Brand New Single ‘The Righteous Way’ Out 25th April

From their forthcoming debut album ‘Ballroom Addicts’ releasing 9th May

And Tour Dates Announced!

Hailing from Bray county Wicklow, Big September is a gang of indie rockers who burst onto the scene in early 2013 and have stamped their name firmly into the minds of many since their arrival. Five friends from school, who got together as a handy excuse to miss the odd class, certainly love to live the rock n roll lifestyle and have no qualms about it. This honesty breathes through the songs and especially the live performance.

Big September are set to release their brand new single ‘The Righteous Way’ on the 25th April taken from their highly anticipated debut album ‘Ballroom Addicts’ which is due for release on May 9th 2014. If ‘The Righteous Way’ is anything to go by you will certainly find yourself impatiently waiting for the arrival of the new album!

Front man, Scotty O’Neill, possesses charisma in abundance and has the ability to grab a crowd by the scruff of the neck, and shake them into submission without laying a finger on them. He is backed up by Dave Butler (guitar/vocals) who sings from the soul with a voice that could stand up in any band or musical era. Cillian Duane (lead guitar) is a blues boy through and through, with the classic unpredictability live, that stuns many an audience. The rhythm section is made up with Dan Smith, a pounding drummer who makes you feel you’re glad you’re not on the other end of the sticks, and Graham “Naylor” O’Neill on bass and main song writing duties who delivers anthem after anthem with clever lyrics and simple hooks. The chemistry and true gang mentality of this group is seldom found, but witnessing the force that is Big September displays how such a seldom find can be so successful.

The name Big September means a lot to the band as it is dedicated to a close friend who passed away in recent years. A friend who always believed in the lads and this in turn spurred them on to prove they’ve got what it takes. With their debut album “Ballroom Addicts” finished and ready to be unleashed, and an album launch booked with MCD in The Academy on Saturday 17th May, this is destined to be their year. They proved throughout 2013 that they can cut it on the live circuit playing all the major venues around the country with many sell out shows such as The Academy in December.

Big September play the length and breadth of the country this year so make sure you catch at least one of their shows as this is one act you don’t want to miss out on!

Tour Dates:
Friday 28 March Metro 17, Wexford www.metro17.com
Wednesday 2 March Leopardstown Races (Student Event) www.leopardstown.com
Friday 18 April Barn Dance, (Secret Location) www.barndance.ie
Sunday 4 May Vantastival, Bellurgan Park, Co. Louth www.vantastival.com
Saturday 17 May The Academy, Dublin (Debut Album launch) www.theacademydublin.com
Thursday 29 May Leixlip Festival www.leixlipfestival.com
Saturday 7 June Neufest Music Arts Festival, Newcastle House Hotel, Ballymahon, Co Longford
Sunday 15 June Fortstock Festival , Clones, Co. Monaghan www.fortstock.ie
Saturday 28 June Craic in the Brack Festival, Aughnabrack, Co. Tyrone www.cng.ie/Craicindabrack.htm
Sunday 6 July Groove Festival, Kilruddery House, Bray, Co. Wicklow www.groovefestival.ie
Saturday 26 July Summerfest, Bray, Co. Wicklow www.braysummerfest.com
Sunday 3 August Indiependence Festival, Cork www.indiependencefestival.com
Saturday 20 September The Village Inn, Tullyvin, Co. Cavan www.facebook.com/the-village-inn-tullyvin

The latest project from Bell X1’s Dave Geraghty

Join Me In The Pines are delighted to announce

their debut live shows in

Coughlan’s, Cork on Friday 4^th April & The Dublin Unitarian Church on Friday 11^th April.

Bell X1’s David Geraghty released his debut solo album ‘Kill Your Darlings’ in 2007, to critical and fan acclaim. The album was also nominated for a Choice Music Prize that year. 2009 saw Geraghty return with his second solo offering ‘The Victory Dance’. Both of these albums were written and recorded between stints in the hectic Bell X1 touring schedule.

