Month: August 2012

PRE PICNIC PARTY

TURN

Free Entry – On stage 10pm

plus the

HOT CHICKEN BLUES BAND

Front Bar – Free Entry – 7pm

StrawberryJam Promotions Presents…..

ANA CAROLINA & FRIENDS
NUCLEAR BADGER
SLACKERS SYMPHONY

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Ana Carolina

Ana Carolina is a self taught Brazilian singer songwriter who’s meldoic voice and rythmic guitar playing will get your hips moving without you even realising it. Ana will be joined on stage with some fellow brazilian musicians so expect a lot of dancing, singing and bongo playing. This is Ana’s first Irish gig and is very excited to break onto the scene.

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Nuclear Badger

‘It’s not that annoying, I suppose…..’ (Conor’s Dad)

Nuclear badger are back on the scene after a long abscence with a new musical direction. The now 4 pice acoustic act are ready to begin their quest to once again take over the world through fast paced, foot stomping pop-rock. Nuclear Badger are Daniel Griffin (guitar & vocals), Conor Thompson (bass), Barry Healy (guitar & vocals) and Keith Bradley (guitar, vocals & precussion). Expect high energy levels and a lot of familiar tunes played in a very unfamiliar fashion. If you’re one of those people that loves youtubing strange cover songs then Nuclear Badger are the band for you. Their massive fan base is proof to their talent…..

‘I Love Nuclear Badger’ (Molly, aged 4).

The best music I’ve every heard come out of my living room……except when Cliff Richard is on telly, I love Cliff’ (Dan’s Mum).

Nuclear Badger would like to dedicate this gig to a former member of the band and original co-founder Patrick Moyles (RIP).

Whelan’s New Music Night

TUESDAYS | 4 BANDS | €5

ALAN AND THE ACCIDENT
CASH IS KING
TOY SOLDIER
THE FEDERATION OF LIGHT

Whelanslive is proud to present a celebration of new Irish music. Every Tuesday will see the upstairs venue play host to a series of the best of new music this country has to offer.Three hand-picked bands showcase their originality, performance and amazingly fresh songwriting skills.It is a great opportunity to see the next round of Irelands unsung and unsigned.

CONTACT

If you are interested in playing one of the upcoming Whelan’s New Music nights please email newmusic@mercantilegroup.ie

Whelan’s New Music Night

TUESDAYS | 4 BANDS | €5

MIKE SCALA BAND
SHAKE!
BEN SHERIDAN
THE LAST KICKS

& MORE

Whelanslive is proud to present a celebration of new Irish music. Every Tuesday will see the upstairs venue play host to a series of the best of new music this country has to offer.Three hand-picked bands showcase their originality, performance and amazingly fresh songwriting skills.It is a great opportunity to see the next round of Irelands unsung and unsigned.

CONTACT

If you are interested in playing one of the upcoming Whelan’s New Music nights please email newmusic@mercantilegroup.ie

Whelan’s New Music Night

TUESDAYS | 4 BANDS | €5

THE RADIOACTIVE GRANDMA
NEON TETRAS
MOONLIGHT RED
FRANKO FRANKO

Whelanslive is proud to present a celebration of new Irish music. Every Tuesday will see the upstairs venue play host to a series of the best of new music this country has to offer.Three hand-picked bands showcase their originality, performance and amazingly fresh songwriting skills.It is a great opportunity to see the next round of Irelands unsung and unsigned.

CONTACT

If you are interested in playing one of the upcoming Whelan’s New Music nights please email newmusic@mercantilegroup.ie

Whelan’s New Music Night

TUESDAYS | 4 BANDS | €5

MACHINE GUN BABY
WALKING ON CARS
PAULA GOMEZ
FUN WITH ROPES

Whelanslive is proud to present a celebration of new Irish music. Every Tuesday will see the upstairs venue play host to a series of the best of new music this country has to offer.Three hand-picked bands showcase their originality, performance and amazingly fresh songwriting skills.It is a great opportunity to see the next round of Irelands unsung and unsigned.

