12/06/2013

TRACK OF THE WEEK FROM Röyksopp

Röyksopp   Running To The Sea EP | Stream artworks 000061855678 f77vf4 t500x500 200x200

Another absolute gem from the uber cool Chart-topping electronic duo that is Röyksopp as they release their first new single since 2011 with ‘Running To The Sea’. A stunning track that reinstates the Norwegian's validity in todays music industry. 

Check out their ‘Running To The Sea’ EP with remixes from Pachanga Boys, LNTG and Villa.

The track’s lush sweeping sound-scopic vocals, which come in from Susanne Sundfor are sublime. our must listen to track this week.

11/11/2013

Celtic Rock music gets more power

On Celtic rock band ‘More Power to Your Elbow’s new and third album "Until The Last Note Fades" the band deliver a high octane energetic set that will make your feet tap and will also pull on the heart strings. Recorded by the legendary producer Mudd Wallace, their blazing array of electro-acoustic instruments, driving melodies and rhythms makes the album a must for any fan of Celtic Trad Rock. Top notch musicality amidst each band member that entwines and cements this solid record.
Key tracks: Two new Bows & So far Away

11/06/2013

Ryan Keen releases debut album

A busy year for UK singer-songwriter Ryan Keen touring the majority of 2013 - the past twelve months have seen him play over 200 gigs, supporting everyone from Plan B at the iTunes festival, to Ben Howard, Ed Sheeran, and X Factor star Leona Lewis at the Royal Albert Hall. And he will be soon supporting our own Irish troubadour Gavin James.


Signed to Lookout Mountain who also boast an impressive list of acts such as the adopted Irish son Jamie Lawson, Keen recorded the album in his own garden shed. (Impressed... yes me too). 

On the Room For Lightmarks record, Keen debuted single ‘Old Scars’ which he teamed up with record producer Dan Parry, who previously worked with the likes of Adele and Lady Gaga. Well received on Uk Radio, it is set to hit Irish shores with 'You Know About me' a stunning track which will easily land him his own growing Irish fan base

Having mastered the art of storytelling, Keen is not just your standard singer songwriter but  one fuelled on emotions and passion, (he was  inspired to delve into song-writing after the tragic death of his friend at university), he draws from the every day and pieces the mundane mixed with the realties of life into a musically fluid songbook that will appeal to many.

This first record sounds like his third or fourth - it is that mature- something tells me there will be yet lot more to come from the vastly impressive songsmith Ryan Keen.

Be sure to catch him in Ireland this December with our own Gavin James:

Gavin James
The Forum, Waterford, Ireland
SAT Dec 07 2013

Gavin James
Dolans Warehouse, Limerick, Ireland
SUN Dec 08 2013

Gavin James
Róisín Dubh, Galway, Ireland
TUE Dec 10 2013

Ryan Keen Black Box, Belfast, UK
THU Dec 12

2013 Gavin James
Cyprus Avenue, Cork, Ireland

FRI Dec 13 2013
Gavin James
Pepper Canister Church, Dublin, Ireland

Paul Melia aims to impress on his debut

This album has been on my radar since his single (Lights in the sand) arrived in my inbox a few months back. To be honest I wasn't too gone on the single, which sounded like every other Indie act out there trying to climb the ladder with little of their own unique sound offerings, so the album I was up in arms about...

Fortunately enough I was wrong

It is a slow grower. Intelligent and sophisticated, Melia's music draws from many sources- classical, electronic, acoustic, pop... the list goes on. Although opener and the title track and name of the album 'Hold Onto Colours' sounds like an out-of-date track that missed out on making it onto an episode of Dawsons Creek, the rest of the album contains stronger tracks that draw you in and utterly impress.



