Thank Fabinho it’s Friday.
That means another music competition.
With water levels dropping back to normal after heavy rainfall this week, this is a good time to ask: What’s your favourite song whose lyrics or title refer to a river.
Here’s mine.
Reply below to be in with a chance of winning a €20 voucher redeemable at any Currys PC World branch.
The winner will be chosen by my AI clone.
Lines MUST close at Saturday 11am.
Nick says: Good luck!
Last week’s winner here.
Early 1985.
The Irish music industry.
Featuring Philip King (top), Horslips, Bill Whelan, Marty Whelan, Paul McGuinness and Golden Discs.
Bring back the CD!
Lesley Roy – Maps
This morning.
Ted writes:
Our Eurovision 2021 entry was just released a moment ago: Lesley Roy – Maps. Lesley getting a second chance after last year’s competition was cancelled. Lots of positive buzz in fan forums about this one…
Pic by Ruth Medjber
The band at Wenatchee High School in Washington state, USA
Ah here.
Via The New York Post:
“You get kids back in the building. You can tell people are happy,” Principal Eric Anderson told WenatcheeWorld of the schoolhouse vibes since doors reopened on Jan. 26.
During rehearsal, happy campers in the band each zip into their personal tents, spaced 6 feet apart, along with their instruments. In an effort to avoid COVID-19 exposure, the ensemble practices in shifts per Wenatchee High’s new AM-PM hybrid schedule.
“We’re getting into that groove of what are we doing in-person and what are we asking kids to do as an extension of learning when they are not with us,” Anderson said of the remixed school day.
High school band uses individual tents to keep practicing during pandemic (New York Post)
Pic: World Photo
Bobbi Arlo – Feel It
Pop in the name of love.
The new single by rising Irish newcomer Bobbi Arlo (top) is an infectious blast of pure pop with pristine production by Adam Shanahan and Alex O’Keeffe.
Bobbi says:
“Feel It is an infectious feel-good anthem for anyone who remembers the feeling of falling in love unexpectedly. When writing the song, I wanted to portray how it felt to fall in love with someone I never thought I would fall for. When I hear the song, it reminds me of how amazing that feeling really is.”
The lyric video comes courtesy of Cyrus Scenes Visual.
Nick says: Bobbi on the beat.
Fears – vines
And for her next trick…
Budding indie-tronica artist Constance Keane (top) aka Fears goes from strength to strength on the new single from her forthcoming debut album Oiche, out on May 7.
The video features the megalithic portal dolmen at Ballybrack, south county Dublin.
Fears says:
“This track was written before a breakdown. It chronicles a stage where one blames themselves and sees that it is only them that is the problem in a situation. Listening back, I hear myself drowning in confusion as to why I can’t control my feelings and want to shed those thought patterns.”
Nick says: Cheers for Fears.
Eamon Dunphy’s rant about Roy Keane and Rod Liddle but it’s performed by an Indie Band pic.twitter.com/22NQkXV6vR
— Michael Fry (@BigDirtyFry) February 24, 2021
In fairness.
Original rant here.
New Pagans – Yellow Room
The North will rise again.
Belfast-based New Pagans have a fresh, edgy sound that makes their debut album The Seed, The Vessel, The Roots And All highly anticipated.
Released on the Big Scary Monsters label on March 19, the album features new single Harbour as well as the video featured above.
The group are: Lyndsey McDougall (vocals), Cahir Doherty (guitar), Claire Miskimmin (bass), Conor McAuley (drums) and Allan McGreevey (guitar).
Nick says: Ulster says yes.
The votes are in.
Last week, with a Currys PC World voucher worth €20 on offer, I asked you to name your favourite song of this millennium (2000-2021).
You answered in your dozens.
But there could be only one winner.
Third Place:
Song For Zula by Phosphorescent
Jonboy writes:
“A beautiful, bittersweet, ballad that captures the un-romance of a breaking relationship.
“Saw him in Whelan’s back around 2013 when he was touring this album (Muchacho – give it a listen, it’s incredible) and it was every bit as good in person.”
Runner-up:
Oblivion by Grimes
Capernosity And Function writes:
“I first heard this as the music to an Eircom ad many moons ago. I never, never get tired of playing this; surely, that is the mark of a song that has entered your consciousness in a good way. I love the intro, the fey, wispy vocals that deal with a subject darker than the melody implies.
“I often think the best songs are constructed like that. Grimes is now viewed through the prism of her relationship with Evil Genius/ World Saviour (delete as appropriate) Elon Musk. This song is from a time when her lo-fi, DIY production ethic was fully intact, and it worked.”
Winner:
Alexandra Leaving by Leonard Cohen
Eug writes:
“I’ve listened to Leonard Cohen since my teens saw him twice in the stadium in the 80’s and reborn in Royal Hospital in 2008 and every time he visited after that.
“Even though she sleeps upon your satin
Even though she wakes you with a kiss”Leonard at his best and reborn in the 21st Century. Sharon Robinson got him to sing in a lower octave and between them they took “The God Abandons Antony” written in 1911 by the poet Constantine P. Cavafy and transformed into Alexandra Leaving.
“Do not choose a coward’s explanation
That hides behind the cause and the effect”To me it speaks of love, live and it’s inevitable end and acceptance.
“Say goodbye to Alexandra leaving
Then say goodbye to Alexandra lost”
Nick says: Thanks all.
Last week: Win Nick’s PC Voucher
This afternoon.
Tramore, County Waterford.
Pics by Joe Fitzgerald
Previously: Memorable Foam
Meanwhile…
Scenes of flooding in Mallow Co Cork today. Outdoor games won’t be resumed in Bishop Casey memorial park for a while yet. @PAImages pic.twitter.com/oHsGr4vqJt
— Niall Carson (@niallcarsonpa) February 23, 2021
Oh.