——————-

Machine Gun Baby

Machine Gun Baby (MGB) have some very big shoes to fill. Any four-piece rock band from Dublin is going to suffer comparisons to the one with the two-character name. But MGB are ready to meet the challenge.

Formed on the Northside in 2007, Stewart Keegan, Mark Ryan, Shane Ryan and Tony King started writing and playing an audacious brand of melodic rock that is just as suited to arenas and stadiums as it is to the bars and clubs of the live music scene. The boys eschew the lo-fi aesthetic for a louder, clearer sound – It’s more Foo Fighters meet Kings of Leon on

E Street; and yes – the relatively local influence of U2 comes through too. It’s pop, it’s soul, but more than anything it’s rock at it’s purest.

Keegan’s raw, powerful vocals bring depth and emotion to the pure biting rock sound that the band and their instruments produce. There’s a polish to their music that belies the band’s youth (they range from 21 to 24) and is a hallmark of their dedication to their musicianship and their stagecraft. MGB are here to play, and play they shall. From the opening chords, a growling steel-stringe declaration of intent to, well – ROCK, the music doesn’t so much beg as demand to be turned up to eleven.

After four years of gigging around Ireland, playing some well-known and major festivals not to mention the successful release of their E.P ‘For The Ones We Knew’.

With flawless performance at 2011 ‘Loud n’ Nasty Festival’ in Hamburg, as well being invited to play some major venues in London, the lads continue to write and perform with an almost unrivaled intensity – they’re getting out there and they’re getting heard.

http://www.facebook.com/machinegunbabyofficial
http://www.youtube.com/machinegunbabyband
http://www.twitter.com/machinegunbaby

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Walking on Cars

Based deep in the rugged hills of Chorcha Dhuibne, Dingle Co. Kerry.

Up and coming 5 piece Walking On Cars are making waves with their inspirational and original tunes. Driven by the virtuosic leadership of pianist Sorcha Durham and tenacious dedication of front man Patrick Sheehy.

Walking On Cars are currently in the process of writing and arranging their highly anticipated debut album, expected to be released later this year.

Off the back of the band’s unofficial release of their talismanic anthem ‘Don’t Mind Me’, Walking On Cars have amassed a broad and dedicated fan-base with their energetic live shows and unapologetic commitment to their craft. Having cut their teeth in the company of acts such as The Coronas, O Emperor, Whipping Boy and Ham Sandwich, and having rocked the North Shore Stage @ Sea Sessions this year, the lads and lassie are gearing up for a string of festival dates this summer including, Prosperous and Indiependance and Valentia Isle festival

2012 may prove to be a landmark year for the band, however, with their growing ambition and confidence, which can be seen in their most recent offerings like ‘As We Fly South’ and ‘Two Stones’, for Walking On Cars…. Nothings Impossible!!!

http://breakingtunes.com/walkingoncars
http://www.facebook.com/WalkingOnCars

______________________________________________________

Paula Gómez

Paula Gomez 19year old Singer/Songwriter

New 3 track EP Release for September 2012 “The Cauldron Sessions” produced by Bill Shanley @ Cauldron Studios,Dublin featuring the single ‘Easy’Every Tuesday night Paula presents a Singer/Songwriters showcase in L’Atitude51 formerly The Lobby Bar,Cork

Paula has worked with Guitarists Stephen Housden (Little River Band) Eric Bell(Thin Lizzy) and Bill Shanley(Mary Black,Ray Davies)

Paula regularly features on National Radio in Spain. Born in the City of Chiclana close to Cadiz in Southern Spain. She studied Viola and music in Conservatory of Music ,Cadiz. As she studied and performed at Cadiz University Jazz Club then at 16years old she was the singer for Conservatory Big band of Cadiz! She has a passion for Blues, through her father,a Blues guitarist and aficionado of Blues music. Paula has played sold out shows in Teatro Moderno Chiclana,Sala Le Grand, La Alameda (2.000 people) Sala Malandar ,Sevilla and Sala Clamores,Madrid. She has performed with her band at Clonakiltys first Waterfront Festival, Lee delta Blues Club,Old Oak.,De barras and Shanleys.

