Author Archives: Nick Kelly

Comedians Against Covid – Pass It On

David Keeling writes:

A cheesy retro comedy power-ballad video to show support for frontline workers from Irish comedians, including Kevin McGahern, Tara Flynn, Jen Hatton, Joe Rooney and more.

All done in aid of St Vincent’s Foundation.

In fairness,

Pass It On (Comedians Against Covid)

Century Ireland writes:

This week in 1920 Irish members of the National Union of Railwaymen joined.

with the dockers of Dublin in refusing to handle British war munitions arriving into Ireland.

For more on this story read Helen O’Keeffe’s article ‘The 1920 Munitions Strike: “An unusual kind of strike“‘

Munitions strike?

James Vincent McMorrow – Headlights

Never mind the lockdown, here’s James Vincent McMorrow inviting us in to his world for his new video directed by Tom Speers.

James says:

“When it became impossible to create our original idea for the Headlights video, we embraced the chaos. No grand plans or aspirations, simply capture life in as natural and unforced a way as possible.

“For people who might think me opaque, you know my music but you might not know me or what I am, this video is for you.”

Nick says: Homely.

James Vincent McMorrow

OK, here’s one for the musos among you.

What’s your favourite guitar solo?

I’ve a riffing €25 Golden Discs voucher to give away.

Simply tell me below with video links if possible.

Here’s mine.

Lines MUST close at 5.15pm EXTENDED until 6am!

Nick says: Good luck!

Last week’s winner here.

Golden Discs

This afternoon.

Seriously.

Anyone?

Update:

Sinéad White – The World Stops Spinning

Kildare singer/songwriter Sinead White (top) channels Fiona Apple and Radiohead with a meditation on our post-covid times in her first new material in five years.

The video is by Sara Lovic.

Nick says: White light.

Sinéad White

Pic: Ruth Medjber

The votes are in.

Last week, with a chirpy €25 Golden Discs voucher to give away, I asked you to name your favourite song involving birds.

You answered in your winged tens.

But there could be only winner

Third Place:

Anthem by Leonard Cohen.

Will writes:

So, yes, people calling for Leonard’s Bird on a Wire. A wonderful choice but… Doesn’t Leonard Cohen’s Anthem beat it…?

Runner-up:

Blackbird by Emma Stevens

Ciaran Adamson writes:

I came across this cover version of the Beatles Blackbird about a year ago by some First Nations/ Native American students in the same vein as Coláiste Lurgan does cover versions in Irish. In one year it has had millions of views, got the thumbs up from Paul McCartney and has created an upsurge of interest in their native Mi’kmaq language which was on the brink of extinction… fair play to them!

Winner:

A Song About Birds by The Van Vuuren Bros

Cu Chulainn writes:

Feck off with your maudlin bird poo.. to the Rhine with Kraftwerk.. this week there is only one winner…

Nick says: Thanks all.

Last week: Win Nick’s Voucher

Golden Discs

The Wha – Blue For You

Do you like guitars that go jangle?

Then you will love the new single by Kilkenny indie kids The Wha, which was recorded by legendary Smiths producer Stephen Street.

The video animation by Cameron West is a ray of sunshine too.

Singer Finn Cusack says:

“We were inspired by The Beatles ‘Yellow Submarine’ but wanted to put our own twist on it. Initially it started off as just a lyric video and then we got a bit carried away and then we ended up as cartoons.

“Abe from the band is a great illustrator and some of his sketches of the band made it into the video among locations from our hometown of Kilkenny.”

Nick says: Young Marble City giants.

The Wha