Dave Conway Heads Trio Of Acts This Saturday

Critically acclaimed Irish singer, songwriter, and musician Dave Conway arrived in Kilkenny tomorrow night in promotion of new album ‘Highs & Hellos’. Co-produced and recorded with legendary Dublin muso Andrew Bass, and backed by a host of Ireland’s finest rock musicians, Highs and Hellos is an accomplished debut, featuring 12 tracks of high-calibre rock graffiti.

Dave’s knack for writing eminently listenable, yet quirky songs is at its finest all the way throughout, whether it’s the sing-along kookiness of All the Time, the mantra-led Always, the simple but beautiful Deceived by Ecstasy, or the 80’s style rock-out Leaving.

Whilst the genres vary and no two songs sound similar, the quality is consistently high, and the album manages to achieve the almost elusive quality of being accessible to a wide range of musical tastes.

Aficionados of rock music from the 60’s onwards will find much to satisfy their musical needs, whilst casual listeners will find several tunes that will fit neatly into their drawer of favourite songs.

Arriving with Dave for Saturday come The Loaded Whispers (not to be confused with Loudest Whisper!) and Dave Morrissey.

Doors open in Cleere’s form 9:30pm with admission €10 / €8 concession.

Daily Video: New Order ‘Age Of Consent’

Sold out for the second night in a row and potentially both tonight *and* tomorrow night, Smitten boasts a broad spectrum of musical snippets and delights, including this track filmed for Channel 4 back in 1983. For your Friday and to kick off your weekend, here’s New Order with ‘Age Of Consent’.

Daily Video: Edith Piaf ‘La Foule’

Entraînés par la foule qui s’élance
Et qui danse
Une folle farandole
Nos deux mains restent soudées
Et parfois soulevés
Nos deux corps enlacés s’envolent
Et retombent tous deux
Épanouis, enivrés et heureux…

Head along to Smitten this week by The Devious Theatre Company and another musical gem you’re likely to hear a snippet of is that of ‘La Foule’ by Edith Piaf. As it turns out, Smitten was completely sold out last night and a limited supply of tickets are available for Thursday to Saturday, available from Rollercoaster Records on High Street.

Hamell On Trial This Friday

Promoted by Willie Meighan (Rollercoaster Records), Ed Hamell arrives in Kilkenny this Friday night for a one-night performance, wedged right in between a string of shows at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

It has been four years since Hamell last set foot in Cleere’s stage and he returns this week with tickets available (if they’re still available) from Rollercoaster Records on Kieran Street, priced €20.

Ed Hamell picked up the guitar at age 7 and started writing songs not long after. In his early 20s, Mr. Hamell was the front man and writer for an original band, but local bands were a dime a dozen in the tough, working class neighborhoods in Syracuse, NY. So he launched a one-man act called “Hamell on Trial.”

Armed with his battered 1937 Gibson acoustic guitar, Mr. Hamell toured the country, then settled in Austin, Texas, where he found a receptive audience for his esoteric mix of songs and story telling. In 1995, Mercury Records signed him straight out of the SXS Music Conference and released Big as Life and The Chord is Mightier than the Sword.

A few years later, and a move to Brooklyn, NY, brought Mr. Hamell and Ani DiFranco together. He signed with Righteous Babe Records and released Tough Love in 2003, followed by Songs for Parents Who Enjoy Drugs in 2006. Subsequently, he has toured extensively with Ms. DiFranco, and has collaborated with her on several songs.

Performing in and around the New York scene prompted Mr. Hamell to rediscover the roots of his hurricane-force musical style and authentic cutting edge world view. His response, The Terrorism of Everyday Life, is a one-man theatrical show which combines story telling, comedy and songs into a brilliantly outrageous theatrical event. Mr. Hamell explores family, politics, religion and death through his journey as a working musician, man of the street, and father of a young son.

Check out HamellOnTrial.com for more.

Daily Video: Bruce Springsteen ‘Dancing In The Dark’

We’re a bit behind the times on the ole video front this week, due largely in part to ‘Smitten’ by The Devious Theatre Company taking all our time. The good news is that ‘Smitten’ opens tonight at The Barn (Barnstorm Theatre) at the back of the Good Shepherd Centre (follow the lane around by St. Canice’s Cathedral).

One snippet of a tune you might here is Bruce Springsteen’s ‘Dancing In The Dark’… we hope he doesn’t mind. Enjoy the live version from Barcelona in 2002.

Daily Video: Metallica ‘One’

They’re on their way… so here’s some Metallica to start off your week with ‘One’.

There’s also a ticket going at face value, if anyone is interested, drop me a text this morning. (Not mine, but I’ll point you in the right direction)

Fred Live In Kilkenny Tonight

Myself and Daw are off to catch Fred in Cleere’s tonight, one of Cork’s top independent acts. Tickets are just €10 with support starting the gig off around 9:15/9:30pm or so.

Why not take the chance to catch them tonight (with their ridiculously catchy tunes) before they hit Electric Picnic in two weeks time.

Or stop by their MySpace, or just stop into Cleere’s tonight.

BOTB 2008 Starts Today

The 2008 Battle Of The Bands starts today with 3 bands in heat 1: Joe Had A Stroke, Modern Rik (comprised of former members of Weeduggy and Cellar Door) and Desecrate.

Doors open at the Zoo Club on Parliament Street at 4pm with entry 6 Euro, first band should start shortly after.

This year’s competition is being sponsored by ourselves at KilkennyMusic.com, Ross Costigan Photography, The Mill Studio, Broderick’s Music Warehouse and Essaness Music.

Keep an eye on KilkennyMusic.com over the next few weeks for more coverage and feedback on the competition.

Current State Of The Music Business

Some interesting discussion starting to take place in the forum, looking at the current state of the music business.

What would you say would be the current state of the Music Business as of say Today? Because recently, with the news of some Musicians leaving bands and their scenes or whatever have you and stating something like “It’s because the Music Industry has drastically changed” and other Musicians discouraging Illegal Music Downloading stating that it’s the equivalent of stealing and is Victimizing young bands for all that they are worth and what have you, Has the Music Business in this Current day and age Changed for the better or Changed for the worse over the years?

Get involved in the discussion or check out the rest of the forum here…

Daily Video: Alphastates ‘Kiss Me’

They made the Arts Festival this year with Oppenheimer and Mercury Rev on Tuesday night and you’ll also find them this week on Hot Press’ ‘Un-Laoised’ CD with the track ‘Human Nature’.

It’s been a while since this video was released but here’s some Alphastates for your Saturday with ‘Kiss Me’.

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