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

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.