Jim Carroll

• Tune of the Week
• January 30, 2009, 12:05

Oooooooooh, this is good

• Bruce
• January 30, 2009, 09:15

As predicted by On The Record last week, a second date for Bruce Springsteen at the RDS, Dublin has just been added – Sunday July 12. First date now sold out. Guess a lot of us won’t be going to …

• Plug The Ticket
• January 30, 2009, 09:14

In this week’s Ticket, there’s an interview with Chris Brown (yes, we have gone off to find the answer to the “who the hell is Chris Brown?” question posed by On The Record readers), Brian Boyd looks at Motown and …

• Media
• January 29, 2009, 14:13

Very sad news to report via On The Record reader Ivor that the great folk and blues singer-songwriter John Martyn died this morning. From a concert at Reading University in 1978, here’s a performance of the beautiful “Small Hours”

• Randomiser
• January 29, 2009, 11:43

First there was the leak. Then, there was the gig that never was. And now? Well, get out your umbrellas people, we have another live one. The main rule which the Meteor Music Awards abide by is as follows: “For …

• Music business Technology
• January 29, 2009, 10:15

(1) Very interesting piece from Ars Technica about yesterday evening’s news from the courts with Nate Robinson making the point that users seem to be have no say once the evidence has been gathered: “While such graduated response mechanisms have …

• Music business Technology
• January 28, 2009, 19:12

Full story here. This is the action which began in March 2008. Per Irish Times breaking news report, “both parties have agreed to work closely together and on a joint approach aimed at ending ‘the abuse of the internet by …

• Festivals
• January 28, 2009, 14:18

But seriously folks…. All is very quiet on the Oxegen front at the moment. It’s usually around this time that the first names begin to appear for the festival but we’re at a loss to figure out who might be …

• Books Film Football
• January 28, 2009, 09:58

A nod and a wink to The Walkinstown Roundabout Chancer for this link to the trailer for The Damned United. Opens in cinemas on March 27, which gives you plenty of time to read David Peace’s truly wonderful book on …

• The Far Side
• January 28, 2009, 09:38

As played on The Far Side, Phantom 105.2, Tuesday January 27, 10pm-midnight The new tunes on last night’s show from Arcade Fire, Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings, Beirut, Antony (with The National’s Bryce Dessner), The Books & Jose Gonzalez …

• Irish music
• January 27, 2009, 13:03

It seems that the link to this year’s Meteor Music Awards nominations which I posted earlier is now not working. I assume the Meteor web monkeys must have dropped a cup of coffee with soya milk into the interweb and …

• Irish music
• January 27, 2009, 12:46

Full list is here (link now locked down – see next post for list of nominations). Still no sign of any transparency as to how these lists are arrived at, who the judges are or any of that. Ho-hum. (Ta …

• Randomiser
• January 26, 2009, 10:03

The best smackdown yet for the kind of nonsensical begobery which has produced tripe like “There’s No-One As Irish as Barack Obama”? That would be Fintan O’Toole’s excellent piece in Saturday’s paper on why this particular play in the endless, …

• Bruce
• January 23, 2009, 11:53

Bruce Springsteen plays Dublin’s RDS on July 11. Last year, he sold out three shows there in the blink of an eye so chances are there will be more shows added. Tickets go on sale next Friday – €86.25 for …

• The Ticket
• January 23, 2009, 09:44

It’s not just football teams who avail of the January transfer window to bring in new faces, you know. From this week onwards, Lauren Murphy will be taking care of the news column formerly known as On The Record in …

• Tune of the Week
• January 22, 2009, 12:10

I keep going back to this tune and trying to work it out.

