Jun

30

Shotgun rock NICCY launch at Oh Yeah

June 30, 2009 | Leave a Comment

Shotgun at Oh Yeah with NICCYLarne rock band Shotgun pose with Patricia Lewsley, Commissioner for Children and Young People, at a special under-18 gig at Oh Yeah Music Centre, Belfast to help launch the strangely named NICCY campaign “Here we are… Nowhere”. The online campaign aims to encourage young people to interact with the NICCY website about “what is good and bad to do” [sic] in their area. Pictured left-to-right: Shotgun drummer Pete Jones, bassist Connah Sutherland, der commissar Patricia Lewsley, vocalist Bobbie Garrett, guitarist Mark Jamison.

Jun

28

Iain Archer, Andy White teach songwriting

June 28, 2009 | Leave a Comment

UK Songwriting FestivalUlster songwriters Iain Archer and Andy White are just two of the guest tutors at the sixth UK Songwriting Festival taking place at Bath Spa University, Avon in mid-August. The 5-day curriculum comprises daily lectures and workshops dealing with the process of songwriting; practical sessions covering specific techniques (making lyrics singable, chorus construction, using imagery, melodic shaping, applying music theory, chord change frequencies, composing with guitar/keyboard) or more general writing tools (beating writer’s block, editing your material, avoiding plagiarism, using visuals as inspiration). Booking is now open.

Jun

28

New vocal school in East Belfast

June 28, 2009 | Leave a Comment

A new vocal school has opened in East Belfast. The Vox Rox Vocal Academy offers singing lessons and voice training to students of all ages and abilities, and covers aspects of live performance including presentation, confidence and voice maintenance. The new school specialises in singing lessons for rock, pop and musical theatre, performance coaching and public speaking. Each student is given a comprehensive vocal health programme and structured lessons tailored to suit their individual needs. New students are taught warm-up and breathing techniques and key issues are identified from the get-go. Examinations are available on request through the Rockschool. Contact: nicky_jamison@live.co.uk +447545 316-690 +44790 716-0121

Jun

28

Belfast gospel choir seeks voices

June 28, 2009 | Leave a Comment

Belfast Community Gospel Choir is growing. The choir seeks new singers for its Winter programme. Open auditions are being held in Belfast on Tuesday, August 18 at 7pm at Christian Fellowship Church, Holywood Road. Applicants should prepare an uncomplicated short song to sing unaccompanied before an audition panel of 3 people. Bring a friend? Apply here http://bcgc.biz/apply.php

Jun

28

Walking tall at Komodo Recordings

June 28, 2009 | Leave a Comment

Alwyn Walker is a music producer with a studio skill-set and word-of-mouth reputation that keeps him busy these days. Walker is presently working with an unnamed local act at his Komodo Recordings base, a modern studio situated just outside Hillsborough, near Belfast. Other up-and-coming Ulster groups Walker has worked with recently include Furlo (Derry), Overoth (Newtownards), Ended 31st from Carrickfergus, and Nectar (Armagh). More heavy metal bands from other provinces of Ireland also feature in Walker’s resume: For Ruin (Cork), As Sinners Fall (Kildare), and Chosen (Mullingar).

Jun

25

Michael Jackson, 1958-2009

June 25, 2009 | Leave a Comment

Michael JacksonThe late Michael Jackson’s triumph and tragedy is charted in these re-published interviews on rock’sbackpages by Phil Symes (1972), Mick Brown (1984), Ian Penman (1993), Barney Hoskyns (1998), and Charles Shaar Murray (2003) .

To record your condolences visit GoneTooSoon.org

Jun

10

Mel Wiggins talks to UlsterMusic.com

June 10, 2009 | Leave a Comment

Mel Wiggins - My Brothers KeeperChanteuse Mel Wiggins plays a series of summer shows to promote her new EP “My Brothers Keeper” kicking off at Blick Studios on Belfast’s Malone Road on Friday, June 5. Reporting exclusively for UlsterMusic.com, Iain Todd enjoys a private audience with Mrs. Wiggins: There is a hidden gem right in the centre of Belfast. It’s called Blick Studios on Belfast’s salubrious Malone Road and, if you’re like me, you will probably have passed it countless times without knowing that it is there. I was lucky enough to come upon it last Saturday [June 5 - ed] when I went there to hear Mel Wiggins sing and promote her new 4-track EP, “My Brother’s Keeper“. It’s a great debut record and really shows off the effortlessness of Mel’s voice, which the acoustic-driven, relaxed accompaniment enables to sound raw and unique. There are some other great elements to the EP as well, like the brass section on the opening track, Simplified, and the double bass intro on Heart As Your Home. Arriving early, I was able to have a chat with Mel in the beautiful interior of Blick Studios. Read more

