Circa: Now!

I'm not 'round here no more...

2010-01-07T09:42:00.001Z

A quickish note:

Work etc coupled with the fact I no longer live in Limerick has made this page redundant.
If you are interested, I'll be keeping the playlists from my 2XM radio show up here.

Bye

Modest Mouse rolling into Limerick in December

2009-09-15T16:49:00.004+01:00

A quick note:

A band I was once quite fond of, but didn't care all that much for their last record, even if it featured a certain J Marr, are coming to Limerick on December 5th at Dolan's Warehouse as part of an "intimate" Irish tour.

I heard they were doing some small Irish dates the other date but only realised that Limerick was one such place this afternoon.

Ticket details etc to be announced, with Frightened Rabbit as support.

Crazeeee frontman Isaac Brock tears through one of the "hits" here:

From Cali To Here

2009-06-10T09:33:00.003+01:00

Tonight (Wednesday June 10th) in Mickey Martin's, Cheebah present Tradition In Transition(A Postcard From Cali), a screening of the new film from Limerick native B+ (or Brian Cross on his birth-cert)

Cross rose to fame in the nineties for designing album covers for the likes of Blackalicious, Mos Def, J5, David Axelrod, and many more, as well as tonnes of music videos. While many of his covers had graced discs or records in my own house, it wasn't until DJ Shadow's Irish dates in 2002 that I realised this guy was actually from Limerick.

At the time, Shadow was opening his gigs with the film "Keepintime", pitching old school drummers alongside some of the top hip-hop djs of the last two decades. Cross followed that up with "Brasil In Time"

"Tradition In Transition" goes to Cali, Columbia, the new home of British DJ, producer, and record label owner Will "Quantic" Holland.

Here is more info from Cheebah:

Limerick homeboy B+ has been busy down in Cali Columbia (Will 'Quantic' Holland's new home town) documenting the city and the result is Tradition in Transition.

Based around the music of Quantic and his Combo Barbaro from their forthcoming Tradition in Transition album on Tru Thoughts Records featuring the talents of Will Quantic, Alfredito Linares, Nidia Gongora, Freddy Colorado, Arthur Verocai, Joao Comanche Gomes and Malcolm Catto this is a screening not to be missed. Dj set from B+ afterwards with some crazy cumbia funk and off centre tropical beats.

It all kicks off at 7.30pm, runs 'til late, and is free in.

Here's the trailer from Brasilintime to give you an indication of B+'s prowess as a director of music documentaries.

Noise Fest In A Gaff In Castletroy?

2009-05-27T17:17:00.005+01:00

Possibly taking their cue from the likes of the Hideaway House in Dublin, a group by the name of Chain Reactions Promotions are hosting Guantanamo Noise-Fest II in Limerick next weekend, June 5th and 6th.

The shows take place in College Court (as you can see from poster above), an area of the suburbs that probably becomes quite deserted in the summer months when students move out en masse, so it may actually breathe some life into the estate. That is if the authorities don't stick their mitts in (On this point, if anybody running this gig would rather me remove this post for fear of where it will be read, please comment below and I'll delete).

One of the interesting discussions that came from the discussion I had with various promoters for [crude] mag back in March was about trying to find fresh perspectives on putting on gigs, and in particular looking at utilising non-traditional (i.e. pub, club, venue) locations for putting shows on.

Full line-up is on the poster, although I'm not clear if the €7 is a weekend price, or per night.

In the meantime, here's Toymonger in action:

Nu Killa Beats tomorrow night

2009-05-21T14:19:00.002+01:00

Nu Killa action tomorrow at Baker's Underground

Folks involved:
Deep Cut (Nu Killa Kru)
Marcopipko (Guest from Slovakia)
Code (Subtle Audio Recordings / Spin South West)

Doors 11pm till 2:30am. Admission is €5 before11:30, 7 thereafter.

It's been a while I suppose...

2009-05-19T12:22:00.005+01:00

Apologies, apologies, dear loyal readers (hi Mum!)

Most of you probably forgot this page existed; others probably delighted in the absense, expecting it to be the demise of this page. In all reality however, I am fooling myself. Nobody probably noticed. I've been marooned in the wilds of Clare with an ever-growing work schedule, so commitment to this blog has dropped somewhat. I've also thoroughly enjoyed myself at ATP Vs The Fans (Irish former boutique fests could learn a thing or two about picking a line-up).

Anyway, I will endeavour to make at least a weekly entry from now on. However, I would recommend folks click on the Cheebah and On The Beat blogs for more insightful and regular Limerick-related shenanigans.

So, what's happening ; actually, not a heck of a lot at the moment from what I can see. Is Limerick set to encounter its annual summer cultural slowdown. I suppose college exams are finishing up, which usually signals a complete lack of activity around the city. Could this be the year when that changes? Not likely unfortunately.

A few recent things:

The Speakeasy Jazz night kicked off in the Rowing Club last week, and will be back the second week of June by all accounts.
This is the last week of E+VA, finishing up on Sunday
The LSAD Degree show kicks off June 13th, as per Limerick Blogger.

Comment below on other bits n'pieces that have popped up for you recently, or are on the horizon.

Proper updates in next week or so. I promise.

Why Would Anyone Put On A Gig?

2009-04-02T13:04:00.002+01:00

This is exactly the question put to eight Limerick and Cork folks by myself as part of a discussion recently held in Dolan's (Limerick). The eight folks, all involved in running various shows in their respective cities, will share their knowledge and experiences with the good burgers that are going to read Issue 3 of [crude] magazine which hits shelves in the coming week.

Indeed, so flowing was the debate that this is just part 1 of a two-parter, with the gripping conclusion unleashed in the June issue of crude.

For those who can't wait to pick up [crude] in stores, the spanking new issue is launched Saturday night at Baker Place, Limerick, with The Hot Sprockets, Dryad's Saddle, and Last Days of Death Country all strutting their stuff, and rather bizarrely, there'll also be live tattooing taking place. Surely a health and safety risk if ever. Remember kids, don't get a tat if you've drank a litre of whiskey....there'll be a load of blood.

Tonight!

2009-03-27T14:23:00.001Z

Way more info here and here

A Nice Gentle Electronica Rugby Comedown

2009-03-20T14:09:00.004Z

After hopefully watching Ireland scoop their first Grand Slam in sixty-one years, you could probably do worse tomorrow (Saturday 21st in cause you have any doubts) than relax with the sounds of Japanese electronic artist Midori Hirano. Ms Hirano will be playing a Pure Sound gig upstairs in Baker Place. Galway based Laura Sheehan and Vertigo Smyth will also be making appearances on this bill, with doors around 9pm. Here's hoping that a show like this ain't ruined by drunken post-match revelry.

Hirano's second album klo:yuri came out late last year, and here's a nice number from it called Feathers:

Electronique Tonight!

2009-03-19T09:53:00.002Z

Some may remember a few months back that a new electronic and dubstep night Electronique was abruptly called to a halt when some renvoation work started at Daffy's. A no-nonsense name that did exactly what it said on the tin etc, it was a night run by Code and Bee from Nu Killa.

Thankfully, the guys are back in action from tonight in their new home of Issac Taylor's (Bentley's Basement) smack bang in the middle of town on O'Connell Street. It's an interesting choice of venue and further proof that during these times of gloom and doom, several city boozers may become a little bit open-minded as to what they let happen in their rooms.

Admission tonight is a ridiculously cheap €3. Yes, that is probably less than the price of a lucozade folks. The much-respected Nu Killa sound system will cope with the luscious selection of tracks on offer.

Some info from the press release lashed on here:

ELECTRONIQUE – Thursday 19^th March / Isaac Taylors (Bentlys Basement), O’Connell St.

Diverse Electronic Beats

This new night kicked off in Limerick last September with the intent of broadening the cities soundscape. Dj’s Code and Bee are on a mission to make the Treaty City more receptive to the sounds of Dubstep and Electronica and on the evidence of their first venture, it seems that they might have some success. Their task has been made somewhat easier by media acclaim for the burgeoning Dubstep scene worldwide. This coverage has stimulated interest in the alienated electronic music scene and young minds seem to be more enthusiastic about experimental beats again these days, as is evident in the popularity of new music technology courses in local colleges.

If you’re not familiar with Dubstep or Electronica in it’s wider context this night presents the perfect environment for absorbing the culture. The vibe will be chilled enough early in the night with the emphasis being on the social side, while the ‘tacky-shakin’ beats will get played towards the end of proceedings.

Expect to hear the likes of Aphex Twin, The Black Dog, Burial, Benga, Boxcutter, Carl Craig, Orbital, The Future Sound Of London and other electronic music luminaries in the mix on a specially installed sound system.

Two From The Archives - Messiah J & The Shank

2009-03-13T11:44:00.002Z

Feeling pretty lazy, it being a Friday and all that, so instead of putting it some level of effort with this blog, I'm digging into the old files and pulling out two interviews from 2007. One with Messiah J (of MJ & The Expert) in May , and the other with Mick from Adebisi Shank in June of that year.

Lots of things have changed since. MJEX have released their third album "From The Word Go" to much aplomb, while Adebisi's debut album was perhaps the finest Irish release of last year to this wonky ears, while their dizzying live work-outs are seeing jaws drop and shirts sweat simultaneously.

Now both of them play together at Dolan's Upstairs tomorrow night (Saturday March 14th - MJEX are headliners). Tickets are ten bucks.

Here they are now:

Messiah J & The Expert - Megaphone Man

Adebisi Shank

And here's them way back when in a couple of stories from the past....
_____________________________________________________________

Adebisi Shank - June 2007
Aside from the renowned early twentieth century uileann piper Johnny Doran, and the annual Opera Festival, Wexford could hardly be considered a hotbed for musical talents over the year.

But here we are now, and a trio of goodtime math-noisemakers have emerged from the county more renowned for strawberries and potatoes. Adebisi Shank is Mick Roe (Drums), Lar Kaye on guitar and Vin McCreith on bass.

As Roe explains, there was never much inspiration at home to get them going, and as such most of their gigs have been in the capital. "I've only ever played one gig in Wexford when I was young. Wexford is pretty bad for gigs but there is one or two good ones here and there. Apparently, a good few years ago New Ross used to be really good for DIY gigs but I don't remember it".

While the band practise and record in Wexford, Roe is the only one based there full-time these days. Yet, they have overcome any logistical problems to record an EP. "It was recorded in our own studio in Wexford. We built the studio ourselves about three years ago, so it's really rewarding to finally have some stuff recorded there. The EP should be ready and on sale for the tour at the end of June. At the minute its in the plant and we're stressing out because there was a problem with the artwork, but it looks like it'll be ready in time", says Roe.

Adebisi Shank make a savage racket for a three-piece, and it is no surprise considering that Kaye and Roe are both involved in ace Dublin experimental rock outfit Terrordactyl. McCreith meanwhile does the 8-bit meets super-cheese thing with the wonderful Vinny Club.

Roe believes that it is a healthy thing for them all to have other musical outlets. "It's loads of fun being able to do different things on breaks away from Adebisi. Our schedules work out really well; we have days for doing other things where one of us may be working or busy with another band. We probably all dedicate the most amount of time to Adebisi though".

The EP will be released on Popular Records, who are also home to Anything But Alpha Males, The Vinny Club and Danish outfit Marvin's Revolt. It is all very much run on a DIY basis as a "non-profit, no contract label". Roe admits that is all hands on deck to make it a success.

"Lar set it up but has been too busy for the last while to get too involved so I've been doing most of the work at the minute. He's gonna help out when he's not so busy anymore. Vin helps out with design stuff as well whenever I'd need it. The bands on the label help out a good bit as well which is pretty cool. There's a good few releases coming out on it all around the same time so it's pretty hectic at the minute but all the bands are great to work with and pretty much do all the work themselves. It's a joy to be involved in it".
______________________________________________________________
Messiah J & The Expert- May 2007

It was empty vessel -nil, good ol’ writer’s block -six

One more loss and it was curtains for a sophomore release

Messiah J and The Expert’s second album “Now This I Have To Hear” did not come so easily; MJ’s lyrics above from “Seven Cups of Coffee and A Slice of Apple Strudel” echo the common sentiments of the difficulty any writer can come up with.

Add to the mix the fact that their debut “What’s Confusing You?” (released on the now defunct Volta Sounds) had picked up plaudits, and that they had to wait three years between releases. Yet, Messiah J and The Expert used the interim period to craft a LP that raised the bar significantly.

Starting out as two-thirds of Creative Controle, the Dublin hip-hop young bucks released their debut single “Bloodrush” in 2001. It showcased producer The Expert’s penchant for orchestral samples (still very much evident), and a dash of the irrepressible Wu-Tang and a smidgen of sounds that wouldn’t have seem out of place of the Def Jux catalogue. In MC Messiah J, they had someone with a vocal tone and flow similar to Sage Francis, with occasional tinges of a Dublin accent. A calling card had been left.

For “Now This…”, they changed the script again with multiple collaborations and additional musicians, including ex-Connect 4 Orchestra guitarist Glenn Keating, chanteuses Leda Egri and Nina Hynes, and the biggest coup, the aforementioned Def Jux’s C-Rayz Walz.

“It wasn’t a conscious effort to put as many people on the record as possible”, explains Messiah J. “Glenn had been playing live with us; he is such a good guitarist, a really inspirational player. We chased C-Rayz and Nina alright. She basically came up one day, did her vocal in one take, and to quote The Expert ‘we were blown away’”

While the new additions added an extra layer, one couldn’t help but imagine The Expert orchestrating it all like some mad conductor type. For Messiah J, one of the standout tracks “VIP” also marked a significant breakthrough. Moving away from the more personal narrative, its tale of a widower whose news source is the obits recalls the storytelling nature of Buck 65.

“That’s one of my favourite tracks”, says MJ before recalling it’s background. “My Granny had died and the other one got Alzheimer’s around the same time. People are always writing music for young people, and I just want to flip that around. It’s about people feeling important, not just old people. And I suppose you can’t beat a good story.

“To be honest, if I had one complaint with the first album, it was that there wasn’t enough variation. With this, I just wanted to record it with my voice barely above a speaking tone”. Yet, does MJ find these tracks more difficult to write? “The kind of personal songs like “All The Other Girls” - they write themselves as they were true to life. At the same time, “Place Your Bets” took f**king ages even though it seems really straightforward”.

Speaking of “Place Your Bets”, a recent video in which the two partake in a competitive game of darts, is as Messiah J describes, “one of the most fun things I’ve done with this band”. Directed by Davey Sexton, the idea came about when they were watching the World Darts Championship.

