Cork-based folk singer Malcolm Urquhart, a.k.a The Lost Gecko, is currently working with kids in Direct Provision on music workshops, while working with NASC.
He’s looking to open up the conversation on education in Direct Provision, and see if anyone can help.
Anyone?
LUX – release new single Blank Page
What you may need to know…
01. On the outer reaches of the Cork scene (Youghal, to be precise) lies electronic duo LUX.
02. Comprised of producer Claire Regan (f.k.a. Spill and Ambience) and vocalist Colin Lee, the duo specialise in synthpop that marries the eighties’ more downbeat sensibilities with ambient & classical leanings.
03. Slowly developing a body of work over the last three years, the duo began with a pair of singles, Warmsad and Vital Signs, before setting about limited live engagements around Cork city and county and releasing follow-up single Solace last year.
04. Streaming above is new single Blank Page. A video is enroute and another new tune on the way shortly, according to the band.
Verdict: Informed by the past without resorting to nostalgia, and possessed of a lingering melancholia, Lux’s music moves in ebbs and flows.
Walking the line between layered, ambient passages and big, alternative-pop hookplay is Cork-born/London-based singer Lyra.
Beginning at the age of six, she spent her childhood performing in church and at family gatherings, learning the bodhrán in the process, which plays a part in her current live show.
Now based in London, and working with management company Tileyard, she’s finished her debut EP. W.I.L.D., available now across all digital platforms.
To mark the occasion, she’s about to play her first ever Irish shows under the Lyra pseudonym.The ‘sheet’s Mike McGrath-Bryan talks with Lyra ahead of the Cork leg of the show tonight.
Mike McGrath-Bryan: “Your story starts at a young age in Mount Oval, in Cork. Your sister picked up on your aptitude for tunes. How would you describe your musical upbringing?”
Lyra: “Me and my sister were inseparable when we were younger. I’ve always looked up to her and wanted to be exactly like her when I grew up. She has an amazing voice and I used to try and copy her! We would spend days on end making tapes in our bedroom and putting on concerts for anyone who would watch.”
Mike: “Provide us with some insight into your writing and recording process on a piece.”
Lyra: “Writing is very personal to me and I find writing about my life and experiences really therapeutic. I don’t really have a particular method of writing that I stick to – it changes from song to song! Some songs I write at home and then take those ideas to the studio and then some ideas just randomly come to in the studio. Recording the vocals takes a long time as I love layering harmonies and would spend forever and a day adding them if I could.”
Mike: “Your debut E.P. released this past July – how has it been received, how do you feel about it?”
Lyra: “I hope people like it! I’ve had some really lovely messages from people about it from all over the world which is amazing. I’m super proud of my E.P., it’s my first music-baby and I’m excited to have many more.”
Mike: “The artwork and aesthetic is fetching – go into it a little with us?”
Lyra: “Well, being from Ireland I have always been by the sea, it’s my favourite place to be. So an underwater photo shoot was an absolute must from the start. It was a lot of work to get it right but so much fun. Lots of holding my breath!”
Mike: “Nialler9 has already gotten well behind you, how is it to have that kind of support at this stage?”
Lyra: “It’s amazing! Nialler has been a dream, it was so nice to have such a great Irish blogger talk about my music, and I will always be grateful to him for backing me from the very start. I’ve always read the blog, so to be in it is wicked.”
Mike: “Based in London and being active there a lot of the time, do you keep in touch with the scene here at all? What do you make of it?”
Lyra: “I love home and being Irish is something I’m very proud of no matter where I am, so I do keep an ear to the ground to stay in touch as much as possible. I love seeing new Irish artists popping up and I know Ireland hasn’t got a shortage of fantastic singers – I was asked by a UK blog recently to write all about my top upcoming Irish acts – so it was nice to be able to intro the UK audience to more Irish acts that they mightn’t have heard of yet.”
Mike: “You have a hometown show in Cyprus Avenue, after playing Whelan’s in Dublin. What are your thoughts leading into it?”
Lyra: “I get weak at the knees when I think of it…. I am dead excited but I’m also nervous as a lot of my family and friends have never seen me perform before.”
Mike: “What next then, after these two dates?”
Lyra: “I have another announcement coming soon for some further shows… and then it’s studio time for me to finish some new tracks and get more music out there!”
