, Rolling Stone, NY Times and Chicago Tribune: invited to perform a special evening of duets with Philip Glass: described by the Rough Guide to Irish Music as "a unique visionary"; his music featured in The Wire, and covered by Christy Moore. These are just some of the accolades heaped on New York-based Wexford native, Pierce Turner. And anyone familiar with his work won't be a bit surprised. In a musical landscape littered with so many shiny plastic cut-outs, here is a true flesh-and-blood artist whose music comes from the only place that matters - the soul.

His subjects are the perenniel themes - love, loss, death, interspersed with the foibles of friends and acquaintances - presented through evocative vignettes of his Wexford childhood and life in his adopted city. In Turner's work you will catch snatches of 1960's pop, The Beatles, Bach, sean-nós, Palestrina, and local ballads, but, like any genuine musical explorer, he has traversed all these stylistic territories and arrived at a musical location all his own.

If you have never been to a Pierce Turner gig here is the ideal chance to rectify that omission in the plush surroundings of the Sugar Club. Most gigs you go to, you know more or less what to expect, but Pierce Turner is one of the select few that manage to confound your expectations yet maintain a consistently high standard of composition and performance. Will the evening feature a string quartet? A rock band? A dance-on-the- table hoedown. Or will he appear alone, armed with just acoustic guitar or keyboard. Or even a child's xylophone used to both hilarious and chilling effect? A mix 'n' match of all these elements has featured in previous Turner performances, but given his versatility, God only knows what treats await you at the Sugar Club.

Whether he's belting out comic tales of provincial life, or reducing the room to awed silence, there is no-one quite like Pierce Turner. Pierce Turner @ The Sugar Club, 8 Lower Leeson St.,Dublin

 
 
 
 

METEOR AWARD WINNER "HOPE FOR 2008"
"On the evidence of this effervescent album, Ham Sandwich could be Ireland's answer to Rilo Kiley." ~ IRISH INDEPENDENT ***
"Eclectic without being all over the place, judiciously selecting choice harmonies over dissonance, and boasting arrangements that favour subtlety over swagger, Ham Sandwich deliver, with an apparent minimum of fuss, a mini triumph." ~ IRISH TIMES
"With a name like Ham Sandwich, this needed to be good. It is so, so much better than that." ~ MAIL ON SUNDAY
"..a locker full of killer tunes." ~ METRO
"Carry The Meek is an album of beautifully sung, crisp, tight, lush, emotional and fun guitar songs that is much more than the sum of it's parts." ~ HOT PRESS
'''Carry The Meek' is a marker that other Irish albums of 2008 - and beyond - will have to match. " ~ CLUAS.COM
"While some sound the death-knell for the album ever louder, there are still plenty whose records drown it out. Like this one." ~ RTE GUIDE
“Spiky indie anthems & irreverent attitude are matched by the striking presence of lead singer Niamh Farrell" ~ SUNDAY TIMES

Ham Sandwich

::: LIVE ::: New Years Eve - The Village, Dublin
Plus very Special Guests: The Kinetiks
Tickets 20 Euro - Available from www.tickets.ie or the WaV Box Office Lo Call 1890 200 078 or in person @ 39 Camden Row (beside Whelans Venue entrance)
Open 10am - 8pm Monday to Friday, 2pm - 8pm Saturday

2008 has been an amazing year for the Kells-based band; the release of their critically acclaimed debut album "CARRY THE MEEK" back in February, a rake of hit singles, sold out shows across the country, playing Glastonbury and Electric Picnic Festivals, and of course the surprise birth of Niamh's son Oscar. Now considered on of the top acts in the country, Ham Sandwich close out 2008 in style by headlining Dublin's The Village Venue for it's annual New Years Eve bash.

"We are really looking forward to this gig! We thought our gig with Gary Cooke in The Village would be our last gig in Dublin this year, but we are so glad that it wasn't and the Village want us back to ring in the new year! We have had such an amazing and crazy year, and we want to finish with a bang!..and some confetti.." ~ Niamh Farrell from Ham Sandwich

New Single "Broken Glass" - Out Now on Route 109 Recording Company
See the extraordinary new animated video exclusively on muzu.tv : CLICK HERE
The 7th single taken from the Kells-based band's debut album "CARRY THE MEEK"

myspace.com/eathamsandwich ~ www.bebo.com/eathamsandwich

Meet Ham Sandwich...
Niamh (Vocals) www.myspace.com/xrayvisionniamh
Podge (Vocals / Guitar / Piano/ pineapples / coconuts) www.myspace.com/podgehamsandwich
Johnny (Bass Guitar) www.myspace.com/johnnysandwich
Darcy (Guitar / Piano) www.myspace.com/darcyofhamsandwich
Ollie (Drums) www.myspace.com/olliesandwich

_______________________________________________

Food For Thought
By Joe Kavanagh (Irish Examiner - USA)

Over the years there has been barely a handful of Irish bands whose dizzying ascent to the top of the music industry has been made in double-quick time. Bands like The Thrills and Cranberries are two examples of acts that had barely finished playing village halls and local pubs when they found themselves tripping the live fandango across huge stages in front of vast crowds. They, however, are as rare the proverbial hen's teeth, and even bands like U2 and the sickly sweet Corrs, earned their stripes, parading up and down the country, as they sharpened their skills waiting for that moment; when your luck finally meets up with your opportunity. And when you are a musician with any ambition, it is that "moment" that you strive for, although most never even get that close. As a small example of just how far the odds are against you becoming a working musician, consider the following statistics. In Ireland, experts vary about how many original bands exist in the country at any given time but estimates ordinarily fall somewhere in the region of 8,000 or more. Each year, perhaps a half dozen of these will make the jump from obscurity to national renown, with perhaps only one of these going on to achieve anything on an international level. Considering Ireland's anemic national support for its homegrown acts, it is a wonder that even that many make it to solvency, but such adverse odds have done little to dissuade the tens of thousands of kids that dream everyday about being a rock star or even those bands that continue to carry amps up and down the stairs of gin mills and dives every weekend for years on end, in the dogged pursuit of that "moment". For Ireland's latest indie sensation, Ham Sandwich, that moment is now and few bands on the island have worked as hard to achieve it.