“We shot it in the pub, and basically got a load of people and got them drunk. I knew nothing about the rules of the game though, so I was there on the day saying ‘how do you play this’ and the lads were all laughing their heads off at me!”.

2007 has started off extremely well for MJEX. A more than deserved Choice Music nomination, the release of the EP “…And Another Thing” (available exclusively on tour), their debut American performance at South By South West, and a forthcoming UK debut release all show that things are looking up for the duo.

And like so many other Irish artists, they are doing it on their own, setting up the Inaudible label with their manager. “Yeah, I’m in the HQ at the moment, my flat”, chuckles Messiah J. “We were tired of waiting around, and knew that we were good enough. We just couldn’t wait around for some magic man to turn up!”.

While MJ admits that much attention for the summer will be on getting off the ground in the UK (their debut gig is straight after the 2fm 2moro 2our), work has already started on writing for their third LP, and he is suitably excited.

“We’re really happy so far. There is a lot of energetic music there, but I don’t wanna give away too much as it’s still early days. When we have a good day in studio, that’s when we are at our happiest. The Expert has got lots of things he wants to try with this next record, and I’ve got loads I wanna say”.

Rowing & Football Friday Night?

2009-03-10T09:20:00.003Z

Well, sort of.

Friday night sees Limerick FC's first home game of the season in Division 1 of the League of Ireland, when they face Galway newboys Mervue United at Jackman Park. The still manager-less Super Blues went down last weekend at UCD, losing 2-1. Hopefully this Friday will see a better result and a large contingent of local supporters.

Elsewhere, the Rowing Club (the posh one across the road from where the Boatclub is/was) is the venue for Kerrynini's latest venture. The Kerrynini lads have tried out a few venues in Limerick, so hopefully this one will become a regular haunt for them, and with them they bring a man some see responsible for landing Badly Drawn Boy on us(courtesy of his role as co-founder of Twisted Nerve)
Andy Votel, who is a more than acclompished electronic musician in his own right.

A perfectly good press release has been prepared, so I'll quit yapping and press ctrl and v

Kerrynini Present:

Andy Votel (finders keepers/B-Music)

Friday 13^th of March

@ The Rowing Club, Sarsfield Bridge Limerick.

Visual presentation courtesy of Cheebah's Paul Tarpey
Support from Jeremy Murphy and Kerrynini DJs
dOOrs are 9.30pm until late, admission is 10 euros.

Andy Votel is as close to a one-man music business as you could wish to get. A solo artist in his own right, he also produces, remixes, designs, DJs and runs a number of blissfully eclectic record labels.

Votel grew up in the north west of England and developed a broad taste for music, specializing in all things psychedelic, from Can to Serge Gainsbourg. He released some records on Grand Central and started the legendary Twisted Nerve label back in the late 90s along with Bad Drawn Boy. Things got mental busy from there on in.

But probably the reason most people will know Andy Votel is for his record collection. And damn, kid Andy Votel got records for days. His Music To Make Girls Cry and Songs In The Key Of Death mixes are testament to that, spawning a generation of diggers to start looking in ever more obscure places and countries. He's scoured a world of second hand shops on his international record raid, a quest to unearth the forgotten foreign dancefloor gems from the days long past. And it's these lost musical documents that end up being discovered by a new generation of heads, thanks to the immense amount of folk, psych, and prog diamonds that have been reissued by Votel via his Finders Keepers and B-Music labels.

Andy Votel will be bringing his wild wonky DJ skills to the Rowing Club on Sarsfield Bridge, March 13th. Expect Japanese choreography records, space-age Turkish protest songs, Czechoslovakian vampire soundtracks, Welsh rare-beats and bubblegum folk all slapped up in a wigged-out wash of exquisite foreign breakbeat mayhem. Support comes from the Kerrynini men and Jeremy Murphy (every djs' favourite dj). Keeping with the sprit on the night of rediscovering and presenting nuggets from the past, Cheebah's heroic Paul Tarpey has sifted digitally through a stack of old video tapes to find psych-related visual confrontations that will be strung together for a projected loop edit channelling a 60s to 80s vibe where the sprit of the ufo club meets the style of early Human League projections'

Recent Reviews

2009-03-10T09:12:00.004Z

To break from the norm, here's a few reviews I did that featured in some mags recently.

Sholi – Sholi (Quarterstick/ Touch & Go)

Californian trio Sholi keep their alt-rock credentials firmly in check by enlisting Deerhoof sticksman Greg Saunier as the producer of their eponymous debut album. While they may not be seeped in the chaotic spirit of Saunier’s mob, Sholi aren’t exactly straightforward.

Indeed, from the opening strains of “All That We Can See” they prove they have their own dabbling percussive power in Jonathan Bafus. Over the course of the following seven tracks, Sholi brew up dreamy textures, with time-changes that may be jagged but never harsh.

Another secret weapon that filters out as Sholi progresses is the power of frontman Payam Bavafa’s vocals; on the record’s most rambunctious number “Any Other God”, he heads for Jeff Buckley territory, without sounding jaded.

On the basis of this, Sholi will be grabbing plenty of attention, with or without the blessing of others in the alt-circle.

8/10

*Appears in this month's AU Magazine

Parts & Labor – Receivers (Jagjaguwar)

For an outfit who probably got their name after a disgruntled trip to their local car garage, it’s not startling that there is an almost mechanical sound to Parts & Labor’s fourth album Receivers.

From the bagpipe-esque opening keyboard strains of “Satellites”, manipulation of equipment and sound is the name of the game as this Brooklyn four-piece weld their succulent brand of experimental noise-rock with a chastening flood of pop flashes.

Since predecessor Mapmaker, there have been changes aplenty in the P&L camp; rambunctious sticksman Christopher Weingarten left the fold, with the more restrained Joe Wong coming in, while Sarah Lipstate is now officially on the teamsheet on guitar duties, joining founders Dan Friel and B.J. Warshaw, who tag-team vocal duties throughout.

The personnel switches have had an effect. Receivers is the sound of a band immersed in wildly focussed synchronicity. Nothing is getting left on the floor here; from the bubbling tension of early post-punk in the wailing of “Mount Misery” to the Dan Deacon-if-he-was-an-artrocker spurt that is “Nowhere’s Nigh”, all the bells and whistles are fully intact.

Equal parts catchy as it is experimental, Receivers is a twisty affair that keeps you gripped by its unpredictability. Heck, it even sounds anthemic at times, and in the likes of “Little Ones”, they may have just recorded the tracks that will not just earn them the critical clams of peers like TVOTR, but open up the wider public to them too.

4/5

*Appears in the current State online edition and website.

Glór Film Club

2009-03-03T13:25:00.002Z

The Glór Film Club have a busy March, with not one, not two, but eight flicks on viewing in the lovely surrounds of the Ennis venue.

Popped in myself on Sunday night to see Man On Wire (seemingly this was over rights issues, something which hit the Belltable Film Club also), only to find out it had been switched. In its place was the charming Israeli film The Band's Visit.

The next seven on the agenda are a mixed bunch, hopping from archive footage on traditional Irish music to German comedy to a documentary on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. A full listing can be viewed here.

And given the year that is in it (the centenary of his birth), no better time to haul out the much-acclaimed 2005 beeb-production Bacon's Arena on Sunday, March 22nd. Damage is seven euro, with tea/coffee and some tasty biscuits also on offer.

J5 Man Comes To Town

2009-03-03T13:08:00.003Z

Yup, just spotted on The Chalkboard that ex Jurassic 5 MC Akil at the Belltable of all haunts for a solo show. You can read his take on the demise of said outfit at this rather lengthy myspace blog entry

Tickets for this one are seventeen fat ones, and it happens on Friday March 27th. You can get the full lowdown on Eightball's website here. They also have Halfset in the very same venue the previous week (March 21st).

Nu Killa Birthday

2009-02-24T13:16:00.006Z

Desptite this writer's obvious lack of drum n'bass terminology and nuances, he has always applauded the endeavours of the good burgers from Nu Killa Kru, so much so that he has decided to revert to the third person for this opening sentence.

Time to blow out the candles then, as they celebrate the ninth birthday of Nu Killa Beats with a shindig at the Underground in Baker Place. It's a full line-up, with every dn'b dj worth his salt in the region spinning discs on Friday night (February 27). That means Code, Bee, Roller T, Mecca, Deep Cut, Lymer and Leon, from 10.30pm 'til late.

Happy birthday to Conor and folks involved. Should be a cracking night.

To celebrate, here's one from "the ones I prepared earlier" file. This was an article done around the time of their seventh birthday two years ago...Enjoy

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
NU KILLA BEATS 7TH BIRTHDAY ARTICLE, FEB 07

This time seven years ago we were just getting over Y2K fever, the Euro was still two years off, and George W. Bush was just the Governor of Texas. Obviously a lot has changed since then, but here in Limerick, a collective of drum and bass lovers have continued on in a steadfast manner.

The Nu Killa Kru was essentially born out of frustration. Pallasgreen native Conor O'Dwyer, djing under the handle of Code, teamed up with Kevin Beegan (Bee) and Tony Power (Roller T), with the aim of putting together a night playing the music they wanted to hear.

O' Dwyer takes up the story of the Kru's origins: "There was a club called 'Skint' that used to run up in Costello's, and they played bits of hip-hop and break-beat, as opposed to the constant 4/4 beats of techno. We went there, and they used to occasionally play drum n'bass, and we got to play a bit. Then that ended. After a while, we realised that if we weren't going to do it ourselves, then nobody else would".

With a pilot of sorts during Christmas 1999 at the Globe, they quickly organised their first night proper at the now defunct Dog House on Thomas Street for February 2000. "Any night I know that ran in Limerick had just gone on for a year or two, and we certainly hadn't looked beyond that year", says Conor. "We were encouraged by the first night in The Globe. The first night in the Dog House, we had a decent crowd. The second night was one of the best nights we've ever had; it was a basement of a pub, and the place was rammed at half-ten with people going crazy!"

However, it hasn't been all plain sailing, with the Kru experiencing the unfortunately usual problems inherent to running club nights. Nu Killa Beats has moved around numerous venues in the city, and O' Dwyer has had to deal with scheming managers and over- zealous bouncers. "There was one occasion when one of our own guys basically had to disguise himself to get in. He spent the entire night with a hat on, up behind the decks!".

Additional to those problems is the time and resources required to promote a monthly night. It is clear from talking to O'Dwyer that Nu Killa Kru do what they do for the love of it, and without any financial agenda behind it. However, nights like this will not run on fresh air, and Conor is well aware that if punters don't keep coming in the door, it will be the death-knell for the night.

"If we were doing it for the money, there's no way we'd still be going", he laughs. "It has got more difficult to promote. When I was in college, I could stick up posters around there and create a bit of buzz, but finished that a good while now. Also, I tend to spend a lot of time with the label (O'Dwyer runs his own label, Subtle Audio), so it leaves even less time".

Despite this, the night has continued to go from strength-to-strength, due in no small part to a strong local crew that, as well as the founding three, includes Deep Cut, Lymer, Cain and Leon. Conor notes that the audience has changed and grown older over the years, and the fact that they have moved from running their nights on Thursdays to Fridays certainly reflects this.

He is also the first to admit that it is not the easiest sell to the public. "There isn't a high concentration of Limerick people into Drum and Bass. Even the biggest Drum and Bass names are small in the global sense; you never hear of them in the same breathe as the likes of Sasha or Digweed. And then what we do is different again to what the big names are doing. It's a niche within a niche".

Seven years is a hell of a long time, and it seems the addiction of the night is key to its longevity. "It's been a bit out of stubbornness that it hasn't stopped. Every now and then, you think of packing it in - like every time one of my decks gets damaged, or a CD player blows up, or we have a low turnout. But frustration wears off after a day or two, and I start getting excited about the next night".

Nu Killa Beats continues to mix the best of local talent with international guests, with particular highlights for O'Dwyer being a live set from UK producer Paradox, and two appearances from Macc, who also releases on Subtle Audio: "he plays live with his drum kit. It's all these really complicated drum beats".

There's a birthday cake to be cut this weekend, and Conor is confident that there will be more occasions to blow out candles in the coming years for Nu Killa Beats. "As long as I'm living here, I will definitely try and keep it going. I'd hope that we'd make it to ten years anyway".

The Sly Foxes

2009-02-19T20:11:00.003Z

So, has anybody out there given this a go yet?

For those of you too lazy, here's the copy and paste bit:

"Real Foxes Are Creeping Up is an audio-based detour, a piece of site specific performance art for one person. It goes in through your ears and out through your feet. Each tour lasts 30 minutes. At the starting point, you pick up an mp3 player, a set of headphones and a hand drawn map. A voice describes your surroundings and takes you on a journey through public and private spaces, using the architecture of the city as stage design and the real history of the city and its contemporary environment as the basis for a narrative exploration.

If you've done it what's it like? Arty claptrap or thought-provoking and insightful? Or a mixture of both? Seems worth a punt for the fiver charge, yeah?

Coming Soon To A Rowing Club Near You

2009-02-19T15:09:00.004Z

More details closer to the time on what looks like a cracker-jack audio-visual orgy.

The Frost Is Thawing

2009-02-16T18:58:00.000Z

Hey, are the kids on mid-term this week? It appears so, and while not quite so in the manner of Spring Break-esque bedlam, the big freeze in terms of arts and entertainment activity is starting to thaw out, and the dawning of Spring is seeing a wee kick up the behind in such action.

While there may not be a flood of options, Limerick looks a bit more exciting this week. First up, the good folks at Limerick Jazz Society's Spring programme kicks off with the John Moriarty Group at Dolan's Upstairs room on Wednesday.

The same night also sees the weekly Whitehouse Poets night at the Whitehouse on O'Connell Street. Former Poetry Ireland editor Mark Roper is in the hotseat this weekend. More poetry out the county on Thursday night, when Cork poet Billy Ramsell leads an open mic night at the Library in Newcastle West.

Wednesday and Thursday also sees the performance of The Gentlemen's Tea-Drinking Society at the Belltable, brought to town by the folks at Ransom Productions in Belfast. None other than David Holmes is responsible for the score of this production, but don't expect him to be in attendance as he "doesn't do live shows", according to the organisers of the underwhelming Choice Music Prize. Alan has more info over here.

The Funkshun nights return to Underground at Baker Place on Friday night, with Ian Wright. Nope, this ain't the prolific ex-Arsenal striker/cheeky-chappy tv bloke, but a UK bastion of funk, soul, etc.

