Irish songstress Cat Dowling offers animalistic single ahead new 'Animals' LP (out November 12 via FIFA Records)

"Cat Dowling’s vocals, melodicism and pop sensibility are brilliant... introspective and heartfelt... passionate and liberating" ~ Big Takeover Magazine (New York)

“”An unforgettable and soothing voice and powerful delivery. She definitely is the gold at the end of the rainbow... It’s easy to see why Dowling is indeed one of the artists “making it” abroad" ~ The Spill Magazine (Toronto)

“It's her incredible vocals that resonate. When mercurial, she is reminiscent of the gutsy Karen O. When the pace slows, the respectful tone evokes Kristin Hersh” ~ Sunday Times

“The strongest collection of her career. She has exceeded expectations with an LP throbbing with anger and ennui” ~ Irish Times, Irish Independent

“An artist with a lot to say and plenty of bewitching ways to say it. Excellent” ~ RTE

“Truly a talent we can now believe in” ~ Mail on Sunday

Dublin indie pop artist Cat Dowling presents her new single ‘Animals’ with a brilliant animated video by Marc Corrigan. This is a song of movement, sensuality, wildness, love and freedom. A song about that beautiful part inside the human make-up that can't ever and should never be tamed.

The new 11-track long-player from this Kilkenny-born artist, also titled ‘Animals’, will be released via Forever In Financial Arrears Records (FIFA Records) on November 12.

Marc Corrigan is an Irish artist, illustrator and animator. Telling stories through animation and music videos for the past decade with fans including Billy Bragg and Coldplay, he has released innovative unorthodox works for such artists as Lil Kim, The Futureheads, I’m from Barcelona, Dr. Octagon, The Academic and Ham Sandwich. This is the fourth time Corrigan has worked with Dowling.

"Animals’ is a wild song. It never stops moving. When I first heard it I could picture the ending straight away – a constant flow of wild animals morphing and twisting into each other. Once I knew that, I just had to build up to it, set up a surreal morphing world. The imagery had to move constantly to keep pace with the music. It had to suggest animal instincts in a beautiful way. It had to be a constant high energy piece that never let up and built to a crescendo. So I just kept drawing,” says Marc Corrigan.

Dowling recently released the single 'Freedom', a lush slice of soulful pop perfection with video by Alba Lahoz, featuring her three free-spirited children doing their thing on the beach. The video for the preceding single, ‘Trouble’, was created by BAFTA award-winning director Fergal Costello, recalling a dark, comedic and violent tale set outside of 1981 Belfast.

"I wrote Animals during a busy period of my life when to find those rare moments to write music meant I had to be a thief elsewhere. But it was these stolen moments that gave me oxygen and a beautiful almost supernatural energy. 'Animals' was written when everyone was sleeping. It started with the driving repetitive rhythm which had to be restrained so as not to wake a soul. It thus became hypnotic. It starts as minor and ends up major. It's about the major and minor of life and of love and the constant pull in everything between major and minor and the light and the dark. It's a song ultimately of passion, wildness, sensuality and love," says Cat Dowling.

Lauded as one of the most wonderful and evocative vocalists in Irish contemporary music, Cat Dowling's beautifully dark pop songs and those husky and achingly intimate vocals will grip you from the outset. The former Babelfish and Alphastatesfrontwoman creates well-crafted songs that inspire.

Produced by Gerry Horan with Dowling as co-producer, and mixed by Ger McDonnell (The Cure, U2, Van Morrison, Martha Wainwright, Shane McGowan, Sinead O'Connor), Dowling's latest output was partially recorded at Crossroads Studio in Kilkenny with support from Ireland's Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sports and Media.

In 2013, Dowling debuted with ‘The Believer’ LP, ranked in numerous ‘Best of Year’ music polls, including The Sunday Times. The title track featured in the second series of ‘Banshee’, produced by Alan Ball (Six Feet Under, American Beauty, True Blood) and the ‘Witches of East End’ TV series, featuring Julia Ormond. The song ‘Somebody Else’ was also used in ‘My name is Emily’. Cat has also lent vocals on many collaborative projects, including for ABC’s ‘How To Get Away With Murder’ with Emmy-winning actress Viola Davis.

