As the People’s Republic nears the end of its tenure as Capital of Culture it can look back on a very productive year on the domestic front. A wealth of new releases, the triumphant return of The Frank and Walters and a new injection of life on the gig scene in the form of Cork Rocks are just some of the exciting events of 2005. On the road at the moment in support of their second EP are alt rockers Hope is Noise. The Worm Has Turned was produced by Ciaran O’ Shea of Cyclefly fame and is available nationwide. It has been an eventful year for the Corkonians who toured Austria this summer and recently won a Hot Press competition to support The Revs at the Half Moon…
Still riding high on the success of their debut album Pieced From Faded Memory, Galway’s Lucas are preparing for a festive trip to The Pale. The date is part of the Pulse Rated event in The Hub on December 15. Pulse is Europe’s only radio station that only plays music from new, unsigned and emerging artists. The line-up on the night also features Blue Sun, Fall-Out, Donnacha Toomey, Paradox, Angelfall and Tin….
In other live news, The Acoustic Sessions is a new gig night every Wednesday in Fibber Magees of Parnell Street. Admission is free. For more info, a map to the venue or contact for artists wishing to play, please visit www.gigsmartireland.com on the acoustic page. A demo will be required from all acts…
…Fans of Long Lost Brother will be pleased to hear that the band has a headline show on December 10 in The Sugar Club. January 2006 will also see the Dubliners enjoy their first US release courtesy of the InRadio compilation series. They have been invited to contribute a track to the series, which aims to highlight cutting edge music and enjoys over 10,000 subscribers across North America.
On the subject of compilations, Travega have just signed a white label deal in the UK, which sees two of their tracks being released on compilation CDs in the UK in February. At the moment they are gigging in support of their Declan O’Rourke-produced EP Lead The Way. Dates are here.
Armagh singer/songwriter Nina Armstrong is preparing for the preview of her debut EP, As Doubt Walks Away, in Grouchos Music Lounge, Richhill, on December 1…..
Following a slew of successful dates with Hard Fi, Humanzi are currently in the UK as special guests to Ian Brown. The Irish tour dates at the Ambassador on December 5, 6 and 7 have already sold out. If you are one of the fortunate few, it promises to be one of the live highlights of the festive season.
Another date for your Christmas gigging schedule is December 23, when Mundy plays Vicar Street. His guest on the night is the wonderful Neosupervital. Keep an ear out for Tim’s new single “Nothing” which should be playing on a radio near you soon.
Autamata will be popping along to The Village on December 10 to support the download release of the new single ‘Liberty Bell’.
2005 goes out with a bang for Ken and co as, the song 'Postscript' from My Sanctuary is featured in the soundtrack for the new Woody Allen film Match Point, starring Scarlett Johanssen and Jonathan Rhys-Myers.
Pic: David O'Mahony