WOKE UP THIS MORNIN’: youbloom | HEADROOM #5 with Featured Artists from the Dublin 2016 Music Festival

23-May-2016 By Shannon Duvall

Well I woke up this mornin’ | Didn’t feel like myself | Took a look in the mirror | I was somebody else.

What musical idol would you be if you woke up tomorrow as someone totally different?

Five featured artists from the upcoming youbloomDublin 2016 Music Summit & Festival share their body-swapping fantasies for another round of HEADROOM.

Dolly Daggerz, vox, Tokyo Taboo: ‘I would like to be Janis Joplin with feathers in my hair singing Cry Baby with all those talky ad libs she does live. She is to me the most amazing artist that ever lived. I would never go back to drugs so she would still be alive today!’

Catchy, edgy garage pop outfit Tokyo Taboo have outrageous on speed-dial. Crafting ballsy tunes with a grungy edge, the duo demand attention – whether it’s through their relentlessly hard-to-forget hooks or their videos, sun-soaked odes to avant glam fun. You won’t forget these guys. For fans of: Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Louis XIV, The Breeders

NINA: ‘I’d be Freddie Mercury and perform at Wembley. He was the best showman in the world. I really admire his musicianship and his energy on stage.’

Stunningly talented electro pop queen NINA serves up synth-drenched, sultry tunes that are as dark and reflective as they are smooth and urbane. With top notch production it’s clear this artist is on top of her game, and only just getting started. For fans of: Kavinsky, Salt Ashes, The Motels

Tom Lucey, singer-songwriter: ‘I could give so many answers to this but to pick one I’ll have to say Ed Sheeran. He has written music with people whose music I love. Also, his writing is incredible; there isn’t a song of his I don’t like. (He) sold out Wembley and Croke Park and every venue he went to in the past two years. He’s had a pretty amazing few years and it’s only the start. I know people would say you have to pick one of the greats but he will be one of those in years to come.’

A true homegrown talent, both vocally and instrumentally, pianist Tom Lucey marries gentle trad and folk elements into a contemporary sound, crafting an easygoing story-telling style that will please the most avid fans of singer-songwriters. It’s soundtrack of your life type stuff. Brilliant. For fans of: Tom Rosenthal, Daughter, Villagers

Garrett Wall, guitar & lead vox, Track Dogs: ‘Wow, a hard one. I think I’d probably have to say someone who does something I can’t really do, which is solo well on guitar, so I’d probably choose the great gypsy guitarist Django Reinhardt or Paco de Lucia, the flamenco legend. To be able to play like those guys would be a trip, no doubt.’

Tongue-in-cheek, fun, Americana from four expats living in Spain. Their influences are broad and spot-on, and the music they make is tight, generous and well-turned-out. We can’t wait for their live show. For fans of: Hayseed Dixie, Old Crow Medicine Show, The Devil Makes Three

AERYNN, singer/songwriter (vocals, guitar, sometimes piano): ‘Lady Gaga comes to mind, because she brilliantly did precisely what she needed to do for success in the music industry, catering to media and the pop market, and now she can produce and perform whatever art or music she likes. I really admire her brain. Alternately, Carole King. She was writing songs at such an interesting time in history, when the solo singer-songwriter really flourished, and when we all had longer attention spans!’

Impeccable, confident folk from an artist with alternative rock roots, Aerynn writes songs with grace and intrigue. Her formula strays from too much structure, enjoying refreshing, attention-grabbing rhythmic choices and stream-of-consciousness delivery. A bright take on a classic. For fans of: Judee Sill, Laura Nyro, Bert Jansch

What about you? Got an inner Phil Collins you’d want to see looking back at you? Let us know in the comments below.

THE IMPOSSIBLE CHOICE: youbloom | HEADROOM #4 with Featured Artists from the Dublin 2016 Music Festival

20-May-2016 By Shannon Duvall

Music runs deep in the veins of the artists we invite to play at our festivals. It’s their bread and butter, their reasons for being. But what would happen if they had to choose something else to spend their time and creative energy on? It’s an impossible choice, but we’ve asked six of of our upcoming artists to answer it.