• Hip-hop Live music
• January 22, 2009, 09:13

The dude behind one of 08′s finest hip-hop albums “The Renaissance” makes a long overdue visit to these shores. Q-Tip and band play Dublin’s Button Factory on March 13. Tickets are €30 plus booking fee. Here’s the vid for “Renaissance …

• The Far Side
• January 21, 2009, 09:02

As played on The Far Side, Phantom 105.2, Tuesday January 20, 10pm-midnight Franz Ferdinand “Can’t Stop Feeling” (Domino) Baddies “Open One Eye” (YoYo Acapulco) The Soft Pack “Nightlife” (1928) Kid British “She Will Leave” (Mercury) Afefe Iku “Mirror Dance” (Yoruba) …

• Retail
• January 20, 2009, 14:19

There was a lot of shocked reaction here and elsewhere last week as news spread of the imminent closure of Road Records in Dublin. For the last 11 years, Dave Kennedy and Julie Collins have seen their shop on Fade …

• Randomiser
• January 20, 2009, 09:07

Reports on that new U2 single from Brian Boyd, State and Stereogum. On The Record’s verdict? In keeping with the tradition of U2 paying homage to other acts (see “Beautiful Day” and A-ha’s “Take On Me”), “Get On Your Boots” …

• Live music
• January 19, 2009, 14:32

Per Ticketmaster, Hockey and Passion Pit play Dublin’s Whelan’s on Sunday March 1. Tickets are €15 a pop and go on sale on Wednesday. Here’s Passion Pit with the song of 2008, “Sleepyhead”

• Bruce
• January 19, 2009, 12:44

You can hear Bruce Springsteen’s new album “Working On A Dream” – and download new track “Life Itself” from that same album – all this week here on The Ticket. While we patiently wait for Bruce to say yes to …

• Festivals
• January 19, 2009, 11:13

The bite-sized reports from Friday night at Eurosonic 2009 Emmy the Great. Er, no she’s not. Wimpy tunes which I forgot the moment I walked out of the venue. Lass started complaining that her guitar is out of tune because …

• Festivals
• January 16, 2009, 12:01

Groet van Groningen! For the fifth year in a row, I’m at Eurosonic for the first binge-gigging session of the year which involves running around this lovely town, staying out of the way of marauding cyclists and seeing a whole …

• Media Retail
• January 16, 2009, 10:26

After just nine issues, State magazine has ceased publication of its print edition and will continue to exist as an online entity only. It was also announced this week that Dublin independent music store Road Records will cease trading after …

• Jazz
• January 16, 2009, 10:18

Now firmly established as one of the best showcases around for new European jazz acts, 12 Points! returns to the Project Arts Centre in Dublin from February 11th to 14th. Organised by the Improvised Music Company, the third outing for …

• Clubs
• January 16, 2009, 09:44

Once upon a time, club weekenders were all the rage, but they’re fallen out of fashion in recent years. The Babalonia crew hope to rekindle those flames with Turntables in Dublin’s South William bar next weekend. The headliner is Nickodemus, …

• Live music New releases
• January 16, 2009, 09:29

Where the whole world goes to plug their wares…. The Datsuns plugs their “Head Stunts” album with dates at Dublin’s Think Tank (February 4), Galway’s Roisin Dubh (5) and Belfast’s Spring & Airbrake (6) Hear why Dublin-based Theo won the …

• Media
• January 14, 2009, 17:57

After nine issues – six as a paid-for title and three as a free magazine – State has decided to put the kibosh on the print version and become an online-only entity. Full info here

• Choice Music Prize
• January 14, 2009, 15:15

The following acts and albums have been nominated for the Choice Music Prize for Irish Album of the Year 2008 (acts in alphabetical order) Fight Like Apes “Fight Like Apes and the Mystery of the Golden Medallion” (Model Citizen) Mick …

• The Far Side
• January 14, 2009, 08:35

As played on The Far Side, Phantom 105.2, Tuesday January 13, 10pm-midnight Animal Collective “Summertime Clothes” (Domino) MGMT “Electric Feel (Aeroplane remix)” (Sony) Friendly Fires “Paris (Aeroplane remix)” (XL) Telepathe “So Fine” (Co-Op) Deerhunter “Strange Lights” (4AD) Stricken City “Tak …

• U2
• January 12, 2009, 14:39

The over-the-top promotion for the new U2 album continues at a pace to rival Usain Bolt. Not content with dominating last week with that Q interview (amazing how band members weren’t able to see that question about tax and Amsterdam …

