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Gareth Brannigan bought his first guitar after receiving some money on his 12th birthday. After his father showed him a few chords he was off and running eventually learning lead guitar, playing on occasion’s guest lead guitar in his father blues band. On hearing music from Damien Rice, Declan O’Rourke, Ray LaMontagne to name but a few he turned to writing his on songs, this led to him accomplishing semi-finalist status in the UK Songwriters Contest competition 2008 with “Sunrise”. In late 2008 Gareth entered the recording studio to lay down four self penned songs that was to become his first EP entitled “Walk with me”. Gareth teamed up with experienced musicians, notably John Leighton on keyboards and Elaine Sokanovic backing vocals. What resulted from these performances and Gareth’s production is a collection of songs that well surpassed all expectations of a singer songwriter so young, Gareth was 19 at the time. In 2009 he was a finalist the Newtownards Guitar Singer Song writers competition. He is now currently promoting his EP as a solo artist in various venues around the country and has recently performed live on Dublin FM’s “On the verge” www.ontheverge.ie with Brendan Hickey, also appearing on U105 with Lisa Flavelle.
He is currently writing new songs and hopes to go into the studio again in the near future.

“Walk With Me” is currently available as download from ITunes, Amazon, CDBaby, Rhapsody…….

You can hear samples at Gareth’s music at his myspace page: www.myspace.com/garethbranniganmusic

Conor Mason, born August 27, 1981, is a singer-songwriter from Derry. Having learned classical piano from the age of 8, Conor soon progressed to a variety of other instruments including Guitar, drums and harmonica.

Conor followed a music production course at a local college where he began playing in bands and learning the art of recording. It was around this time that Conor played in a band called Gentle Ben. Soon after they split, Conor began recording songs for his first solo project.

It wasn’t long before people were taking notice of Conor’s music. His song ‘Circles’, was one of ten songs of the year in the BBC Across the line show in N. Ireland. More recently, Conor has also won both the XFM Unsigned competition and the monthy ’Your Sound’ showdown at the legendary King Tuts venue in Glasgow. This lead to a slot at the Hydro Connect Music Festival this year, where Conor played alongside artists like Elbow, Sigur Ros, the Coral and Gomez. At the end of last year, Conor released his debut album, ‘When it’s over’, on Antimatter music.

Conor is back in Derry working on his new album, and playing with a new live band, which he hopes to tour with after the summer. With his songwriting consistency, and the sheer warmth of every performance, we look forward to hearing (and seeing) what Conor does next.

Next Gig: IMRO Tour 2010 @ Masons, Derry – 15th April

When It’s Over is available through ITunes (click on album cover to go to ITunes) and also at the Antimatter shop http://www.antimattermusic.co.uk/shop.html

Visit Conor at:
his myspace page http://www.myspace.com/conormason
his facebook page http://www.facebook.com/pages/Conor-Mason/119434200227
his twitter page http://twitter.com/conor_mason
his Lastfm pagehttp://www.last.fm/music/Conor+Mason

I came across this band first at the NI Charts site and then at myspace. They are a great band remind me a bit of the Saw Doctors in that they sing to and about real people and real experiences. Paddy sent this bio and we will review their cd when it comes out.

Paddy Nash & The Happy Enchiladas @ Glasgowbury Festival 09

After a fantastic performance at Glasgowbury 09 and gigs in Derry, Draperstown, Limavady and beyond. Here are just some of the things people have been saying about them.

Glasgowbury 09

Eamonn McCann – Hot Press

For more info and samples of their music check out their website www.paddynash.co.uk and their myspace page www.myspace.com/paddynash Their are free downloads at their website!

Andrew Huggan is a folk singer/songwriter from Central Scotland. He has been playing music ever since he was a small child but it’s only within the last decade that he started to take it more seriously.

During the Hebridean Celtic Festival in 2007 he got the chance to play his songs “Take Me Away Across the Sea” and “Lonely Lonely Night” live on BBC Radio nan Gàidheal.

