Wayne Brennan releases new single + video - Roots in These Lands

Irish Singer/Songwriter Wayne Brennan has been super busy the past few months from winning first prize in the Sean McCarthy ballad contest in Co. Kerry in August to winning this year’s RTE/RAAP awards in the Traditional Irish/Folk category. 
www.waynebrennan.com // https://twitter.com/waynebrennan

The competition saw hundreds of applications coming in from all over the country which were judged by a panel which included Mary Black, Fiachna Ó Braonáin Hothouse Flowers, Ciarán Tourish of Altan, Gerry O’Connor, Eamonn Lenihan, and Niall Carroll. The shortlist was announced during the week and the final competition was held in the RTE Studios and broadcast live on the John Creedon show on RTE Radio 1 Thursday 20th September.

Check it out below! It showcases this artists wonderful fingerstyle plucking and winsome vocal delivery on a track that should be hand selected to be used in connection with Irish Tourism! (thats why I think anyway!) Brennan is a stunning representation of the talented folk singers from this fair Isle!

Here is the official video:

Brennan released his critically acclaimed debut album ‘In My Hands’ in May 2009 and spent 18 months opening for acts such as Jack L, Mick Flannery, John Spillane and The Gypsy Kings. He then successfully headlined his own Irish nationwide tour in 2011. His TOP 20 Debut Irish chart Single “And I Love” received over ½ million hits on YouTube to date.

Wayne took over a year out to write his forthcoming 2nd album titled ‘Live, Love, Sing and Dance’. He has travelled and written this album in Bali (Indonesia), Italy, Fuerteventura (Spain) and Ireland. This highly anticipated follow up album is due for release in early 2013. Prior to this the official release date has been set for the Song that has seen Wayne receive the well-deserved accolades his fine musical craft demands.

GiftedLive streaming here now!!

Gifted Live are giving people the chance to watch a fabulous gig tonight from the comfort of their home and given that horrid weather outside isn't it a grand idea! Check out the Live Music Show below! Starts its live stream from 9pm GMT!

Line up is as follows:

2100 Show Goes LIVE!!!!
2101 CATHY DAVEY, NEIL HANNON + Guests
2120 ROISIN O (Acoustic Stage)

2135 The Walls (Pre-Record VT)
2140 MORE THAN CONQUERORS
(Main Stage)
2200 SABRINA DINAN (Acoustic Stage)
2209 Stephen James (Pre-Record VT)
2215 THIS CLUB (Main Stage)
2242 A Song For Lily Mae (Pre-Recorded VT)
2248 SHANNON & the SHORTCUTS (Acoustic Stage)
2258 Hermitage Green (Pre-Record VT)
2305 RYAN SHERIDAN (Main Stage)
2350 Closing Show!!!

The illustrious Saw Doctors celebrate 25 years with new Best Of album.

Out now on a digital bundle on iTunes with new Single ‘Music I Love’The Tuam band celebrate their anniversary with style as they release new album best of '25.25' - ‘25 songs over 25 years + exclusive bonus commentary from the band’.

Having played their biggest homecoming show this Summer to over 40,000 fans at the Galway Volvo Ocean Race, and after performing over 2,000 shows in the UK, USA and Australia, The Saw Doctors celebrate 25 years together with a new “Best Of” album of 25 very special songs plus radio single ‘Music I Love’. Running in a rough chronological order through the bands 25 year history, the new “Best Of” traces the band’s career from their ground-breaking debut single N17 (recently featured in Chris O’Dowd’s TV series Moone Boy) through to last year’s chart topping smash DOWNTOWN with Petula Clark.

Along the way we revisit the infamous I USETA LOVER - Recently voted Ireland’s Favourite Number 1 in 50 years of chart history. We drop in on the PRESENTATION BOARDERS in Tuam and we hear the story of the legendary DJ Tommy K who was forced out of the Cathedral town after defying the Bishop’s order and running a disco during Lent.

