Posts Tagged ‘Acoustic’

Brendan Flynn – Take a Bow

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Q1. Where are you from?

The ever sprawling metropolis of the city of Tullamore, Co. Offaly

Q2. Musical Influences?

I’ve been influenced by a wide range of people, my dad used to play saxophone in a showband so music has always been in my life. My teens were filled with great bands such as Therapy?, RATM, Sepultura et al. As I picked up the guitar and began to progress with the songs I could play, I would jam to everything from James Taylor to Marilyn Manson. As long as the music was good I’d listen to, and play along with, it.

Q3. What’s your song writing process?

For me the music always comes first and easiest. I can feel my way through the melody until I have tune I’m happy with. The lyrics I find a little more difficult, but the chords tend to write the tone of the song. I try my best to keep it upbeat and positive as most of the experiences I write about are.

Q4. Most bizarre gig experience?

Well it’s more a post-gig experience, but when I was younger and playing in a band with my friends, we’d played an amazing gig in Mount Temple GAA hall. It was quite a small space for the amount of people that attended and every band that played was really on top form so the atmosphere outside was great. As we were waiting for the bus to bring us home the conversation turned to how many people could actually fit into the phonebox outside the hall….Turns our 9 people 2 guitars and a set of drumsticks is max capacity…we may have gotten 1 more in, but our giraffe of a drummer was complaining that the light at the top of the phonebox was burning his neck!!!

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

Jimi Hendrix & Rory Gallagher double leads, Phil Lynott on base, Dave Grohl on drums and me, a very happy and in awe bunny, on rhythm. We could all share the vocals (I won’t be greedy). With this line up I don’t really need to give a why, but whatever about the show the after party would be cracker.

 

In their own words

Brendan Flynn first picked up a guitar and began playing in ernist when he was about 15. He formed a band call DAS with 3 school friends and they gigged for the next 2 years before going their separate ways to continue with 3rd level studies. This was a great experience for him both for developing his own musical style and playing technique on the guitar.

He continued to play guitar, but it was mostly just a private passion. Around 2 years ago he was diagnosed with a medical condition that is far too boring and dull to go into here, but the knock on effect of this was that it ceased his joints and so made it nearly impossible for him to play his guitar. Only after this event did he realise how paramount his music was to him and, more importantly, that he wanted to write his own music and have it be heard.

Luckily this has been treated and within the last 12 months Brendan has been able to get back to what he loves doing best, playing and writing music. This is the first time Brendan has entered his music to a competition like this, but with a renewed, confidence and vigour there will be plenty more music to come.

 

Keith O’Brien – Wasting Time

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Q1. Where are you from?

Glasnevin Dublin

Q2. Musical Influences?

God it could take awhile. From very young I was listening to Bob Dylan, John Denver, Billy Joel, Phil Collins, Paul Brady, as I got older I started getting into the Irish song writers cause I felt I had a connection like Mundy, Paddy Casey, Glen Hanserd – The Frames, Declan O Rourke, Christie   Moore, I could go on but they are the people that has helped me write my music.

Q3. What is your song writing process?

That’s a hard question because it’s different from time to time. My songs are all about experiences that have happened in my life or someone close to me. Normally I find a couple of nice chords and play around with them for awhile and get a nice melody and then add lyrics. Some songs might come in 5mins others 1 week and again it might be 2months.

Q4. Most bizarre gig experience?

There has been a few but one will always stick out. Playing in the village one night Wexford Street I got called to go on. I went back stage to tune up and get myself sorted. When I opened my cloth guitar case I found that the neck had been snapped in two and I wasn’t happy one bit. Still to this day I don’t know how it happened and to make it worse I couldn’t play because I’m left handed and nobody was left handed playing that night. Lesson where made from that gig.

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

I would have to say Damien Rice. I adore his music and stage presence and creative ideas. Would love to co write a song with him and play it live. I just think our voices would really suit and our playing styles and he has been a huge inspiration to me.

 

In their own words

Keith O’Brien is a singer/songwriter hailing from Glasnevin in Dublin. A former student of the Ballyfermot Rock School, which has produced some well known names in the music industry, Keith’s popularity is growing with some great responses not only from the public but from some top names in Irish music including Mundy, Paddy Casey, Dave Kelly (FM104) and Oscar winner Glen Hansard to name a few.

Keith has received airplay on both FM104 and RTE 2FM and has also performed some live gigs for FM104’s breakfast show around Dublin city. He has gigged alongside bands such as ‘Superhumanbeings’, ‘The Lonely Schizophrenic’ and has become a well known name in open mic events such as ‘The Zodiac Sessions’. Having also performed in venues such as Crawdaddy, Eamon Dorans, Voodoo Lounge, The Workmans Club, Hard Rock Café, Break for the Border and The Village, Keith is a favorite on Balcony TV and won Balcony TV’s Best Male award in 2008. They invited him to perform on the last show from their Dame St. location and are looking forward to having him sing from the new balcony soon.

