Category: Entries 2011 K-O

Last Second Magic – Drinking

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Q1. Where are you from?

Blanchradstown, Dublin 15. Though Oisín comes from Clare Island off the coast of Mayo. Hence the accent and fear of technological advances.

Q2. Musical influences?

Everything from Death Cab for Cutie to Josh Ritter. We’ve been compared to everyone from Crowded House to Eels to Joy Division. So, yeah, make up your own mind on that!

Q3. What’s your song writing process?

It’s all pretty organic. I (Paul) start by putting some stuff together on an acoustic guitar and bring it to the rehearsal space. From there it’s torn down and rebuilt with everyone adding their touches. Then I add lyrics and it’s done!

Q4. Most bizarre gig experience?

Playing a motorbike rally. Like a grouping of about 150 bikers. Real bikers with leather jackets and facial hair. It was in the middle of nowhere, about 20 minutes from the nearest tiny town and the original room was falling apart. Broken windows, faulty wiring, damp in the ceilings and dirt everywhere.

One of the bikers “negotiated” a change of room and it turned out to be one of the best experiences we’ve ever had. Bizarre day, but a great laugh.

Q5. If you could share the stage with anyone, who would it be and why?

Probably Death Cab for Cutie. They’re a great band and balance great musicianship, lyrical brilliance and melody really well. It’s what we aim for, whether we hit it or not is up to people.

 

In their own words

Gigging since October 2009, Last Second Magic has quickly made a name for themselves. Hailing from Blanchardstown, Dublin, Ireland, LSM quickly set about recording their debut EP Start To Breathe with Fight Like Apes producer Lee Boylan. They released their 2nd EP We Miss You, Black Stalin! on March 4th.

With Black Stalin, they succeeded at expanding their sound, with the EP marking a step forward in song-writing, arrangement and production from their debut EP yet still stays true to their roots as DIY pop song-smiths.

They played a successful series of shows at Indie Week Toronto 2010 and will perform at Indie Week Ireland 2011.

They have shared stages with Codes, Bitter Ruin and The Mighty Stef. Black Stalin is currently being spun on Phoenix FM in Dublin and Traxx Radio online, an Australian radio service.

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Nubbi – Whatever We Find

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Q1. Where are you from?

Originally GloriaRain is from Racine WI., Tanyah Dadze was born in San Francisco, CA.  We both reside currently in Marin County California.

Q2. Musical influences?

Our musical influences are hereditary.  Tanyah Dadze’s, father from New Orleans, and Mother from Brinkley Arkansas, where she learned stride piano from Luis Jordan.  GloriaRain is the Great Grandniece of Gus Cannon, composer of Walk Right In, 2010 inductee into the Blues Hall of Fame.  Of course we both have sung Gospel, from an early age.  We bring to this family history the influences of Sly Stone, Doobie Brothers, Earth Wind & Fire, the Emotions, Sting, Chaka Kahn, Babatunde Olatunji, Bob Marley and traditional African music.

Q3. What’s your song writing process?

We hear it; a melody, a bass line, a beat, a complete song.  Sometimes it pours out; sometimes we have to work it out.  We come together with words and/or music and lay it down, from the keyboard.  On a few occasions we have dreamed song lyrics.  Our songs like other songwriters come from what we see, hear and feel about a situation.

Q4. Most bizarre gig experience?

On a trip to Grenada while having lunch at a local seaside café the owner was playing his favorite song over and over in the background. It was “Stand Up & Wise Up”. The lyrics repeated the chant, “stand up, you better wise up yawl.” After the third time, or so we knew the lyrics & background vocals and began singing along in harmony. The owner turned up the music for us, as he served red snapper, rice & peas and callalou. GloriaRain asked who we were singing with the owner said, “Ras Midas.” I replied, “We could sing with him!”  “Yes,” the owner smiled, “you two sound quite good.”  When we returned to home we had a message from Michael George, a bass player from Trinidad. He had an opportunity with an artist from Jamaica who needed a keyboard player and background singers. I asked who the artist was. Michael said that the singer’s name was “Ras Midas.”