In 2011 Paula hosted a regular Thursday session in Shanleys Music bar. Played in 2011 Guitar Festival in Clonakilty and will play 2012 Clonakilty Guitar Festival Weekend Sept 20/23. Performed at 2011Cork Jazz festival as a guest of Paddy Sherlock & The Swinging Lovers.Paula has appeared on several Spanish TV shows and has worked as a presenter.

CONTACT

If you are interested in playing one of the upcoming Whelan’s New Music nights please email newmusic@mercantilegroup.ie

ALL IRELAND MUSIC COMPETITION

– REGIONAL QUALIFIER –

Join us at Whelan’s on Monday 10th of September for the All Ireland Music Competition Regional Qualifier where your votes and your votes alone will decide which two acts that qualify for the national finals of the All Ireland Music Competition. Hosted by John Hynes. Admission only €8.00…. The All Ireland Music Competition is Ireland’s newest talent competition searching for Ireland’s next biggest recording artist. Check out our official website at www.aimc.ie for more information.

MCD.ie presents

FRANK TURNER

[SOLO]

+ guests

Frank Turner has had an exciting year, two major highlights including a once in a lifetime performance at the Olympic Opening Ceremony and headling at London’s Wembley Arena for the largest headline show of his career.

Whelanslive.com presents

JACK GRACE BAND

+ guests

Jack Grace is a singer, songwriter and guitarist hailing from Brooklyn, NY.  Simple enough, unless you happen to happen to work in the music business.

DECLAN SINNOTT

+ guests

With a career spanning over 40 years, Declan Sinnott has played guitar and produced music for Irish folk luminaries such as Christy Moore, Mary Black, Sinead Lohan and John Spillane to name but a few.

Whelan’s New Music Night

RAGLANS

ADELA AND THE MEANITS

AND MORE

Whelanslive is proud to present a celebration of new Irish music. Every Tuesday will see the upstairs venue play host to a series of the best of new music this country has to offer.Three hand-picked bands showcase their originality, performance and amazingly fresh songwriting skills.It is a great opportunity to see the next round of Irelands unsung and unsigned.

CONTACT

If you are interested in playing one of the upcoming Whelan’s New Music nights please email newmusic@mercantilegroup.ie

THE LAUNDRY SHOP

+ guests

The Laundry Shop is Steve Robinson, vocals and guitar, Tanya O Callaghan on bass and backing vocals and Geoffrey French on Drums.

Aiken Promotions present

LUCY ROSE

+ Pete Roe

Tickets on sale Friday August 31st priced €13 (including booking fee) from www.tickets.ie, www.whelanslive.com, www.ticketmaster.ie & Ticketmaster outlets nationwide.

JACKRABBITSLIMS

+ GUESTS

– E.P. Launch –

JackRabbitSlims launch their ep “It Is, What It Is, Is What It Is” this Saturday night in Whelans.  After two months of hard work and large doses of love and care, we have finally created something round with a hole in the middle.

KING KONG CLUB FINAL

featuring:

Cold Steel Feel 
Radio Room
The Rusty Fixtures
Bodies
Myorchestral
Joyful Noiz
Juliet’s Rescue

FRANTIC JACK

+ guests

“MID-ATLANTIC LIGHTER-WAVING ANTHEMIC A.O.R” – Hot Press

Alliance Francaise présents

GILLES SERVAT

+ guests

The evening will be partly sang and partly narrated by Gilles’ wonderful raconteur talent and will emphasis the connections between the two countries an opportunity to discover the close Irish connections and inspiration through songs and stories.

MICK CREABY

plus guests

SLEEPY RIOT
DELLA MANNION
KEN O’NEILL

The role of a singer-songwriter is a balancing act, the voice, the words, and the music, must be refined until everything clicks.  Many artists struggle to find their balance and establish their musical identity.