Jun

10

Try write the winning song

June 10, 2009 | Leave a Comment

City of SongCo. Londonderry based music events promoter Music55-7 in association with independent record label Smalltown America has announced a competition for a new song to showcase at the City of Song Festival from September 25-27, 2009. The song can be in any style and the organisers encourage entries from: singer-songwriters; non-preforming songwriters; bands/ensembles. The winning song will be recorded and performed at the City of Song Festival itself in the City of Derry. Good luck, citizen(s)!

Jun

10

Revivor launch second album

June 10, 2009 | Leave a Comment

Revivor - The Nemesis ProjectDark progressive rock duo Revivor release their second self-produced CD/DD album on their own Revivor Records label on June 22, 2009. [the CD is also available via CD Baby - ed]. The live band launch their new album with a hometown party upstairs in the Dungloe Bar, Derry on Thursday, June 18. Recorded at the band’s own Garshooey Studios, “The Nemesis Project” is described as dense, raw and disturbing - for fans of Rush, King Crimson, Tool and Porcupine Tree. Revivor comprises longtime collaborators Bill Vail (bass, drums, percussion and vocals) and Des Doherty (guitars). Stylistically, “The Nemesis Project” picks up where their debut album “Truth or Consequences” left off… More http://www.revivor.org

May

21

Chrome Horse - EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

May 21, 2009 | 1 Comment

Chrome Horse logoReporting exclusively for UlsterMusic.com, Iain Todd takes a shine to the rocking Chrome Horse… It seems that there are two kinds of bands in this world: the ones who exist in order to seemingly squeeze every penny out of their music and out of the people who listen to it, and the ones who exist in order to write and perform their own music for whoever wants to listen. Chrome Horse [their album, Songs From The Last Revolution, is available for download at http://www.chromehorse.cc - ed] are luckily in the latter group and, without an ounce of hyperbole, also happen to be the best unsigned Northern Irish band I have ever seen. Read more

May

21

New Irish Choir and Orchestra

May 21, 2009 | Leave a Comment

New Irish ArtsKeith Getty, Kirstyn Getty, Stuart Townend, and the New Irish Choir & Orchestra play the Millennium Forum Theatre in Londonderry on Sunday, June 21, 2009, commencing at 7.45pm. Founded in 1994 by composer and hymn-writer Keith Getty and now led by Artistic Director, Jonathan Rea, the New Irish Choir & Orchestra is a group of Christian musicians that plays to audiences in the main concert venues across Ireland. The group has also worked with Moya Brennan, Bluetree, Matt Redman, Joanne Hogg and Yazz. They also perform regularly on BBC and RTE radio and television. Tickets from William Houston, tel: 07714 989-345 or Millennium Forum, tel: 028 7126-4455. More: http://www.newirisharts.com

May

21

Blues on the Bay: May 21-25

May 21, 2009 | Leave a Comment

The Blues on the Bay music festival hits Warrenpoint again this year for it’s 11th anniversary. Steadily gaining popularity over the years, the festival has grown somewhat, with this year’s festival showcasing over 90 events and 42 acts. International acts from as far as the USA will perform and local talent from around the country are a main feature of this year’s festival. Live music is played early through to late evening in most venues. The festival takes place over the May bank holiday - May 21-25 - and Warrenpoint offers the festival a beautiful setting. Most of the events are free of charge. For more information visit www.bluesonthebay.co.uk

May

16

The Lowly Knights to play Forfey Festival

May 16, 2009 | Leave a Comment

The Lowly KnightsNouveau folk-rock band The Lowly Knights have revealed plans to play two festivals this summer - Forfey Festival August 7, and Castle Palooza - after a few months lull of in live work. Following a very busy first half of 2009, the band has instead been spending time focused on writing and recording new material. The new studio material, slated for release this autumn, will be the band’s latest since their breakthrough EP “The Rifles” issued a year ago. The band say that they’re excited about appearing on the bill of Forfey Festival, one of their favourite music events of the year.  Matt Minford, the promoter behind Forfey, says that this year’s boutique performing arts festival will be bigger and better than before. [if anyone is interested in volunteering, contact Matt at forfeyfestival@gmail.com - ed]. Stop-Wordpress: The Lowly Knights might also play this year’s Castle Palooza in Co. Offaly.Stay tuned to UlsterMusic.com