Preetam Sengupta, singer-songwriter: ‘Honestly, I want to help change the world. I’m kind of an environmental nerd, and I think we all have a role to play in making sure the planet is preserved for as many generations as possible. I think this is something I can and should do, even as a musician. With the platform we have, I think musicians have a responsibility as environmental role models, whether we’re famous or not. But yeah, if I weren’t playing music, I’d love to dedicate my creative energy to teaching people to consider our planet in the decisions they make in life. That, or be a spy. That might be fun, right?’

Impossibly beautiful songcraft from a great singer-songwriter talent, Preetam Sengupta’s music flows with all the hypnotic power of a river in summer, evoking something as pure and honest as a first love. It’s powerful and mesmerising and you don’t want to miss it. For fans of: Nick Drake, Joshua Radin, Teddy Geiger

Chris Breslin, bass guitar & backing vox, D-Day: ‘That’s a tough one. Maybe I’d try to put that Arts degree to some use and have a go at being a teacher. It would probably all end up a little bit School of Rock though.’

Darragh Whyte, lead guitar & lead vox, D-Day: ‘You would have to put me in a straitjacket to keep me from playing music; I have the bug and the passion for it – it’s what I do. In the unlikely event of that happening I would be working in the field of finance, preferably in the music industry as I studied Financial Maths in college. I’d show the guys in the suits how to rock.’

With a dynamic vocal style reminiscent of early-days Mick Jagger, and catchy, masterly rock n’ roll harmonies and riffs, D-Day are a band on a mission to keep the stripped-back sensibilities of the classics alive in an age where digital reigns king. You don’t want to miss these guys. For fans of: Primal Scream, Supergrass, The Troggs

Mick Lennon, rapper, Just Mikey: ‘Well, considering ye get f..k all in this country for been a rapper, with most places expecting you to do a gig for free. I work 6 days a week to provide for my family, so if I wasn’t making music, I’d be pretty boring. Go to work, come home, watch telly, sleep, and do it all again the next day. But I have been known to make a serious pesto pasta. So I could be a chef.‘

I cannot say enough how fire this is. Taking up the baton for authentic, cut-to-the-bone Irish hip hop, Just Mikey are intent on speaking their truth on their terms, with nothing artificial added. Ones to watch. For fans of Deichkind, Lethal Dialect, Rusangano Family, Trillion

Emily, vox & guitar, Vernon Jane: ‘I’d be so lost without music; it is a creative gift, it’s natural. There are so many creative outlets in this world; painting and art are a few that I love. I think the more you embrace the natural aspects of life the more creative you become. Creativity is all around us, you just have to take a deep breath and dive in. ‘

Jazz, soul and funk-influenced, with an impressively complex and well-considered production and infectious, understated grooves, Vernon Jane are a hard act to beat in terms of style and substance. They’ve got the chops and the groove and they’re coming to youbloom to make you sweat. For fans of: Dory Previn, Buffy Sainte-Marie, Alice Smith

Jay, lead vox, The Smoking Giants: ‘Eh, I’d like to be a wizard?‘

Superbly crafted pop songs to accompany your next big adventure – think road trip into the great wide open – with all the elements in their right place: skillful guitar hooks, driving drums, and anthemic vocals to belt with friends at the top of your lungs. For fans of: The Last Shadow Puppets, The Las, Muse

BEFORE I DIE: youbloom | HEADROOM #3 with Featured Artists from the Dublin 2016 Music Festival

11-May-2016 By Shannon Duvall

“Music is enough for a lifetime, but a lifetime is not enough for music.”

One of the most influential composers of his time and to this day, Sergei Rachmaninoff’s name might not exactly conjure images of blazing guitars and hot tubs full of topless, adoring groupies. Yet the Russian musician kept his nose to the musical grindstone despite repeated tragedy in his early life, eventually rising to fame as one of the Soviet Union’s biggest names.

The topless groupies would come later – Sergei was reportedly a regular at Los Angeles’ notoriously debaucherous Garden of Allah hotel in the 40s, one of the original secret sin palaces for the world’s biggest stars and their friends. Rachmaninoff is also the man credited with the quote above, something anyone with a passion for music can attest is pretty bang on the money.

My point? Life is short, as our friend Rachmaninoff has famously observed. And, like the Russian firehouse, if you’ve got things you want to do, there’s no time like right effin’ now to make tracks towards seeing them through. So we wanted to know what artists from the youbloom Dublin 2016 Music Festival (June 1-3) list as their Top 3 BEFORE I DIE must-dos. Here’s what they had to say:

Kellie Marie, singer-songwriter, acoustic and electric guitars, Kellie Marie Reynolds: ‘

1 | Selling out Whelans!!!!