STRANGE BOATS

+ ORPHAN CODE

Combining the parochial storytelling style of Bruce Springsteen with the popsong sensibilities of Sam Cooke, Strange Boats deliver their music with the intent of The Clash…

ZOE CONWAY & JOHN McINTYRE

– Album Launch –

With an exciting blend of eclectic fiddle and guitar music, Zoë and John bring to the stage sympathetic arrangements of traditional Irish music, compositions and songs, old and new.

MIKE SCALA

+ DEM FOOLS

Mike’s 2011 performance on RTE’s THE VIEW has received well over 100,000 hits from Ireland.

At the age of 17 Mike Scala was performing at underground jazz and rock venues across New York and Los Angeles including CBGB’s, The Bitter End, Troubadour and The Viper Room. From busking on the streets and subways to performing at Yankee Stadium Sept. 2013 New Yorker Mike Scala from Brooklyn has established himself as a leading independent artist in the global music scene.

In 2007, Mike embarked on his first self-financed tour across the U.S., Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. Bitten by the touring bug Mike took to the road again in 2011 performing in 50 cities and selling 25,000 albums independently. On these tours he supported and worked with acts such as The John Butler Trio, DJ VH1 (DJ for Lady Gaga), Ryan Sheridan, The Coronas, Alien Ant Farm, Gavin Degraw, and Wu Tang Clan, consistently being recognized for his high energy performances.

With his band, Dan Vosk (Lead Guitar, Backing Vox), Chris “Moses” Kinlow (Drums), Marcus Miller (Saxophone), and Luke Capon (Bass)  in 2011, Mike has developed a prolific sound by blending together alternative, rock orchestral, and hip hop elements of which are incorporated into his third album “Heart on String” due out in September 2012.

Known for his sense of adventure, Mike performed a “world first” concert on the Franz Josef Glacier on the South Island of New Zealand. Mike has performed on national TV stations including RTE and has gained international radio play with his singles “Fallin,” “Autumn Ashes,” “Lead Me” and “Home.”

Close to his heart is the Mike Scala Foundation for Youth which he formed in 2009, an organization that provides aid and educational opportunities for at-risk youth across the U.S. and developing countries. The organization has worked with UNICEF, Big Brothers and Big Sisters, and The American Cancer Society. He also founded musician alliances around the world in order to provide mentoring and music programs for youth in need.

WATCH

AFTER THE GIG

Whelan’s Indie DJ from 11pm til late or you might even catch the end of Jaime Nanci and the Blue Boys in the front bar (9pm, Free).

Musiclee.ie presents

FINBARR DOHERTY

with Billy Robinson, Seamus Devenny, Kate O’Callaghan & Gary Raymond.

Hotpress: Pick Of The Fortnight: Skyscrapers (Feb 9, 2012)  “The title track is a beguiling song about selling skyscrapers underpinned by a stomping riff that takes it beyond the norm for Irish acoustic based albums….

Doherty has a winning way with a lyric that gives his material an appealing depth.” – Jackie Hayden, Hotpress February, 2012

Skyscrapers

“…It fuses elements of folk and indie rock from both sides of the Atlantic, on introspective songs that embrace brevity as a rule of thumb except on the bluesy Don’t break up. One song even bizarrely namechecks English soccer team West Bromwich Albion in its title.” – The Irish Daily Star August, 2011

Finbarr Doherty is based in Inishowen, Co. Donegal, returning there after 7 years in the US. He collaborated with Campbell Owens (Glasgow/Aztec Camera) co-producer of ‘Across the Water’, and with Jim Sampas, (Boston/Reimagine Music) who produced the album ‘Garbage, Drama, Fantasy’ at Fort Apache Studios in Boston.

Skyscrapers:

Launched July 2011 as part of the Galway Arts Festival and the Earagail Arts Festival his new album ‘Skyscrapers’ was performed alongside Boston-based band Session Americana. The songs cover topics from selling skyscrapers to leaving behind a broken heart on a cheap Spanish holiday. He was invited back this year by Earagail to perform new work.

Discography

Previous recordings include:

‘Across the Water’ – a collection of songs inspired by the book ‘The Last Of The Name’, an oral history of Inishowen, Donegal. The album takes concepts from the book based on the memories of Charles McGlinchey documented by Patrick Kavanagh, and edited by Brian Friel.