Such as the stripped back tracks which soflty introduce just the voice and piano - Melia's strongpoint. This we see in the absolutely stunning Miss You, with its lingering intro and gradual build to its beautiful string section in the middle. It is a superb song that surprises and makes up for any doubt you may have on this multi faceted singer songwriter. His musicality alone in this track embodies the entire album. This would be a great track for radio, especially leading into the Christmas market when you see families reunited at the Airport. After I finished listening to that, on REPEAT, the album began to impress more and more. It is a mixed lucky bag, with some sweets you will like, love and others you will leave there until you have relished on the others. But all in all a superb debut album well worth listening to again, and again and again. Oh and AGAIN.

Listen to: Miss You and Shelter from my Mind.






10/04/2013

Sinead V Miley

OK so unless you have been hiding under an internet rock and have been hidden away from social media... Sinead O Connor wrote Miley Syrus an open letter, giving her concern and advise to the wayward young singer. Miley replied, dug up years old tweets from Sinead's twitter account from when she was battling with her BiPOlar and threw what advise O Connor was trying to give in Sinead's face, more or less. Well we don't really know. Like all things Miley Cyrus related... its a bit unclear...

This is going to be interesting... 

Sineads Open letter to Miley:
 Dear Miley, I wasn’t going to write this letter, but today I’ve been dodging phone calls from various newspapers who wished me to remark upon your having said in Rolling Stone your “Wrecking Ball” video was designed to be similar to the one for “Nothing Compares” … So this is what I need to say … And it is said in the spirit of motherliness and with love. I am extremely concerned for you that those around you have led you to believe, or encouraged you in your own belief, that it is in any way “cool” to be naked and licking sledgehammers in your videos. It is in fact the case that you will obscure your talent by allowing yourself to be pimped, whether it’s the music business or yourself doing the pimping.

Nothing but harm will come in the long run, from allowing yourself to be exploited, and it is absolutely NOT in ANY way an empowerment of yourself or any other young women, for you to send across the message that you are to be valued (even by you) more for your sexual appeal than your obvious talent. I am happy to hear I am somewhat of a role model for you and I hope that because of that you will pay close attention to what I am telling you. 

 The music business doesn’t give a sh– about you, or any of us. They will prostitute you for all you are worth, and cleverly make you think its what YOU wanted.. and when you end up in rehab as a result of being prostituted, “they” will be sunning themselves on their yachts in Antigua, which they bought by selling your body and you will find yourself very alone. None of the men oggling you give a sh– about you either, do not be fooled. Many’s the woman mistook lust for love. If they want you sexually that doesn’t mean they give a fuck about you. All the more true when you unwittingly give the impression you don’t give much of a fuck about yourself. And when you employ people who give the impression they don’t give much of a fuck about you either. No one who cares about you could support your being pimped.. and that includes you yourself. Yes, I’m suggesting you don’t care for yourself. That has to change. You ought be protected as a precious young lady by anyone in your employ and anyone around you, including you. This is a dangerous world. 

We don’t encourage our daughters to walk around naked in it because it makes them prey for animals and less than animals, a distressing majority of whom work in the music industry and its associated media. You are worth more than your body or your sexual appeal. The world of showbiz doesn’t see things that way, they like things to be seen the other way, whether they are magazines who want you on their cover, or whatever.. Don’t be under any illusions.. ALL of them want you because they’re making money off your youth and your beauty.. which they could not do except for the fact your youth makes you blind to the evils of show business. If you have an innocent heart you can’t recognise those who do not. I repeat, you have enough talent that you don’t need to let the music business make a prostitute of you. You shouldn’t let them make a fool of you either. Don’t think for a moment that any of them give a flying fuck about you. They’re there for the money.. we’re there for the music. It has always been that way and it will always be that way. The sooner a young lady gets to know that, the sooner she can be REALLY in control.

 You also said in Rolling Stone that your look is based on mine. The look I chose, I chose on purpose at a time when my record company were encouraging me to do what you have done. I felt I would rather be judged on my talent and not my looks. I am happy that I made that choice, not least because I do not find myself on the proverbial rag heap now that I am almost 47 yrs of age.. which unfortunately many female artists who have based their image around their sexuality, end up on when they reach middle age. Real empowerment of yourself as a woman would be to in future refuse to exploit your body or your sexuality in order for men to make money from you. I needn’t even ask the question.. I’ve been in the business long enough to know that men are making more money than you are from you getting naked. It’s really not at all cool. And it’s sending dangerous signals to other young women. Please in future say no when you are asked to prostitute yourself. Your body is for you and your boyfriend. It isn’t for every spunk-spewing dirtbag on the net, or every greedy record company executive to buy his mistresses diamonds with. 