2 | Selling out the Olympia.

3 | Supporting my heroes, Laura Marling, Patti Smith, and PJ Harvey.

One of the most unique vocalists to find her way on to the youbloom bill in quite some time, Kellie Marie Reynolds crafts a wicked concoction of stripped-down acoustic melodies, intimate cabaret-style whispers and growling crescendos featuring all the vocal power of a hurricane. She’s up there with the best, and not one to miss. For fans of: Concrete Blonde, Ruth Brown, Rose Royce.

Rob & Ashlee, Fresh Ré:

Rob:

1 | Win a major award. It would be a great feeling and would mean a lot to me.

2 | Having a song hit number one in the charts and knowing people love what you’re doing would be incredible.

3 | Perform at a massive event such as Glastonbury, or else headline our own show in a massive venue like Wembley stadium and sell it out.

Ashlee:

1 | Capture the hearts of millions of people with our music.

2 | Tour the world with our band.

3 | Get to have the best job in the world being able to play music and do what you love for the rest of your life.

Some of the youngest artists ever to play at youbloom – and we’re guessing most any other place they’ve played as well – five-piece pop musicians Fresh Ré play modern cover tunes with so much fun and energy they blow musicians twice their age off the stage. They’re sincere, they’re dedicated, and most of all, they’re good. For fans of: Vazquez Sounds, AJ Silva, Leeloo Love.

Killian Ruffley, singer, guitarist and songwriter:

1 | One thing I’ve always wanted to do is completely just up and go and live somewhere in complete isolation with nothing but musical equipment and write and record an album.

I would love to know what someone’s creative capacity is when removed from everyday, civilized life. So many things clog our creative thinking in the modernized world that it can interfere with how we write music and how we judge what we write.

2 | I’ve also always wanted one of my songs to be used in a well-known film or TV show. I’m a big movie fan. If (you’re watching) an emotional part of a scene, everyone knows how much a good song can really make it hit home.

3 | I’ve always wanted to play to a couple thousand people and have them all singing my songs back to me I mean, what musician doesn’t dream about that?!?

Emotive, powerful vocals are the first standout element in Irish singer-songwriter Killian Ruffley’s tunes, which defy categorisation, straddling the line somewhere between 2010s indie stylistics and 90s-influenced hit rock radio (with even a little trad and funk thrown in for good measure). Ruffley is no slouch, doing things his own way, with top notch results. For fans of: Biffy Clyro, Young the Giant, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros

Shane Ó Fearghail, singer-songwriter:

1 | To be a songwriter producing albums. Box already ticked!

2 | To be an artist working with other musicians and artists, collaborating, making a living, travelling and writing. Box ticked!

3 | To create and develop studios in the Alps and Ireland where writers and artists can come together to produce material, hang out, network and develop their crafts as well as work on new concepts. Working on it!

Vienna-dwelling Tallaght native Shane Ó Fearghail has the kind of vocal style that has traditionally always paired magically with an acoustic guitar. It’s the kind of music that sweeps you up in its storytelling, takes you for a ride and drops you off miles from home without a phone. Thing is, you don’t mind the walk back, humming the tune now stuck in your head. One to watch. For fans of: Loudoun Wainwright III, Ron Sexsmith, Daniel Lanois

**What do you think? If you had to list three things to check off your professional – or personal – bucket list, what would they be?

MY FIRST TIME: youbloom | HEADROOM #2 with Featured Artists from the Dublin 2016 Music Festival

09-May-2016 By Shannon Duvall

Welcome back!

Now that we’ve got the hotline to the youbloomDublin 2016 Music Festival artists themselves, I’m thinking we take it #tbt and dig a little deeper. You’ve already tuned in to the music of some of our artists (like The Smoking Giants and Kidd Kidd), but what about where it all began?

MY FIRST TIME isn’t afraid to ask the juicy Qs, namely: What was your first band? Check out some of the – rather surprising – answers below:

Chris, singer-songwriter, A Happy Accident: ‘I was the drummer in a rock band with my brother and a few of his friends, and funnily enough we were called Cringe… However, we were not too shabby as groups of young teens playing Audioslave covers at school discos go!’

