Rising Stars Ratings (Don't forget to vote !):
(243 votes - 3.31 / 5)
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Q1. Where are you from?
I am from a country area called Ellistown outside of Kildare town.
Q2. Musical influences?
I love rock, folk, country and old style RnB. My influences include Springsteen, Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Bowie and The Clash and also more contemporary artists like The National, Arcade Fire and Wilco.
Q3. What’s your song writing process?
I drive a lot, and usually I’ll turn off the radio and start humming a melody. Then I record it into my phone. When I get home I get my guitar and notebooks and try write some of it out or match it up with some ideas or lyrics I already have. I get influenced by all sorts of songs I hear. But I’ve learned never to try and force it, doesn’t work for me.
Q4. Most bizarre gig experience?
There have been a few bizarre moments, usually when an audience member joins the band on stage for whatever reason but mainly there have been embarrassing moments. I’ve been electrocuted and sent flying across the stage; I’ve had underwear thrown at me-unfortunately they were a quite ragged pair of boxers; I tried to do a ‘Joe Strummer style’ kick once, my other foot slipped and I landed on my arse…hilarious for the band and the audience but not so for my poor arse bone!
Q5. If you could share the stage with anyone, who would it be and why?
I’d like to say Bob Dylan but I’m not sure he’d notice another band member and I’d be afraid Neil Young would fly off the handle at any minute! So I’d say Springsteen or Bowie would be the most gracious and the most fun to share a stage with.
In their own words
Valentine Black is the alter ego of Kildare musician Peco Mc Loughlin. Having fronted a number of bands, Peco decided to go solo in late 2008. He’s been writing and demoing songs since and is currently recording his debut album which is due for release in Summer 2011. The lead single off which, ‘Retrospect’ was released in October 2010, with some glowing reviews (see press) and his latest politically charged single ‘Take me to your leader’ was released in March 2011.
He has already created quite a bit of interest making the heats of The JD Set in 2009, being selected in May 2010 for youngrebel.co.uk‘s international playlist and playing the live heats for Phantom FM’s ‘Next Becks Thing’ in August 2010. He performed a number of well received showcases at Indie Week Canada in October 2010. In February 2011 he was selected by KC on Today FM as a ‘Youtube Superstar’. And in March of 2011 he was a guest on Today with Pat Kenny on RTE Radio 1, playing two songs live to the 350,000 listeners!
He has received airplay on a number of national, Dublin, regional and internet radio stations including Today FM, Radio 1, Phantom, KCLR, Limerick 95Live and KFM.
Songs on the forthcoming album cover everything from institutional corruption to the old chestnuts of love, loss, life and even murder! The music is influenced by classic artists like Bowie, Dylan, Springsteen, Young, The Clash, and more contemporary acts like Arcade Fire, The National, Elbow, Radiohead and James to name a few.
Over the years he has shared the stage with a number of major artists, supporting acts like The Waterboys, Mundy, Bell X-1, Damien Dempsey, Duke Special, The Blizzards, The Coronas, Luka Bloom, Gerry Fish, Dirty Epics, Aslan and Something Happens to name a few. With the release of his debut album shortly he hopes to take the next step up on the bill!
www.facebook.com/valentineblack
www.reverbnation.com/valentineblack
Gwan VB ya big hero!!
Can’t wait for the whelans gig next month.
I’ve a few pairs if skiddies to throw up at ya!!!
Nice work Pe.
But eh… there’s no ‘o’ in perusal ye crust
pure class!!!!
VOTE 5* FOR VALENTINE BLACK!!
Best of luck lads hope ye win.. Dx