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BEFORE I DIE: youbloom | HEADROOM #7 with Featured Artists from the Dublin 2016 Music Festival

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Life is short, so it’s good to have a list of the most important things to accomplish while doing the thing you love most. In BEFORE I DIE, we want to know what youbloomDublin 2016 Music Festival featured artists think should make the cut.

 

before i die

Daryl, Fresh Ré: 

1 | I’d like to do a track with Ty Dolla $ign.

2 |  I’d love to meet up with Zara Larsson.

3 |  Win awards for production.

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.

 

before i die

Siobhan, singer, songwriter, occasional keys & synths, Great White Lies: 

1 | To tour the world playing my music and getting paid!!

2 |  Write a stunning score for a feature film.

3 | Play a belting headline gig at Glastonbury.

Great White Lies blend jazz, 60s soul, and singer-songwriter styles so seamlessly it’s hard to tell what genre you’re helplessly bobbing your head to. Addictively groovy, captivating and skillful tunes. A true surprise. See them live at The Wiley Fox on Wed, June 1 at 11.30pm. For fans of: Natalie Merchant, Stevie Wonder, Minnie Riperton

 

before i die

Nicole Curry, Mo Kenny: 

1 | I’ve always wanted to play Massey Hall.

2 | A Polaris Prize nomination would be neat.

3 | Have one of my songs in a movie.

Canada’s own Mo Kenny is the answer to our singer-songwriter prayers, delivering sweetly sung yet deadly lyrics in a confident, dark style that evokes the take-no-prisoners best in all of us. By turns built on driving rhythms and skulking guitars, Mo’s gives it to us straight with a crisp, clear voice and an instrumental deftness that’s hard to beat. She plays The Grand Social acoustic stage on Wed, Jun 1 at 10.40pm. For fans of: Sky Ferreira, Florence and the Machine, Oh, Land

 

before i die

Dolly Daggerz, vox, Tokyo Taboo:

1 | One of our goals was to be played on BBC Radio 1 and that happened this year! So TICK! Now our goal is to be playlisted and endorsed by a Radio 1 DJ.

2 | Another would be to do an arena tour supporting a well-known band. Don’t care which one! Even if we think they are boring!

3 | Write a blacklist for new musicians and name and shame pay-to-play venues and promoters along with other scamsters!

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. Check them out on The Workman’s Club main stage on Thu, June 2 at 10.10pm. For fans of: Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Louis XIV, The Breeders.

 

before i die

Tom Lucey, singer-songwriter: 

1 | I would love to play the main stage at Electric Picnic. I’ll be going this year again and the vibe is unreal. To be on the receiving end of that would be a dream come true.

2 | Record with Rick Rubin. The list of hits he has and the sounds he comes out with are mind-blowing at times.

3 | Sell out the INEC in my hometown. It’s been host to some of Ireland’s biggest acts and fits 3,000 people. There would be huge pride in doing that.

A true homegrown talent, both vocally and instrumentally, singer-songwriter 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 the genre. It’s soundtrack of your life type stuff. Brilliant. He plays KC Peaches on Thu, June 2 at 8pm. For fans of Tom Rosenthal, Daughter, Villagers

 

before i die

Jay, lead vox, The Smoking Giants: ‘When you are independent like us in this cutthroat business, it’s very hard to answer this question because you set goals to jam as much as you can, you set plans to record,  to book gigs, plan release dates for singles,EPs and videos and so on. So yeah we all want to get a record deal, have the number one album, go on a world tour. That would all be amazing; what band wouldn’t want it?? The Rock N Roll Bible may say ‘Sex, Drugs & Rock’n’Roll, but in our case it’s Sex, Drugs & On The Dole!
The mains thing is to do it for the right reasons. The buzz of playing live is who cares if one person claps? We’re doing it for the love and passion of music and to be playing with lads who feel the same way. I have no goals set beyond continuing to do what I do. Music will always be a part of my life.’