Q5. If you could share the stage with anyone, who would it be and why?

We have been fortunate to have performed with many artists we hold in high esteem.  We would love to share to stage with Stevie Wonder. His music, melodies and background vocals are demanding, intricate and fun.  The “Talking Book” album proved that you can have consciousness and be funky at the same time.  Stevie is the R&B Bob Marley.

 

In their own words

Tanyah Dadze and GloriaRain, “Mothers of the World Soul Movement”, not only perform and promote positive music; but also promote positive change, by working on health projects in Ghana, Togo, Grenada, and the U.S.  Nubii has performed and recorded with award winning artists Patrice Rushen, Babatunde Olatunji, Maxi Priest, Zapp Mama, Ras Midas and more.

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LotusEater – Night Phoenix

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Q1. Where are you from?

LotusEater hail from both the North and South side of Dublin. Coolock, Clonskeagh, Blanchardstown, Finglas and Lucan are all the exotic destinations involved!

Q2. Musical influences?

Musically the band has a range of influences spamming the gamut from hip-hop and soul to rock. Artists like Massive Attack, Primus, Portishead, Bjork and Faith No More are just some of what we love to listen to.

Q3. What’s your song writing process?

A song can start with a guitar/piano idea by Aiden or vocal melody by Siobhan, and the rest of the band try to enhance and develop that original idea and make it swing. Having said that, there are no rules.

Q4. Most bizarre gig experience?

All of us have had plenty of bizarre gig experiences including, being asked for a loan of a snare drum, cymbals, bass drum pedal and finally drumsticks by a slightly unprepared drummer in a support band -  all the way to naked stage diving ( an over-zealous member of the audience, not us.)

Q5. If you could share the stage with anyone, who would it be and why?

Wow, where do you start when asked a question like this? Off the top of our heads,  we’d be honored/ would have been honored to be on the same bill as Primus, Prince and his band, Hendrix, Them Crooked Vultures, Rodrigo y Gabriela, Tom Waits, Depeche Mode…and a whole lot more! I know later I’ll be kickin’ myself why I didn’t think of this or that!

 

In their own words

LotusEater have had an exciting birth to say the least. Formed in the later months of 2010 by vocalist, Siobhan Kavanagh and guitarist, Aiden Norris, material was written in a surge of creativity for the album demo tracks collectively known as “Guides.” These songs, ranging in sound from the haunting melancholy of “Blue Lagoon” to the stomping groove rock of “Merlin,” were quick to gain much praise and attention from various sources of Irish music media.
Swearimnotpaul.com told music fans “there’s so many standout tracks on here it’s difficult to pick a favourite. The styles are diverse, yet still sequenced perfectly…” Such was the maturity of the bands sound that the reviewer wrote excitedly “Perhaps these are stolen songs from some other, long-established act.” Not long following this review Hotpress Magazine joined the buzz in giving LotusEater a second seal of approval, drawing on comparisons to Portishead and Massive Attack.
Riding this wave of praise, LotusEater gathered further attention with a performance of their track “Night Phoenix” on RTE’s culture show, The View, hosted by writer and broadcaster, John Kelly.
The band are currently gigging furiously and recording their debut album, also entitled “Guides” and due for release in the summer months.

Instrumentation :
Siobhan Kavanagh – Vocals
Aiden Norris – Guitar
Timmy Lynch – Bass
Neil Power – Drums
Simon Prunty – Keyboard.

Discography :
“Guides”
Debut album. Currently in recording and due for release in early summer.

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Longtails – Unavoidable Repercussions

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Q1. Where are you from?

Dublin

Q2. Musical influences?

All types of music really from Folk, Trad, Dance, Rock. Big influences would be Van Morrison, Neil Young, Planxty and Bob Marley.

Q3. What’s your song writing process?

Generally it’s a guitar in hand – work out a melody – write the lyrics.

Q4. Most bizarre gig experience?

Playing to a bunch of runners in the Mansion House as they registered for 5k run in the city centre.

