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Month: September 2011

MONSTERS BALL

Greenhell Clothing presents

MONSTERS BALL

Ireland’s most surreal & spooky clothing line hosts a Halloween Night hextravganza of punk, metal & rockabilly featuring Voodoo Skulls, Quiffs n Coffins and the mysterious Dj Demonhog. Who is Demonhog?

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WE WERE PROMISED JETPACKS

Harmonic presents

WE WERE PROMISED JETPACKS

+ BOUTS Tickets on sale Friday September 23rd  priced  €15 (including booking fee) from www.tickets.ie,  www.ticketmaster.ie & Ticketmaster outlets nationwide. 0818 719 300 – Republic of Ireland customers 0844 277 4455 – Northern Ireland customers 00353 1 456 9569 – International customer New Album ‘In The Pit Of The Stomach’ out 3rd October 2011 on FatCat We Were Promised Jetpacks make their hotly anticipated return with a gripping new album, ‘In The Pit Of The Stomach’ that bears testimony to the poise, control, confidence and vigour the band now command. Signing off their debut ‘These Four Walls’ campaign with ‘The Last Place You’ll Look EP’ in April 2010 – and a spectacular North American tour with Jimmy Eat World, We Were Promised Jetpacks decamped to Sigur Ros’ Sundlaugin Studios in the frozen wilds of Iceland to record the new record. “We had been touring the debut album extensively for over two years” says singer Adam, “So we were very excited to get back in the studio and record the follow-up, which we hope demonstrates how much we have progressed as a band.” The approach to recording was markedly different this time around, “We recorded the debut album in 8 days with one short tour under our belts – this time around we spent a full three weeks in the studio recording with [live sound engineer] Andrew Bush and made an album that both captures the sound of our live show and is strong start to finish.” Peter Katis (Frightened Rabbit, The National) was also on hand for mixing and additional production duties. Armed with the confidence built from their time on the road and firm ideas as to how the new record should sound, ‘In The Pit Of The Stomach’ is emphatically a sustained piece of work full of fiery, muscular and hugely atmospheric epics like (lead single) ‘Medicine’, ‘Picture Of Heath’ and ‘Human Error’ – and impresses with the sheer scale of it’s ambition. Post the release of their ‘These Four Walls’ debut in June 2009 the band have achieved huge success touring America and Europe, highlights of which include selling out New York’s Williamsburg Music Hall and attracting high-profile support slots for gold-selling US rock bands like Passion Pit and Jimmy Eat World. With thunderous live performances matching the power of fellow Scot’s Mogwai and a pop sensibility comparable to that of Foals or Bloc Party, ‘In The Pit Of The Stomach’ proves how WWPJ have stealthily become a fully-fledged rock band – louder, wilder, avidly literate, fiercely melodic, powerfully restrained. We Were Promised Jetpacks is: Adam Thompson (Guitar/Vocals), Michael Palmer (Guitar), Sean Smith (Bass) and Darren Lackie (Drums).

TICKETS:

€14.50 incl booking fee from WAV Tickets [Lo-Call 1890 200 078]

SONG CYCLE
EVERY MONDAY

Whelanslive.com presents

SONG CYCLE

New weekly singer songwriter showcase

Every Monday Upstairs at Whelan’s

This week featuring:

Philip Cummins Martin Piehlmeier Richard Hayter “Songs stay alive in the same way that memories do, and being alive they grow up and undergo changes and develop. If a song is too weak to do that, if it is lacking in sufficient stamina and will to endure sadly it will not survive.” Nick Cave – The Secret Life Of The Love Song

Whelan’s are currently accepting submissions for their new weekly singer songwriter showcase. Birth and blossom of great songs has always being something that Whelan’s has been uniquely privileged to be a part to. It makes sense then for us to finally offer a platform for local and non local acts to experiment, sing and share in the friendly informal setting of Whelan’s upstairs. Taking our cues from our favourite artist’s musings on the creative process (Van Dyke Parks lends us the title from his seminal 1967 opus) this night offers artists a fresh new stage to breathe life into songs, experiment with ideas or simply just play for the sheer enjoyment of it.

Each week will feature three to four acts playing 30 minutes. Song Cycle kicks off on Monday May 2nd 2011, entry is free and all are welcome.

Please contact songcycle@whelanslive.com with submissions.