Similarly, Dave’s new project, ‘Join Me in the Pines’ was written and recorded over a year and half while on and off the road. JMITP is a return to the somewhat isolated creative process under which his debut album was made. This time around the process benefits from a newly built home studio, (which was tried and tested on the demos for Bell X1’s “Chop Chop” album). “Finally there’s a place, other than their flight cases, where all these instruments can reside. Every musician’s dream is to have their own home studio. However, this dream is of the double-edged sword variety. Being a workaholic, it’s sometimes difficult to switch off knowing that the studio is attached to your living room.”

Included in the new studio’s arsenal of instruments is a 200 year old Harmonium which was rescued from a local church. “Had I not spotted the ad in a local newsletter, this beautiful old instrument was heading for the skip. It’s the harmonium’s warm, rich tone, that is the opening sound on the new album.”

Once again Geraghty displays his musical skills on the new album by playing almost all of the instruments, although it was enhanced by some great talents from the trad, folk and classical worlds.  Clare Finglass, who appeared on Dave’s first two albums, once again lends her voice to make one half of the backing vocal duo. The other half being Dave’s Mammy. “Because apart from being amazing, she works for free”.

The album was mixed by Phil Hayes, who has also recorded and mixed some of Bell X’s albums (Flock, Tour de Flock, Blue Lights on the Runway, Field Recordings).

The New Name

Geraghty, who is North Dublin based, wanted to change the name under which he released his solo work, to evoke a world where the music lives, instead of it being anchored to reality by a person’s name. Join Me in the Pines came about from the imagery that in part inspired the songs and in part was evoked by the developing mood of the album. The artwork for this debut, which is currently being finalised by the artist Alan Clarke (www.mralanclarke.com), has a strong sense of the characters, places and themes that surface throughout the music.

LIVE

Join Me In The Pines will be premiering their beautiful new set of songs for the first time publicly in April 2014. On this bare bones tour, JMITP will be visiting IMRO Venue of the Year – Coughlan’s in Cork on Friday 5^th and the beautiful intimate surroundings of The Dublin Unitarian Church, Stephen’s Green, Dublin on Friday 11^th April for two very special shows.

The Dublin Unitarian Church seemed like such a perfect venue as all profits from gigs go towards the restoration of their 1911 JW Walker resident pipe organ which they’re working hard to raise €250, 000 for.

Friday 4 April        Coughlan’s, Douglas Street, Cork      Show 8.30pm / Tickets €15 inc. booking fee from www.Coughlans.ie & www.entertainment.ie

Friday 11 April      The Dublin Unitarian Church, 112 St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin Doors 8.30pm / Tickets €15 + booking fee from http://e1.ie/2hbh

www.joinmeinthepines.com  

The Eskies

Release their brand new single ‘Fever’ on 4th April &
Are to put on a display in Dublin’s Button Factory the very same day!

Having been cast out, blacklisted, rejected and ejected from gentlemen’s clubs far and wide, five dejected cast asides joined forces in what was to be their own celebration of commonality.

Purveyors of music that meanders from sea soaked waltz to Italian tarantella, from Brassy funeral march-esque lament to weep along Klezmar knees up, from chain gang holler to rag time finger snap. Skipping through the dark side of anything that makes you want to dance, steeped in melodrama and usually with not a small amount of tongue in cheek.

The Eskies have brought this unique brand of folk noir/gypsy jazz/sea shanty and swaggering stage spectacle to ballrooms and booze houses the length and breadth of the country. Sullying soirees and lowering inhibitions of get-togethers and social occasions wherever they have ventured.

Although the plucky quintet fall more naturally into the guise of boisterous guests as opposed to gracious hosts, they do occasionally throw their own recital or musicale and on the 4th of April they will once again be doing just that.

To mark the release of their debut single ‘Fever’ (due for release on the same day) The Eskies will be taking to the stage at Temple Bar’s Button Factory along with some esteemed guests in the form of the enrapturing ‘Mongoose’ and the swashbuckling ‘Rocher’.

The evenings gracious hosts are seldom known to deliver anything short of a spectacle and the 4th of April will be no exception with plans to turn the venue into a miniature carnival for the night with Gentleman’s dress code (as ever) strongly advised with prizes going to the best dressed.

