Rising Stars » Entries 2009 P-T

Emmet Scanlan & What The Good Thought

Content — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 09:48:06 +0000

Emmet Scanlan & What The Good Thought are a Galway quintet that has quite a unique approach to music and very different dimensions by comparison to much of today’s contemporary acts. The Irish based outfit has members from Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Sweden and the instrumentation includes congas, bongos, cello, classical guitar, bass and vocals.

In recent times Emmet & WTGT have provided the wonderfully, yet delicately, crafted soundtrack for the Irish Short film “Without Words”, which won best film from esteemed director Spike Lee in Cannes last year. They also played at The Electric Picnic, toured with The Saw Doctors and were the only Irish act to be invited to perform at the International Folk Alliance Festival in Memphis, Tennessee. A total of 250 bands from all over the world were invited.

March 2009 saw them release their debut album ‘Hands’ and has been received with open arms. Hotpress’ main man Olaf Tyaransen has lauded the band as “possibly the best act of 2009″. It is
the band’s intention to play as much and to as many folk as possible in the coming months. Be it in a shopping centre or centre stage at this Summer’s finest festival!

Hitman – S.A.R.

Content — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 00:27:34 +0000

Hailed as “one to watch in 2009″ by Phantom Fm Dj Jack Hyland, Hitman Lord from Dublin city released his much anticipated debut single “S.A.R” in March 2009 which has so far gained him much praise and attention!The single is taken from Hitman Lord’s forthcoming self titled debut album, which shall be independently released in summer 2009.

Recorded in “The Bunker” studios Dublin with producers Steo and Keith Farrell, (who’s musical travels have seen them work with such artists as Mundy, Neil Hannon, Pugwash , Boss Volenti)at the mixing desk. Hitman Lord’s debut is a bravely diverse collection of groove delicious and melodious Rocktronic pop gems, which don’t easily fit categorisation taking in soul,pop,rock and electronica into it unique stylistic ingredients.

Taking influences from ol’ school classic song writing values as much as future music sonic-visionists. “I believe however much you push with technology to find new sonic territory there must be the beating heart of a true blood and guts song for music to have genuine gravity and purpose, so craft and storytelling mean as much to me as discovering a brand new noise,I want to find my own musical landscape and people are welcome to visit”

Elder Roche – Diamond

Content — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 22:03:45 +0000

Experimenting with music from the early age of eleven, this Dublin based musical poet has shared the stage with many of Ireland’s well known’s: Paddy Casey, Damien Rice, Juno Falls, Juliette Turner and Damien Dempsey.
He is no stranger to the press or radio, having The News of The World declare that his: “manly vocals and powerful storytelling songs bring to mind the genius of Leonard Cohen and Neil Diamond.”
RTE 2FM claims that there is “something spiritual about ELDER’s songs”, and PHANTOM FM describe him as “truly talented and stunning”.

The past few years have seen ELDER grow and establish himself as an entertaining and riveting performer- not to mention a solemn musician who remains true to the very elements that preserves the original with the new. He was authenticated the old fashioned way, by paying his dues and touring the world over, playing in venues across the world (America and Europe) and indeed in Ireland such as The Lobby in Cork and The Glebe Amphitheatre in West Cork to the humble surroundings of his home town of Dublin in Whelan’s, The Sugar Club and Lillie’s Bordello to name a handful. He is now set to release his single DIAMOND taken from his debut NOBODY KNOWS.

The Lonely Schizophrenic – Panda Porn

Content — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 12:15:01 +0000

Anto Kane and Aidan Smyth met at the Peanut Club open mic night. Since August 2007, they have both been playing any venue that would have people willing to listen to the insanity that is The Lonely Schizophrenic.
We are a comedy/novelty folk rock punk choir that sings the blues.Nah, it’s just comedy so dont be afraid to laugh. Its good for your recession.

Anto Kane on vocals and guitar,Aidan Smyth on vocals,Guitar,Banjo,tea making,everything else and dont forget wedgies.They are our jamming and recording sustenance.