According to legend, Ham Sandwich's birth was positively biblical given the fact that Johnny Moore approached, Podge McNamee and, Niamh Farrell about the idea of forming their own group, while the trio were at a Good Friday party, in 2003. With Moore as the main songwriter and the other two as vocalists, they then set their sights on combing through the musicians they knew in hometown, Kells, County Meath, in an effort to shore up the lineup with likeminded individuals. Guitarist, Darcy, was recruited from the school he attended with Moore in the nearby town of Navan, which, curiously, is the same school that gave Ireland three of its most esteemed comedic talents, in the shape of Dylan Moran, Tommy Tiernan and Hector O'hEochag·in. With the addition of Ollie Murphy on drums, the band was complete and rehearsals began in earnest and it was at one of these sessions that they finally decided to pin down a name for their group. After 20 minutes of discussion without getting any closer to their nom de guerre, Moore finally offered Ham Sandwich, as a joke initially, but the more everyone thought about it, the more they liked it. It has been celebrated and castigated in equal measure ever since, although the band are firm believers because nobody ever forgets it and they genuinely think that being called Ham Sandwich makes them work even harder as a unit. After almost one year of intense jamming and absorbing a multitude of tastes, the band finally took its first steps into the public spotlight, becoming something of a local phenomenon, on the strength of their charged live performances and colorful personalities.

In early autumn of 2005, the national underground music scene got its first taste of the band with the release of their first single, the superb, Sad Songs, which called to mind acts such as Jesus & Mary Chain, Pavement and the Smiths. With McNamee and Farrell's vocals projecting a perfect balance of light and shade, the single served as an early signal that Ham Sandwich had potential to be a band of consequence. The next two years would only confirm this notion as the five-piece set about touring the highways and byways of Ireland, drumming up support wherever they went, with a show that is as energetic as it is unpredictable. In Farrell, the band has the ultra-cool female singer, who is unafraid to mix it up with her fellow band members, yet is not beyond projecting an air of cool detachment when the mood demands it, while in McNamee, the band has a bona fide space cadet (sometimes quite literally when he wears his astronaut costume). Bounding around the stage, exuding fun and mischief, and alternating between ringmaster and clown, his energy alone could probably power all their amps. Together, the pair are almost sound somewhat like The Sunday's Harriet Wheeler and Crash Test Dummies, Brad Roberts, might sound like if they ever played in a high-octane indie band, although it's doubtful then that they would retain a scintilla of the natural chemistry evident between Farrell and McNamee. Such a live show soon had the band selling out venues throughout the country, despite little or no promotion and winning them the title as Ireland's greatest cult band.

Two more singles followed, St Christopher and Click... Click... Boom!, the latter of which exploded the band onto the national consciousness, with it's Pixies-like collision of energy and substance. Suddenly Ham Sandwich found themselves opening for names such as Electric Six, Buzzcocks and My Morning Jacket, as their public profile grew and their singles began to receive airplay in prime time shows. They also made their first appearances on TV and as the year drew to a close, the band retired to a cottage in Cavan, to begin work on their debut album with producer, Karl Odlum. In fact, the view from the cottage was the same view that Irish writer, Jonathon Swift, was looking at when he was struck with the idea for his novel, Gulliver's Travels, adding just the right amount of solitude and mystique to proceedings.

On February 15, the band's labors attained a physical form, when their debut album, Carry The Meek, hit stores and promptly debuted at 23 in the Irish album charts, an extremely creditable result considering they released it on their own label, Route 109 Records, which is named after the bus route from Dublin to Kells. In case the band needed any more affirmation that they were on their way to the next level, they were also presented with the Meteor Music Hope For 2008 Award, on the same day as their album release. The interest is such that the band is already in talks with several labels with a view to getting the album out overseas and it will undoubtedly only be a matter of months before the band start gigging outside of Ireland on a regular basis. The years of dedication appear to be paying out, proving the adage that hard work always pays off in the end. McNamee recently alluded to this fact saying: "It's always been a slow rise. We've never forced our music on anyone." Now the people are coming to the music in their droves, leaving only one slightly downbeat note for the rest of us; we're going to have to find another band to call Ireland's greatest cult band, because Ham Sandwich has gone above ground and if they keep producing albums like that, they are there to stay.

 
 
 
 
Juliet Turner
"JOY" - Remixed by Aidan McGovern ~ Mastering Metropolis London by Andy "Hippy"Baldwin.
From the 2008 Album "PEOPLE HAVE NAMES" features the singles "TRICKSTER" and the original version of "JOY"
Out Now on Hear This! Records (Distributed By Universal Music)
www.julietturner.com / www.myspace.com/burntheblacksuit
::: LIVE ::: WHELANS, Dublin - December 16th, 2008 ::: 

JULIET TURNER New Dates Added!
09/12 - Midleton, Co. Cork - The RealMusic Club, McDaids bar
16/12 - Dublin at Whelans - "Joy" - Single Release Show
27/12 - Enniskillen - The Ardhowen Theatre
29/12 - Port Laoise - Dunamaise Arts Centre
30/12 - Belfast - The Empire
02/01 - Ballymena - The Braid Arts Centre, Ballymena Town Hall
03/01 - MoateTuar Ard Arts Centre


>>> For Information / Interview requests / Promotional Copies contact Berube Communications:
Stevo Berube on info@berubecommunications.com or phone 0872442695 <<<


Turner's live shows should be experienced. She is a quiet, relaxed performer with a wicked sense of humour. Her voice is unusually clear and sweet and her between song anecdotes are amusing, eccentric and off-the-cuff. Prepare to be drawn in and bowled over.

