Following the release of their debut album, SMALL TALK, Soda Blonde are back with special stripped-back EP, I Still Have Feelings for You, out on November 26th, 2021 via Velveteen Records.

The EP features 4 beautiful, never-before-heard versions of 4 tracks from the album.

The debut album from Soda Blonde may be called Small Talk, but if there’s one thing the Dubliners do not do, it’s mince words. Out earlier this year via Velveteen Records, the entirely self-produced album saw the group reflecting on their twenty-something experiences with refreshingly honest transparency.

“To put it simply, Small Talk is about life in our 20’s,” says Faye O’Rourke, Soda Blonde’s enigmatic front woman. “Every part of us is in here, both subliminally and literally. Lyrically, this record is like a collection of my flaws and insecurities. They’re lingering awkwardly by the bar at a crowded social gathering, waiting to integrate with the wider world”.

All four band members (O’Rourke, guitarist Adam O’Regan, drummer Dylan Lynch and bassist Donagh Seaver-O’Leary) are seasoned musicians, despite their youth. They have been playing together since their early teens, with their previous band – the internationally renowned Little Green Cars, whose seminal debut album skyrocketed to number one on the Irish album charts. O’Rourke is the first to admit that when Little Green Cars called it a day, she felt lost.

But a career shift for the four musicians wasn’t in the cards – and Small Talk was self-evident proof, different than anything the group had released before, but carrying on its back all the things they’ve learned.

Now, fresh from the release of the album, comes a special EP featuring new versions of album tracks: with strings versions of both ‘Tiny Darkness’ and ‘Choices’, an early demo of ‘Swimming Through the Night’ and the title track to the EP, a single version of ‘I Still Have Feelings for You’.

Between sublimely arranged strings, radio-ready melodies sit plain-spoken truths and the hard-learned lessons of a group still at the start of what is sure to be a long journey.

Undeniably a coming-of-age record, Small Talk was a dazzling portrait of someone who isn’t afraid to hold the messy parts of herself up for questioning, and the ‘I Still Have Feelings for You’ EP is a brilliant extension of this.

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Co. Down artist CeeV (pronounced like ‘leave’) is releasing her new single ‘Twenty Three’.

CeeV, who’s real name is Caoimhe McAleavey, is based in Newry but began her music career in Manchester studying songwriting at BIMM.

Although immersed in music in one of the most creative and music rich cities in the world, CeeV was reluctant to showcase her own songs and instead took a more backseat role while playing in several bands in some of the most recognisable venues in the city.

Although she didn’t perform her own songs live while in Manchester, CeeV plucked up the courage and shared her work with real live people on Soundcloud and was astonished when her music reached over 30,000 listens.

With her confidence growing, CeeV moved home to Newry and began performing her own songs, slowly building a loyal following.

Now with her craft as a performer and songwriter improving, CeeV decided for an adventure away from the safety and security of home and moved to another city rich in music and creativity, Ottawa, Canada. Determined to improve her craft she performed in every bar, cafe and restaurant that she could, learning every time she stood on stage.

Now back at home CeeV is finally releasing her songs to the world. About her latest release, Twenty Three’. CeeV says; “Twenty Three is a story. But it’s also a lesson. It shows two different perspectives of leaving a relationship. One might think it’s the end of the world but the other knows there is a future out there for both of you even though it’s apart. I wrote this song as a lighthearted reflection. With influences from musical storytellers like Picture This and The Jezebels, I felt this meaningful story was best told alongside uplifting melodies and heartwarming lyrics.”.

This year will see CeeV support Liam Ó Maonlaí, Lisa Hannigan and Gloria Gaynor on Irish stages.

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Pine ¶he Pilcrow are releasing their new single ‘If It’s True’ and it’s their most accomplished song to date.

It’s the first of a trio of songs to be released produced by Alex Borwick (Lankum, The Young Folk, Catfish & The Bottlemen). Marked down as haunting ambient folk with their previous 2 EP’s the band have now grown in sound as well as a band, enlisting percussionist Shay Sweeney to help bring a more dynamic, fuller and epic sound to this release.

The Monaghan, Clare and Dublin quartet of Kevin Murray, Hannah Ryan, Shay Sweeney and Robert Campbell create original and imaginative music by combining folk, classical and traditional influences with gruff and angelic vocal harmonies.

The release of their self-titled debut E.P. in March 2016 saw them nominated for Best Newcomer at the 2016 Pure M awards, winning The Last Mixed Tape’s ‘Readers EP of the Year’ award and nominated for Best Song at the IMRO Christie Hennessy Song Competition for their ambient and emotive ballad ‘Don’t Need Me’.

