Category: Entries 2010 F-J

Eimear Fox – Bitter or Better

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In their own words….

My name is Eimear Crehan, although I go by the stage name of Eimear Fox, or Fox.E. I am 29 and I have lived in Kildare for the past 10 years. I am a single parent to my wonderful little boy Jamie, who is 12 this year. I have been writing music for the past 12 years or more, but I have never really been in a position to get my music out there until now. I have over 30 finished songs (and many others that are half done!).  I mainly play music with my sister Claire who is an amazing pianist. I also work with a drummer, bass player, guitarist and double bass player. The reason I am only getting out there now is because I have been working very hard over the past few years with raising my son and getting a masters degree in college. I have been studying in Maynooth University for the past 5 years – I did an undergrad in music, followed by a hdip in Youth and Community work, and am currently writing my thesis for my masters on the area of early school leaving in Ireland. I am also the director of both the NUI Maynooth Gospel Choir and the Maynooth Gospel Choir and these are both huge projects. The University choir has raised over 40,000e for local schools and organisations over the past few years under my direction, and the Maynooth Gospel Choir (a.k.a the Electric Gospel Choir) is on a national tour with Jack L until May, so as you can imagine things can get very busy. Other work I have been doing includes writing an original musical with young people in Kildare, this musical is called Proper Preggers and has just finished showing in Ireland and is going to Scotland in July. I also direct musicals and pantomimes in local schools and community projects.

Over the years the option to gig or really try and promote myself was not there as I have always been so busy with other projects and I have had to work as much as possible in order to support my son and support myself through college, however now I really feel that my time has come and it is time to get my music out there. In some ways I am glad that I have had a few extra years to really work on my style of singing as it really does have its own unique qualities that have taken a while to perfect. I often do small gigs for family and friends and regularly do spots in the college and around my area. I really enjoy this and I know that now I need to take it further. I am playing at a number of festivals this year and I am really hoping to get my music out there and really show people what I can do. Tour with Jack L has shown me that I am really ready to branch out on my own and put all my experience to good use!

I am often told that the experience of my music is one that is best seen live as it has a visual story-telling aspect to it. My music is soulful and jazzy, while being slightly cheeky and raunchy at the same time. The music is driven by piano and can have a cabaret style to it on occasion. My history in gospel music definitely comes across as I have quite a big voice, although the use of dynamics is of huge importance to my style of singing also. I would like to think that my songs tell a story that leave the audience entertained throughout – I feel my life experience comes across in my music.

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Joey McCall – Perfume on the Pillow

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In their own words….

Joey McCall grew up on the tough streets of Chicago. He has paid his dues, playing the honky-tonks of the Arizona desert, the gin mills of the Florida space coast, and all points in between. As a guitarist he has backed up blues legend Paul Butterfield, Rick Danko (The Band), and Jorma Kaukonen (Hot Tuna, Jefferson Airplane). He has shared the stage with The Marshall Tucker Band, David Crosby, and traded song critiques at home with Donovan.

Lately, you can catch him playin’ with his bluesrock band ANGELTRAIN around Donegal. Joey has come to call Ireland his home, and continues to write and record songs that are both heartfelt and honest.

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Jezzebelle – Down & Out

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In their own words….

Jezzebelle is Katie Carpenter & Gary Burke from Dublin, Ireland. They began writing & performing together in 2006. Mainly influenced by Fleetwood Mac & Bruce Springsteen their music is an original blend of Rock, Roots & Country.

“…Their high octane-propulsion, and driving dogmatic rhythms mark them out from the crowd…” – Siobhán Long (Irish Times)
“…This is one live act that have an unique sound, Jezzebelle have a sweet southern blues feel and the crusted soulful vocals from Katie adds that special ingredient. Class stuff… ******”
- Trevor Halpin (Music Review Unsigned)
2010 will see a brand new album from Jezzebelle. They hit the studio in 2009 with new songs and a new rhythm section, taking the acoustic sound of their first release; ‘Dirt Tacks’ and pushing it into a new realm. ‘Down & Out’ is the first single from the new album and has just been released for download. The promotional tour for the single includes shows in Vicar St. with Jack L, and at this years Kilkenny Rhythm & Roots Festival.
January 2010 saw the release of the ‘Ruff’ EP – an acoustic collection of one-takes put together to give fans a “souvenir” to take home from their live shows. Shows with Jennifer Batten, Juliet Turner & Freddie White followed the release of Ruff.
In August 2009 Jezzebelle made their second trip west to complete a 45-date Californian tour with American songwriter Jinx. The resulting “Fall Tour” video diary became a fan favourite both sides of the water. That year also saw them play the Cork Jazz Festival, Dublin City Soul Festival, Kilkenny Rhythm & Roots Festival, National Song Contest Final, JD Set Final & compete as a finalist in the All Ireland Battle of the Bands.
“…Katie Carpenter is in possession of a powerful, soulful instrument…”
- Killian Murphy (Hotpress Magazine)

In June 2008 Jezzebelle headed to Los Angeles where they completed a 60-date tour, playing mostly on the Hollywood songwriter scene including an appearance at House of Blues. March of that year saw the release of ‘The Potential Collection Volume 2‘, an acoustic compilation of upbeat songs by Irish acts associated with The Zodiac Sessions Open Mic. Jezzebelle song ‘Bad Seed’ is the opening track on the album:
“…You can hear the passion stream from this track with a nice upbeat acoustic folk blues feel. The vocals stand out pretty well as they simmer a bit like Janice Joplin early blues number but a sweet little tune…” ***** – T. Halpin (Music Review Unsigned)

“…A powerful and potential song…*****” – Danny McElhenny (Daily Mail)

To coincide with the release, the music video for Bad Seed was launched in February and was featured by YouTube, MySpace and Music Scene Ireland.

In 2007 Jezzebelle released their first album – entitled ‘Dirt Tracks‘. They won the National Song Contest (Ireland) with their song ‘The Road Ahead’ and won Ireland’s NOISE Concerts Battle of the Bands.

“…Dirt Tracks; a marriage of Acoustic Country Sass, Rock n’ Roll rhythms and Seductive Story Telling from two distinctive vocalists…” – John Cleary ( Kilkenny Advertiser)

“…Absolutely Great! Jezzebelle don’t sound like anybody else around…”

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InSession – Dreaming Now

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In their own words….

InSession were formed in late December of 2008 by two Bristol based musicians who have been playing the local circuit for the past five years. Roossy B Hawkins (Defacto, Diversion Ends) provides lead vocals and piano and ‘J’ (Steele Regression, Diversion Ends) complements the duo with his unique style of rhythm guitar and backing vocals. The most recent addition to the band is percussionist Jon Jackson who has been drumming in various punk and rock projects for the past ten years who brings the Djembi and the Cajon in to the mix to make it just a little more interesting!!

They play an eclectic mix of covers from the 60′s to the present day adding their own styling to create an always varied set. Aside of the covers they are both very accomplished songwriters and are quite often known to drop a few of their originals which have been likened to Muse, Radiohead and a modern day Supertramp!

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Hreqz – Twerp

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In their own words….

Coming from a background of playing Funk Jazz music with the now disbanded Khadynka, the Dublin/Paris based artist Hreqz has moved on to producing his own music. His style has diversified to include breakbeat, acid and everything in between utilising a range of synthesisers, keyboards and midi controllers but still remains focused to keeping an emphasis on the live aspect of playing gigs.

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