Lots of Irish artists are playing to the masses in Glastonbury this year. The Acoustic stage finds Lisa Hannigan, Imelda May, Bap Kennedy, Sharon Corr and Lunasa! Fight Like Apes are on the Queen's Head stage, Japanese Popstars on the Dance stage while The Script and In Case of Fire are on the Other Stage! Fight Like Apes - Lend Me Your Face Lisa Hannigan - Lille Full line-up is here: http://www.glastonburyfestival s.co.uk/line-up/ [...]
I think I'm beginning to get a good understanding of the different factors that shape journalistic opinions. I went to the album launch of 'Human Nature' and Alphastates were simply amazing live. Therefore this album will forever stimulate good feelings and memories of that gig which makes the album sound perfect! 'Human Nature' is the second album from Alphastates which contains ten tracks designed to transport you to a different plane! Alphastates merge the best of electronica, indie and dance with Catherine Dowling's delicate vocals to produce a sound which offers the listener something different and fresh. The [...]
Well if you get there early enough anyway. The rather fine line-up of Codes , Alphastates , 8Ball and The Sleep Thieves will be appearing at Andrews Lane Theatre this Saturday night. It's free in before 10pm, €10 after, which is a pretty good deal really. Doors are at 9pm. Dig It - First Single 'With All Your Friends' Sept 2009 Related State & AU night - The Purty Loft, Monkstown [...]
State in conjunction with our friends in the North, AU kicked off the first of what we hope to be many excellent cross-border lineups on Friday night. Kicking things off in The Purty Loft in Monkstown was Conor O' Brien playing a solo show under his Villagers moniker. Not one to let himself be deterred by being on stage on his lonesome, he treated the crowd to some recently written material with the kind of talent that few can match right now. Conor was followed by a short set from local boy [...]
You've not likely forgotten the Irish acts hullabaloo in The Ticket and on Jim's blog a few weeks back. Well just to stress what rude health Irish music is in at the moment. Here are the top 5 Irish albums I've heard so far this year, in no particular order. David Kitt - The Nightsaver (Best album yet from Kittser?) Super Extra Bonus Party - Night Horses (You shouldn't be surprised. Better than the debut) Adrian [...]
Five years can be a lifetime in music, and yet Dublin's Alphastates have emerged from a hiatus of just that length with their strongest set of songs to date in the shape of new album, Human Nature , and a music community who, far from forgetting who they were, are ready to embrace their shining electro-pop with open arms. "We finished the album a couple of times," laughs Catherine Dowling, vocalist. And yet every time they thought Human Nature was at an end, they ended up recording more tracks, and adding all [...]
I am becoming increasingly aware of Ollie Cole whose debut album is almost ready for release. The former 'Turn' frontman has completed a whole host of gigs recently including the IRMO showcase and a Bell X1 support. This Saturday he is headlining the Revolver Gig in Radio City with the fine Alphastates in support! I checked out the 'Turn' website recently. It features Ollie Cole news as well as news on the drummer who is also in Little Palace and Gavin Fox the bassist who is in Concerto for Constantine. There was a post about the [...]
I'll try to bring some alternative news to the Irish music blogsphere now! A Murder Plan with humour! " Murder Plan are a vaudeville alternative blues band who wink a hint of chaotic mania. With songs & styles encompassing rock, tangos, Balkan gypsy sounds, blues & jazz, they mix & match motifs like a drunken arsonist in a Parisian police line-up. The band is made up of Stephanie O' Keeffe (vocals), Dara Melinn (guitar), Paddy Lynch (drums), Donal Melinn (bass) and Cathal Melinn (piano). None of the Melinns are related to each [...]
![Alphastates - Whelans [Album Launch] Review](http://cdn.elbo.ws/posts/1664542_lg.jpg)
This blogger was in attendance for Alphastates excellent gig in Whelans last night. It was the album launch for the band's second album; 'Human Nature' which will get a review in the coming weeks. Alphastates are impossible to categorise according to genre. They can write a brilliant dance floor anthem such as 'Champagne Glass', an indie shoegazer of a track like 'Mercury' as well as the beautiful tender soundscapes such as 'Anywhere'. The sizable Wednesday night crowd showed their enthusiasm and appreciation to the band throughout the hour and 15 minute set. There was a nice mixture [...]