Lyra plays Cyprus Avenue tonight. Kickoff at 8.30, €5 at the door. New E.P. W.I.L.D. is available now.
Last month, TEDx CorkSalon presented #CorkLovesMusic, a two-night stint of talks and performances in Coughlan’s Live on Douglas Street, from musicians, DJs, singers, promoters, record-shop folk, music therapists and others speaking on their relationship with music.
In the playlist above is night one, hosted by your writer.
Talks from venue owner Sam McNicholl (Connolly’s of Leap), promoters Aisling O’Riordan & Caoilian Sherlock (Southern Hospitality Board), and record shop owner Ray O’Brien (Music Zone).
Performances from Dr. Dara O’Brien (sitar), Eamonn Cagney (percussion), M.Sea (vox/guitar), Arthur Itis (space), plus a guest appearance from Cork Sacred Harp Singers.
Night two on the ‘sheet tomorrow.
Further to the graffiti incident at Anti-Austerity Alliance TD Mick Barry and Cork City Councillor Fiona Ryan’s office in Blackpool, Cork last week…
Mick Barry tweetz:
All male anti-choice picket of my constituency office today. Vile abuse shouted at two women who had the audacity to challenge them.
Previously: Eighters
Free next Saturday?
Ruairi O’Hagan writes:
Feis Lebowski, Cork’s little Big Lebowski festival is back!
The night takes place on October 8th upstairs in the Roundy on Castle Street (near Argos for those unfamiliar). Doors will open at 8 where you can sip on a White Russian and chat to fellow Little Lebowski Urban Achievers (and proud we are of all of them).
DJ El Duderino will be dipping into his record collection to spin some tunes before the movie – and yes, there is a strict “No Eagles” policy. No Metallica either. Bunch of a**holes.
Achievers are encouraged to come dressed as their favourite character from the movie – be it The Dude, Donny, Walter, Jesus, The Stranger, Maude, Bunny, whoever. The best costume on the night will receive a very special prize, along with being crowned Feis Lebowski King or Queen for 2016.
The movie will then start at 9.30pm, where Achievers are encouraged to laugh along/quote along/sing along.
Following the movie, we’ll be giving away Lebowski-themed prizes, before DJ El Duderino takes us on home and gets everyone on the dance floor.
Admission on the door is 10 Euro (or bones, or clams, or whatever you call them) – every single penny of which will be going to the Alzheimer Society of Ireland.
Capacity is limited so come along early – we’re not pre-selling tickets and we won’t be keeping tickets on the night for anyone, so it’s first come first served.
Free this evening?
The programme for IndieCork film and music festival hits the streets of the real capital city today, with a launch happening at 5.30 at Rising Sons Brewery in the city centre.
The festival is in its fourth year, and boasts a wide-ranging programme of films in short and feature-length, as well as a rake of new music.
Get ’em while they’re hot, also available in ones and zeroes.
HORSE – Cork hardcore quartet playing Lodgefest in October
What you may need to know…
01. Leeside hardcore four-piece Horse comprises members of former Cork axe-wielders Ghost of Medina, Terriers and Slugbait among others.
02. Surfacing with initial live excursions around the city in 2014, the band released its debut EP, fünderland, in March of 2015, shortly before recruiting their current vocallist.
03. Streaming above is the video for the band’s recent single Dragging. Shot and edited by Rob O’Halloran.
04. Next live appearance is at Cork’s Lodgefest II excursion at the Pine Lodge, in Myrtleville. Hope is Noise are launching their album, Ten Past Seven play their first show in three years, and new band Onkalo also debut.
VERDICT: Uncompromising and weighty, and as singularly focused as you’ll see in Irish heavy music. See them live to get the full extent of it.
Mark O’Keeffe and Fiona Feeney, of the Open House Cork Committee
Danny writes:
Happy Friday! Here’s something your readers may be interested in. Open House Cork will take place for the second year next weekend (30 Sept – 2nd Oct).
Over the course of the weekend some of the finest examples of Cork’s architecture will be open to the public, with guided design-based tours, free of charge.
We also have a range of extra activities for all ages, including a sketching tour of MacCurtain Street, an architectural pub trail and a 3D printing workshop at the Architecture Factory. More info and our full programme at link below. We’d love to see ye there.
Random Cork Stuff tweetz:
A currach gliding downstream at dawn in Cork this morning…
Picture taken by Niall Twamley
