Friday, August 30, 2013

Declan O'Rourke bio

“He writes the sort of classic songs that people don’t write anymore, songs that sound like they’ve been

around forever [...] Listen to Galileo, which is possibly the greatest song written in the last 30 years.”

- Paul Weller, Mojo Magazine (Apr 2012)

 ”To me, Declan is not a songwriter within the ordinary definition of the word. He is a sorcerer of songs, with

a Dickensian skill for finding the moment that details some aspect of our humanity.”

- Brendan Graham, Hot Press Magazine (Mar 2012)

"Declan O'Rourke is long overdue for a stateside breakthrough. The Dublin-based singer-songwriter has…a

way with words and strings that's earned him comparisons to Rufus Wainwright and Glen Hansard."

– Luke McCormick, SPIN Magazine (Sept 2013)

Declan O’Rourke was a latecomer to the Dublin singer-songwriter scene. But, in his mid-twenties, within

months of discovering Dublin’s bustling songwriter open-mic circuit, O’Rourke found himself in the mix with

the likes of Paddy Casey, Gemma Hayes, Damian Rice and many other Irish singer-songwriters.

In 2004, Declan released his debut album, Since Kyabram. ‘Galileo (Someone Like You),’ his debut single,

has been covered by numerous artists including Josh Groban, and performed by Paul Weller and Chris

Rea. Declan performed ‘Galileo’ at the 25th Anniversary Gala Celebration of Ireland’s National Concert Hall

before the President of Ireland, at the opening ceremony of the Solheim Cup 2011, and earlier this year at

the BBC ‘Proms in the Park’ with the Ulster Orchestra in Belfast.

Such was the critical and commercial success of Since Kyabram in Ireland that it opened the doors for him

internationally, earning him plaudits from the likes of Snow Patrol, Kate Rusby and DJs Jonathan Ross and

Edith Bowman, each of whom were rapturous in their praise of Declan’s deep-honey voice and astute song

writing abilities.

His follow-up album in 2007, Big Bad Beautiful World, easily consolidated his appeal in Ireland and also with

his growing list of well-connected champions. Support slots followed in the UK and Europe to the likes of

Paulo Nutini, Snow Patrol, Teddy Thompson, The Cardigans, Badly Drawn Boy, Divine Comedy and Paul

Brady.

Earlier in 2011, O’Rourke joined a stellar line up of artists that included Alison Krauss, Jerry Douglas and

Amos Lee for Transatlantic Sessions Series 5, broadcast on the BBC2, BBC4 and RTE1. Declan was also

a featured artist at the Transatlantic Sessions Live Tour 2012, encompassing the Royal Festival Hall in

London, Birmingham Symphony Hall and Glasgow Concert Hall, among other prestigious venues in the UK

and Ireland.

O’Rourke originall released Mag Pai Zai, his third album, in Europe on his own Rimecoat label in April ’11. It

managed to top the success of Declan’s first two albums, holding its own in Ireland’s Top 10 Album Chart for

four consecutive weeks. ‘A Little Something,’ the album’s debut single climbed to the no. 2 spot in the Today

FM Top 40. Mag Pai Zai was Album of the Week on BBC Radio Scotland. Both singles, ‘A Little Something,’

and ‘Time Machine’ were Today FM Single of the Week on Ian Dempsey’s Breakfast Show.

Mag Pai Zai was released in the US in September of 2013 via Rimecoat/Missing Piece Records; the album

has garnered high praise from US media, including Spin Magazine, the Wall St Journal, NPR’s World Café,

and other outlets. This marks the first Declan album to get an official US release, and serves as another

milestone in his growing career.

O’Rourke’s songs have been recorded by a host of highly-respected, successful artists. ‘Galileo (Someone

Like You)’ was recorded by Josh Groban for his fifth studio album, Illuminations, produced by Rick Rubin. It

has also been recorded by Eddi Reader (MBE), the Scottish songstress widely known for her No. 1 UK

hit ‘It’s Got To Be Perfect.’ Jacqui Dankworth, daughter of Jazz legends Cleo Laine and Sir John Dankworth,

recorded the song for her second album Back to You. Brian Kennedy, The Celtic Tenors, Paul Byrom,

amongst others, have all recorded ‘Galileo’.