FIFA Records is a steadily expanding label, who have continuously worked with exciting new Irish talent (Fight Like Apes, One Morning in August, Klubber Lang, Hope is Noise, Dae Kim, Lorraine Nash), as well as releasing material from more established names on the Irish indie scene, such as The Frank & Walters, Emperor of Ice Cream, August Wells, Power of Dreams and Whipping Boy.

The 'Animals' single is out now, available everywhere, including Spotify, Apple Music and Bandcamp. As of November 12, the full ‘Animals’ album will be released digitally, as well as on CD and limited-edition cassette. Pre-order it at https://catdowling.bandcamp.com/album/animals.

CREDITS
Produced by Gerry Horan
Co-produced by Cat Dowling
Recorded by Karl Odlum, Gerry Horan, Jed Parle
Mixed by Ger McDonnell
Mastered by Fergal Davis
Performed by Cat Dowling, Gerry Horan, Jeremey Hickey, Marja Gaynor.
Music and Lyrics written by Cat Dowling
'Animals' video by Marc Corrigan


Keep up with Cat Dowling
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Irish pop-rock artist Gavin Murphy counts our blessings on uplifting 'Alive' single

“Sparkles with droll and wonderfully melodic minor pop nuggets” ~ RTÉ Entertainment

"Animated and invigorating... harkens back to a more innocent age and deserving of comparisons to the likes of Aztec Camera, Feargal Sharkey, China Crisis and The Railway Children" ~ Amplify Music Magazine

“A calming soul massage perfect for sitting in the sun and daydreaming“ ~ Musician.ie

“45 RPM - Album of the Week” ~ RTÉ Radio 1

“45 RPM - the result is bittersweet, nostalgic and fun” ~ Hot Press

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Ireland-based artist Gavin Murphy presents his new singleAlive’, a 'chin-up' anthem for our times when depression has become so rampant in this age of lockdown. The new track comes hot on the trails of the single 'The Sound of Heartbreak'.

Murphy involved a strong team with respect to both tracks, including producer / mixer Ger McDonnell (The Cure, U2, Van Morrison, Martha Wainwright, Shane McGowan, Sinead O'Connor). While 'Alive' was mastered by Stephen Ceresia at Stonyfield Masteriing, 'The Sound of Heartbreak' was mastered by Frank Arkwright at Abbey Road, London. Robbie Malone (David Gray) plays bass, while Paul Byrne is on drums and Saoirse Kavanagh on backing vocals.

"My new single 'Alive' is about embracing the positives in life. To witness the sunrise at dawn is a beautiful heartwarming experience. Appreciating the simple pleasures in life and reflecting upon good memories, can help us through difficult times,” says Gavin Murphy.

“On the other hand, 'The Sound of Heartbreak' is a rite of passage that nobody escapes. You suffer from it, you inflict it - don’t kid yourself otherwise. It will keep happening until you learn from it and finally make peace with the scars”.

Hailing from Dublin’s north side, Gavin Murphy now resides in Sligo on Ireland’s north-west coast. Beginning with his debut self-recorded and self-produced album ‘45 RPM (Replay Past Memories)’, Murphy has been honing his sound and harvesting melodic guitar-based Indie pop-rock goodness, characterized by bittersweet lyrics and catchy melodies. Inspired by feelings rooted in nostalgia and moving melodies, Murphy cites Crowded House as a strong influence.

“It's a wonderful feeling to self release my own music and to hear the songs being played on the radio and receiving such positive feedback," says Gavin Murphy.

"As a self employed musician it’s been a real struggle throughout the restrictions being unable to play live music, with musicians’ careers having come to a stand still. To help me get through these uncertain times, I’ve tried to focus on the most important things in life.”