SONG CYCLE
EVERY MONDAY

Whelanslive.com presents

SONG CYCLE

New weekly singer songwriter showcase

Every Monday Upstairs at Whelan’s

This week featuring:

Keith O’Reilly
Daniel Tobin
“Songs stay alive in the same way that memories do, and being alive they grow up and undergo changes and develop. If a song is too weak to do that, if it is lacking in sufficient stamina and will to endure sadly it will not survive.” Nick Cave – The Secret Life Of The Love Song

Whelan’s are currently accepting submissions for their new weekly singer songwriter showcase. Birth and blossom of great songs has always being something that Whelan’s has been uniquely privileged to be a part to. It makes sense then for us to finally offer a platform for local and non local acts to experiment, sing and share in the friendly informal setting of Whelan’s upstairs. Taking our cues from our favourite artist’s musings on the creative process (Van Dyke Parks lends us the title from his seminal 1967 opus) this night offers artists a fresh new stage to breathe life into songs, experiment with ideas or simply just play for the sheer enjoyment of it.

Each week will feature three to four acts playing 30 minutes. Song Cycle kicks off on Monday May 2nd 2011, entry is free and all are welcome.

Please contact songcycle@whelanslive.com with submissions.

I’m Still Here by scottmcwatt

SONG CYCLE
EVERY MONDAY

Returning from it’s summer break

Whelanslive.com presents

SONG CYCLE

New weekly singer songwriter showcase

Every Monday Upstairs at Whelan’s

This week featuring:

Karl Ronan
Mara Conner
Cathal Curran
Polly Barret
“Songs stay alive in the same way that memories do, and being alive they grow up and undergo changes and develop. If a song is too weak to do that, if it is lacking in sufficient stamina and will to endure sadly it will not survive.” Nick Cave – The Secret Life Of The Love Song

Whelan’s are currently accepting submissions for their new weekly singer songwriter showcase. Birth and blossom of great songs has always being something that Whelan’s has been uniquely privileged to be a part to. It makes sense then for us to finally offer a platform for local and non local acts to experiment, sing and share in the friendly informal setting of Whelan’s upstairs. Taking our cues from our favourite artist’s musings on the creative process (Van Dyke Parks lends us the title from his seminal 1967 opus) this night offers artists a fresh new stage to breathe life into songs, experiment with ideas or simply just play for the sheer enjoyment of it.

Each week will feature three to four acts playing 30 minutes. Song Cycle kicks off on Monday May 2nd 2011, entry is free and all are welcome.

Please contact songcycle@whelanslive.com with submissions.

ELIZA CARTHY BAND

MCD.ie presents

ELIZA CARTHY BAND

+ guests Tuesday 18th October 2011 Tickets priced €13.00 on sale this Friday Describing herself simply as a “modern English musician” Eliza Carthy, at 35, is only now beginning to reach the height of her endless musical powers. During a 20 year career she has become one of the most dazzling and recognised folk musicians of a generation. Her latest album ‘Neptune’ was released earlier this year. See her play an intimate show Upstairs at Whelan’s, on Tuesday 18th October. Eliza Carthy has had an impressive career to date with many accolades to mark her achievements. Twice-nominated for a prestigious Nationwide Mercury Music Prize with 1998’s ‘Red Rice’ and 2003’s ‘Anglicana’ Eliza is also the winner of more than five BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards, and has presented awards for MOJO magazine and been invited to judge at both the Q Awards and the Ivor Novello Awards. In 2003 she became the first English traditional musician to be nominated for a BBC Radio 3 Award for World Music. Eliza Carthy has transformed and revitalized folk music, bringing it to a whole new generation. She has worked some of the biggest names including Wilco, Billy Bragg, Paul Wellar, Jools Holland, Pete Seeger and most recently Patrick Wolf. Don’t miss her live show Upstairs at Whelan’s, tickets priced €13.00 including booking fee on sale this Friday.

TICKETS:

€13 including fees available from WAV Tickets [Lo-Call 1890 200 078]

ReDiviDeR

ReDiviDeR

+ OKO

‘Never odd or eveN’ Album Launch

This two-horns-no-chords quartet was established by drummer Matt Jacobson in 2007 as a creative outlet for his compositions as well as his somewhat perverse fascination with anagrams.