Upstairs that night at Bakers also sees Shannon boy Kyon launch their album with support from Alkali Flat and Cities. Three Clare acts in one night. Who woulda thunk it?

More on some of this things as the week progresses. Huzzah!

Round Up - mags, gigs, misc.

2009-02-09T20:07:00.004Z

At the weekend, the second edition of [crude] magazine hit various stands, shop counters and the sweaty palms of punters at their launch hootenany at Baker Place on Saturday night. While declaring some personal interest in this venture (I'm responsible for co-ordinating the dashing reviews section), I must say the team involved have certainly upped the ante second time out - the content is a vast improvement from the first issue and the design is pretty ace. There is also a rapid new website up at www.crudemagazine.net

Speaking of Bakers, happy birthday to Nick, Shane and crew, who celebrate two years in their current guise, with a very long weekend of shenanigans, starting this Thursday night (February 12th) and running up until Sunday afternoon with a metal-fest going under the pretty smart banner of Siege of Limerick.

Also, there is word that 2Unlimited hit Limerick next week. Be afraid, be very afraid...Better news may be that Alias Empire (nee Dry County) should be back in the treaty city come April direction, new name and new tunes in hands. More on that later.

Unfringed

2009-02-02T19:12:00.005Z

Limerick's Unfringed Festival for '09 kicked off last Friday night (January 30th) and runs until this Saturday night, February 7th. As always, it is curated by the folks at The Belltable.

A few bits n'pieces have already happened, and theatre, comedy and music are all catered for over the week.

Some things yet to happen include:
Choke Comedy Improv: You get the idea from the name obviously. Anyway, this is a ninety minute show including some local folks as Myles Breen and Ann Blake, and it puts the audience in control. It has potential to be great craic or a load of old pants. We're hoping more for the former. It's on this Wednesday at 10pm; the late kick-off allowing people to get some bit oiled up before heckling the performers...That's not a suggestion by the way.

Classical guitarist Redmond O'Toole takes to the stage on Thursday night. It could be an unusual sighting. According to the lad's own blurb: "he plays an 8-string 'Brahms guitar' in the cello position connected to a special resonating box."

The ongoing Off The Wall performances at LCGA also look like they are worth checking out too.

Most of the happenings are at The Belltable's temp home at Cecil Street. Phone 061-319866 for tickets.

Here's Redmond O'Toole strutting his stuff:

It's Spring Already!

2009-01-28T21:10:00.002Z

Yeah, forget trying to get the ice off your cars in the morning or sliding on your walk to work or school, Spring is almost officially here.

And what better way to welcome it in with news of Limerick Jazz's Spring series of shows.
On the menu over the coming months are:

John Moriarty Group - 18 February, 2009
Gyan Riley Trio - 26 February, 2009
Hugh Buckley - 18 March, 2009
Togetherness - 15 April, 2009
David Lyttle 3 featuring Soweto Kinch - 29 April, 2009

Also, a four week course on jazz theory and tune learning is starting on January 31st. For more info, contact Peter Hanagan at jazzprimer@gmail.com or 086 191 1608.

Check in here over coming weeks for more info on the above gigs. As always, they take place in Dolan's.

How do you like them eggs?

2009-01-28T20:57:00.003Z

DJ Scotch Egg is in town tomorrow night. The Japanese chipcore, Gameboy-loving, merchant was supposed to play in Limerick sometime last year, but the tour was cancelled (I think it had something to do with a stolen van or something like that). On top of noisey distorted mayhem, expect Scotch Egg to throw himself into the showman role; by all accounts his live shows consist of a man on a rampage roaring all kinds of random shit and swear words your mother wouldn't like you to hear. Also, he has some weird fascination with KFC - yes, the chicken crowd.

It all takes place in Baker Place, and is brought to you by the Pure Sound Collective, this being their first gig of the year. Support comes from Endfindead and DJ Deadly Buzz. Doors are 9pm, and admission is a paltry €5.

Here's a Scotch Egg video:

Vox Populi Tonight & More Awards Guff

2009-01-23T11:00:00.002Z

Local post proggers Vox Populi play their biggest headliner to date with a hoedown tonight at Dolan's Warehouse. Neatly coinciding with my recent Limerick/Clare crossover with this blog, two Limerick acts and two Clare acts appear on this bill; yet, this will be more cordial than a rumble at Cusack Park or the Gaelic Grounds.

Vox Pop member Kevin is hitting Ghana to do some charideeee work, so "some of the money" is going towards that; the rest undoubtedly towards entertaining groupies upstairs in the Dolan's bandroom with copious amounts of Linden Village and Refresher sweets.

Anyway, the line up in full is: Vox Populi, Mark O'Connor, Dryad's Saddle and Ennis boyos Cities. I recently got a copy of the Cities EP, which has a pretty nice 65daysofstatic feel about it, but they ruined all that with a silly Muse remix at the tend. Ah sure, they're young and all that, they'll learn. Damage is a recession-fuck off price of just €8, and for that, you get to save the world, and experience the Wembley Stadium Dolan's lighting, as well as four choice acts.

In other news, the MAMCA Awards take place tomorrow night in a swish Limerick hotel. The wha? I hear you ask, dear readers. The Mid West Arts Media Culture Awards folks...In further self-congratulation and ego-boasting (yes, the second time this week), yours truly will be throwing on some kind of suit, after receiving two award nominations. Just don't be expecting any wins or any Kate Winslet-esque speech if I actually do. Ok, enough already. My back is getting sore from patting it myself.

Adios folks, have a good weekend.

Vox Populi vid to get you in the mood:

One From The Archives - David O'Doherty

2009-01-21T13:26:00.003Z

One of Ireland's genuine funny guys David O'Doherty lands in Limerick tomorrow night (Thursday). It has been quite the twelve months or so for the boy, landing the if.comedy Award at Edinburgh in the summer (that's what used to be the Perrier, you know?)

In honour of that, here's a piece from an interview I did with David two years ago for the Limerick Independent newspaper. Enjoy!

________________________________________________________________
"I can't possibly sell it; the only way to sell it is by telling you that you probably won't like it. Then you will have to go and watch it.".

I am sure that a psychoanalyst could probably read a lot more into it, but David O'Doherty is the paradoxical champ of self-promotion. The Dublin comedian sincerely tells Limerick Independent that he does not really "do" promotion, but we still manage to talk about his new TV show, new album, new shows and children's books. That is a lot of new stuff.

It is his first television series, "The Modest Adventures of David O'Doherty", that prompts the aforementioned response. The self-effacing, yet mightily cordial O'Doherty explains the series' premise: "It is a series of really stupid documentaries, where I set out to do something pointless, but do it to the extreme. One of them was to get to number 27 in the Irish singles chart, and we tried to record the worst possible Irish chart song ever. But it only got to number 30, so it was a failure!"

Said single "Orange" was lifted from O'Doherty's debut album "Giggle Me Timbers (Jokes Ahoy)", and focussed on the perils of applying too much fake tan in advance of a first date. Inspired couplets such as "Her tan had been applied by a three year old child", and "he wanted to sit with her and have a banter, but she looked like a huge bottle of Fanta", combined with a Johnny Logan-esque white-suited O'Doherty video, made sure this one was a winner.

While comedy pop is a dangerous genre (see Rolf Harris, and er, Mr Blobby), the appearance of his Casio keyboard has been integral to O'Doherty's offbeat stand up shows for a number of years now. The album, which won't be officially "launched", was released by top Dublin label, Trust Me I'm A Thief.

"It's my favourite Irish label", the chuffed O'Doherty says. "Brian who runs the label said that if I ever wanted to put something out to ask him. So I did!" The recording process was anything but conventional. "Yeah, we recorded it live in my flat one evening in front of thirty-five people. We had to borrow chairs and patio furniture from my neighbours, and we got loads of cheap beer in. We couldn't fit the mixing desk in my flat, so Brian was operating out of our neighbours!"

On top of this, O'Doherty didn't know any of the people hanging about his home. "I couldn't ask my friends, as they must be sick of my comedy. So we made these really ambiguous posters about a David O'Doherty show and stuck them up around town. We got a lot of responses, and went with the least loony! The people seemed very nice. Someone even wrote "thanks very much" on the tea bags!"

As with all top Irish comedians, the necessary trip to the Melbourne Comedy Festival is on the cards for O'Doherty this April. "I've done it before, and you got to do it. It's great really, just like Edinburgh but without the smell of vomit! At the moment, I'm just trying to write jokes for that".

Jokes are coming quick and fast for David, using everyday life as the pinpoint for new material. "My focus at the moment is on "Facts and Life Lessons Learned". For the past year, I write down any crappy bit of knowledge I get. For instance, I got into a taxi one day with this big rucksack that was full of stuff for recycling. The driver told me that taxi drivers always pick up people with big rucksacks because they think they are going to the airport. That's useful stuff to know"

Aside from the stand-up routine, O'Doherty has already had a children's book published and has recently been commissioned by the Project Arts Centre in Dublin to write a live Christmas show for kids. "It is a really, really stupid show about two people trying to go to sleep, but they can't because everyone is watching them", he explains.

David points to huge changes in the approaches of several comedians and wider perceptions of comedy, that can even be seen in the success of the "Orange" video that has scored close to 5,000 hits on YouTube. "Comedy is at a very interesting place at the moment. It's like where rock music was in the mid-sixties; before that there was just rock n'roll. People are starting to do things very differently, and that's where Team O'Doherty want to be".
_______________________________________________________________

Tickets for tomorrow night's gig are available from Dolan's priced €15, and kick off is 8pm. To get you in the mood, here's the music vid for "Orange", which wasn't quite a hit single

Sunken Foal On Friday, Glór Film Club, Road RIP

2009-01-20T14:07:00.004Z

Howdy folks,

Bizarrely, as I type this up, me old buzzer Aoife B has informed that I got a few nominations in the Irish Blog Awards, an event I wasn't entirely aware of, but am nonetheless appreciative of. I suppose I better tidy this place and get down with some more regular content in case any of the judges are spying. I still reckon the only reason the clicks came into here was because I scooped thirty cds in a competition on Jim's blog. Good to see a nice Limerick representation in everything from food to music to news, in particular the guys at Cheebah, who everybody knows run the best blog in town, and were at before I jumped on the bandwagon.

Anyway, moving swiftly on, before the stink of my own self-pride knocks you all out. It just happens to be good timing that January is nearing its end, and plenty more entertainment options are coming our way.

First up, Sunken Foal is in town this weekend, playing Friday night in Bakers Place. Was half-expecting the Sunken Foal album to make the Choice shortlist last week on the wildcard front, but there was very little wildcard about those nominations as it turned out (Mick Flannery and The Script??Yikes...) Anyway, back to Sunken Foal; he (Dunk Murphy) is doing a live electronic set, as is Nevus, and the night is run by Brigadier JC. Doors are at 9pm, admission is €7, and the hope is for more regular electronic events to be run by the same fella. Good on him.

Here's some copy and paste bits on SF:
"Sunken Foal a.k.a. Dunk Murphy has just released his debut album 'Fallen Arches' on Planet-Mu Records along with an E.P. 'Fermented Condiments'. He has been making both electronic and acoustic music for over ten years as part of projects such as Ambulance and The Natural History Museum. His music consists of intensely evocative guitar-based electronics, with piano, strings and occasional vocals which build up and then collapse under the weight of digital rhythms that twist and turn at every juncture. His live shows incorporate gently processed guitars, manually triggered heavy distorted rhythms and dense melodic soundscapes with each show as unique as the next"

Vox Populi and a host of other Limerick acts are in the Warehouse on the same night, but I'll have more on that later in the week.

Also, I have recently upped sticks and moved to booming Ennis (yes, I should change the "About" section, so from now on, I'll also cover things happening out here, as well as in Limerick city, and surrounding areas. I'll start by heartily endorsing the Sunday night Film Club at the lovely Glór Theatre - went there just this week, and for €7, you get a quality flick along with tea and biscuits.

Finally, and incredibly sadly, the fantastic Dublin independent record store Road Records is set to close its doors. Limerick can relate to the complete lack of indie stores since the closedown of Black Spot some years back, and the gradual demise of Empire, and now it seems like folks in the capital are dealing with the same. This place was always a stop on any journey to Dublin - long live Road.

On a brighter note, here's a vid from Sunken Foal. Enjoy!

White House Wednesday

2009-01-12T13:29:00.004Z

No, I'm not getting all political and having a chat about the forthcoming Obama inauguration. Just a quick note that while everything else seems to have died down culturally speaking in the mid-West (hopefully, this is just the annual lean January entertainment syndrome that has been doing the rounds for years), the White House Poets are soldiering on with their weekly dollop of poetry.

This Wednesday, they feature a Tipp-man, Patrick Moran, so you know it's gonna be good.

Here's the blurb

PATRICK MORAN was born in Templetuohy, County Tipperary, where he still
lives. He works as a post-primary teacher. His poems have been widely published
in the leading poetry outlets. He has won the Gerard Manley Hopkins poetry
prize; he has also been a prizewinner at Listowel Writers’ Week and the 2008
Eist Poetry Competition. In 1990, he was shortlisted for the Hennessy/ Sunday
Tribune poetry award. His work is featured in anthologies, including the
inaugural Forward anthology, The Stony Thursday Book and The Best of Irish
Poetry 2007. His first collection, THE STUBBLE FIELDS, was published by Dedalus
Press in 2001. He will read from his second collection, Green, which was
recently published.

Also, they have a podcast running now. Fancy that!

5-1

2008-12-30T14:40:00.004Z

Ah, and now it's time for the top 5. Hold on to your pants...

#5 Fleet Foxes: Fleet Foxes (Sub Pop/ Bella Union)
I suppose the big success story of the year. A bunch of long haired hippies really with harmonies a go-go, the prolific so-and-sos even managed to get a pretty deadly EP out this year, in the shape of Sun Giant.

#4 Department Of Eagles: In Ear Park (4AD)
A couple of years ago, Grizzly Bear wowed us. This time around, Team GB (Olympics flashback) give us Daniel Rossen's "other project" with college mate Fred Nicolaus. Onto the same lineage as Grizzly Bear, but perhaps less experimental, "In Ear Park" is still an artefact of beauty.

#3 Throw Me The Statue: Moonbeams (Secretly Canadian)
This one came out of nowhere for me, and bypassed a heck of a lot of people. In fact, if it were not for my friend Ronan recommending it, it probably would have bypassed me. Some of the reviews weren't so great, but to use that old adage, it really is a grower. Over the course of the past year, this was a record that I repeatedly dug out, with something new popping out each time allowing it to sparkle in a wave of lo-fi indie records.