There will be dancing, there will be singing, and there will be screaming. Up The Parish!
You can purchase tickets for The Button Factory spectacle here – www.theeskies.com/tickets.html

Friday 4 April – The Button Factory, Curved Street, Temple Bar, Dublin 2 – www.buttonfactory.ie

www.theeskies.com
www.soundcloud.com/the-eskies

The latest project from Bell X1’s Dave Geraghty

New Single ‘Joy is a Lion’ Out 11^th April

JMITP is letting the fans decide where they want them to play via http://www.gigstarter.com/tour/join-me-in-the-pines

Pledge entries end Monday 24^th March!!

Bell X1’s David Geraghty released his debut solo album ‘Kill Your Darlings’ in 2007, to critical and fan acclaim. The album was also nominated for a Choice Music Prize that year. 2009 saw Geraghty return with his second solo offering ‘The Victory Dance’. Both of these albums were written and recorded between stints in the hectic Bell X1 touring schedule.

Similarly, Dave’s new project, ‘Join Me in the Pines’ was written and recorded over a year and half while on and off the road. JMITP is a return to the somewhat isolated creative process under which his debut album was made. This time around the process benefits from a newly built home studio, (which was tried and tested on the demos for Bell X1’s “Chop Chop” album). “Finally there’s a place, other than their flight cases, where all these instruments can reside. Every musician’s dream is to have their own home studio. However, this dream is of the double-edged sword variety. Being a workaholic, it’s sometimes difficult to switch off knowing that the studio is attached to your living room.”

Included in the new studio’s arsenal of instruments is a 200 year old Harmonium which was rescued from a local church. “Had I not spotted the ad in a local newsletter, this beautiful old instrument was heading for the skip. It’s the harmonium’s warm, rich tone, that is the opening sound on the new album.”

Once again Geraghty displays his musical skills on the new album by playing almost all of the instruments, although it was enhanced by some great talents from the trad, folk and classical worlds.  Clare Finglass, who appeared on Dave’s first two albums, once again lends her voice to make one half of the backing vocal duo. The other half being Dave’s Mammy. “Because apart from being amazing, she works for free”.

The album was mixed by Phil Hayes, who has also recorded and mixed some of Bell X’s albums (Flock, Tour de Flock, Blue Lights on the Runway, Field Recordings).

The New Name

Geraghty, who is North Dublin based, wanted to change the name under which he released his solo work, to evoke a world where the music lives, instead of it being anchored to reality by a person’s name. Join Me in the Pines came about from the imagery that in part inspired the songs and in part was evoked by the developing mood of the album. The artwork for this debut, which is currently being finalised by the artist Alan Clarke (www.mralanclarke.com), has a strong sense of the characters, places and themes that surface throughout the music.

April Tour

Join Me In The Pines will be premiering their beautiful new set of songs for the first time publicly in April 2014. On this bare bones tour, JMITP is using pledge campaign Gigstarter to give fans the opportunity to have their say on which towns the band should visit by pledging tickets for their debut tour. JMITP hope to visit a couple of towns on their first outing around Ireland.  Where these gigs take place will be decided by fans of the band.  The places that show the most love and enthusiasm are where Join Me In The Pines shall visit this April. Fans can pledge tickets on this tour by visiting http://www.gigstarter.com/tour/join-me-in-the-pines

Everyone who registers will be sent a link to download the first JMITP single ‘Joy is a Lion’ for free and a link to view the lyric video for the track.

Pledge entries for this tour end on Monday 24^th March and the results will be announced to hopeful fans on 31^st March.

 www.joinmeinthepines.com  / http://www.gigstarter.com/tour/join-me-in-the-pines

Duke Special’s Gramophone Club

Those who know Duke Special for the platinum album “Songs from the Deep Forest”, including the hit song “Freewheel”, or even for his forays into the world of orchestras and music theatre may be surprised by his latest incarnation.