‘Garbage Drama Fantasy’, released in the US, where he was based for seven years.

During his time in the States he collaborated in an album with other Boston based musicians ‘One Night in Cambridge’ www.cdbaby.com/cd/bostonsong, including artists such as Mary Gauthier, Ry Cavanaugh and Kris Delmhorst. His earlier music career saw him as lead singer/composer with the 33rd Hurricane (See Fanning Sessions). CDs included ‘Shotgun Blast’, distributed by EMI. Also during this time released a five track EP ‘What’s That Noise’

WATCH

TICKETS:

€12 (€10 on Musiclee.ie) available online from WAV Tickets [Lo-Call 1890 200 078] (50c per ticket service charge applies on phone or creditcard bookings)

AFTER THE GIG

Whelan’s Indie Club w/ Late Bar from 10:30pm or check out the bands playing The Midnight Hour in the upstairs venue (FREE ENTRY, 12am).

MUSICLEE.IE presents

THE QUICKSAND BAND

– Single launch –

+ guests

In 2011 the band, accompanied by producer Gavin Glass, entered the studio to record their debut Album, Approaching Rain. The first single ‘Homesong’ was released on september 30th 2011, with the album released on Feb 4th 2012.

Musiclee.ie presents

DENIS CAROLAN

& Friends

Recently winning over audiences in New York and Nashville as a guitarist and songwriter Denis Carolan is also gaining increasing attention on this side of the water.

Old Flat Top presents

FRANK VIGNOLA & VINNY RANIOLO

Frank Vignola is one of the most extraordinary guitarists performing before the public today. His stunning virtuosity has made him the guitarist of choice for many of the world’s top musicians, including Ringo Starr, Madonna, Donald Fagen, Wynton Marsalis, Tommy Emmanuel, the Boston Pops, the New York Pops, and guitar legend Les Paul, who named Vignola to his “Five Most Admired Guitar List” for the Wall Street Journal.

Double headline show w/

YURODNY

NORTH STRAND KONTRA BAND

Led by saxophonist and composer Nick Roth, Yurodny perform contemporary interpretations of traditional music from Eastern Europe and the Near East alongside new works from composers inspired by these traditions.

WAR CHILD BENEFIT

Featuring

THE PLEA

+ RED QUEEN CONTEST

TICKETS

€10 available online from WAV Tickets [Lo-Call 1890 200 078] (50c per ticket service charge applies on phone or creditcard bookings from WaV).

AFTER THE GIG

Whelan’s Indie/Electro Club w/ Late Bar from 10:30pm til late (FREE ENTRY).

ARTHUR’S DAY

LINE UP TBA

ARTHUR’S DAY ®, the celebration of the remarkable legacy of Arthur Guinness, the creator of GUINNESS, will make a welcome return on September 27th 2012. 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.

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, also Guinness are giving away tickets via http://www.facebook.com/GuinnessIreland

ALL TICKETS HAVE BEEN ALLOCATED FOR THE MAIN VENUE

BUT THERE WILL BE FREE ENTERTAINMENT IN THE BAR AND UPSTAIRS VENUE FOR ANYONE THAT WANTS TO ENJOY ARTHUR’S DAY IN WHELAN’S

IMC presents

KEN VANDERMARK TRIO

Start time 9pm

Ken Vandermark  Saxophone
Olie Brice  Bass
Mark Sanders  Drums

ALICE JAGO

+ GAR COX

Alice Jago Winner of the RTE/RAPP Breakthrough Artist 2011, released her critically acclaimed debut album ‘ Born Stubborn’ in May 2010

MUTEFISH

– MAIN VENUE –

Doors 9pm – Free Entry
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ywZ4nDjGV_0

Flaming June presents

NANU NANU
KATIE KIM
PERCOLATOR

Nanu Nanu play their first ever Whelan’s headliner on Saturday September 29. The Dublin duo have been gaining quite a reputation for their unusual electro pop anthems and fabulous lightshow.

