Jim Carroll

• Randomiser
• December 22, 2008, 09:59

They think it’s all over – it is now. That’s all from On The Record for 2008. Before I turn off the lights, plug out the interweb and head for the door with a pair of novelty antlers on my …

• U2
• December 19, 2008, 10:44

You won’t be able to escape them in Zero Nine, you know. U2 annouced yesterday that yes, their new album will be released in ’09 (Friday February 27, to be exact) and yes, it will be called “No Line On …

• Music business
• December 19, 2008, 10:34

Supergrass have become the latest established act to see if they can get by without the help and largesse of a major label. After 13 years and five albums with EMI’s Parlophone imprint, the band has decided all future recordings …

• Live music
• December 19, 2008, 10:30

“Ouch!” seems to be general reaction to the ticket price for Ry Cooder and Nick Lowe’s three-night stand in Dublin’s Olympia next June. Promoters Rag Lane have set prices for the show at €96.25, €116.25 and a fairly eye-watering €131.25 …

• Film Live music
• December 19, 2008, 10:26

It’s not every day that On The Record gets to talk about a three-times Oscar winner. Then again, it’s not every day that film composer Michel Legrand brings an orchestra (and guest vocalist Alison Moyet) to town. Legrand is best …

• Live music New releases
• December 19, 2008, 10:25

Plugging your gig/event/book/magazine is not just for Christmas, you know. Plug away to your heart’s content but please be polite and declare an interest where relevant Your first must-see new Irish band of 2009 will be Villagers, the new act …

• Tune of the Week
• December 18, 2008, 12:10

For our last Tune of the Week for 2008, lets go to Como, Mississipi

• Adrian Crowley
• December 18, 2008, 10:25

Big thanks to everyone who has linked to this blog in the last few days to plug our offer of a free download of Adrian Crowley’s “Long Distance Swimmer” album. The more people who hear this album the merrier. In …

• Live music
• December 17, 2008, 10:11

The awesome Antony & The Johnsons return to Ireland in 2009. They play Dublin’s Vicar Street on May 31 (Antony and co’s Vicar Street show in 2005 featured very prominently in the list of memorable shows in that venue over …

• The Far Side
• December 17, 2008, 09:26

As played on The Far Side, Phantom 105.2, Tuesday December 16, 10pm-midnight Last night was The Review of 2008 – Part One, the first in a couple of Far Side specials over the coming weeks on Phantom. Next Tuesday (December …

• Live music Music business
• December 16, 2008, 13:59

Two interesting stories in this morning’s paper relating to live music comings and goings in this country. The first is the case of MCD v Prince. The concert promoters are looking for Prince to cough up €1.6 million on the …

• Retail
• December 16, 2008, 09:16

Lets start with a no-strings-attached present for yourself in this time of give, give, give. Have you downloaded Adrian Crowley’s “Long Distance Swimmer” yet? Our free offer is good until Thursday so get clicking. Big thanks to Damien, Una, Ruan …

• Live music
• December 15, 2008, 11:14

Ry Cooder buddies up with Nick Lowe, Flaco Jimenez and his drummer son Joachim Cooder for three shows at Dublin’s Olympia on June 10, 11 and 12 next. Tickets – hold onto your hats – ranging in price from €131.25 …

• Josh Ritter Live music
• December 15, 2008, 10:14

There are certain rituals which only occur at this time of year. I know Christmas is on its way when Old Moore’s Almanac appears in the shops (dude tells us that next summer is going to be a hot one …

• Live music
• December 12, 2008, 12:24

AC/DC play Punchestown Racecouse, Co Kildare on June 28 next. Tickets, priced €76.50 a pop, go on sale on Thursday at 8am Wonder how people who paid over the odds for tout-tickets to see them in the The 02 in …

• Adrian Crowley Competition The Ticket
• December 12, 2008, 10:17

Thanks to all the blog readers who contributed to our Review of the Year post over the last few weeks. We had a massive response and you’ll find some of those views expressed in the Readers vs the Writers feature …

• Clubs Festivals
• December 12, 2008, 09:55

Anyone for a good news story this morning? How about a brand new festival in 2009 from the Bodytonic and Nightflight club runners?

• Live music
• December 12, 2008, 09:51

Live music promoters will be hoping that loads of people will wake up to find tickets under the tree on Christmas Day. Today, tickets go on sale for Franz Ferdinand (Limerick’s Dolan’s on February 28th and Dublin’s Olympia on March …

• Irish music New releases
• December 12, 2008, 09:48

It’s the season for music fans to put their hands in their pockets for various good causes. While there are some truly terrible charity records and tunes doing the rounds, there are a handful of releases which do merit repeat …

• Adrian Crowley Downloads
• December 11, 2008, 10:13

This time last year, Adrian Crowley released his fourth album, “Lost Distance Swimmer”. The album received rave reviews, got shortlisted for the Choice Music Prize and gave him a mighty push. Sure, we even pressganged him into penning a few …

• Food
• December 10, 2008, 14:10

You couldn’t make this up. Per the European Food Safety Authority, “there are no adverse health effects to the consumption of Irish pork contaminated with dioxins”. They continue: “if a person ate an average amount of Irish pork daily since …

• Live music
• December 10, 2008, 10:43

Amadou & Mariam play Dublin’s Vicar Street on March 1. The perfect excuse to play “Sabali”, a lovely tune from new album “Welcome to Mali”

