Congratulations to Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová for winning the Oscar for Best Song at last nights awards.  Putting aside the controversy regarding the songs eligibility, such a huge success can only be good for Irish music, even if that success consists of some kid picking up an instrument for the first time. 

For those of you who are go ...

Key Notes is a wee bit delicate after its Christmas party last night but still dragged itself (literally!) to the nearest PC to bring you the third instalment of the 'critically aclaimed' Key Note Speaker.  Ruairi Ferrie (multi instrumentalist and vocals) of Dark Room Notes has taken time out of a busy schedule that includes recording for the new series of Other Voices to become this week's speaker.  &l ...

This edition features A Lazarus Soul; the Dublin band whose recent single, Day I Disappeared, had those righteous boys and girls in Sinn Fein up in arms (if you'll forgive the pun).  Graveyard of Burnt Out Cars, the bands sophomore album has also been nominated for the CLUAS Album of the Year 2007.  Here, lead singer Brian Brannigan becomes the second Key ...

Life is full of tough decisions; Monty Python or Father Ted, (not the real) Ronaldo or Messi, the Red Pill or the Blue Pill? However, these are decisions you can make yourself without the need to consult anyone or anything. But what happens when you have to take a decision that someone else has to agree 100% with? Key Notes faced this quandary recently when attempting to choose the song that would mark his marriage to Mrs. Key Notes. 

As those that were there will probably frustratingly attest to, the first dance was one of the few traditions that Mr. & Mrs. Key Notes were willing to adhere to in our recent nuptials. However, if Key Notes had of known it would have taken almost two years to decide on a song, it may have been another tradition ...

Congratulations to Key Notes readers Ciara Lee, Lena Sy and Graham Smyth who correctly answered (or googled!!) that the Future King of Spain is none other than Crown Prince Felipe of Asturias (or Felipe Juan Pablo Alfonso de Todos los Santos de Borbón y de Grecia to his mates!)

Their prize, a pair of tickets to the launch of the Future Kings of Spain new album Nervousystem, will be distributed this afternoon.

Entry levels were very impressive (apologies to tho ...

It was Alexandre Dumas who said 'Rogues are preferable to imbeciles because they sometimes take a rest.'  It was Key Notes who added 'Imbeciles were probably too busy texting in their votes for Ireland’s Greatest Living Musician.' 

Proving once again that the Irish general public should not be trusted to make decisions (see any General Election 1921-2007), Christy Moore has been awarded the mantle of Ireland’s Greatest Living Musician. Now, aside from the cruel jibe that he only kn ...

You may not know this, indeed you may not want to know, but Key Notes will be getting married in 57 days time. You're probably also unware of the fact that one of this blogs favourite bands is Biffy Clyro, a band who just happen to have a song called 57.

Feeling bored this morning; Key Notes set its mp3 player to random. What song should happen to play first? Yes, you’ve guessed it; Hannigan by