With three studio albums, a live album, double platinum sales and a Meteor Music Award under her belt, Juliet Turner decided that a change of scene was needed and in October 2006 returned to Trinity College Dublin to undertake a four year BSc in Clinical Speech and Language Studies.
Alongside the studies, the songwriting and performing continues and Juliet has been recording a fourth studio album with producer Keith Lawless in a warehouse in Dublin. The new album, “PEOPLE HAVE NAMES” was released on the 6th June 2008 and has been garnering rave reviews:

Irish Times four stars. ****
JULIET TURNER: People Have Names

“Just as Juliet Turner’s palate for life’s sweet and salty moments has evolved, so her palette of sound has rumbled onwards as well, and her appreciation for life’s minor chords has grown. The title track (left to the end of the album, where it can seep into the subconscious) is a thought provoking meditation on life’s defining qualities: “It’s the work of a life time to love and be loved in return, to love to the end”. Lyrically, Turner’s attention turns to the big and small ticket stories; loneliness (Tuesday Night Ladies), romance (High Hopes) and the contradictions of youth and age (The Elder of the Tribe). Arrangements are spacious and unforced, with suitably tinted brass and strings, and Turner’s wisdom in letting her cds percolate for olympian periods is palpable on this gloriously taut collection”.

Belfast Telegraph
JULIET TURNER: People Have Names
(Hear This) 4 Stars ****

You’d be hard pushed to find a flaw in Juliet Turner’s musical armoury.
The Omagh-born songstress has usually delivered in both recording studio and stage. She’s a natural at encapsulating a marriage between folk and the singer-songwriter genre. “Season of the Hurricane” from 2004 was an excellent body of work — but since then she’s swapped the studio for the lecture hall and gone back to Trinity College Dublin to do a four-year degree in speech and language therapy.
Fast forward to 2008 and Turner has just made the album of her life.
People Have Names is a quite stunning collection of material — gorgeously presented by simple, sumptuous arrangements that are underpinned by Turner’s delicate vocal chords. The single Trickster is among the many highlights, but the two outstanding tracks are High Hopes and the opener Invisible to the Eye.

Hot Press Music Magazine ****
Irish Maverick is Album of the Year Contender.

"Whereas many of her contemporaries have lost momentum, their best work behind them, Juliet Turner’s fourth studio album is an intoxicating example of an adventurous artist moving forward, discovering fresh topics, literate themes and intriguing sounds with which to tease her artistic muse. “Invisible to the Eye” is a striking song with Turner’s voice at its most sublime. The Cohenish “High Hopes” looks at the vicissitudes of love, “Elder of the Tribe” focuses on contrasting generational differences, while the unsettling, country-tinged “Tuesday Night Ladies” - boasting a particularly exquisite vocal from Turner - is a graphic depiction of modern lives lived with no direction home. Despite the slow tempo, “Joy” is uplifting and brash, with a self-confident sweet swagger, but “Trickster” is the real gem, a deceptively catchy tune with the refrain “What do you mean you don’t like shopping? What do you mean you don’t watch TV?”. Keith Lawless’s production, drizzled with warm strings and splashes of accordian and brass, brings a seductive and uncluttered feel to a bunch of songs that Turner seems to have been tenderly nurturing for a while. “People Have Names” is about as faultless as it gets and is a serious contender for album of the year."

Sunday Life
JULIET TURNER: People Have Names

"Turner has quietly evolved into one of our best singer/songwriters, and this fourth album, with a rich production and an increasingly sophisticated musical palette, may just be her best yet. Its songs are personal snapshots that reflect on the hard, bitter truths of life and are suffused with an air of sadness and regret that chime perfectly with the melancholy edge to Turner’s voice."

 
 
 
 
STAND
"Dressed To Kill" - Goodguy UK D2K Remix
Available to Download from www.reverbnation.com/stand ~ www.standland.com ~ www.myspace.com/standland

::: LIVE ::: Sunday Dec 21, '08 - Whelans, Dublin (Ireland) - Ticket Price - 15 Euro
Original version on the Dublin band’s much-anticipated 4th album TRAVEL LIGHT which proved to be a radio hit in Ireland & the USA. Legendary Club Re-mixer Goodguy heard the track on radio in London & contacted the band immediately to produce this stonkin’ version! Since decamping to New York 5 years ago, STAND has amassed a huge stateside following which saw them on many ‘best of’ lists including Billboard, Rolling Stone, New York Times for both their live shows and on Albums. Featuring the two completely different vocal styles (Alan Doyle & Neil Eurelle) blend together to make a wall of sound with beautifully melodic results.

Last Shows of 2008!
10 Dec '08 - 20:00 - The Half Door - Hartford, Conneticut (USA)
11 Dec '08 - 20:00 - Mercury Lounge - New York City (USA)
12 Dec '08 - 20:00 - The Saint - Asbury Park (New Jersey, USA)
21 Dec '08 - 20:00 - Whelans, Dublin (Ireland)


New York - November 2008

After months of sonic construction and underground whispering, Dublin's STAND released their fourth album proper, “Travel Light” onto the world last November. What emerged can only be described as their strongest body of songs to date.

Mr. Walsh wore the producer hat, sifting through the do's and dont's, letting the songs core breathe, giving a fine “Slan” (Goodbye) to tiresome layering. The melodies carry the weight. This album finds Neil and Alan in fine voice.

The venues: Buffalo, Rhinebeck, Manhattan, NYC and Lexington KY. Work started in a northern blizzard and finished under a southern sun. A departure from and companion to the 2005 guitar driven Transmissions, Travel Light has been hailed by critics and fans on both sides of the sea.

