The Oh Yeah music centre in Belfast celebrates its fifth anniversary on May 5th with a special day full of live performances. During the afternoon, Katie Richardson and Colly Strings will play an acoustic set and Fighting With Wire will be doing a live session in the studio. There will also be film screenings, a tour of the building, rehearsal rooms, the recording studio and a "Demo Drop" where young bands can have the chance to get reviewed by industry experts. As for the evening, the line-up for live acts features [...]
Album review of Conor Mason's 'Standstill' published for State.ie on March 30th 2012. Despite this being his third album, Conor Mason is not a name many will be overly familiar with. Growing up in the historic walled city of Derry, music has been present in his life from a young age. Mason has now found his space [...]
Despite this being his third album, Conor Mason is not a name many will be overly familiar with. Growing up in the historic walled city of Derry, music has been present in his life from a young age. Mason has now found his space on the musical landscape, not dissimilar to that occupied by luminaries Matthew Jay or Elliott Smith. Standstill continues where 2009's When It's Over left off. It flows gently by, amid a sea of soft lilting vocals, whispering lyrical poeticisms and subtle instrumentation. It is permeated by an air [...]
Continuing one with my theme of trying to introduce you all to something that isn't Scottish, here's a little piece about a talented fella by the name of Conor Mason all the way from Northern Ireland. Having just released his new album on one of my favourite labels, Armellodie Records, I caught up Conor to ask him a bit more about the album, how he ended up on a Scottish label and whether he recalled having to put with a very drunken Peenko at last years goNorth.... Hello Mr Mason, my name's Lloyd. I have very [...]
Conor Mason - Standstill By Kenny McMurtrie Given the insipid nature of the work by the likes of Blake, Morrison and Sheeran, the thought of having to listen to a male singer/songwriter in order to review Standstill had my teeth on edge right from the start. Like midges I started to wonder if there was any point in their existence and would the world not be a better place without them as the modern versions never seem to measure up well against those of the past. [...]
Track Listing 1. Standstill 2. Words 3. We Watch The Sky Rotate Download
Conor Mason releases his third album, Standstill, on Monday via Armellodie Records. Standstill navigates similar waters to 20092s When It's Over, a slow burner, requiring patience and repeated listens to fully appreciate its richness and splendor. 'Misunderstood ' is a little taste of things to come. It exudes richness and warmth with soft, lilting vocals gently flowing between a comforting sea of [...]
Sharon Van Etten I think I might well be one of the last music bloggers to have jumped on the Sharon Van Etten bandwagon. The Brooklyn based singer-songwriter seems to be the current darling of hipster sites such as Stereogum and Pitchfork, having been listening to her new album, Tramp, a hell of a lot this week I can see why folk have been getting their knickers in such a twist. If you haven't picked up on her yet or you just to see what all the fuss is about then just head on over to Amazon [...]
Track Listing 1. Last to Leave 2. A Picture of Farewell 3. Standstill Download
Conor Mason , a singer-songwriter from Derry, is somebody who whispers more than he shouts- his music has an understated quality, and this has perhaps led to him being more underrated than he really should be. That's not to say he hasn't been successful, though; after splitting from his first band, Gentle Ben, Conor Mason toured extensively around Glasgow before releasing his debut album, When It's Over , in 2009. It was a consistently laid back record full of quiet, lilting vocals and a sort of comforting tranquillity that earned it some, but not masses of, praise and recognition. [...]
I mentioned yesterday that this ShamRock festival looks so interesting. I'd be fascinated to find out if the punters move away from the cover bands to check out all the quality original music planned for the weekend. There are lots of attractions there such as a food hall, fairground and three stages of music. Here's music from the best acts at the festival! Stages Times here: http://shamrockmusicfestival.c om/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/ days-2.jpg Friday: Zealots - Rock Stage 7.00 [...]
Conor Mason is set to release Standstill, the follow-up to his 2009 debut When It's Over, later this summer. Mason, one of the shining lights at last years HWCH in Dublin, put on an exceptional show for a lucky crowd, affirming his position as one of my favourite artists in Ireland right now. He is picking up where [...]
Given his way with a tune it is a bit of a mystery why Derry man Conor Mason has so far eluded widespread attention in Ireland. His wistful Matthew Jayesque compositions peppered last year's 'When It's Over' and in many ways it made complete sense when he was asked to support Brendan Benson a few months back (the Benson of 'Lapalco' fame anyway). 'Luck' is the shy creature that lives in your garden, which you'd love as a pet but know it probably would never work out. It shimmy's and slides gracefully and in the process highlights Mason's soft vocal [...]
This is one of the best things about Hard Working Class Heroes. All over Dublin during the Hard Working Class Heroes weekend a selection of bands will be playing free gigs. This will hopefully give good exposure to the public. The full schedule is here: http://www.hwch.net/2010_city_ schedule.html Here's a few bands I'd recommend seeing: Thursday 7th: TOWER RECORDS 6.00 PM - The Gorgeous Colours [...]
There are some really great bands on the line-up for the Hard Working Class Heroes 2010. Many of the bands below I've done my fair share of writing on the past. Looks like it'll be a great festival! http://www.hwch.net At Last An Atlas At Last An Atlas - Heaven Knows by atlastanatlas [...]
Time is flying! The 2010 IMRO Showcase Tour is one month old now and this week sees it pay two visits to Derry for dates at Masons and The Cellar, as well as a trip to Kildare's Late Lounge in-between. Altogether, a whopping 16 acts will be involved, making this the busiest week of the tour... Thursday, April 15th - Masons, Derry (in association with Smalltown America) The Wonder Villains At the tender age of 17, the Wonder Villains are already garnering comparisons to Ellie [...]
Lending further proof to the opinion that the Irish music scene is healthier than ever, the call for entries for this year's IMRO Showcase Tour triggered literally hundreds upon hundreds of responses. The line-up has now been selected and the following is a list of the bands who've made the cut and where they can be seen in action: Thursday, March 25th - The Limelight & Katy Daly's, Belfast Alan MX Strait Laces Nakatomi Towers The Good Fight [...]
Despite only coming from up the road in Derry it took a note from his Glasgow record label Antimatter to make Conor Mason appear on our radar. And glad we are too because the warm embrace from his 'When It's Over' album has been making the deep snow in our back garden slowly melt away. The first thought that shot into my head was Elliott Smith but then similarities aren't close enough to be distracting. 'When It's Over' is a lovely listen, a gush of melodies accompanied by delicately woven arrangements. Mason's vocals are a soft velvet rush [...]
State Magazine
barrygruff
Peenko
Muso's Guide
The 405
2 U I Bestow
mp3hugger
Madonna producer unloads of CD disaster
Band of Horses – Funeral (Sound Remedy Remix) : Smooth Indie / Dubstep Remix
Madonna producer unloads on CD disaster
Michael Jackson - Bad (Afrojack Remix) [Preview]
Check Out: Antony And The Johnsons – “Rise”