Also included is MICHAEL D. ROCKIN’ IN THE DAIL – President Higgins recently invited Davy, Leo and The Saw Doctors to Aras an Uachtarain for tea and cakes, HOWYA JULIA – a sideways glance at the antics of the Bishop of Galway who disappeared overnight after news of his twenty years affair and teenage son broke out across Ireland. And the acapella version of RED CORTINA – a huge Christmas hit 20 years after it was originally written (and 40 years after the demise of the of the legendary Mark II).

As with all their albums, 25:25 is a celebration of The Saw Doctors West of Ireland heritage. In their own words: ‘Born into a repressed, catholic, conservative, small-town, agrarian, angst-ridden and showband infested society we’re trying to preserve the positive elements of our background and marry them to the sounds which have culturally invaded our milieu through TV, radio, 45’s, fast-food restaurants, 24 hour petrol stations and electric blankets’

Irish Dates November/December

The Saw Doctors will play Belfast Mandela Hall on November 23 and Dublin’s Olympia on November 24.

Over Christmas The Saw Doctors will play Portlaoise on December 27 and a New Year’s Eve show in Killarney’s INEC on December 31.

For the Belfast and Dublin shows, The Saw Doctors will feature new backing vocalist, Lindsey Cleary. The band first met Lindsey in the studio while working with Petula Clark and her vocals just clicked with Davy’s.Says Leo Moran: ‘Having Lindsey on board will add a completely new dynamic to the shows, allow us to do a bunch of different songs that we haven’t played live before and really showcase the harmonies between Davy and Lindsey’.

Ryan Sheridan to headline this week in Galway

As each show unfolds, this GiftedLive show is becoming one of the hottest places to go to on the Irish Music Scene! 

GiftedLive.com arrives at their first Galway show in ‘Monroes Live’ on Nov 22nd! Ryan Sheridan to headline with This Club, Cathy Davey and The Walls on the bill!!

GiftedLive.com is going from strength to strength with the announcing of their first Galway show in Monroes Live on November 22nd. Headlining on the night will be the energetic Irish Chart topping powerhouse that is RYAN SHERIDAN who has been dubbed as one of the countries finest live acts. We will also see live performances from This Club, Cathy Davey, Roisin O, More Than Conquerors and Shannon & The Shortcuts on the night.  The show starts at 9pm on GiftedLive.com or get down early to Monroes Live. Tickets are on sale now at only €16.

There will also be a special FREE Session the night before on November 21^st with The Walls and local boy Stephen James. Tickets are Free - all you have to do is apply for them on our facebook page - www.facebook.com/giftedlive

GiftedLive.com - Wednesday 21st November On November 21st, GiftedLive presents an evening with The Walls. This is a non-ticket event. With an exclusive 80 places only; fans can apply over at www.facebook.com/giftedlive to be in with a chance to attend the intimate performance. Hashtag the name #thewalls onto the page!!! To be in with a chance to attend!

'Gifted Sessions with...'

The Walls

Stephen James

Tickets Free (Exclusive 80 places only) – Apply on www.facebook.com/giftedlive

GiftedLive.com - Thursday 22nd November

Ryan Sheridan This Club Cathy Davey Roisin O More Than Conquerors Shannon & The Shortcuts + Special Recorded Performances by Hermitage Green Keywest  The Amazing ApplesShows starts at 9pm on www.GiftedLive.com (See it FREE Online)

Doors: 8:30pm / Adm: €16 - MONROES LIVE, Dominick St., Galway

Tickets available on Ticketmaster:  http://www.ticketmaster.ie/promo/bqozxu

Links:
www.giftedlive.com
www.facebook.com/giftedlive
www.Twitter.com/gifted_live

The Staves; Dead and Born and Grown

It happens. Every once in a while when you switch on an album and your world; stops. For a moment. However briefly, you become indulgently lost in the music. Awash in the sounds of pure bliss, harmony and staggeringly beautiful music that has been specifically made to make you stand still and reconnect with yourself.

