Rising Stars » Entries 2009 K-O

Konshens & His State Of Mind – God I Pray

Content — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 11:45:20 +0000

Born Tarik Davis, a talented writer and musician, was born and raised in Northwest Washington, DC. At an early age, he exhibited his musical potential as a vocalist and musician. At age 4, he was attending The Institute for the Gifted and Talented and focusing on the piano and later clarinet. As a young child, he began writing poetry and continued to play music wherever there was an audience, usually at church, school, or family gatherings. His creativity developed and his artistic abilities broadened over the years and by the age of 10, Konshens officially fell in love with hip hop. Crediting Big Daddy Kane, Rakim, Ice Cube, Kool G Rap, Guru, Big L, Nas, Tupac and Scarface as some of his early influences, he continued to write and perform. A mere five years later, he became the rapper and backup lead talker for local go-go band “High Image”. His band opened for local legends like Rare Essence and redefined the typical go-go band by creating its own music and original lyrics.

Konshens recorded his first hip-hop song in 2000 with his longtime friend Antonio Graham. One year later, he met his current producer Phillip Carroll of X Factory Studio/Records. Taking advice given from Rich Harrison (co-writer and producer of various songs including Amerie’s “one thing”, Beyonce’s “Crazy In Love” & Destiny Child’s “Soldier”), along with the creative minds of Phillip “Producer X” Carroll (or DOC as Konshens refers to him) and Dwayne “Blue” Telesford, Konshens has developed his unique contribution to hip hop.

Konshens has also done something unique in his musical journey by constructing his own (7 piece) band “STATE of MIND” that plays the music live when performing. Currently, Konshens is working on a few projects which include: recording his second project with his band STATE OF MIND, (to be released Feb. 2009), and releasing a book of original poetry and quotes in Spring 2009. Konshens just recently won Best Rap/Hip Hop Album at the First Annual Velocity Magazine Awards this November for his debut project released in 2007. Konshens views life as change realizing that the famous quote by Frederick Douglass certainly stands true that “without struggle, there is no progress.”

J.Mena – There’s No Replace

Content — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 10:17:00 +0000

J.Mena (Jimena Bautista) was born in Mexico City, on October 9th 1981. She was inspired from her father Victor Bautista, a musician known under the name “Mister Loco”.

Her parents moved to Cancun-Mexico when Jimena was 2 years old and since then it’s where she has developed her artistic talent.

She has sung with jazz bands in places such as Cabo San Lucas-Baja/Cal and Montreal-Canada. She is also inspired by the people she has performed and shared the stage with like: Alan Prater from A.K.A Soulo in Montreal Canada and PA-AX trio from Cabo Baja/Cal.

She sings all different kinds of music and also produces her own tracks. Her songs and lyrics are mixed with a fusion sound from all that surrounds her.

She now sings with a funk´n soul jazz band and with many other musicians at the special events and resorts in Cancun-Mexico and the Mayan Riviera.

Dave McGuinness – Always (A Thousand Rhymes)

Content — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 10:05:22 +0000

Dave McGuinness has been a singer for many a year, lead singer with Lir, toured the states and released a couple of albums & EP’s. He’s supported great artists like Jimmy Web, James Brown, The Blind Boys Of Alabama, The Frames, Wilco and David Gray. A former member of Bigwig but now he is writing & recording for his first release.Dave is also a part of the Biatch collective.

Lisa McLaughlin – Slow Song

Content — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 00:50:44 +0000

Originally from Co. Tyrone Lisa is making tidal waves on the Dublin song-writing scene. Her songs are intense, passionate, quirky, moving and extremely memorable. Using heartfelt lyrics mixed with her amazing powerful voice she carries the listener to new levels of emotional enlightenment.

Lisa started writing her songs at the ripe age of 9, recording herself on a little red tape-recorder; she has been a prolific train since. The technology may have changed, but the intimate nature of Lisa’s music remains the same. Her performances are never anything less than intense and wonderful. Lisa appeared several times at London’s ‘Unplugged’ at Soho House, Shoreditch House, Le Garrick (Covent Garden), and The Electro Acoustic Club at The Slaughtered Lamb. A personal highlight was performing for Peter O’Toole at the wrap party for the film Venus.

Now back in Ireland Lisa has been building up her loyal following by playing regularly at the local Dublin hot spots.

Dublin Monkey – Dublin Birds

Content — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 17:16:09 +0000

Dublinmonkey is a manifestation from the alter ego of singer songwriter Graham Bolger from Shankill, Co. Dublin.
Graham has been writing songs since he was seventeen and now at the ripe old age of 28
he is ready for the world to hear what he’s been gettin up to for the past ten years.
He has had a few different projects over the years including fronting a band called Ample Sally with Doors cover band, the Back Doors.

Graham has supported Colm Lynch in Vicar Street, the Back Doors at the Olympia and Scott Maher of the Classic Beatles in the Sugar Club.

He now resides in Waterford with his loving family.

Jamie McDonald – Say Something

Content — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 12:20:12 +0000

Playing music is my life. Be it folk, rock, pop, funk, soul, in a band, duo or solo, music is what I do and love. I play all over Europe in bars, pubs, clubs, on streets, at weddings, funerals, birthdays. Mixing a variety of styles I play what has best been described as FUNK-FOLK-SOUL

The Blood Red Mountain Band – Lost My Way

Content — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 14:42:16 +0000

Formed in 2005, The Blood Red Mountain Band draw influence everywhere from Ryan Adams to The Waterboys to Bonnie Prince Billy. The eclectic line-up features no less than eight members, playing a vast array of instruments; Mark Flynn on lead vocals and guitar, Martina Leonard on vocals and melodica, Tracy O’Grady on fiddle, Ian Devlin on guitar and mandolin, Joeby Browne on bass, Dave Keegan on drums, Lindy Sue Dredge on Accordian and Brian Duggan on Trumpet.
The EP launch night in Whelans last year attracted the biggest walk-up crowd the venue had seen in quite some time. A packed dancefloor heaved to country basslines and swooned with old-time melodies. The Blood Red Mountain Band deliver a torrent of gutsy, back-to-basics music. While flying the country flag, the band retain a contemporary feel with a sound that is Appalachia without the back-wood clichés and bluegrass without the gingham.
The Blood Red Mountain Band EP is out now on CD and download. Available from Tower Records Dublin and iTunes Ireland.

Nugget – Smoking In The Back Row

Content — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 10:28:17 +0000

Nugget are a funk rock band from Naas Co.Kildare.

2008 saw the launch of their EP in Eamon Dorans, and since then they have been busy with gigs and writing new music.

They have supported bands like The Saw Doctors, Delorentos, Ham Sandwich, Future Kings of Spain, Codes, and Republic of Loose and have also headlined some local music festivals and major Irish venues including, Ballyknockan Music Festival, Lovefest, Whelans, Ragweek UL, Baker Place and Eamon Dorans.

Their influences include The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Sly and the Family Stone, James Brown and Republic of Loose.

Their music has been described as catchy, upbeat and infectious and they always deliver a good live show!

Nicola & Sarah – The Mistress

Content — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 10:24:24 +0000

This song is for every woman who loved an alcoholic who loved the drink more than her.

Neve – Yellow Mellow Shambles Ok

Content — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 10:19:18 +0000