#2 Why?: Alopecia (Anticon)
Yoni Wolf and co do it again. Some people find the whole Anticon-thing a bit grating but not me, and this sounds far removed from the early days of Anticon. What can I say about this record? Every track is a winner, it's probably their best yet, it feels more like a band record, the lyrics go from cheesey to humorous or both simultaneously, you are worried that the lad isn't completely right, and you take a vested interest in the album, replaying it to discover various trinkets each time. Superb.

#1 Deerhunter: Microcastle/Weird Era Cont. (4AD/Kranky)
If I had done this list last year, there was a very good chance that Deerhunter would have been very near the top, but these days, to pull that off two years running (and also fit in an EP and the Atlas Sound album - #16) is some accomplishment. I fell in love with Cryptograms last year, and didn't expect them to top it. I was actually sort of worried. Microcastle (and it's companion CD Weird Era Cont.) are surprisingly a little less complex than previous Deerhunter records, but that's no bad thing. Actually, it's a fucking great thing.

Albums Of The Year: 14-6

2008-12-30T12:54:00.008Z

#14 Adebisi Shank: This Is The Album Of A Band... (The Richter Collective)
Sadly, the sole Irish representative out of the 25. This Wexford/Dublin hybrid glued together a frenzied 23 minutes that took the tediousness out of instrumental guitar music. Half sounding like it was slapped together in studio, the dexterity of the threesome is awesome. Cheeky bastards.

#13 The Dodos: Visiter (Wichita)
Another surprise this year. Two piece based on acoustic guitar and drums make a series of catchy folk-pop tunes. A couple of filler tracks stopped this one making the top 10.

# 12 No Kids: Come Into My House (Tomlab)
Three-quarters of Canadian band P:ano return as No Kids, and ditch the ukuleles and discover R&B. No seriously...come back. 'For Halloween' was one of my favourite tracks this year, and as a whole, Come Into My House is a fairly refreshing affair.

#11 Subtle: Exiting Arm (Lex)
Crazy anticon-offshoot featuring the twisted genius that is Doseone returned with their follow up to 2006's blinding 'For Hero: For Fool'. This one way not have had all the same pop charms as that one, but again it blended the kitchen sink with indie hop.

#10 Bon Iver: For Emma, Forever Ago (4AD)
Tip #1,723 in how to make a good album: Dylan used this one years ago, but split up with your missus, and pretty much write the album about it. Justin Vernon decamped to the woods and did just that, and even the Emma in question seems to be ok with it, and he has probably made it up for her departure with a bevy of top groupies while touring this album to the max. Word.

# 9 Portishead: Third (Island)
Band releases first album in eleven years and it's not shit shocker. Actually, it's really fucking good, and is not a re-hash of their old guff. In fact, it's the best thing since their debut 14 years ago. Back of the net.

#8 TV On The Radio: Dear, Science (4AD)
The boys can do no wrong. Dave Sitek is gradually maturing into one of the finest producers out there, and TVOTR's third long-player seems more cohesive than 'Return To Cookie Mountain'. Even one or two silly rap moments and a ballad can't dent that.

#7 Beach House: Devotion (Bella Union)
Truly beautiful lovelorn rock awash with the slightest influences of Mazzy Star, Spiritualized, etc and then topped off with Victoria Legrand's delicate yet eerie vocal. Smashing stuff

#6 M83: Saturdays = Youth (EMI)
Anthony Gonzalez has always known his way around a tune, yet after three albums, he had yet to really nail the art of making an album that was totally consistent. This time around, he has got it right. Whereas before, you were waiting for the "filler" to wind down so the "hits" could kick in, with 'Saturdays = Youth' everything from the dreamy ballads to the uptempo 80s-tinged rockers, everything works a treat.

TOP 5 TOMORROW. TOO LAZY TO FINISH TODAY.

Circa Now Albums Of '08: 25-15

2008-12-29T13:13:00.004Z

Alriiiiiight. Here we go.

First up, I've whittled this down to 25. A few acts that got close but not close enough included Juana Molina, Gang Gang Dance, Cadence Weapon, The Notwist, Thank You, High Places, Dosh, These Arms Are Snakes, and I'm currently listening to the Women record which is fantastic (I'm not 100% sure if it is actually released this year or not though so maybe the '09 poll instead) Bands like No Age have passed me by a little bit, and there are other things I'm looking forward to hearing, such as the new Marnie Stern record which would have made the list probably if it arrived on time.

Anyway, here's the list.

#25 Fuck Buttons: Street Horrsing (ATP)
To be honest, I didn't think I was going to like this record. I really, really thought it was just gonna be a bunch of noisey chancers. You know what? It sort of sounds like that, but when "Bright Tomorrow" kicks in, all is forgiven for this dumbly monikered Bristol duo.

#24 Neon Neon: Stainless Style (Lex)
Boom Bip and yer man from Super Furry Animals making an electro-pop concept album about John Delorean? Yer having a laugh? Er no? And it's not shit? Actually, it's quite, quite decent.

#23 Flying Lotus: Los Angeles (Warp)
Undoubtedly, The hipster's record of choice from '08. A crazy and heady blend of skewered hip hop beats wrapped in electronic cotton, Steven Ellison was also responsible for the year's most disturbing music video for the ace 'Parisian Goldfish'

#22 Sigur Rós: Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust (EMI)
At this stage with Sigur Rós, people can either take 'em or leave them. In fact, I know a heck of a lot of people who find them to be the most incredibly boring band on the planet. On the other hand, I've always liked them. This record sprung up quickly and while it trails of in to familiar SR-territory, there are a couple of nice surprises, especially chirpy lead single Gobbledigook.

#21 My Morning Jacket: Evil Urges (ATO Records)
Not quite business as usual as Jim James and co slip further away from the straight-up rockers of their early days. Southern rock with a massive dash of funk is not supposed to sound this good.

#20 El Guincho: Alegranza (Young Turks)
This was a very late entry into the top 25. Deadly stuff from the Barca-based Pablo Díaz-Reixa. Like the Animal Collective mixing up tropicalia, Afrobeat, and weird indie. Completely bonkers, but nevertheless a total winner.

#19 Stereolab: Chemical Chords (4AD)
Two decades of consistency remains intact with their ninth studio album. It's typical fare from the 'lab with more than a nod in the direction of Motown this time out.

#18 Jay Reatard: Matador Singles '08 (Matador)
More a collection of singles than an actual straight up album, there is still a very palpable feeling that 2009 could very well be Jay Reatard's year: simple ideas - sticking The Stones, Ramones and Dino Jr in a blender, with super conviction made this one of my real surprise likes of the year (I saw him live a couple of years ago and was pretty unimpressed)

#17 Peter Broderick: Home (Bella Union)
Here's the story - Portland young lad sends a myspace message or two to Efterklang. All goes swimmingly well. They invite him over to Denmark. He plays the fiddle (or violin if you wanna be posh) for them. Then he makes a solo album. Efterklang folks help out. It's a really lovely folk album. That's it.

#16 Atlas Sound: Let The Blind Lead Those Who Can See But Cannot Feel (Kranky)
The solo project for Deerhunter head honcho Bradford Cox is small bit of a departure from his dayjob. Sure, the breathy vocals and loops are there, but Atlas Sound veers more towards the ambient side of things. It's also simultaneously sad and claustrophobic as the subject matter more often than not tends to be Cox's hospital stay as a teen due to his suffering with marfan syndrome.

#15 Cass McCombs: Dropping The Writ (Domino)
This one sneaks in as it got a Europe release in early January. Really gorgeous songwriting from Cass, and this one seems to have stepped up in production values from earlier releases, with some wonderful guitar lines and harmonies splattered throughout.

14-1 to follow in the days to come...ooooh, the suspense!

WSBD/BPLO/RBs

2008-12-24T11:22:00.004Z

Alright,

Stephen's Night sees two of Limerick's finest acronyms play in Dolan's, but in seperate rooms. WSBD - or We Should Be Dead to their Mams, play the Warehouse in what is surely their biggest hometown headliner to date. It will also be their last for some time sadly, as the four-piece have got their visas and are hitting the USA (LA to be exact) in the New Year, where they'll be for the next year (or perhaps even longer if all goes to plan?) Doors are 8pm, and admission is €10

Also at the same time and the same price, BPLO - Brad Pitt Light Orchestra will perform in the surroundings of the Upstairs rooms at the Alphonsus St/Dock Road venue. BPLO have just recently done a session on the Paul McLoone show on Today Fm. That 'December' tune is pretty damn catchy - they could yet be the Limerick Camera Obscura (that folks is a very good thing in my book)

Finally, RBs - actually nobody has ever called them that; I was just going for consistency. Anyway, Limerick's premier hiphop/comedy crossover act Rubberbandits play only their second ever gig in Trinity Rooms on December 28. Taking the piss outta a load of shams is pretty easy work, and can sound pretty tired and lame, but I gotta say I've enjoyed the 'bandits tunes. Also, add in that the production is fairly nifty too. High fives. Check out this review over at Cheebah from their last gig. Beware: set may only contain one tune.

Here's a vid for Bag Of Glue, a sure-fire hit already. Have a good festive season and I'll drop back next week with albums of the year (think the list is gonna be about 30)

End of year stuff...Need your help

2008-12-17T11:43:00.002Z

To paraphrase a former Limerick band, everyone else is doing it so why can't I? Before the end of the year, I'll lash up my favourite albums of '08, more for my own merriment, and also, so that I can look back in anguish when reviewing said list 12 months later, as so usually happens.

In the meantime, it's over to you. Favourite albums, Limerick gigs, outside Limerick gigs, Limerick bands, moments, plays, comedians, blah blah blah.

It may also help me to remember more of the year. Pop 'em in the comments below if you'd like.

Cheers, Ciarán

Nu Killa Xmas Shenanigans

2008-12-16T22:22:00.003Z

Limerick's premier drum n'bass crew - ok, Limerick's only drum & bass crew Nu Killa Beats have their Christmas bash this Friday night, Underground at Baker Place.

The night will be tinged with a wee bit of sadness, as it sees the departure of one of the crew's djs Cain, who is absconding to Spain in the New Year....lucky so-and-so. Cain (pictured, in case you wanna give him a going away drink) has been with them for eight years, so I'm sure the combination of Christmas partying and this departure will make for hardly a dry eye in the house. Yup, them drum & bass heads are really a big bunch of softies.

Also on the line up is Code (Subtle Audio/Spin South West), and doors are 11pm, with the always reasonable door-tax set at a festive friendly five bucks before 11.30 (seven after that)

On a complete sidenote, Conor (Code) from NKB/Subtle Audio has always come across as a bit of a top bloke on the phone/mails, and after a few years of such correspondence, I recently had a fleeting face-to-face encounter with the chap, who was just as pleasant in real-life. So props to Conor, particularly for the fact that he has been at the helm of this for NINE years now. Happy Birthday in January guys.

Tis The Season For Tribute Bands & Panto...or is it?

2008-12-15T12:13:00.004Z

Alright, back from the edge... Have soaked up a number of episodes of The Wire, read a number of football biographies, and am almost ready to head back to the work. No better time to take a look at the Christmas listings then, eh?

First up, I've always thought this time of year is synonymous with absolute rubbish when it came to the live front, even more crap than the xmas telly schedules.

Nevertheless, there are a nice few bits n' pieces happening over the festive season. First up, at Dolan's, a number of juicy shows are on the horizon. I've never been totally convinced by Cathy Davey. Her debut album Tales Of Silversleeve was much-fawned over by scribes and the public alike, but bar a few very nifty numbers, I found it a little underwhelming. I've yet to see her live, but have heard she has packs a bigger live punch than expected. You can find out Wednesday night at Dolan's.

The following night, at the same venue, Live 95fm's Alan Jacques will be bringing his Green & Live Sessions to the Warehouse for a Christmas hoedown. Black Daisy, Walter Mitty & The Realists and Supermodel Twins are amongst those involved, with giveamanakick djing afterwards, and it is all for free. Nice one Alan.

Speaking of giveamanakick, since 2004, they have made it a Christmas tradition to play a hometown gig, starting in the High Stool, then a few years Upstairs in Dolan's, and now for the second year in a row at Baker Place. All kinds of mayhem is promised, including raffles, cover versions (anyone remember giveamanakaraoke from a few years back) and some solid slabs of rock like this:

That takes us up to this weekend. Over next week there is a nice seasonal emphasis on some of Limerick's finest, with shows from Sea Dog (Bakers, December 22nd), Mark O'Connor (Baker's, December 23rd), We Should Be Dead's farewell show (Warehouse, Stephen's night), Brad Pitt Light Orchestra (Upstairs, same night), and the much-anticipated second appearance of The Rubberbandits (Trinity Rooms, December 28th)

More on all of them to come, but plenty of options on the horizon to shake off any icicles... Oh, and Franz Ferdinand sold out in double-quick time. Nice coup for Dolan's to get 'em, even if I think they sound like a pair of dried up old socks.

no updates this week

2008-12-10T13:26:00.000Z

hey, regular readers and internet voyeurs...

no updates this week; I had a trip to the hospital in the wee hours of Monday morning, and my doc said "no blogging allowed while you recover"

peace out, Ciarán

Weekend Round Up

2008-12-05T16:53:00.004Z

Quite a few things happening 'round Limerick this weekend...

First up, the paltry sum of €6 (hey, aren't these the times not to be spending huge amounts of dosh) will get you a long dip in the Irish hip-hop pool tonight, with The Hideous Penguin doing a live turntablist scratch set, and getting some help from Alphabet Set's T-Woc and Kerrynini djs. Disappointed I'll be missing this, but am looking for reports back on how they work out with Pery's Hotel as a venue...It could be start of something very promising...

Jimmy The Hideous Penguin is part of Vince Mack Mahon...here's that quartet in action

[Crude] mag (declaration of some interest here), launches tomorrow night at Baker Place. Should be an interesting night, and in this times when print media seems to be in trouble, let's hope it survives and prospers. Anyway, the launch gig (also, a nice €6 in) will feature Sea Dog, The Handless Organists and Two DJS Vs One Drummer (that one does what it says on the tin). Look out for the excellent album reviews section...cough...cough...

Finally, Sunday sees the Hypnotic Brass Ensemble in town. Cheebah have the skinny on that over here, and here's some blurb on them:

Some facts about: Hypnotic Brass Ensemble

1. They are Mos Def's Live band.

2. Sampled by Jay Z and he is a huge fan, they toured with him in 2008 so is Kanye

3. Worked this year with Erykah Badu & Maxwell

4. Are the new Gorrilaz live band and are featured throughout this

forthcoming release with Damon Alburn, scheduled for a 2009 release!