The band has been playing these songs across the web and in the rock rooms of Dublin and the US Northeast while writing material for the next recorded effort. After selling out the famed Bowery Ballroom last spring, the band will return to New York to test drive new material at The Mercury Lounge on Thursday, December 11th. From there, onward.
_________________________________________________

"It was their first time playing here and they sold out two nights weeks in advance. We sensed a phenomenal buzz ....a huge sense of momentum. We can tell when there's a band on the rise and it was clear to us that this band is definitely going somewhere.''
Bill Bragin - Director Joe's Pub at the Public Theater (now Lincoln Center)

"This is a gimmickless band. Deeply melodic and able to generate feverish excitement both onstage and in the studio." The Buffalo News

"They're now coming on in lyrical leaps and musical bounds.....While there's much light to be found here, it's thankfully not the frothy kind. Stand may Travel Light, but they mostly fly first class."
Hot Press

"It is as if this Dublin-based group could do no harm. Perfect in many, many ways..." Smother Magazine EDITOR'S PICK

"The show you catch in a pub or club will be the same you catch in the arena. Trust me, that's where these Irishmen are headed." Rochester City News

"A sonically dense record, it is a pitch perfect mélange of tight hooks, engaging studio textures and infectious percussion." Irish Voice

"Imagine the writing of Neil Finn mixed with the wide-open spaces of Pink Floyd" Irish Examiner

"A determined rock ensemble bringing an energetic live show and an earnest, gritty aesthetic." New Yorker Magazine

_________________________________________________________________

The four lads from STAND met and began playing together in southwest Dublin. After two discs on their indie label produced singles on Irish radio charts, the band took a trip to Austin's SXSW. They relocated to New York and spent the past few years playing on the limitless stages of the eastern U.S. where critics and college audiences alike took notice.

Their near constant touring has earned them a fiercely loyal fan-base, developed by penning consistently intelligent, distinctive songs, and delivering them through a captivating live show. After one appearance before a massive summer festival crowd, Buffalo News rock critic Jeff Miers declared them a "a gimmickless band, able to generate feverish excitement both on the stage and in the studio."

In early 2006, STAND stood still in Buffalo, New York. Stuck in a February blizzard after a sold out show, the band took refuge at Chameleon West, home to that town's beloved Goo Goo Dolls, and commenced the recording of their latest workbook, Travel Light. Started in a Buffalo blizzard and completed in the late summer sun of Lexington, Kentucky, this is their most exploratory work to date and the early reviews are in. After a break in the homeland, the band returns to New York and will pick up the Travel Light tour where it last left off. The band played to a sold out room at The Bowery Ballroom in February '08 and return to the States to do it all again in mid June '08. Stay tuned.
www.standland.com

 

 
 
 
 
BILLY BRAGG
::: LIVE :::

Irish Dates 2008
03 December - Belfast - Empire Music Hall - More info on www.thebelfastempire.com
04 December - Dublin - Vicar Street - More info on www.vicarstreet.com


‘Mr. Love & Justice’ - OUT NOW on Cooking Vinyl
Features the singles "I Keep Faith", "The Beach Is Free", and "I Almost Killed You"
www.billybragg.co.uk ~ www.mrloveandjustice.net

Billy Bragg, the great English performer and songwriter, recently released the singles ‘The Beach Is Free" / "I Almost Killed You" as a download only back in July. Both songs taken from his highly acclaimed new album, "Mr. Love & Justice", which was released back in March to world-wide critical acclaim. Following on from his sold out tour in the UK earlier this year, which included a show at London's Roundhouse, Billy has announced a thirteen-date tour which includes two Irish dates: Belfast's Empire Music Hall on December 3rd and Dublin's Vicar St. on December 4th.

Bragg has recently been championed by a new generation of musicians. The Nationwide Mercury Prize-shortlisted Hard-Fi, for instance, invited Billy to support them for six nights at London's Brixton Academy in May last year. The band later covered Bragg's ‘Levi Stubbs' Tears' for a BBC Radio One session while Kate Nash performed ‘A New England' with Billy at the NME Awards in February. Bragg was also presented with Q magazine's prestigious ‘Classic Songwriter' award by KT Tunstall in October 2007.

Bragg made a special guest appearance with Kate Nash at London's Union Chapel on 26th November 2007. This show was part of the Little Noises Sessions which is curated by Radio One's Jo Whiley in aid of the Mencap charity.

This was the second time Bragg had appeared with Nash - they shared a stage at London's Electric Ballroom earlier in 2007 as part of the Camden Crawl.
Nash later told the NME: "When I watched him at the Electric Ballroom it was the best thing ever, to see him, one guy, one guitar and for him to have such an effect on such a huge amount of people. Everyone was smiling and singing along. It's about connecting with people."
______________________________________________________________

‘Mr. Love & Justice’, the new album by the great English songwriter and performer Billy Bragg, was released in Ireland on 7th March 2008 - exactly six years since the release of his last album, ‘England, Half English’.

The 12-track new album has been produced by Grant Showbiz and features Bragg’s band The Blokes, comprising the celebrated Ian McLagan - of Small Faces, Bob Dylan, The Faces and Rolling Stones fame - on Hammond organ and piano, together with Ben Mandelson (lap steel guitar and bouzouki); Lu Edmonds (electric guitar and vocals); Martyn Barker (drums) and Simon Edwards (bass).

They are joined by the legendary Robert Wyatt, the guest vocalist on a track called ‘I Keep Faith’ recorded in South Thoresby, Lincolnshire. The collaboration came about when Bragg, in search of fresh rhubarb for a crumble, was in nearby Louth where he met Wyatt who lives in the town. “I hadn’t seen him since Red Wedge (the 1986 Labour Party youth vote initiative),” says Bragg. “He found me some rhubarb and then came along to the recording session and sang beautiful vocals to the chorus of ‘I Keep Faith’ – it was like angels singing!”

