"Vol. 1 That Vinyl Scratch" is the debut album from Galway five piece folk band Vickers Vimy and it contains so many charming, promising, wonderfully composed tunes that I should be singing it's praises all year ...... ..... but in the end it leaves me feeling muted. This album could easily be the sibling of Eric McGrath's debut album from last year. The vocal deliver is relaxed and charming, the [...]
I've found three more wonderful videos from Irish artists for you to check out. Moo - 2000 Horses I love this funny video for Dublin based three piece rock band Moo. http://www.facebook.com/moosto ries ------------------------------ ------------------------------ ------- Rosie Carney - What Have You Been Looking For? This is a lovely video from the young Donegal based singer-songwriter Rosie [...]
2012 was a very good year for music. Sometimes it's difficult to come up with enough albums for my year end list, this year the problem was narrowing down my choices. Click on the album titles to read the full reviews, purchase the albums, and, in some cases, watch videos and/or download mp3s. Then comment [...]
It's great to be in reflective mood looking back on the year of album reviews and basking in the fact that Ireland produces some fantastic music. It was tough to choose a top 10 and even more difficult to order them! Big thanks to these artists and their team for allowing me to review their albums! 10. Sive - We Are Moving What I wrote: The band realise that Sadhbh's vocals and [...]
On Monday I wrote a post bringing light to the first Music Review Unsigned Awards to be held in the Mercantile on December 16th. http://2uibestow.blogspot.ie/2 012/12/in-focus-mru-awards-201 2.html The Editor of MRU has issues with this statement: " a question mark hangs over it's integrity." I outlined two reasons for this statement that (a) Many of the artists in the shortlist did not release anything in 2012 and that (b) the majority of the bands [...]
We welcome the arrival of the Music Review Unsigned Awards to be held in the Mercantile on December 16th. Unsigned bands are only delighted at being in the spotlight for their considerable efforts to make progress in a difficult musical environment. While I welcome the awards a question mark hangs over it's integrity. Many artists below have not released anything as of yet and some have been dormant in 2012 so their nomination is quite baffling. Also the live bands were announced before the final shortlist so it's no surprise [...]
Ok so I hate advertising HUGE companies on the blog but I'm involved with organising an event in Boyles of Slane for this year's Arthur's Day. I've also noticed a number of other events around the country which showcases the best of Irish music. Here's a music of music you can choose to hear around the country. Among the International and Irish acts booked by Arthur himself include: Tinie Tempah Ellie Goulding Mika Amy Macdonald Texas Fatboy Slim Example Professor Green Primal Scream [...]
One of the advantages of marrying into an Irish family is hearing about great Irish musicians before the rest of the world. Such was the case in 2001 with a then unknown Damien Rice. More recently, my brother-in-law caught Eric McGrath's performance at an open mic in Dublin, Ireland and said he was one to [...]
It's that time of the year nearly every Irish bands gets to update their status with 'We're Playing The Picnic'. To help you find the best bands on the schedule before you get to Stradbally I'll be picking ten relatively unknown bands for you to find at Electric Picnic. Part 6 - Róisín O [...]
I'm taking a break for two weeks. I'm going on a glamorous holiday to the UK! I'll be brought there by Irish Ferries. ------------------------------ ---------------- I've reviewed some great albums this year. Top 5 Albums of 2012 so far ..... 1. Michael [...]
Delightful little folk debut album from Dublin's Eric McGrath. Released with a free launch in The Sugar Club this coming Thursday! I genuinely couldn't get Eric McGrath's music out of my head last night. It may mean I've listened to the album 'Little Ripples' far too much over the last two weeks or it could suggest that Eric' songs are so good they linger long after you've heard them. [...]
![Top 50 - Part 4 [31 - 50]](http://cdn.elbo.ws/posts/4216579_lg.jpg)
Here's the top 50 acts in Ireland according to my humble tastes. The list acts as a guide to the music which excites me at this moment in time. It excludes bands not currently working in Ireland or who have been dormant for some time. So in basic terms here's a list of bands to watch out for on a random night in Dublin, Cork, Galway, Dundalk etc .... 50. Heritage Centre http://www.facebook.com/theher itagecentre [...]
Dubliner Eric McGrath supported Bic Runga in The Olympia, Dublin last night to a decent sized and attentive crowd. Support slots must be difficult as the crowd are not there for you specifically. Those in attendance certainly enjoyed his set as much as I did and gave the songs an appreciative reception. It was my first time seeing Eric live with his band, Heiter Martins on Bass and John Ohle on drums. They added a lovely jazzy feel to Eric's folk sound. Eric's songwriting and delivery on stage were top class with current single 'Let's [...]
![Top 50 - Part 3 [36 - 50]](http://cdn.elbo.ws/posts/4204582_lg.jpg)
Here's the top 50 acts in Ireland according to my humble tastes. The list acts as a guide to the music which excites me at this moment in time. It excludes bands not currently working in Ireland or who have been dormant for some time. So in basic terms here's a list of bands to watch out for on a random night in Dublin, Cork, Galway, Dundalk etc .... 50. Heritage Centre http://www.facebook.com/theher itagecentre [...]
Thursday's 'Purple Sessions' goes down as one of my favourite gigs ever. The line-up of Ana Gog, Allie Bradley, Orphan Code and Eric McGrath proved to me that they are four of the best musical acts in Ireland at the moment! First up was Dubliner with a hint of Spanish, Eric McGrath with his laid back folk sounds. It'd be too easy to [...]
Without the usual attempts at making folking jokes I've put a mix of news and tunes from the folk world together for this post! First up is news from Mossy Nolan whose debut album sounds wonderful these nice Spring days in the car. He's supporting English folk duo Johny and Lucy in Whelans on Sunday night with tickets at €12! More details here: http://www.whelanslive.com/ind ex.php/archives/7198 ------------------------------ ------------ The Spook Of The Thirteenth Lock have announced that their new album 'The Brutal [...]
Regularly I get emails from bands and artists introducing themselves to me. As a way of gratitude I'm going to feature them all in a non-judgmental post. Twin Terrace First up is Dubliner Gavin Redmond going under the name Twin Terrace. Gavin was the lead singer with Vodkopter but it fell away quietly in 2009 with Gavin heading to Vancouver for a period of time! While there he wrote a bunch of tunes which will be released throughout the year as [...]
2 U I Bestow
Muruch![The Vespers - 'Lawdy' ~ Official Music Video [HD]](http://cdn.elbo.ws/youtube/zCdusougp0o_130.jpg)
MP3: Daft Punk – “Horizons” (RAM Japanese Bonus Track)
Seven Lions: Fevers (Feat. Minnesota and Mimi Page)
Akabu feat. Alex Mills – Everybody Wants Something (Joey Negro Strip Mix) [New Release]
Listen to producer Jacques Greene’s “On Your Side,” featuring How To Dress Well
