Three of the songs on this EP – Lost and Lonely, Stagecoach and Ecstasy recently made it to the semi finals in the UK Songwriters contest along with another of David’s songs. Having all four of the songs entered go beyond the first round is a real testament to the writing skills of Oracle’s David McClean. These songs have a definite style that most songwriters take decades to fully develop. David and co founder Brian Mellors, along with lead guitar player and producer Chris Logan have every reason to be proud of this EP. The talents of the band members fully compliment one another in each of the songs offered here.

The entire EP is very atmospheric with the music perfectly complimenting but never downing out the lyrics. Each song has its own mood and draws the listener in with ease. They run the gamut from a more acoustic sound to rock elements. Songs like Best Days and Lost and Lonely have the kind of pop quality that will make you sing along. Stagecoach and Ecstasy are so hauntingly beautiful that they demand that you just listen. If there is a recurring theme it seems to be that these songs give voice to the feeling of being an outsider. Tortured Soul will surely resonate especially with fans of Twilight or anyone trying to find their place in the world.

All and all, Jewels of the Sky is a remarkable debut album and I can’t wait to see what they follow up with. Rumor has it that the group will find its way back to the studio soon so hopefully we won’t have to wait too long for their next one.

Song List

Lost and Lonely
Tortured Soul
Stagecoach
Best Days
Ecstasy

Samples can be heard and the ep can be purchased at the band’s myspace page here It is also available at iTunes here

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The Druids are an Irish Rebel Band. For those unaware of the meaning of the term, these men sing, play and recount the history of Irish rebellion and resistance to outside rule over the past centuries. They “sing songs which have meaning in terms of peoples every day life…”     

Starry Plough is The Druids latest anthology of these momentous accounts.  To this excellent selection of popular and well known rebel songs, Mick O’Brien has added his most recent self penned work, Starry Plough. In which he relates the story of James Connelly’s activist life and dreadful execution by firing squad in Kilmainham jail.

Although Starry Plough is serious in its content, The Druids present an upbeat and quite brilliant performance. Coupled with the unrivaled mandolin playing of Paddy Mangan, and pulsating beat of Mick O’Brien’s Bodhran the lyrics come alive for the listener.  Gary Lawlor’s lead vocals and fine acoustic guitar in the song Farewell to Bellaghy are soft and sincere but definitely deliver their message. Darren Egan, the “newest recruit,” is outstanding with his rendition of Highland Paddy. 

It would be hard to choose a favorite among all the favorites on this album, but if pressured, I would have to say I am especially fond of Let the People Sing. Call me an optimist but this one makes me feel good. The Legend is another favorite of mine, quietly telling the stories of long passed martyrs to the cause. I must also say that it was not possible for me to listen to these songs in the course of writing about them and not become engrosed and educated in the history of Ireland’s recent turbulent past.

This is an extraordinary album performed by talented, creative men who are passionately engaged in their cause. I would recommend it to anyone interested in outstanding Rebel music, Irish history and a great performance.  Starry Plough is meant to be enjoyed again and again and in the listening, learned from.  It definitely delivers on all counts. Great stuff Druids! 

 The Druids will launch Starry Plough on 01-Aug-2010 in Kildare.

Starry Plough

Back Home in Derry / Bobby Sands

Farewell to Bellaghy / Gerry O’Glacain

The Weeping Wind/The Lonesome Boatman / Bobby Sands/Finbar Furey

The Helicopter Song / Brian Warfield

The Legend / Dan Hannon

Starry Plough / Mick O’Brien     (scroll down to watch video of this song )

George and Pop / P. McGlinchey/G. Breslin

Highland Paddy / Sean McCarthy

Let the People Sing / Brian Warfield

Mick O’Brien – 5-String Banjo, Bodhran, Tin Whistle, Vocals

Paddy Mangan – Banjo, Mandolin & Vocals

Gary Lawlor – Acoustic Guitar, Lead Vocals

Darren Egan – Base, Vocals 

Alan Donohue – “The man that looks after us on and off the stage.”