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REX HARDY JNR DRUM CLINIC

Music Maker in association with Sabian & Big Bang presents

REX HARDY JNR

(Mary J Blige & American Idol) DRUM CLINIC Growing up, Mary J. Blige’s drummer knew he was preparing for big things. Today his résumé features some of the greatest artists on the R&B and gospel scenes, including Chaka Khan, Kirk Franklin, Keri Hilson, and Marvin Sapp. In this exclusive online companion piece to his interview in the December 2010 issue of MD, Rex talks about some of his early influences and eye-opening playing experiences. MD: How did you get started playing drums? Rex: It was a gift. I started in church. My father had a quartet-type group called the Hardy Brothers, and I started sitting in with them when I was about five. That’s when I first got the itch to play. When I was six I started playing for the children’s choir, then the youth choir. Around the age of thirteen or fourteen I started playing for the adult choir, which is about the same time I became the permanent drummer at our church. MD: Who were your early influences? Rex: Most of them were people who were close to the scene I grew up in; some I knew personally, and some I didn’t. Early on was Donnell Vasser, who played for my father’s group; Clyde Davis; Kevin Brunson, who played with the Thompson Community Singers; Teddy Campbell; Oscar Seaton; and Calvin Rodgers. Calvin and I grew up together, but early on he was always a step or two ahead of me. He was hip to the different players that were on all the records, so I’d check out the stuff he suggested, which is how I got into Joel Smith and other players. MD: How did you prepare to go from playing in church to being a full-time professional player? Rex: When I was playing in church, I never looked at it like it was “just church.” Playing in church was always something I loved to do, and I treated it like it was a major artist’s gig. I started working with pads and electronics while I was in church. I was playing claps and finger snaps and different effects on the choir songs. From age sixteen to nineteen, I spent a lot of time going back and forth to Detroit. I had some friends there that were heavy into programming. I learned how to program from my Detroit friends as well as some of my friends in Chicago, like Kevin Randolph, Berris Bolton, and Freddie Moffett. I would program tracks and interludes on the MPC and let them run during offering in church. Sometimes I’d stop playing and just look at the audience to see how people responded to the music I’d programmed, which helped prepare me for what I do now. MD: What early professional experiences helped you move from one level to the next? Rex: One example is from my first studio session. I was on the drums, and the producer turned the click on. I had been playing with loops for years and was very comfortable with them, but I had never just played with the click. I ended up going down in flames. [laughs] After the session, the producer was like, “You’re a good drummer, but I work with ‘class A’ musicians; you’re ‘class B.’” I wasn’t offended. I just figured that was his opinion. My tracks ended up not making the record. After that session I stopped practicing with loops, and for over a year I practiced strictly with the click, which was good preparation for what I do now. Funny enough, the next time I saw that producer, he was asking me for tips about how to be successful in the industry, which just goes to show that you have to be careful how you treat people. Another important experience I had was while playing with a group that was big in Chicago called Youth Edition. We played for an event called Unity Day in Grant Park. There were thousands and thousands of people in the audience. The bill included Youth Edition, War, Faith Evans, and Dru Hill, who was the headliner. I remember seeing Dru’s equipment pushed up against the wall. I used to get a rush from checking out different people’s setups, and I was looking at Jarod Barnes’ drums. The stage people were like, “You can’t touch that stuff.” I remember thinking, I’m not trying to play it—I’m just checking it out. The dude isn’t even here, and they won’t let me near his stuff? That’s the level I want to be at. Jarod’s setup had a lot of the same things that my setup had at church, as far as electronics and things like that. Seeing that made me feel like moving up to the next level was within reach. It opened me up to the fact that things can get much bigger. Playing-wise, there came a point when I started getting tired of being told, “You sound like so and so.” When you’re sixteen or seventeen, to be compared to someone you look up to is one of the biggest compliments you can get. When you’re twenty-one, it’s not sweet anymore. Growing up, I played to a lot of records and tried to mimic what I heard on the records. Once I started trying to develop my own sound, I still played with records, but I would play what I thought should have been played, instead of what was on the album. MD: What do you practice when you’re not on the road? Rex: I practice everything I don’t do when I’m on the road. I practice a lot of jazz, rock, and country. I don’t practice with the metronome much, because the click runs through Mary’s whole song from beginning to end. One of my favorite bands is Whitesnake. I play with their records and other records and brush up on my playing in other genres besides what I do every day. MD: Besides continuing to tour, what’s next for you? Rex: I just finished having my home studio built. I’m looking forward to doing more production and songwriting. It’s a studio studio. It has a drum room, a vocal booth, a control room, and a waiting room. Look for me to be more heavily involved in the production side of things. Article by Stephen Styles for Modern Drummer

WATCH:

TICKETS:

€10 from Music Maker, 29 Exchequer Street, Dublin 2

DRUNKEN BOAT, BACK AND TO THE LEFT + VEROA

DRUNKEN BOAT, BACK AND TO THE LEFT + VEROA

What started out as a guitar and synths project (Cut the Engines, Raise the Sails 2007), re-directed itself into a scattered and noisy folk two piece (Plumb the Depths 2009), evolved into a guitar-heavy 3 piece (Concrete Canyons 2010) has now grown into an alternative 4-piece.

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THE TRAVELLING BAND

MCD.ie presents

THE TRAVELLING BAND

+ guests

The Travelling Band have just announced a special date in Dublin where they will bring their unique brand of country-pop to Upstairs at Whelan’s on Friday, November 11th 2011.

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RÍONA SALLY HARTMAN

RÍONA SALLY HARTMAN

+ guest Ross Breen

“A cutting silhouette of a voice, Ríona Sally Hartman trips through songs with an ease of grace found in the best of offbeat female artists….With hints of Laura Marling in her approach to song making, the lyrics come to the fore while the melody remains deceptively simple and strong.”

