Rising Stars » Entries 2009 A-E

Ross Breen – Keep The Light On

admin — Fri, 07 May 2010 12:59:12 +0000

In their own words….

Ross Breen is a musician and songwriter from Kildare, Ireland. He is currently nearing completion of his debut album, release of which is due later this year.

“…excellent lyrics and a passionate, rugged vocal and guitar delivery…” – Hot Press

“…nothing short of a revelation. Despite being a supremely talented guitarist, it was actually his voice that left the lasting impression, a cross between the soaring wildness of Jeff or Tim Buckley and the world-weary bassiness of Tom Waits. He is definitely a name to watch for the future.” – Sligo Weekender

“I have to say Ross Breen blew me away… Just go and see him, you won’t be disappointed.” – Roadhouse Magazine

“an interesting twist on the singer-songwriter theme… His songs leap across a span of styles… the voice is something to behold… the melodies are catchy and broad ranging, some funky, some folky… think Tom Waits and Beck with a subversive streak of Kinky Friedman” – Iris Magazine

The Candidates – Paid My Dues

Content — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 11:31:46 +0000

Taking their lead from the great funk and soul sounds of the 60′s and 70′s, The Candidates continue to enhance their reputation asa an exciting and charismatic live band. Hailing from all corners of Dublin, the 9-piece band consists of guitar, bass, keys, drums and percussion. Rounded off by a raging horn section, The Candidates create their addictive mixture of rhythm and melody, all of which is energised by raw vocal lines and infectious chants.*

* Warning, the funky music of The Candidates is regulated by the Funknancial regulator, terms and conditions apply.

See the latest Candidates Youtube Footage

Read about the Candidates on our blog!

NU Soul Experience – Whatchathinkinabout

admin — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 09:40:13 +0000

Alessia started singing very early in life in several gospel choirs and was also a featured solo singer. After a few years of piano lessons she understood that singing was and is her life.
From her early experiences in several blues and r&b bands, she started performing at the most popular clubs, both in Rome and out of town.
From 2001 she’s been performing as one of the three charming singers of the swing vocal trio Boop Sisters, reaching important goals in traditional jazz circles. She regularly performs in the Roman jazz clubs and auditoriums such as New Orleans Cafè, Fonclea, Alexanderplatz, Micca Club, La Casa del Jazz and also in important italian festivals, clubs and national tv and radio programs.
She seems to have a particular strong feeling with the afro-american styles, hip hop grooves and jazzy harmonies. Her music is a fascinating mix of her past experience in blues, funk, soul and jazz.
She teaches regularly at Neuma’s School of Jazz and at Cherubini- Ladybird Project school of Music.
She’s been recording her first solo album “PG Major 7”, 13 original tunes and web distribution (Amazon, Cdbaby, Itunes)

Ess-Kay – It’s Over

Content — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 10:18:35 +0000

Shauna aka Ess-Kay, has been singing ever since she was 5 years old. She started out singing and performing at her family reunions and it blossomed from there. She joined her high school choir and started music classes to strengthen her theory and knowledge of music.

When Shauna was 20, she met her very first producer who began creating and producing her music and has been an independent artist ever since. She has worked with mutilple artists and producers around North America and has performed at multiple venues around Edmonton, Alberta and the surrounding areas.

Shauna’s dream is to be a full time singer with the ability to touch people with her music. Music has always moved her in a way that’s inspired her and helped her through a lot in her life. In return, she hopes to do that for others. Although you can’t classify her in one genre of music because of her unique voice, there’s one thing you can say, the soul is present in Ess-Kay!

Kevin Brennan – Lost In My Thoughts Of You

Content — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 01:11:15 +0000

Kevin has been gigging now for over 10years (solo and with bands) and regularly plays a variety of gigs such as piano lounge music, in restaurants and hotels. He also plays in a blues band, a rock band along with solo gigs and regularly jams with other bands and musicians.

Kevin was brought up listening to the likes of Meatloaf, Rainbow, Toto, Queen and many other rock bands. As a result, he went on to teach himself many jazz and swing classics from Sinatra, Dean Martin, Nat King Cole, Louis Armstrong, Cole Porter and Duke Ellington. This has left him with a wide and varied repertoire.

He has recorded two albums with a range of song styles including jazz, swing, rock and blues. The second album was promoted with a successful tour around Ireland selling many CDs.