Albums available at cdBaby:

Starry Plough (the week of launch)

From Bodenstown to Boolavouge

Visit The Druids at:

Bebo:  http://www.bebo.com/Profile.jsp?MemberId=8598844388

Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/pages/THE-DRUIDS/138321612153?ref=search

Myspace:  www.myspace.com/thedruidsrebelband

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“I wish to thank everyone for a fantastic show last night! Very rarely does so much talent share one stage for such a great cause. The ever-popular Damian McGinty brought his best with some great songs, and we had many talents such as Niamh McGlinchy, Stephen Barr and Michael Doherty.

A last thank you must go out to our many American friends and supporters, particularly DianeS, whom I met long before the Facebook program began. Thank you all, there was as many people at the show in spirit as there were in the seats. Hopefully somewhere along the line, we can all meet in person, but From The Heart 2 has brought many people together. We did not foresee support from so far, but greatly appreciate it!”

—Cathal Lynch
—From The Heart 2

Cathal, the videos were wonderful. Those of us over here sure appreciate your middle of the night tenacity. Thank you back. DianeS

Here are some videos from the concert.

Mickey Coleman singing Miss You More than Words Can Say. He wrote this song for the first concert.

Damian McGinty singing Ronan Keating’s Hold On

Micheal Doherty doing Boy George’s Karma Chameleon

To read more about this concert click here. You can find more videos from the concert at Cathal’s YouTube Page

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JULY 2010

Friday July 9
FLORO, NORWAY
FOTBALL FLORO FESTIVAL
http://www.fotballflora.no

Sunday July 11
OXEGEN FESTIVAL – Hotpress Stage 11.10 p.m.
PUNCHESTOWN RACECOURSE
http://www.oxegen.ie
http://www.ticketmaster.ie
http://www.facebook.com/oxegen

Tuesday July 20
GALWAY, UPSTAIRS AT KELLY’S
New Album Showcase
Tickets: Zhivago Records Galway
http://www.ticketmaster.ie

Wednesday July 21
GALWAY, UPSTAIRS AT KELLY’S
New Album Showcase
Tickets: Zhivago Records Galway
http://www.ticketmaster.ie

Saturday July 24
SCOTLAND,THE WICKERMAN FESTIVAL
Box Office: 08444 99 99 90
http://thewickermanfestival.co.uk
http://www.ticketmaster.co.uk

AUGUST 2010

Thursday August 5
SION, SWITZERLAND
GUINNESS IRISH FESTIVAL
http://www.guinnessfestival.ch

Saturday August 7
NYC – HIGHLINE BALLROOM
431 West 16th Street, NY 10011
PH: 212 414 5994
http://www.ticketmaster.com
http://www.highlineballroom.com

Sunday August 8
DUBLIN OH – IRISH FESTIVAL
Coffman Park 5600 Post Road, Exit 17A
PH: 614 410 4545
http://www.dublinirishfestival.org

Tuesday August 10
SELLERSVILLE PA – SELLERSVILLE THEATER 1894
24 Temple Avenue, Sellersville, 18960-2421
Box Office: 215 257 5808
http://www.st94.com

Thursday August 12
WASHINGTON DC – 9:30 CLUB
815 V Street, Washington DC 20001
PH: 202 265 0930
http://www.930.com
http://www.ticketfly.com/purchase/event/11961

Friday August 13
HYANNIS MA – CAPE COD MELODY TENT
21 West Main Street, Hyannis MA 02601
PH: 508 775 5630
http://www.melodytent.org
http://www.ticketmaster.com

Saturday August 14
ORKNEY SPRINGS VA – SHENANDOAH VALLEY MUSIC FESTIVAL
Rte 263 Orkney Springs VA
Box Office: 800 459 3396
http://www.musicfest.org

Sunday August 15
LANCASTER PA – LONGS PARK AMPHITHEATRE
1441 Harrisbure Pike, Lancaster PA 17601
FREE CONCERT
INFO: 717 735 8883
http://www.longspark.org

Saturday August 21
STAFFORD, V FESTIVAL
CHANNEL 4 STAGE
http://www.vfestival.com
http://www.ticketmaster.co.uk