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APRIL SPACE

Debasement Presents

APRIL SPACE

+ guests April Space are a rock band from Sword, Co.Dublin that formed in April 2009.

THE YOUNG FOLK

THE YOUNG FOLK

+ guests E.P. LAUNCH ‘Furey’s vocals are the linchpin of the operation, his smooth and powerful tones wrapping themselves around a number of folk anthems, each imbued with a slight country twist. They’re more than capable of making a breakthrough with these tunes’ ‘Stop the light’ blogger The Young Folk are set to release their début 5 track EP on Thursday the 17th November at 8pm, in Whelan’s, Wexford St, D 2. This powerful self-titled ep has the anticipated balance of seamless harmonies, classic folk progression that continues their journey through dynamic soundscapes. With shades of alt-county heroes in evidence, the bands orchestration nods to home grown and North American folk traditions that artfully build melodies that feel as though they have existed for many years.  The Young Folk boasts a line-up of some of the most promising, young musicians performing in Ireland today. Anthony Furey formed ‘The Young Folk’ at the beginning of the year, with Paul Butler, Karl Hand, Tony McLoughlin and Karen Hickey, all assured musicians and songwriters. Their well-travelled live show is already highly regarded for technical knowhow and their performance also distinguishes itself by the kind of raw energy and passion inherent in good folk music. This Dublin-based five piece have taken the festival circuit by storm over the past year with performances at CastlePalooza, Vantastival, Knockanstockan, Flat Lake, Milk&Cookies, Florø festival in Norway, The Sligo Sessions and The Spirit of Folk Festival wrapping up the festival season this year. The young folk are renowned as one of the most highly rated folk outfits in Ireland today. Listen to it pre release HERE.

TICKETS:

€10 plus booking fee available from WAV Tickets [Lo-Call 1890 200 078].

THE REDNECK MANIFESTO

THE REDNECK MANIFESTO

+ SOMADRONE

Having been at the forefront of the independent music scene in Ireland for over 10 years – aided by word of mouth, staunchly supportive fans and impassioned live shows, THE REDNECK MANIFESTO announce a date in Whelan’s on Nov 3rd.

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JOHNNY MURPHY

JOHNNY MURPHY

+ guests Johnny Murphy is a man borne of Wexford coasts and Dublin streets. Fascinated by music from an early age he set about teaching himself guitar and at 17

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SINNERBOY

SINNERBOY

Keeping Rory Gallagher’s memory alive!

Sinnerboy are back!
Sinnerboy return to Whelan’s on Wednesday 19th October with a brand new line up and renewed vigour for the music of their hero – Rory Gallagher!
Born in Co. Donegal in 1948 Rory was Irelands first rock superstar!

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THE OBCD

THE OBCD

+ guests Dublin Rock/Ska band The Obcd continue the promotion of their debut ep “Leave Us An End” with their final headlining gig of 2011 in Whelan’s.

TICKETS:

€6 available from WAV Tickets [Lo-Call 1890 200 078]

HENRIETTA GAME

HENRIETTA GAME

……………… METRO * * * IRISH TIMES * * * HOTPRESS * * * * ENTERTAINMENT.IE * * * * RTE Radio1 Album of the week “Henrietta Game are….Wow” ………………

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BARRY McCORMACK

www.whelanslive.com presents

BARRY McCORMACK

(Full Band) + MINNIE & THE ILLYWACKERS ‘McCormack takes his listener into dark, surreal and often downright funny territory…this is Patrick McCabe put to music. And just as in McCabe’s novels the macabre and the hilarious often sit side by side.’ – The Irish Independent ‘Last Night, as I was Wandering is a purgatorial stripmall facade of Nightown, populated by ghosts who walk: Kelly, Kavanagh, Behan, Dylan, MacGowan, the brothers Palace and Louvin and James Clarence Mangan…here’s a body of song which understands that any port town is also a portal town, a hell door that admits all manner of strange sailors, strumpets and shape shifters.’ – Peter Murphy, Hot Press ‘You could imagine Shane MacGowan or Luke Kelly blasting out these songs and if that’s not a recommendation, we don’t know what is.’ – The RTE Guide Jubilee Allstars, Barry McCormack’s former band, were once aptly described as equal parts Velvet Underground, Leonard Cohen and Brendan Behan; and the records Barry contributed to before leaving the band in 2001 were influenced by the Irish song and literary traditions and American roots and rock music. It was the former influences that were brought to the fore on Barry’s debut solo album We Drank Our Tears (2003), which was critically lauded for eschewing the introspective, soul-searching approach of his contemporaries in favour of songs inspired by the Irish storytelling tradition. Hot Press called it ‘A melting pot of Brendan Behan, Bob Dylan and Shane MacGowan…McCormack has created an album of contemporary folk songs rooted in a tradition that goes back generations.’ Perhaps ironically, it was encounters Barry had with American musicians, touring as support with Alt Folk/Country acts like The Handsome Family, Adam Snyder and Joe Pernice, which made him eager to explore the song tradition of his own country. The influence of the Dublin street-singing tradition, as well as his reading of the local history, are apparent on Barry’s second record, Last Night, as I was Wandering (2006). ‘His city is a purgatorial stripmall facade of Nightown’, said Hot Press, ‘populated by ghosts who walk: Kelly, Kavanagh, Behan, Dylan, MacGowan, the brothers Palace and Louvin and James Clarence Mangan.’ McCormack’s third record, Night Visiting, (2008) was something of a departure in that the songs took on a rural feel in both setting and story. Inspired by local history, short stories and folk songs, the Irish Independent called it, ‘Patrick McCabe put to music. And, just as in McCabe’s novels the macabre and hilarious often sit side by side’. His hometown had been the inspiration behind Jubilee Allstars’ second album Lights of the City (2011), which saw the band gain some renown as Dublin eulogists. The title track, which Barry penned, was described by the The Guardian as ‘probably the first great song explicitly written about the bittersweet effects of urban gentrification’. His latest album, Small Mercies (2011), returns to this theme and also sees him returning to playing with a full band for a record that he feels shows him maturing as an artist and fulfilling the potential shown on earlier albums. The Irish Times’ Brian Boyd called it ‘a wondrous affair…writing of a post-boom Dublin landscape that you only thought Phil Chevron capable of…a triumph’.