After a chance meeting with The Shellac Collective, a like-minded group of eccentrics who are passionate about 78rpm records from bygone times, Duke and the Shellacs started to appear at the same festivals and perform together on occasions.

Now Duke has taken the plunge, and formed Duke Special’s Gramophone Club, the Irish arm of the Shellac Collective.

From the decadence of the 1920’s Jazz Age, the pure glamour of the 1930’s Dance Band Era and the nostalgia of the War Years, exciting Rhythm ‘n’ Blues, Jumpin’ Jive, exotic Latin and Calypso beats through to the Rock ‘n’ Roll explosion of the 1950s, Duke Special will run the gamut of 78rpm DJ-ing…

Be prepared to swing, tap and jive your body to the sounds Mr. Special will have in store for you!

Duke Special’s Gramophone Club will be visiting

Thursday 17 April                                        The Spirit Store, Dundalk

Friday 18 April                                              Vine Restaurant, Wexford

Thursday 24April                                         The Liquor Rooms, 5 Wellington Quay, Dublin

Friday 25 April & 30 May                           Aether & Echo, 11 Garfield Road, Belfast

Wednesday 7 May                                        Old Oak, 113 Oliver Plunkett Street, Cork

www.djdukespecial.com

Don Baker

Announces Irish Tour For 2014!

Don Baker is hitting the road starting from March and will be touring right through to the summer months! He will be covering the length and breadth of our emerald isle so there will be an opportunity to catch him in a town near you!

Irish singer, songwriter, guitarist and harmonica player Don Baker was born in Whitehall, Dublin in 1950, but by the time he was in his early teens he was already showing his natural talent on the harmonica and guitar.

Living in the Corporation Buildings in inner-city Dublin he was attracted to blues music, and by 1973 he was playing all over Germany, Austria, Holland and France, earning a living from the music he not only loved, but was supremely proficient at. He spent a decade on the road, paying his dues, travelling on trains, and sleeping on floors.

Don became a significant Irish musical figure in 1979 when he was invited by the Late Late Show to compose a song about inner city Dublin. ‘Dublin’s Inner City’ was the outcome, and the version by The Jolly Beggarmen reached No. 2 in the Irish charts.

Over the years since then, Baker has built a solid reputation as a singer, guitarist, harmonica player and songwriter. Many of his own compositions offer disarmingly honest reflections on aspects of his own life and personality, and he has openly spoken of his deeply spiritual approach to life and people.

Baker made his screen debut in 1993 in the film In The Name of The Father directed by Jim Sheridan, and starring Daniel Day-Lewis and Emma Thompson. He also appeared in Mia, Liebe Meines Lebens in 1998 with Claudia Cardinale, and in 2001’s On The Nose with Dan Ackroyd and Robbie Coltrane. Don picked Best Supporting Actor at the 14th Melbourne Underground Film Festival 2013, which premiered his “apocalyptic crime thriller” The Late Men, from director Van Poynton. The film’s title sequence – featuring Don’s electrifying harmonica – was nominated for Excellence in Title Design in SXSW, Texas, 2013.

Baker released his current album, My Songs, My Friends, in 2013 which features a selection of his own songs sung and played by a star-studded line-up of guests including Liam O Maonlai, Brian Kennedy, Gemma Hayes, Finbar Furey, Sinead O’Connor, Eleanor McEvoy, John Spillane, Mick Pyro, Clara Rose, Rob Strong, Pat Collins, Martin Furey, Paddy Casey and Declan O’Rourke. It also contains three live bonus tracks recorded by Baker at The Olympia.