As for the shedding of the Hannah Montana image.. whoever is telling you getting naked is the way to do that does absolutely NOT respect your talent, or you as a young lady. Your records are good enough for you not to need any shedding of Hannah Montana. She’s waaaaaaay gone by now.. Not because you got naked but because you make great records. Whether we like it or not, us females in the industry are role models and as such we have to be extremely careful what messages we send to other women. The message you keep sending is that it’s somehow cool to be prostituted.. it’s so not cool Miley.. it’s dangerous. Women are to be valued for so much more than their sexuality. we aren’t merely objects of desire. I would be encouraging you to send healthier messages to your peers.. that they and you are worth more than what is currently going on in your career. Kindly fire any motherfucker who hasn’t expressed alarm, because they don’t care about you. 

 Mileys response:
 
ANOTHER OPEN LETTER TO MILEY CYRUS by Sinead O Connor:
Miley… Really? Who the f*ck is advising you? Because taking me on is even more f*ckin’ stupid than behaving like a prostitute and calling it feminism. You have posted today tweets of mine which are two years old, which were posted by me when I was unwell and seeking help so as to make them look like they are recent. In doing so you mock myself and Amanda Bynes for having suffered with mental health issues and for having sought help. 

 I mean really really… who advises you? have you any idea how stupid and dangerous it is to mock people for suffering illness? You will yourself one day suffer such illness, that is without doubt. The course you have set yourself upon can only end in that, trust me. I am staggered that any 20 yr old woman of the 21st century could behave in such a dangerous and irresponsible manner as to not only send the signal to young women that its ok to act like prostitutes but also to the signal that those who have suffered or do suffer mental health problems are to be mocked and have their opinions invalidated. Have you no sense of danger at all? or responsibility? Remove your tweets immediately or you will hear from my lawyers. 

I am certain you will be hearing from all manner of mental health advocacy groups also. It is not acceptable to mock any person for having suffered. It is most unbecoming of you to respond in such a fashion to someone who expressed care for you. And worse that you are such an anti-female tool of the anti-female music industry. I hope that you will apologise to Amanda Bynes and to any person who has been wounded by your mockery of those who have suffered. 

And I hope that you will wake up and understand that you in fact are a danger to women. Furthermore you posted a photo of me tearing the pope’s photo .. as if to imply insanity.. by doing so all you have achieved is to expose your staggering ignorance. I suggest you read The Philadelphia Report, The Boston Report, all the reports which will illuminate for you why that action of mine remains sane and valid. By mocking it you mock every child who suffered sexual abuse at the hands of priests and had it covered by the Vatican. You could really do with educating yourself, that is if you’re not too busy getting your tits out to read.


In Miley's latest response, she said she was too busy to write to her because she was rehearsing for her SNL performance this weekend, but if Sinead wanted to meet up, she should let her know. 

Today, Sinead says she's no interest in meeting with Miley...in her third open letter to her:

Miley,
I have no interest whatsoever in meeting you. You had plenty of time yesterday to abuse Amanda Bynes .. an entirely innocent party.. and myself.. who also did nothing to deserve your abuse.. along with every other sufferer of mental health problems and every person who suffered abuse at the hands of priests. 

You can take five minutes today between g- string fuckin' changes to publicly apologise and remove your abusive tweets. If you do not then you don't give a shit who you mock and what damage you do by being so ignorant. 


When you publicly apologise to Amanda and myself and all mental health sufferers as well as all who were abused by priests that will end the matter as far as I am concerned.
what you did yesterday was designed to damage me and my career and has caused me enormous distress and harassment and has potential to damage my career, since you deliberately gave the impression those tweets of mine were not two years old but reflect my current condition. If you cannot apologize I will have no choice but to bring legal proceedings against you since it is extremely hard to be given work when people think one is suffering from mental illness. 