May

16

Coach-fella trucks punters

May 16, 2009 | Leave a Comment

Local transport hero John is running buses to these concerts: http://www.coachestoconcerts.co.uk
[sadly, no coaches to this concert. maybe next year, eh John? - ed]

May

16

WaTunes: free digital distribution for bands, labels

May 16, 2009 | Leave a Comment

WaTunesWaTunes now offers a free music distribution service called WaTunesfree with no up-front fees and no royalty slice. WaTunes promises to distribute MP3s to iTunes, Amazon’s MP3 store, Rhapsody, and eMusic. Read more

May

16

Dave Glover

May 16, 2009 | Leave a Comment

Dave GloverDance band leader and jazz musician Dave Glover - who regularly played showband gigs at ballrooms around Ireland during the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s, including the Arcadia in Portrush and the Floral Hall at Bellevue - has passed away at the age of 85. More about trumpeter, “big Davy Glover” here and here: News Letter, Belfast Telegraph, Irish News.

May

16

Music Meetup: May 20, 2009

May 16, 2009 | Leave a Comment

Music Meetups are designed to allow anyone involved in the Northern Ireland music industry to network with other like-minded individuals. You might be a musician looking for others to collaborate with, or a band needing contacts, a manager, a studio person, a promoter or anything else related. The date for the next meetup is May 20 at the Spring and Airbrake, Belfast. The previous Q&A session about booking tours was a great success. Join the group on facebook

May

2

Summersong 2009: singers bootcamp

May 2, 2009 | Leave a Comment

Summersong 2009Directed by singer and presenter Fil Campbell, Summersong 2009 is an intensive 5-day course for aspiring singers (minimum age 14) into any style of music. The goals of this annual course, now in its 10th year, are:  to build confidence; improve performance; prepare for auditions/exams; record a demo CD; and prepare a press pack. Applications must be in by June 6. The course runs Monday-Thursday, July 6-9, from 9am-6pm; the venue is Rostrevor Lecture Hall. More: http://www.summersong.co.uk Read more

May

2

Music sales slide despite MP3s

May 2, 2009 | Leave a Comment

European Recorded Music SalesThe gobal music industry is still “overly-dependent” on selling music in physical formats - CD and vinyl. Some 75 percent of global sales are still physical, against just 4 percent digital. That compares to 80 percent physical versus 10 percent digital in Europe. But according to yearly data from the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry [IFPI - ed] physical music sales across Europe are diminishing more rapidly - and the shortfall in revenue is not being made up by sales of equivalent digital downloads. Read more

May

2

Journal of Music in Ireland re-launched

May 2, 2009 | 1 Comment

First published in 2000, Irish music magazine The Journal Of Music in Ireland [JMI - ed] was re-launched on April 1, 2009 as The Journal of Music. Aimed towards an international readership seeking an intelligent but accessible read on musical life today, The Journal of Music brings together contemporary classical, traditional and jazz in one magazine.  According to editor Toner Quinn: “The journal has been been re-imagined. We are bringing the editorial approach we developed in the JMI to an international readership. Our approach is simple: intelligent writing, across all genres.” The Journal of Music is supported by the Arts Council of Ireland/An Chomhairle Ealaíon and Údarás na Gaeltachta. The entire archive of the JMI is now freely available on http://thejmi.com. Editor’s e-mail: toner@journalofmusic.com


May

2

The Celtic Music Agency

May 2, 2009 | Leave a Comment

The Celtic Music Agency claims to be “one of its kind”, offering a unique selection of the finest Irish musicians, duos, soloists, 4-piece Ceili bands, fiddlers, piper’s, and dancers - anything in the genre of Irish entertainment. Many of its performers are former all-Ireland Champion Musicians and singers of the highest standard. More: http://www.ghentertainment.co.uk