Full track listing for ‘Mr. Love & Justice’ is:

I Keep Faith
I Almost Killed You
M For Me
The Beach is Free
Sing Their Souls Back Home
You Make Me Brave
Something Happened
Mr. Love & Justice
If You Ever Leave
O Freedom
The Johnny Carcinogenic Show
Farm Boy

The album is preceded by Bragg’s special guest appearance with Kate Nash at London’s Union Chapel last November. The show was in aid of the Mencap charity. This was the second time Bragg has appeared with Nash - they shared a stage at London’s Electric Ballroom earlier in 2007.

Nash later told the NME: "When I watched him at the Electric Ballroom it was the best thing ever, to see him, one guy, one guitar and for him to have such an effect on such a huge amount of people. Everyone was smiling and singing along. It’s about connecting with people."

Bragg also celebrated his 50th birthday at London’s Queen Elizabeth Hall on Sunday 9th December when, in conversation with Jude Kelly, artistic director of the South Bank Centre, he discussed the political and musical influences that have shaped his life. The event brought to an end a memorable 25th anniversary - Billy Bragg’s first solo gig was opening for the Sensible Jerseys at the North London Polytechnic Sociology Department annual disco 25 years ago in March 1982.

In addition to recording the new album, Bragg’s anniversary year has been highlighted with a number of key initiatives, events, awards and performances including:

the creation of ‘Jail Guitar Doors’ which aims to buy instruments as part of the rehabilitation process for prisoners in UK jails. The initiative hit the headlines in July 2007 when Mick Jones, the esteemed guitarist and co-founder of The Clash, joined Billy for a gig at Wormwood Scrubs prison in West London. The Enemy – recently voted Best New Act in the 2007 Q Awards – are also contributing their services to Jail Guitar Doors. Says Tom Clarke, the band’s vocalist and guitarist: “I’m with Billy Bragg’s thing. It really helps with rehabilitation, you know. Eighty per cent of prisoners who go through this scheme don’t re-offend. Fact.” For more information, see www.jailguitardoors.org.uk.

  • Appearances at a number of book festivals throughout the year, with Bragg speaking about his much-acclaimed polemic, ‘The Progressive Patriot: A Search For Belonging’, published in 2006. Billy used the publication of the paperback version as an opportunity to speak out against the rise of racism in Britain. Indeed, in April 2006 Bragg embarked on the Hope Not Hate tour, a special series of concerts in support of the UK’s leading anti-Fascist organizations.
  • The commission to write a new English lyric for ‘Ode to Joy’ from Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony. Bragg’s new version was unveiled at the South Bank Overture Festival on Sunday 10th June 2007 as the culmination of the re-opening of London’s Royal Festival Hall. It was performed by 1500 amateur choristers accompanied by the London Symphony Orchestra. Bragg’s ‘Ode to Joy’ was repeated in front of the Queen on Wednesday 10th October
  • Q magazine’s prestigious ‘Classic Songwriter’ award, presented to him by KT Tunstall at the Q Awards on Monday 8th October. In her presentation speech, Tunstall said: “I wish Billy was my history teacher or older brother!”
  • A duet with KT Tunstall at the Talking Bob Dylan Blues tribute concert last September. The show, recorded for a BBC TV special at London’s Barbican, was also compered by Billy, who performed ‘This Wheel’s On Fire’ with Tunstall

Since the release of his previous album, ‘England, Half English’ (on 4th March 2002), Bragg has also chronicled his entire career with two box sets released in the spring and autumn of 2006. They contained all of Bragg’s studio albums together with EPs, singles, B-sides, covers and rare outtakes as well as DVDs of UK television’s South Bank Show and concert footage from Billy’s shows in communist Eastern Europe during the late-80s – places where very few Western musicians played at that time.

Bragg has also been discovered by a new generation of musicians. The Nationwide Mercury Prize-shortlisted Hard-Fi, for instance, invited Billy to support them for six nights at London’s Brixton Academy in May 2006. The band later covered Bragg’s ‘Levi Stubbs’ Tears’ for a BBC Radio One session.

Jamie T – another artist shortlisted for the UK’s prestigious Nationwide Mercury Prize – recorded a version of Bragg’s ‘A New England’ for a recent B-side while Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly, the new band led by Sam Duckworth, asked Billy to support them at a gig in London’s Wandsworth Prison. Bragg has now also performed on the band’s forthcoming album.

 
 
 
 
Mark Olson & Gary Louris
(ex-Jayhawks)
"Ready For The Flood"
Irish Release 14/11/08 New West Records
www.myspace.com/readyfortheflood
 ::: LIVE! ::: 24th November – Whelans, Dublin
  • Mark Olson & Gary Louris are both former members and the driving force of the immensely popular Jayhawks.
  • Produced by Chris Robinson, lead singer of The Black Crowes.
>>> For Information / Interview requests / Promotional Copies contact Berube Communications:
Stevo Berube on info@berubecommunications.com or phone 0872442695 <<<



Although they’ve toured together and renewed their friendship, this is the first recording by Olson and Louris since Olson left the Jayhawks in 1995. What would become ‘Ready for the Flood’ was recorded at Sage & Sound Studios in Hollywood with friend Chris Robinson of the Black Crowes. Louris had called in Robinson, who happened to be in town at that point, for “vibe support” and he ended up producing the album; he also appears on the album playing harmonica and contributing backing vocals.

‘Ready for the Flood’ captures the stripped down, finger picked guitar playing and Laurel Canyon sound of an earlier time, with allusions to English folk – Bert Jansch, Nick Drake, John Renbourne, whom both Mark and Gary had both been getting into independently – and a simpler, live recording technique where capturing the right vibe was as important as the sound.

