Spotlight on

The ShadesAlbertCollins

Irelands Music, Art & Culture Magazine

Master of the Telecaster

Barry Jazz Finnegan

Pure M

Cormac O’Caoimh - Lisa Peters - Of Empires - Empathy Test

An ImpressiveIrish Artist

The Rattling Kind

So what’s this all about you may be asking? Well, it’s thebrand new music video from The TreeSleepers single,21 Hookers and an Ounce of Coke . The song flows with

some nice surf style guitar work, edging towards the punkgenre. The five piece Cork band has really put together a finevideo and coated it with a cracking tune.

If there is going to be a cult following this year, TheTreeSleepers may be the band to hang out with. Having asong title like this will definitely get them some attention.

The official music video for The TreeSleepers single, 21Hookers and an Ounce of Coke. Starring Leslee Crowe.Directed by Maeve Hickey. Produced by Mavisvideo. Editedby Paul Heary. Camerawork by Filipe Chaves and EoinDevlin.http://www.treesleepers.com

Parallel’s new EP What They Want, is a mixture of lightpop entertaining music. Each track on the EP bleedselements of jazz undertones. Lead singer Christine Brineenriches the EP with her beautiful warm voice.

The EP title track “What They Want” is definitely atrack full of potential, even the alternative (Reprise) mixof the song the band cut is so smooth it fits nicely on theEP.http://www.parallel-band.com

21Hookersand anOunce ofCoke What has Paul Simon, The Allman Brothers (It’s the

guitar soloing in harmony bit) and Kings of Leon got incommon? Well, I think I worked that one out afterlistening to The Chivalry EP by Marsicans.

The UK/Leeds outfit has brought something fresh yetit sounds like you heard it before. It does bring that kindof strange musical feeling over you when you first listento it.

It’s bright, and light on listening, heavy on complexphrasing. But I love it. If you want to chill out and sitback to some highly stylized pop music, this is for you. Ifeel like I want to go scuba diving now.https://www.facebook.com/marsicansuk

Dublin singer, songwriterLisa Peters new video anddebut single Party was

shot in Los Angeles as well asNew York. It also features twoestablished rappers, JuelzSantana (New York) and Rio(Manchester).

Lisa is a very talentedsongwriter and has thecredentials to back it up too.Peters studied at Ballyfermotrock school and attended PopAcademy in Hammelburg,Gemany. She also has a string oflive performances, including theLate Late Show (RTE) and TV3.

Party is not cheesy in any way,like most of the other pop musicsongs released onto the scenetoday. Its upbeat and melodicallymotivated, easy on the ears andboasting all elements of popularmusic. Party, is commercializedtowards the mainstream popculture scene, late night clubbingand your typical night owl partygoers.

The song may have yousinging the catchy chorus in yourhead after you first listen. It isthat addictive to the ears, like aninjection of musical adrenaline.

Both rappers featured on thetrack add a nice angle to the tune,while Lisa’s hypnotic voice keepsthe rhythm and the mood of thesong, Santana and Rio keep it realon the rhymes.

For a fun and uplifting tune,definitely drop Party by LisaPeters into your music player andget them hands waving it the air.I think Ireland could have a popqueen in the making here, and it’sabout time too.www.facebook.com/lisapetersofficial

Lisa PetersParty ft. Juelz Santana & Rio

EmpathyTestThrowing Stones

London based duo Empathy Test, IsaacHowlett and Adam Relf may injecttheir modern influences like Chvrches

and Purity Ring into their sound. But theydo have a knack in reinventing 80’s electropop. In Empathy Test’s latest singleThrowing Stones this is definitely the casehere.

The dreamy intro to Throwing Stones,sounds like some futuristic pop song untilIsaac Howlett’s voice enters the track. Hisvoice brings the song right back down toearth, taming the track and keeping it morerealistic to listen to. Before your mindwanders off with the electronic grooves, thechorus “Throwing Stones” is as catchy aschorus lines come.

Throwing Stones is a work of art in itsown right. If you can vision Empathy Testpainting notes and ample sounds ratherthan playing them. Not only have theycreated a sound, but a visual, colorful one atthat. The song does have huge commercialpotential, without being too complex to theears, it feels like a breath of fresh air fromthe 80’s mixed with relaxing grooves andstrong vocals. Empathy Test has outdonethemselves with this superb release.