Apr

23

Music by the Lough: Dillon, Houston, Warwick

April 23, 2009 | Leave a Comment

Music by the LoughThis Saturday’s (April 25) Music By The Lough is an al fresco concert featuring the talents is Ulster musicians Cara Dillon, Brian Houston and Ricky Warwick performing in the gardens of Mount Stewart, a beautiful National Trust property on the Ards Peninsula.  Tickets priced £10 (conc. £8) are available from the Lough Lively box office on telephone: 028 9182-6846. More: http://www.loughlively.info

Apr

23

Paul Brady, Doctor of Letters

April 23, 2009 | Leave a Comment

Paul Brady, Doctor of LettersPaul Brady is to receive an honorary degree from the University of Ulster for services to traditional music and songwriting. The Strabane-born singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist starting performing at the age of 16 and was a member of several rhythm and blues bands before recording an album of traditional Irish music in 1976. He went on to record several other albums in genres spanning rock, pop and Irish, while also enjoying considerable success as a songwriter. Brady has also penned songs for Tina Turner, Garth Brooks and Santana. He is to receive the degree of Doctor of Letters (DLitt.) at a ceremony at the Magee campus of the University in Co. Londonderry on Monday, July 6. Website: http://www.paulbrady.com

Apr

23

ClearLight Recording Studio, Co. Cavan

April 23, 2009 | 1 Comment

Located in the heart of Co. Cavan, ClearLight Recording Studio is a fully equipped, 24-bit digital recording studio run by an engineer/producer/session musician with over 25 years experience in the business. Aimed moreso at small bands and singer/songwriters - especially those on a limited budget - who are keen to escape city hassles and focus on their music in a relaxing and peaceful environment, users have free access to an in-house Roland V-Drums kit, Fender Strat and an 88-note, semi-weighted keyboard/controller. ClearLight also offers on-location recording services for live performances and corporate events. YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNrXstNrjws

Apr

23

MySpace ups max tracks to 10

April 23, 2009 | Leave a Comment

MySpace says that users can now post more tracks to their profile. Users can upload 10 songs - almost an album’s worth of material - to their music players rather than the previous maximum of six. A spokesperson [not Tom - ed] for the social networking website said: “MySpace has always been the best place for fans to connect with and discover music. This new functionality will increase the promotional power of the site within the industry. This increased track allowance will give artists and fans more opportunity to share what they love.” UlsterMusic.com hangs out at http://www.myspace.com/ulstermusic

Apr

23

DJ Damyard signs to Argentine label

April 23, 2009 | Leave a Comment

Belfast electro/trance musician DJ Damyard has signed a record deal with Argentine label Trident Music. The 15-year-old producer, remixer, and turntablist also broadcasts his own show on underground dance music net-radio station VogueFM. MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/djdamyard

Apr

15

The Brent Flood - EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

April 15, 2009 | 1 Comment

The Brent Flood - EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWIain Todd dons his scuba gear and desends into the inky darkness of The Black Box for an exclusive UlsterMusic.com interview with… The Brent Flood is a band that I am somewhat familiar with through a student radio show I used to do in Glasgow, which was dedicated solely to acoustic and folk music. I always loved that free, silky, acoustic quality in their music so when I heard they were playing the Black Box last Friday night [April 10, 2009 - ed] and there was an opportunity to go interview them, I realised it would be a good chance to check out the gig and see if they were still doing the same stuff that I remember. The band is London based and consists of bassist Ed and guitarist Robin, both from Ulster, Swiss drummer Dan, and lead singer Jay from England. They are creating a lot of buzz in the UK and Read more

Apr

15

Forfey Festival, Co. Fermanagh

April 15, 2009 | Leave a Comment

The organisers of Forfey Festival, an annual arts festival held near Lisnaskea, Co. Fermanagh, are now seeking submissions for this year’s event, scheduled for August 7-9, 2009. Now in its forth year, the festival programme includes music, art and film. Write to forfeyfestival@googlemail.com to plead your case for inclusion.