Tour dates:

Saturday 15 March Castletownbere, Cork.
Friday 21 March Whelan’s, Dublin. http://www.whelanslive.com/
Saturday 22 March Wexford Arts Centre. http://www.wexfordartscentre.ie/
Friday 28 March Dolans, Limerick. https://dolans.ie/
Saturday 29 March Glen Theatre, Banteer, Cork. http://www.glentheatre.ie/
Thursday 10 April Ramor Theatre, Virginia, Cavan. http://www.ramortheatre.com
Friday 11 April Balor Arts Centre, Ballybofey, Donegal. http://www.balorartscentre.com/bac/
Saturday 12 April The Coleman Music Centre, Sligo. http://www.colemanirishmusic.com/
Friday 25 April The Cornmill Theatre, Leitrim. http://www.cornmilltheatre.com/whatson.htm
Sunday 27 April The Millbank Theatre, Rush, Dublin. http://www.millbanktheatre.ie/
Saturday 10 May Birr Theatre & Arts Centre, Offally. http://www.birrtheatre.com/
Friday 16 May Draiocht Arts Centre, Blanchardstown, Dublin. http://www.draiocht.ie/
Saturday 17 May The Schoolyard Theatre, Charville, Cork. http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Schoolyard-Theatre
Friday 23 May Triskel Christchurch, Cork. http://triskelartscentre.ie/
Friday 30 May The Civic Theatre, Tallaght, Dublin. http://www.civictheatre.ie/
Friday 6 June Sirius Arts Centre, Cobh, Cork. http://www.siriusartscentre.ie/
Saturday 7 June Venue Theatre, Ratoath, Meath. http://www.venuetheatre.ie/
Friday 13 June Ballina Arts Centre, Mayo. http://www.ballinaartscentre.com/
Saturday 5 July Mermaid Arts Centre, Bray, Wicklow. http://www.mermaidartscentre.ie/
Friday 11 July Castlecoote House, Castlecoote, Roscommon. http://castlecootehouse.com/
Saturday 19 July Dunamaise Arts Centre, Portlaoise. http://www.dunamaise.ie/

CARMEN

‘Take This Dance’

Single Release in aid of Console due out on 28 March

Irish singer-songwriter CARMEN is not one that’s unfamiliarto moving around. From moving to Silver Springs (US) to attend school in the early years of her life, she then joined the good people of county Cork further down the line, and has now resided in not one but two places to live – Dublin and London.

At 18, CARMEN won a place to study classical music at the prestigious Guildhall School of Music in London. But she’d always had an independent spirit and found herself increasingly frustrated in that environment. Her heart was elsewhere, so she packed her bags and left giving her the freedom to play the music she was really excited about.

CARMEN has recently been gaining steady industry support due to her distinct voice and writing style. Whilst ‘Take This Dance’ is the first track she is making available as a solo artist, she has toured, performed and recorded with many well-known acts including Sinead O’Connor, Andrea Corr, Noisettes, The Kooks, Kate Ceberano and she’seven played Reading and Leeds with metal singer Serj Tankien. CARMEN’s songwriting has been compared on numerous occasions to that of the classic singer-songwriters of the 1970’s.

‘Take This Dance’ features prominently in Ridley Scott Associatesfilm ‘The Phone Call’ directed by Mat Kirkby, which stars Oscar winner Jim Broadbent and Sally Hawkins. It premiered at the Los Angeles Film Fest in 2013 and so far has been shown at London BFI Film festival, Cork Film Festival and won the ‘Audience Appreciation Award’ at Leeds Film Festival. The song was produced by legendary Irish record producer John Reynolds (Sinead O’Connor, U2, Damien Dempsey).  ‘Take this Dance’ is a fragile heart laid bare for all to see, bittersweet yet full of hope…it’s the song you heard in your head when you first met at 21…the same tune you played when you tied the knot at 31…and the final tune you both danced to when you reached 101. Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful. – Mat Kirkby, Director, Ridley Scott Associates

Proceeds from the sale of ‘Take This Dance’ are being donated to CONSOLE the suicide and bereavement charity.  Established by Paul Kelly in 2002, Console provides a lifeline to those in crisis as well as to those who have suffered from bereavement. They have gained the support of other Irish musicians including Kodaline, Christy Moore and Frances Black as well as Brendan Gleeson and Miriam O’Callaghan.

The song is written and performed by CARMEN on vocals, piano and strings and features film composer Andy Wallace on harmonium and producer John Reynolds on drums.