It’s an album that only two career musicians and friends could make – organic, intuitive and loosely confident, heartfelt and moving, echoing with the combined experience of two kindred spirits reuniting to do what they do – and love – best.
___________________________________________________

"The first time I heard Olson & Louris sing together was in the newly formed Jayhawks. They were playing the 400 Bar in Minneapolis’ West Bank bohemian area, formerly a venue for solo & duo blues and R&B performers. They might’ve been the first band to play there with a full drum kit, and what made them more interesting was that they were doing Woody Guthrie and hard core country tunes to an audience of younger kids more at home over in Uptown, where the post-punk rock bands reigned—they must’ve thought they were hearing R&R. “We played it loud and fast,” Louris recalled. “And kind of snuck it in.” They mixed covers with rootsy, but quirky originals, cut a local album on their own Bunkhouse label, and went on to a mixed mainstream fame. “We worked hard, got our big break, we went out to LA to make a record,” Olson says. “We all kind of loved acoustic music and wanted to record some, but boy—they didn’t want to hear about that.”

Now some twenty-plus years later, the duo has made a largely acoustic album that has all original material and a fine vocal blend that makes you think of old-timey and bluegrass brother teams like The Monroes, The Delmores, and The Louvins—they’ve got that intuitive ear for blending and weaving that exists on some genetic level. They’re part of that DNA loop that started back with The Carter Family and has been winding down musical trails since early last century. Add in some English folk finger picking influence by guys like Roy Harper and John Renbourn, stir in some current-day surrealist points of view a la Dylan, and you’re on the way to where the album resides."

-- Tony Glover, June 2008 [excerpt]

 
 
 
 
DECLAN DE BARRA
Dublin-based Waterford Musician Added to the Prestigious EUROSONIC FESTIVAL
::: Joining THE CORONAS & FIGHT LIKE APES to represent Ireland :::
www.declandebarra.com ~ www.myspace.com/declandebarra
Co. Dublin, Ireland — 15 Nov. 2008 — Organisers of the prestigious Eurosonic festival have invited Irish singer Declan de Barra to represent Ireland at the festival in Groningen in January after they happened to catch one of his shows in the Netherlands.

Irish singer Declan de Barra is reaping the dividends from casting his net wide and touring constantly overseas.

The organisers of Eurosonic happened to catch one of Declan's shows in the Netherlands and promptly invited him to play the prestigious festival in Groningen this January.

de Barra has just released his second album "A Fire to scare the Sun" on Cargo throughout mainland Europe. An Irish release is planned for January 09.

The album features Cora Venus Lunny, James Dunne from the RTE Symphony Orchestra, Mary Barneccutt from Vyvienne Long's Band and Brian Hogan from Kíla and is already drawing in Rave reviews around Europe.

Other Irish acts selected to play are Fight Like Apes and the Coronas.

Among the major European acts who have broken through as a result of the Eurosonic Festival are Magic Numbers, Peter Bjorn and John, Klaxons, Nouvelle Vague, Franz Ferdinand, Kaizers Orchestra, Ojos de Brujo, Mando Diao, Junior Senior, The Libertines, The Beatsteaks, Avril, Jose Gonzalez, The Concretes, Moneybrother, and many others.

Press photo here: http://declandebarra.com/old_press.html


 
 
 
 
PIERCE TURNER ::: LIVE :::
Nov. 15th - Cork City - The Pavilion - Saturday
Dec. 13th - Wexford Town - Wexford Arts Centre - Saturday
Dec. 29th - Dublin City - The Sugar Club - Monday

Check for More Dates on www.pierceturner.com

The Mini-Album: "Catch A Wave"
Features the song "Fading Away" - Out Now on 50/30 Sounds

See the video for "Fading Away", a brilliant parody of "Oh Brother where art Thou" made by John Rokonski - Click Here

Whether as a singer or songwriter or performer, Pierce Turner has a penchant for the unexpected and the unorthodox, re-writing the rules for all three endeavours. Sometimes he performs from behind his trusty keyboard backed by a solo instrument (sax, maybe, or violin or trombone!). Or he can be out front-of-house clambering over tables and ordering drinks from the bar. In the middle of a song! His albums to are equally mercurial, showing influences ranging from his Catholic Irish upbringing to the decadence of Lou Reed's New York, merging the upfront rock of The Byrds, The Beach Boys and The Who to deft touches of Irish trad, folk, jazz, techno, classical and choral harmonies.

Turner grew up in the port-town of Wexford where his mother ran a record shop and led her own band. Like all his siblings he was classically trained, and his fondest early memories are of singing in the annual plainchant festival. By seven, he was a member of a traditional Irish tin whistle group, and at eight, he was playing in a brass and reed orchestra.
His first professional job was as a musician with the pop showband The Arrows. He later moved to New York and formed The Major Thinkers with fellow Wexfordian Larry Kirwan (now the front man of Black 47) and recorded several acclaimed albums.

His first solo album It's Only a Long Way Across was produced by American avant- composer, Phillip Glass. He went on to make two more albums for Beggars Banquet, The Sky and the Ground (an unforgettable carnival of highly-charged tunes, searing, soaring, poignant and funny.) In 1991 his epic Now Is Heaven was released to great critical acclaim, with Hot Press dubbing him "Ireland's greatest living poet" and his awards cabinet taking possession of a trophy for Irish Solo Performer of the Year in the Hot Press Awards by a panel drawn from the national media.

In 1998 Beggars Banquet released a Best Of Pierce Turner compilation. In June 2001, 3 Minute World hit the racks, Hot Press giving it a 12 out of 12, while Tony Clayton-Lea of the Irish Times feted Pierce as one of the most important Irish artists of the last twenty years. Meanwhile Pat Kenny pronounced "This man's a genius" on his national radio show, as Turner set off on a tour of over 70 private houses in Ireland for what he has called his "Parlour Tour", with a London-based tv camera-crew in tow for a future documentary.

