THE MIGHTY STEF

plus guests

WOUNDS & SISTERS

Facebook event HERE

Dublin natives The Mighty Stef return to Whelans for thier biggest home-town show to date. Having spent early 2013 making thier 4th album with accliamed US producer Alain Johannes

U:MACK & Harmonic presents

THEE OH SEES

plus guests

THE #1’s + THE URGES

Tickets on sale Tuesday February 5th priced €16.50 (including booking fee) from www.whelanslive.com www.tickets.ie & www.ticketmaster.ie

Whelanslive.com presents

EILEN JEWELL

plus special guests

“Sometimes as darkly damaged as Lucinda Williams, at others as defiant and teasing as prime Peggy Lee and always authentically Americana in the Gillian Welch tradition … She’s mighty good.” – The LA Times

Inexplicably not yet a household name, alt-country starlet Eilen Jewell may be already known to more people than realise it through her amazing track ‘Shakin’ All Over‘ featuring prominently on the True Blood soundtrack. Championed by roots music enthusiasts and alt-country fans alike, Eilen Jewell is often mentioned in the same breath as fellow travelers Gillian Welch and Jolie Holland.  Her latest album, the wonderfully titled ‘Queen of the Minor Key‘, is Jewell’s most powerful artistic statement yet.

Since her official 2006 debut, Boundary County, Jewell has surveyed a wide range of traditional musical styles, from the folk and jug band leanings of her early recordings, through an album-length homage to Loretta Lynn and the country gospel of her work with The Sacred Shakers, right up to 2009′s Sea of Tears, which bristled with the electricity of ’60s UK garage rock and Chicago blues. Queen of the Minor Key draws on everything from classic country (the fiddle-driven “Reckless”) to early R&B (the shuffling “Hooked”), with an emphasis on sounds from the seamier side of the tracks. With dirty sax riffs and low-slung guitars, the instrumentals that bookend the album—”Radio City” and “Kalimotxo”—evoke the bump-and-grind exotica of vintage Southern California suburban saloons. Yet on the flipside, Jewell imbues slow, jazzy numbers like “I Remember You” and “Only One” with torch and tenacity that linger long past last call.

A word on ‘The Queen Of The Minor Key’

It is the battered cassette jammed in the tape deck of the getaway car, the music Ida Lupino cues up on the roadhouse jukebox as she counts the till after close. This is Queen of the Minor Key by Eilen Jewell, a smart cookie with a heart of burnished gold and enough stories to keep even the rowdiest crowd hanging on her every word. Though its long shadows and dark corners make her kingdom feel intimate, her sovereign domain stretches as far as the imagination. Its denizens seek refuge in padded rooms, abandoned automobiles… and strong spirits. They defend their territory by any means necessary: weird voodoo, sawed-off shotguns, broken bottles.

But beware, savvy observer. There is more to Eilen Jewell than meets the ear. Do not confuse the singer and her songs. The drama and darkness that give Queen of the Minor Key its gritty texture are in short supply in the Boston-based songwriter’s personal life. And in a curious twist, these fourteen originals actually took shape in a sunny, idyllic location that contrasts strikingly with the album’s moody, film noir atmosphere.

In August 2010, Jewell headed to a tiny cabin in the mountains of Idaho. Although her clan hails from the Gem State, this was no comfy retreat at the family fold. Her temporary abode had no running water or electricity, and sat at the end of a winding dirt road. Wild elk would graze in the surrounding meadows while she worked. When it was time to unwind, she availed herself of a nearby hot springs. A dilapidated truck she found on the property even made its way into the album artwork.

She had no set game plan, and her sole objective for the new material was refreshingly modest (or incredibly daunting, depending on your point of view). “My goal as a songwriter is to always improve,” she demurs. “Every time I make a record, I want it to be even more real, more heartfelt, than the one before it. I want the slow songs to be slower and the fast songs to be faster.” Drawing on a connoisseur’s love of roots music and a writer’s eye for detail, Jewell fashions her musical vignettes with impressive economy. Each turn of phrase and chord change is executed with an élan that belies the measured precision behind it.