For many in the Irish music industry the lack of communication between the Northern and Southern scenes has long been the cause of astonishment, particularly when both areas are producing the most acclaimed and vibrant bands of recent years, despite the best efforts of the likes of Hard Working Class Heroes . It was a common cause for complaint at this year's UnConvention event in Belfast, that bands from the city and elsewhere found it impossible to make contacts in the South – something echoed by their counterparts in Dublin, Cork, Limerick and beyond. This [...]
Nialler has encouraged us all to make a list to help promote the best Irish music out there at the moment. For an hour yesterday and another hour or two this morning I thought about all the Irish artists I like at this moment in time. It's not an easy thing to do a list because I know I'm leaving out far too many good bands. However I'm happy to publish this list today as it defines what this blog is about and let's ya know what I think is great music in Ireland at this moment [...]
Firstly if you can get to Whelans early on Wednesday to catch blog favourites Heritage Centre supporting the brilliant Alphastates. Should be a great night. Blog tip for the top act Aortal are no more. Talented singer James O'Toole has decided to put his musical career on hold to become a full time socialist and activist. All the best to James but this to me sums up what is wrong with the whole internet/facespace/twatter thing! Sometimes too much information is given! Before the net, James could have privately decided to put career on hold, [...]
Any fan of music blogs will notice that for the next few days it will seem like St. Patrick threw up all over the musical blogsphere. And that's great! I don't want to be adding to mix of Pogues and Dubliners mp3s just yet. The sevens tunes I have chosen today are songs I think sum up the Ireland of today and to me they represent current modern Irish Culture. Ian Whitty & The Exchange - Fallen Stars [In Late Night Bars] Mp3 MySpace Alphastates - What Are You [...]
I began the Mixtape4Melfi blog on 1st March 2008 in the hope of speading the word about great music I thought were at times ignored by the majority of the Blogsphere. I changed to the Irish Music only blog 2 U I Bestow to solidify the identity and objective of what I was trying to do. The feature I'm most proud of is the Ruby Tuesday feature where I give a small insight to a new artist trying to make it in the difficult music world. Here is the Best Of Ruby Tuesday: [...]
I had a text conversation with a close friend yesterday where he stated he was busy with the whole Valentine's thing and his quest to show his girlfriend how special she is to him. It got me thinking about the value of such the Hallmark sponcered holiday of Love. All I hope for is that this day encourages folks out there to become a people of love and make the principles of Valentine's be their objective for life. The Fat Lady Sings - World Exploding Touch Mp3 MySpace Armoured Bear [...]
I love bands with a female singer like The Plague Monkeys, Alphastates or The Chalets. Joining this list is the band 'I Am Not Lefthanded'. I cannot recommend them enough. The band are Kathryn - Vocals/Guitar, Daniel - Vocals/Bass and Benji - Drums and have relocated to the Uk to make big ripples in a larger pond. I love how they have Roddy Doyle as an influence on their MySpace. The introduction on their website is so good I'll have to paste it here: "We don't play pop music, we don't write music for art's sake, we don't represent any [...]
More info .... http://www.myspace.com/phantom firstfriday Phantom kick off Phantom First Friday for 2009 with a strong line up. Everyone is tipping Heathers for success and Superjimenez are a decent band. However Alphastates will be the key act for this blogger to see. Catherine Dowling is such a fantastic singer and performer. Check out the video to their single 'Kiss Me'
2 U I Bestow
State Magazine
nialler9
Hervé - Pick Me Up, Sort Me Out, Calm Me Down
Someone remixed 'Aerodynamic' by Daft Punk on Google's Moog Doodle
Hervé feat. Ronika - How Can I Live Without You (Make It Right) (Video)
BILLBOARD TOP TEN: Next Weeks Charts (Week Ending 05/20/2012)