The rest of an exciting year for the band featured performances at the main stage in the Body & Soul area at Electric Picnic, Body and Soul Festival, Arcadian Fields and Vantastival. The band sold out their first headline performance at the Civic Theatre in Tallaght and added support slots with Joe Chester at the Unitarian Church and John Spillane, to the growing list of impressive live shows.

With 2018, Pine ¶he Pilcrow released their second E.P. (Only Ghosts) and continued to build upon their incredible debut year with a performance at the acclaimed Other voices festival to top it off.

In 2020 Pine ¶he Pilcrow are back with a bigger and more epic sound than before. With 3 singles planned over the next 12 months and a tour across the island it will be hard to avoid the ambient heart felt songs of P¶P.

The post Pine ¶he Pilcrow Release ‘If It’s True’ appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

Irish songstress AMANDA ST JOHN releases the 2nd single from her upcoming 2nd studio album; The Muscle Shoals Sessions, recorded in the world famous FAME Studios, (USA).

‘Made Myself a Name’, has now released and is an upbeat song about the struggles of trying to make it as a singer. I wanted a quirkier, more 70’s Tom Waits vibe on this one and thought a remix might be a good option to make it stand stronger as a single. I’m a big fan of collaborating and had wanted to work with Arvo Party for a while so thought it would be a good opportunity to see what he could bring to this track. I totally love what he’s done with it, he’s brought the song to a whole new level’ states Amanda.

In May 2018 Amanda became the 1st independent Irish artist in history to record in FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. Following in the footsteps of her musical heroes Aretha Franklin & Etta James she took a huge leap of faith (and financial risk) to record her 2nd studio album in this legendary studio.Talking about the experience, Amanda reports “It is was a dream come true for me and my band members (Paul Tierney and Producer Michael Mormecha) to get the opportunity to record in FAME along with “swampers” bass player
David Hood (Aretha Franklin, Etta James, Percy Sledge, Paul Simon, Alicia Keys etc) and piano / keys / hammond player Clayton Ivey (Aretha Franklin, James Brown, Joss Stone, The Supremes etc).

Amanda St John is a soulful singer-songwriter from Northern Ireland. She is a mainstay on the Irish radio, festival and gig circuit and has been described as a “Head-turning vocalist with serious song writing prowess………a sensational artist” (Visit Dublin).

She has worked with artists like Brian Kennedy, Eddi Reader, Mary Coughlan, Gareth Dunlop, Ciaran Gribbin
(of INXS) and Jon Tiven (Grammy winning Nashville writer/producer whose CV has included BB King, Van Morrison and The Rolling Stones etc…). Gaining substantial media interest in Ireland and the UK including extensive airplay on the BBC and RTE as well as reviews in Hot Press Magazine & The Irish Times. Amanda is known for her passionate and powerful live performances and is fast establishing herself as one of Ireland’s leading vocalists. With live sessions with ‘Whispering’ Bob Harris and Gaby Roslin on BBC Radio London, various other live performances/interviews across BBC regional’s, U105, Downtown/Cool FM, UTV Live Television etc, as well as many festival slots and tours of the UK, Ireland and the USA (which included the prestigious Folk Alliance Festival and a private event for the US President) under her belt, the future is looking very bright indeed for this talented musician.

Her debut album “Grow”; was launched in May 2016 at the prestigious Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival in Belfast and has received rave reviews and worldwide airplay including a national advert campaign for The Rio Olympics for the title track ‘Grow’.

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Recently STG was given the opportunity to have a sit down and chat with the one and only Jay Pryor, DJ / Music Artist / Gamer from the U.K.! 

Jay is globally known for his breezy, catchy crossover pop dance tracks. From being another self-taught bedroom producer with a head full of dreams, to an in-demand artist with millions of streams with previous releases ‘All This’ and ‘Teenage Crime’ collectively streamed over 16 million times and counting.

Jay is also an avid gamer. 

STG: Hi Jay, thank so much for talking to us here at STG. Can you give us a bit of a background of yourself?

Jay: Hey man! Thanks so much for having me. I’m Jay! I’m a music producer, DJ, songwriter and I also love to play video games when I have some free time!

STG: You have mentioned that gaming and music are both a big part of yourself, how did the two fuse together?

Well, I got into working with digital interfaces by playing video games. When I was younger I would make Call of Duty videos and upload them to YouTube. I loved to edit and I actually started to edit for some big clans like FaZe at one stage. It gave me a foot in the door with how certain UI’s work and it went from there. I was into Video Editing, then Graphic Design, then eventually landed upon Music Production! I definitely don’t think I would be making music today if I hadn’t started making those Call of Duty videos.