Apr

15

City of Derry Jazz and Big Band Festival

April 15, 2009 | Leave a Comment

The eighth City of Derry Jazz and Big Band Festival runs from Thursday, April 30 to Sunday, May 3. This year’s main attraction is bop-style alto sax player and Londoner Soweto Kinch who guests in a trio with Belfast jazz drummer David Lyttle the Australian Damian Evans on double bass. Other highlights include: veteran Co. Londonderry reedman Gay McIntyre Read more

Apr

15

Ultimate festival guide 2009

April 15, 2009 | Leave a Comment

Yes, yes, yes, its the summer festival… There’s a growing list of Ulster music festivals on this very website [click Festival]. But if you plan to sample what “the mainland” has to offer the festival-goer you should acquire a copy of this Ultimate Festival Guide 2009 to UK music festivals from the publishers of Music Tech. With over 400 events listed - from folk and roots, to rock and dance - this is your bible for your truely detestable summer festival habit. Buy in WH Smith for £4.99 or on-line for £5.99 (inc p&p), or phone 0844 8440398 (+44 1795 592849 outside UK).

Apr

15

Duke makes Radio 2 Album of the Week

April 15, 2009 | Leave a Comment

The new Duke Special album, scheduled for UK release on April 20, 2009, has been selected BBC Radio 2 “Album of the Week”. The appropriately titled I Never Thought This Day Would Come was released in Ireland by Universal Music Ireland in October last year. For this album, Duke Special (Peter Wilson) collaborated with other songwriters, including sessions with former Suede guitarist Bernard Butler. The RTE Symphony Orchestra, under the stewardship of David Brophy, supplied a swirling carnival flavour to the album. http://www.dukespecial.com

Apr

3

Berklee in Dublin: workshops, scholarships

April 3, 2009 | 1 Comment

Berklee College of Musicby Nick Balkin.  One of world’s leading schools of contemporary music, Berklee College of Music, is investing in Ireland to bring young talent across the Atlantic to its Boston campus. Ireland, though rich in musical heritage, is underrepresented at Berklee, a multicultural melting pot that includes students from more than 70 countries. The college’s means of investment is two-fold: the first is Berklee in Dublin, April 13-17, a series of improvisation workshops that allow students to study with Berklee’s world renowned faculty; the second, April 18-19, is a visit by admissions representatives and professors to audition and interview students for scholarships for summer and full-time study at Berklee in Boston. Read more

Apr

3

Muriel Day: Ulster’s first Eurovision singer

April 3, 2009 | Leave a Comment

Before Dana won with All Kinds of Everything, Muriel Day was Ulster’s first ever female singer to represent Ireland in a Eurovision Song Contest back in 1969. Day began her singing career in the mid-60’s with The Dave Glover Showband, the biggest showband to come out of Northern Ireland. Read more

Apr

3

Rehearsal space offers video making

April 3, 2009 | Leave a Comment

Situated on the Shore Road by the north loughside, Shoreline Rehearsal Studio offers a large, comfortable room for loud-as-you-like reheasal and band equipment as follows: vocal PA system w/ monitor, guitar and bass amp, drum kit (less snare and cymbals). Two- and  three-hour sessions cost £10 per hour. Technical staff are availible to answer questions or fix problems. A video production crew is on hand offering blue-screen technology for promotional video production. Contact Steve on 07548 111-007 or 07835 041-131 or e-mail: shorelinerehearsalstudio@yahoo.co.uk

Apr

3

Beep beep’m beep beep, Oh Yeah!

April 3, 2009 | Leave a Comment

Belfast Music TourThe Belfast Music Tour - tickets £8 - resumes this Friday, April 3. This takes a bus-load of music fans on a 2-hour trip around the city: from Ruby Murray to the current success stories, by way of Stiff Little Fingers, and Van Morrison. “Expect a glorious soundtrack, an amusing music quiz and the chance to celebrate a great musical city“. The bus leaves from the Ulster Hall at 4pm and finishes at Oh Yeah Music Centre in the Cathedral Quarter around 6pm. No pets. To book tickets, click on this, chum https://kiosk4.ts.com/k?BWC&bmt&promo=bmt&ka=bmt

Apr

3

How to book a tour

April 3, 2009 | Leave a Comment

Being on the road is a crucial aspect of many successful bands. But how do you book a tour? Which cities should you play? How do you know the dives from the classic venues in a city you’ve never seen? And more importantly, what steps can you take to increase your chances of breaking even, or even turning a profit, when you’re on the road?

The next NI Music industry meet-up at the Spring & Airbrake, 6pm-9pm on Wednesday, April 8 will have a slightly different feel to previous get-togethers. It’ll be a broad Q&A lasting no more than 30 minutes with a few experienced folk on a pressing music industry matter. This month the subject under discussion is: “how do you book a tour?”