Take This Dance will be available from 28 March for €0.99 through all digital platforms and i-Tunes.

 https://itunes.apple.com/ie/album/take-this-dance/id807447735?i=807447784&uo=4

http://www.carmenofficial.com /  https://www.facebook.com/carmensmusic

Console, the National Suicide Charity, offers counselling services and 24-hour helpline support to people in crisis and those bereaved by suicide (Freephone 1800 201 890). The charity has full-time counselling centres in Limerick Cork, Dublin, Wexford, Galway, Kerry and Mayo. It also offers services in Kildare and Athlone and has recently opened a service in London. Counselling, advice and general support is available for any individual, couples, groups, families or children who have been affected by suicide.Console can be reached at any time on freephone 1800 201 890 and many resources and useful information can be found at www.console.ie.

D.F.F.

Featuring The Musical Talents Vyvienne Long, Niwel Tsumbu & Dave Flynn

Will Be Touring Their Debut Album ‘Pouric Songs’ This April!

Debut Album Out 28 March on Frisbee Records

What does D.F.F. stand for one might ask? Well it can mean whatever you want it to mean, whatever definition comes to mind when you hear the exceptional sound of Ireland’s new cross-genre musical sensation!

With an incomparable sound, D.F.F. merge singular talents and international reputations into one genre-bending musical concoction that reflects the diversity of Ireland’s modern music scene. The band is packed to the brim with extremely talented musicians and between them they have worked with hit songwriters (Damien Rice, Declan O’Rourke, Lisa Hannigan, Shane McGowan), classical orchestras (RTÉ Orchestras), jazz legends (Louis Stewart, Herbie Hancock) and Ireland’s finest traditional musicians (Martin Hayes, Mairtin O’Connor and Tommy Peoples.)

At the front of the group are three musicians with international reputations across multiple genres. Main songwriter Dave Flynn (guitar/vocals) is as comfortable composing concertos for Martin Hayes (The Gloaming) as he is writing 3 minute pop songs. Vyvienne Long (cello/vocals), famed for her work with Damien Rice, brings her porcelain voice and sultry cello into the mix. The incredible Congolese guitarist Niwel Tsumbu (guitar/vocals) brings an irresistible authenticity to the band’s Kinshasa Chamber Pop style.

Add to this a rhythm section featuring four of the busiest musicians in Ireland, Dan Bodwell (double bass), Ciarán Swift (rhythm guitar), Aidan Dunphy (percussion) and Cion O’Callaghan (percussion) and you have one of the most exciting groups to emerge in recent times. This rhythm section are no strangers to working with renowned artists either! Bodwell has been known to play with Julie Feeney and Duke Special. Dunphy has been spotted on percussion with the likes of Declan O’Rourke and Goats Don’t Shave. O’Callaghan has plenty of credits on his list but most notably recording and touring with Paddy Casey and Mundy, and he has also backed up Shane McGowan and Ronnie Drew on The Late Late Show. And Swift has performed with Fionn Regan and Roesy.    

D.F.F.’s forthcoming debut album ‘Pouric Songs’ was recorded in two of the best studios in the world, Peter Gabriel’s ‘Real World Studios’ and ‘Grouse Lodge Studios’ (used by Michael Jackson). The songs are full of glorious pop melodies, poetic lyrics by Pádraic O’Beirn and a truly unique instrumentation of three vocalists, three guitarists, two percussionists, cello and double bass. The album is due for release on the 28^th of March.

The band’s upcoming live shows in April 2014 promise to be dazzling affairs where the songs will be stretched in new directions each night through the virtuoso musicianship of D.F.F. The band are not a shy bunch so feel free to ask them questions in between songs at their shows but whatever you do please don’t ask what D.F.F. stands for! Only you can answer that question…

D.F.F. is one of the most exciting groups to emerge from Ireland in recent times with their African-tinged Chamber Pop Songs featuring glorious vocal harmonies and outstanding musicianship! Make sure to catch them at one of the below dates. Tour support is Omagh singer-songwriter Michelle Owens who will also be performing with D.F.F. as backing vocalist and on an array of instruments.

D.F.F.’s April tour is supported by an Arts Council of Ireland Touring Award.

