JJ Jupiter is a solo act that will collaborating with different artists in 2014 (aka Just James).

2013 was another great year for James Byrne better known as JJ Jupiter. On the back of his 2012/13 French tour he went straight into the studio to work with renowned award winning producer Mark Reddy and released his debut single 'Concrete Shoes'.
Back on tour around Ireland finishing of with concerts in the city of culture Derry/Londonderry. Playing in pubs and clubs around Ireland JJ has built a solid fan base with radio and tv cameos.
The highlights of the year? James says his top 2 that stick out the most are playing at the UNESCO youth awards infront of 1000's of youths in the Mansion House Dublin. Audience included Irish President Michael D Higgins. One of JJ's favorite experiences was suporting The Original Rudeboys as they are one of his favorite bands James says ' It was like a dream come true'.
What does 2014 hold? Well JJ Jupiter has already been playing the national circuit. He hopes to release loads new material with his new single 'The Fight' and is in the process of organising a UK Irish tour.

*Contact* 
Email: HandsomeHandsomemusic@gmail.com
Phone; +353 857052662

'One of the surprise stand-out performances of the weekend.' - (State.ie's review of Electric Picnic 2014) Handsome Handsome have been around (in one guise or another) since late 2012.

4 and 5 part harmonies form the heart of their sound with ambient electric guitar, acoustic guitar, bass, piano, drums and synth adding the skin and bones. Influences are myriad and indefinable and the genre defying quintets songs have been described as a mix of ambient, folk, pop, rock and 'doomy, frankly terrifying' music. This coupled with sincere and heartbreaking vocal delivery and lyrics that are drawn from an occasionally pitch black seam means that their engaging live shows swing wildly in mood. Handsome Handsome are a live act to watch out for.

Currently hard at work expanding their live sound and recording their upcoming Debut EP for a Spring/Summer release an exciting year beckons for the band. If the evidence of 2014 is to be believed it would seem that 'Handsome Handsome are definitely here to stay’ – (The Irish Sun, March 4th 2014)

Have a listen here - (https://soundcloud.com/handsomehandsome)

Read the full State.ie Electric Picnic Review here - http://state.ie/features/electric-picnic-2014/2
Visit us and say hi on our Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/HndsmHndsm
Twitter - @handsomex2

Mayo born, Dublin dwelling singer/songwriter. Debut EP "The Fallen" released February 28th 2020.

Ben Reel will release  his 11th studio album 'Come a Long Way' in June 2023. The album consists of 11 brand new self penned songs. This follows 2 previous releases 'Live @JJ Smyths Dublin' (2021) & 'Locked In & Live' (2022) a double album which was a mixture of live songs & studio tracks recorded during the pandemic lockdown.

 
Since his debut album `This Is the Movie’ back in 1999, Ben has reinvented himself from album to album, influenced by different styles of music over the years. As one critic said,  " He's not afraid to throw in some in folk, soul, reggae vibes, which in turn call to mind John Hiatt at his best". Another describes him as “somewhere in the middle ground between rock and jazz or a sound that is sometimes reminiscent of Dylan and the Band”. He has also been described as the Irish Springsteen and comparisons have been made with the voice of Roy Orbison. 


In a solo career which now spans over 20 years, Ben has received  worldwide critical acclaim with numerous high profile TV/Radio appearances like BBC, RTE and Dutch NPO Radio. Supporting the likes of Jools Holland, & The Cranberries and he has collaborated musically with such names as Hal Ketchum & The Blockheads. He has co written and performed live with his fellow countryman Tony McLoughlin and some of Nashville's finest such as David Olney, Nanci Griffiths & Irene Kelley.

 
‘The Nashville Calling` was the title of his 9th studio album which was released in March 2020. Produced by Will Kimbrough and Tommy Womack and featuring Garry W Tallent on bass from the legendary E Street Band. Recorded in Nashville this was a dream come through for Ben. The album went to No.1 in the Euro Americana charts voted by respected DJ's and critics all over Europe. 


In the past Ben was selected to play an official showcase at Folk Alliance in Memphis and has toured as double bill with Tommy Womack (Nashville) in the U.S & UK and also with legendary American folk singer/songwriter Eric Andersen in the UK & NL. While in Nashville he was invited to play the famous Bluebird cafe on a number of occasions. He has graced big festivals such as Jamming@Hippie Jacks (USA), Musiktan festival in Bilbao,(ESP). Haarlem Jazz & Huntenpop (NL), Robin Hood folk festival (UK), Kilkenny rhythm & roots, Cork jazz & Electric Picnic (EIRE). Ben has built a loyal fan base in various countries around the world and continues to be be one of the hardest working troubadours around.

Rising Stars is a celebration of great original music from real musicians and songwriters who love their craft.

Since we first launched ‘Rising Stars’ we’ve been overwhelmed with the response, receiving hundreds of submissions from amazing original artists from Countries including; Australia, Austria, Belize, Canada, Egypt, England, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Kazakhstan Kenya, Mexico, Poland, Scotland, Togo and the United States.

RisingStars.ie - re-launching soon!

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