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ARTHUR’S DAY

ARTHUR’S DAY

TWO SURPRISE MAIN ACTS + EAST ARBOR 19 & FOY VANCE. (Running order has not been confirmed so surprise acts may be on first) ARTHUR’S DAY ®, the celebration of the remarkable legacy of Arthur Guinness, the creator of GUINNESS, will make a welcome return on September 22nd 2011. As ever, this year will see an incredible lineup of Irish and international music stars raising a glass to Arthur in a series of intimate gigs in select venues and pubs across Ireland on a day of music and celebration. Scissor Sisters, Stereophonics, Calvin Harris, Aloe Blacc and Ryan Sheridan are just some of the big names who’ll be performing at this year’s events, getting up close and personal with their fans as they share in the fun of ARTHUR’S DAY 2011. This year, our exclusive studio celebrations will take place in four locations across Ireland in Dublin, Cork, Belfast and Limerick. See all of the launch event’s highlights within the ARTHUR’S DAY 2011 launch video.

WIN TICKETS:

We’ll be giving away tickets to Arthur’s Day via our facebook page, CLICK HERE, then click “LIKE” and we’ll tell you what to do to win.

STOMPIN’ DAVE ALLEN

STOMPIN’ DAVE ALLEN

+ guests

The phenomenon which is Stompin’ Dave Allen makes

his debut headline appearance upstairs at Whelan’s. “A master of all kinds of American roots music…a formidable musician and a true original.” The Daily Telegraph (tickets 10euros)

Winner of the FOAOTMAD old-time banjo contest 2011. Dave has appeared at countless festivals across the UK including Glastonbury Festival, Ealing Blues Festival, Hobgoblin Wadebridge Folk Festival, and Didmarton Bluegrass Festival. Recently described as “One of the world’s greatest performers” by Maverick Magazine, Dave has shared the stage with Hayseed Dixie, The Secret Sisters, Martin Simpson, Steve Knightly, Martin Carthy and Dave Swarbrick to name a few.

TICKETS:

€10 including booking fee available from WAV Tickets [Lo-Call 1890 200 078]

DERMOT BARRETT

DERMOT BARRETT

(Ten Speed Racer, Maskedman) and guest SERGEANT PEPPER

Former lead singer of highly acclaimed Alternative band Ten Speed Racer, Dermot Barrett, makes a welcome return to Ireland for the official Irish launch of his debut solo album, MaskedmanThe Illusion of Grandeur.

In his time with Ten Speed Racer, they released two critically acclaimed albums, an EP and several singles. They toured the US, Uk and Ireland, supporting the likes of Henry Rollins, Echo and Bunnymen, The Frames and BellX1 to name a few.

Apart from Radio and Chart success in Ireland they had songs used by Coca-Cola, in Glenn Close’s ‘Damages’ series and had rave reviews in such magazines as NME.

The new solo album, which sees his long awaited return to music, was recorded in various rooms around Ireland and finished in Bergen, Norway(where he now lives),  with a little help from some of Norways finest musicians.

Songs with strong heartbeats that flicker and surge in all the right places….a solid, honest foundation for whatever comes next.”, THE IRISH TIMES.

Hopefully there are some cheap flights on the horizon so Barrett can bring some of these songs home for live shows.” Harry Guerin, RTE GUIDE.

