Author Archives: Nick Kelly

Gavin Fox – Lay Down Low

Fox news.

Irish singer/songwriter Gavin Fox (top)has words of encouragement on the new single from his forthcoming album Awakened.

Gavin writes:

“I spent a long time in my head, with my own thoughts, at times with fear and anxiety. But then I experienced a kind of awakening, to be honest. I met my true self for the first time and decided I wasn’t going to listen to negative thoughts anymore.

“This song is about rebelling against that, fear and anxiety, and not being afraid to be loud about it. It’s about being yourself.”

Nick says: Fantastic Mr Fox.

Gavin Fox

 

Ah.

Here.

‘Abhorrent’ attempted exploitation of Ukrainian refugees criticised (Irish Examiner)

Ryders Blü – As Long As I Got You Babe

Blü Monday.

Sonny and Cher, eat your heart out.

Ryders Blü are an indie-pop band based in Newbridge, County Kildare. They are a two-piece: PJ O’Neill on guitar and vocals, and Jake Carrick on drums.

PJ writes:

“For right now… we’re writing really happy pop music. To escape the mundanity of what life can be like. That’s the first act for our project. The second act… well you’ll just have to wait and see.”

Nick says: Ryders on the storm.

Ryders Blü

This morning.

Hmm.

Meanwhile…

More than 20,000 offers to provide accommodation to Ukrainian refugees have been made, the Irish Independent understands.

There have been over 15,000 offers made through the Government’s pledge portal which includes spare rooms and vacant second homes.

However, a further 5,000 housing offers have been made through other non-governmental organisations (NGOs), bringing the total to over 20,000 offers.

The Red Cross will begin contacting “small numbers” of people who have made some of the 15,000 pledges this week to start the process of housing incoming refugees.

Fiche míle fáilte – More than 20,000 offers of accommodation for fleeing Ukrainians (Independent.ie)

Getty

Meanwhile…

Thank Feckula it’s Friday.

It’s that time of the week when the jets are cooled, chill pills are taken and the chamomile tea kicks in (Just as well as there’s still no voucher!)

This week I want to know what’s your favourite song about or mentioning a specific animal.

Here’s mine.

Please include video links if possible.

Lines close on Saturday at Midnight.

Last week I asked you to name your favourite song about the sun. Johnny “Diego” Keenan (him off the telly) won my esteem with this entry…

Bob Marley – Sun Is Shining (House remix)

Johnny writes:

“When I was Down Under in 1999, I went from night club to day club most Saturdays/ Sundays. Anyone who was around Sydney back then might remember Kings X clubbing finishing after The Beresford and the soul train to North Sydney was always one for the party troopers.

“This particular remix brought it all together, and I feel it brought on board another generation of Bob fans.

“Sun is shining, the weather is sweet. Makes you wanna move yer dancin feet”. Grrr Up!”

Nick says: Congratulations Johnny and thanks everyone for entering.

Last week: Win Nick’s Esteem

EMMO – Still

Enduring love.

Cork newcomer EMMO (top) turns heads with a rousing anthem celebrating a certain four-letter word.

EMMO writes:

“The same exhausted tropes are always in love songs – be it new, lost, unrequited love etc. But what about Love that is resolute? My aim was to credit the actuality of persistent and unfaltering love between couples who have been together for a long time despite the odds. Funnily enough, the song started as a slow moving piece but became this anthem like ballad after my guitar was knocked into a strange tuning from being loose in the back of my car. After some experimenting, the lyrics sprang to life with the new energetic sound from the accidental tuning.”

Recorded in Camden Studios, Dublin, produced by Cian Boylan & mixed by Conor Brady with Darren Beckett (from the Killers) on drums, Dave Redmond on double bass and Kealan Kenny on lap steel guitar.

Nick says: A Corker.

EMMO

Russian President Vladimir Putin and billionaire, businessman Oleg Deripaska, owner of the Aughinish Alumina refinery in Limerick

This morning.

Translation:

‘I have just been informed informally that the Russian oligarch, Wolf partner and Strabag major shareholder Oleg Deripaska has been REMOVED FROM THE EU sanctions list at the request of Austrian Federal Chancellor Karl Nehammer and Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg, among others.’

Anyone?

Yesterday: Billionaire Oleg Deripaska, owner of Aughinish Alumina in Limerick, hit with sanctions (Irish Examiner)

Oleg Deripaska: Putin ‘favourite’ with strong ties to UK politics (The Guardian)

Careful.

You’ll lose a finger.

Dave Allen?

Dave Allen and The Beatles (Beatle Bible)