Keith writes all his own songs. His lyrics are usually inspired from events surrounding him in his everyday life which give his songs a certain personal feel to them. Many people have related to his songs because of this. Some fan favorites are : The Strand , Wasted Time and Marie. Keith’s plan for the near future is to release ‘Marie’ as a single with proceeds being donated to cancer awareness charities. Keith O’Brien is looking forward to being a part of Ricardo Records and keen to get to work, “I have plenty of ideas to start recording on some old and new stuff. I’m getting excited about recording and working on my stuff in the studio…”

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Mishaped Pearls – Benedizione

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Q1. Where are you from?

London based, Manuela is from Germany and the rest of us are from all over England. Ged’s family were all born in Ireland, Sean’s dad is Irish!

Q2. Musical influences?

Right across the board – from Led Zeppelin to Maria Callas and Elbow to Anne Sofie Von Otter!

Q3. What’s your song writing process?

It differs but usually starts with a chord sequence or guitar riff, then melody, then lyrics, then structure.

Q4. Most bizarre gig experience?

Singer not realising the band were on stage ready to go and then having our stage time cut to just 3 songs. They didn’t have enough mics for us all and the p.a. was rubbish. We made the most of it though!

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

It would have be with anyone on Later With Jools. We were made for that show!!

 

In their own words

“Astonishing” Tom Robinson, BBC 6 Music

The brainchild of guitarist and songwriter Ged Flood and classically-trained mezzo soprano Manuela Schuette, Mishaped Pearls’ sound is a unique contemporary blend of classical, folk and world music, inspired by the colourful world of the Baroque from where the group takes its name. (‘Misshapen pearl’ is a literal translation of the word ‘Baroque’.)

As well as being the silky voice of the group, Manuela draws on her love of ancient poetry by researching and providing most of the lyrics to the songs, which cross many countries, visiting France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the UK and even Ancient China.  They are joined by five versatile musicians: Andrew  on keys, Amelie on bass, Sean on guitar, banjo and mandolin, Naomi on cello and Calie on hand drums and percussion.

Their reputation as an astonishing live band has grown in the last year, gaining recognition from Tom Robinson and Kelli Ali. It was also Tom Robinson who personally invited them to perform at the “BBC Introducing: Fresh On The Net Festival” at the Riverside Studios in London to celebrate and showcase the best acts from the last three years of his radio show.

In 2010 as well as appearing at The Southbank Royal Festival Hall and a number of music and folk festivals Mishaped Pearls toured The Auvergne in France to great reviews in the regional press and they have been asked to return to France to play a festival again this summer.

“Seeing Mishaped Pearls for the first time live at The Slaughtered Lamb, I was hypnotized by their poetry and beauty….their live shows are mesmerizing.” Kelli Ali – Spiral Earth Magazine

 

 

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The Lost Gecko – I Can Hear

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Q1. Where are you from?

Born in Scotland, Living in Ireland, Irish Mother, Grandparents from Cork.

Q2. Musical influences?

Bon Iver, Pearl Jam, Sigur ros, Frightened Rabbit, John mArtyn, Jimi Hendrix,

Q3. What’s your song writing process?

I write the Tune first and spend hours on the words and still not happy with them, to this day..:)

Q4. Most bizarre gig experience?

Not so much Bizarre as surprising. Supporting a biggish band couple of weeks ago in Cork. Was asked for autographs after the gig when having a nice pint. Thought the folk were taking the p#’£$!! But alas , they were not. Quite a night:)

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

Eddie Vedder. Have always loved his writing and his delivery and sincerity.  Had many a dream about that.

 

In their own words

We are like a suitcase of memories….

Based in Cork, Ireland, “The Lost Gecko” is the Scottish/Irish man Malcolm Urquhart, an acoustic guitar based act with cello, piano and bongos. His music is raw, heartfelt and melodic. Clever, touching and sometimes painful lyrics, each song is written for the audience to feel life and be inspired. The expressive and gritting vocals with the powerful melodies are skilfully blended to a profound flow.

After Malcolm did volunteering work in Kenya in 2006 for HIV orphans and families, he felt blessed by his life which westerners often take for granted. At his return, he decided to tell gripping stories through his music. He has released 5 EPs. His latest “33 Earthquakes”, released last February, has been co-produced and recorded with Nils Elders at the Blairwood Studios in Aberdeen, Scotland. It was truly achieved under 50,000 tonnes of snow and lightning that stroked and took out the studio.

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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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