Proudfoot – Heartbreak Avenue

Content — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 23:15:16 +0000

Proudfoot are a Dublin-based eight-piece band formed in autumn 2008.
Since their debut gig in January 2009, Proudfoot have been
electrifying audiences with their renowned stage performances. Playing
original songs that combine the best of soul, rock and funk, Proudfoot
are led by charismatic frontman and Ireland’s ‘ambassador of soul’
Gerard Proudfoot. Boasting one of the tightest rhythm sections in the
capital and a show-stopping brass section, Proudfoot are Ireland’s
self-proclaimed ‘grandmasters of the groove’. With a series of gigs
under their belt, having played headline shows in the capital,
including Eamon Doran’s, The Sugar Club, Whelan’s and ‘The Sunday
Roast’ at Thomas Read’s, Proudfoot are now limbering up to perform a
series of summer gigs around the country. For more information visit:

Alan Tully – Aeons

Content — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 15:12:05 +0000

Having only picked up guitar at the relatively late age of 18, Alan Tully was quick to immerse himself in folk, country and blues traditions. Trying his hand at live performances in Lyon, France; he entertained crowds in an Irish pub for several months but eventually found he wanted to do more than covers and began experimenting with songs of his own.

After a period of working on original material Tully became a live performer in Dublin at the end of 2005. Since then he has graced many of the city’s stages including Whelans, Bewleys Cafe Theatre, The Sugar Club and Crawdaddy among others. Often found supporting local talents such as Tadhg Cooke, Colm Quearney, Matt Lunson and Readers Wives, his songs fuse narrative storytelling and universal themes with a number of acoustic styles and rhythms guaranteed to get the foot a-tappin’ and the head to thinkin’.

Daria Shiels – Humble As A Cat

Content — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 15:10:02 +0000

My name is Daria Shiels. I am 28 years old. Originally from the city of Koscian in Poland, I was involved in the theatre and various bands for many years.

I started writing my own songs from an early age and have been developing my song writing skills ever since.

For me music is and always will be an inspiration that allows me to express myself in the most natural way. I have been living in Ireland for the past five years and recently got married to a very special Irish man.

The Cristin Ruddy Band – Turn It Around

Content — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 15:07:10 +0000

Cristín Ruddy is a young singer/songwriter from Newry, Northern Ireland. Over the past three years she has played many gigs throughout Northern Ireland motivated by her time working with ‘The Making Music Workshop’.
A year ago The Cristín Ruddy Band was formed. Within a year they have played many support and headlining slots throughout Newry and the surrounding area including a gig at this year’s world renowned Fiddlers Green Festival and in May 2008 Cristín supported American musician Shawn Jones at the closing of the famous Blues on the Bay Festival in Warrenpoint.
Currently the band are planning to record an E.P and take their music to a wider audience with a number of gigs planned for the coming months.
With influences ranging from Tom Petty to Jerry Fish and Mudbug Club, together the band create a fusion of folk, country, pop, blues and funk. The only real way to experience the musical diversity is to catch a live show.

Verona Riots – Safe

Content — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 12:11:41 +0000

Verona Riots is an indie rock band influenced by britpop, punk and new-wave. Formed in early 2007 and released the double A-side’Lights Left On/Shoulder Shrug’. With Mark Ockenden on bass, Verona Riots recorded ‘Blue Band Beta’their debut EP, in Tumbleweed Studios, Dundalk.
The February EP launch has been followed by a string of Dublin gigs.
The band plans to release their debut single in Summer 2009.

Toy Soldier – Climbing Trees

Content — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 12:03:31 +0000

Toy Soldier (aka Cian) is a two-piece electropop outfit from Cork, Ireland. Combining elements of pop, rock and electronica, the duo are causing quite a stir amongst gig goers and industry pundits alike. Their diverse sound draws on everything from the sweet sublime of Jeff Buckley to the infectious groove of Hot Chip.

In 2008 Toy Soldier’s debut EP was awarded ‘Pick of the Fortnight’ in Hot Press Magazine.

Subsequent to a tour of the West Coast of the USA which saw the band featured on popular LA station KCSNfm, Toy Soldier returned to Ireland to play the prestigious Hard Working Class Heroes festival in September 2008.

Testament to the bands growing popularity in the USA their song ‘Climbing Trees’ will be featured on a compilation CD entitled Café Groove Volume 1 scheduled for release in the US in April.

‘We always keep a keen eye on what’s happening in America but our aim right now is to get our music heard in Ireland’, says frontman Cian.

Toy Soldier are currently in the studio recording a brand new single entitled ‘Wild One’ set for release across Ireland in May.