Jewell is wary of repeating previous success by following formulae. “But I also don’t want to change things just for the sake of changing them,” she adds. Never underestimate the public’s ability to recognize calculation masquerading as inspiration. “You always want to ride the creative process to new territory, without being overwhelmingly novel.”

Towards that end, she experimented with dark humor in the new material. The title tune takes inspiration from a poke someone made about her harmonic preferences. “I decided to run with that and adopt the moniker, even if it started off as a nickname that wasn’t necessarily intended to be flattering.” “Bang Bang Bang” eschews the cliché of Cupid as a rosy-cheeked cherub (“he’s more reckless and violent than that”), and replaces his petite bow-and-arrow with a gun show six-gauge, plus a laughing disregard for such trivial concerns as aim.

Queen of the Minor Key is also the first Eilen Jewell album to feature a significant number of guest players, even as she continues to work in close consort with her longtime trio of drummer Jason Beek, guitarist Jerry Miller, and upright bassist Johnny Sciascia. Zoe Muth and Big Sandy (of Big Sandy & His Fly-Rite Boys) both contribute vocals. “I was writing the songs with them in mind—if I could work up the courage to ask them—so I was really honored that they agreed to sing with me.” Further augmenting the sound are Rich Dubois on fiddle, David Sholl on tenor and baritone saxophones, and Tom West on organ. The arrangements, Jewell insists, occurred organically as the music was fleshed out in the studio; the songs tell her where they want to go. “We don’t really think it out that much.”

Eilen Jewell is the Queen of the Minor Key. Sad songs are her wealth and finery. Lend her your ears, and you will quickly hear why her humble subjects admire and adore her more with each passing year.

TICKETS

€17 available online from WAV Tickets [Lo-Call 1890 200 078] (50c per ticket service charge applies on phone or creditcard bookings from WaV).

Strictly over 18′s, I.D. may be required.

AFTER THE GIG

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

ENEMIES

plus guests

CROUPIER
SPIES

Enemies return for their first Dublin headliner in 2 years, kicking off an extensive European tour.

Live from the Window at Whelan’s

THE OLD TIRE SWINGERS

[Bluegrass / Old Time String Band from California]

– PLAY THE FRONT BAR –

7pm // FREE ENTRY

When Paul Chesterton first heard bluegrass music back in 2003, he fell in love with the banjo.

MCD.ie presents

FOSSIL COLLECTIVE

+ guests

Fossil Collective, a two-piece from Leeds, consists of multi instrumentalists David Fendick and Jonny Hooker.

THE YOUNG FOLK

plus guests

GENTRY MORRIS & SINEAD WHITE

The Dublin five piece have been touring parts of Ireland, Scandinavia and North America over the past 9 months whiles performing at some of Irelands well known festival such as Electric Picnic, Sea Sessions, Valentia Isle Festival and The Spirit of Folk Festival.

The Young Folk’s powerful self-titled ep (which is out now) 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.

Dubliner Magazine labelled them as “a unique prospect” “one of the most promising young Irish bands of recent years” (Eamon Carr), not because of their impressive resume, but because of the raw energy and passion they bring to the stage.

The Young Folk were a revelation. part Fleet Foxes, the sterling vocals were the pinnacle of a set bursting with a rousing underbelly that demanded attention – this is a band more than capable of making a big breakthrough.” Bryan O’Hanlon (Stop The Lights)

The Young Folk is not a typical folk band, but instead display an interesting interplay between traditional instruments and modern musicality that has drawn the support of RTE DJ’s Pat Kenny, Cathal Murray and John Creedon, 2FM’S Jenny Huston, Paddy McKenna and Ruth Scott and TV3′s Ireland AM show of which all featured The Young Folk in 2012.–

Visit us at our new website and stream our new EP

TICKETS:

€6 adv / €10 door available 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

CAHALEN MORRISON & ELI WEST

When Cahalen Morrison & Eli West released their stunning debut album, The Holy Coming of The Storm it met with instantaneous reaction on both sides of the Atlantic.