Somewhere along the way, other gems from the Turner canon were featured in the film Snakes And Ladders, the HBO hit show The Wire with his extraordinary version of "Dirty Old Town"and Christy Moore recorded Turner's songs "Among The Wicklow Hills" and "Mush God Help Her." Indeed Christy's 2004 box set includes his generous tribute to Turner on the track "I Love The Way Pierce Turner Sings".

In 2005, just as Turner was about to release his album The Boy To Be With, "Among The Wicklow Hills" was voted among the top 25 Irish songs ever by Today FM in a nationwide poll. The Boy To Be With also includes Turner's heartfelt tribute to the late Irish bluesman Rory Gallagher and is the most eagerly anticipated Pierce Turner album for more than a decade.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Q
::: LIVE ::: Saturday Nov 15th - Whelans (Upstairs), Dublin
Part of the Heineken Synergy Festival - 12 Euro
New Songs "Sea Storm", "Ooh La La" & "As Feelings Go By"
Sneak Preview of New Album Out Early 2009!
Check Out Q's Performance on RTE-TV's "OTHER VOICES'' - CLICK HERE
colmquearney.com ~ www.myspace.com/colmquearney
In a previous life Q was known to friends and acquaintances as Colm Quearney, the guitarist and songwriter with not one but TWO of Ireland’s more daring bands (DRAGONFLY 91-94 & LIR 94-99).

His ‘01 debut “The World’s Not Round” and the follow-up in '04 "Body Electric" put Colm on the map as a solo star and Colm simply became Q to the delight of small children and grown-ups everywhere. With a reputation as one of Ireland's leading guitarists, Q has been playing in many of the country's top acts including Jerry Fish & the Mudbug Club, Mundy, Pugwash, & The Pale.

Two songs from "The World's Not Round" appear on revered english director Suzie Halewood's new film "Bigga Than Ben", recently featured at Edinburgh Film Fest followed by Moscow and Brooklyn. The film will be release in the UK, USA, & Russia in September through Swipe Films.

After the release of "Body Electric", Q built his own studio on the northside of Dublin "The Qube Ananlogue & Digital" where he's been ever since working on various oddball projects including Producing The Pale's "contents of a shipwreck" album released in 2007 on 1969 records to great acclaim as well as The Ghandis, Hugh Buckley and many others.

Most importantly he's been recording his third album, set for release in early 2009. New songs "Sea Storm" & "As Feelings Go By" are now available for download via www.myspace.com/colmquearney, these songs provide a preview of what is no doubt going to be a cracking album! Featuring drummers Graham Hopkins, Johhny Boyle, and bass player Robbie Malone, plus guest vocalists Thomas Walsh of Pugwash fame, and the soulful and angelic Jenny Lindfors and Laura Sheeran. its spector pop, folksynth, rock - theres a new one for ya !!!

::: Upcoming LIVE Dates :::
15 Nov - Whelans (upstairs) - Dublin
26 Nov - Shebeen @ Three Blind Mice - London
27 Nov - London Irish Centre - London
01 Dec - Bodega - London

 
 
 
 
WALLIS BIRD
::: LIVE ::: Acoustic Tour: Dec 5th-17th
Hot on the heels of her recent Full-band Electric Tour around Ireland, Wexford's London-based WALLIS BIRD Returns for an Acoustic Tour around the country:

::: Irish Acoustic Tour Dates 2008 :::
5th Dec: Sligo, Barrys
6th Dec, Monaghan, Brewery
7th Dec, Derry, Sandinos
11th Dec: Mullingar, The Stables
12th Dec, Clonakilty, De Barras
13th Dec, Waterford, Electric Ave
14th Dec, Wexford, The Bailey Live
17th Dec, Dublin, Crawdaddy


"SPOONS"
- The Debut Album includes the hit singles "Blossoms In The Street" and "The Circle" Out Now on Bird Records / Island
www.wallisbird.com ~ www.myspace.com/wallisbird

IRISH INDEPENDENT - LIVE Review by Edel Coffey - 11/01/08

Wallis Bird at The Button Factory, Dublin

Wallis Bird has made a name for herself as the little spitfire from Wexford who got her first guitar when she was six months old, went to Germany and found a band, then got Universal music to sign her on her own terms. No mean feat.

Bird is still ploughing her own furrow with songs to match the multifaceted sides of her young self and a maturity that belies her years. The 26-year-old has been compared to singer-songwriter Ani DiFranco, but she sounds much more contemporary than that, mixing influences as diverse as Nina Simone and Tori Amos, with the kind of blues-soul voice that can go from a whisper to a scream in seconds.
Tonight she is making the transition from small to mid-sized venue and she's nervous. "I'm freaking. Can you smell it lads?" She needn't have worried, the nerves don't show and two songs in, she has the crowd performing harmonies, clapping out complex time signatures and singing along with new songs.

She jumps, shakes, kicks and headbangs her way through an hour and a half of a set that never gets boring, in part due to Bird's absurd sense of humour and storytelling. She mixes songs from her debut album 'Spoons' with some new ones, including a protest song in honour of the pensioners who gave the politicians a kicking last week.

Songs like 'The Circle' and 'Counting To Sleep' are hits with the audience, but the showstopper comes when her band leave the stage and she plays a raw ode to love lost called 'Just Keep Going' accompanied by just her guitar. It's an astonishing display of her vocal abilities and the depth of emotion she can convey with her voice.

Wallis Bird has a winning formula of talent, charm and personality that makes her both a wonderful songwriter and entertainer. The only worry is because her music shifts so uneasily between categories, she might slip between the cracks. But with songs like 'Blossoms In The Street' (which closes tonight's set) having such a radio-friendly bounce, it's more likely she is going to get bigger and better.