Empathy Test, Throwing Stones single istaken from the bands brand new EPThrowing Stones released December 9th onStars & Letters Records. You can preorderthe EP for just £3.50: http://starsandletters.com/empathytest

Friday, October 31

The Thomas House86 Thomas St, Dublin, Ireland Dublin 8

Imust have walked one thousand miles to reach mydestination, well it felt like that. But it was worth it.Saturday evening October 4th, I received a gig invite

to a single launch in a barber shop in Rathmines. It doessound a bit crazy until you step inside Abner Brownsbarber shop. The shop was totally transformed into anintimate venue with a very cheerful and welcomingatmosphere. The whole place was buzzing awaiting thearrival of the nights entertainment.

It was the single launch of Stand Up, Be Counted byDublin singer songwriter Rachael McCormack,accompanied by a full band and support by anotherDublin songwriter Gar Tiernan.

Gar opened the show to very well behaved audience,normally at these launches the support never gets anyattention, but it was not the case at this gig. His music isa full blend of folk roots, with heartwarming lyrics, backedup by the most distinctive voice that keeps the listenerhypnotized by his sound.

The 28 year old singer told me afterwards that he is ashy person off the stage, but there was nothing shy abouthis set. It got a fantastic response from the audience. Garis currently recording his debut album and gearing up forhis own album launch in 2015 the date is TBC.

Dublin’s very own rock chick Rachael McCormackand full band exploded in sound when they opened withher 3rd single release, Stand Up, Be Counted. The amountof energy this girl creates on stage is breathtaking, full ofcharisma and flawlessly entertaining.

My view of the band was very limited because of theamount of people that crammed into Anber Browns.Although I did not need visuals as Rachael’s sound doneit for me. Rachael was joined on stage midway throughher set for a duet by Gar Tiernan. Both Rachael and Garthoroughly enjoyed each others performance and gelledvery well on stage together.

Rachael blasted out a full set taken from her AlbumThis is my identity. The album was released in 2013 underUniversal music and after hearing and witnessing the liveperformance, I can tell you Rachael sure knows how to puton a gig. All-round superbly fun to watch.

www.facebook.com/GarTiernanMusicwww.facebook.com/pages/Rachael-mccormack/218708258151214

RachaelMcCormack

Photo by Peter Meade

Single LaunchAbner Browns

Of Empires, are a Brighton based four-piece rock band.Stranger Sensations is their 3 track debut EP, and after afirst listen there is no doubt in my view this band is headingfor success.

Gimme What I Need is the first track on the EP, laidback with an indie rock melody and lazy thumping beats.This is catchy without being overdone, a lot of bands makethe mistake of overplaying a melody or chorus to pull youin. Of Empires have the ingredients just right in theiropening track.

I Want You To Get Mad, another radio friendly tune forsure. The song is slightly darker, it has got rock ‘n’ rollelements with some taunting guitar melodies and licks.

Stranger, this is more of an anthem tune and would godown well with festival revelers. Again, the band has comeup tops with producing another fine tune. This EP for meis like a teaser of what has to come from this superbBrighton band.

The EP was recorded earlier this year at The Toy Roomsin Brighton – a vintage recording studio whose formerclients include legendary Nick Cave. Engineered by BenThackeray (Oasis, Jamie Cullum); mixed by Jon Gray (TheKooks, The Subways, Editors).http://www.ofempires.co.uk

Emily Ewing is a 25-year-old Birmingham basedsinger-songwriter. Hersound is an example of whatpop music is all about.Catchy, easy listening withcreative lyrics and a voice toadd to the perfectingredients making a greatpop sound.

Ewing’s brand new selftitled EP is only a week oldand accompanied by therelease of a video calledMerry Go Round; allrecorded and produced byDave Draper.

Merry Go Round is asuperb release; it capturesall the essence of what Emilyis expressing in the track.Singing about emotions on apast relationship and the L

word, yes love and all thegood stuff that comes withit.