I listen to that wonderful album closer and it makes me fall in love with the album”  -‘To you I Bestow’ blog.

“… polished and complete……” Nay McArdle, HARMLESS NOISE.

For more information-Visit www.maskedman.no

Also playing on the night is critically acclaimed Norwegian songwriter/musician Petter Folkedal.

Better known in Norway as Sergeant Petter, he is considered  to be one of Norway’s most talented and original songwriters.

Sgt Petter has released four studio albums. Each record spawning Radio hit after radio hit, and all highly acclaimed by the press in his native Norway.

His  debut album, ‘It’s A Record’, was nominated best rock album, Alarmprisen 2003.  His follow up record ‘Monkey Tonk Matters’ was nominated best country album, Spellemannprisen (Norwegian “Grammy”) 2005.

He releases the fifth Sgt Petter album in Autumn 2011.

For more information go to www.sgtpetter.com

TICKETS:

€10 including booking fee available from WAV Tickets [Lo-Call 1890 200 078]

THE UNTHANKS

HARMONIC presents

………………

THE UNTHANKS EXPLORE AND PERFORM THE MUSIC OF ROBERT WYATT AND ANTONY & THE JOHNSONS

+ guests Whelan’s – Decmeber 13th & 14th

Tickets on sale Friday September 10th at 9am,  priced  €25.90 (including booking fee) from www.tickets.ie,  www.ticketmaster.ie & Ticketmaster outlets nationwide. 0818 719 300 – Republic of Ireland customers 0844 277 4455 – Northern Ireland customers 00353 1 456 9569 – International customer

“I am flattered and mystified! Their voices are so pure.” Antony Hegarty

“I love the idea. It makes me happy just thinking about it” Robert Wyatt

It was December 2010 that The Unthanks staged a concert that was at once both a slice of fun and probably their most daunting project yet. Over two sold out nights at the Union Chapel, London, their exploration of music by Antony & The Johnsons and Robert Wyatt was an irreverent joy, making The Independent’s Gigs of the Year list. Those London shows are captured on a live album which will be available later this year, and to mark the release, The Unthanks will take their Robert/Antony show on a short tour of UK and Ireland dates, previously only seen in London.

The special pre-Christmas concerts will feature a set of Robert Wyatt music and a set of Antony & The Johnsons songs, either side of an interval, exploring two of the most adventurous songbooks of the last half-century. The shows feature The Unthanks full 10 piece band including string quartet. During the Antony set, Jonny Kearney will also join them on piano, while Unthanks pianist Adrian McNally plays drums.

“It was just a whim really, though we’d been thinking about it for a few years,” says The Unthanks pianist and producer Adrian McNally. “We don’t look at it as a major artistic accomplishment or statement.. we’re just hoped to become more intimate and fascinated by music that we love and respect. It means the world to us to have the blessing and approval of Robert and Antony. We’ve got a bit of a nerve associating ourselves with such beautiful men, but it’s the music and words we want to learn from and share with other people. Maybe it’s not possible to perform without ego, but Robert and Antony exclude so much commitment and integrity in their music, their conversation with the human condition seems entirely selfless to me. There is never a spare note played or one struck to impress. They appear entirely consumed with the search for beauty and truth in a way that nourishes our philanthropic souls and reflects how we feel about folk music in its broadest sense.”

Tyneside sisters Rachel and Becky Unthank have long found kindred energies in the proudly maverick English soul of Robert Wyatt. Their interpretation of his “Sea Song” was one of the real jewels of Mercury Music Prize nominated second album “The Bairns” and regarded by Wyatt as the finest interpretation by another artist of his songs. Robert does not perform live, so bravely, with Robert’s blessing, The Unthanks will cherry pick from his indefinable and peerless repertoire they hope to do justice. Similarly, they have previously dipped their toe in the water with Antony Hegarty’s music. “For Today I Am A Boy” was a showstopper in the early days of Rachel Unthank & The Winterset.

The Unthanks launch the live album (recorded last year at The Union Chapel) with an intimate performance at Whelan’s, Dublin on December 13th. www.the-unthanks.com www.twitter.com/TheUnthanks

THE UNTHANKSHaunting, original and magnificent” The Guardian Not many bands can count Radiohead, Portishead, Elvis Costello, Robert Wyatt, Ben Folds, Ryan Adams, Rosanne Cash, Ewan McGregor and Nick Hornby amongst their admirers, but The Unthanks occupy a unique place in music. Northumbria sisters Rachel and Becky Unthank are unsentimental young storytellers outside of time, forging links between folk worlds old, new and other. Staunch traditionalism and sonic adventure ought to be polar opposites, yet they are easy bedfellows in the gentle hands of The Unthanks; nominated for the Mercury Music Prize and present in The Best Albums of the Decade (worldwide, all genres) in The Guardian and Uncut. Described by Britain’s leading music journalist Paul Morley as “absolutely exquisite”, 2010’s Here’s The Tender Coming was Mojo Magazine Folk Album of the Year. “once in a blue moon type of every now and again, you hear music that is so complete, so wonderful, unique and yet familiar that it stops you in your tracks. They have that blue moon magic about them, and they have it in spades” BBC Music “Music as coldly desolate as it is achingly intimate..a sensationally graceful sound that can be epic and subdued, dreamy and specific, as well as supernaturally ancient and defiantly modern.” Paul Morley, Observer Music Magazine (Britain’s leading music journalist)