5. Their last 5 Irish shows have been sell outs and this first Limerick show will be the same !

6. They will be appearing on the streets of Limerick for an exclusive free show on Sunday Afternoon!

One of the hottest soul acts in the world has just announced an exclusive date for Limerick, Hypnotic Brass Ensemble play the Soul Xmas party at Trinity Rooms on Sunday December 7th, fresh off a world wide tour with Jay Z and being talked up by everyone from Al Green to the New York Times, this is a very special show and early booking is advised.

Hypnotic Brass Ensemble is a eight man brass ensemble from Chicago, of which 7 are the sons of Sun Ra Arkestra trumpeter Kelan Phil Cohran, the 8th member of the Hypnotic Brass Ensemble might not be connected by blood but is definitely part of the family. The creation of Hypnotic in 1999 represented the sons return to their instruments after a time of quitting music in their teenage rebellion years.

The ensemble is four trumpeters, two trombonists, a drummer and a sousaphone player:

This is the real deal folks - music the way it was ment to be. From the heart, from the lungs. These guys don't need to plug in to be heard. As they say themeselves, they could play on a boat in the dark - they're powered from within.

Ireland On Screen

2008-12-03T11:48:00.002Z

Starting this Friday, Irish filmmakers of varying experience will showcase their work at the Belltable as part of Ireland On Screen.

The first film to be shown will be Lettuce And Peppers which will possibly be of most interest to Limerick viewers. Directed by Christina Gangos, the 25 minute film sees Gangos integrating herself with a group of adults with special needs in Limerick over a three-month period. While it was shown last month, this is billed as the World Premiere. The will also be a Q&A Session with Christina.

Other films on the bill include Home, Garage, Fresh Film Festival Showcase, Jigs On Reels, Kings, and Vox Humana. Tickets from the Belltable on O'Connell St, and on the door from their temporary home at Red Cross Hall.

Round Up - Jazz, Hip-Hop, Mags, Various Bits...

2008-11-26T10:11:00.005Z

As I'm moving job/house, I'm condensing a lot into one blog to make up for lack of other blogs in the forthcoming days/weeks.

First up, tonight is the final show for 2008 from Limerick Jazz Society. Tonight's show has an international flavour to it with Ameiresco or should that be Am/Eire/Sco (geddit?), as it comprises of American, Irish and Scottish folks. American pianist David Berkman has brought them all together. Doors are at 8.30pm, concert starts at 9pm, and admission is €15 (€10 concession). As always, the venue is Dolan's Upstairs.

Tomorrow night (Thursday), it's nylon strings-meet Don Cab as Galway's Jung Turks come to Baker Place. I caught these guys a couple of times a few years back and was always impressed but haven't seen or heard much from them recently so wonder how things are sounding with them...

The busy boyos at Cheebah have two nights this week: their end of month sessions at the Wicked Chicken features Pete The Beat on Thursday, while Friday night, they welcome DJ Eggz to Mickey Martin's. Imagine if it was this DJ Eggz that was playing....uh oh.

Dundalk's premier ranting folkster Jinx Lennon play's Upstairs in Dolan's on Friday night. Jinx is always entertaining live.

Next weekend sees a couple of well-decent events also, which I'll probably hype up closer to the time. The Kerrynini lads have another show lined up, in the intriguing location of Pery's Hotel...I remember the Termights club briefly relocating to a room there before, that was way too much like a hotel lobby, but this is in a different room, in the hotel's basement. Anyway The Hideous Penguin and T-Woc are on the bill for that one...That's Friday December 5th. The following night sees the official launch of the [Crude] mag, with a gig featuring Sea Dog & others....Hup Hup.

A blatant plug

2008-11-20T23:54:00.003Z

This Friday night. €10 in. Doors 8pm...Some tickets left @ www.dolans.ie ahem....

2nd last jazz show of the year

2008-11-19T17:45:00.002Z

Just a quick one while I'm here...

In just under three hours time, the doors will be opening upstairs in Dolan's for Limerick Jazz Society's second last gig of 2008. Doors open at 8.30 pm for trumpeter Guy Barker, and the show starts no later than 9pm. Local-based trio John Daly (drums), Peter Hanagan on bass and Joe O'Callaghan on guitar will be joining Barker.

Barker features in this Bandzilla performance...obviously, stylists were not called in that day...

Printmakers Winter Exhibition

2008-11-19T17:37:00.003Z

The busy folks at Limerick Printmakers have announced a jam-packed Members Winter Exhibition that will run for almost a month, starting next week.

The ninth year of such going on sees a plethora of locally-based artists and printmakers exhibit some of their work. I almost got dizzy trying to read through the list of 40+ contributors, but the artists include Margaret Becker, Mike Byrne, Laura Carey, Deirdre Gallagher, Vincent Casey, Wendy Dison, Clare Gilmour, Charles Harper, Kieran Herlihy, Elaine Hurley, Mary Meskell, Gavin Hogg, David Lilburn, Breda Lynch, Marian Mc Grath, Meg Kenny, Dan Kenny, Jane Murtagh, Michael O'Connor, Ya Nan Wang, Des Mac Mahon, Mary O'Dea, Suzannah O'Reilly, Derek O'Sullivan, Eithne Deloughry O'Byrne, Fiona Quill, Paul Tarpey, and Gillian Kenny among others.

The exhibition will be opened by Sinéad Dinneen, from the Visual Arts Education module at Mary Immaculate College, and all that happens on Thursday, November 27 at 8pm.

It will run until December 23, so you don't have much excuse to not visit it. While there, it may be worth checking out becoming a friend of the printmakers (a sponsorship schemes), and kids can enrol in new courses kicking off in the New Year in printmaking.

Library Tapes

2008-11-14T11:51:00.003Z

Referencing Max Richter, Philip Glass, Rachel's (oooh, nice) and A Silver Mt Zion amongst their influences, Swedish outfit Library Tapes bring their Irish tour to Limerick on Monday night. Actually correct that: Library Tapes is primarily the work of one young buck - David Wenngren, who drafts in some pals to play, including Peter Broderick, who has recently kick-started his own solo career after some alliances with Efterklang.

There seems to be some really gorgeous tunes here, bits of minimal composition with ambient and classical nuances...Hey, even the hipster's read of choice Pitchfork gave it a high five with their review. In terms of live performance, I think it may be just Wenngren on his own, so it will be interesting to see how he pulls it off...maybe, he'll just plug in a laptop?

It happens this Monday night at Baker Place, and is the third (I think) show put on by the Pure Sound Collective.

In the meantime, here's a vid:

Gaslamp Killer Saturday

2008-11-13T12:36:00.005Z

I'm particularly looking forward to seeing The Gaslamp Killer in town on Saturday night at Baker Place. This one is brought to us courtesy of the two Johns at Kerrynini, who after putting on a rake of ace shows in Kerry and Cork, are now starting to become more prominent in the Treaty city.

With typical lazy journalistic fervour, I'm gonna copy and paste the press release (don't judge me: other hacks get paid to do that)...before that let's just say it's gonna be a cracking night etc, Cork/Kerry boyos Heliopause are apparently really well worth checking out, and King Dumb will be lashing in some visuals to make it an aural/oral/visual musical odyssey that could get as sweaty as Jack L's hair grease...

Here's the blurb:

People of Limerick. We here at Kerrynini have been resting on our laurels lately, spending too much time waxing our backs and manicuring our moustaches instead running events and gigs. But this is set to change. The finger is officially pulled out, and we've been lucky enough to convince one of the most musically and visually erratic DJs in the world to swing by for a night of psychedelic wonderment.
Gaslamp Killer is all hair, beards, beats and cuts. Regarded by many as the mixtape king du jour, his 'I'll Spit on Your Grave' and 'Protons' mixes are unpredictable journeys where the likes of Can and Nirvana are spliced together with Flying Lotus and Sixtoo. Dude is infamous for taking the psychedelic slant towards rocking a dancefloor, recently touring Japan and regularly playing at Andy Votel's B-Music night in England.
He's a busy chap, being one of the permanent record spinners at Los Angeles' Low End Theory night, an employee of Turntablelab and a contributor to the Dublab collective along with Daedelus and Flying Lotus. We cannot recommend this guy enough for fans of obscure abstract beats, razor sharp cuts, debonair flair and a slab of humour. You've been warned. This guy is gonna be HUGE!

Support on the night comes from Killarney 4 piece Heliopause. These instrumental prog-psych soldiers were one of the first bands we hosted at Kerrynini many moons ago, back when they were younger, less hairy and a had a glint of danger in their eyes. They still have that same glint, but nowadays they smack of confidence, musicianship and an unwillingness to be pigeon-holed. Their self-titled debut EP was released earlier this year and the lads have toured the country extensively in the last few years, rampaging through various towns and cities.

Records will be spun on the night by Kerrynini male models, TheManWithNoName, Johnny Doobs and King Dumb. Expect lots of electronica, psych, funk, hiphop, afro-beat and dubstep.

All in attendance are urged to dance wildly. Starts at 10, ends after 2 - what more could you want? SEATS ARE NOT FOR FEET!!!

Check out this video of Gaslamp (there are plenty more on youtube) to get an indication of his abilities, as the guy in the crowd about 30 seconds in says, "God damn, that was seamless"

Laura Sheeran Cancelled/MJEX/Other bits

2008-11-12T09:29:00.002Z

Apologies for complete lack of/shoddy updates. A number of things have happened in the past week, leading me to wipe my whole laptop and start again. Anyway, less of these ramblings.

Galway lass Laura Sheeran will not be making the trip down to Baker Place on Friday night; however, the folks at the Pure Sound Collective assure us that all is still go for their Library Tapes gig next Monday (more on that later in the week). However, all is not lost, as the awesome Gaslamp Killer is in town on Saturday night (more on that tomorrow), and Ireland's most renowned hip hop group (they must be sick of being called Ireland's only hip-hop group of note by numerous folks in the media) Messiah J & The Expert play Trinity Rooms on Friday. Their third longplayer 'From The Word Go' seems to be picking up rave reviews at the mo'.

From said album, here's 'Megaphone Man'

A quiet enough weekend

2008-11-07T17:04:00.005Z

Over the bank holiday weekend a few weeks ago, there was so much going on, but things are after slowing down ever so slightly.

This weekend, entertainment/arts options in Limerick are somewhat limited but certainly not non-existent.

Mickey Martins (where I ended up for the first time in a long time on Monday night) have our old mucker Johnny Doobs messing about tonight, and the Cheebah lads are in charge tomorrow.

Fans of trash metal will have a good time as Castletroy young lads Soloway are in action in Bakers on Saturday night. Doors are 9pm, and admission is just five bucks.

The ongoing Belltable Sessions return on Sunday night, with Driftwood Manor, Audrey Ryan, Emma Small and Rathkeale's Brendan Markham on the bill. It's a neat enough, if tried and trusted, idea - basically unplugged sessions from bands in intimate surroundings. While it may not be the warmest room in the world temperature wise, the Belltable's current digs at the Red Cross Hall could make it a cosy evening. I checked out a wee bit of Driftwood Manor, which is some interested trad/folk/rock hybrid thing, and I half-expected that on the basis of her name that Audrey Ryan may have once lined out at right corner-forward for the blue & gold camogie side, but she is in fact an American songstress who sounded a wee bit like Aimee Mann, until my computer gave up.

Oh yeah, my computer is giving lots of problems this week, so updates may be slow.

Have a good weekend; I'm off to Liverpool to watch some football. Huzzah.

Soundings Tonight

2008-11-06T14:16:00.003Z

The monthly Soundings gigs return to Daghdha tonight, with clarinetist Jonathan Sage. There is quite a bit of info about this here.

Admission is €10 or free if you have a UL identification card.

Some Things Just Are

2008-11-05T10:56:00.003Z

An interesting installation in the Belltable this month from Karen Power - Karen currently works in Mary I as a Music Technician and is working on a Phd at the Sonic Arts Research Centre at Queens University in Belfast.

Karen has moved away from her earlier instrumental compositions, and like many in Ireland and beyond (something which could be witnessed in various Soundings events & the recent Tweak Fest) has began to dabble more in electro-acoustic composition, experimentation and sound art.

The installation kicked off last night with a performance and there will be two more performances, one on November 14th and the other November 21st (both at 6pm). More info on exactly what she is trying to do is available here, so check it out if you can. Also check her myspace page where quirky titles like "Fried Rice, Curried Chip And A Can Of Diet Coke" will meet you.

Manu Katché

2008-11-03T11:47:00.003Z

Expect drummer types to be all excited tomorrow night when Manu Katché comes to town. Widely considered as one of the finest jazz sticksmen out there, its not just percussive perverts that will be wowed by Katché's prowess. The guys at Limerick Jazz have him in Dolan's for what should be a very special show...Here's the official blurb:

Manu Katche (drums), Trygve Seim (tenor and soprano saxophones), Mathias Eick (trumpet), Frank Avitabile (piano), Jerome Regard (double bass).
Manu Katche's reputation as drummer of choice for Peter Gabriel, Sting and ECM stable mate Jan Garbarek has been overtaken by his accomplishments as bandleader, following two hit ECM recordings, Neighbourhood and Playground. He makes his Irish debut with a stunning group featuring two new names in ECM's pantheon of Nordic talent, saxophonist Trygve Seim and trumpeter Mathias Eick. One of the strongest line-ups to appear in Ireland this year, The Manu Katche Group offer a view of the future of European jazz and the next generation of ECM greats.
One of the best-known drummers in the world today, Manu Katche is a famed for his work with Peter Gabriel, Sting, Joni Mitchell and Robbie Robertson. Yet he is first of
all a jazz musician. Having been introduced to Jan Garbarek by ECM owner Manfred Eicher he has gone on to tour and record with the great saxophonist. His debut for the label, Neighbourhood, featured both Garbarek and Thomasz Stanko and is regarded by many as one of the great European jazz records of recent decades.
Now Katche has covened the most exciting young European players for his Playgroup album and tour. Norway's Trygve Seim is an exceptional saxophonist. Award-winning trumpeter Matthias Eick has recently released his leader debut, The Door (ECM).
Here he is doing his thing....Tickets priced €25 available from Dolan's and on the door I'd imagine

A proper film for tonight

2008-10-31T12:39:00.003Z

Regular readers (hahaha...), apologies for lack of update yesterday..Am feeling a little under the weather.

However, here's a recommendation for tonight.