Sunday August 22
CHELMSFORD, V FESTIVAL
CHANNEL 4 STAGE
http://www.vfestival.com
http://www.ticketmaster.co.uk

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The first Glasgowbury festival was held in the year 2000. A group of local musicians were organized by Paddy Glasgow to come together for a concert to raise awareness and funds for the Ulster Cancer Foundation charity. The name of the festival was a play on the famous British festival, Glastonbury. It was such a success that it has become an annual event growing every year. But this is much more than just an annual festival. The Glasgowbury Music Group is run for and by musicians and holds events all year long from workshops to seminars to musical events. Over time the monthly G Sessions were added offering an outlet for the talent of both up and coming and established acts from the area. Also added was the The Rural Key Music Project teaching young songwriters and musicians how to take their work to the next level.

Paddy Nash tells Fanrealm, “Glasgowbury is unique in that it’s the only festival in northern Ireland that caters for both local music and fans of the local music scene. It’s like a big summer celebration full of great music, great people and great banter. It’s the best festival in Ireland where fans are friends and there’s no room for superstars.” Paddy is pictured above with his band, the Happy Enchiladas, at the 2009 festival.

More info about this festival and the work of the music group can be found on their website at http://www.glasgowbury.com There are also musical samples from some of the acts who will be appearing this year. Glasgowbury may have started at small but it has been massive from the beginning.

The festival is now held at Eagle’s Rock Valley, Draperstown NI. In 2009 the festival completely sold out. Tickets are still available for this year’s festival but they are going fast. Get yours here

2010 Line up

FIGHTING WITH WIRE
General Fiasco * LaFaro * Fight Like Apes * Adebisi Shank * Cashier No 9 * Duke Special * In Case Of Fire * Lowly Knights * Joe Echo * Rams’ Pocket Radio * Strait Laces * Axis Of * A Plastic Rose * mojoFURY * Not Squares * Building Pictures * Yes Cadets * Key Of Atlas * The Jane Bradfords * Paul Shevlin * The Riptide Movement * The Last Tycoons * Keith Harkin * Aaron Shanley * Pocket Billiards * Wonder Villains * Deep Fried Funk DJS * Furlo * More Than Conquerors * Colenso Parade * Swanee River * Henrietta Game * Chipzel * Gascan Ruckus * The Q * Captain Kennedy * Jackson Cage *John Edgar Voe * The Vals * Triggerman * Fingersmith * Silhouette * Panama Kings * Paul Casey * Stand Up Guy * Team Fresh * Little Hooks * Paddy Nash & The Happy Enchiladas * Futurechaser * Rupture Dogs * Junior Johnson * Here Comes The Landed Gentry * John, Shelly & The Creatures

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Following the success of last years “From The Heart” concert in The Millennium Forum, a second will take place to raise awareness of suicide and honor Eamonn’s memory. 

DATE:                    Saturday, July 10, 2010

Time:                     8:00pm – 11:30pm

Location:              Millennium Forum, Derry

Many musical talents will be on show for the concert. Among them are:

Ben Kelly

Damian McGinty (of Celtic Thunder)

Maureen Campbell

Michael Doherty

Mickey Coleman

Niamh McGlinchey

Plunkett McGartland

Stephen Barr

May McFetridge will also be the hilarious host for the evening, plus much more to be announced!

Tickets: £12.50, £15.00, £16.50

All proceeds go to Foyle Search & Rescue: http://www.foylesearchandrescue.org/

Tickets available online:
http://gcldvsh.sed2.info/index.php?view=details&id=178%3Afrom-the-heart-memorial-concert&option=com_eventlist&Itemid=3

Or by telephone: 028 71 264 455

The following is an excerpt from a statement by SDLP Foyle MP Mark Durkan:
“The marked incidence of suicide in Derry – in particular among young people – is devastating the families and friends of victims and shocking the whole community. We are all left struggling with perplexing questions. No one on their own can establish or express adequate answers. This is a profound issue where we literally have to come together – different agencies, churches, professionals, community groups and families. We have to admire and applaud so much good, hard, sensitive work which is being done and so much of it led by those who have been bereaved by suicide.
Through this follow up concert, Bebe Johnson is determined to do just that. This is a warm way to bring people together to talk openly and honestly about suicide and mental health issues, so that we can encourage our young people to do the same. Bebe has put her heart and soul into the organisation of this concert. In support of her courageous efforts, I would urge people throughout the North West to support this concert, the proceeds of which will go to Foyle Search & Rescue.”