If you’ve booked a tour, want to book one, are curious about the booking process then you should go. The usual “talk to a stranger” netowrking/shenanigans will ensue afterward.

Apr

3

Downshire Brass: new recruits

April 3, 2009 | Leave a Comment

Downshire Brass logoBased on the Lisburn Road, south Belfast, Downshire Brass, one of Ulster’s premier brass bands , has appointed Michael Alcorn as the band’s new Musical Director. Professor Alcorn is currently Head of the School of Music and Sonic Arts at the Queen’s University, Belfast. A former solo cornet player with Agnes Street Band, he has more recently shared duties as principal cornet and conductor with Comber Silver Band. In the next few months, Downshire Brass will be actively recruiting new players as well as continuing to train the next generation of young brass players through the Band’s Youth Section.

Read more

Apr

3

Live at the Limelight: UTV series slimed

April 3, 2009 | 1 Comment

UTV Live at the LimelightUlsterMusic.com invites comment and criticism. Here’s the personal viewpoint of of Iain Todd on programme 3 of the new UTV series “Live at the Limelight“. Programme 4 was aired on Wednesday, March 11 and featured Deablo, The Cutaways, The Beat Poets, The Jane Bradfords. UTV have recently taken it upon themselves to deliver live performances from unsigned Belfast bands into the houses of the public, in the form of their show “Live At The Limelight” [watch again - ed]. The format is simply a television show focusing on around three bands each week, playing their own music to a live audience who appear, at times, genuinely disinterested and passive or, at other times, genuinely insane with enthusiasm and revelry but, at all times, scarce. Read more

Mar

22

Therapy? beam Crooked smiles - INTERVIEW

March 22, 2009 | Leave a Comment

Therapy? Crooked Timber CDCrooked Timber is out March 23, Therapy? play in-store at HMV Belfast at 5.30pm Monday, and Iain Todd interviews the band for UlsterMusic.com:It is late on a Tuesday afternoon when I meet lead singer Andy Cairns, bassist Michael McKeegan and publicist James Rollins outside the Holiday Inn in downtown Belfast. With the new album, Crooked Timber, releasing on March 23, they are an incredibly busy band, and I am grateful for them taking the time out to talk to me. Andy Cairns engaged in a phone conversation, Michael humbly introduces himself and we head into the bar. (Perhaps it’s the Northern Irish connection but I discover that talking to Therapy? is like talking to your best friend). James offers me a drink, tea or coffee, and Michael makes a pint swigging hand gesture to me behind him. I immediately know this is going to be a relaxed, chatty interview, and we toast with the first round of beers just has Andy gets off the phone. He shakes my hand, introduces himself, and sits down to a Bloody Mary. Despite it being late in the afternoon on a day Therapy? has had a full schedule, the guys break into conversation and are as chatty as if it was the first drink on a Friday night. I begin the interview asking them about how the time has gone since their last retrospective album, So Much For The Ten Year Plan. Read more

Mar

22

NI Battle of the Bands seeks warriors

March 22, 2009 | Leave a Comment

Horse Face Promotions announces that entries are now open for the N.I. Battle of the Bands: 6 weeks over June-July 2009, 20 bands and £1000 in prize money. The first heat kicks off on June 25, 2009 and it all goes from there. The competition is open to bands and solo artists of all genres and ages, provided they are based in Northern Ireland. Read more

Mar

22

The One Million Suns Tour

March 22, 2009 | Leave a Comment

Snow Patrol One Million Suns TourTotal Production International magazine has published an in-depth article about the live staging of Snow Patrol’s massive world tour, the band’s biggest to date: http://www.tpimagazine.com/News/217766/snow_patrol_the_one_million_suns_tour.html

Mar

22

Brass bands clash in Strabane

March 22, 2009 | Leave a Comment

St. Joseph’s Brass Band StrabaneThe annual Brass Band League of Northern Ireland (BBL) 2009 competition takes place for the first time at the Alley Theatre in Strabane. The event on April 4 promises to offer the very best in Ireland’s brass bands, with over 20 bands battling it out for the championship crown. There are four sections in the competition, ranging from Grade 4 through to Championship section, with the most impressive band being chosen from each. More http://www.alley-theatre.com/performance-listings/268/brass-band-championships