Proving they did it better in the old days, German expressionist film The Cabinet of Dr Caligari still has the ability to be dark and creepy 80 years later. Can someone tell the idiots behind the Saw franchise that this is how you make a film? It's on at 9pm tonight at the Belltable (Red Cross Hall)

Poetry Tonight

2008-10-29T10:06:00.003Z

Yep, a first and overdue mention on this blog for the fine folks involved in the Whitehouse Poets, who have their weekly poetry night tonight, in the nice boozer of the same name.

Kicking off at 9pm, this week's guests for the Whitehouse Poetry Revival are Keith Armstrong & Guy Hudson.

Here's some copy and paste guff:

Keith Armstrong was born in Heaton, Newcastle upon Tyne, where he has worked as a community development worker, poet, librarian and publisher. He now resides in the seaside town of Whitley Bay, is coordinator of the Northern Voices creative writing and community publishing project which specialises in recording the experiences of people in the North East of England.

Guy Hudson was born in Mansfield and grew up in a Lincolnshire village.He is interested in poetry as a spoken word medium and seeks to promote the oral tradition of poetry. This year he graduated from Lincoln University with a BA in English and hopes to teach Literacy in Prisons. He is married with two children.

Here's a vid of Keith Armstrong, but the quality is fairly crap.

Erin McKeown

2008-10-28T09:34:00.002Z

Erin McKeown returns to Limerick for another live gig that I again will miss. I remember Ms McKeown making a couple of visits during the heady days of the AMC, and I always thought she had a banjo (or maybe that was just the press photos?)

Anyway, by all accounts, she has moved away from her folk days, even doing an album of jazz standards from the 1920's in the interim. She plays Dolan's Upstairs tonight, along with Jess Klein. Doors are at 8pm, and admission is €15

Here's a video for 'Slung Lo'; I can't honestly say if it is a very good video or not, as my computer has constant problems with youtube stalling these days....

Bank Holiday Rundown

2008-10-24T08:56:00.005+01:00

Right, it's a Bank Holiday Weekend, so there are bound to be plenty of things happening locally, right?

Here's a rundown of some of the options, and there are quite a few, but beware, there is a strong possibility of a blatant plug at the end.

Tonight - see below posts on Nu Killa Kru & 'Tom Crean - Antartic Explorer'. Local pop-rockers We Should Be Dead play The Trinity Rooms, as part of their Electro Pop weekender thing.

Saturday - Well damn it. The last time he was in town, I was going to Cork for a gig. That was six months ago, and as I'm hitting Cork again tomorrow night for Trans Am, guess who decides to come back to town? Daedelus. Apparently, he was great last time out in the Cornmarket. He'll be in Trinity Rooms this time around. Check out this interview from April.

Sunday - There are a heap of options on Sunday. My advice would be to avoid Calvin Harris (Trinity Rooms also) in favour of either Strutt @ Dolan's, Steinski at Mickey Martins (should be deadly), or Cork rockers Hope Is Noise at Baker Place. Check out an excellent interview with Steinski at Cheebah.

Monday - Canadian indietronica dude Milosh playes the Red Cross Hall (Belltable's current gaff). And earlier in the day, ahem, a new documentary, The Hitchhikers Guide To The Southwest (produced by Mark Keane and myself) will air on Spin South West at 12.45pm. You may, or may not, wanna tune in.

That's it; have a good weekend folks. Will update this page on Tuesday.

In the meantime, here is Steinski speaking about the seminal Lessons, which he put together with Double Dee. This was recorded at the great Plugd Records in Cork.

Nu Killa Friday

2008-10-23T13:35:00.005+01:00

The busiest drum n'bass lads in town, Nu Killa Beats have their monthly dollop of tuneage for local dn'b afficionados tomorrow night, Underground at Baker Place.

Dublin boyo Fraher from the 174 Crew will be making his way down, and also on bill is Nu Killa's own Code (Subtle Audio). Code is attracting a wee bit more attention these days, with even a forthcoming Polish show on the agenda - nice one, Conor!

The great thing about this one is that a new sound system has been installed Underground; up to now, the Nu Killa boys used to have to bring their own, and let's face, the biggest problem with the Underground since it emerged a few years ago has been consistently troublesome sound. This will be a good chance to check out if they have rectified that.

To make the deal even sweeter, admission is just €6. In fact, if you bother your arse and make it in before 11.30 (doors are 11), it'll be just four quid. Up yours "R" word!

Not much more to say except here is a picture of Fraher, which he looks like he took himself.

Crean - The Unsung Hero

2008-10-22T10:30:00.006+01:00

This week, I'm particularly looking forward to seeing 'Tom Crean - Antartic Explorer' at the Belltable's temporary home on Cecil Street. The one man show, performed by Aidan Dooley, has received plaudits worldwide for its take on the great Kerryman's Antartic adventures.

Swanky papers had this to say:

“a remarkable and uplifting piece of theatre, gives everything and asks nothing.”
Emer O’Kelly, Sunday Independent Dublin
“This magnificent revelation of a fascinating character simply compels a standing ovation”
Sunday Tribune
“You will go to then end of the earth to find theatre this rewarding”
Murray Bramwell, The Australian

I've had a little fascination with Crean since seeing a documentary on TG4 some years ago I think, which a few years after that (around 2004 I think) led me to pick up Michael Smith's excellent book 'An Unsung Hero'. During the production of a documentary this year, I even managed to grab a pint in the South Pole Inn. For various reasons, I've always missed performances of this play, but I'm definitely going this Friday. Has anyone else seen it? Reports please.

Tickets are available at €20 (€18 Concession) from The Belltable, and the play runs until Saturday night.

Jazz Workshops

2008-10-21T09:22:00.003+01:00

They've had one or two shows cancelled recently due to a variety of external factors, but you just can't keep the good folks at Limerick Jazz society quiet. Their next big show is Manu Katche, of which I'll talk about closer to the time.

Their ongoing Jazz Workshop Performances continue tonight. Participants meet on a weekly basis at LITMT to learn their way through a number of jazz standards, with teachers like John Daly, one heck of a jazz drummer himself.

Anyway, people can pop down to the Millenium Theatre tonight at 8pm to check it out.

If you can't make it down, do check out the rather spiffing new site at www.limerickjazz.com

Alasdair Roberts Tonight

2008-10-20T11:37:00.001+01:00

Scottish songwriter Alasdair Roberts is in town: playing Upstairs in Dolan's to be exact. Roberts has been writing quality folk-tinged songs for the best part of fifteen years ago, and his only previous Limerick visit that I can recall was Upstairs in Costello's back around April 2002. At that time, Alasdair was performing as Appendix Out. The show tonight should be lovely, and expect songs about fair maidens rolling about the hills and whatnot. His most recent album 'The Amberer Gatherers', released last year, was his sixth for Drag City.

Doors are down for 8pm, and admission is €8.

In the meantime, here's a video for the song 'River Rhine'

Express Yourself #1: Kieran Herlihy

2008-10-17T10:13:00.008+01:00

Welcome to a new feature of the blog – ‘Express Yourself’. I will sporadically get various artists, music makers, etc to explain a little bit about themselves, their work, their plans and hopes, and all that jazz.

First up to the chopping block is Kieran Herlihy, who kindly obliged to tell me a little bit more about his work. I blogged about Kieran’s work quite recently here, looking at his new exhibition ‘A Full Stop’, which runs at Limerick Printmakers until Thursday, October 23. Kieran received the 2007/08 Bursary Award from the Printmakers. Do check out this show.

WHERE IT ALL STARTED

“I have a younger brother and when we were trapped indoors on a wet Saturday (and had no real interest in Sports Saturday), very young and unsupervised in the sitting room, I took a crayon to the wall and took on the curtains. My cousin Tim introduced me to comics and in my early teens I was given the freedom to draw and paint on my bedroom walls; from there it went to walls outside. At school, I leaned towards the creative rather than academic subjects and if I didn’t like a class, I’d draw on the tables or t-squares for friends. So art was a habit by that stage.”

ON ART COLLEGE

“Art College happened because I had no interest in anything else when I finished school. I think when I was in school and all I did was draw, I thought if I get the opportunity to go to college, I'll go do what I love. L.S.A.D. was the best decision of my life so far. In that college I had my mind opened; I felt engaged in all subjects. It was there that I made my best friends and had so much support from the Tutors and Lecturers. L.S.A.D. was hard work and great fun. I will look back on my time there with fond memories.”

ON GETTING THE BURSARY

“Every year the Limerick Printmakers offers a one year bursary to one graduate from the print department in L.S.A.D. Also that artist is given a show at the end of their year. I was very fortunate that the Printmakers selected me, I learned a lot more this year, and they are so encouraging. Also Joe Buckley has been an amazing source of support, so I’d like to give him a mention. The Bursary award was the best way to make that transition from Art student to Artist. The fact that when I left the college I had such amazing facilities and resources at hand has made a difficult transition period a great deal easier.”

‘A FULL STOP’

"A Full Stop" is a contradictory title for my show. Most exhibitions are placed in situe, the show has an opening and then for the duration of the exhibition viewers can come view the work; the artist is seldom there and the layout of the work never changes.

With "A.F.S." the opening night was the first night of an ongoing installation. Everyday I add work, move work around, talk to the viewer making them a participant in the art, and interact with the space, the people and the materials.

I try to encourage an open dialogue between other viewers and myself. I also play with imagery, cryptic phrasing and the gallery space itself. I want the work to be accessible, engaging and playful. It’s a very organic show, always changing, and viewers come back every few days and find new things, and we always end up in different discussions on various subjects.

The work in this show was created within the last twelve months; a lot is being made in situe. I constantly make work and collect materials.”

REACTIONS

“The reactions are as varied as the people who are coming to see the installation. Some people need a little coaxing to talk, and some don’t want to talk, while some just go straight ahead. The thing I have learned from this show is to recognise who is who, how to approach them and how to get the most from people. It’s tricky but its a learning curve.”

Poetic Germans

2008-10-16T15:59:00.000+01:00

The lads at Strutt have organised a major hoedown for the bank holiday weekend, which if you are interested in soul, funk, house, techno or afrobeat, you should be covered.

They take over Dolan's on Sunday, October 26. In the Warehouse, they have Scottish duo Slam, who while never really my preferred choice of hot beverage, have left an undeniable mark on dance music over the past two decades, through their own releases, their djing worldwide, but also through their own label Soma.

What is on upstairs that night is intriguing me a little bit more. The Poets Of Rhythm are a funk/soul kinda job from Germany of all places. They've played Limerick before (summer 2007) when I was off travelling, but I've heard that they were the business. The recorded tracks on myspace have been getting numerous plays 'round here, and further investigation is definitely required (I reckon PC and Cheebah would be able to make some recommendations as to where to take this.)

Tickets are now available from Dolan's for €20, which covers both venues, and it all kicks off at 9pm, with guest djs upstairs A2DF, Paul Tarpey and Broken Funk DJs.

In the meantime, let The Poets mesmerise you with this clip from their last visit to Limerick

Double Free Diane Action

2008-10-15T16:46:00.000+01:00

That title sounds like some dodgy porn site, but in fact it is just to alert folks that Sicilian four-piece instrumental rockers Diane And The Shell are kicking off an Irish tour, with two free shows tomorrow, Thursday, October 16.

Joining them will be Cork prog-punk crossover types Jezery, no strangers to Limerick.

The first show is at 12.30pm at the Limerick Art College, and then at Baker's later on that night at 9pm. DATS are on Texan label Australian Cattlegod Records (also the Stateside home for Redneck Manifesto).

Here's what Australian Cattlegod have to say about the boyos:

"These four musicians from Catania, Italy are in love with the loudest volume of their amps and have a passion for angular and geometric, yet organic, song structures.The music brings to mind images of a lilting and sensuous dance thousands of feet above terra firma, caressing the outer limits of our atmosphere and roaring back down to earth like a jet airplane. 30,000 Feet Tarantella is a work full of moody irony, joy, and passion. Diane and the Shell illuminates a direct, powerful, and clear sound rich with allegorical metaphors, given life in haunting orchestral arrangements.The grace and sensitivity of their playing belies a maturity and wisdom far beyond their young ages.Their debut, The Red EP, churned forth progressive structures and mutant-disco provocations foreshadowing the fully realized work expressed with this release. 30,000 Feet Tarantella was recorded and mixed by Sacha Tilotta with the artistic production of Agostino Tilotta (Bellini, Uzeda) in one week of amusing and exhilarating delirium."

Jape

2008-10-14T17:19:00.000+01:00

When he first came to town playing Upstairs in Costello's many years ago (was it supporting The Microphones? I can't quite remember), he was just known as Richie from The Rednecks. Now, after releasing his third album 'Ritual' this summer, Richie Egan's Jape has become more popular than his days out with The Redneck Manifesto.

The record has been lauded with critical high-fives all-round and will surely be a nominee for next year's Choice Music Prize (although with the typical judging oddballness for the Choice, the winner will probably be The Saw Doctors new Aran sweater-infused spoken word meets grime opus)

Anyway, Jape continues to plug 'Ritual' with another trip to Limerick tomorrow night (Tuesday, 15th), bringing his gadgetry and Matt from TRM with his flowing locks amongst others along for the ride. The show happens at Upstairs at Dolan's , and will be perfect entertainment fare after Ireland stuff the Cypriots....hopefully.

To get you all kinds of worked up for this, here is the video for 'I Was A Man', directed by ace design duo M&E (Matt TRM and his good lady)

A trip to the pictures

2008-10-13T17:31:00.000+01:00

In recent times, trips to the cinema have become less and less enjoyable. People slurping mega-sized cokes, and crunching popcorn, alongside frequent chatter, and the fact that a fair percentage of the fodder dished out by Hollywood that make it to the multiplex cinemas aren't worth the admission price, all adds up to a lot of people just opting to stay at home.

However, one shining light in Limerick over the years has been the Belltable Film Club.

Kicking off tomorrow night (Tuesday, October 14), with highly acclaimed The Kite Runner (haven't seen it yet, but have only heard good things), there is a fantastic range of films on over the coming months at the Belltable's temporary home at the Red Cross Hall on Cecil Street.

All films kick off at 8pm (sharp I have noticed - real time, not Irish time); and tickets are €6. Also, there'll be no popcorn, but you can grab a drink before it starts there (although I dunno what the bar story is in Red Cross Hall - if anybody can fill me in here, that'd be much appreciated.

Lite

2008-10-10T17:17:00.000+01:00

Lite are in town Sunday...They are from Japan. They play instrumental music, post-rock I suppose. They are rather good.

