There are loads of impressive Irish albums out this month and next, so for the rest of the week the blog will be mostly featuring Irish artists making some great music. Had you have told me two years ago I could have filled the blog with Irish music, I would have drop-kicked you into the indie-landfill but now, we’ve got an eclectic mix of genres represented and it’s quite a delight.
Personally, I have to thank my girlfriend Aoife whose Indie Hour radio show has been running for four years tirelessly and thanklessly on Dublin City FM , formerly Anna Livia FM. She also has a rather good album in the bag which she never released. Tut, tut.
Aoife is directly responsible for getting me into a load of Irish bands including So Cow, The Holy Roman Army, Jinx Lennon, Robotnik, Hybrasil, the amazing Heathers and the band this blog is about. Go peruse her podcast archives – there’s 68 podcasts with some gems in there. Another important thing she does is give Irish bands their first radio appearance, grooming them for the future so to speak. Respect to her.
One Day International appeared on the show last year and were there again last week as they are releasing their debut album Blackbird which is released on the 3rd of October. The band is made up of singer Matt Lunson, keyboardist Cormac Curran, cellist Eimear O’Grady, bassist Danny Snow and drummer Ross Turner. I’ve seen their music described as “mature lullabies” but the adjectives lush, rich and lovely could also be applied. It shares the same intricate and delicate tones as artists like Rufus Wainright, Efterklang and early Guillemots before they went all technicolour pop. If you like those artists you should keep an eye out for Blackbird on Independent Records and particularly, check them out live over the coming weeks.
One Day International – Lead Balloon
One Day International – Black is the Bird
Niall Byrne is the founder of the most-influential Irish music site Nialler9, where he has been writing about music since 2005 . He is the co-host of the Nialler9 Podcast and has written for the Irish Times, Irish Independent, Cara Magazine, Sunday Times, Totally Dublin, Red Bull and more. Niall is a DJ, founder of Lumo Club, club promoter, event curator and producer of gigs, listening parties & events in Dublin.
My favorite music is local, that’s what I collect, so looking forward to it.
Ian Whitty’s got a new one coming out soon too.
Check this out…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXcahxqYko0
As Irish Music Central stated there.. excetionally fine lyrics, right up there with the very best in the land, i.e. Adrian Crowley, MDR, Juno Falls, John Hegarty etc., imho.
I really do admire what Alan Jacques has been doing to promote Irish music at home by offering unbiased coverage. The only thing he doesn’t really concentrate on is the “electronic” scene. There should be more of that & it certainly should not be shied away from.
Check out Ruby Colley.. if you like yourself some delay (obviously classically trained)…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14IqTIyTKA4
Also Kinnego Flux (the following song is free on Acroplane from what I can remember)…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bzHKsFI9yE
For your site suggestions below, I was gonna ask for a dedicated Irish section, & to give prominence to it, on the right-hand side. Remember When was ace 🙂
Oh & a handy gig guide too !!
New LPX come the third week of November Master Nialler – you heard it here second!!
Jellyman,
If I had room and time for all that I’d be a very rich man. Maybe some recommended gigs would be good in the sidebar.
Cheers for the midweek gush – serious relationship brownie points for you. To be cereal though, I’m only too glad to point you in the direction of good music as you have done the same for me.
And the show isn’t thankless – the bands always say thanks! Except for Super Extra Bonus Party. What a bunch of tosspots. Lolzers.
And Jellyman – I just checked out Ruby Colley. ‘Mazin!
As is your show! The interviews are most informative. Didn’t know that about King Creosote & Fence in Fife, for example. So, this is one punter from your legions of listeners sayin’ thanksies!! 😀
Glad to hear you enjoyed One Day International. I met Matt Lunson a few times when he was touring around Ireland as a solo artist and he always put on a great live show.
And he seems like a really nice guy as well. I’ve only heard a few songs off their myspace page but the track “Little Death” is really good. I did a Paddy’s Day radio show this year here in New Zealand and played it and it went down well.
Love the blog. Keep it coming.
Thought these guys were atrocious at HWCH. maybe im missing something. are they trying to create songs for really emotional scenes in movies? waistcoat????
Hold on now Stu – I’ll hear nothing bad about waistcoats.
Also, perhaps “atrocious” is the wrong adjective to use. Fair enough if you weren’t into it, but atrocious should be reserved for people who can’t actually play instruments.
One Day International may not be to your taste, but they can fairly play. And play beautifully at that. In my opinion.
Just sayin’.
Geez, paid good money for that waiscoat too…
even forgetting ODI for a sec – been able to play instruments well in no way stops a band being atrocious.
You’re right Stu – I’ve called bands atrocious in my time too. I was being hasty with my adjective-control. Lol. I just really like ODI. And I have a waistcoat at home that I really love. Didn’t mean to sound so defensive though.