Monthly Archives: December 2011

New Traditional and Irish Music: Martin Byrne

  By Peter | December 31, 2011 - 2:18 pm | Music
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Singer songwriter Martin Byrne has come a long way since we first spoke about him here on Culch.ie. After the release of his debut album My Ireland Martin has literally gone from strength to strength as earlier this year his song Home Sweet Home was covered by Louise Morrissey and again most recently Matt Leavy also sang Home Sweet Home as he made his way to 2nd place in Glór Tíre on TG4. A singer songwriter could not ask for a greater compliment. Over the last few weeks at The Black bull Inn, Drogheda, Martin has compiled some of his personal favourites and some of his own tracks for us to enjoy. The video above is a little sampler of what you can expect. The album ‘My Ireland’ is available to buy in iTunes, at all good record stores and of course at any live gig. For Live Gigs and … There’s more →

2011: Let’s Hear It For The Best Bits.

  By Culch.ie | December 31, 2011 - 9:00 am | The Culch
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Well, that’s it. Come in, 2011, your time is up! And though we’re still busy sweeping up the debris after the budget and detangling mislaid election promises, let’s take a moment to remember the best bits of 2011, the stuff that didn’t make us tut, whimper or rampage across the Bog Of Allen throwing sods of turf at the sky. So pull up a chair (assuming there’s one you didn’t yet burn for firewood) and allow Culch.ie’s writers to take your mind off your boo-boos with our personal favourites from the year that was. A Head Full Of Jed 2011 definitely had its soaring pop culture highs and its devastating pop culture lows, from the joyful experience of standing front and centre at The Button Factory when Neil Hannon, Cathy Davey et al performed Vampire Weekend’s album for The JD Set in April, to the unbearable skincrawl of even accidentally … There’s more →

10 of the Best Movie Moments from 2011

  By Sue Murphy | December 26, 2011 - 10:00 am | Movies & TV
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Sure, there has been a lot of absolute rubbish from this year, but 2011 still churned out some really great films. Recently, I added up all the films I have seen this year which came to about 150. Rather than name the Top 10, I thought it might be nice to look at those moments that really defined the year, the ones that made us laugh, tear up, sit in shock, retreat in fright or just appreciate a damn fine moment. 1. Caesar says NOOOOOOOOO – Rise of the Planet of the Apes The real surprise hit of the summer and deservedly so, the Apes rose and had our full support. With a heightened intelligence and living life like a human, Caesar is imprisoned following an attack on a neighbour while protecting his guardian. During his incarceration, he begins his rebellion with this defining moment, a nod to the old … There’s more →

Alternative Christmas Mixtape: Day 14… HAPPY CHRISTMAS!

  By Culch.ie | December 25, 2011 - 12:00 pm | Music
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Well, here we are. No more sleeps. Santa’s flahed out. The turkeys are deaded. Happy Christmas, you ravishing and urbane Culchies! We’re wrapping up our Alternative Christmas Mixtape with a delightful trio of our own favourites, for the day that’s in it. Aaron: Christmas in Hollis - Run D.M.C. The tune that has it all, composed from a pinch of ‘Frosty the Snowman’, a dollop of ‘Jingle Bells’, a splash of ‘Joy to the World’ and a dusting of the innuendo-laden ‘Back Door Santa’. This was released, naturally, on cassette and vinyl back in 1987. It comes from the “golden age” of hip-hop, just as it was entering the stereotypical guns ‘n’ bitches phase that some people only see, even to this day. Some say Run DMC had their day sitting on the steps in the sun a few years previous but to me, they were always just pure gravy … There’s more →

Alternative Christmas Mixtape: Day 13

  By Culch.ie | December 24, 2011 - 12:00 pm | Music
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On account of it being Christmas Eve, and because we like you, we’re going to do a quick and dirty double header. Today’s Mixtape is brought to you by Dermot Whelan and Síle ní Bhraonáin. Never again shall we see so many tracksuits in a Christmas No 1 video - unless Usain Bolt and his mates release a charity single. My favourite song at this time of year has to be ‘Fairytale of New York’. Okay, a bit predictable, but I love it. The lyrics are wonderful and it’s just the tune to get me into the Christmas mood. Love listening to it while wrapping my presents!   Síle ní Bhraonáin is a weather presenter with TG4. Dermot Whelan presents Republic of Telly and co-hosts 98FM’s Dermot & Dave Show Monday - Friday, 4pm-7pm. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to guess who chose which song. Culch.ie’s … There’s more →

Alternative Christmas Mixtape: Day 12

  By Culch.ie | December 23, 2011 - 12:00 pm | Music
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Only two more sleeps to go, folks! That’s assuming you could possibly sleep this close to D-Day. We’ve already had our sleeps ration here at Culch Towers, and are rocking back in forth in totally platonic unison at the excitement of it all. Recognising our agitation, The Dying Seconds have sent us a most soothing ditty for our Alternative Christmas mixtape. Bless their Santa socks. Our choice is Sufjan Stevens’ “That Was The Worst Christmas Ever”, because it has a nice air of melancholy which we are really partial to. It’s simple, with really nice male/female harmonies and lovely instrumentation.   The Dying Seconds are from Dublin and are The National’s Aaron Dessner’s favourite band (apart from maybe The National). They make lush, orchestral electronica and their second album, Glimmerers, was one of our Albums Of 2011. It’s available here, on the band’s own website (yay indie Ireland!) The video … There’s more →