They've been here twice before - I caught the first time, but was off travelling the second: the first time was a really fantastic day/night. Around September 2006 I'd guess, the new Mastadon record 'Blood Mountain' came out that day, and we met with the Lite lads prior to the show up at a friend's flat on O'Curry Street. We spoke to them, drank beers, while they replied in the very limited English they had, and didn't drink beers. It turns out that the ultra-technical four-piece don't drink before shows - they are true pros. They played a packed Boatclub, a gig so good it became a CDr (seriously - Lite: Live in Limerick). Afterwards, the band did indeed indulge in a few scoops, as some shenanigans went on 'til the wee hours.

Also on the bill are 54-71 (as with Lite, they are also from Tokyo, and on the deadly Transduction Records) and Adebisi Shank, this Sunday night at Baker's. Props to the good lads over at Organised Chaos for another quality line-up.

First up, here is a Lite Video of them playing live:

And, shag it, it's Friday, so here is this week's second dip into the "archives" for another shoddy Ryan article from a few years ago. Enjoy the weekend!

LITE, Limerick Boatclub, Friday September 8^th
By Ciarán Ryan

While Chicago and Louisville will probably be always considered the areas that spawned the math rock and post rock genres, music of a primarily instrumental rock nature has spread its wings a lot further. Look here in Ireland where The Redneck Manifesto continue to be one of the biggest "underground" acts in the country. Even look around this city and you'll see a number of bourgeoning acts trading in these circles.

However, when a new sound was been formed in the late eighties, it has hard to imagine that the instigators would have believed how far-reaching their influence would be. Take LITE for instance, a four -piece hailing from Tokyo consisting of Nobuyuki Takeda and Kozo Kusumoto on guitars, Jun Izawa on bass, and Akinori Yamamoto on drums.

Three of them were in the same band (Kusumoto being the odd one out), and as Takeda explains, there are a number of other bands on the same wavelength in Japan. "It is not as if instrumental music is mainstream in the Japanese
music scene but we seem to have quite a lot of those bands, a lot of
whom are really good. We don't have any particular band that influenced us but we
certainly got influenced by bands we played with at gigs".

After releasing two sold out self-released EPs in their native country, the band came in contact with fledgling UK label, Transduction Records, when they saw a LITE show in Tokyo. While a full-length debut ("Filmlets) is pencilled in for a release in the near future, the band have just released a self-titled mini album in the UK.

Sure, "LITE" contains many of the same facets of other instrumental releases, but the band seemed to have enough tricks up their sleeves than to be signalled out as mere copyists. Opener "Oct" crashes in with a Bob Weston-esque bassline and is met by an almost jazz-like nimbleness and stop-start staccato. More impressive still is the dual-guitar playfulness of "I Miss Seeing All", which later hints of elements of prog while bringing to mind the likes of Don Caballero. By the time the final of the five tracks, "Past Three Days", grows on you, the more pensive side of LITE emerges and they create a soundscape equal to that of some of Unwed Sailor's finest moments.

Takeda does not have any problem with comparisons to other bands, and knows the perceived notions of instrumental music. However, he is keen to rightly point out that LITE do offer something essentially different. "By using fewer instruments we can take a lots of different approaches to making our music. Yes, we could have a singer but we are into instrumental music and don't yet feel any kind of limitations".

While the band are only edging onto the radar on this side of the world, they have built up a significant fanbase in their home country. Their most recent single, "Human Gift" even managed to top the college radio charts there this June. College Radio has probably been most successful in the United States in breaking many bands, and it seems that it is playing an extremely important role in Japan, according to Takeda. "College radio in Japan represents the subculture at the moment. For people turning up at our gigs and buying our stuff, we are just so happy that our music is heard and seen by real people".

Now, LITE get to bring their music to more "real people" when they embark on their first UK and Irish tour.

Katie Kim/ Creeping Nobodies

2008-10-09T09:13:00.000+01:00

First up, anybody who made it down to Bakers last night for Creeping Nobodies got themselves a wee treat - part SY, part Sleater-Kinney (and various riot grrl acts), and totally art-rock (ah, that genre of vagueness that you can use anytime you want).

Picked up a record from them afterwards called 'Augurs & Auspices' - the name alone is promising...I can report back later on the quality if anybody is interested.

Couple of quick observations:
1) a small enough turn-out, which wasn't that surprising considering it was a) Limerick, and b)a Wednesday night.
2) Why do people leave Bakers, and just spend their time in the smoking room? There was a mass exodus from the Underground after support band Laminate Reno, and the majority of people didn't seem to resurface for the Creeping Nobodies
3) Shut up!!! I've never expressed Nazi-esque tactics over years of going to gigs when people start talking, or have never gone "ssssssh", but last night I got close. As it turned out, about 7 or 8 people stayed to actually "watch" the band. It was very visible who we were, as we were on the dancefloor part. However, some twits behind me had the loudest conversation, full of giggling and whatnot, completely in view of the band. It was a conversation that should have happened out in the smoking zone.

Anyway, rant over...

Tonight, at the same venue down Tait Square, Katie Kim plays with Waterford outfit Deaf Animal Orchestra. Can't admit to knowing much about DAO, but the mighty Donal Dineen played a couple of tracks from Katie Kim, and she sounds good.

There isn't much else on in town, unless Mary Black is your thing (playing the Warehouse).

The youtube clips were a bit crap, so don't bother; listen to the tunes on myspace instead.

Mamuska Back This Friday

2008-10-08T10:18:00.002+01:00

Hey you....fancy a bit of culture?

Well, the quite popular Mamuska nights return to Limerick on Friday night at their home in the Daghdha Space (John's Square).

In honour of this event, I've dipped into the archives, and found a badly written article I did back a few years ago on Mamuska. Read it and weep.
_________________________________________________

Mamuska Night, Daghdha Space, St John's Square, Friday 2nd June
By Ciarán Ryan

In the cultural haven that is the Daghdha Space, a group of performers and curious spectators alike have been gathering every second month for a night where dance, installations and music are thrown into the melting pot.

This Friday will see the final Mamuska night of its second season at its St. John's Square home.

"Mamuska" initially developed in a studio in UL, but according to Daghdha Dance Company's Head of Programming Davide Terlingo, they saw the move to the city venue as providing more access to the wider community. "It is an open performers night, where the aim is to blur the barriers between the audience and the performers. We see it as a shared environment", Davide explains.

To this end, audiences are invited to take a more active role in the performances, where the theme of "experimentation" runs throughout. Key to the night's success has been that the company does not tend to regurgitate previous materials and performances, keeping each night fresh for audience and performers alike. The format of the night also has an inherent advantage, Davide believes. "All performances last between five and ten minutes, and there are plenty of other things going on. People can go look at the visuals, or have a drink and chat with their friends. It's not for a specialist audience".

Audience numbers at the Mamuska Night have ranged from 150 to 300, proving that the night does not contain any form of an elitist remit. "We find that most of the people who come to Mamuska don't usually go to dance performances. I think a lot of people feel safe and comfortable when they are here", says Davide. It would appear that comfort is easily provided in the form of bean-bags, which are left out for audience members who really want to relax.

This will be Mamuska's last performance of its current season, but it will be reappearing after the summer. With a night that manages to balance the artistic and the accessible, it perhaps should not be that surprising that the name of the night comes from a film. However, the film in question may be of surprise, as it sees Daghdha keeping away from any high-brow connotations, as Davide explains.

"I was watching The Addams Family, and there is a part where Uncle Fester goes missing. They organise this ball where the extended family is all invited, and they do his traditional Addams dance, which is called "Mamuska"!"

Who are we to complain, as it provides a more than apt name for what Mamuska is about.

____________________________________________________

In the meantime, here is some copy and paste guff from their site:

Mamuska Limerick is back revealing a taste of the vibrant arts scene in Limerick. Mamuska Limerick, in partnership with Mamuska Nights, is a performance event in which local, national and international artists present their work. The format remains the same, for this legendary event which continues to inspire both artists and audience with its unique flavour and format built around informality and a true sense of artistic experimentation. The performed works are selected on a first come, first served basis which makes each Mamuska Limerick one of risk taking, inspiration, artistry and fun.

Daghdha invites you to the Daghdha Space to chat, listen and gorge on new ideas, playful imaginings and curious experiments. Mamuska Limerick – ‘Harvest’ offers a feast of ripe ideas so indulge yourself on the latest crop of dance, performance, film, sound art and music.

RSAG

2008-10-07T09:43:00.000+01:00

Rarely Seen Above Ground, aka RSAG, aka Kilkenny-lad Jeremy Hickey, gives his new album Organic Sampler the plugging treatment tomorrow (Wednesday) night when he stops off in Limerck.

Hickey plays Trinity Rooms. If you haven't seen him just yet, this is well worth checking out. If you have seen him, just ignore the next paragraph.

Basically, RSAG live is Hickey doing drums and vocals, with the backing tracks all recorded (though played by Hickey initially) However, it looks COOL, as silhouettes of Hickey playing those other instruments appear in the visuals behind and to the side of him, making it a more multimedia experience. Nice.

However, none of this would be much cop if there were absolutely no tunes to back it up; it would actually just be a mere novelty. Thankfully, Hickey has some decent tunes in his back pocket, very much evident on his debut album with the electronic label Psychonavigation Records. I reckon every review (well, every one I have seen) has mentioned his David Byrne-esque yelp, and sure, it is very much there. Also, check out his love of afrobeat throughout.

Check in on his myspace page, and guess what? His two top influences are Fela Kuti and Talking Heads....no shit, Sherlock. Oh yeah, drum-enthusiasts - he is good, really good. All that you guys hear are drums anyway, so you are gonna be all over this like a rat on cheese.

Good stuff all 'round.

Here is a short video clip:

A Full Stop

2008-10-06T10:22:00.000+01:00

Managed to drop into Limerick Printmakers over the weekend to check out 'A Full Stop' , a new exhibition from Kieran Herlihy

Some fantastic works from this young Limerick-based artist, who was awarded the 2007/08 Bursary Award from Limerick Printmakers Studio & Gallery, after graduating from LSAD last year. The exhibition is the culmination of the year's work since.

On top of drawing, painting, etc, Herlihy's penchant for graffiti art can also be seen in many of the works, and he uses objects found to paint or draw on - for instance, a door is used for one piece, another piece uses what looks like some kind of large can/cylinder type-thing, not unlike one of these (without the glass of beer), but probably completely different to that.

Argh, I'm no good at describing art, so just read the blurb here.

Kieran, who seemed like a pleasant chap when I dropped by, will be around, and adding to the exhibition, as it runs until October 23rd, so do check it out.

First Friday - Recommendations

2008-10-03T09:22:00.000+01:00

Ok, so the first Friday of ever month, I will throw out a few recent recommendations of things pricking my ears up of late. Some of them will be new, and others will be just bits that I've discovered. It will be generally one of the few non-Limerick related posts per months.

Adebisi Shank's new album 'This Is The Album Of A Band Called Adebisi Shank" may be brief, but is an absolute stonker. They play Bakers on October 12th, supporting LITE.

The An Taobh Tuathail compilation Volume 2 has been getting quite a few spins of late. Acts I already know and love like Mice Parade and Somadrone feature, but the likes of Susanna & The Magical Orchestra are new to me. Perfect record for the late night listen, like the radio show of the same name.

Brian Eno & David Byrne may be back with a new album, but at the start of September, I finally picked up My Life In The Bush Of Ghosts. Released in 1981, this has got everything on it; truly amazing album, and you can see that 27 years later, there are still bands copying them. Vampire Weekend, where did your interest in world music stem from, eh?!
There is a lot of info on this site about the record, including some clips. I feel like an idiot that it took me so long to get this.

Finally, TV On The Radio have just unleashed their latest album - 'Dear Science'... I've only got through one sitting of this so far - it seems a wee bit bananas, a little less polished than 'Return To Cookie Mountain', and yes, do believe the hyperbole about this one - it sounds deadly so far.

Here's a video for 'Dancing Choose'

And here is the same song, in a frankly weird appearance on Letterman. Good ol' Dave has to look at the record sleeve again to make sure he got the album title right.

Collisions

2008-10-02T11:46:00.000+01:00

Tomorrow night sees the opening of a new exhibition of works from three Limerick artists, entitled "Collisions", at the Georgian House on Pery Square.

The artists in question are Niamh Ni Bhuigleir, David Slade and Louisa Donnelly.

While the opening is tomorrow (Friday October 3) at 7pm, it will be running up until October 17, so there is plenty of time to see it.

More info here on the copy and paste bit:

With backgrounds in Art, Film and Graphic Design the trio present a diverse body of work that incorporates photography and collage as well as painting. This unique exhibition will be officially opened by Denise Ryan

Mid-Week Madness - Electronique

2008-10-01T17:24:00.000+01:00

Update - The below post is a little bit irrelevant now, as it turns out that Electronique has to be cancelled next week. Apparently, Daffy's are undergoing renovations at the moment. Shame they didn't inform everybody else before they broke open the tins of Dulux. Hopefully, there'll be some Electronique action soon though.
_________________________________________________________________
Next Wednesday (not today), but Wednesday October 8 has a host of good things happening. Now, we can be thankful for students in Limerick coming back, as they are the only ones with money these days!

Not only is there that Creeping Nobodies gig mentioned below, and Manchester fiddler Dezi Donnelly is in town at Dolan's, but it also marks the second night of the monthly Electronique nights at Daffy's Basement on Catherine Street.

This is worth checking out - first up, it is free; secondly, it is offering a range of "diverse electronic beats" which, let's face it, you probably won't find anywhere else in the city; and finally, it has djs from some of the guys responsible for Limerick's longest running drum n' bass night, Nu Killa Beats.

Code and Bee will be dishing out the tunes.

(Here's Bee doing said dishing out of tunes)
Here's the copy and paste part:

This new night kicked off in September aiming to cover new territories as far as the cities sound transmissions are concerned. Code and Bee took to the controls on a mission to make Daffy’s basement a home for under-appreciated beats of the dubstep and techno variety. The Dj’s admit to being unsure that the crowd would respond favourably to the experimental vibe on offer but the success of the opening night has encouraged them to take a monthly excursion with their sound-system to the Catherine Street venue. The popularity of new music technology courses in local colleges is partly responsible for giving this injection of interest in esoteric electronica but it is also clear that many who attended the debut night welcomed the novelty of having somewhere to dance outside of the weekend.

Wednesday the 8^th of October is the date for the next instalment. Expect to hear Aphex Twin, Jeff Mills, Burial, Digital Mystikz, Boxcutter, Carl Craig, LFO, The Future Sound Of London and other electronic music luminaries in the mix.

