Their first EP “Willow Tree” has just been produced by Mudd Wallace, his seasoned ear lending a refined and professional sound to the band’s material. It is already receiving airplay on the radio stations. The Corncrakes are promoting the EP around Ireland and have just returned from a short tour in Scotland.

Dave has a history of self released albums, and is well known in the Scottish & German folk scenes having been a member of Rua and touring with The Proclaimers among others. He decided to spread his wings and expand the sound he made, recruiting Helen with her woodwind skills and sweet melodic voice, then Paul, another Scot, for his wily mandolin & guitar playing. The Corncrakes were born and thankfully, their music is more pleasant than the birds call!

www.myspace.com/thecorncrakes

Portrush singer/songwriter Michael is now playing acoustic versions of the original material he has performed with local bands ‘Wipe-out’ and ‘Earth Muffin’. Along with his playing partner, Robbie Kelly, Michael blends gritty lyrics, chunky rhythms and melodic harmonies.

Michael has recorded with various musicians, such as Liam Bradley (Ronan Keating’s Drummer) who played on his single ‘You’re Never on Your Own’. This track was recorded for the UK History channel series based on Portrush Lifeboat, and continues to raise money for the R.N.L.I.

Captain Kennedy, a 7-piece folk rock band from Northern Ireland, are earthy, their music visceral. The past couple of years have seen the band establish their position on the Irish music scene with gigs in high profile venues across the country, including a sold-out Mandela Hall, gigs alongside the likes of Noah and the Whale, Alela Diane and The Broken Family Band and appearances at the Out To Lunch Arts Festival, The Botanic Arts Festival, The Bacchanal Festival, The Belfast Film Festival, The Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival, Belfest, The Gasyard Feile, Vibefest 2008 and Gifted at The Empire have helped develop Captain Kennedy’s reputation as an unmissable live act.
The band have received regular airplay on local and national radio including BBC Radio 1, BBC Radio Ulster and Cool FM and have become fan favourites on internet radio stations. They appeared on BBC 2’s Blas Ceoil programme in March 2009 and have also made a number of appearances on Irish TV station TG4.

With a number of high profile gigs coming up including two slots at the Open House Festival and slots at the Ards Guitar Festival and the North Coast Folk Festival, expect to see a lot more from Captain Kennedy in 2009.

The band released their second 4-track EP Factory Whistle Call through Vinnie Lovelace Records. “Factory Whistle Call”, recorded at the Start Together Studios at Belfast’s new Oh Yeah Centre, is not smooth, controlled, or delivered with the glossy perfection of much modern pop music. This is cracked, rootsy material. Their harmonies are sometimes crooked, and singer Ciaran Lavery’s voice can get gravelly to the point of death-rattle. The EP, which has already received airplay national and local radio, captures the true spirit of Captain Kennedy’s live sound.

www.myspace.com/captainkennedy

Singer and guitarist with Belfast based bands “Cava” and “Craobh Rua”, Jim has played in almost every country in Europe as well as many tours in The USA. Cava just released their debut album “Sunrise” last year.

As a solo performer Jim draws inspiration from folk music amongst other styles and finds a place for it in his own music but it would be misleading to describe him as a folk singer. His songs played with 1 voice and guitar have a very contemporary spirit and he is as at home singing a Breton tragedy as he is singing a blues.

“(Jims)..impressive guitar skills
are matched with a quick wit
and warm mellifluous vocals”
Irish News

“Jim Raineys guitar accompaniment mixes runs and chords, counter point and a pulsing bass under current, a master class in how to play an interesting backing without killing the tune…….”       Irish Music Magazine on “ Roguery Road”

http://cavamusic.com

http://craobhrua.com

Over the last year the band has begun to get to its feet and is progressively growing into a well known and enjoyed act.  Supporting the Dubliners at last year’s ‘Fiddler’s Green’ Festival is demonstrative of their professional showmanship on the main-stage.

Venue I have played all over Ireland and have awed audiences with there energy, skill and enthusiasm for music and are an act not to be missed.

http://profile.myspace.com/venuei

The band boasts two highly talented vocalists each one bringing their own individual style and talent to the music. Traditional songs sit seamlessly side by side modern compositions but all delivered with great sensitivity and emotion. When all is said and done the music this group makes speaks for itself and any time spent in the company of this groups music will be time well spent.

www.myspace.com/reelfolk

Formed in late 07/early 08 with ex members of Red Organ Serpent Sound, Fighting With Wire and The Subtitles. The formidable HCTLG are hell bent on 2 things, writing great songs and playing great shows! The Recording of their first critically acclaimed 7 song live demonstration resulted in national radio play and big support slots, going on to win the Roaring Meg All Ireland Busking Festival.

After touring Ireland they recorded their second 8 track E.P. and went on to record a live session for the BBC radio 1 as well as BBC’s Across the Line and Electric Mainline shows, plus a headline slot at Ireland’s largest independent festival, Glasgowbury.

Their live shows are legendary and are currently reeking havoc throughout Ireland and beyond. Catch them while you can before they explode!!!

www.myspace.com/herecomesthelandedgentry

They have so far released debut album ‘Cat Malojian’ & 2 e.p.’s to much critical acclaim! Radio & TV appearances and a steady stream of gigs (including high-profile support slots such as John Martyn & Arlo Guthrie) have earned them a solid fan base!

The title track from their “Life On Rolls e.p.” was used for a Vodafone ad campaign in Feb 07.

Cat Malojian’s second album “The Dawn Chorus” is out now & is already gaining wide spread critical acclaim!

Cat Malojian are now playing as a trio featuring Rachel Toman, a talented multi instrumentalist who has recorded on all their releases to date, she actually made her debut with Cat Malojian at last year’s North Coast Folk Festival.

They will be touring throughout the UK and Ireland in 2009.

Cat Malojian on ‘Blas Ceoil’ BBC Radio Ulster

Reviews

“Spinning silken webs out of banjo, guitar and voice, Cat Malojian’s self-titled debut is a heart-ensnaring
triumph. Throughout, Stevie Scullion provides a revelatory lesson in songcraft, his frayed-at-the-edges
vocal offset by gloriously twanging guitar and the chirpy banjo of Jonny Toman. Witty and full of heart, these
songs welcome you with all the warmth of old friends. It’s all brilliantly unfussy; shorn of the gimmickry that
increasingly masquerades as invention, the pared down melodies and effortless musicality of the duo are
showcased in full by the crystal clear production. An astounding debut. 8/10.” AU Magazine.

“The cats that got the cream, Cat Malojian are a pair of musical missionaries from Lurgan, preaching their
heart-rending gospel of folk, country and Americana. Their technical finesse is astounding, whether utilising
acoustic guitar or banjo, the playing is never less than forensically precise. The stories they have to tell are
wondrous and redolent, gentle lyricism fostering a real sense of nostalgia, of a grasping for something that
is irrevocably lost. There are tales of drowning, of being god forsaken, of drinking moonshine and of getting
high, of bursting life’s bubbles and plumbing despair’s depths. Cat Malojian are unquestionably mighty.”

culturenorthernireland.org

Links

Cat Malojian on ‘Blas Ceoil’ BBC Radio Ulster

http://www.bbc.co.uk/northernireland/irish/blas/blasceoil/cat_malojian.shtml

www.myspace.com/catmalojian

www.badpawmusic.com

www.easyblu.es