Posts categorized "Features"

More Oxegen news

Feeder, Kooks and Manic Street Preachers have joined the ranks of acts to play the annual mud bath.
They will be joined by Groove Armada, My Morning Jacket, MGMT, Reverend and the Makers, Black Kids and Delays.British Sea Power and The Ting Tings.
UNKLE,Justice, David Guetta, Calvin Harris and Kosheen all join the dance line up. Saw UNKLE last year at the picnic and trust me they will rock your world.
You can still get tickets, all camping are gone but day passes are still around. Im not going but its a cracking line up even if I won't be there.(Im on about UNKLE, Rage, The  PRODIGY not the manics and Kooks by the way.)

A touch of Vertigo

Vertigo Smyth is a shinny lad with glasses, and when I saw him, he was in need of a touch from the barber’s razor. Now being a blinding bean poll myself I’m not normally one for name calling but it’s almost inconceivable that the sound he creates came from such scant a frame. I was at Java Coffee shop last Wednesday for the Galway launch of “Future Happiness” EP. It was shaping up to be a pleasant affair, I got coffee and pie and saw a two young fellas warm up the gathering bodies with a blend of witty and energised songs followed by soft trance inducing (but that could have been the pie) ballads. Like I said pleasant.
When Vertigo finally got around to tuning up this guitar, banjo and ukulele I thought I knew where the night was going. It was going to be one of those soft strumming sessions laced with craic that happen in the back of pubs, coffee shops, any grassy area, house party or street corner near a supply of Buckfast that seem to pop up around Galway all the time. That would have been pleasant. But nobody soft strums a banjo and with a voice as clear and powerful as Vertigo’s pleasant was left at the door.

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IM BACKING DRY COUNTY BUT BOOKIES BACK DELORENTOS FOR CHOICE

The Choice award is in its 3rd year and was set up to heap praise and cash (€10,000) on the lucky Irish artist who’s album impressed its panel of critics. It does not go on sales, focusing instead on the music so it says. I can't imagine what they think the rest of us focus on before buying an album but then again looking at the charts most weeks one could be forgiven for wondering! Anyway the reason I am (sorta) talking about the Choice Awards is because the crop deemed worthy of a crack at the prize have just been announced. The short List is as follows;
Adrian Crowley "Long Distance Swimmer" (Tin Angel)
http://www.myspace.com/adriancrowley
Cathy Davey "Tales Of Silversleeve" (EMI)
http://www.myspace.com/cathydavey
Delorentos "In Love With Detail" (Cottage)
http://www.delorentos.net
Dry County "Unexpected Falls" (Lazybird)
http://www.myspace.com/drycounty05
The Flaws "Achieving Vagueness" (Arrivals)
http://www.theflaws.com
David Geraghty "Kill Your Darlings" (Decal)
http://www.davidgeraghty.com
Kila "Gambler's Ballet" (Kila Records)
http://www.kila.ie
Roisin Murphy "Overpowered" (EMI)
http://roisin.paperheads.co.uk/
Stanley Super 800 "Louder & Clearer" (Sofa)
http://www.stanleysuper800.com
Super Extra Bonus Party "Super Extra Bonus Party" (Alphabet Set)
http://www.superextrabonusparty.com/

The Thrills and Paddy Casey are noticeable by their absence.

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RockChic: Photo teaser

As David posted below, the National Museum of Ireland is hosting ‘RockChic - The Life and Times of the Electric Guitar 1931-2006’ until January 21. Entry to the museum at Collins Barracks in Dublin is free, and it’s serviced by the aptly named Museum Luas stop on the Red line. As non-flash photography is allowed, for those of you who haven’t visited, here’s a photo preview…

Dsc00486

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Red Rocks

The Canadian rock band Arcade Fire have donated their song “Lies” to Bono for his Aids charity campaign Project RED. The Killers' new Christmas single "A Great Big Sled" will be available on iTunes on Tuesday, December 5, with 100% of the proceeds going to the Global Fund in support of RED. The Project is not a charity but a business model, the profits from certain branded items (clothes, shoes, songs) give the profit to fund AIDS work in Africa. The idea is to use consumerism and not generosity as the backbone of an social initiative. As Bono is behind it big name bands are lining up to help. For more on this practical approach to combat AIDS start seeing RED

Guitar timeline

For all of you who like to stroke your frets we have some good news. The National Museum of Ireland is putting on The Life and Times of the Electric Guitar 1931-2006. The multimedia experience includes the six strings from Carlos Santana, Van Morrison, Phil Lynott, Jimi Hendrix and Rory Gallagher. Also on display is the legendry “Frying Pan”, the worlds first electric guitar. Shiny.
For more see HERE

Banksy Does Paris

Banksy. Not a name that will ring many bells in popular culture. If you want instant name recognition few can top Paris Hilton. The former is renowned (in certain circles) for his subversive talent, the latter is famous for being famous.

Banksy is a guerrilla artist who is known for his sight specific graffiti stencils and artistic high jinx. The Bristol boy has smuggled his demented works of art and sculptures into some of the most famous museums in the world such as the New York National History Museum where they have gone undetected for days. He stands out because of his talent ( he wont use his real name). So what does he have in common with the girl named after a hotel?

ParisThe answer is simple, they have both released a Paris Hilton CD. She used a major record label and promotion company and he used DIY tactics and distributed them himself to over 50 record shops through out the UK. She told everyone who would listen what she was at, he made nary a peep as he smuggled his alternative copies into stores. His covers have a topless Paris on ‘em and a dogs head superimposed on the leggie blonde on the inside. He also gave her the remix treatment with song titles like Why Am I Famous? What Have I Done? and  What Am I For? A spokesman for Virgin Megastores said staff were searching for affected CDs but it was proving hard to find them all.
“I have to take my hat off - it’s a very good stunt,” he added.

As to why Banksy would target Paris Hiltons stab at pop here is the mans motto;

“The time of getting fame for your name on its own is over.
Artwork that is only about wanting to be famous will never make you famous.
Any fame is a by-product of making something that means something.
You don't go to a restaurant and order a meal because you want to have a shit.”

‘Nuff said.

The Revolution Is Not Being Televised

There is a quite revolution in music right now. You are probably part of it. If you have downloaded a song, own an mp3 player or discovered a band online you are a revolutionary. Technological advances in how we listen to music have reshaped the whole music scene in a way not seen before. What we play, where we play and even how we can play has never been so versatile. Unlike previous musical revolutions this revolution spans all genres. In the past music saw upheaval in a particular area due to a new style e.g. rock and roll, punk, rave. This revolution is not centred on musicians or a certain movement, it’s centred around the listener, that my friend makes you a revolutionary. 

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