I have no interest in or desire to cause you trouble but if you do not apologise for having deliberately tried to cause me hurt and trouble personally and professionally I will have to bring pressure upon you. 


When you end up in the psych ward or rehab I'll be happy to visit you.. and would not lower myself to mock you. 


Be a proper woman and make the public apologies I have listed above. Your hosting SNL is a bullshit reason for not taking five minutes to do the right thing and your behaviour yesterday will rebound upon you very badly. 


You have no business abusing Amanda Bynes or anyone else. How do you think you made her feel yesterday? How do you feel when your friend Britney Spears is mocked and humiliated for having had mental health problems? I know I personally want to bash those who treat her that way. If she is your friend and more importantly if you are a true friend to her.. you ought apologise for joining those who mock and humiliate women who have been too nice frankly, to manage the music business without sensibly losing their minds.


Cease behaving in an anti-female capacity. You will become the victim of it shortly. Soon it will be you the media 'crazy' .. and you will not enjoy it.. and you will appreciate people (like myself) standing up for you. Which I will be happy to do.. if you earn my respect today by apologising publicly.

9/14/2013

Animalistic


Lola Bell is polished, stunning and has a song that will impress on both side of the pond. With her catchy-as-a-flu-this-time-of-the-year debut single 'Animalistic' scheduled for release in late Oct, the single is bound to be picked up by radio dj's who have been waiting for an Irish act to push out there and call their own with a proud stance. Radio friendly ready and armed with a song that will absolutely impress anyone who is loving the likes of Kesha, Rita Ora and Katy Perry. Animalistic is a sassy vibrant song that marks Lola Bell's entry onto the music scene with a loud bang that will have heads turning.

8/29/2013

The Hot 'as a cat on a scorching tin roof' Sprockets are back with a new single and its whopper

The ever epic stylishly handsome flock of cool dudes that are otherwise known as The Hot Sprockets have had quiet a year so far, gracing the airwaves recently with their single Soul Brother which finally put them firmly on the map. They are back now with follow up Comin On which will be released on iTunes Sept 20th and is the latest single off of their highly anticipated, yet to be named, album. 


Check out the new video for the single below. And get this - it was all shot in one take!



Do we love the Sprockets more after hearing that the follow up to a monumentally mega tune didn't disappoint? - hell yes we do. Is marriage on the horizon, yes. Yes it is. Well done lads, take a bow and thanks for keeping the Irish Music Scene that one bit cooler.

But don't take out word for it, see for yourself!



8/26/2013

The Furious Haze live from Whelans review.

“The night I wrote the riff for this song is the night I got banned from a friend’s apartment” queue screams, shouts and the smashing of more than one glass. A perfect introduction to the latest addition to Dublin’s live music scene.

The upper saloon in Whelan’s is packed to the rafters and while some folk band tickle away at acoustic guitars downstairs The Furious Haze are making their way to the stage. The warm up formalities have been brilliantly taken care of with Markus Carcus putting in a Johnny Cash tinged shift and Nella Dwyer ushering in a beautiful calm before the storm.

Along comes the main act, rattling through their first three songs with enough pace to make sure that the dance floor is full come the strum of the last chord. The Furious Haze are a beer drinking, fist fighting, working class man’s rock group with a rhythm section that you just can’t stand still too. This is local rock and roll at its very best.

The band have also got some news to share with their rowdy faithful following, “WE’RE GOING TO THE PICNIC”, bellows the enigmatic front man to an explosion of cheers, claps and shouts. The announcement of their upcoming appearance on The Salty Dog Stage at Electric Picnic takes the gig to an entirely new level.

Launching straight into their brand new single ‘Crazy Jane the Hurricane’ the band are being fuelled by their fan’s energy. The crowd begin to jump, the floor starts to shake and bottles dance across tables until one by one they tumble to the floor.