Mar

22

Eileen Donaghy remembered

March 22, 2009 | 1 Comment

The much-loved singer Eileen Donaghy died back in October 2008. The Irish Times ran this obituary:

One of the most popular singers of the 1960s, Eileen Donaghy sang Irish ballads at a time when little music with a traditional Irish flavour could be heard. She sang recognisably Irish songs at a time when most music heard was English or American. Her ballads were not in the classical traditional mould, but her success helped to open a door for other musicians who were able to go further. Eileen Donaghy died October 27, 2008 at her home in Moy, Co. Tyrone, at the age of 78. Read more

Mar

22

Jenny Boggs music school Bangor

March 22, 2009 | 1 Comment

Jenny Boggs music centreThe new Jenny Boggs Centre of Music Excellence in Bangor, Co. Down, was opened in October 2008 and since then pupil numbers have grown steadily. The centre welcomes everyone from complete beginner to aspiring artiste, from pre-school age to retired, from “just for pleasure” to serious musician. At present the centre offers a programme of individual one-to-one tuition in drums, guitar, piano, singing and violin. Read more

Mar

22

New studio in Newtownabbey

March 22, 2009 | Leave a Comment

A new digital recording and rehearsal studio has opened at the Valley Business Centre in Newtownabbey. Resonate offers flexible and competitively priced rehearsal facilities, with enough gear to suit most musical styles. Special recording packages are available for new and up-and-coming bands: for a limited time, the rehearsal space rate is £8 per hour (3 hours minimum booking). The rehearsal room is heated, and it’s spacious at around 40 square metres. Tea, coffee and biscuits will be provided too. Read more

Feb

9

Turner tours with Morris

February 9, 2009 | Leave a Comment

Juliet Turner - People Have NamesJuliet Turner has released Joy, the second single from her current album “People Have Names“. Turner tours the UK throughout March, supported by Gentry Morris, and plans more live shows in Northern Ireland over the “summer” months. More: http://www.julietturner.com

Feb

9

Twitter Festival for Belfast

February 9, 2009 | Leave a Comment

twitterA new phenomenon is sweeping the Internet: a the micro-blogging service called Twitter. And Twestival Belfast, the first ever gathering of local Twitter users, , takes place at The Black Box Cafe (inside The Black Box) on February 12. Expect beers, pizza, a “Rock Band” gaming tournament and the first ever Belfast Twitter Awards. Tickets are £5 each and every new penny goes Charity:Water. [check out UlsterMusic.com on Twitter - ed]. For a list of Twestivals going on elsewhere, flutter to http://twestival.com

Feb

9

ASIWYFA focus on debut album

February 9, 2009 | Leave a Comment

Belfast post-rockers And So I Watch You From Afar have joined the ever-growing roster of emerging bands signed to Derry and London based record label Smalltown America. The band’s eponymous debut album will be released via Smalltown America on Monday, March 23, 2009, but will be preceded by the double-A sided single “Set Guitars to Kill / A Little Solidarity Goes A Long Way” on Monday, March 9. ASIWYFA guitarist, Tony Wright said, “We are delighted to be working with a label that shares our enthusiasm for innovative and exciting music. With this alliance solidly forged, a debut album waiting to be unleashed and our unbreakable will to make the most tantalizing, new music out there - the world may yet spin backwards due to our uncompromising sound.” Read more

Feb

9

Date at the Palm House

February 9, 2009 | Leave a Comment

Palm HouseUlsterMusic.com has been informed of a “wonderous musical happening” on Saturday, February 21, from 2.00pm-3.30pm at the Palm House, Botanic Gardens, Belfast when local psych-alt-folk and rock-prog-jazz exponents ALBRECHT’S PENCIL and HELIOPAUSE perform both separately and then together. Admission is free, but space is limited: standing room only. [please don’t climb or chew the plants - ed] Read more




Featured Festival: Willowstone
Killyleagh, Saturday, June 27

Willowstone

Featured Albums: Ulster Top 40



Featured Artist: Shauna Mullin

Shauna Mullin



Featured Book: Jimmy Kennedy

"MY SONG GOES ROUND THE WORLD" the book about Co. Tyrone lyricist Jimmy Kennedy, writer of "Red Sails in the Sunset", "The Teddy Bears' Picnic", "South of the Border"...







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