In summer 2009 he was invited to play at Elphin Drift, an acoustic evening in Yorkshire. His performance went down well with the audience and he was invited back to play at the next Elphin Drift which was in November.

In February, Andrew will be performing at Skipinnish Ceilidh House, Oban, supporting folk rock band COAST on their debut Scottish tour.

You can sample Andrew’s music using the widget below. You can also find more info at these pages:

http://www.facebook.com/l/f09c0;www.reverbnation.com/andrewhuggan.

Andrew’s Facebook page

Singer/songwriter Mickey Coleman, from the shores of Lough Neagh, County Tyrone Ireland is on his way to becoming the latest sensation to hit the Irish music folk scene.

Mickey who has been writing, singing and playing music from an early age completed his critically acclaimed debut album Carefully Crafted, consisting of all original material, a short 18 months ago. And, since its debut has been sharing the stage with artists such as The Chieftains, Cara Dillon, Francis Black, Liam Reilly, Steve Cooney and many more.

His talent for penning songs that in some way or another have shaped his life and which have captured the hearts of many in his live performances has been well documented in songs such as The Brantry Boy, The Holylands Belfast, My Coalisland Girl and Kilkeel Fisherman.

Drawing influences from Christy Moore, Bob Dylan and Luke Kelly, Mickey has developed his own identity saying; “I am like myself. I don’t think I sound like anyone” in an interview with popular folk artist and producer Column Sands.

James McGarrity from JW Promotions says; “Mickey Coleman is another example of the class and caliber of new musicians in the Province. This talented singer/songwriter produced a sensational debut album and is set for great things.”

Mickey is currently writing with some of Ireland’s finest and adding the finishing touches to his brand new album, Mothers Lullaby. Scheduled to launch on 29-Jan-2010, it is now available for purchase and pre-order on his website:   www.mickeycoleman.com

Listen to some of Mickey’s songs now at: www.myspace.com/mickeycoleman1   

Become a fan and follow Mickey on Facebook at: 

Mickey Coleman Folk Singer/Songwriter: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/group.php?gid=156313743038

Another great singer/songwriter I found on MySpace is Chris Keys. You have to go give him a listen too. We will be reviewing his EP when it comes out and it will be available at ITunes and cdbaby soon also.

Chris Keys 27 year old singer/songwriter and multi instrumentalist, had a passion for music from a young age and taught himself to play guitar, bass and piano. He was filmed busking in Belfast and was featured in the ‘Imagine’ best European cultural city promo video. In 2006 Chris won ‘pubstar’ and recently came runner up in the ‘Freedom live’ competition to support the Script at the Spring & Airbreak Belfast, organised by Cool fm /Northern bank. He has supported LA singer/songwriter ‘Ricky Warwick’ and is currently giging on the road with the ‘Chris keys duo’. Chris has just finished his second Ep ‘Shadows’ and at present is targeting radio stations and record labels.

You can hear Chris’s music at his website, YouTube and on his myspace page and become a fan on facebook.
http://www.chriskeys.com
http://www.youtube.com/chriskeysofficial
http://www.myspace.com/chrisjkeys
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Chris-keys/52820986217

Oracle is a band I ran into on MySpace. At the time I knew nothing about them other than the fact that I loved their music. I have since been in contact with David and he sent me a band bio. I hope to have photos to add when they become available.

Oracle was formed by singer/songwriter David McClean and Brian Mellors in 2009. Chris Logan (lead guitar) and Christopher Hylands (drums) complete the line up. The band are currently working towards a debut EP with recordings “Lost and Lonely” and “Best Days” having already received airplay on local radio. Another song “Final Mile” has also received airplay on Cool FM (N Ireland’s largest radio station) but this song is not expected to be on the mini album that is as yet untitled. Chris Logan has also acted as producer and he has used his expertise to achieve a very polished and marketable sound. Currently they are rehearsing with plans for some gigs in Belfast in the new year to showcase the music. A music video is also in the pipeline for the band.