'Alive' and 'The Sound of Heartbreak' are out now, available across streaming platforms and online stores, including Spotify, Apple Music and Bandcamp.

CREDITS
Gavin Murphy - Lead Vocals, Guitars, Keyboards
Robbie Malone (David Gray) - Bass
Paul Byrne - Drums
Saoirse Kavanagh - Backing Vocals
Produced by Gavin Murphy and Ger McDonnell
Mixed by Ger McDonnell
'The Sound of Heartbreak' mastered by Frank Arkwright at Abbey Road, London
'Alive' mastered by Stephenm Ceresia at Stonyfield Mastering, USA
Photography by John Wilde


Keep up with Gavin Murphy Songs
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Irish indie legend Cathal Coughlan (The Fatima Mansions, Microdisney) releases much anticipated 'Song of Co-Aklan' LP

"Song Of Co-Aklan definitively affirms Coughlan's place amid Ireland's poetic pantheon” ~ MOJO (4 stars)

"Song Of Co-Aklan is a more than welcome return from a puckish master of social observation and surreal manifesto” ~ The Wire

“…shows off a rich, Scott Walker-ish voice that’s aging superbly…a welcome return” ~ Uncut

"The most underrated lyricist in pop today" ~ The Guardian

"A brilliant opus... To say that Coughlan’s new 12-song collection are sounds for sore ears would be an understatement... perhaps his best record to date" ~ The Spill Magazine

"[I could] listen to Cathal Coughlan sing the phone book" ~ John Peel

“A wry and frequently abrasive commentator on society and politics for 40 years now. Now he’s back with Song of Co-Aklan, an album that sees him doing what he does best... Both strange and touching in roughly equal measure” ~ Essentially Pop

Irish music legend Cathal Coughlan presents the 'Song of Co-Aklan' LP, his sixth to date. His first new music in ten years, the London-based Cork native is best known as co-founder and vocalist for seminal 80s/90s bands Microdisney and The Fatima Mansions, who toured internationally with U2.

Coughlan has been described as "the most underrated lyricist in pop today" by The Guardian newspaper. DJ John Peel was also such a fan that he stated he could "listen to Cathal Coughlan sing the phone book".

"In the couple of years prior to making the record, I’d renewed contact with the other members of Microdisney, several of whom appear on this record, as part of the reunion shows we played in Ireland and the UK. As the result of that, and of other shows I’d played as a vocalist and collaborator, I found new musical acquaintances whose work suggested a wide palette. It felt important to make music in a more convivial setting than had been possible in a long time, which worked well until, midway through the recording, the pandemic dictated that the community of contributors had to become virtual," says Cathal Coughlan.

Recorded in London, this album features Coughlan's long-time collaborators from the Grand Necropolitan Quartet - namely Nick Allum(The Fatima Mansions, The Apartments), James Woodrow and Audrey Riley (notable collaborator of Lush, The Sundays, The Smiths, Nick Cave, The Cure and Coldplay).

On this album, Microdisney/High Llamas bassist Jonathan Fell unites with Nick Allum and Coughlan for the first time since the Fatima Mansions 'Against Nature' LP in 1989. Microdisney/ High Llamas alumnus John Bennett also makes an appearance.

The LP also features Sean O'Hagan (Microdisney, High Llamas, Stereolab), Luke Haines (The Auteurs, Black Box Recorder) and Rhodri Marsden (Scritti Politti), as well as contributions by acclaimed Irish singer-songwriter Eileen Gogan, Andrías Ó Grúama (Fatima Mansions) and Cory Gray (The Delines) on wurlitzer piano.

Emmy award-winning director George Seminara created videos for title track ‘Song of Co-Aklan' and the latest single 'The Knockout Artist', and Andy Golding (The Wolfhounds, Dragon Welding) revealed a hallucinatory infomercial-style video for 'Owl In The Parlour'.

