If the Choice Music Prize is the Irish version of the Mercury Music Prize then the Meteor Music Awards are our very own version of Liverpool FC, i.e. predictable and boring.

Key Notes, after a prolonged absence, is back with a look at what's happened over Christmas and the New Year in the world of Irish music.

Made From Sand, the debut album from Alphastates, comes in at number 8 in Key Notes' countdown of his favourite Irish albums.

Number 9 in the countdown of his favourtie Irish albums is Microdisney's The Clock Comes Down The Stairs.

Key Notes looks at his 10 favourite Irish albums starting with Roisin Murphy's Overpowered

Key Notes has been chosen as the release outlet for Laid Open, the fifth track made available by Escape Act in their innovative release strategy for debut album, Loosely Based on Fiction

Indiecater, the digital label offshoot of mp3hugger, has begun reissuing classic forgotten albums and Key Notes, for one, rejoices.

The final part of his two part Rocktober series sees Key Notes examine some of the international artists that will be visiting Ireland this month.

The first in a two part series, Key Notes couldn't help but go with the obvious title for this blog, which gives you the run down on what Irish bands are doing over the coming months.

On Monday November 10 2008, Belfast trio Escape Act will release their debut album Loosely Based on Fiction.  So what you say; bands release records all the time.  Ah yes, but following on from Oasis' free sheet music giveaway, Escape Act will release each and every song from the album online via a series of blogs.  The first track, Kings have Fallen was released on MP3Hugger on September 27 and the next track will be released on BoxSetGo this weekend.

After that tracks will be released weekly with directions as to where to get your next fix been given on the band's website www.escapeact.com.  Apropos of nothing...

Key Notes was saddened to hear that Derrick Dalton (Mexican Pets, Crumb, Hey Paulette) passed away this week.

Key Notes didn't know Derrick personally but this blog was well aware of his support for, and influence on, the Irish music scene through conversations with fellow bloggers, musicians and fans alike.  An illegal cassette version of Mexican Pets' Nobody's Working Title was one of Key Notes favourite records around the mid 90's and for us humble fans it is through his music that Derrick will be remembered.

Sincerest sympathies from Key Notes and all at CLUAS to Derrick's wife, family and friends.

Crumb: Follow Me Home 

 

 



 

 

Mexican Pets: Stigmata Errata 



 

...

The global economic crisis became a lot more personal for Key Notes this week.

Key Notes reports on an entertaining, if wet, final day of HWCH 2008.

Key Notes, like certain royalty, has two birthdays, one of which he celebrated this week. To help mark the occasion, Key Notes was joined by 11 of his nearest and dearest as he experienced the sights and sounds of day two of HWCH 2008.

Key Notes takes a look at the first day of Ireland's only music festival dedicated to Irish bands.

A very special edition of Key Note Speaker sees your blogger in conversation with Brian Carroll, organiser and indeed founder of Hard Working Class Heroes.  The 2008 event takes place this coming weekend (September 12-14) and some tickets are still available from here.

Favourite Albums from the Past Year? One of my favourite albums from the past year has been Cut Copy's In Ghost Colours (and I actually have the pleasure of tour managing these guys). Dan Whitford’s song writing is so masterful especially on this record, and it translates so well live - I should know i've seen them about 100 times!! Another record from this year I love is MGMT's Oracular Spectacular. I know I will love this record for the rest of my life!...

The second in an infrequent series that see's Key Notes take a peek at the more interesting Irish inde music videos.

Key Notes is not the type of person to say 'I told you so' and this morning is no different.  The demise of State magazine, though worryingly predictable, is of course a bad thing for the people involved, but not for the music reading public.  While State was in print, Key Notes took the unusual step of buying both it and Hot Press to judge the two side by side.  There is no doubt that Hot Press upped it's game, but in fairness, when an 'Indie music magazine' decides to put ABBA on the cover or run a full length feature on Justin Timberlake, they are essentially...

Key Notes continues his guide to this Summers festivals with a look at the award winning Cois Fharraige

As he continues his guide to this years music festivals, Key Notes takes a look at Electric Picnic.

With thanks once again to Leah in Urchin PR and Foggy Notions; Key Notes has two double passes to give away for Little Wings who will take to the stage Upstairs in Whelan's on Wednesday August 13th.

Little Wings is Kyle Field and whatever musicians and musical instruments cross his path as he makes his merry way through venues singing songs that flip-flop between old school country and low-fi electronica.  Field himself describes Little Wings as 'an ever-changing art project...

Key Notes favourite festival of the year returns this September 12th-14th.  The list of Irish bands performing was announced today.

This edition of Key Note Speaker see's Dudley, Mark and Joss from The Dudley Corporation take time out from promoting their latest album, Year of the Husband, to provide you with an insight into their musical, literary and visual tastes.

Favourite Songs from the Past Year Joss Meshuggah - Bleed Boris - My Neighbour Satan Dudley  Goblin Cock - We got a bleeder! (unreleased) Mark  Wilco - Either Way The New Pornographers - All The Old Showstoppers The Melvins - Billy Fish The Spook Of The Thirteenth Lock - The Spook

Favourite Song Ever Joss Today it's any one of: Richard Harris - McArthur Park Drive Like Jehu - Luau Erkin Koray - arlı Dağlar Blonde...

Mercury Music Prize: In approximately 30 minutes the nominees for the 2008 Mercury Music Prize will be announced. Lot's of speculation here and here as to who will get the nod.  While Key Notes isn't a fan of every album on the list below, he will eat his virtual hat if at least 50% of them are not included:

Radiohead - In Rainbows

The Last Shadow Puppets...