A new pop-up radio station will appear for one day,
Anne Marie Walsh writes:
Brought about by a new partnership from the team behind Christmas FM and Novatone Music Media, ‘This is Ireland’ from Christmas FM will showcase the best of Ireland in celebration of Saint Patrick’s Day.
With live presenters from 6am to 6am, ‘This is Ireland’ from Christmas FM will explore the songs and stories of Ireland and the influence of Irish culture across the globe
Get involved by sending a greeting to family & friends…
1. Record your greeting on your phone in a quiet location (keep your message to 30-60 seconds)
2. Email it to ireland@christmasfm.com
‘This is Ireland’ can be heard wherever you listen to Christmas FM. Ask your smart device to ‘Start Christmas FM’ or ‘Play Christmas FM’
With today being the anniversary of the release of the debut album by The Velvet Underground & Nico in 1967 with its famous Andy Warhol banana artwork, I want to know: what’s your favourite album cover?
The interior clip is in the gift shop. Thanks to Noel’s son @pinkpantheroz – who can be seen in the clip along with other members of his family – for the info. H/T to @ConorDoyleDUB for sharing. @ArmstrongHouse#DUBhistory
Wales First Minister Mark Drakeford has rowed back on men-only curfews
This afternoon.
Welsh first minister Mark Drakeford today insisted he wouldn’t consider bringing in local curfews for men to make women feel safer on the streets at night – after suggesting they could be used in a “crisis”.
He clarified there is no intention of ever introducing a ban on men going out in the evening, just hours after leaving the door open to such “dramatic action” if necessary.
Cabra rapper Kevin Smith (top) aka Kojaque delivers a raw gut-punch of a single that lays it all on the line.
The self-directed video – starring Oscar Nolan as the kid, Karen Connell as the mother and James Smith as the dad – also hits home hard and leaves us in no doubt we’re dealing with a serious homegrown talent here.
To quote one YouTube commenter:
“The best thing to come out of Dublin since Paul McGrath.”
The good news is there’s an album round the corner.
EMR aka Eimear O’Sullivan (top) from Skerries, north County Dublin, explores new sonic territories on her new single, with electronic sounds to the fore.
Last week, with a Currys PC World gift voucher worth an astounding €20 on offer, I asked you to name your favourite song by a Welsh musician or band?
You answered in your dozens.
But there could be only one winner.
A word about the winner: Lisa Butler did choose Motorcycle Emptiness first but her entry only listed the song without giving any commentary on why she liked it. What we’re looking for in these competitions is to be able to hear the song anew – to see it through the eyes of the reader. So you have a much better chance of winning if you expand on your reasons for liking it. Capernosity‘s passion for the Manics shone through in his entry (below) so that’s why he had to be the winner.
Third Place:
Myfanwy by Cerys Matthews
Fearganainm writes:
“A beautiful rendition of a ‘How on earth could she have turned me down for him?’ song.”
Runner-up:
Juxtaposed With U by Super Furry Animals
Missred writes:
“The beautiful melancholic sweetness of these vocals is the ideal hybrid sound of a human and a robot, it releases the endorphins like no other. Like a cross between Magazine and EELS.”
Winner:
Motorcycle Emptiness by Manic Street Preachers
Capernosity & Function writes:
“It is my favourite song of all time. I never miss the Manics when they come to Ireland. I saw them in the Tivoli around October/November 1994; just three months later Richey Edwards walked off into the ether. I remember there were some parts of the gig where he kept banging his forehead off the microphone. Who knows what was going through his mind at the time. He could write some lyrics though.”
“The song is about being in the middle of the mid-life storm. You’re pulled every which way by the younger who need and rely on you, and the older who need you for a whole other set of reasons.
“I like the word September as a metaphor for middle-age. You’re no longer in your Spring-youth. So being in your 40s is Septembering. The things that have come along in your life, the people who have become part of your family, and define who you are now. The responsibility and weight of those relationships is reflected in this song.”
Yesterday, the government announced a €50m package for the live music industry, comprising €25m new Live Performance Support Scheme (LPSS); €14m new support scheme for live entertainment businesses; €5m to local authorities for outdoor live performances; €5m capital supports for live entertainment sector and €1m to St. Patrick’s Festival.
I came across this over the weekend and thought it might be of interest to your readers.
In the Summer of 1987, four friends, reeling from the sudden break-up of the iconic British band The Smiths, embark on a night out of partying to mourn their musical loss. At the same time, an impassioned Smiths fan takes a local radio DJ hostage at gunpoint and forces him to play nothing but Smiths tracks.
With the radio station playing as the soundtrack to their night, the friends go on a wild journey of self-discovery that will transform them forever. Featuring an incredible soundtrack – including 20 songs from The Smiths – Shoplifters of the World is a glorious ode to the craziness of the ‘80s and the power of music to change people’s lives….
RLJE Films will release Shoplifters of the World in cinemas, On Demand and Digital on March 26.
