Author Archives: Nick Kelly

Last September

This morning.

FIGHT!


John Spillane – Under That Old Clare Moon

Remembrance of things past.

Cork national treasure John Spillane (top) serenades us with the second single from his album 100 Snow White Horses.

Produced by John Reynolds and featuring Pauline Scanlan on backing vocals, the ballad is accompanied by a brilliantly shot video directed by Barry Donnellan and choreographed by Karena Walsh. It was filmed at The Everyman Theatre, Cork.

John writes:

“I composed the song in 2016 and first performed it in Cratloe, County Clare, on Valentine’s Night 2019 in the house of well-loved local musician Ger O’ Donnell. I then had the huge honour of performing it with the iconic Kilfenora Céilí Band at the Leinster Fleadh that same year. They gave it the ultimate Clare stamp of approval!”

John’s tour starts this Saturday at Magic Nights by the Lee in Ballinlough Park, Cork.

Nick says: John, I’m only dancing.

John Spillane

Olivia Vedder, Eddie Vedder, Glen Hansard – My Father’s Daughter

Off the soundtrack to Sean Penn’s new movie Flag Day

Via Stereogum:

Glen Hansard (top left) and Eddie Vedder (top right) wrote “My Father’s Daughter,” the lead single from the soundtrack, and it’s sung entirely by Olivia Vedder (top centre). It’s a soft, downbeat ballad, and Olivia’s got a nice voice. Penn says, “After this flood of gorgeous songs from Cat Power, Glen Hansard, and Eddie Vedder, we were just about to do a final mix on the film when Ed sent me Olivia singing ‘My Father’s Daughter.’ It became just the perfect cherry on top of the sundae.”

Sean Penn’s Flag Day Soundtrack Features Four New Cat Power Tracks, Eddie Vedder Covering R.E.M., & More (Stereogum)

Dun Laoghaire Folk Festival

Tickets here

Ciaran Lavery & Soft Sports – I Love The Inevitability Of Death

The man in white.

Ciaran Lavery, from Aghagallon, County Antrim, finds humour and cheerfulness in unusual places on this new single from his forthcoming EP Happiness.

Ciaran says:

“A while back I spoke to a friend that was diagnosed with terminal cancer. He was fully aware of his timeline, and talked about how it had changed his outlook on both life and death. One thing he told me was the sense of relief that he didn’t have to concern himself with the daily stresses and general unwanted shite any longer.

“His focus shifted toward spending time with the ones he loved, that was it. He talked about everything becoming simpler. Knowing this made me feel my own sense of calm, firstly for him, and then for myself. It struck me that there is something deeply beautiful about accepting what is beyond our control in life, and death.”

The video was directed by Richie O’Connor and choreographed by Emily McDonagh and was filmed in The Braid, Ballymena.

Nick says: The Great Beyond.

Ciaran Lavery

Thank Andy it’s Friday.

Overwhelmed by your response to the ending of Golden Discs’ sponsorship of the Friday music competition, we decided to carry on anyway until a new sponsor can be found.

So until further notice, there’s no pot of gold at the end of this rainbow… there’s not even a voucher! You all OK with that?

Then let’s face the music and dance like Kevin Bacon.

This week, in tribute to cherished reader Andy Pipkin, our theme is one chosen by Andy: What’s the most underrated 1980s song?

Here’s mine.

Reply below just for the craic.

Please include a video link if possible, thanks.

Lines stay open until Saturday Midday.

Nick says: Well, you did ask!

Monday: Lifting The Needle

N.O.A.H – Hands Up

When you dance I can really love.

Meath-formed, Dublin-based pop newcomers N.O.A.H deliver a summer anthem with a spectacularly well choreographed video to boot.

The band are: Ryan Hill, Adam Rooney and Ronan Hynes.

N.O.A.H write:

“‘Hands Up’ is a song that is packed with energy and it really drives home the feeling of letting loose and letting go. Sonically the tune is super cinematic, and the music video really captures this, with Director Dave Fox doing an amazing job.”

Nick says: Don’t be afraid of the Ark.

N.O.A.H