Patrick James

To mark today’s release of the Fabulous NEW Single “CRAWL UP” from MUGGER DAVE this week’s featured video is Freak.

Mugger Dave (previousily reviewed here) have been rightly hailed as ‘One of Ireland’s most promising Act’s!’ by The Irish Times, and given their ability to write and record ‘Custom Made songs for Radio’ (HOTPRESS), we can expect to hear a lot more from this Galwegian trio upon the release of their new single ‘CRAWL UP’ on Oct 30th 2009.

With a highly popular reputation that contiunes to grow, Mugger Dave have performed live on TG4’s Sile show, and where included on the IMRO 2008 Showcase tour. Their song, ‘My Life In Circles’, was featured on the IMRO Showcase CD and distributed nationally with the Daily Star newspaper. The band are currently preparing for the release of their debut album, “What’s She Doing Here?” Their last single ‘Got A Lot On My Mind’ received airtime on Phantom FM, RTE2XM, Beat FM, WLRFM, LIVE95 and many more. It was also awarded “Single of the Week” on Radio Na Life.

IT’s available now but Why Not ENJOY A Sample Listen to CRAWL! Then enjoy the video

01 CRAWL UP – New single by MUGGER DAVE by GoodSeedPR

Band MySpace: www.myspace.com/muggerdave

Upcoming Shows ( view all )
12 Dec 2009 20:00
The Cellar bar in Derry Derry, Northern Ireland
4 Feb 2010 20:00
All Ireland Battle of The Bands- Lough Erne Hotel in Kesh, Co Fermanagh. Fermanagh, Northern Ireland
23 Feb 2010 20:00
SU Sessions NUI Galway Galway, Galway

Clive Barnes The Ghost Country is one of those very rare of Albums that come along every once in a blue moon and are simply instantaneously addictive… With the release date set for September 11th, this forth album from the Wexford songwriter, has all the elements that make an album stand out and distinguish a musician from from their contemporaries in ways most other songwriters only strugle towards.

I was lucky enough to get a preview of this album but after hearing The Ghost Country was reluctant to review it – For one reason only, the album is that darn good… there had to be a snag, but no… I have listened and re-listened to this album non-stop and it only gets better per-play! And to be fair and tell the truth, September 11th I will be buying a couple of copies for one or two of my close friends who have heard a track or two already on the car stereo and are eagerly awaiting.

On guitar and vocals Clive Barnes does the business in stunning fashion and in a way that marks him as one of Ireland’s great performers. No wonder really when you think how he’s finely honed his skills and roots reputation by touring the US and Europe with names likes of Eric Bibb, Taj Mahal, Jeff Beck, Alison Krauss, Seasick Steve, The Blind Boys of Alabama and many more.

While your waiting for the release why not check out Clive Barne’s myspace player: http://www.myspace.com/clivebarnesmusic

Nell Bryden has had a great week – Nell who I interviewed recently has JUST SIGNED a publishing deal with RESPECT MUSIC in the UK. I couldn’t be happier for her firstly because she is very grass-roots as a person but also because she is such a truly  gifted musician.  And if that’s not enough good news for this fabulous performer, this week has also seen her album “WHAT DOES IT TAKE” receive recognition as the BBC Radio 2 ‘ALBUM of the WEEK!’. If for some insane reason you haven’t checked this album out already, ‘WHAT DOES IT TAKE’ is out now in HMV and on iTunes.

Nell’s love of song writing is apparent with evocative lyrics on songs such as Green Dress and Tonight. The album, with its rich layers of blues, country, modern-Dixie and jazz is guaranteed to leave a lasting memory on anyone who hears it. It is already, for my mind, the Must Have album of the year. READ ALBUM REVIEW

NELL BRYDEN www.myspace.com/nellbryden

NELL BRYDEN’s BLOG

AS SEEN ON RTE TV THE LATE LATE SHOW
AS SEEN ON BBC TV BREAKFAST SHOW
IRISH TOP 40 CHARTED SINGLE- Second Time Around-
CURRENTLY ON THE BBC2 A LIST IN THE UK.
TOURED  & SUPPORTED: KT TUNSTALL, THE COUNTING CROWS
DUKE SPECIAL, DECLAN O ROURKE, STEREOPHONICS + MORE