MCD.ie presents

GAVIN JAMES

plus guests

Dublin sensation Gavin James has just announced details of an exclusive headline performance at Whelan’s on Friday, March 22nd 2013

Harmonic presents

FRONTIER RUCKUS

& very special guest:

LISA O’NEILL

Tickets on sale Monday Jan 21st priced €15 (including booking fee) from www.whelanslive.com, www.tickets.ie,  www.ticketmaster.ie & Ticketmaster outlets nationwide.

BitSmith Games presents

KU: SHROUD OF MORRIGAN LAUNCH PARTY

The Parlour Bar, Whelan’s

Door 7pm

————

Ku: Shroud of the Morrigan has finally found it’s way onto the App Store and we are happy.

THE JIGSAW JAM

plus guests

Keith O’Brien’s Missing Links & Ray Scully

Following a sell out EP launch in May and a performance at the Ones To Watch 2013 Festival The Jigsaw Jam return to Whelans, this time taking on the Main Stage.

Andy Burrows has had to postpone his Whelan’s show for February 28th. Please keep an eye on www.andyburrows.co.uk for a rescheduled date. Refunds are available from point of purchase.

MCD.ie presents

ANDY BURROWS

plus guests

CRY MONSTER CRY

Tickets €15 including booking fee on sale FRIDAY at 9am from Ticketmaster outlets nationwide and from www.ticketmaster.ie

THIS GIG HAS BEEN

MOVED TO THE ACADEMY

ORIGINAL TICKETS STILL VALID

MCD.ie presents

BASTILLE

+ guests

***TICKETS ON-SALE THIS FRIDAY AT 9AM***

Following their spectacular sold out show at The Academy 2 this past October, Bastille have just announced an exclusive headline performance at Whelan’s on Thursday, April 4th 2013.

Toast Office Records presents

TOAST OFFICE RECORDS RELEASE PARTY

featuring

BAD BONES // CHAMPION JIM // CIARÁN PARNELL // CONOR LINNIE // GARRET MOORE // KATE’S PARTY // LIZA FLUME // MIDDLE CLASS DISASTER // STU DALY // WUNDERBRA

Confirm on facebook HERE

THE ENEMIES

plus guests

THE HIGH LIFE & THE PROFILE

The Enemies are a five piece band from Drogheda Co. Louth. Formed in 2003 The Enemies released their debut EP in March 2011 which served as a taster for their self funded first album on track and due for release later this year.

Out On A Limb Records presents

REST

‘I Hold the Wolf’ Album Launch

Special guests

WIZARDS OF FIRETOP MOUNTAIN, ILENKUS & GUILTY OPTICS REFRACTION

TOY SOLDIER

[ALBUM LAUNCH PARTY]

+ Juliet’s Rescue & Manhattan

Confirm on facebook HERE

Toy Soldier play their debut headline show at Whelan’s, Dublin on Saturday the 19th of January.

CANCELLED

Milo Greene’s free show Upstairs at Whelan’s on January 26th has been cancelled due to promotional scheduling difficulties.

MCD are endeavouring to have the band back later in the year for new Irish Tour dates.

———-

featuring –

MILO GREENE

Upstairs@Whelan’s from Midnight.

Doors: 11:30pm

Whelanslive.com is proud to bring you The Midnight Hour. Showcasing the best new talent in Ireland.

—————

Milo Greene have just announced details of a special free show Upstairs at Whelan’s on Saturday, January 26th

MCD.ie presents

LOCAL NATIVES

+ BALTHAZAR

Local Natives have just announced details of their highly anticipated return to Ireland with an exclusive headline performance at Whelan’s, Dublin on February 11th 2013.