THE BAMBIR
GYPSEY REBEL RABBLE
RED SAIL

It doesn’t seem so long ago that The Bambir and team were seven people illegally staying in a one-room bedsit waiting to play their first show in Dublin. That was this past January, it was freezing, they had an Irish fanbase of zero, and they were scared to death.

The Armenian four-piece has since been embraced by their adoptive home, crisscrossing Ireland several times over to play gigs to audiences large and small, developing their sound and exploring the country and its people. Having spent the summer hitting the festival circuit hard, rocking stages at No Place Like Dome, Body and Soul, KnockanStockan, Ardara Melting Pot, Jack of Diamonds Rhythm and Roots, and more, The Bambir boys are thrilled to announce that they’ve been booked to play Electric Picnic- on Body and Soul’s Earthship stage, in The Bog Cottage, and in Jimmie Lee’s Juke Joint.

We think that’s cause for celebration, don’t you?

Join us this Thursday, August 23rd, for a special event- The Bambir is bringing the festival to Whelans with two great bands also on the Electric Picnic bill: Red Sail will start it off with their unique brand of modern folk, followed by Gypsy Rebel Rabble and their self-described “rockahillbilly good time shuffle.” The setting is fitting, Whelans has been the home of The Bambir’s weekly front-bar residency for months, and the band is honored to be headlining their mainstage for the first time.

The Bambir is a band that has never been afraid to experiment or to reinvent their sound, their style, even their language, always kindling creation from chaos. As Naregk Bars, the quartet’s guitarist, has always said, “An artist’s job is to search,” but a few things stay the same- you’ll know The Bambir by their infectious stage presence, their unrivaled sound, and your inability to tell them apart (no, they’re not brothers). They left Armenia to start fresh in Ireland, and they can’t wait to play the country’s largest festival.

The celebration will kick off with doors at 8pm, 5 euro admission. It may be August already, but festival season is far from over, come check out The Bambir at their pre-picnic bash. And for this one, you can leave your wellies at home.

WATCH

AFTER THE GIG

Whelan’s Indie Club w/ Late Bar from 10:30pm.

BILLY KENNEDY

+ guests

A regular on the Cork music scene, Billy Kennedy released his first full length album ‘This Old Life’ in June of this year to much critical acclaim.

Popical Island presents

MUMBLIN’ DEAF RO

+ guests

‘DICTIONARY CRIMES’ ALBUM LAUNCH

Popical Island is proud to announce the release of ‘Dictionary Crimes’, the brilliant new album by acclaimed songwriter Mumblin’ Deaf Ro.

KIERAN HALPIN

+ guests

Irish singer songwriter with 19 albums released and a string of hit songs – many recorded by major artists including Vin Garbutt, John Wright, The Battlefield Band, Dolores Keane, Niamh Parsons to name but a few.

Whelanslive.com presents

DEVON SPROULE

+ T H O M A S

After spending the last six months in Germany and England, Devon Sproule has settled once again in the American south — in Austin, TX.  The city is renowned for its music and also, its brutal summers.

Aiken promotions presents

RACHEL SERMANNI

+ Ciaran Lenenhan

Tickets on sale Thursday the 16th of August priced at €13 (including booking fee) from www.wavtickets.ie www.tickets.ie www.ticketmaster.ie & Ticketmaster outlets nationwide.

PAT McMANUS BAND

+ guests

The ‘Pat McManus Band’ are a powerful three piece Blues/Rock Trio,headed up by the former “Mama’s Boys’ and ‘Celtus’ guitarist/violinist virtuoso and true gent Pat McManus (AKA ‘The Professor’).

ROBERT DELANEY & BAND

+ guests

‘RISING TIDE’ by Robert Delaney

Following the release of his taster solo EP last year ‘Lilies For My Sweetheart’ Robert Delaney’s debut album, ‘Rising Tide’ is available now in Tower Records and HMV.

This is an album about life, about love, lost and found, with soul searching lyrics and carefully crafted meoldies which draw the listener in.

Robert is a Dublin based singer songwriter with rhythm and soul, folk and blues influences. Robert was writing poetry before he ever picked up a guitar and that love of lyricism shines through his songwriting.