The Comedy Interview: Michael Porter

  By Amanda | December 23, 2011 - 9:14 am | Comedy
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Walking into Lucan Comedy Cavern, the location for my interview with Northern Ireland born comedian Micahael Porter, I was greeted by a poster which stated “MC Mad Mickey Porter”. This, I must admit, did not instill a lot of hope in me…but did mirror a lot of what had been said to me when I told people I was interviewing Michael. For me Michael is an interesting man and also a damn funny stand up, not even taking into account my fondness for the northern accent…with all this in mind I sat down with Michael to discuss all things comedy related and to get to know the man behind the persona. So Michael how did you get into comedy? It was a mistake. Well it kinda was. I stumbled into comedy by accident. I realised I have so much shit and traumatic experiences in my life that I have to … There’s more →

Gig Review: Lisa Hannigan & James Vincent McMorrow @ The Button Factory for Meteor Choice

  By Aaron McAllorum | December 22, 2011 - 3:00 pm | Gigs, Music
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Bosses don’t generally come much kinder than my editor in Culch Towers so when she was double booked, I was dispatched to the Button Factory to cover the latest Meteor Choice gig. In the orange corner was the delicious Lisa Hannigan, while in the white corner was James Vincent McMorrow (better known as JVM to 16-year-old girls on Facebook). Refereed by the always-enthusiastic Stuart Clark from Hot Press, it was part of a series of shows best described as prequels to the Meteor Choice Music Prize before nominees for the IMRO/IRMA sponsored cash prize are announced in January. The night offered fans a chance to catch acts in more relaxed and intimate surrounds than the typical commercial bread-and-butter type show. An obvious exercise in promotion by Meteor, the move must still be welcomed for rowing in behind great Irish music. The gig kicked off with Ms. Hannigan slinking on stage … There’s more →

Alternative Christmas Mixtape: Day 11

  By Culch.ie | December 22, 2011 - 12:00 pm | Music
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It’s the final countdown. Emigrant mates are arriving back for the few days, boxes of Tayto are making their way into your gaff, last ditch effort shopping is leaving you a panicked mess… but take a minute, chill, and listen to this, the Mixtape choice of Ms Michelle Doherty, who also wished everyone a happy Christmas - how lovely is she? I have chosen Bing Crosby and David Bowie singing Peace On Earth/ Little Drummer Boy. Richie introduced me to it on Pure Morning as one of our Christmas moments and I want other people to see it. Bing and Bowie’s voices complement each other so well and I like the little intro at the start. Happy Christmas and best wishes for 2012.   Michelle Doherty co-presents Pure Morning on Phantom 105.2, weekday mornings from 7am-10am. Culch.ie’s Alternative Christmas Mixtape is curated by Sinéad Keogh, Lisa McInerney and Aaron McAllorum (yeah, … There’s more →

New Music: Land Lovers - Confidants

  By Culch.ie | December 22, 2011 - 9:00 am | Music
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Despite tradition dictating that it should have been yesterday, and despite the earthy folk in Newgrange having arranged their whole calendars around it, the Winter Solstice apparently only staggered in this morning, bedheaded and bleary-eyed as we suppose December affairs should be. Today is the shortest day of the year, folks! So why not make it a little more deliciously cock-eyed by blasting some sweetshine indie-pop through your own inner chambers. Take that, natural order of things! Land Lovers are a Dublin pop band who sound like Supergrass crossed with Stornoway crossed with skinny-dipping in candyfloss. They make you want to dance like this. Ooh, lovely. Their new album (their first full-band album) is called Confidants and it’s making waves you’ll be tickled pink to get swept up by. Certainly it’s making Sinéad bop around Culch Towers like a dashboard bobble-head, which we think is just swell. Confidants - a … There’s more →

Culch.ie’s Albums Of 2011

  By Culch.ie | December 21, 2011 - 2:30 pm | Music
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Face facts, folks. You’re probably going to end up with a lot of vouchers for Christmas this year, because modern technology means your friends are all too busy playing Minecraft to put any effort into something as occasionally outdoorsy as present shopping. But not to worry. Culch.ie’s here to tell you exactly what to exchange your damp and dogeared vouchers for. Here follows our albums of 2011, all of which we’re pleased to bet our bunions you’ll love. Of course we are! Who wants bunions?! Foster The People - Torches ”You’ve got to hear this one” said my mate Noel. I hadn’t a clue who they were but vaguely seemed to recognise ‘Pumped Up Kicks’ from the radio. In the intervening months, Foster the People have gone big. Their performance at Electric Picnic was jammed and their proposed gig in The Academy was upgraded to the Olympia after selling out … There’s more →

Alternative Christmas Mixtape: Day 10

  By Culch.ie | December 21, 2011 - 12:00 pm | Music
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We asked the deadly Aidan Cuffe to send us a tune for Mixtape and he sent us three and asked us to narrow it down because he couldn’t. After listening to them a few times each, it turned out we couldn’t pick just one either - they’re all full of merit. Because it’s humpday, and because you just have to reward such effort, we’re including all three of Aidan’s choices. Cheeky, wha’? Special Treatment Bear says yes. Mick Flannery ft/ Lisa Hannigan - Christmas Past We have some amazing voices in Irish music, I was reminded of this recently having caught Lisa Hannigan and James Vincent McMorrow live. What was great about that gig was when Lisa and James performed together and it was two beautifully complementary vocals moving the adoring crowd. In 2008 Other Voices were treated to such a duet, again involving Hannigan when she performed with Mick Flannery on his track “Christmas Past”. It’s beautifully melancholy which might seem … There’s more →