Sept 23rd sees the eagerly awaited release of ELDER ROCHE’s new album NOBODY KNOWS. Back in June I was able to bring you a review of this superlative new album following a sneaky pre-listen READ REVIEW. The announcement of this release date is great news for true music lovers – NOBODY KNOWS is simply a pleasure to listen to with its perfectly ecclectic blend of influences. Making no bones about it, Elder’s sound is his own, bringing together very subtle but unmistakable hints of Nick Cave, an early David Bowie, Leonard Cohen, Tom Waits, Neil Young and Bob Dylan but to name a few.  Following the highly popular  single Diamond which lead to sold out shows in Dublin and with Radio stations nationwide (BEAT FM, WLRFM  , KFM  , KCLRFM  , CLARE   FM, WIRED FM, RTE, FEILE   FM, MIDLANDS RADIO + more) adding ELDER to their programme play lists it’s no wonder people have the following things to say:

Previous quotes:

HOTPRESS- “Ireland has a new singer songwriter to be reckoned with!”,
MIXTAPE – “Elder Roche   has shown massive potential with his debut album ‘Nobody Knows’. You can’t but hear Tom Waits and Leonard Cohen influences, but this is a fine true folk troubadour”.
The News of The World “Manly vocals and powerful storytelling songs bring to mind the genius of Leonard Cohen and Neil Diamond.”
RTE 2FM “There is something spiritual about ELDER’s songs”
PHANTOM FM – “truly talented and stunning”.

Sample Elder on Streaming music at: www.elderroche.com

I think every summer there are one or two songs that become iconic and symbollic of that particular year and just possibly one of the songs could very well be “Got A Lot On My Mind”  by Mugger Dave – The single from the Galwegian trio is splendid.

I was lucky enough to get a copy of the single and uploaded it onto the iPhone – I got into the car this morning for the drive to work and plugged into the car’s sound system and hit play… It wasn’t long till the song had a hold and I was hitting repeat!

The energy of this band is the first thing that hits you, with superlative lyrics, vocals and a hard hitting base-line and a powerful drumbeat which reflects the band’s ability to remain true to their intention from the start, to play pop songs as loud and as forcibly as possible. Pop/Rock trio ‘Mugger Dave’ comprise of Simon Noble (Lead Vocals / Guitar), Seán Herriott (Bass / Backing Vocals) & Níall Curran (Drums). Mugger Dave are currently currently preparing for the release of their debut album, “What’s She Doing Here?” They currently embarking on a nationwide tour playing such venues as The Roisin Dubh in Galway, and Cyprus Avenue in Cork and other venues Nationwide (Listed Below).

‘Listen hard and listen well’- is their request to you.

‘Mugger Dave have Immediately distinctive, powerfully tight and forceful music- Custom Made for Radio, expect to hear a lot more from Mugger Dave’- HOTPRESS

Mugger Dave – Mugger Dave – The Women music video on MUZU.

Upcoming Gigs:

25th June- Róisín Dubh, Galway,

4 July Bar Ritz Castlebar, Mayo,

11 Jul The Stables in Mullingar, Westmeath.

15 Jul The Cellar Galway Galway,

15 Aug ’The Cellar Bar’, Derry, Northern Ireland

You can pick up the single “Got a Lot On My Mind” on download for €0.99 by texting:

Txt ‘music 3023′ to 57501 | PC download
Txt ‘music 3023 m’ to 57501 | Mobile download

Band management: John Crowley (Manager) 0857701743
Band email: muggerdave {at} gmail(.)com
Band MySpace: www.myspace.com/muggerdave

Elder Roche’s new single Diamond is on release now and is a track that is exactly that – beautifully written, with an  insightful vibrance, this song contains catchy progressions, diverse tonal elements and gritty vocals. Taken from the forthcoming album Nobody Knows the new single has lead to a hugh amount of interest in Elder which in turn has meant sell out shows in Dublin, to be followed by a Nationwide tour – Gig dates anyone who loves music, needs to have on their calendar.

Nobody  Knows is simply a pleasure to listen to with its perfectly ecclectic blend of influences. Making no bones about it, Elder’s sound is his own, bringing together very subtle but unmistakable hints of Nick Cave, an early David Bowie, Leonard Cohen, Tom Waits, Neil Young and Bob Dylan but to name a few. With comparisons like that it is all to obvious that Elder has been an attentive listener and student of the great music icons and in away that few artists ever manage, the debut album Nobody Knows manages to bring those elements together flawlessly to demonstrate the talent of this new songwriter. Having experimented with music from a very early age, this Dublin based musical storyteller has shared the stage with several well known Irish performers – Paddy Casey, Damien Rice, Juno Falls, Juliet Turner and Damien Dempsey.

Hotpress have rightly given Diamond their seal of approval stating : Ireland has a new singer songwriter to be reckoned with!  The album Nobody Knows goes on sale a little later this year and will without a doubt ensure that this is to be the-year-of-the-Elder!