Piano-driven and sentimental, sparse, reflective, and pure, with enchanting string arrangements and a measured, near-sleep breath pace, there’s so much to love about the music of Happy Accident. It’s nearly impossible to draw one direct line to anything similar, past or present, but so many legendary elements stand out on this year’s Waiting To Happen EP it’ll more than satisfy For fans of: Tom Rush, Leonard Cohen, Red House Painters, and more

Jay, Color Palette: ‘We were called Tension Mounting. And we were horrible! LOL. We did Rage Against The Machine covers, mostly.’

With the epic feel of some of the best to come from the 80s Manchester scene mixed with unexpected elements of hard rock and electronica, this band is a total surprise. We can’t wait to see how this translates live. For fans of: The Stone Roses, Bruce Springsteen, Nirvana

Luke Clerkin, singer-songwriter: ‘Clover Coast was the name of the first band I was in; we played quite a lot around Dublin, and we played a festival outside in Duleek once. It was an alt-rock band, and where I learnt how to sing properly and how to carry my voice throughout a room.’

The heart-on-the-sleeve musical stylings of singer-songwriter Luke Clerkin may seem straightforward, but underneath the meandering acoustic guitar and raw, tell-all vocals, lies a darker heart, one seemingly inspired by the mysterious great beyond. Fantastic stuff. For fans of: Tim DeLaughter & The Polyphonic Spree, Brendan Benson, Josh Rouse

Harriet, Hattie Webb: ‘The Webb Sisters. It’s a band I am in with my sister. That’s when I’m not busy playing in Leonard Cohen’s band. Leonard calls us the quietest band in the world.‘

Dancing somewhere between light and ethereal and mournful and bewitching, the vocals of Hattie Webb (of the famous Webb Sisters) have a style reminiscent of the nooks and crannies of some of Kate Bush’s best while never releasing hold on that distinctive Webb sound. Beautiful, impressive, what can I say? A must-see. For fans of: Luka Bloom, Julie Feeney, Kate Bush

Auxy, keys, Stone & Jezreel: ‘ My first band was church choir and it didn’t go so well. I was very young and scared and still learning and felt put on the spot.’

With fresh lyrics, mixed vocals, laid-back beats, and unusual, addicting instrumental choices, Stone& Jezreel have tapped into the hinterlands of great hip-hop, and are busy blazing new trails to the frontiers of what’s possible in the genre. Infectious and satisfying. For fans of: Childish Gambino, Asher Roth, Angel Haze

Yikes, Auxy, sorry to hear that. At least the awkward phases have passed and all these rad artists are out there rocking our socks.

**What about you? Were you ever in a band or have you seen one that was obviously brand-spanking-new? Tell us about it in the comments below!

TOUR DIARY: Foreign Affairs NI at youbloomLA 2015

07-May-2016 By Shannon Duvall

Every time we at youbloom put on a music festival, we are humbled and awed by the insane variety of talented acts that manage to make their way to us from all around the world to share in a few days of the celebration of independent music.

In December, we were thrilled to welcome Northern Irish punk band Foreign Affairs NI to sunny Los Angeles for the youbloomLA 2015 Music Festival and Conference. They played a cracking set, brought amazing energy to the venue – La Cuevita – and were a top highlight in LA last year.

Foreign Affairs NI have since been busy writing and playing up a storm, so pay attention, punk fans, because this band have a lot going on in 2016. When we found out they’d written a tour diary about their time in the US of A, we just had to ask if we could share some of it.

It goes without saying that we are beyond sweatin’ to have them back again for the upcoming youbloomDublin 2016 Music Summit & Festival, going down this June 1-3.

In the meantime, check out what they had to say about their time with us under the palms out west:

Day 1, First Impressions

‘Everything in America is bigger! The size of their drinks, their airports, their buildings, all of it was on a much grander scale and it would be easy to get consumed by it all and feel lost. We made a pledge to make the most of every second we had in The City Of Angels as time was short and we didn’t know when we’d be back. With this in mind, after checking in we set off on our first ever Hollywood adventure! Not realising the scope of LA we learnt the hard way that taxis are not to be used unless necessary, especially during rush hour!’