Dead and Born and Grown is an album that speaks to you, it reaches in and connects. It grows on you, gets to know you and gives back to you, elements of life that you may have lost or forgotten about. 

One word: Wonderful.

Our rating: 10/10

See why here:

REEKUS RECORDS IMPRESS WITH ACT DEETRICH

Spun from a play of words and beauty Deetrich (woven after the outfits Front woman Dee Doyle and Marlene Dietrich) their new album Tug Of War pulls at your heartstrings as the luscious voice of Dee Doyle amassed with a coherency of instrumentation that any american band would be envy of, ushers you towards each song with open arms. Think the luxurious style of Marlene Dietrich mixed with the effortless musicality to the likes of Gillian Welch/Sarah McLachlan and that is the calibre of Dee Doyle's 'Deetrich'.

As the Album unfolds, the obvious standout tracks include: 'No Money, No Job', which showcases Dee's sublime vocals. 'Bent of our Shape' is vastly close to sounding like a spin off version of Elbows "One day like this" but it is equally as stunning. .. as it bellows out the lyrics...'Its better to swim than sink, theres comfort to be found when you surround yourself with sound' and there certainly is with such a stunning song. 'I'm Alive' is also a stellar track and is one of the most apt radio friendly tracks from the album which showcases their versatility.

Tug of War is not breaking any moulds here, nor is it redefining its genre but it is a fine album that is well worth checking out. If you enjoy Female led acoustic based music, then Deetrich would fit nicely into any of your folk/acoustic playlists. It's powerful and sublime.

8/10

Ireland just found their Ndubz

RnB Rap outfit Pyramid Hill impress with their new EP 'Just Get On'. As the Title suggest the music gets on full flow from start to finish. They launch the EP with a FREE gig at the Academy 2 venue on Abbey Street, Dublin on the 18th of October 2012- well worth checking them out. We will certainly pop along and let you all know how the gig goes! if they sound as good as they do on a cd; in a live format then we are in for a great night of Limp Bizkit meets NDubz. 

Quality Hip Hop unhinged by pumping guitar and powerhouse driven rhythms... I reckon this band will find their place on the Irish Music Scene pretty darn fast.  The fact that there are so very few bands in Ireland that sounds like this, can either be a good thing or a bad thing. Its either badly needed or unwanted. Lets hope its not the latter. 

Epic sounds built on epic proportions - Good luck to them.

Another mega band from... Tuam..

Strange Boats are a mix of The Clash meets Bruce Springsteen and they will be releasing their next single "Boys Walk Faster Than Girls" on October 26th. BWFTG is already impressing us so much that its a fast contender for track of the year even in its late addition. We believe (from bands facebook page updates..) that the single has just hit Irish Radio and for the love of all things holy we hope dj's actually support this one, its radio friendly as heck and they also look pretty darn cool even if one of them is spotting a farmers hat- he does it with an angsty style that belies his young years. We're not giving out or nathin, but it would be nice to hear more of this kind of stuff on the aul airwaves. We wait eagerly for the album and press repeat on the wait..

Gigs coming up soon include:

Sunday 7th October - Campbells Tavern, Cloughanover
Friday 23rd November - Mandela Hall, Belfast
Saturday 24th November- the Olympia Dublin (Supporting the Saw Doctors)

Listen: Strange Boats
Tweet: https://twitter.com/strangeboats
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/strangeboats

Saturday 6th October - The Oliver Plunkett, Cork 

Watch: http://www.youtube.com/strangeboatsofficial 

STREAM: GiftedLive - Therapy? / The Original Rudeboys and more 9pm tonight!