The song also has veryhigh commercial values; itwould slot into anymainstream radio show andwould not disappoint thelisteners. I highlyrecommend Emily Ewing’smusic to the avid musicaudience.www.facebook.com/EmilyMusic89

Irish singer-songwriter, Cormac O’Caoimh, has just releasedhis third solo Album, The Moon Looses Its Memory.O’Caoimh, hailing from Cork, has put together an album fullof emotion. His lyrical talent is evident throughout. Thealbum almost comes together like a book of short stories. Hissoft, yet assured voice, provides the perfect narration. Hisvoice is not dissimilar to that of Biffy Clyro’s Simon Neil, butwith a Cork accent.

The album has an extremely romantic vibe. It comesacross as a serenade. It’s experimental style, at timesminimal with flashes of indie, at times almost orchestralworks excellently with O’Caoimh’s voice and lyrics.

The opening track ‘Maze of your Heart’ works as theperfect introduction. He starts with energy, fast plucking,and vocals delivered with clever, quick precision. ‘Yellow

Cormac O’CaoimhTheMoonLoosesItsMemory

Crumbs’, one of the standout tracks on the album followsdirectly after. This emotionally charged song bestdemonstrates his lyrical ability.

The title track, ‘The Moon Looses Its Memory’ will getyour foot tapping. The simplistic guitar riff and vocals areinfectious on this one. It’s stop and go flow keeps itinteresting.

A thoroughly enjoyable album, ‘The Moon looses itsmemory’, deals with a range of emotions, taking you on ajourney in the process. The variety of instruments heard giveit a polished sound. The violin, which can be heard on severaloccasions works to great effect on ‘Solid’. The album’scontrasting styles, as well as O’Caoimh’s Confident deliveryand well-crafted lyrics make it well worth a listen.itunes.apple.com/ie/album/the-moon-loses-its-memory/id867010289

Words - John Kirwan

Dublin’s North-side band The Rattling Kind, havedropped an ace track titled Open Letter. Without eventrying to throw bouquets of lyrical bullshit at the lads,Open Letter has to be the song of the year!

The band doesn’t even bother sticking to any rules withtheir sound, they explore dark folk tones that border on arock edge without getting lost in the music. Lead singerEddie Sherlock injects rich, raw, passionate vocals pulledstraight from his heart into Open Letter.

The Rattling Kind are either a clever folk band thatknows how to mold a good song or they have the sheertalent and ability to craft a decent sound like they’ve donein Open Letter..

Open Letter for me, is a perfect example of a well-crafted superb song from one of the hardest workingbands to emerge from Dublin, The Rattling Kind.

The Rattling Kind are running a benefit night onFriday 24 October in The Mercantile venue on DameStreet.

They are donating all proceeds from their gig. Theproceeds will go to Aware, who offer support andinformation to those suffering from depression andanxiety disorders.

Describing their new track they said:“The song explores the anger, confusion and

feeling of helplessness experienced by those who haveseen depression and substance abuse take the life of a

loved one.”

The Rattling Kind

OpenLetter

WATCH: http://youtu.be/oD6yCnjhfrU

Aka “The master of the telecaster”, Albert had adistinctive guitar playing style. He was noted for theuse of an altered tuning and capo. Born in Leona,Texas, Albert took to the guitar from an early age.

His first mission was to learn and master Boogie Chillen byJohn Lee Hooker and by the age of 18 he set up his ownband, the Rhythm Rockers.

In 1952 at the age of 20, after seeing Clarence“Gatemouth” Brown playing a Fender Esquire, he had to gethimself one. The Esquire was all Albert could afford at thetime, but his choice guitar was the Telecaster. Due to its highcost, Albert opted for the cheaper model.

By the age of 22 Albert was still playing in his band andwithout a record to their name. It wasn’t till 1964 Albertrecorded his first record “Frosty” at the Gulf RecordingStudio, Beaumont, Texas for Hall Records. The owner of thelabel Bill Hall had been recommended to sign Albert byCowboy Jack. Cowboy Jack was lead engineer for the likesof Jerry Lee Lewis and Johnny Cash. Albert released hisdebut album “The Cool Sounds of Albert Collins” under TCFin 1965.

Albert made a name for himself on the blues scene,playing clubs like the whiskey GO GO and the PonderosaClub. In 1968 Canned Heat introduced Albert to an agentand secured him a record deal with Imperial Records inCalifornia. Collins got regular work from the label, he washired by Bob Krasnow in the same year to play on Ike andTina Turner’s album The Hunter and by 1970 he re-releasedhis debut album under the name Truckin’ with AlbertCollins.