• The Far Side
• December 10, 2008, 09:32

As played on The Far Side, as broadcast on Phantom 105.2, Tuesday December 9, 10pm-midnight Wavves “Wavves” (De Stijl) Minor Threat “Think Again” (Dischord) Three Trapped Tigers “Track 1″ (Blood & Biscuits) The Splinters “Splintered Bridges” (Own label) Sexy Kids …

• Competition
• December 9, 2008, 15:50

A wee reminder about our monster end-of-year competition where you can win 30 of the year’s finest releases thanks to our pals at PIAS Ireland. Yep, that’s 30 CDs to soundtrack your Christmas and not a dud among ‘em. Here …

• Live music
• December 9, 2008, 12:31

Franz Ferdinand play Dolan’s Warehouse, Limerick on February 28 and The Olympia, Dublin on March 1. The band’s third album “Tonight!” is released on January 23. Here’s a video of the band covering LCD Soundsystem’s “All My Friends”. Take it …

• Media TV
• December 9, 2008, 11:56

Lots of online fuming today about Channel 6′s decision to yank Nightshift from the schedules from January. There’s no reason given for the 86′ing of the show (are C6′s other home-produced shows going to be axed too?), though I’d imagine …

• Competition
• December 8, 2008, 14:40

The fantastic competitions just never stop at On the Record – and for our final competition of 2008, we have one hell of a prize. And on Culchie Shopping Day too! Thanks to our very good pals at PIAS Ireland, …

• Live music
• December 8, 2008, 13:53

His Mozness will be celebrating his 50th birthday next year with four Irish shows. He plays Killarney’s INEC (April 28), Galway’s Leisureland (April 29), Omagh’s Leisure Centre (May 1) and Belfast’s Waterfront (May 2). Tickets go on sale on Friday, …

• Books
• December 8, 2008, 09:49

It is the season to buy stuff to give to people. I think we’re fairly well covered when it comes to music – buy No Age’s awesome “Nouns” album and make sure the recipient plays it loud – DVDs – …

• Live music
• December 5, 2008, 11:58

The Eagles play Galway’s Pearse Stadium on June 28, Belfast’s Odyssey on June 30 and Dublin’s RDS Arena on July 2. Tickets, ranging in price from €131.25 to €86.25, go on sale next Wednesday.

• Music business Retail
• December 5, 2008, 11:36

It was a Black Wednesday for dozens of indie labels with the news that music distribution company Pinnacle Entertainment has gone into administration.

• New releases
• December 5, 2008, 11:31

On The Record is a sucker for Christmas albums. Despite some “bah humbug” feelings about the season in general, we’re quite partial to pop stars making merry with musical ho, ho, hos. While nothing can dislodge A Christmas Gift for …

• Live music Media
• December 5, 2008, 11:28

It’s always good to see radio DJs leave the sanctuary of their studio to say hello in person to their audience. Today FM’s Alison Curtis moves her show to Whelan’s in Dublin on December 17th for a festive special. Aside …

• Clubs Live music Politics
• December 5, 2008, 11:25

Plug, plug, plug, plug away to your heart’s content. One rule: declare an interest or one may well be declared for you. Independents Day is a feast of indie and DIY culture from fanzines to music (and a screening of …

• Football
• December 4, 2008, 12:18

After two and a bit years on Wearside and having spent £80 million on players (and El Hadji Diouf), Roy Keane has said see-ya to the Black Cats. Wonder what effect this will have on Sunderland’s newly discovered Irish fan-base?

• Clubs Live music Music business New releases
• December 4, 2008, 10:31

Due to, uhm, “unforseen circumstances”, On The Record was away yesterday and missed the following stories Awesome! Ladyhawke comes to Ireland next year. She plays Dublin’s Academy on February 5. Video from herself below to mark this news Bob Dylan …

• Competition The Ticket
• December 3, 2008, 10:32

If you have not yet told the world about the music, movies and other cultural extravaganzas which rocked your world in 2008, make amends today. This is your last opportunity to contribute to The Ticket’s Review of the Year so …

• The Far Side
• December 3, 2008, 09:17

As played on The Far Side, as broadcast on Phantom 105.2, Tuesday December 2, 10pm-midnight Dinosaur Pile-Up “My Rock’n’Roll” (Friends Vs) Three Trapped Tigers “Track 1″ (Blood & Biscuits) Sky Larkin “Beeline” (Wichita) The Do “Aha” (Get Down!) The Temper …

• Live music
• December 2, 2008, 09:38

I’m trying to imagine what would the ideal venue for a Roisin Murphy show. A giant spaceship hovering over a city of skyscrapers with its landing lights turned into glitterballs? A psychedelic submarine designed by Philip Treacy vibrating its way …

• Competition
• December 1, 2008, 14:30

It’s December 1 which means the Christmas has begun. Yes, yes, we know there’s a recession on and it’s bleak and people have a right pain in the hoop about stuff so On The Record has decided to treat you …

• Randomiser
• December 1, 2008, 09:23

(1) The first great album of 2009 has arrived. Animal Collective’s hypnotic, bewitching, beguiling, be-gob-awesome “Merriweather Post Pavilion” has a majestic sense of purpose which is just going to rule in the next 12 months. If last year’s “Strawberry Jam” …