The eye-catching cover art for the 'Song of Co-Aklan’ LP is by outsider artist Cristabel Christo and originated by Bruce Brand, award winning designer for The Darkness and Whites Stripes.

One of Ireland’s most revered singer-songwriters, Coughlan is beloved by fans of caustic literate lyricism and erudite songcraft. Since Fatima Mansions' demise in the mid-90s, he has released five acclaimed solo albums and been involved in numerous collaborations and guest appearances. He and Microdisney bandmates were the first recipients of Ireland’s National Concert Hall Trailblazer Award in 2019, celebrating culturally important albums by iconic Irish musicians, songwriters and composers (for 1985’s 'The Clock Comes Down The Stairs').

As of March 26, the 'Song of Co-Aklan' album will be available across online platforms, such as Apple Music and Spotify, as well as physically. It can be purchased at https://ffm.to/songofcoaklanalbum.

ALBUM CREDITS
Nick Allum – drums and percussion
Audrey Riley – cello
James Woodrow – electric & acoustic guitars
Rhodri Marsden – bass guitar, bassoon
Luke Haines – bass guitar, acoustic guitar, synth
Jonathan Fell – bass guitar
Sean O’Hagan – bass guitar & vocals, synth
Eileen Gogan – vocals
Andrías Ó Grúama – frictive guitar
John Bennett – vocals & slide guitar
Cory Gray – wurlitzer piano
Cathal Coughlan – Co-Aklan
Mastered by George Shilling
Cover by Bruce Brand & Mary Tee at Arthole
Front cover painting by Cristabel Christo, based in part on photos by Gregory Dunn / Stoneybutter
Composed and deranged by Cathal Coughlan


Keep up with Cathal Coughlan
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Irish rock band The Midnight Preachers released their new single titled "Pusher Woman" to all digital outlets via The Label Group/INgrooves.

'Pusher Woman' Written by The Midnight Preachers Produced by John Henry Mixed & Mastered by Ron 'Bumblefoot' Thal Video by www.instagram.com/TheDeadlyFeastAr...

"Pusher Woman" can be streamed/downloaded here:

https://ingroov.es/pusher-woman

"Pusher Woman" was written by Eoghan MacSheain & Emer McLaughlin, produced by John Henry and mixed/mastered by Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal (Sons Of Apollo, Asia, Guns N Roses).

Formed in the north-west of Ireland in late 2017, The Midnight Preachers blasted onto the Irish music scene with a distinctive hard rock sound. Avoiding the modern trappings of overexposure on social media, the band’s approach is to leave more to the imagination of the listener, and to make the music their priority. Featuring rich vocal harmonies, Fender Rhodes piano and classic rock style riffs, their first single "California" debuted at #2 on iTunes in Ireland, on New Years Day 2018.

Following an Irish tour which culminated in a headline show with legendary guitar player Ron ‘Bumblefoot’ Thal (solo artist / ex-Guns N’ Roses guitarist)The Midnight Preachers returned to the studio, recording their upcoming debut EP Desert Hymns.

THE MIDNIGHT PREACHERS IS:

Eoghan MacSheain - Singer / Guitarist / Pianist & Producer

Taking influence from the wild on-stage presence of Rory Gallagher, Eoghan provides an energetic and ‘out there’ performance. As a guitar player, his hard rock sensibilities have led to him touring and performing with Bobby Kimball (Toto), Chris Slade (AC/DC), and signing endorsement deals with DiMarzio Electronics, Vigier Guitars, AMT Electronics and Breedlove Guitars.

Emer McLaughlin - Singer / Bassist

Emer’s voice has been compared to Stevie Nicks, Kim Carnes and Norah Jones, and her bass playing to that of Phil Lynott. With a blues infused alto range, she sings lead, as well as backing vocals, and co-writes all of the band’s material.

"Holding On" (Charity Single) - Mastered by Ron "Bumblefoot: Thal:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=598NZvH21ng

"California" - Mastered by Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VAaCIcHOilI

For More Information Please visit:

Official Website

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