“Delaney’s lyrics are some of the best I’ve heard from an Irish songwriter in recent times”..Mark Walsh, The Indie Sight.

“Delaney is an extremely talented singer songwriter hailing from Dublin and is on course for a very promising career within the music industry”..musicscene.ie

Listening to this album, it’s no mystery that Robert’s music elicits this kind of praise.

Following a very successful tour of east coast USA late last year, Robert plans to tour the west coast before Christmas 2012 and will launch his album with a live performance upstairs in Whelan’s on 19th September 2012.

Robert has also written songs with other Irish acts including Dublin singer songwriter Donal De Blacaz and London based electro act Bitches With Wolves.His book of lyrics (‘Bourbon Lyrics’ available from www.lulu.com) was published in 2009.

AFTER THE GIG

Whelan’s Indie/Electro Club w/ Late Bar from 10:30pm til late (FREE ENTRY).

Whelanslive.com presents

SCULLION

+ guests

Scullion are an Irish folk rock band that came into being in the mid 1970s. They were quite popular in Ireland, and released several LPs, but only two CDs have been released to date

MCD.ie presents

THE STAVES

+ guests

Critically acclaimed three-piece, The Staves announce headline show this November 25th in Whelan’s, Dublin.

Tickets are on sale Friday August 17th from all nationwide Ticketmaster outlets and online at www.ticketmaster.ie

BLAME SALLY

+ Jamey Kelly

If you sense a slight incongruity in the title of Blame Sally’s Speeding Ticket and a Valentine, rest assured that it’s as purposeful as the life it describes is random.

Live from the Window at Whelan’s

SINCOP’HAT

– PLAY THE FRONT BAR –

7pm – FREE ENTRY

Sincop’Hat is an acoustic four piece formed in 2010 in Dublin by 4 French guys: Bertrand, Carl, Christophe & Michael (half paddy). They’ve been blasting their unique brand of colourful Gypsy swing laced jazzed up pop songs displaying a diverse palette of influences (Jazz, Reggae, Rock & beyond) that each member brings to the mix. Armed with a Cajon, bass and 2 guitars they create a truly fresh and original soundscape transporting audiences & winning new fans with every performance.

Sincop’hat quickly progressed from playing standards of Django Reinhardt on Dublin’s Grafton Street to taking their unique explosive Bionic Gypsy Swing to pubs and festivals nationwide. They are known for their quirky Gypsy Swing Jazz-esque renditions of popular pop, rock & cinematic themes. Their music often defies categories and many songs can display widely divergent moods providing a unique & absorbing live musical trip.

Whelanslive.com presents

LUMIERE

+ guests.

Lumiere is two distinct voices cut from the same geographic cloth.

One is Éilís Kennedy, whose sound has ready access to the soul without need for scaffolding or spotlights. For over a decade, hers has been one of the most underrated voices in Irish music.Her natural and genuine interpretations of songs, both old and new, sung in her native Gaelic and in English, were previously heard in her multiple collaborations and solo offerings as a recording artist.

The other half of the musical whole is Pauline Scanlon, an award-winning singer from the same Kerry town of Dingle. She is part of a tradition of Irish female voices from Sinead O’Connor to Enya, all personal interpreters of their physical and spiritual landscape. Scanlon has two critically received albums to her credit as well as extensive touring experience all over the globe.

Together, they offer a distinctly feminine sound and feel, where voice is the primary instrument and Ireland as motherland is re-imagined. With Lumiere, the song and its delivery are the primary focus, technical concerns gives way to feeling as song and singer effortlessly merge.

Pauline and Éilís have been familiar with each other’s singing for many years. Yet until now, Pauline’s touring commitments meant a musical coming together wasn’t possible. Now Lumiere has put that right. Spending many a winter’s night looking over old songbooks and comparing music handed down by their respective families, the pair realised they had much in common in outlook and intonation.

As Pauline notes, “We realised that we preferred singing together to singing alone which was a revelation to both of us and a beautiful thing. It worked so quickly we knew we were on to a good thing. We slotted into each other’s singing like we’d always done it.”

