Author Archives: Nick Kelly

John Blek – Long Strand

Who said we can’t have nice things?

On the gentle summer breeze floats the first single from John Blek’s forthcoming album On Ether & Air. It’s a thing of beauty – imagine if Bread‘s David Gates had been from Cork.

John (top) explains:

“Chance encounters and some fortunate timing led to me being able to work with some of my favourite musicians. Getting people with such unique playing styles involved went a long way in defining the sound of On Ether & Air and creating an album of which I am immensely proud.”

On Ether & Air will be the final part of John’s ‘Catharsis’ project, a four-album exploration of themes of the sea, the earth, the embers and the air.

The video for Long Strand is equally compelling. The press blurb explains:

“The stunning video for ‘Long Strand’ was directed by Barra Vernon and stars dancer Foxy P. Cox. It plays with the industrial setting of the video versus the natural setting of the song, juxtaposing the two to great effect. The natural flowing movements of the dancer interpret the curling flames and rolling waves in the lyrics.”

Nick says: Do the Strand.

John Blek

Tonight

Earlier…

Tonight.

Iveagh Gardens, Dublin 2.

Go to your pod.

RollingNews

Earlier….

This afternoon.

Iveagh Gardens, Dublin 2.

Venue for tonight”s ‘test’ concert with James Vincent McMorrow

Brianna Parkin of Virgin telly tweets:

The white lines mark put pods which concert goers will be shown to. The Xs mark the 2 metre distance between groups of people…

Good times.

Meanwhile…

The votes are in.

Last week, from a suggestion by f_lawless and with a €50 Golden Discs voucher redeemable in any Golden Discs store on offer, I asked you to name your favourite song with heartbreak as a theme.

The response was incredible. Thank you for a great playlist.

This week’s competition is dedicated to SOQ, who lost his dear friend Caroline last week.

Third Place:

Dry Your Eyes by The Streets

Col writes:

“This one is pretty sincere and puts a bit of vulnerability on display, which should be commended! Heartbreak is hard!”

Runner-up:

Family Life by The Blue Nile

Unmutual writes:

“Sometimes heartbreak involves a third party…”

Winner:

Walk On By by Dionne Warwick

Janet, dreams of an alternate universe writes:

“Following my worst break up my ex cruely moved directly down the hill to an apartment I could see very well from my balcony, to top it off it was over the bar I worked in and the cheating fupper would walk past at least ten times a day often with whatever flavor of the month he was dazzling, well this song fit the bill nicely.”

Nick says: Well done, Janet and Thanks all.

Last week: Win Nick’s Golden Voucher

Moate Station, Moate, county Westmeath

Ciaran Cooney, of Irish Railway Record Society, writes:

Before & After view of Moate Station on the Athlone-Mullingar line (Old Rail Trail cycleway) which I pictured forlornly in 2012 (top) and now restored June 2021 (above) with its Midland Great Western Railway era buildings…

In fairness.

Yesterday: Off The Rail Makeover

J.F.O – Amnesia

In the midst of life…

Fearless Dublin rapper Jason O’Toole (top) aka J.F.O ponders some heavy themes on his compelling new single, which was produced by Dante.

J.F.O writes:

“It’s a big thing in hip-hop. Death. So I’m trying to navigate that, seeing the complications.”

Check out the 18-year-old’s sophomore mixtape “love the way u hurt me“.

Nick says: Looking for answers from The Great Beyond.

J.F.O

KinetiX – isaidhey

The synths that shake the barley.

Bright-eyed electro-pop gurus Kinetix take it to the next level as brothers Arthur (drums), Ademar (keyboards, synths) and Theodore (vocals) Stones bring the melodies.

KinetiX write:

“We were so lucky to have the studio to give us a creative outlet while in lockdown. We are all in the same household so there was never a fear of not being able to work in close proximity to each other! ”

Nick says: The Stones rose.

KinetiX

Devin Reardon – Ireland Song

We need to talk about Devin.

The honey-voiced Floridian indie folkster (top) crossed the Atlantic just before the first lockdown hit to connect with his family in County Wicklow.

Devin used the time to record a 5-song EP The Untangling Of Things, and the debut single Ireland Song is accompanied by a cleverly shot video with a heartwarming message.

Devin writes:

“This land has a magic in it that I can’t fully explain. Lockdown has kind of switched that up now, and being stuck home, connecting to that has been hard. I had a lot of hard days and night up until 4am just doing nothing again and again. I’ve learned a lot of valuable lessons in this time, and I’m excited to come out on the other side with those things close to my chest.

“I just want to share my own lessons and the joy of discovering positives on the other side with other people. Just giving something to people as we emerge from this mad time. I think music can really help people, and I think this song can do that. I’m happy to share that.

“I just want to make some real art and music out of this madness, and I think this song does just that.”

Amen.

Nick says: Knockin’ on Devin’s door.

Devin Reardon

Thank Flanagan it’s Friday.

It’s that time of the week when the Broadsheet commenters briefly emerge from the dank basement back into the world, blinking at the sunlight, and putting the kettle on as they stick on an oul’ tune. In other words: it’s music competition time.

This week the theme comes courtesy of reader f_lawless who suggests your favourite song with heartbreak as a theme.

Here’s mine.

Reply below to be in with a chance of bagging yourself a €50 Golden Discs voucher redeemable in any Golden Discs store.

The winner will be chosen by my therapist.

Nick says: Good luck.

Lines MUST close on Saturday at 1pm.

Last week’s wonderful one-hit winner here.

Golden Discs