You get the feeling that this headline show is a real milestone for The Furious Haze and on the back of their Electric Picnic news they continue to thunder through a brilliant set. This is rip roaring, sweat dripping, couldn’t give a sh*t what anyone says rock and f*cking roll!
In an industry infected with so much pretentious, over meaningful self-indulgence The Furious Haze are a refreshing breathe of smoke filled air.


Check out ‘Crazy Jane the Hurricane’. And see the band play Electric Picnic on Sunday at the Salty Dog Stage at 11pm! Its gonna be a stomping set!

By Adam Higgins

8/12/2013

In conversation with Eleanor McEvoy


John caught up with the wonderful and ever busy Eleanor McEvoy last week. Eleanor heads off to perform a list of shows in The USA The shows are listed below...

Tuesday, September 10 Williamstown Barn ConcertWilliamstown, MA

Thursday, September 12 Irish Arts Center553 West 51 StreetNew York, NY

Sunday, September 15 The Burren247 Elm StreetSomerville, MA

But before then you can catch her in The Olympia Dublin with her "Womans Heart" legion of female singer songwriters. Wed 28th to the 31st of August. For all tour dates however, you can check out her webpage: http://www.eleanormcevoy.com/tour/ 


1. When and why did you start playing?
I started playing piano at the age of 3....... because it was there I guess. Playing is as natural as breathing to me, it's unthinkable that I wouldn't play.

2. Which instruments do you play?
On stage mainly Fender Telecaster electric guitar, acoustic guitar, piano and violin. (sometimes I also bring a bass, mandolin or ukelele). I'm also the worlds worst alto saxaphone player!

3. What was the first tune(s) you learned?
"Mama, We're All Crazee Now" by Slade. In Irish. For Slogadh. (Yes, really.)

4. Which other famous musicians do you admire? Why?
I love Bruce Springsteen because he has kept it about the music. It's not about pyrotechnics, costume changes or any other gimmicks, he just comes out on stage in jeans and a t shirt, straps on his guitar counts in his stunning band and off he goes.

5. Which famous musicians have you learned from?
Christy Moore, who after Planxty and Moving Hearts emerged as this utterly inspiring solo act, also Paul Brady, for his powerful and varied songwriting. Both have given me wonderful advice over the years.

6. Describe your first instrument.
A fairly old upright piano that sat in our living room. The 'B' above middle C was a bit wonky. It's mildly affected my perception of that note my whole life.

7. What are your fondest musical memories?
I used to love playing and singing with my brother Kieran and my sister Marion. A few years ago when my mother was very ill in hospital, we used to go in and play there and it was great to be playing and singing again with them. It brought back so many memories.

8. Were you influenced by old records & tapes? Which
Ones?
Yes, my sister was into Simon and Garfunkle, Bob Dylan and Joni Mitchell and my brother was into Deep Purple and Led Zeppelin, my Dad was into Mahler, so I had a curious mix of influences. My grandmother's gramophone was in my bedroom and there was an interesting collection of records to accompany it. Sometimes I'd wind it up and blast out "Isle of Capri" on an old 78.

9. Who are your favorite musicians? Groups? CD's?
As regards Irish musicians, I think that the late Rory Gallagher was really something special. I'm also a big fan of Irish singer songwriter 'Mundy' but in general, I am constantly blown away by the talent I see in this country.

10. How do you handle mistakes during a performance?
When I perform, I try to capture some magic in the room, auditorium or club. It depends on a lot of things, the sound quality, my own state of mind, most of all the energy and personality of the audience. Mistakes really don't come into it.

11. What advice would you give to up and coming artists?
I'd tell them to try and keep it about the music.

12. How often and for how long do you practice?
It really depends. On the road I try and do an hour or so after the soundcheck. In an ideal world I would do a couple of hours a day.

13. You have a quite hectic career schedule. How do you
balance your music with other obligations - mate, children alone time?
It's all a bit of a juggling act  to be honest and in truth, sometimes I drop one of the balls. I just try and make sure that the ball I drop is never the child......