Of their musical pairing, Éilís says: “We are extremely passionate about the place we come from. Part of the attraction is that we see that in each other. We hear it in each other’s singing and it takes us to a place that’s beautiful, safe, secure and home, no matter where we are.”

Pauline adds: “We’re singing songs that our families have passed on to us, that we ourselves have picked up along the way. The only other pre-requisite is that the songs speak to us emotionally.”

In the current global economy, songs of excess and materialism ring hollow. Lumiere offers something more holistic and true. In the midst of the economic crisis, in an age where the old pillars of trusts – financial institutions, clergy, political bodies – no longer hold automatic bona fide, this is real music by real singers communicating real emotions. Lumiere takes something that is sacred and age old and re-imagines it simply and beautifully, reclaiming beauty, truth and trust, for the modern age.

Lumiere though is not about big statements. It is about the intimate act of singing, the emotional core of that act and how that relates to the familiar echoes in our lives. It takes its cue from the west Kerry tradition, which in itself prompts the freedom to sing without over embellishment. The songs concern themselves with themes of love and loss, of place and people. They are mainly drawn from the Irish tradition but also touch on the great American songbook. The Poor Wayfaring Stranger then sits easily alongside The West’s Awake while the Gaelic song Óró mo Bháidín compliments Spencer the Rover.

Legendary record producer John Reynolds (Sinead O’Connor, Andrea Corr, U2, Damien Dempsey etc) had met Pauline through Sharon Shannon, and when he heard what Lumiere was doing, he offered to produce their album. John manages Damien Dempsey, alongside David Jaymes of London management company Spirit Music and Media, whose past and present clients include Mike Scott, Republica, The Wonder Stuff, Beth Orton and Sinead O’Connor, the successful team signed Lumiere to their management roster in early 2009.

John Reynolds says of Lumiere: “Pauline and Éilís have a rare and unique singing style I had never heard before. From the moment I heard their voices I knew we had to make an album. Discovering these songs through their voices lifted them into a place of real soulful tradition, ethereal but at same time modern. A pure joy.”

Emerging from that rich traditional vein of Kerry singers, Lumiere is something wholly rare and reaffirming in these troubled times. Their voices are at once relaxed and rugged, coming across as soothing and familiar vocal balms. Drawn from a longstanding oral history, their songbook looks to past generations for present guidance, to resurrecting a deeper understanding and experience of life. Theirs is a musical beacon of hope, a shot across the bows of mistrust and misguidance, a pairing of authentic voices in an age of inauthenticity.

What is Lumiere? It is light and longstanding. It is looking afresh with a clear lens on an age-old tradition, and presenting it unadorned, free from affection and interference. Needless ornamentation or fussy musical scores need not apply, what concerns Lumiere is paired back and emotionally bare musical offerings.

Lumiere is drawing from a well of songs and spirituality, of being true to the past yet offering something entirely relevant to the present. Anyone with a passing interest in beautiful music, in songs that mean something, in songs that illuminate our living and speak to our souls, will find solace in Lumiere.

Lumiere is dawn breaking or sun setting; it is a long bath after a weary toil, a walk in scenic countryside, a fresh breeze, or a silent bus journey in a sprawling metropolis. It is time out. More than that though, Lumiere is what the times call for – something that is real, tangible and evocative.

Lumiere isn’t part of a particular folk tradition – rather it relates to musical folk everywhere. It is a sound at once local and universal, particular and pan-geographic.

Where did Lumiere come from? As a sound, Lumiere has always been there is the simple answer. These songs, this tradition, stretches back the generations. It is distinctly local yet universal, belonging to a greater worldwide tradition of songs and singers, darkness and light, hope and renewal.

TICKETS:

€14 incl booking fee available from WAV Tickets [Lo-Call 1890 200 078] (50c per ticket service charge applies on phone or credit card bookings)

AFTER THE GIG

Whelan’s Indie Club w/ Late Bar from 10:30pm or check out the bands playing The Midnight Hour in the upstairs venue (FREE ENTRY, 12am).