STG: Video Gaming being a passion, what games do you normally play?

Jay: These days I’m not playing as much as I would like to! But to be honest the only real game I’m playing right now is League Of Legends. I’m not great though. Gold 3 Garen toplane main. I played Fortnite for a long while until I started getting bored. I also like to hop back on Call of Duty every so often, for nostalgia. CoD 4 of course.

STG: How did your rise in the music industry take place and rise above your passion for gaming?

Jay: I started finding a real passion for music after seeing Calvin Harris perform on a holiday with friends. I was 19 and when I got back from that holiday I downloaded FL Studio and started teaching myself how to make music. Obviously, being a video editor in that community is a lot about song selection and I built up a fair sense of rhythm and of how songs are structured through that, so it’s all interconnected.

STG: What’s next up for you in your music career?

Jay: I have a cork pin / vision board hanging above my studio that has all of my goals for the next few years. I can give you a bit of an inside scoop of what’s on that board. For one, I want to release an album. I feel like the music I’m making now is the music I’ve wanted to make since I saw Calvin Harris that night 4/5 years ago. I also have some big plans for shows too. You’ll have to come out to one sometime!

STG: We definitely will mate. Thanks for talking to us today.

Jay Pryor’s music can be found on all major streaming platforms. We have a video above for his hit single ‘So What’. You can stream Jay’s music HERE.

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Irish artist and DJ & producer, Rebūke, continues his meteoric rise, delivering an aural embodiment of his raw style in new single ‘Take That Back’ – out today via Big Beat Records.

Fusing elements of house, techno and early 90s rave into his unique productions, ‘Take That Back’ serves as an atmospheric and industrial-leaning anthem, led by the producer’s gruff chord patterns and interjecting chimes.

With previous releases including, the all-conquering Beatport #1 ‘Along Came Polly’ (Hot Creations) and the current top ten hit ‘The Pipe’ (Dirtybird), Rebūke continues to shoot to attention after recently performing the Hot Mix for disc jockey Pete Tong.

“I’ve got a deep, almost obsessional interest in the Italian, Belgian and UK records from the early 90s and I try to bring that into my productions,” explains Rebūke. “It is really about capturing the dirt and energy of the records of that time and fusing it with modern house and techno that I love too. That’s definitely what appeals to me.”

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With his own distinct sound spreading rapidly through the industry, 2019 marks an exciting chapter in the Irish talent’s burgeoning career, with ‘Take That Back’ preceding Rebūke’s eagerly anticipated performance at Annie Mac’s Lost & Found Festival this May.

On side B of the original track release, Manchester-based DJ, Josh Butler, will be injecting a more tribal feel into his own rework. As one of house music’s most revered talents, Butler has picked up multiple industry awards from Beatport and DJ Mag, debuted a mix on the legendary BBC Radio 1 Essential Mix series, and has remixed tracks for Fatboy Slim, Carl Cox and Joris Voorn.

Ahead of his annual return to Australia and New Zealand in early 2019, and past releases with Hot Creations, Rejected, 8bit and Kaoz Theory under his belt, it’s clear to see that Josh Butler is showing no signs of slowing down.

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Having cracked the DNA code of dance music with the biggest underground track last year, ‘Neutron Dance’ which amassed over 9 million worldwide streams, Irish DJ / producer Krystal Klear enters 2019 with a head start. Today Krystal Klear delivers a two-piece follow up to last year’s ‘The Division’ EP, the ‘Euphoric Dreams / Miyoki’ EP, out via Running Back / Big Beat Records. Once again, Declan Lennon showcases his knack for crafting assured dance floor weapons.

Lead track ‘Euphoric Dreams’ is the musical incarnation of an Alexander Shulgin chemical formula, delivering a spine-tingling nu-disco utopia. ‘Miyoki’ lands in more sinister territories featuring a relentless bassline and deadly snare.

Both in and out of the studio, Krystal Klear has now become one of dance music’s most recognizable names through his unmistakable hooks and infectious euphoric feels. Krystal Klear was hailed by Mixmag as a ‘Star Of The Year’, sharing top billing on clubs and festival lineups around the world, highlighted by a career defining performance at Radio’s 1 Ibiza Takeover at Café Mambo.

Dominating European radio waves and streaming playlists, merits and kudos came quickly with an accolade from BBC Radio 1’s Pete Tong as ‘Essential New Tune’ along with Annie Mac’s ‘Hottest Record in the World’.

Alongside this latest musical offering, 2019 will see him embark on a jam-packed touring schedule, with appearances already locked in for Hideout Festival, Primavera Sound and more.

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