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Now that that business is taken care of time for some music. I will showcase three bands who each represent one of our musical interests – Celtic, Irish and Indie Music.

Celtic Music

In this case it’s Celt Rock but we also follow bands and artists who play more traditional Celtic Music.

Seven Nations

I have been a fan of Kirk McLeod forever so becoming a fan of Seven Nations was a no brainer. This great band is from Orlando, Florida and play a lot on the east coast and at festivals. If you get the chance to see them live, don’t pass it up.

The band members are: Kirk McLeod, Struby, Crisco, Victor Gagnon, Will MacMorran

Here is their bio from ReverbNation:

The story of SEVEN NATIONS is that of a truly original and determined band based in Orlando, Florida. They have for years booked their own tours,and have had their own PBS and CNN specials. Throw away any preconceived notions you may have about Celtic music…this is a band that has invented its own sound and attracted a prodigious national and international following.

Through its touring schedule and dynamic live performances, SEVEN NATIONS has become one of the fastest growing live acts nationwide. They have logged in more than 300,000 touring miles trying to make the music universal for old and new fans alike. To the five member band, that means being on tour 85 percent of the year, melding guitar and vocal elements of American pop and rock with Highland bagpipes and fiddle. The result is a high-energy performance that has fans jumping out of their seats, and has sparked interest industry-wide.

Equally at home in front of 40,000 cheering fans at an international festival, with the widely recognized, Grammy award winning, symphony orchestras, or with 300 fans in a small Midwest club, SEVEN NATIONS has created a truly hybrid sound and transient live show. The depth and complexity of SEVEN NATIONS’ music is astounding, each listen reveals a deeper layer of intricacy that has been embraced by an ever growing audience. “We are lucky,” says McLeod, lead singer/songwriter and founding member of the band, “because we come from two unique cultures. We love American pop and rock and roll, but we also love our Celtic roots. We want to touch everybody with our music,” he continues, “and so far, we have been very, very fortunate.”

Enjoy their music!

Irish Music

We feature a lot of bands and solo singers from Ireland. There is a lot of musical talent in Ireland in all genres but since I am in a rock mood today, I will showcase an Irish Rock band.

The Plea

I discovered this band when they sent me a friend request at MySpace. They are from Ballyliffen, IE. The band members are brothers Denny and Dermot Doherty, Paul Toland, and Gerry Strawbridge.

The Doherty brothers started their first band when they were in their teens. They eventually relocated to London to follow their dream and then onto Boston all the while working day jobs and gigging at Irish pubs at night. Fate took them to Minnesota where they recorded an album that the record company never released. This kind thing happens more than you might think in the record business. Disgusted by record company promises that proved to be fairly empty,they returned to Ireland to regroup. There they were joined by bassist Paul and drummer Gerry. They began to write new music and post them on their myspace page. Fan interest was immediate and other record companies began to take notice. The band finally accepted an offer from R & S records to release a cd on their Indie offshoot label Apollo Records. Their debut cd Nothing But Trouble was produced by Cenzo Townsend, who has worked with U2, Snow Patrol and many other top bands. The Plea is definitely a band on the move up.

Here is a sample of their music, not included here is the beautiful song Windchime. You can hear that one at their myspace page – http://www.myspace.com/thepleamusic

Indie Music

The early experience that The Plea had with record companies was not that unusual for new and unknown bands. This is why more and more bands prefer to start out as Indie Artists. With the internet and all the social networking sites a band can build up a pretty good following and can record their own cds and sell them directly to their fans.

