Tag Archives: Nick Kelly

Shiv – Where You Are

The hills are alive.

Zimbabwean-Irish singer Siobhan McClean (top) aka Shiv impresses on her new single from her new EP The Love Interlude, due on October 8.

A heady mix of soul, r’n’b, hip-hop and jazz, it heralds the arrival of a fresh new talent. Producer Adrien Soleiman adds the slinky sax.

Shiv says:

“We have been fed a narrative of a perfect kind of love, that is effortless and uncomplicated, that means that you will find someone who fits every part of you flawlessly.
“More often than not, this isn’t the case, it’s the imperfection that makes love fulfilling, it’s in learning and growing that you find happiness that is gratifying because of the time you have spent nurturing it.”

The video was shot by Paloma Pineda and directed and produced by Julia Grandperret.

Nick says: Soul trader.

Shiv


Thank Gus Fring it’s Friday.

Shall we have another bit of music chatter and carry-on to wile away the weekend? There’s still no voucher but we know you’re not it for the money (loud guffaws down the back).

This week, I want to know: What’s your favourite song whose title or lyrics mention metals, as in gold, silver, bronze etc.

Here’s mine.

Lines close on Saturday Midday!

Please include video link if possible.

Nick says: Good luck!

Meanwhile…

Eva Cassidy – Autumn Leaves

Last week, we asked you to name your favourite song whose title or lyrics refer to Autumn or the Autumnal months.

Ghost Of Yep won my esteem with this excellent entry:

“Heartbreakingly apt and just an incredible performance.”

Last week: Win Nick’s Esteem

Pic: Spindizzy Records, Dublin 2

Motion Control – Shutdown

Do you like your rock raw and in-yer-face?

Then you’ll love Dublin five-piece Motion Control who sound like the square root of The Clash and Rage Against The Machine.

Motion Control are: Vocals – Conor Hamilton (Actor/Bartender); Bass – Michael McCrimmon (Bike repair specialist/Metal enthusiast); Lead guitar – Brandon Larkin (Life insurance broker/child prodigy); Rhythm guitar – Ross McMullin (Local Spar cashier and music producer); and Keyboards – Conor Barnes (Ryan’s bartender and skin fade specialist aka barber).

Singer Conor writes:

“Like most live acts during the off-time, we all found it hard to find the motivation to put plans together but after 6 years it’s hard to let it all just fade into nothing. After the positive response to the release of our single ‘Sick Memories’, the band are set to release our latest single ‘Alice’ sometime before the new year.

“’Alice’ will be available across all platforms with a list of potential gigs to be announced in November/ December following the return of live music to venues.”

Nick says: I second that Motion.

Motion Control

Thanks Alan Bracken

Maria Kelly – The Sum Of The In-Between

For alt.folk’s sake.

Irish singer/songwriter Maria Kelly (top) journeys inwards on the title track of her debut album, released on VETA Records on October 15.

Maria writes:

“The sum of the in-between’ is a long list, laying out every messy, chaotic, complicated thing about me. It’s about giving myself permission to look directly at this current version of myself without criticising everything I find.

“For me, that’s what this album is about – permission. Permission to face myself, permission to feel it all, permission to get the help I deserve – no matter how uncomfortable or painful that might be.

“Who I was, who I’ll be, I’m ‘the sum of the in-between’; I guess I’m saying that the current me matters more than this rose-tinted version from my past, or this ideal version that I long to be. So, maybe it’s just time I gave her a break.”

Maria plays The Workman’s Club, Dublin, on November 12.

Nick says: Maria’s the name…

Maria Kelly


Three Underneath – Sun May Glow

“The sun may glow one more time for you.”

Irish neo-grunge enthusiasts Three Underneath (top) evoke happy memories of Nirvana and Soundgarden on the new single from their self-titled debut album, due October 15.

Singer and video director Daragh Murray writes:

“This album is our calling card. It’s our real debut. It had to be self-titled, because it shows all facets of where we’re at right now. The last 18 months have been challenging to say the least and I think this album pretty much chronicles our journey throughout The fear and confinement to the love, hope pragmatism — there’s plenty of heavy, straight-up rock and some quite candid introverted stuff in there!”

Nick says: Solar power.

Three Underneath

Keeley – Never Here Always There

Never forgotten.

Dublin indie pop classicist Keeley (top) pays loving tribute to the memory of Inga Maria Hauser – the teenage German tourist murdered in Northern Ireland in 1988 – with this song from her Brave Warrior EP on Dimple Discs.

The video is edited by David Hodgson and produced by Keeley.

Check out the Keeley Chronicles blog.

Nick says: Inga lives.

Keeley

Davey Long – Last Train To Tupelo

Elvis has re-entered the building.

Davey Long (top) pays homage to the King of Rock’n’Roll on his new single.

The press blurb says:

“Last Train To Tupelo was inspired by Peter Guralnick’s definitive biography of Elvis. The song depicts Elvis on a Mississippi-bound train, headed back to his birthplace. It features a guitar solo and a piano solo and a percussion section.”

Nick says: From Ireland to Graceland.

Davey Long

The Crayon Set – Summer Song (Gui Boratto remix)

The last days of disco.

Homegrown electro-pop enthusiasts The Crayon Set celebrate the release of their new album Disco Downer on September 24 with this nifty remix of their single Summer Song by ace Brazilian producer Gui Boratto.

It’s a banger!

The band’s Robert Baker writes:

“The album has a happy-sad dynamic going on – we’re always trying to write and record the perfect pop song but lyrically the songs couldn’t help but reflect the increasingly stressed-out, messed-up world we breathe in every day.

“So that’s where the album title came from – the idea of sad bangers, melody with melancholy, downer disco. In terms of the disco thing, it is a bit tongue-in-cheek but we did incorporate more electronic elements and we wanted to get people dancing more.

“With the help of our producer Stephen Shannon, we focused more on mood and groove. Our previous album ‘Lost Languages’ was more folk-rock and acoustic, so it was probably a reaction to that.”

Nick says: Baker’s treat.

The Crayon Set

Robert Power – Face In The Crowd

Move over, Frank Sidebottom, there’s a new papier-mache face in town.

Robert Power presents his charming new video with the charismatic Arudhra Krishnaswamy dancing in the sunlight around Dublin city. It was directed by Robert and Electra Grant.

Originally from Carrick-on-Suir, County Tipperary, but now based in Dublin, Robert is a man of many talents.

The press blurb says:

“Having also trained at The Gaiety School Of Acting and gone on to work professionally as an actor, writer, producer, director and voiceover artist, Robert’s critically acclaimed play, A Story Of Destiny, directed by Olivier Award Winner Donnacadh O’Briain, will showcase alongside some of the best of international theatre at the 2022 Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

“Currently he is in development with various projects including a brand new arts programme (Radio Robert) and several scripts, while he also continues the process of recording and performing his original songs and music, live, in beautiful and interesting venues, with exciting new ensembles of different players from around Ireland.”

So a bit of a slacker is our Robert!

Nick says: Power to the people.

Robert Power