Q5. If you could share the stage with anyone, who would it be and why?

Neil Young as he is a rare genius and the energy he creates when playing is unlike any other.

 

In their own words

Longtails a.k.a. Paul Loughran is a Dublin based musician/songwriter who purveys a line in ‘cheap folk’.  He sometimes plays solo and sometimes with friends who help him out from time to time.

Longtails draw inspiration from a wide range of influences including Guinness, the West Coast and Planxty.

  • In 2011 Longtails have upcoming gigs in Bewleys Café Theatre as support to The Lazy Band, The Grand Social and The Ivy House. While recently gigging in Whelans, International Bar, Shibeen Chic, The Ivy Sessions, Point Village Market, Zodiac Sessions and The Pierhouse, Longtails also played the Flatlakes Festival in August 2009.

The bands first release the Pawtucket Blues EP consists of four original tracks. Longtails are currently recording their debut album.

For further details on upcoming gigs log onto www.breakingtunes.com/longtails

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Liz Seaver – In Between You And Me skerries 16 44

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Q1. Where are you from?

Skerries in North Co. Dublin…beside the sea

Q2. Musical influences?

Female singers/musicians like PJ Harvey, Kate Bush, Tori Amos and Kt Tunstall. I’m also influenced by a variety of other musicians/bands like Bruce Springsteen, The Foo Fighters, Bon Iver, the list continues…

Q3. What’s your song writing process?

My writing process…hmm…well generally I need to be in some kind of mood, whether it be good, bad, upset or annoyed etc. That’s when I write most honestly as I don’t have to imagine feelings or situations. Then I usually pick up my guitar or sit at my piano and start playing random chords that feel right at the time and then as if from nowhere, I start to sing a melody and words and phrases just start streaming out of me. Those are the good and satisfying writing moments. I also have writing blocks sometimes but the best thing to do is to come back to it another day.

Q4. Most bizarre gig experience?

There has been plenty. My most bizarre gig experience was playing in a Music Festival (I won’t say which one) a few years ago. When we got there the sun was shining but it had been raining very heavily for the few days before it. We were literally up to our necks in mud. We had loads of fun but it ended up that musicians were just playing to themselves and other musicians. The main stage was in a huge field with a massive set up but there was only about fifteen people up the front dancing their socks off to these amazing bands. The festival set up was brilliant but the crowds never showed up or just went home as the weather was just so bad. I still had a blast though. ;)

Q5. If you could share the stage with *anyone*, who would it be and why?

Oh, that is a hard one! It would have to be PJ Harvey. She’s an amazing live act and I could definitely learn a thing or two from her.

 

In their own words

Liz Seaver, a young Irish rock/pop/folk singer-songwriter from Co. Dublin, played her first major support gig for Irish folk artist Damien Dempsey when she was just sixteen. Over the years Liz has played support for many well known artists such as Jack L, Iain Archer (ex-Snowpatrol), Albert Niland and Honor Heffernan.

In 2005, Liz released her debut independent album when she was just eighteen. She did this under the guidance of Peter Baxter and Chris Teusner whom she worked with early in her career as a tutor in their music school called Songschool.  With the album came a lot of local attention helping her to build up her fan base.  Liz has experience in every aspect of music; recording, performing, writing, producing, teaching, accompanying and collaborating. She has been involved in many musical ventures including playing bass in an all girl rock band, piano in a jazz band, playing in a traditional Irish band and accompanying well known Irish acts on the piano around the country. Liz has played many of the major venues in Dublin and over the years she has performed headline gigs in venues such as Whelans, The Sugar Club and Bewley’s Café Theatre to name but a few.

Currently Liz is putting the finishing touches to her second independent album which will be out late 2011. She is working with sound engineer and co-producer Andy Knightley, who has worked with such artists as Sinead O’Connor, BellX1 and Damien Dempsey. Helping her to produce the full sound she is after are musicians and friends Eddie Scanlan, Sharon Hussey, Ross O’Conner, Roy Shiels and Wayne Sheehy.

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