O’Rourke’s song ‘A Little Something’ was recorded by Swedish pop sensation Peter Jöback, for his

Scandinavian Top 5-selling album East-Side Stories in 2008. Eddi Reader recorded his ‘Love is the Way’ as

the title-track for his latest album. Reader’s recording of ‘Love is the Way’ was used in Disney’s Christmas

commercial campaign on Disney Channel UK and Ireland.

In December 2011, O’Rourke appeared as a special guest on ‘For One Night Only,’ a TV special celebrating

the 50th anniversary of legendary Irish band ‘The Dubliners.’ His recent Christmas tour encompassed a full-
house performance at Dublin’s famed Olympia Theatre which was filmed for release as a limited-edition

DVD in 2012.

April 2012′s edition of Mojo Magazine featured a compilation album of ‘Modfather’ Paul Weller’s favourite

songs, which included Declan’s song ‘Sarah (Last Night in a Dream.)

In June 2012, Declan took part in Electric Burma, a gala concert celebrating Burmese humanitarian Aung

San Suu Kyi, alongside Bono, Bob Geldof, Damian Rice and Vanessa Redgrave, amongst others.

Monday, August 26, 2013

PAUL WELLER ON DECLAN O'ROURKE & "THE GREATEST SONG WRITTEN IN THE LAST 30 YEARS"

Among Declan O'Rourke's famous fans is Jam legend Paul Weller, who told MOJO Magazine last year, "He writes the sort of classic songs that people don’t write anymore, songs that sound like they’ve been around forever [...] Listen to Galileo, which is possibly the greatest song written in the last 30 years."

O'Rourke's new album 'Mag Pai Zai,' already a top ten hit in Ireland, will come out in the US October 8. A live version of "Galileo" is a bonus track on the US release.

"Be Brave and Believe" music video.

Tour dates in NYC, Philadelphia, Northampton, and CT.

Friday, August 23, 2013

Declan O'Rourke "Be Brave and Believe" music video


FLUTEASE, TRAINING WHEELS FOR THE FLUTE, LAUNCHES SEPTEMBER 15

lutEase – a tool that helps young flute players to attain a tone – will launch September 15, accompanying the start of the school year. The product, which has been likened to training wheels for the flute, was designed and patented by 12-year music teaching veteran Christopher Nowselski.

The FlutEase is small device made of molded soft plastic that attaches to the head joint of a flute and positions the mouth so that a sound can be made instantly. Here's a demonstration of a two year old using the FlutEase to make a sound on the instrument.

Check out a picture here.

Nowselski says, "FlutEase came about in response to a need I saw in music education. I teach third through twelfth graders, and a continuing problem I encounter is beginner flute players often struggle at first to make a sound. They have difficulty positioning their mouth and quickly become frustrated. After a few weeks of this frustration, the children, and adult beginners alike, quit the instrument, without ever really beginning it! The first months of playing flute should be joyous and exciting, rather than anxiety-ridden."

FlutEase is a small attachment that slides onto the lip plate of the flute (where the student blows). FlutEase holds the mouth in the proper playing position, allowing notes to be played at the first lesson.

The body of the FlutEase is a durable medical-grade soft plastic, which wraps around a head the head joint of the flute. The FlutEase measures nearly a square of 2 inches by 1.5 inches. It is lightweight (a few ounces), nimble and assembled and packaged entirely in the United States.

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Dan Kaplan "Sink or Swim"


"WARM, ENVELOPING VOICE" (WSJ) OF "BALLADEER" (NY TIMES) DECLAN O'ROURKE COMING TO CUTTING ROOM SEPT 25 FOR 'MAG PAI ZAI' (RIMECOAT / MISSING PIECE RECORDS) US ALBUM RELEASE CONCERT


RETURN PERFORMANCE AFTER SEVEN SOLD OUT NIGHTS IN SPRING

Irish top ten vocalist Declan O'Rourke will perform an album release show for 'Mag Pai Zai' at the Cutting Room in NYC on September 25. The enchanting melodist's album will be released via digital download September 24 and nationally distributed on CD October 8. Paul Weller has said of O'Rourke, "He writes the sort of classic songs that people don't write anymore, songs that sound like they've been around forever." Last week, the Wall Street Journal premiered the first song from 'Mag Pai Zai.'