Wednesday 2 April            Watergate Theatre, Kilkenny – www.watergatetheatre.com

Thursday 3 April               Mermaid Arts Centre, Bray. Doors 8.00pm. Tickets €16/14 – www.mermaidartscentre.ie

Friday 4 April                      Triskel Christchurch, Cork. Doors 8.00pm. Tickets €20/18 – www.triskelartscentre.ie     

Saturday 5 April                Siamsa Tire, Tralee. Doors 8.00pm. Tickets €16/13 – www.siamsatire.com

Thursday 10 April            69 O’Connell Street, Limerick. Doors 8.00pm. Tickets €14/12 – www.limetreetheatre.ie

Friday 11 April                    Dunamaise Arts Centre, Portlaoise. Doors 8.00pm. Tickets €15/12 – www.dunamaise.ie

Saturday 12 April              Button Factory, Dublin – www.buttonfactory.ie/gigguide.php

www.dffmusic.com

New Single “The Gettin’ Older Casanova” Out 7^th March!

Seriously, these boys know how to cook…a stand out album. Funky, groovy, soulful, rockin’. It’s all here! – Marty Miller, RadioNova.

A truly knockout debut album. Welcome to Cirque du Sleaze! – Louise Molony, Kerrang! Radio & Planet Rock.

Soulful beyond belief. There is only one thing wrong with Sal Vitro; their frontman Josh Dunford isn’t black! – Smiley Bolger, ‘Vibe for Philo’

Sal Vitro are a dynamic and gritty stomp rock band, noted for their mesmerising live performances. Mixing ingredients from rock ‘n’ roll, blues, funk, soul and pop, they have created a sound and style of their own.

“The Gettin’ Older Casanova” is the lead track off Sal Vitro’s debut album “Cirque du Sleaze”, which was recorded in Jam Studios, Meath last year and is due for release in 2014. The album showcases an intricate weave of musical genres and character-driven, New Orleans-esque lyrics delivered with refreshing zeal and fervour. Lead vocalist, Josh Dunford, claims that “The Gettin’ Older Casanova” was inspired by an altercation he had with a group of middle-aged creeps in a Boston bar! Something to ask Josh to elaborate on in person perhaps…The song was one of the first written by Josh and lead guitarist, Owie Lumsden, for the band and it has been a Sal Vitro staple since day one.

Formed in Dublin in 2011, having met while working for the same male modelling agency, Sal Vitro are Josh Dunford (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Owie Lumsden (lead guitar, backing vocals), Rourke Bradley (bass, backing vocals), and John Cuddy (drums, backing vocals). All four have since matured into seasoned performers, touring Ireland extensively and playing well received introductory dates in the UK. Highlights include opening for Jack L, Pat McManus, and the legendary Thin Lizzy as part of their Farewell Tour to a sold out Olympia Theatre. The band were also honoured to be invited to perform at the 27^th annual ‘Vibe for Philo’, playing to a capacity crowd at the Button Factory last year. The guys were only ecstatic to be invited to play again in January 2014 for a second year in a row this time in Vicar Street!

Sal Vitro’s work to date has won many plaudits, including those from DJs Dave Fanning (2FM), Pat Courtenay (Radio Nova) and Marty Miller (Radio Nova). Their YouTube channel has racked up over 40,000 views so far!

To find the flavour of this sonic gumbo bring the maximum r’n’b laid down by The Who and Dr. John’s Louisiana ‘fonk’ to the boil, add in the rich guitar textures of The Stone Roses and season generously with the growly tones of an early Kings of Leon.

