Music

The Scottish New Music Awards September 2nd 2012

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The 2012 Scottish New Music Awards are going to be held on Sunday, September 2nd 2012 at the Classic Grand in Glasgow..

You can now start voting for your favorite artists for the 2012 Scottish New Music Awards. My focus is on the Roots Recording of the year. It’s going to be bloody because two of the artists in that category have already been featured in this website. They are Fiona J MacKenzie and The Rachel Hair Trio led by harpist Rachel Hair.

It is a nice award because it recognizes the best in Scottish music. The category covers everything, from Pop, Indie to Metal. So I am sure you can pick your own category and be happy with it. I made my vote already but I won’t tell you 😉

About:

The purpose of The Scottish New Music Awards is to present a professional event to honour the music made in Scotland and recognise the artists and the industry that make it happen.

The SNMA’s goal is to promote, celebrate and showcase new emerging artists and bands across all genres and to promote, celebrate and showcase the businesses within the industry i.e. recording studios, venues, photographers and print publications.

Beyond entertaining, The Scottish New Music Awards strives to educate attendees on an important part of Scottish culture. There is NO OTHER event like The Scottish New Music Awards. There is no political motivation or corporate pressure behind this event, The Scottish New Music Awards is for music lovers by music lovers.

Vote now for the music awards by clicking HERE
Vote now for the music industry awards by clicking HERE

The 2012 Scottish New Music Awards are going to be held on Sunday, September 2nd 2012 at the Classic Grand in Glasgow..

Contact: info@scotmusicawards.co.uk

For up to date news click HERE to visit our facebook page

The Celtic Spirit is Alive in São Paulo with Merrow

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The word merrow or moruadh comes from the Irish muir (meaning sea) and oigh (meaning maid) and refers specifically to the female of the species. Mermen – the merrows male counterparts – have been rarely seen. They have been described as exceptionally ugly and scaled, with pig-like features and long, pointed teeth. Merrows themselves are extremely beautiful and are promiscuous in their relations with mortals.

-From Irish Fairies http://www.irelandseye.com/index.htm

 

I am glad I stayed home tonight and did my usual ‘research’. Just to let you in on my secret, I have over 2000 bands/artists in my data base and I only explored around 5% of them. I want my site to be like a directory of Celtic artists around the world. This will help bands who want to jam with other artists when they travel. This will benefit listeners to hear things they don’t usually get on their platter. Yes I want to be the only one who does this!

Let me tell you about this wonderful band from Sao Paolo Brazil. You might think that Brazil is all about Bossa Nova and Jazz. Well, after writing about Athy the blue harper, I realized that Celtic music is more prominent in South America more than ever.Think of Merrow as The Corrs meets Alanis Morissette with a bit of Goth fashion, which I dig by the way. There are two contrasting female voices here. One which is high and perky, the other one, is a lush contralto. The fiddle is the defining sound coupled with the band’s preference for hooks and catchy melodies. With more albums and production backing, this band will really win more fans.

I don’t have more information about the band but if you know them please step forward.          

 

http://www.myspace.com/merrowcelticrock

 

Celtic Music Is Freedom : A New Celtic CD by Marc Gunn

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March Gunn is one of the influential people who inspired me to start my music review site. For me,the musical culture I am writing for is always spiritually and aesthetically enriching. I think there is good to be said about an artist who not only performs but also brings back something to the community.

Like the title of his new album Celtic Music is Freedom, he has always excelled in his path as an independent artist. It would be however unfair to praise his marketing skills and not mention his musical assets. His autoharp is always great to listen to. His bluesy strong vocals are  engage the listeners to stop whatever they are doing and listen to his tails of heroism, the human condition and comedic stuff.

Songs like Drunken Sailor, A Well-Dressed Hobbit and Monahan’s Mudder’s Milk among others will keep you tapping your foot and snickering with Marc’s brand of humour.

You can listen to his music through this link.

http://marcgunn.com/us/


More info about the album can be found here: http://marcgunn.com/projects/celtic-music-is-freedom-new-album-by-marc-gunn/

 

What Marc Gunn  says about the album:

Celtic Music Is Freedom : A New Celtic CD by Marc Gunn

 

It was January 2011 when I drove up to Kentucky, found a cabin in the woods, and started recording a whole bunch of Celtic songs. I had several CDs I wanted to release: Scottish Songs of Drinking and Rebellion, the next Cat Companion CD, another Irish drinking songs CD and who knows what else. My goal was to just record.

I had over dozens of songs halfway completed when I left. Autoharp and vocals were done. All I needed was to decide if I wanted to add additional instrumentation. Seven months later, I released “Don’t Go Drinking With Hobbits”. The first album from that recording session.

I could probably compile five more albums from that session, but I don’t have the time or money. I’ve barely touch the home studio since that week in January. Yet, I REALLY want to share this music.

A couple months back, I sent a couple tracks to my friend Daniel Briggs. Daniel helped record on “Don’t Go Drinking With Hobbits”. I asked him to record a simple guitar, maybe some bass, and some background vocals. That’s the same arrangement I had for the first Cat Companion CD. He agreed.

The first track he recorded was “A Drop of Nelson’s Blood”. It was awesome! He had his whole band–Dogs in Doublets–record on the track. It had this fun, old-timey feel. You can hear it on my website.

 

 

Crapshooters are Making Good Music in Germany

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This video reminds me of old photographs. These guys take their late 19th century fashion seriously!

Despite the title, the Crapshooters play a good blend of Traditional Irish, American Bluegrass and German folk. The introduction of bodhran, tin whistle, concertina, banjo, acoustic guitar, bass and various percussion will make you realize that they are very serious with their musical direction. There are slow airs that will move you. The harmony vocals are good. After four songs you will be convinced that these guys are actually shooting great music! Eire is one tune that I consider captivating.

http://www.myspace.com/thecrapshooters

You can fine them in facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Crapshooters/233770759981989

From Russia with Ethereal Love: 208 Talks Of Angels

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This Dracula Video has creepy effect. But I am a Bela Lugosi fan so this is heaven!

208 Talks of Angels are consist of Russian members who are influenced by different styles of music. You can hear Classical, Ethnic as well as Ambient influences in their music. They are still in the in the process of recording demos and getting the music all over the internet. Here is an interesting info from their website to quote: Musicians themselves define their music as III – independent individual intellectual. For other people it may sound like the symbiosis of Classics, Industrial, Ballad, Ethnic, Progressive, Electronic, Break Beat, Ambient and many others.

Band members:

1.Anthony Fadeyev – guitar, vocals, effects, composition, programming, sampling;

2.Vilena Karklinya – vocals, manager.

3.Vladimir Romanchenko – bass, sampling, effects.

http://www.208talksofangels.com/
http://www.myspace.com/208talksofangels

Here is one song with great vocals and bagpipes.