Earlier this year, Jon Pareles reviewed O'Rourke's set for the New York Times as part of the seven nights of sold out shows at the Irish Arts Center in April: http://nyti.ms/10DGE7G

O'Rourke has opened for Bob Dylan and performed alongside Bono.

"Be Brave And Believe" music video.

WHO: Irish Top 10 artist Declan O'Rourke
WHAT: NYC album release show for 'Mag Pai Zai'
WHEN: 8pm, Wednesday, September 25, 2013
WHERE: The Cutting Room, 44 E 32nd St
TICKETS: $20 in advance via Ticket Fly, $25 day of show at the door

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

DAVID LOWERY TO SPEAK AT AMERICANA MUSIC CONFERENCE IN NASHVILLE, TN


LA TIMES AND PANDO DAILY RUN INTERVIEWS WITH OUTSPOKEN ARTIST RIGHTS ADVOCATE ABOUT COMPULSORY USE

The Americana Music Association has announced the David Lowery – lead singer of the bands Cracker and Camper Van Beethoven and University of Georgia economics and music business professor – will offer insights on timely legislative issues debated and host the American Bar Association’s Symposium on Entertainment. The Conference will be headquartered out of the Sheraton Nashville Downtown hotel September 18-22.

LA Times has called Lowery "a vocal advocate for artists trying to make a living in music while CD sales crumble and fledgling online services try to build an audience," continuing, "David Lowery has a modest proposal to help his fellow musicians in the digital age: force Pandora and other online music services to negotiate for the right to play songs." Read the entire LA Times feature.

Meanwhile, Lowery broke down his earnings as a songwriter from Pandora for Pando Daily.

Read Lowery's uncensored thoughts on the music business at the Trichordist blog.

Monday, August 19, 2013

FROM BONNAROO TO THE GRAND OLE OPRY AND AMERICANA FEST, SONS OF FATHERS "RISING ON ITS OWN STEAM" (NPR.ORG)

ENCORE PERFORMANCE AT OPRY, AMERICANA FEST SHOW, AUSTIN CITY LIMITS FEST APPEARANCE COMING UP FOR "SOULFUL" (PASTE) BAND

CMT ADDS "ROOTS & VINE" VIDEO AS "PUBLIC RADIO CAN'T STOP PLAYING" (NPR) THE TRACK

"Rising on its own steam with [an] impossible-to-define stew of country, folk, rock and gospel" (NPR.org), Sons of Fathers became one of the few bands to grace both the stage at Bonnaroo and the Grand Ole Opry in the same year. After earning standing ovations at Bonnaroo June 13 and the Opry July 20, the band will also play the Americana Music Festival and Conference September 19 at Mercy Lounge; an encore appearance at the Opry September 21; and a performance at Austin City Limits festival October 11.

Earning comparisons to the likes of Dawes (by Baeble Music), The Avett Brothers (by CMT.com), and Crosby Stills Nash & Young (PRI The Takeaway), Sons of Fathers has also seen CMT add its "Roots and Vine" music video, which premiered earlier this year on Billboard.com.

Check out Sons of Fathers' performance chat on WFUV from the spring.

Country Weekly has raved about Sons of Fathers' "harmonic bliss." Co-producer Lloyd Maines said, "Sons of Fathers definitely have their own sound. The result is the Everly Brothers meets Neil Young and Merle Haggard and the Clash."

Thursday, August 15, 2013

US RELEASE SET FOR ARTIST DECLAN O'ROURKE'S IRISH TOP TEN ALBUM 'MAG PAI ZAI' ON RIMECOAT / MISSING PIECE RECORDS

NY TIMES: "HIS CALLING IS AS A BALLADEER"

PAUL WELLER ON O'ROURKE: "HE WRITES THE SORT OF CLASSIC SONGS THAT PEOPLE DON'T WRITE ANYMORE, SONGS THAT SOUND LIKE THEY'VE BEEN AROUND FOREVER."

