IASCA and FMC in association with Culture Ireland are giving the gift of music from Ireland to dignitaries travelling with HRH The Queen and President Obama during their individual visits to Ireland this month. 
 
The double CD entitled, Music From Ireland 2011 will be presented to over 1000 visiting dignitaries travelling with the UK and US heads of state. The main aim of the project is to promote Irish artists both at home (pr & streaming) and abroad (CD) and hope the artists involved benefit by being heard by the recipients, which include international press.

The artist selection process involved representative organisations Music Network, The Contemporary Music Centre, Improvised Music Company and First Music Contact nominating artists they feel currently represent a particular genre. The Arts Council and Culture Ireland advised the final list.
 
The music is divided in to four chapters, each chapter representing two genres:

Indie & Rock
Clasical & Contemporary
Traditional & Folk
Jazz & world

Fionn Regan - Put A Penny In The Slot

Self-titled Debut Now Available on ATO Records:
Official Store: smarturl.it/bookerATOstore
iTunes: smarturl.it/bookeritunes
Amazon: smarturl.it/bbookerAmazon

Benjamin Booker - "Wicked Waters"

Out now on Slumberland Records (N & S America) and Fortuna Pop! (ROW).

iTunes: http://smarturl.it/wcftspitunes
LP/CD: http://www.slumberlandrecords.com/catalog/show/278


Allo Darlin's new album "We Come From The Same Place" combines the eagerness, urgency and immediacy of their 2010 self-titled debut with the contemplation, sophistication and ambition of their 2012 follow-up "Europe," and yet it goes beyond either both sonically and in the songs. It was written at a time of considerable change for songwriter Elizabeth Morris, a time during which she fell in love, moved to Italy and got married - not that that seems to have hindered the songwriting process, as Elizabeth explains, "So many things have happened since I first wrote the songs that make up this album, it's difficult to remember back to where it all began. The songs were written very quickly, during a period when I found writing songs very easy, whereas I often find songwriting very difficult. Some of the songs were written so fast I can't even really remember writing them. The songs were a joy to write, and writing them made me feel better about lots of things."

Among the highlights of the album is "Bright Eyes", a duet with guitarist Paul Rains. Elizabeth again, "I wanted to write another duet, but the only problem with doing that is that when you play live it's very rare that the person you recorded it with can be there. So I thought it would be great to write a song with Paul singing the other part. I love Paul's singing and I wanted to hear him do it more, so it's quite selfish really!" Another standout is the Twin Peaks-referencing "Half-Heart Necklace", based on a true story from Elizabeth’s hometown. "There had been some murders, and this girl who was my age was missing and presumed killed. It turned out she had been hiding for years in her boyfriend's cupboard, and she was charged for wasting police time". 
 
Other notable tracks include the rollicking "Kings and Queens", inspired by a show they played in the USA with their friends and kindred spirits The Wave Pictures, and "Romance and Adventure", originally earmarked for a film soundtrack and written in response to a challenge from Paul to write a pop song in a minor key. Bass player Bill Botting sums up Elizabeth’s remarkable songwriting ability by saying, "The key to Elizabeth’s songwriting appeal is that she’s so adept at pinpointing certain ideas and moods; leaving one city and finding a new one and realising that beginnings and endings have a lot in common."

The truism is that third albums are difficult beasts, but by remaining true to themselves Allo Darlin’ have side-stepped the pitfalls to produce a wonderful record - thoughtful and exciting and exquisitely played – that will please their existing army of fans and newcomers alike. On first reading the album’s title may seem enigmatic, but from the very personal nature of Elizabeth Morris’ finely drawn vignettes to the more universal connections between the band and their audience, its meaning will be obvious to all who fall under the spell of this magical band.

"A masterclass of modern cult pop." The Guardian

"Terrific, witty and heartfelt, like a less moody Belle & Sebastian." The New York Times

Allo Darlin' - Bright Eyes

Hello friends of Horses!

How are you? Here is some news! We’re excited to tell you that we are in the studio working on a new album that we hope to release later in the coming year. We are working with the incredible Jason Lytle as producer. You may recognize his name as the head scientist of the band Grandaddy. We can’t wait to finish this thing up and get it out to y’all!

In more good news, we have also teamed up with Mr. Lytle for a Christmas kind of song to bring you some seasonal good tidings or something. Stream it here and download it from iTunes at http://smarturl.it/hanganornament!

Happiest Holidays to you all.

With Love,
Band of Horses

Grandaddy and Band Of Horses - Hang An Ornament

another short piece by PhilHellene , recorded two decades ago.

Rules of Bribary

Howe Gelb - But I Did Not

Eyeoneye

The Shins - Goodbye Girl

Live at St. Ann's Warehouse

That's Just What You Are

Are You in Love?

"Daringly different and dazzlingly diverse" Rough Trade

TROPICAL FUCK STORM / DERADOORIAN / THE LEMONHEADS / EARTH / LUCKY BREAK / HAYLIE DAVIS / WHITNEY K / BLACK LIPS / MONDE UFO / PICTISH TRAIL / GRAHAM REYNOLDS / VANISHING TWIN / JANE WEAVER / DECISIVE PINK / MARINA ALLEN / RVG / BAS JAN / MARTA DEL GRANDI / ISLET / ELLA RAPHAEL / FATEN KANAAN / LUCY GOOCH / HATER / RATS ON RAFTS / JOSEPHINE FOSTER / DEATH AND VANILLA / ROYAL TRUX / KRISTIN HERSH / THROWING MUSES / THE CHILLS / HALF JAPANESE / SEBADOH / THE DREAM SYNDICATE / AMBER ARCADES

Howe Gelb - But I Did Not

FIRE RECORDS