• Choice Music Prize Competition
• January 12, 2009, 09:35

On Wednesday afternoon, the Choice Music Prize shortlist for Irish Album of the Year 2008 will be revealed. The announcement will be made during a lavish ceremony in central Dublin involving fireworks, speeches from assembled luminaries (including President Mary McAleese …

• Interview
• January 9, 2009, 09:59

Dylan Haskins first popped up on my radar last year when there was a discussion here about the lack of all-ages venues in Dublin city-centre and some folks mentioned the Hideaway House gigs he was doing out in his house …

• Music business
• January 9, 2009, 09:18

No prizes for guessing what the review for 2008 revealed for the music business: yep, record sales are down and live revenue is up.

• Irish music New releases
• January 9, 2009, 09:13

2008 was a bumper year for Irish albums, with more than 180 releases in all. While most of the domestic attention in 2009 will be on U-know-who, other Irish acts will also be getting back in the game. Bell X1 …

• Live music
• January 9, 2009, 09:09

Some 40 years after Woodstock and Alice’s Restaurant brought him to attention, Arlo Guthrie is still going strong. In recent years, Guthrie has continued to record. His most recent album, 32c Postage Due, was a collaboration with The Dillards and …

• Clubs Live music
• January 9, 2009, 09:06

Got something to plug? Well, you’ve come to the right place. Plug your gig, new album, gig, happening, hamster or haircut here. Just be sure to declare an interest please The Oscar-winning Swell Season have rescheduled their charity fundraiser at …

• Tune of the Week
• January 8, 2009, 10:25

Just listen again and again and again and again and again….

• The Far Side
• January 7, 2009, 12:56

As played on The Far Side, Phantom 105.2, Tuesday January 6, 10pm-midnight Dan Deacon “Getting Older” (Carpark) Jaydiohead “99 Anthems” (Minty Fresh Beats) N.A.S.A. “Gifted” (Anti) Friendly Fires “In The Hospital” (XL) Tanlines “New Flowers” (Young Turks) La Roux “Quicksand” …

• Randomiser
• January 7, 2009, 09:34

It’s probably the end of the world as some major label executives know it but do they feel fine? At Macworld in San Francisco yesterday, Apple announced that the age of variable pricing and DRM-free downloads at iTunes is coming …

• Media TV
• January 6, 2009, 09:47

Spoofing the TV news has become hard work, especially when you look at what the real shows try to pass off as news. The dumbing down is not even confined to the soft items or the “and finally” stories anymore …

• Media Politics
• January 5, 2009, 14:36

The If It Walks Like A Duck And Quacks Like A Duck, Then It Is Probably A Duck award goes to…. TV3. Having bought Channel 6 for an estimated €12 million (though some On The Record sources mutter that a …

• Randomiser
• January 5, 2009, 09:05

(1) Open up your throat! Some good news to start as the band behind what we believe will be one of the best albums of 2009 are coming back to town. Animal Collective play Dublin’s Tripod on March 27 and …

• The Far Side
• January 5, 2009, 08:33

Playlists for various shows on Phantom 105.2 over the last two weeks after the jump.

• Live music Media Music business Retail
• January 2, 2009, 11:26

Here are five news stories which we think you won’t be able to avoid in 2009.

• Music business New releases
• January 2, 2009, 11:19

Factory Records was one of the great maverick labels of the 20th century. It’s a testament to the late, great Tony Wilson and friends that there is still plenty of interest in the label, even to this day. Factory Records: …

• New releases
• January 2, 2009, 11:12

It seems like only yesterday that everyone was getting very excited about a Pixies reunion tour. While there is still chatter about a new album, band members are cracking on with new projects Black Francis has enlisted the help of …

• Live music
• January 2, 2009, 11:06

Cathy Davey was forced to pull her pre-Christmas date at Dublin’s Tripod due to illness and it has now been rescheduled for February 27. Benjamin Escoriza, frontman with world music veterans Radio Tarifa, brings his flamenco fusion to Dublin’s Button …