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. They play The Wiley Fox on Wed, Jun 1 at 10.40pm. For fans of: The Last Shadow Puppets, The Las, Muse

 

What’s on your list? Share your Top 3 in the comments below:

 

MY FIRST TIME: youbloom | HEADROOM #6 with Featured Artists from the Dublin 2016 Music Festival

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For some, it’s the golden memory to last a lifetime. For others, it’s a horror showreel that haunts those delicate pre-sleep moments and is best left…in the past.

MY FIRST TIME is youbloom | HEADROOM‘s look into the variously-coloured pasts of featured youbloom Music Festival artists and asks them to spill the beans on what they can remember about their very first band experiences. After all, you had to start somewhere. We just hope all the evidence hasn’t been totally destroyed.

 

my first time

Sarah Buckley, singer-songwriter: ‘This is my first band! When I was growing up I didn’t know anyone – family or friends – who played music so I only started playing music as an adult in the last few years!’

Cork native singer-songwriter Sarah Buckley has a talent that is almost colossal in its potential. Her style blends intuitive songwriting with a raw, honest, soulful vocal twang that recalls some of the best acousto-folk and country singers of all time. It’s a pleasure getting lost in that voice. Come see for yourself at The Grand Social acoustic stage on Thurs June 2 at 7.40pm. For fans of: First Aid Kit, Laura Marling, Bon Iver

 

my first time

Damien McFly, singer-songwriter: ‘My first band was named The Shoulder To Cry. I was the only one who could actually play some tunes on the guitar. I had to teach the bass player how to play bass and the keyboard player how to play keys. We played one gig at a birthday party and then it was over. Everything was so funny at that time; one gig and I felt like a rockstar.’

With a voice that recalls the late, great Jeff Buckley and a fervent style that bridges the gap between traditional and contemporary styles, the Italian-born Damien McFly is an exciting find in the world of acoustic singer/songwriters. With stripped back instrumentation and daring melodic choices, he’s one to watch. See him do his thing live on The Grand Social acoustic stage on Thursday, June 2 at 9.10pm. For fans of: Jeff Buckley, Antony and the Johnsons, Ben Harper

 

my first time

Ahren-B: ‘Gateway City was the first, last and only band I’ll be in. It was fun while it lasted; consistency lacked towards the end and we all wanted different things out of music and decided to go separate ways.’

Ahren-B has come a long way since we last saw him, with a sound and style that progresses relentlessly from strength to strength. His latest release, this year’s Friends With The Devil, finds Ahren-B blending blues and gospel inspirations into the mix; a heady brew when you add in his signature social commentary and sharp-as-knives delivery. We love this artist, and know you will, too. Come see him play The Workman’s Club main stage on Wed June 1 at 8.10pm. For fans of: Immortal Technique, Saul Williams, Talib Kweli

 

my first time

Nicola Karen Creighton/Byrne AKA Karmony, backup vox, Stone & Jezreel: ‘At the age of 8 I first sang in the Rathfarnham Inn with my uncle Eddie Creighton and the Pearse Butler Band every Sunday.‘

my first time

Dorothy Momodu AKA JEZREEL, lead vocalist, Stone & Jezreel: ‘Living Waters. (We were) a singing group in secondary school and we sang on Sundays in church. We were actually really good, LOL.’

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, they play The Workman’s Club main stage on Wed June 1 at 10.10pm. For fans of: Childish Gambino, Asher Roth, Angel Haze

 

my first time

Dan, bass guitar, Toya Delazy: ‘My first band was a punk/metal band called Dutch Courage. We weren’t too bad for a bunch of angsty teenagers, although we probably spent more time getting silly than actually rehearsing.  But isn’t that the point of being in a band with your best mates?’