A third album is close to completion which will coincide with an upcoming 2/3 week tour of Ireland this summer.

Lisa Cuthbert – Ready To Unfold

Content — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 00:49:23 +0000

Lisa is currently working on her debut album. This passion for music began at an early age when she started learning the piano. She teaches piano and keyboard as well as playing professionally in the Glenview Hotel, co. Wicklow and as a session pianist/vocalist. Lisa’s ever growing music collection ranges from eccentric songwriters like Tori Amos and Bjork to metal bands like Opeth and Anathema, all of which have a collaberative influence on her sound. She is constantly looking for inspiration and has been involved in various projects but she decided to take a different approach with her solo music, focusing mainly on meloncholic and ambient material.

Lisa has just finished her debut EP entitled “Ready To Unfold” and has been lucky enough to share a stage with the likes of Antimatter (UK) and Cork folk legend John Spillane. She is now jumping head first into her next studio project, debut album “Obstacles” which is due to be released in May 2010.

Erik Noon & The Future Gypsies – Night Train

Content — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 00:48:07 +0000

Erik Noon and The Future Gypsies play a fresh new sound inspired from a mix of alternative, traditional, raggae, country and soul music ……. nothing stops them, not even languages as songs go from English to Spanish or French and Basque. The band is an eclectic mix of nationalities and cultures. After a very successful summer and critically acclaimed performances at the Shakefest,Solas Festival and 2008 Dun Laoghaire Festival of World Cultures, Erik Noon and The Future Gypsies have stepped onto the big stage.Very active on the Dublin scene, they have given a taste of a new multicultural music in Ireland. Get your dancing boots on and bring on the reggae fiesta!!

Gareth Brannigan – Walk With Me

Content — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 00:15:52 +0000

Gareth Brannigan bought his first guitar after receiving some money on his 12th birthday. After his father showed him a few chords, he was off and running eventually learning lead guitar, playing on occasions, guest lead guitar in his father blues band.
On hearing music from Damien Rice, Declan O’Rourke, Ray LaMontagne to name but a few, he turned to writing his own songs. This led to him accomplishing semi-finalist status in the UK Songwriters Contest competition 2008 with “Sunrise”.
In late 2008 Gareth entered the recording studio to lay down four self penned songs that were to become his first EP entitled “Walk With Me”. Gareth pulled in experienced musicians, notably John Leighton on keyboards and Elaine Sokanovic on backing vocals.
What resulted from these performances and Gareth’s production is a collection of songs that well surpassed all expectations of a singer songwriter so young, Gareth is 19.
He is now currently promoting his EP as a solo artist in various venues around the country and has recently performed live on Dublin FM’s “On the verge” with Brendan Hickey.
“Walk With Me” is currently available as download from ITunes, Amazon, CDBaby, Rhapsody…….

The Dirty 9′s – Lucy Opus

Content — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 00:05:46 +0000

We make music for you to whistle to………………..
The story of the Dirty 9s began in December 2005 when Fergal & Cian began playing songs to some very tired & emotional partygoers at an apartment in Maynooth.
The final line-up of the band was completed in 2008, a year in which the band won TG4’s Deis Roc programme & then flew to Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis to perform on BBC Scotland’s music programme Rapal.
In between all that the band recorded their debut album Stop Screaming, Start Dreaming with renowned Producer Greg Haver (Manic Street Preachers, Super Furry Animals, Catatonia). The album will be released in the Autumn.

The Dirty 9s are:
Ringleader: Fergal Moloney Local Hooligan: Stephen Dunne
Inside man: Paul Rice
Troublemaker: Cian McCarthy Getaway Driver: Keith Brett

The Fundamental Beats – Dirty Itch

Content — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 00:03:25 +0000

The Fundamental Beats were formed in August 2006 with the combination of Chris Gledhill on guitar, Luke Byrne on bass, Alan McCarthy on drums and Barbara Allen on vocals.
The Fundamental Beats mixed alternative rock, blues, pop and funk to form a sound unique in the North Co. Dublin area. The band have played extensively in the city centre and have also run their own series of highly successful, branded gigs for unsigned, local talent under the umbrella of Cabin Fever Records, the independent label set up by the band. They have also appeared on NEAR FM and on The G Request Show on City Channel with great responses.
The band are currently gigging, writing & recording and promoting the compilation album Explorations which they were featured on this year.