GiftedLive returns tonight, October 4th with headliners Therapy? who will rock the Empire Music Hall out of it no doubt! They will be joined by Silhouette, Mojo Fury, Fighting With wire, The Original Rudeboys, Adela and the Meanits, Joshua Burnside, The Red Velvetines, Jason Clarke and Robert Vincent!! Can't get a ticket?? it ok, we are streaming it here!! from 9pm - all you have to do is hit play below anytime from 9pm and you can tune into the GiftedLive session through us, AU, Goldenplec a a few other Supportive irish Music BLogs.

So if you didn’t get tickets to turn up at the event itself in Belfast, makes sure you use our stream to tune in. Some great Irish bands to check out!!! 

New music video from MDT!

MotorCycle Display Team's new album is out Oct 5th.. They got a wickedly good review by us recently and there is a reason why! They are class! here is the second single from Captatio Benevolentiae, Brickwall- official video is too cool for school.

http://vimeo.com/50641420


Brickwall, Motorcycle Display Team from Carwell Casswell on Vimeo.

Motor Cycle Display Team new album

I loved their last single 'betweenagers'. I was delighted to hear it on the radio one night upon my return from reviewing a gig in Dublin and when I got sent the album by their pr company I smiled for a week. It just grew on me. Its a grower, a friend whom you become acquainted with over a few beers, suss out cautiously and then realise that yeah, they are bang on... lets get pissed together... and text our ex's. Its cheeky like that.

The album is the result of hard slog, years gigging and songwriting, mental breakdowns and taking the good with the bad. Based out of London, the tree piece recorded their debut album in The Pool and Heart of Gold Studio. After time in the studio, does 'Captatio Benevolentiae' (no don't try to pronounce it..it's futile) tick all the boxes?? lets give it a lash...

To date, the band have had two songs featured in the Channel 4 youth drama ‘Hollyoaks’, one of their songs featured in a BBC sitcom called ‘Off The Hook’. Been Unsigned Band of the Month on We7. Had their video for ‘Worry Wings’ in the top ten final of ‘The Source’ tv show on Sky TV- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8BUMS_t2LM. 

Impressed yet?...

Of late they have been enjoying a nice amount of radio plays across Irish radio and were awarded band of the week on Absolute Radio, which is a one of the leading FM radio stations in the UK. 

Opener on album 'Break Town' begins as a jaunty and disconnected tune, leading up to the chorus when it all finally comes together and showcases their quirky indie pop fueled trademark sound. Motorcycle Display Team are a very tight band both melodically and instrumentally. Its hard to grasp the attention of a reviewer from get go but they manage it as the album moves along nicely. 'The best ex you've ever had' is a great song. It lift's off from get go and the bass line is sexy as hell.

The album to its core is an indie pop offering with lots of sunny bursts that leaves you beaming. With its rises and falls, compacted into intricate melody lines, ascending riffs and succulent bass lines throughout, 'Captatio Benevolentiae', does not disappoint. But give it time if you don't get it at the beginning as I feel it requires repeat listens to get a grasp of it.

Favourite track has to be Summerbomb: Its out Oct 5th. Go get it!

Heritage Centre; bit of 'alright'

We got the album in the mail a while ago but only got round to listening it this weekend. They released it on September 14th. Whats it like? Well its really good actually.

They recorded it in Canada with Producer David Newfeld (most famous for his work with Broken Social Scene having also worked with Super Furry Animals, Los Campesinos and We Are Augustines). The album is 11 tracks and is entitled Alright, Check It Out. so when they asked me to check it out, I was tempted to write back, Alright, I'll check it out... ( get it.. ).

 

The artwork is very retro (with serious kudos for their album cover featuring Mosney in the 1960s taken by John Hinde. MOSNEY!!!), so I liked it instantly. Opener 'Don't you ever give up on Yourself' is an indie pop ballad, but it was second track 'Death by Science' that sold it for me. Visually Its all very gold-tinted.. reaching out to a 60/70's era, but musically It has a fusion of rock and electro pop, burgeoning keyboards and loops with heavy rhythms driving each song around a delicate vocal. I mean if The Thrills did a lot of cocaine it'd probably sound like this. Its hectic, its pure indie-licious and its a decent album from a band who don't sound like they are from Ireland. 