WSJ PREMIERES 1ST SONG

Declan O'Rourke's 'Mag Pai Zai,' which rocketed to number six on the Albums Top 100 chart in Ireland, will be released in the US on Rimecoat / Missing Piece Records. Recalling the masterful melodic and vocal gifts of Rufus Wainwright, Harry Nilsson, and Van Morrison, the album will be released via digital download September 24 and distributed on CD October 8.
For the New York Times, Jon Pareles wrote, "Compassion, romance, a sense of mortality and a sense of history run through the songs of Declan O’Rourke... The gravity of unaccompanied traditional Irish ballads — the deliberation in their melodies, their calmly sustained phrases, their fatalistic undertone — informs his songs, whether they’re about faithful love or reckoning with elemental forces."

The Wall Street Journal premiered the first track from 'Mag Pai Zai' today. Eric Danton praises O'Rourke's "warm, enveloping voice."

O'Rourke's song "Galileo (Someone Like You)" was recorded by Josh Groban on his album 'Illuminations,' which charted at number four on the Billboard 200 in the US. Growing up between Australia and Dublin, Ireland, O'Rourke has opened for Snow Patrol, Badly Drawn Boy, John Prine, and Weller. He has also performed on BBC2 and BBC4.

-->Interviewed in Hot Press, Brendan Graham, who penned the worldwide smash hit 'You Raise Me Up'said, "To me, Declan is not a songwriter within the ordinary definition of the word. He is a sorcerer of songs, with a Dickensian skill for finding the moment that details some aspect of our humanity."

All Music Guide called 'Mag Pai Zai' "captivating."

US tour dates are in the works, including an NYC show.

'Mag Pai Zai' Track Listing
1.    Time Machine
2.    Slieve Bloom
3.    Be Brave & Believe
4.    Dancing Song
5.    Caterpiller DNA
6.    Lightning Bird Wind River Man
7.    Langley's Requiem
8.    A Little Something
9.    The Hardest Fight
10.    Orphan Wind Song
11.    Galileo (live, bonus track)
12.    Marrying the Sea (live, bonus track)

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

JOHN MURRY'S BREAKOUT YEAR SURGES FORWARD WITH SHUGGIE OTIS NATIONAL TOUR SUPPORT SLOT

'THE GRACELESS AGE' "ONE OF 2013'S VERY BEST" (POP MATTERS)

TAPING NPR PERFORMANCE OCT 5, 3RD NPR SEGMENT OF THE YEAR

John Murry will add a national opening slot for Shuggie Otis to a list that culminates in his status as a breakout act in 2013: NPR "World Café Next" artist and a "breakout" (NPR Here & Now); sold out UK shows; 5-star reviews in the Guardian and MOJO; playing festivals in the UK and California; a Weir Here taping curated by Bob Weird; raves from MTV Hive, Black Book, Wall Street Journal, Esquire, Daytrotter, American Songwriter, San Jose Mercury, and Baeble Music; and signing with Windish Agency. He will also tape NPR's Beale Street Caravan performance show during a headlining performance in his former hometown of Memphis, TN, October 5. It'll be his third NPR taping of the year.

Most recently, Pop Matters named 'The Graceless Age' "one of 2013's very best records so far."

John Murry Tour Dates w/ Shuggie Otis (Murry headlining where designated)

September 24 – Indianapolis, IN - The Vogue
September 25 – Madison, WI – Majestic Theatre
October 4 – Dallas, TX - Kessler Theater
October 5 – Memphis, TN Newbys (headlining)
October 8 – Richmond, VA - The National
October 9 – Asheville, NC - Orange Peel
October 10 – Nashville, TN - Exit In
October 11 – Atlanta, GA - Terminal West
October 12 - New Orleans, LA – HOB
October 14 – Raleigh, NC – The Pour House (headlining)

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

Declan O'Rourke clips

NY Times concert review (April 25, 2013)

Irish Examiner (April 23, 2013)

Wall Street Journal song premiere (August 15, 2013)

SPIN "Slieve Bloom" track premiere (September 9, 2013)

NPR World Cafe Next (October 14, 2013)


Declan O'Rourke publicity photos









HOT ON HEELS OF NEWPORT FOLK FESTIVAL SET & OPENING SLOT FOR JASON ISBELL, GRITTY, FAST-RISING SONGWRITER JOE FLETCHER TO MAKE AMERICANA FEST DEBUT SEPT. 20

'YOU'VE GOT THE WRONG MAN' ALBUM COMING THIS FALL

"RAW BEAUTY" – BOSTON PHOENIX

Fast-rising Americana songwriter Joe Fletcher will make his Americana Festival debut in Nashville, TN on September 20, following his Newport Folk Festival set July 27. His new album 'You've Got The Wrong Man' will be released this fall.