14. You have over 10 albums now recorded, will you continue
making new albums or will you take a break. Its 21 years now with A Womans
Heart. And the shows are still selling as strong as ever. Where do you see
yourself in 5 years?
Take a break? I'm consumed with ideas! Why would I take a break? I'd like to still be touring, collaborating with interesting singers and musicians. I'd also like to write for film and theatre. I also love the medium of radio, so would like to explore that avenue at some point.

Thank you for your time Eleanor.
John
Pleasure!



Frances Black keeps getting stronger



It's been 7 years since she put out a studio album but this ten-track collection of well-chosen covers, including several classics, positively places Frances Black nicely back into the spotlight; where she belongs. 

One of the Nations most beloved songstress, Frances took the albums title from the Faith Hill declaration of womanly independence ‘I Would Be Stronger Than That’. Produced by long-time Ray Davies sideman Bill Shanley. Who does a great job in unison with Frances on re-deilvering well known song on another spectrum.

The LP includes a version of Sheryl Crow’s ‘Strong Enough’, which is currently gracing the airwaves.  From get go the record introduces Elton John's composition ‘Love Song’ from Tumbleweed Connection, followed by a lavish version of Carol King’s Tapestry classic ‘It’s Too Late’. From the same era comes James Taylor’s poignant ‘Long Ago And Far Away’ is sublimely captured by Black.

Our Favourite track is 'Rise', a little gem that showcases Frances' ability to take the thread of a fine song and weave it into something uniquely her own. Just superb. The album is aptly  titled as its stronger she is getting, proving she has yet, still so much to offer.

8/10

7/31/2013

In Their Thousands EP Launch Review

I first stumbled upon In Their Thousands in a damp Whelan’s on a cold November’s night last year at Hot Press and 2FM’s Play on the Day final. Having seen The Hot Sprockets blaze through the Leinster leg of the finals I was all set for a repeat performance from the Dublin soul brothers. Queue In Their Thousand’s, a band with such beautiful harmonies and incredible synchronicity that you could have heard a pin drop on the Wexford Street venue’s floor while they played their opening number. A crowd left stunned and in awe.

Fast forward almost a year later as they launch their second EP, ‘Between The Waters’ in the romantic surroundings of Dublin’s Odessa Club, and the lads have grown in depth and sound while still managing to hang on to that unique togetherness in performing  that makes them such a spectacle.

Support duties on the night came from their amazing fellow Donegal native Rosie Carney. A wise man once said that true beauty is about being unapologetically true to whom you are and throughout Rosie’s set we saw glimpses of that intermittent with shyness and an unfounded lack of confidence. Undoubtedly comparisons will come in their throngs with Laura Marling but to be likened to such a brilliant artist this early in her career should be nothing but a massive pat on the back. There was wonderful warmth in her guitar playing and accompanied with the fragile beauty of her voice her music really suited the mood in the room and set up the night well. Highlights would definitely be her hair rising cover of Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller’.

In Their Thousands approached the stage with passion pumping through their veins. They smashed out their first three tracks with such ferocity and hunger that Jim McGuinness would have been proud to have them in the black and gold jersey against Monaghan earlier in the month (ouch too soon?). Here we find a band that can do no wrong at the moment going from strength to strength with what seems like effortless ease. The new material taken from ‘Between The Waters’ furthers the claim that they are the most versatile band in Irish music right now with the ability to jump between genres like a frog across lily pads.

With the two front men already brimming over with vocal talent when the drummer then weighs in with his own piece of lead singing on one of the newer songs you can’t help but think that this wealth of talent in one band is a little unfair. With the excitement over flowing from their energy on stage you can tell the band have been living for this night.

In Their Thousands have been everywhere the past few months from magazine covers to radio stations and all the in-betweens so I suppose it should come as no surprise to us that the lads need a bit of a break. A sentiment confirmed by lead singer Declan as they closed the set with the fantastic ‘The Pattern’ he said “When we finish everything with the new EP we’ll be having a little break so if anyone’s looking for me I’ll be in a kayak somewhere of the coast of the West”, writing more songs we hope. 