Sample Elder on Streaming music at: www.elderroche.com

Check out some of these tour dates:

The Resistance release their new single The water this coming Friday the 29^th May. Written for the exquisitely crafted bag of bones album The Water is a wonderful beautiful emulsion of musical elements creating a wonderful harmony interwoven with deep emotion and intelligent lyrics.

This band began with that all too rare meeting of minds when Rob and Dave wrote all these well thought and crafted songs from their home. Next, was the introduction of additional musicians to give it new dimensions and is comprised of Rob Mc Donnell, David Patterson, Eanan Patterson, Rob Allen, Diarmuid Breathnach, a collection of instruments which make their way onto the record (double bass, Guitar, Violin, Keys, electronica, and glockenspiel. There’s even a salt cellar in there somewhere!).

All in all, this is one fabulous album and everything about it, from the song writing to the production quality make it an album well deserving of all the attention.This is one band people need to listen to because their sound is one we are going to hear a lot more of in the future weeks and months… but more than anything… bag of bones is an album that will capture you!

Check out The Resistance http://www.myspace.com/theresistancedublin

Resistance are currently receiving Radio support Nationwide from:BEATFM, WLRFM, CLARE FM, KLCRFM, KFM, SOUTH EAST RADIO, NEWSTALK, FEILE FM, WIRED FM, C103, C96FM, , Dublin’s 98FM, Galway bay, iRadio, LMFM & RTE Radio.

Hi Nell and welcome back to Ireland. Thank you for this interview. Firstly, let me congratulate you on the fabulous new album What does it take?.

PJ: Many readers may not realise that you have also performed as gaeilge (in the Irish language) on the CEOL 09 compilation – the proceeds of which go to Barnardos’ charity. What was it like working on Dara huair a ghrá?

Nell:

Well I was in New York when we recorded the vocals for it and my first time doing it we worked with a translation I had sent to me and I had to work with a producer who had no knowledge of Irish and it being a complicated difficult language to pronounce – it took a few years. And I ended up having to hook up with a Irish fluent speaker in New York, so Second time around we got it – no pun intended! It was really great to be able to be on the album with such amazing talent like Glen Hansard, Duke Special and Mick Flannery.

PJ: What does it take? really is a well-deserved breakthrough album for you and I know you really have had to work hard building your career the old-school way, through graft and word of mouth. The country/bluegrass music scene is very hard to get a foothold in – Do you have any advice for someone (in particular women) looking to follow in your footsteps?

Nell:

Really it’s all about touring very hard, there are no easy answers – it’s about building a fan base and going out night after night and building on that fan base. Do whatever it takes to quit your job and go out on the road – if you really want to give music as go as a professional career. I set up all my own tours the first 3 years, and ending up playing a couple of hundred shows around the world, and that was just through word of mouth and linking up with other musicians – doing supports and travelling. Another thing is Keeping your over-head’s low and learning how to budget whilst on tour. This is so important. Being a full time musician involves so much more that being a musician- it’s about time management and travelling and dealing with people.

PJ: There are some very poetic lyrics on your album and I was wondering where you get your inspiration from – In particular for the song Green Dress which is one of my favourites?

Nell:

I was an English Major in college and I always loved stories with strength and character, I read fiction all the time and other influences are life stories and experiences. Travelling a lot means you hear a lot of various stories and these do grow on you and often translate into songs.

PJ: I know you have been around music since you were a child but was there ever any other line of work you thought of as a career before following your dream of music?

Nell:

I thought I was going to be an actress but that meant a lot of the time being someone else, and in music I prefer the freedom of being who you are and incorporating that into music.

PJ: I think everyone would love to know what music you listen to on your downtime from your busy schedule… What was the last thing you listened to on your i-pod?

Nell: I was recently listening to James Brown and Kings of Leon, oh and Ray Charles. It varies.

PJ: We have some great tour dates coming up in Ireland (listed on your website) but what can the fans expect to look forward to next from Nell Bryden?

Nell:

The new single and the album both titled What Does it Take? In the coming month’s there is a documentary film coming out that was directed by Susan Cohn Rockefeller and sponsored by Niall Rogers (wrote a lot of songs in the disco era) and I was also outfitted by Bono’s wife Ali Hewson for the film which was really a special thing. So all that along with gigging in Ireland and the Uk for the next 3 months.

Thank you for taking the time to share with my readers. The new album “What does it take?” is out May 15^th so I really wish you all the best with its release – It’s going to be a huge success

Hey thanks a million!

Love Nell xx Read more...