They are not doing what other Indie bands are doing, which is ultimately sounding like each other, as they don't sound like anyone else out there now...In fact they'll probably be likened to Two Door Cinema Club but I bet that tripe band wish they had produced an album half as good as this and then moaned about it leaking. 

With front man and lead vocalist Conal McIntyre, they have managed to put together a significantly good commercially viable album. Will we see a lot of them? I hope so. The album suggest that it might be the making of them.

You can buy it for 7 quid here: http://heritagecentre.bandcamp.com/

Gifted Live impress with November line up!

We've been fans from get go, and now they've gone and made us have a man love crush on them all over again... this is why....

October 4^th & November 8^th LINE UP ANNOUNCED for GiftedLIVE!!

In July, Belfast Rockers The Answer headlined GiftedLive, though we feel Kopek were the best on the night... and its worth noting that the venue where the online gig is shot from sold out to capacity on the night of the live show...and online views notched up to 10,000 tuning in throughout the event to www.giftedlive.com to get a piece of the live action for eh FREE!

David Kitt the bland ol bore even trended on Twitter Ireland, but to be fair his set was actually quiet good. Anyway, Therapy will headline the October show- as we already posted about it here, lets just skip to Novembers most impressive line up which was announced earlier today....

On November 7^th, GiftedLive presents an evening with Paddy Casey. This is a non-ticket event. With an exclusive 60 places only; fans can apply over at www.facebook/giftedlive to be in with a chance to attend the intimate performance. Hashtag the name #paddycasey onto the page!!! 

On November 8^th, the platinum selling International Songwriting Award winner Mick Flannery will headline. Featuring special guests Heathers, Jerry Fish and the Skeleton Crew, The Virginmarys and more quality bands.

Full line up below for Oct and Nov shows:

Each Show starts at 9pm on www.GiftedLive.com (See it FREE Online)

Doors: 8:30pm / Adm: £10 - The Belfast Empire Music Hall

www.giftedlive.com  

www.facebook/giftedlive

www.Twitter.com/gifted_live

GiftedLive.com - Wednesday November 7th

'An Evening Session with...'

Paddy Casey

Katie and The Carnival

+ Special Guest

Tickets Free (Exclusive 60 places only) – Apply on www.facebook/giftedlive  and hashtag the name #paddycasey onto the page!!! 

GiftedLive.com - Thursday November 8th

Mick Flannery

Heathers

Desert Hearts

Jerry Fish and the Skeleton Crew

The Virginmarys

Daithi

Moulettes

+ Special Recorded Performances by

Our Krypton Son

The Mighty Stef

Empty Lungs

TICKETS FOR ALL SHOWS CAN NOW BE BOUGHT AT TICKETMASTER: http://www.ticketmaster.ie/promo/bqozxu

Amanda Palmer; Theatre Is Evil

Amanda Palmer (sometimes known as simply Amanda Fucking Palmer) can not be minimally described in one single sentence. She is the synopsis of how the music industry is changing, evolving and progressing. A show stopping theatrical performer and industry activist, she supports the revolution. Doesn't matter which revolution coz chances are, its for them all. She is an online blogging goddess, a bold and intelligent business woman, an actress, a performer and a rather gifted musician.

She has teamed up with The Grand Theft Orchestra to bring us her latest album away from Dresdon Dolls: Theatre Is Evil. And what is it like then? It is nothing short of brilliant that is what it is. From SMILE, I'm Not The Killing Type to WANT IT BACK, the entire album is thoroughly enjoyable. All songs set musically and artistically in a style and panache that is so uniquely Amanda Palmers. With crescendos and rhythms lifting and dropping, soaring piano lines and wonderfully trained vocals blending in together in utter harmony.

