Music news

The music news stories of the week by LAUREN MURPHY

The National and Jarvis eye Dingle

Tickets for the annual Other Voices gigs go on sale tomorrow (in Dingle town) and Monday (via Tickets.ie). The ninth series is shaping up to be the best yet, according to series producer Aoife Woodlock, despite budgetary constraints limiting it to four days instead of its usual five.

This year also marks several coups for the programme, which will be filmed from December 4th to 8th, and broadcast on RTÉ next year.

After "chasing" Ohio band The National for years, they've finally got their men, while Sheffield crooner Richard Hawley will be the first Other Voices curator. "He's played the series twice already, but adores it so much he wanted to somehow be involved again," said Woodlock.

Hawley's old bandmate, Jarvis Cocker, will play his night, but the complete bill also includes Marina & the Diamonds, Smoke Fairies, Laura Marling, Cathy Davey, And So I Watch You From Afar, O Emperor and Planet Parade. Those who can't squeeze into the tiny church, meanwhile, will be able to watch the gigs streamed live in several pubs in Dingle.

"The atmosphere around the whole town is second to none, with the artists and fans just hanging out together afterwards," said Woodlock

Irish hit The Hague

There will be an Irish presence in The Hague this weekend, but it won't involve politicians. The Crossing Border festival, which focuses on music and literature, takes place in the Dutch city's Royal Theatre tonight and tomorrow. As well as a musical performance by Villagers, Roddy Doyle, BP Fallon and DBC Pierre - who resides in Ireland - will give readings and participate in talks. crossingborder.nl

Etc

Band buffs:There'll be a live re-enactment of famous concert film The Last Waltz at the Button Factory on December 10th. The Group will perform as The Band.

Killer Chrimbo:The Killers will record their traditional Christmas song this year. Also, Best Coast and Wavves will team up for a festive song.

Street sounds:The Streets album Computers and Blues will be released in February. Mike Skinner plans to tour the record, his last as The Streets.

Greg's giveaway:Greg Gillis, aka electronica mash-up specialist Girl Talk, has made his new album, All Day, available for free download at illegal-art.net/allday

Sing it again Lou, pleads Imelda

Imelda May's success story continues apace, the most recent sparkle of the singer's rising star involving her recording with Lou Reed.

Reed was impressed by May's song Kentish Town Waltz, from her second album, Mayhem, when producer Tony Visconti played it to him, and he subsequently invited her to New York to record a new version, with Visconti behind the sound desk. "Love duets can be cheesy, but this was about bitter-sweet experience," she told Metro newspaper. "Lou brings his lovely, half-talking tones and turns it into something more conversational. It was weird asking 'Would you mind doing that line again, Mr Reed, please?' And he was like, 'Sure! It's your song!'"

The Dubliner's vocal talents have already been utilised by another esteemed musician, Jeff Beck, this year. May recorded a cover of Lilac Wine for the guitarist's Emotion and Commotion album, and performed with him at the Grammys in January.

Jager maestros

The Jägermeister Sessions begin in Rearden's, Cork, on Thursday, with Dark Room Notes, Ladydoll and The Riptide Movement. In Dublin it's The Mighty Stef, Ham Sandwich, Kid Karate and Maud in Cahoots at the Workman's Club on November 30th. General Fiasco, Dark Room Notes and others hit Galway's Róisín Dubh on December 2nd, and O Emperor and Windings play Dolan's, Limerick, on December 9th.

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"It's about time [people] realised they've got a real artist on their hands" - Sure we do, Shayne Ward. Sure we do.