Sienna

I literally stumbled upon this band at ReverbNation and I am already a huge fan. They are an indie band out of Augsburg, Germany. They classify their music as Rock/Brit Pop/Indie. The band members are: Sascha Schütz, Stefan Spoo, Chris Höfle, Christoph Elwert. Here is their bio from ReverbNation:

Sienna – four musicians on a quest for a common goal, driven by the simplicity and the purism that modern music so often lacks. Sienna is the yearning, the lust for life and the pain; it is the impulse and the reaction at the same time, and the unquenchable thirst for grand melodies that life holds for you after letting off the hand-brake. The band draws on familiar sources, relying on an effortless economy of sound without over-stretching their ideas, combining the various musical backgrounds of four guys on a single quest for that one perfect song.

The band will simultaneously put you in mind of a casual busker and Wembley Stadium reverberating with delayed distortion. Oasis’ “Definitely Maybe” meets U2’s “Achtung Baby”, The Verve’s “Urban Hymns” meet Coldplay’s “Parachutes”

Bringing together members of three southern German bands, Sienna was founded in the summer of 2009 by singer/guitarist Sascha Schütz (The Monument), guitarist Stefan “Spoon” Spoo (Jeffrey), bassist/backing singer Chris Höfle (Purblind) and drummer Christoph Elwert (Jeffrey).

Here is a sample of their music:

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 Over the weeks I found myself returning to two favorites, If Love is a Red Dress and When I Get Low, and playing them again and again. Poignant and engaging, I found Red Dress just the song to curl up with on a dark rainy day to relive memories of past loves. When I Get Low is amusing, upbeat and showcases Kate’s ability to switch flawlessly between blue and bubbly without missing a beat or breaking a sweat. 

 With her distinctive lyric blend and the bands offbeat instrumentation, this EP is well worth adding to any collection. Descriptive words layered upon unusual melodies blend together to create a totally original sound. Kate O’Callaghan is someone to watch. She surely has the talent to make her mark in the music world. Observe and enjoy. 

To You, Kate O’Callaghan’s debut EP, will be released on June 25^th of this year, launching at McGrorys in Culdaff. With Mark Black, Peter Doherty, Seamus Devenny, Kevin Murphy and The Henry Girls. She Cries, All You Can Be, To You, Well Runs Dry
were all written by Kate.

TO YOU

*She Cries

*All You Can Be

*To You

*Well Runs Dry

 If Love is a Red Dress

 When I Get Low

* These songs were all written by Kate.

Kate O’ Callaghan – vocals and guitar
Mark Black – guitar
Peter Doherty – double bass
Seamus Devenny – drums, cajon, fiddle

Additional musicians:
Jennifer Kimball – backing vocals
Lorna Mc Laughlin – accordion
Kevin Murphy – clarinet
Paul Devenny – viola

www.kateocallaghan.com

www.myspace.com/kateocallaghanmusic

www.breakingtunes.com/kateocallaghan

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This, his second album, was recorded in Nashville and you can detect that wonderful mellow realism that is part of the city’s style throughout. The songs have great lyrics. They spin intimate tales of dreamers, lovers and all of those who have reached the point in life where they realize that fabled happy ending may not happen but they keep going anyway. The tunes are catchy and the mood is upbeat not angsty, even when things are not going the way the subject of the song may have hoped. These are songs people can identify with which just adds to the enjoyment of listening to them.

I’d have a hard time picking just one favorite track. The first song Full Moon Child draws you and each of the songs that follow tightens the hold on your attention. I Am, You Are is a commentary on how we, as humans, are losing touch with our fellow humans in this busy world. These are songs of love, of regrets, of all the things that make up life. Great writers don’t really show us a light, they show us a mirror and that reflection is what is really enlightening. Ben Glover is one of those writers.

I urge you to go to Ben’s myspace page and listen to his music. You too will become and instant fan. You will be hearing lots more from this singer/songwriter.

myspace: http://myspace.com/benglovermusic

website:www.benglover.co.uk

Song List

1. Full Moon Child
2. Monument Green
3. Where the Lines Are
4. I Am, You Are
5. Grounded
6. The Hat
7. A Little Less Blue
8. Let It Do What It Does
9. First Chance For Second Tries
10. Too Late To Leave Her Alone

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www.kateocallaghan.com
www.myspace.com/kateocallaghanmusic
www.breakingtunes.com/kateocallaghanmusic

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