The vibe will be chilled enough early in the night and the more tacky shakin' beats will get played towards the end. So, come on down and check out a slightly different sound to what you are used to hearing out and about in Limerick.

It all kicks off at half nine. Worth checkin' for sure.

Tonight, Wednesday October 1, if you are not watching the 'Pool against PSV (I have this weird feeling it could be a struggle), the good burgers from Limerick Jazz Society have the Mark McKnight Quintet in town, Upstairs in Dolan's.

Creeping Nobodies

2008-09-30T14:38:00.000+01:00

Toronto-based experimental rock mob The Creeping Nobodies play Limerick next week - October 8th to be exact.

Gotta say I didn't know much about these guys until about a day or so ago, but a couple of tunes from them on their myspace are fairly handy - check "Your Likeness"

Here is them doing an instore at Soundscapes in Toronto, a shop I once spent too much money in

The gig is put on by the folks at Pure Sound (see post below), who are already making themselves fairly busy; it'll be underground at Baker Place. Door tax is €7, with support TBC, and DJs afterwards.

Pure Fun

2008-09-26T13:52:00.001+01:00

Yet another music collective has started in Limerick. Can only be a good thing.

Pure Sound include the likes of Don from End/fin/dead, and Síle in their collective.

According to their myspace page, their aims are simple:
"We want to bring Limerick back to its days of glory in which the fantastic AMC were running the show, and place Limerick firmly on the music map."

Their inagural event takes place tomorrow night, Saturday September 27, in Baker Place. Upstairs it is live music with Kerry/Cork hybrid Heliopause, local riff-mongers Sea Dog, and Last Days Of Death Country, which show a more intense side to niceguy singer-songwriter Pa O'Brien. Man, he can hit some notes.

Downstairs (Underground) Itchy and Johnny Doobs are spinning tunes. Word has it that it is gonna be a four-deck set. I may have misheard that though......

Entry is €10, and covers both floors. Best of luck to all involved.

Here is Sea Dog, giving it socks, in the Underground last year, with the best Megadeth-inspired song-title of all time - Cave Mustaine.

Milosh for Belltable date

2008-09-25T15:00:00.000+01:00

Just noticed over at the State blog that Canadian electronica artist Milosh is stopping off at Limerick on a mini Irish tour, with Chequerboard, aka Dubliner John Lambert.

Strangely, this is yet to go on the Belltable's own website, so I don't know who is putting on this show. I'm guessing it may be somehow related to Donal Dineen, as he curated the Body & Soul compound at Electric Picnic, and was involved with a show in the Belltable last November, with Si Schroeder & others.

Either way, it should make for an interesting performance on Monday, October 27th. Milosh trades in a nice, downtempo, dreamy-kind of electronica, with soft vocals. Quite like Dntel in a way, and they share the same label - the ace Plug Research.

UPDATE: As the folks at Cheebah have rightly pointed out, The Belltable will actually be closed for renovations when this happens. It seems that Belltable shows will be on at the Red Cross Hall on Cecil Street in the interim.

Check out Milosh in video below, with visuals from the aforementioned Mr Dineen in Cork last year

and also a video here:

Gaslamp Killer

2008-09-24T14:24:00.000+01:00

Word has it that this dude is gonna be doing a dj set in Limerick sometime in November.

Check him out with Flying Lotus at SXSW:

Things are looking up..

2008-09-23T17:28:00.000+01:00

{Prologue:

Ok....so I'd feel like it is a bit silly to have my name on the top.

For the moment, I'm gonna go with Circa: Now! as it is also the name of a pretty deadly album from Rocket From The Crypt.
}

After a serious lack of decent shows in Limerick of late, the return of the student community seems to have upped the ante gig-wise.

Local engineer, enviromentalist and solo performer in his own right, Mark O'Connor is giving the two fingers to the much talked of recession, with Recessionfest '08.

O'Connor's theory is that if one looks at history, economic downturns and general bad vibes have generally had a positive impact on all aspects of art, particularly music. With that in mind, this Friday (September 26th), his band along with Dryad's Saddle, aka Garry Carroll, and Squint & Draw play Bakers. It's unknown as of yet whether profits made on the night will be spent on stocking up on canned food.

Also, coming up, the Organised Chaos crew have a plethora of really good shows coming up, with the likes of Cats & Cats & Cats, Hooray For Humans (ahem, conflict of interest), Lite and Adebisi Shank all stopping by town. I've just listened to the new Adebisi record and it sounds savage so far.

Finally, Alasdair Roberts plays Dolan's on October 20th, a Monday night. He played about six or seven years ago upstairs in Costello's under the moniker of Appendix Out, and it was wonderful.

More info on those gigs soon.

In the meantime, here's a vid from LITE.

Tweaking into a whole new era....

2008-09-19T09:39:00.000+01:00

*This article originally appeared in the Limerick Independent*

Running a festival which encompassed performances and workshops dealing with such ideas as sound-art, interactive media and digital technologies, and electronic music, would certainly not have been plausible until very recently.

Times are changing, and as quick as one can blurt out “holy smokes”, a new festival has landed on our doorstep. Tweak is coming to Limerick, and is undeniably one of the most multi-faceted events to have take place within this realm in not just this city, but the country.

While most people were trying to get over eating too much pudding last Christmas, Nora O’ Murchú came back to work on her Phd at UL revitalised after her holidays, and with plans of running a festival.

“I was trying to explore a couple of alternative avenues in Limerick, and I have a huge love for digital art and wanted to bring that to Limerick city as well,” she explains.

Considering that there are now Masters courses in Interactive Media and Music Technology in UL, and numerous design courses in UL and LSAD, Nora agrees that Limerick is ripe for an event of this stature: “The course-work that’s going on in UL and the Art College is quite reflective of what is going on in Tweak.”

Last February, she started lobbying a number of different people from different disciplines for help, namely Jürgen Simpson and Robin Parmar of Soundings, Sean Taylor at the Art College, and designer/photographer Dave Gilligan, and was met by common enthusiasm.

“I just thought visually I could do a lot to help, and I think myself and Nora had pretty much the same idea once we started to talk about it. From there, it was the usual design process – deciding what we wanted to say and how we wanted to say that,” says Dave

“There was total freedom - we worked closely together, but we were quite consistent in the approach we had to it,” he adds.

Of course, coming up for the name for anything like this can be one of the more perplexing parts of the jigsaw. However, something stuck in Gilligan’s head: “One thing I kept coming back to was where if you’d be djing, producing, sampling, or anything like that; you’d have knobs and dials - things that you’d tweak.”

The workshops element, taking in everything from circuit bending to hacking, and all in between, kicks off on Monday (September 22), and runs all week at the Limerick School of Art and Design.

An open call online for submission proved quite fruitful. “Submissions came from all over the world. We had artwork from Israel, Japan and the States, and workshops from places like Berlin and France. The reaction has been phenomenal, and I didn’t quite expect to get so much feedback straight away. Within two weeks, we pretty much had the programme laid out,” admits Nora.

“We had themes that we wanted to bring into the festival, and we had a few people in mind, so we approached them straight away, which happened with the likes of Digital Slaves and France Cadett,” she adds.

The locations Tweak use are all city-based, which Nora stresses was pretty crucial:

“It is definitely a festival for Limerick City. It is open to the public and the majority of the festival is free. It’s important that people know that it is not just for students.”

Exhibitions will be around the city also, with one particular one hosting five artists at the Istabraq Hall at Limerick City Hall. “They are quite interesting pieces, I think a lot of people will get a kick out of them,” says O’ Murchú.

The nightly talks and performances start on Tuesday night at Trinity Rooms (September 23), with a Noise Night, album launch party for Corrugated Tunnel, Norman Jay, and Candela Sound System all appearing at the Granary venue during the week. The only ticketed event is the Tweak After Party on Saturday night at the Boathouse on Sarsfield Bridge.

One of the key events of the festival is on Thursday night (September 25) at Daghdha, with Soundings curating a line-up.

Robin Parmar of Soundings explains: “It has a lot of different components. Lyric FM co-sponsors a prize every year called the Diffusion prize. It is for young composers, under thirty-five years of age, and it’s for multi-channel, surround-sound compositions. We will be presenting the three winners.”

On top of that, previous winner Lucas Fagin will be showcasing his work, UL’s Kerry Hagan will perform a piece, and esteemed composer and writer of numerous texts, Trevor Wishart will give a talk and performance. “He is amazing for anybody who wants to get into electro-acoustic music and express themselves in a different way, without using formal music notation,” says Robin, visibly excited.

While the music will be playback music, Robin is quick to point out that they will “have the best multi-channel audio speaker system you’re going to ever hear and it puts you right in the middle of the sounds.”

While it has been a hectic process organising the festival, Nora acknowledges that it wouldn’t have been possible without the support of Patricia Moriarty, the Department of CSIS and the Interaction Design Centre at UL, and Joe Clarke at the Trinity Rooms, amongst others.

And it seems, eyes are already set on a potential Tweak 2009. “Tweak is unique in Ireland and we hope to take it further from here. Hopefully we’ll be able to do it again next year, bigger and better,” says Dave Gilligan.

Tweak runs at various locations around Limerick from Monday, September 22 to Saturday September 27. Tickets for the After Party are available from Empire Records (priced €10). More information from www.tweak.ie

All good things come to an end || Tweak || Crude

2008-09-15T11:44:00.000+01:00

First up, next week will be my last column with the Limerick Independent. Recession bites!
With the exception of a four month break last year while travelling, I have been with the paper since day one, so I will miss doing the weekly piece for them.

However, it may actually mean that I use this as some kind of a blog, rather than a giant ad for work I'm doing. I'll try and keep the focus as Limerick as possible, although the folks at Cheebah do a far superior job at that.

A couple of things well worth checking out however are:

1) Tweak Festival is coming to town. This will be running from Monday 22 to Saturday 27 September, encompassing workshops, performances, talks and exhibitions, with a focus on "new interactive art and live electronic music." It's a really smashing line-up, with an obvious highlight for many being the appearance of Trevor Wishart.

I also plan on doing some recordings for a forthcoming radio documentary on this, and of course, you can check this week's Limerick Indo for a lot more info.

Props to Nora O'Murchú and her team, including the Soundings lads and Dave Gilligan for putting this together. Check out the site, and then check out the events.

2) [Crude] magazine is a new magazine coming to Limerick, published by Shane Serrano.
It's great to see young people (I hope that doesn't sound patronising - he is only four years younger than me) take a risk and dip their feet into print media, particularly with the currenty gloomy economic climate. However, there seems to be a good plan behind this, and it's limited edition (1,000 copies/bi-monthly) run may be another attraction for magazine completists. The internet can't completely take over, right?? I will probably be submitting a few columns to this as well.

Sounds From Beyond The Mainstream

2008-08-25T15:28:00.000+01:00

May as well use this to link to one or two recent bits in Limerick Independent.

Article from last week on An Taobh Tuathail, the ace RnaG show, that are launching their second compilation disc.

The Hitchhikers Guide To The South-West

2008-08-25T15:15:00.000+01:00

So, Mark "Franco" Keane and myself have completed our hitching odyssey, and the fruits of this labour will be squeezed into fifty-two minutes of radio, for SPIN South West.

The journey was great fun, bringing us on the following route:
Borris-In-Ossory - Toomevara - Nenagh - Limerick - Sixmilebridge - Quin - Ennis - Lissycassey - Kilimer Ferry - Tarbert - Listowel - Tralee - Dingle.

The exact date for broadcast hasn't yet been set, but will update when we know.

On a side note, this documentary also features some music snippets from the likes of:
Sufjan Stevens, Midlake, Looper, Mum, LCD Soundsystem, American Analog Set, Efterklang, The Notwist, and er, Roger Waters.

The Famine Is Over

2008-07-11T14:10:00.000+01:00

The Famine Is Over was broadcast on June 4th on Tipp Fm. You can listen online to it also.

It includes contributions from Tipperary supporters and hurling legends like Pat Fox, Donie O'Connell, Michael Doyle, Babs Keating, Richie Stakelum, and this man:

Other Recent/Upcoming Projects

2008-04-28T13:02:00.000+01:00

Here is a quick rundown on a few recent bits n' pieces:

'Flying Clippers: Flying Boats From Foynes To Newfoundland' was broadcast on Friday March 28th, on West Limerick 102 .
Thanks to all who helped on this production, both sides of the Atlantic. Once I figure out technology properly, I will add some audio to this site. This documentary might actually be broadcast in Canada too soon - watch this space....

'State' Magazine - Doing a few review bits for State, a new Irish monthly mag about to hit Issue #3. Also check their blog out for regular updates, including this interview with Vampire Weekend from ages ago...

SPIN South West - will be producing a documentary this summer for SPIN entitled 'The Hitchikers Guide To The South-West', which will see Mark Keane and myself hitch from Borris-In-Ossary to Dingle...yikes. Also recently spent a month as fill-in presenter with SPIN Talk, which I must admit was a lot of fun.

Limerick Independent - check in on Limerick Indo's site and paper weekly for update entertainment features.

'From Limerick To Lusaka' - I will be in Zambia at the end of May/start of June making a six-part series for Wired FM, looking at how Irish aid has helped the country. These programmes will be broadcast from October onwards.

'Creameries Of West Limerick' - production of this six-part series will commence in late August/early September. More info to follow....

The Famine Is Over

2008-04-28T12:49:00.000+01:00

This summer Tipp FM will be broadcasting a new documentary, entitled ‘The Famine Is Over’.

A one-off programme one-hour in length, it will be about that fateful day in Killarney in 1987 when pride was brought back to the Tipp jersey following the monumental Munster Final replay win over Cork.

The programme will feature players, officials, and experts recounting their experiences of the day itself, the fixtures that led up to it, and the impact it would have on the renaissance experienced in Tipperary hurling over the coming years.

Fans of The Premier County who can recall the match and everything that surrounded it, regardless of whether they were ten or sixty years old at the time, are invited to take part in the programme also. Their emotions as the game progressed, the reaction from the rest of the crowd, the nerves, and indeed the celebrations at the end will all be focussed on.

Radio Producer/Journalist Ciarán Ryan, a native of Newport, will produce the documentary, and it will be supported by the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland’s Sound & Vision Scheme, as well as Tipp FM.

Fans interested in being interviewed for the programme are asked to contact Ciarán via email at ciarandryan [at] gmail [dot] com and to include a brief paragraph (about 100-150 words) on what they recall from that day.

The programme is tentatively scheduled for broadcast on Saturday, June 7, the day before Tipp play Cork yet again in the Munster Championship, albeit this time a Semi-Final.