- Edel Coffey

After playing to over 1500 fans on her last sell-out Irish tour, appearances on the Late Late Show and the Dustin show, an acclaimed live performance at the Electric Picnic, and being part of the best selling Irish compilation CEOL 08, Wallis is excited to be returning home: "There is no country I’d rather play than my home country as the crowds are so responsive and heartful. And the Guinness doesn’t taste as good anywhere else!“

2008 has been an eventful year for Wallis. She’s played sold out tours in Ireland, the UK and Continental Europe; she supported the legendary Billy Bragg on his UK tour; and she reached the Top 10 UK Album Charts (digital) with her debut album "Spoons". Her music even reached over the Atlantic to the United States, where Universal Records asked her to contribute a song to the upcoming Billie Holiday Tribute album in the company of Mary J Blige and Corinne Bailey Rae among others.

As an artist with a clear idea of her own musical direction and a strong need for creative control, however, she decided not to progress the relationship with Island Records in the UK (Universal in Ireland) for her next album. Wallis said: "We started from such a healthy and organic base as just me, my band and the small team around me and we achieved so much in that time before signing to a major, that it’s refreshing to be able to return to grass roots again. The time with Island was interesting and I learned a lot but it also showed me who I want to be as an artist.“

Known for her extraordinary voice and unusual style of playing guitar (she plays it upside down following a childhood lawnmower accident where she lost a finger), Wallis’ live shows and music have garnered rave reviews from all quarters, with 4 * reviews being given by publications including The Guardian, Daily Express and The Sun, who called her ‘a stunning female singer-songwriter to take note of…..a future star’.

THE GUARDIAN
"It's her humour and bold honesty that makes Bird so special **** "

THE SUN
"A stunning singer-songwriter to take note of...a future star ****"

TIME OUT
"An engaging, Janis Joplin-like holler"

DAILY EXPRESS
"One of the most energised performers around. Wonderful **** "

SUNDAY EXPRESS
"A breath of fresh air, showcasing an exciting, spirited new talent ****"

DAILY MAIL
"Quirky jazz-rock, reminiscent of Fiona Apple or a young Janis Joplin"

DAILY STAR
"Bird's confessional songs hit the soul hard - but it's her voice that'll melt the coldest of hearts"

 
 
 
 

JUNO FALLS
"Four (Is The New Magic Number)"
Out on N8 through downloadmusic.ie and iTunes

www.junofalls.net ~ www.myspace.com/junofalls

As seen on TV: Late Late Show, Other Voices, The Café, Pop4, and Podge & Rodge

Taken from the album “Weightless”, JUNO FALLSMyles O’Reilly delivers yet another gem of a single to add to the band’s previous hits "This Song Is Your Own", "Opposite of Everything", "Slowly Fizzy", & "Atomic Bomb".

This re-mixed version is available for download only on Available on downloadmusic.ie and iTunes

REVIEW: THE IRISH TIMES
Weightless (V2) **** True to their new album's title, Juno Falls (aka Myles O'Reilly and sundry travelling compañeros) float free of the tethers that keep many of their contemporaries on terra firma. Snapshots of moments in time, stories of contradictory truths and lives less ordinary (The Boy Whose Skin Fell Off) are woven, layer upon layer, on a skein of deliciously dissonant strings and retiring percussion and brass. Juno Falls thrive on obtuse lyrics that suggest a perspective that's at an odd tilt with the world, one that throws up its share of inventive insights into life's finer moments while luring listeners into its fluctuating wavelength with an almost Tom Waitsean glee. Harmonically divine, Weightless is ideal immersion material for eardrums in pursuit of something more than a brief encounter.
 
>>> For Information / Interview requests / Promotional Copies contact Berube Communications:
Stevo Berube on info@berubecommunications.com or phone 0872442695 <<<



___________________________________________________________

JUNO FALLS' Myles O'Reilly vs BRAD PITT

Cannes, the late summer sunshine throws long shadows across the café as Myles tries to look nonchalant, casually pressing 'send' to complete his text message....
'You'd never guess who's sitting at the next table !'

Across the café Brad Pitt sits, head down, playing with his mobile phone. Other patrons whisper and sneak thinly disguised glimpses. Myles watches in amusement at peoples reactions as they nudge their friends and point with their eyes.

As Brad stands to leave he throws a glance in Myles' direction, checks to make sure that he's leaving nothing behind him, and walks towards Myles' table. Smiling as he approaches, he reaches out to shake Myles' hand.... ' I saw you play live recently, and I really like your album'. Then with a friendly pat on the shoulder he was gone.

Gobsmacked, Myles racked his brain to think 'where did he see me play live?' If it had been in Ireland he'd surely have known that he was there, and most of the Juno Falls shows in Europe this summer had been in fairly small venues, again it would have been hard for him to have gone unnoticed.

Unless it was Bologna !

(... Myles had been scheduled to play at a street festival in the centre of Bologna in July.
Arriving backstage, expecting to be playing early in the day, he got talking to the stage-manager
and mentioned that he hadn't expected it to be such a big event, ' who was headlining ? ' .
The stage-manager took the question as a joke, and Myles suddenly realised that Juno Falls were topping the bill.

It was a great night, leaning-towers bordered the large city centre square, tourists and locals (thousands of them)
intent on enjoying themselves on the balmy summers evening welcomed and embraced Myles and his music.
Nobody wanted to go home....)

It must have been Bologna !

Chuffed, Myles returned to his coffee.
Earlier, as he watched everyone else in the café recognise one of Hollywood's golden boys, Brad had been recognising him !
And what had he been doing with his mobile ? Maybe he was sending the same text ? ..... 'You'd never guess who's sitting at the next