Fletcher, whose sound swirls blues, outlaw country, and gritty Americana influences, made his Newport debut last year. He has also opened for Jason Isbell, Deer Tick, The Low Anthem, John Doe, and Lucero and recorded with John McCauley (Deer Tick). Vanity Fair recently ran a Q&A with Fletcher and McCauley.

Earlier this year, he was featured in GQ and Refinery 29's 2013 SXSW fashion spreads. The Boston Phoenix called his 2011 album 'White Lighter' "raw beauty," continuing, "The listener can't help but be swept up in each of the 12 tracks. Lyrically, Fletcher bleeds George Jones, Merle Haggard, and Johnny Cash with first-hand accounts of barstool outlaws and the family man blues, while his acoustic skills invite comparisons to Townes Van Zandt."

DigBoston has praised his "raucous live shows."

No Depression says, "His signature brand of dark and lyrically driven honky tonk is interspersed with a softer side that would make Hagg or Jones proud."

WHO: Joe Fletcher & The Wrong Reasons, with Johnny Fritz, Caitlin Rose, Bottle Rockets, and Luella & The Sun
WHAT: Americana Music Festival at Mercy Lounge
WHEN: 8pm, Friday, Sept. 20, 2013
WHERE: Mercy Lounge, 1 Cannery Row, Nashville, TN
TICKETS: TBA

Tuesday, August 6, 2013

Joe Fletcher & The Wrong Reasons "Flat Tire" music video


HOT OFF NEWPORT FOLK FEST MAIN STAGE SET, BREAKOUT BAND KINGSLEY FLOOD ANNOUNCES HEADLINING SHOW AT MERCURY LOUNGE SEPT 12

NEWPORT ACCLAIM FROM NPR MUSIC, BILLBOARD, ROLLING STONE, PASTE

Kingsley Flood – the breakout band whose Newport set grabbed the attention of NPR Music, Billboard, Rolling Stone, Paste – has announced a headlining set at Mercury Lounge September 12. The band also taped a Paste Magazine session on-site and will open for Josh Ritter in August.

Drawing comparisons to The Replacements, Deer Tick, Lucero, Wilco, and the Clash, the band's six members tore up the stage in a misting rain, with lead singer Naseem Khuri ripping at his guitar while Jenée Morgan Force alternated between violin and saxophone, forming an impromptu horn section with keyboardist Chris Barrett picking up the trumpet. NPR Music streamed the set.

Rolling Stone's James Joiner said, "Kingsley Flood kicked off the main stage, shirking the rain with puddle-splashing, foot-stomping folk rock and their signature high energy."

Billboard's Devon Maloney wrote, "Special props ought to be given to a pre-rain, fest-opening set by energetic Boston mainstays Kingsley Flood."

WHO: Breakout band Kingsley Flood
WHAT: Headlining show featuring songs from 'Battles'
WHEN: 9:30pm, Thursday, September 12, 2013
WHERE: Mercury Lounge, 217 East Houston St., NYC
TICKETS: $10 advance / $12 day of show

Paste Magazine's Dacey Orr named them one of ten bands to catch at Newport, saying, "This hardworking band is rapidly making an impression nationally. Their recent album 'Battles' holds several tracks that translate into rowdy on-stage anthems."

American Songwriter's Sean Maloney testified, "We had never heard these guys before but we were gobsmacked – GOBSMACKED – by the Boston band’s soulful, folk rockin’ shimmy on the Fort Stage. We heard echoes of X’s sun-scorched punk, moments of Muscle Shoals groove and some gnarly fuzz bass, which was the last thing we thought we would hear at a folk festival. It was great way to kick off our fest and their new album Battles made a great soundtrack for the ride home."