David McClean -Vocals, rhythm guitar
Chris Logan -Lead guitar, backing vocals
Brian Mellors -Bass, backing vocals
Chris Hylands- Percussion

You can hear samples of their music at the band’s myspace page http://www.myspace.com/davidmcclean

This is a great band with a great future. Go and give them a listen. Be sure and friend them too. Let them know how you found them. The more exposure we can deliver to bands the more bands we can get you info on. As fans we need to support indie bands so they keep making great music for us to listen to. And for our readers in Northern Ireland, check them out in person at one of their upcoming gigs.

Like a fine Scotch whisky, Peat & Barley’s music is complex, inviting and always goes down smooth. The interplay between Bill Mitchell’s hammered dulcimer and Becky Ross’s fiddle – trading melody, rhythm and harmony – draws the listener into the ebb and flow of the music in a centering and refreshing way.

Widely-regarded for their stylish arrangements of traditional Celtic tunes, the duo have performed at various Celtic and Scottish festivals, and community concerts, as well as Mt. Vernon and the Smithsonian. They frequently are hired for weddings and private parties and also play at restaurants and wineries. They continue to delight listeners  with their new CD release, Silver Lining, an engaging mix of traditional Scottish and Irish tunes.

Bill is a self-taught player and was inspired to play after his first experience of hearing a hammered dulcimer. He is particularly noted for his strong accompaniment skills that incorporate the full range of his hammered dulcimer from the shimmering sparkle of the highest treble notes to the depth and power of the lowest bass notes. He is also a composer of tunes in the Celtic style. Several of his pieces are included on each of Peat & Barley’s CD recordings.

Becky was classically trained on violin as a child and began playing again after discovering Celtic fiddle music. She is known for the rich tone of her playing and her sensitive emotional connection to the music, whether that is a sorrowful Scottish lament, a majestic march or a driving reel. She is a long-time Board Member and Treasurer of Potomac Valley Scottish Fiddle Club, a nonprofit group promoting Scottish fiddle music. Becky also plays regularly for Scottish and English country dancing and teaches Scottish fiddle lessons.

For more information on Peat & Barley, visit their website here :  http://www.peatandbarley.com/

For a sample of their music, their CD’s are available at CDBaby.

Steve Reel is a composer, musician and audio engineer. Originally from Chesapeake, VA, he hit the road as a musician at age 20. Steve is now considerably older than that, and resides in central FL. He performs with several music groups, including Steve Reel and the Reels, which has been performing Celtic music since 1997.

Steve served as Senior Instructor for the
Audio Recording Technology Institute in Orlando, FL; as Chief Engineer for Rave Productions Recording Studios, Orlando FL and as Director of Audio for VNN Television. As a live audio engineer, Steve has mixed “front of house”sound for hundreds of live shows in Florida including acts such as Lee Greenwood and Lou Rawls.

Recordings
Wheel of the Year – Steve Reel (1997) Gaia’s Light Records
Seeing Your True Inner Being – Healing Harmonics (1993) Gaia’s Light Records
Contacting Your Spirit Guide – Healing Harmonics (1993) Gaia’s Light Records
Grounding and Clearing- Healing Harmonics (1993) Gaia’s Light Records
Self Guided Tour Of The Mind- Healing Harmonics (1993) Gaia’s Light Records
Nurtured By Mother Earth- Healing Harmonics (1993) Gaia’s Light Records
Energy Awakening- Healing Harmonics (1993) Gaia’s Light Records
NeuroHarmonic Music- Healing Harmonics (1993) Gaia’s Light Records
Harcourt  Educational Media Series – Various authors – 1995 -Harcourt Brace

Video & Film Scores
The Big “E”: The U.S.S. Eisenhower (1987) Image Productions
Designing the Hard Rock Cafe, Orlando  (1991)Mitchell Media
Power Meditation – GrandMaster Y.K. Kim (1995) – Y.K. Kim Prod.
Power Breathing – GrandMaster Y.K. Kim (1995) – Y.K. Kim Prod.

You can visit Steve’s website at http://www.reelsmusic.com/

You can buy his music here:

Buy Here