A brilliant night held by a brilliant band and it won’t be long now until they will be filling venues much bigger than The Odessa with fans coming in their thousands (sorry I just had to get one now in didn’t I?).

Words: Adam Higgins

In conversation with James Cramer of Tupelo


Tupelo are an exciting, original, acoustic roots act consisting of an eclectic line-up of instruments which includes banjo, guitar, fiddle, double bass, mandolin, harmonica and dobro. 
They have just announced a 4-track EP teaser "Ballerinas Call" taken from their upcoming studio album PUSH ON which was produced by Joe Chester and mixed by Greg Calbi  (Beth Orton, The National, Fallout Boy, Bruce Springsteen) and gets its official release in early 2014. But for now the EP ‘Ballerinas Call’ showcases the variety and musicianship from one of Ireland rising bands and it out Sept 6th on iTunes. We caught up with front man James Cramer to see what he has been up to and what his influences are.

James is the second on the left with the banjo.

1. When and why did you start playing?
I heard Van Morrison singing when I was 9-10 and it dragged me in .

2. Which instruments do you play?
I play guitar , banjo , harmonica and bozouki.

3. What was the first tune(s) you learned?
 I learned 'In to the mystic' on the guitar.

4. Which famous musicians do you admire? Why?
 I admire Andy Irvine for his commitment to the song , Van Morrison for his soul and singlemindness and Bruce Springsteen for all those songs and showing people how to put on a SHOW.

5. Which famous musicians have you learned from?
We played some gigs with Imelda May a few years back and we were having a pint after the gig and she said 'Just keep going , it'll happen' . There is no better thing in life when perservence and belief collide.

6. Describe your first instrument.
 My first instrument was a piano my Nana bought me when I was about 3-4. She came from the tenements in town in Summerhill and then they moved to Cabra . She told me she never had the money to buy her children an instrument or send them to lessons so she saved up and bought me one. I wrote my first songs on that piano and I suppose that's where it all began.

7. What are your fondest musical memories?
I started a band when I was 14. I booked us our 1st gig in Frazer's in O Connell St in Dublin. We had 2 songs together , so by booking the gig it put the pressure on . We rehearsed every day all day that summer and we had 20 songs ready for the big gig! We soundchecked and everything was great , we went off for a bag of chips and came back to go and do the gig , the bouncer wouldn't let us in to our own show. We were all 14,15,16. The promoter had to sneak us in up the back stairs.

8. Were you influenced by old records & tapes? Which ones?
Yes , all I listened to was old music when I started out and still do mainly. Country , Gospel , Blues and proper R n B . When I got into Van I was reading up on what he used to listen to. So what you do is you go back , you must go back, and its a treasure trove for a kid who has not been exposed to this ever. I used to listen to on repeat Leadbelly 'Midnight Special' album, Hank Williams'Cold Cold Heart ' album, and John Lee Hookers ' Collection' over and over.

9. Who are your favorite musicians? Groups? CD's?
 I love Pete Seeger , Bruce , Dylan , Van, Liam Clancy , Luke Kelly , Tommy Makem, Richard Thompson, it goes on , how long is this interview! The Stones and Them are my band's. Current ones are The Avett Bros , Bon Iver, Band of Horses, Old Crow Medicine Show.

10. How do you handle mistakes during a performance?
 Mistakes happen , but that's where rehearsal and an understanding as a band comes in . Sometimes a mistake brings something great because it opens up a space and some thing needs to fill it , and that then creates spontaneity which is the 'Magic'.

11. How often and for how long do you practice?
 At least 2 hours a day sometimes 4-5 .

12. The new EP has a very different sound to it from the  older material, how did this transition occur or did you make the decision as a band to try a new sound?
It wasn't a conscious thing its just the songs I was writing at that particular time were different to the first album , like the songs I'm writing now they are totally different to the new album coming. There is no point making the same album again, you have to keep it moving for the band , your audience and your sanity.
Thanks,
James