The music video for “The Getitin’ Older Casanova” was shot by Kerbute Productions and stars Owen Colgan or more commonly known as Buzz from Hardy Bucks! Check out the making of “The Gettin’ Older Casanova” video here – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cg6pGiIR8qc

http://www.salvitro.com

See Sal Vitro live:

Thursday 27 February    Dolan’s, Limerick http://www.dolans.ie

Friday 28 February          Crane Lane, Cork – http://www.cranelanetheatre.ie/

Thursday 6 March            The Loft Venue, Maynooth  – https://www.facebook.com/LoftVenueMaynooth

Thursday 13 March          Monroe’s, Galway – http://www.monroes.ie/

Friday 14 March                Whelan’s, Dublin – http://www.whelanslive.com/

New Single ‘Kerosene’ Out 28^th February

Fox Jaw are a modern band with an old soul. Producing a trend shaking, majestic deep growl, which swaggers from the terrific to the sublime. A band that usually err on the side of darkness, but always keeping it sweet and melodic with an honest collection of dark pop songs. Critics praising them as “True hidden gems”, “A seductively gloomy sound in a league of its own … will both mystify and satisfy” (State.ie).

Formerly Fox Jaw Bounty Hunters, Fox Jaw are a band filled to the brim with new beginnings as they enter 2014. Aside from a new abbreviated name, they are armed to the teeth with an armada of new material, locked & loaded with new recruits, and equipped with a sagacious mind for the road ahead. This isn’t a band reinventing themselves; this is plain and simple evolution. And now, after a year in hiding, writing, recording & honing their craft, the storm is brewed and ready for serving.

Currently on the verge of releasing ‘Kerosene’ on February 28th 2014, a glistening throw back to that of a 1950’s blues ballad, but with a modern day attack. Taken from their upcoming sophomore album, ‘Ghost’s Parade’, recorded with producer Dave ‘Skippy’ Christophers (Josh Ritter, Whipping Boy, Mundy) & engineer Owen Lewis (Flogging Molly, Snow Patrol, REM), and mastered at WAV Mastering by Richard Dowling (David Bowie, Foo Fighters, Interpol).

The single comes accompanied online, with an audiovisual treat that incorporates a range of Limerick personalities. Directed by the bands very own Shane Serrano, who’s concept conjuring was shared with Blind Boy Boatclub of The Rubberbandits, and stars actors Kevin Kiely Jnr. (World War Z, The Dark Knight Rises) and Richard Lynch (ILoveLimerick.com).  A twisted little concept & video, that will certainly reside in your subconscious, whether you like it or not.

A simple background check on the band reveals, that the guys are one of the hardest working bands in the country. Releasing their debut album ‘The Devil In Music’ in 2011, and playing close to 100 shows within 24 months, across Ireland, the UK & Canada (80 of those shows were within the first 10 months). With many festival appearances including Indie Week (Toronto), Glasgowbury Festival, Vantastival, Arthur’s Day, Knockanstockan and even being added to the Main Stage at Indiependence Festival to share the boards with the like of Ash, Editors & Therapy?. Going from strength to strength, featuring on a Becks Vier TV advertising campaign, a flip cover of Hotpress, and receiving an ‘Album Of The Year’ Award from Independent UK music website, The Underclassed. There’s a strong chance you’ve come across this band before, without even realising!

They’ve shared the stage with such acts as: 
Against Me!, Therapy?, And So I Watch You From Afar, Hayseed Dixie, Fight Like Apes, Calvin Harris, The Feeling, & more.

Fox Jaw are Ronan Mitchell  (vocals, guitar, piano), Morgan Nolan (guitar, backing vocals, keys), Shane Serrano (drums, backing vocals, clarinet), Manolis Sheehan (guitar, backing vocals) and Kieran J. Sims ( bass, backing vocals).

Fox Jaw play:

Thursday 27 February            The Loft, McMahons, Maynooth – https://www.facebook.com/LoftVenueMaynooth

Friday 28 February                 Whelan’s, Dublin –http://www.whelanslive.com/

Wednesday 5 March              The Crane Lane Theatre, Cork – http://www.cranelanetheatre.ie/

Thursday 6 March                  Cobblestone Joes, Limerick – www.facebook.com/cobblestone.joes

Friday 7 March                       De Barras, Clonakilty, Cork – www.debarra.ie

Thursday 20 March                Roisin Dubh, Galway – http://www.roisindubh.net/

Friday 21 March                     Swagman, Sligo – www.swagman.ie 

http://www.breakingtunes.com/foxjaw