It is also worth noting that On April 20, 2012, Palmer announced on her blog that she launched a new album pre-order on Kickstarter. The Kickstarter project was ultimately supported by 24,883 backers for a grand total of $1,192,793, at the time, the most funds ever raised for a musical project on Kickstarter! 

This is that very album, recorded in Melbourne, Australia with John Congleton producing, it exists because the fans wanted it to. So in essence Palmer has bypassed record labels projections and traditional means of how albums come to be, aligning everything between her and her loyal fans.

Trust me; even if you have never heard of Amanda Palmer, you should check out this album. Their is a reason why people support her so passionately. 'Want It Back' is the current Single.

THERAPY? to headline Oct 4th GiftedLive!!!

A new way to experience live music...Get closer to the bands you love, without leaving your house.

“SITE OF THE WEEK” - THE IRISH INDEPENDENT

“A Real Gift of a gig” – Irish Times

“Impressive” – Hotpress

 “Very, very impressive Jools Holland style. Beautifully lit and shot”- AU Magazine 

OCTOBER 4^TH LINE UP ANNOUNCED:

THERAPY? TO HEADLINE

In July, when The Answer headlined GiftedLive, (with other acts on the night including The Riptide Movement, Kopek, David Kitt plus more) it was a rather special occasion as The Empire Music Hall quickly sold out and online views notched up to 10,000! David Kitt trended on Twitter Ireland, the crowd went wild for their headliners and the online world was taken over for the night.

October 4^th sees the eagerly awaited return of GiftedLive with headliners THERAPY? taking to the main stage to play hits such as ‘Going Nowhere’ plus tracks from their current studio album ‘A Brief Crack Of Light’. Other special guests appearing on the night include a selection of the finest bands on the scene right now: Silhouette, Mojo Fury, Fighting With Wire, The Original Rudeboys, Adela and the Meanits, Jason Clarke and Robert Vincent.

Thursday Oct 4th Line-Up:

Therapy?

Fighting With Wire

The Original Rudeboys

Silhouette

Jason Clarke

Robert Vincent 

+ Special Recorded Performances by:

Mojo Fury

Adela & the Meanits

+ More TBA

Info on the event:

GiftedLive brings you closer to the bands you love, without you having to leave the comfort of your home. An ‘online music show’ set in a format similar to a TV show, it is broadcasted live and direct from stunning venue The Belfast Empire Music Hall and hosted by BBC presenter Philly Taggart.

It’s the first online music show of its kind based around a live gig.  GiftedLive.com features the best new music around. From the established stars to the undiscovered gems - they ‘gift it live’ to the world!

All GiftedLive.com shows are streamed for Free – Live & Online.  And if you’re worried that you’re missing out on the adrenaline-fuelled impact of a live gig; that feeling will vanish once you watch your favourite band live - in real time - on your very own front of house seat, from your own home, lap top or mobile device. GiftedLive.com offers you the chance to share the ‘live gig experience’ …but with all the creature comforts of home!

Or you can always come down to The Belfast Empire Music Hall and witness the magic in person. It is a live gig after all! For those of you who do however want to attend the gigs in person, tickets are priced at £10 and are available at the door of The Empire Music Hall Belfast from 8:30pm onwards on the night of each show.

Each performance is filmed on multi-cameras and cut live on location. All performances are archived and available for viewing on www.GiftedLive.com

‘Gifted’ has been running at The Empire Music Hall for over 11 years and has showcased some of the finest talent to ever emerge from these shores.  Everyone from Duke Special to The Answer, Fighting with Wire, General Fiasco, The Riptide Movement, Kopek, David Kitt, Pugwash, Desert Hearts, A Plastic Rose, Wonder Villains, Olympic Lifts, Oppenheimer, Two Door Cinema Club; the list reads like a who’s who of Irish music. Only this year can you watch the show online at giftedlive.com.

Links:
http://www.giftedlive.com/ 
www.facebook/giftedlive 
www.Twitter.com/gifted_live