Zulu royal (yes, you read that right), jazz pianist, producer and singer-songwriter Latoya Buthelezi spends her days crafting jazz-electro-hip-hop dancefloor fillers that have received critical acclaim in her native South Africa as well as abroad. It’s crisp, smart music with depth and groove from a backing band that have it on lockdown. Don’t miss their show at The Workman’s Club main stage on Wed June 1 at 9.30pm. For fans of: Nicki Minaj, 2 Chainz, Young Money

 

my first time

 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 at The Wiley Fox on Friday, June 3 at 11pm. For fans of: The Stone Roses, Bruce Springsteen, Nirvana

 

We’re willing to bet some of you readers have been in bands with questionable material and even more questionable fashion sense — or have seen a band perform for the very first time. What lurks beneath the murky surface of that brain of yours? Share the memories in the comments below: 

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

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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:

A Happy Accident photo 1

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

 

Color Palette

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

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

 

Hattie Webb

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

 

Stone&JezreelAuxycrop

 

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!

How to be a great lead singer

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how-to-be-a-good-lead-singer-hot-sprockets-youbloomDublin
The Hot Sprockets delivering at youbloom Dublin

Mike Murphy explains that fronting a band is no easy task and examines the issue of how to be a great lead singer.

Anyone that thinks being a great lead singer is easy does not understand the skill. Sure, anyone can stand up in front of a band and pose as a lead singer and vocalize in some manner, but that is not what makes them great. Mastering the skill takes developing charisma, timing, having a solid understanding of the material being presented, delivery of the material, and a voice that fits the genre. We have all seen lead singers we have loved and hated.
It’s a rough business.

How many of us have looked at and listened to a band and evaluated the singer to a higher standard? I think we all have; it is instinctive. Why? I think many people, especially non-musician types, do not recognize being a lead vocalist as a real instrument; like drums, guitars or keyboards. Being the lead vocalist is perhaps the hardest instrument to master! A band can have all great musicians, but if the singer sucks, the overall opinion of the band suffers.

Sure there have been lot’s of bands who have made it in the music industry without the luxury of a serious or strong lead vocalist. Some last only a short time and have lineup changes. Other bands, adapt the music around the singers voice and make it work. I won’t cite specific examples because my opinion may differ from someone else’s as to what is good and what is bad. However, I can think of great punk bands and rock bands that made the music work around the abilities of the singer.

When I evaluate a lead singer’s talents, I first decide how his or her look fits with the band. Let me give you an example. If you are watching a heavy metal band and the singer is dressed like he is in a surf music band, in Hawaiian shirt, shorts and flip flops, I might wonder what is going on. I would be distracted by that personal presentation because it does not fit the genre. I don’t care how good the singer is, he or she is a fish out of water. A singer has to look the part depending on the music being played.

I want to know if the lead vocalist can really sing and/or is singing on key. Granted, different genre’s have different ways of “singing” the lyrics. I get that, but the important part is how he or she will manage that vocal ability throughout the show. Is he or she going to lose power with their voice or lose it entirely. Singing death metal and pop music are two completely different styles and presenting the vocals is very different. Some would argue that yelling vocals and screaming are not singing. It is expression and singing is just that; expression. Some singing is just more melodic than other styles.

I grade hard on what the lead vocalist is doing with themselves while performing or while the band is playing and they are anticipating the next line. Is the posture good and appropriate for the tune being performed? Certainly you would not want to see a vocalist presenting an aggressive posture while doing a soft ballad! Turning your back on the crowd is a big no-no in my book. Back away and go get your sip of water, tambourine or whatever you need to do. How much does the singer interact and look at the crowd; not just the people up front, but the sides, the middle and the back of the venue? Using the entire venue is critical.

Being a lead singer is definitely not easy. It is very much a skill. Mastering that skill takes a lot of hard work and dedication. Many will fail a bunch of times before he or she finds the right fit and can consistently perform the craft. In many ways becoming a professional lead singer is a survival of the fittest activity. The music industry, especially for a lead vocalist is a rough business. The strong will survive unless he or she has self sabotaging behaviors. That’s a topic for another blog. Happy singing!

Mike-Murphy-youbloom

Post by Mike G Murphy. Mike G. has been writing songs for 35 years. He studied voice at United States International University in San Diego California and has a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from the University of Phoenix.

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