You Tube Links

Later With Jools Holland, BBC2 Last:  http://bit.ly/mh8zVF

Later With Jools Holland, BBC2 Queen of Hearts: http://bit.ly/lBqJd1

Later With Jools Holland, BBC2 Here’s The Tender Coming: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_bRR6DVWEUM

Later With Jools Holland, BBC2 Lucky Gilchrist: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_bRR6DVWEUM

TICKETS:

€25.90 incl booking fee available from WAV Tickets [Lo-Call 1890 200 078]

SCROOBIUS PIP

Harmonic presents

SCROOBIUS PIP

Tickets on sale Friday September 10th, 9am,  priced  €17.35 (including booking fee) from www.tickets.ie,  www.ticketmaster.ie & Ticketmaster outlets nationwide. 0818 719 300 – Republic of Ireland customers 0844 277 4455 – Northern Ireland customers 00353 1 456 9569 – International customer

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THE KANYU TREE

mcd.ie presents

THE KANYU TREE

+ guests The Kanyu Tree have announced details of their debut album. ‘People Street’ will be released on Sony Music Ireland on September 30. The 10-track album includes previous singles ‘Radio’ and ‘Shelf Life’, and features their brand new single, ‘Slow’.

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THE UNTHANKS

HARMONIC presents

………………

THE UNTHANKS EXPLORE AND PERFORM THE MUSIC OF ROBERT WYATT AND ANTONY & THE JOHNSONS

+ guests

Whelan’s – Decmeber 13th & 14th

Tickets on sale Friday September 10th at 9am,  priced  €25.90 (including booking fee) from www.tickets.ie,  www.ticketmaster.ie & Ticketmaster outlets nationwide. 0818 719 300 – Republic of Ireland customers 0844 277 4455 – Northern Ireland customers 00353 1 456 9569 – International customer

“I am flattered and mystified! Their voices are so pure.” Antony Hegarty

“I love the idea. It makes me happy just thinking about it” Robert Wyatt

It was December 2010 that The Unthanks staged a concert that was at once both a slice of fun and probably their most daunting project yet. Over two sold out nights at the Union Chapel, London, their exploration of music by Antony & The Johnsons and Robert Wyatt was an irreverent joy, making The Independent’s Gigs of the Year list. Those London shows are captured on a live album which will be available later this year, and to mark the release, The Unthanks will take their Robert/Antony show on a short tour of UK and Ireland dates, previously only seen in London.

The special pre-Christmas concerts will feature a set of Robert Wyatt music and a set of Antony & The Johnsons songs, either side of an interval, exploring two of the most adventurous songbooks of the last half-century. The shows feature The Unthanks full 10 piece band including string quartet. During the Antony set, Jonny Kearney will also join them on piano, while Unthanks pianist Adrian McNally plays drums.

“It was just a whim really, though we’d been thinking about it for a few years,” says The Unthanks pianist and producer Adrian McNally. “We don’t look at it as a major artistic accomplishment or statement.. we’re just hoped to become more intimate and fascinated by music that we love and respect. It means the world to us to have the blessing and approval of Robert and Antony. We’ve got a bit of a nerve associating ourselves with such beautiful men, but it’s the music and words we want to learn from and share with other people. Maybe it’s not possible to perform without ego, but Robert and Antony exclude so much commitment and integrity in their music, their conversation with the human condition seems entirely selfless to me. There is never a spare note played or one struck to impress. They appear entirely consumed with the search for beauty and truth in a way that nourishes our philanthropic souls and reflects how we feel about folk music in its broadest sense.”

Tyneside sisters Rachel and Becky Unthank have long found kindred energies in the proudly maverick English soul of Robert Wyatt. Their interpretation of his “Sea Song” was one of the real jewels of Mercury Music Prize nominated second album “The Bairns” and regarded by Wyatt as the finest interpretation by another artist of his songs. Robert does not perform live, so bravely, with Robert’s blessing, The Unthanks will cherry pick from his indefinable and peerless repertoire they hope to do justice. Similarly, they have previously dipped their toe in the water with Antony Hegarty’s music. “For Today I Am A Boy” was a showstopper in the early days of Rachel Unthank & The Winterset.