Day 2, Permanent Memories

‘We had heard amazing things about American breakfast. The stories are true, believe the hype! In our hotel we had complimentary breakfast and the ability to make your own waffles was life changing. Fed and watered we would plan our day. Not losing sight of why we were here, we all crowded round Matt and his guitar and listened and played our songs together. We had an amazing feeling for the Music Festival and we were prepared! We decided after this to see if Santa Monica and Venice Beach lived up to the hype.’

Day 3, Amazing Sights

‘Most of Los Angeles was in our sights as well as the infamous Hollywood sign. A few band photos were taken and like always, the whole trek and experience was filmed. Inside and out the observatory was an amazing sight and it was overwhelming to realise that we were there taking it all in, and that was made possible by our music. We couldn’t take too much in for too long however as we were warned at night mountain lions venture up and down the mountain and we didn’t want to find out if that was lies or not.’

Day 4, Gig Day:

‘Gig day had arrived! We were to play an amazing venue, ‘La Cuevita’. We didn’t do very much in the lead up to this as our primary focus was putting on the best show we could and remaining focused.

On the way to the gig we exited the train with a few people and we all walked together towards the same area, however we all had different intentions. The man beside us ripped down a car window and broke into the vehicle. The alarm went off and the man scurried away. LA was a different breed entirely compared to anywhere else.

We entered the venue and watched the bands perform and noticed that every artist had great energy and crowd interaction! This is something we had targeted and improved! Armed with a wireless guitar system to run about the venue and crowd interaction worked into our set, we were prepared! An overwhelming experience at the venue was that people were asking, ‘When are the Irish band on?’. Thousands of miles away from home, people were asking for us. That was a feeling we’ll never forget.

9.15 approached and it was time for us to take the stage! We launched into the opening song from our new E.P., ‘Heartline’ and there was an instant positive feeling. People were listening, clapping with us and most importantly having a good time!

Moving through the set each song went down very well. We were premiering a brand new song at the show! One we had never played before. With nerves of how it would go down, Matt announced that, ‘Pennies’ was about to make its debut and we launched into the song. Quite possibly the best reaction of any song of the set was received here. This filled us with so much pride. Our current music had brought us thousands of miles away, and where we’re going in the future has been met with an overwhelming response, it was just a surreal moment and filled us with positivity.

As our set came to a close we ended with, ‘Television’. The song that had gotten us there in the first place. It was an emotional experience and we give (sic) it everything we had! Enjoying every second of it. After the set we had our photos taken by YouBloom (sic) and had drinks with the other bands and just enjoyed the vibe and experience.

A special thank you is needed for Kittenhead who helped us out with a bass and electric guitar. Without you we may not have been able to play.’

Day 5, YouBloom Conference:

‘We had the conference to attend now where we could interact with big music industry names and make connections.

The whole conference was amazing! Armed with a notepad and pen we documented so much valuable information. Attending talks from Tom Sturges, a man who signed The Smashing Pumpkins and has shook hands with The President Of The United States because of his musical achievements was surreal. We met with him directly and he was overly enthusiastic about us and music in general. A very inspiring man.

We were then interviewed by YouBloom and enjoyed that experience. Straight after that we attend a panel titled, ‘Making A Statement’. The panel was made up of: Joe Sib of Sideonedummies Records; Marko DeSantis of a band we look up to, Sugarcult; and Don Grierson who signed Celine Dion, to name a few. Again we learnt so much and made direct contact with both Joe and Marko which was surreal in itself to meet these people and talk about our music.

The trip was worth it just for this alone.’

Be sure to check out the entire tour diary over on ChordBlossom.

*If you’re a youbloom Festival veteran and have similar content you’d like us to share on our blog, get in touch with a link in the comments below.

WOKE UP THIS MORNIN’: youbloom | HEADROOM #5 with Featured Artists from the Dublin 2016 Music Festival

THE IMPOSSIBLE CHOICE: youbloom | HEADROOM #4 with Featured Artists from the Dublin 2016 Music Festival

BEFORE I DIE: youbloom | HEADROOM #3 with Featured Artists from the Dublin 2016 Music Festival

MY FIRST TIME: youbloom | HEADROOM #2 with Featured Artists from the Dublin 2016 Music Festival

TOUR DIARY: Foreign Affairs NI at youbloomLA 2015

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