Over the years Collins struggled in his career to make anykind of a big break, in the early 70’s he was doingconstruction work on the side just to make a living, he evenremodeled a house for Niel Diamond. Through all his upsand downs in his music career he played alongside some ofthe most influential musicians to date. Including Etta James,Eric Clapton and BB King.

Albert Collins died at the age of 61 in 1993, after a three-month battle with lung cancer, an interview with RobertCray in Guitar World Magazine, Robert said,

“Seeing Albert Collins at a rock festival in 1969 reallyturned my head around. Two years later, Collins played atmy high school graduation party in Tacoma, Washington,and the ice-pick sound really sunk in deep.

That was it,” Cray recalls. “That changed my whole lifearound. From that moment I started seriously studying theblues.”

Albert Collins (Oct/1/1932-Nov/24/1993)

Master of theTelecaster

Albert Collins

PU

RE

BLU

ES

Back in the golden oldie days, bands wouldmake a recording and send it to their localradio station, hoping it would get airtime.Most of the radio shows would be looking foreasy listening and catchy melody songs. ThenSun records came along and changed themusic industry altogether; they brought rock-n-roll to the people, but it was no ordinaryrock music. Devil music as the squares wouldcall it way back in the 50’s. Nowadays it’s allabout downloads and YouTube views.

I checked my inbox the other morning andto my surprise I found a rock-n-roll bandlooking for my thoughts and views on theirsound. They were not the average indie bandor progressive pop act. What captured me wastheir music, the style and the vintage rock-n-roll essence about them.

The Shades, 5 Dublin lads reviving a styleof music that has been dead and buried alongwith Buddy Holly, and all the other old rock-

n-roll beatniks a long time ago. A style thatmost of us would be familiar with, but a freshsound for a younger audience.

The band describes their music as“Rhythm ’n’ Blues/Rock ’n’ Roll Band. Ontheir way to bringing 50’s and 60’s music backto the mainstream”. Well, that is exactly whatthey are; the group has put together four livevideo recordings, 3 of which are originals.

If this group was to create a decent dressstyle and polish up a few bits on live presence,I would think they are on to something. Theyhave everything going for them; their music isfun, hip or whatever word you would describegood old rock-n-roll music. I am a massive fanof the Beatles, Stones, Chuck Berry and all thegreats, for The Shades they pay so muchhomage to that style of music. No doubt thisband will do very well on the live scene.

https://www.facebook.com/theshadesdublin

The Spotlight is on The Shades

Blues music is often underrated in the musicscene, but here at Pure M we value great musicand its worth. First up is Moses Nesh and hislatest release The Lovely Ohio. Mosescertainly brings the sound right back to earlyblues roots on this album with his sweet fingerpicking and real hillbilly styled vocals.http://mosesnesh.bandcamp.com/album/the-lovely-ohio

Now! Marty O’Reilly has a real gem of analbum called Pray For Rain. A mixture ofacoustic folk rhythms blended with good oldblues. The album was recorded at TheCreamery in Oakland, CA, it adds to itsauthenticity and sound.http://martyoreilly.bandcamp.com/album/pray-for-rain

Artists in the modernworld have the benefit ofshowcasing their workover social networks, forartists, many years ago, itwas a struggle to earn a

living, we only discovered them whenthey were gone.

Barry Finnegan, or “Jazz” as hismusical circle of friends like to call him,is one of Ireland’s hottest artists on thescene at the moment. Showcasing hiswork on YouTube has gained himthousands of viewers worldwide andthe respect from the Art community.

Barry loves getting his hands dirtywith his charcoal work. Most of hiswork is based on movies, stars, poetsand captions from cult classics such asMad Max and Batman. I had theprivilege of known Barry over the yearsthrough the music scene, from hisfamous Zodiac sessions singersongwriter night in Bruxelles bar. Healways had a keen eye for art, evenoffering to tatto some graphics onmusicians guitars.

As an artist Barry captures theessence of the characters in every pieceof work he does. Barry recentlyreceived his first award for his work,IBAM Artist of the year, from the IrishAmerican Heritage Centre. A welldeserved award for such a fantastictalent. If you would like some workdone by Barry Jazz Finnegan, email:barrypfinnegan2@gmail.com

Barry JazzFinneganAn Impressive

Irish Artist