The Unthanks launch the live album (recorded last year at The Union Chapel) with an intimate performance at Whelan’s, Dublin on December 13th. www.the-unthanks.com www.twitter.com/TheUnthanks

THE UNTHANKSHaunting, original and magnificent” The Guardian Not many bands can count Radiohead, Portishead, Elvis Costello, Robert Wyatt, Ben Folds, Ryan Adams, Rosanne Cash, Ewan McGregor and Nick Hornby amongst their admirers, but The Unthanks occupy a unique place in music. Northumbria sisters Rachel and Becky Unthank are unsentimental young storytellers outside of time, forging links between folk worlds old, new and other. Staunch traditionalism and sonic adventure ought to be polar opposites, yet they are easy bedfellows in the gentle hands of The Unthanks; nominated for the Mercury Music Prize and present in The Best Albums of the Decade (worldwide, all genres) in The Guardian and Uncut. Described by Britain’s leading music journalist Paul Morley as “absolutely exquisite”, 2010’s Here’s The Tender Coming was Mojo Magazine Folk Album of the Year. “once in a blue moon type of every now and again, you hear music that is so complete, so wonderful, unique and yet familiar that it stops you in your tracks. They have that blue moon magic about them, and they have it in spades” BBC Music “Music as coldly desolate as it is achingly intimate..a sensationally graceful sound that can be epic and subdued, dreamy and specific, as well as supernaturally ancient and defiantly modern.” Paul Morley, Observer Music Magazine (Britain’s leading music journalist)

You Tube Links

Later With Jools Holland, BBC2 Last:  http://bit.ly/mh8zVF

Later With Jools Holland, BBC2 Queen of Hearts: http://bit.ly/lBqJd1

Later With Jools Holland, BBC2 Here’s The Tender Coming: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_bRR6DVWEUM

Later With Jools Holland, BBC2 Lucky Gilchrist: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_bRR6DVWEUM

TICKETS:

€25.90 incl booking fee available from WAV Tickets [Lo-Call 1890 200 078]

RELISH

+ guests Returning from a self-imposed hiatus, Relish, finally back with their most recent single ‘Something To Believe In’ gear up for the release of their new single and forthcoming album of the same name ‘Connected’ with a tour of the UK and Ireland. Their exclusive official album launch of “Connected” will be in the close-up and personal setting of Whelan’s (upstairs). This is an exciting opportunity to see Relish in such an intimate setting with only limited places available. Formed in County Down, Northern Ireland by brothers Ken (vocals/guitar) and Carl Papenfus (drums) and Darren Campbell (bass), Relish have released two highly regarded albums to date working with such acclaimed producers as John Leckie (Radiohead/The Stone Roses) and Al Clay (Stereophonics). From 4 chart-topping Irish singles, to topping the Japanese most played list and even having the unlikely request from Westlife to cover their single ‘Rainbow Zephyr’ reworked as ‘Hey Whatever’ which was a UK Top 5 and international hit. From Ireland and Japan to the coasts of Spain, past Relish releases have proven gold and platinum selling albums. Now with third album ‘Connected’ in the can, the band have finally decided the time is right to do what they do best – songs with guitars to the max driven rock and roll, crafted with emotional soul filled vocals. With ‘Connected’ they have produced an album full of anthems, riffs, hooks and spirit and all the things you would expect from Relish. “It feels magical to be back with a new album, possibly the best album we have ever written,” says Relish lead singer Ken Papenfus. “The band has a renewed spirit and enthusiasm and we are looking forward to meeting our old friends again and welcoming those new to our sound. It really couldn’t be better.” Championed by the likes of Paul Weller, U2’s Larry Mullen, Queen guitarist Brian May and Radio 1 and 2, Relish have once again hit the ground running with their most recent single ‘Something To Believe In.’ which would have needed a barring order to keep it off the radio. It’s like they’ve never been away.

TICKETS:

€15 @ Door (Online and phone presales are subject to additional fees available from WAV Tickets [Lo-Call 1890 200 078])

VYVIENNE LONG

Whelanslive presents

VYVIENNE LONG

+ guests Whelanslive presents VYVIENNE LONG + cello-featuring band. Songs from her entrancing debut album Caterpillar Sarabande. “..boundlessly talented cellist and arranger. Here, on her debut full length album, she displays all her talent, confidence and humour to fabulous effect.” (State Magazine)

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SARAVAH SOUL – CANCELLED

***THIS GIG HAS BEEN CANCELLED***

Groovilizacion presents

SARAVAH SOUL

from Brazil

+ guests

***THIS GIG HAS BEEN CANCELLED***

‘Cultura Impura’ is the second album from the half Brazilian, half British, London based purveyors of Afro-meets- Brazilian funk, Saravah Soul. Out 5th July on Tru Thoughts, this vibrant record sees the band channelling ’60s Brazil via 21st Century East London.

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