I have being asked quite a few times about who are the Best Digital Distributors around today. To be honest there are all pretty much the same in their fee structure. There is one that stands out in regards to having more supports for artists. When I research for the best, I look for new innovative ideas being explored and implemented .
I have done a bit of research on some of the big ones like TuneCore, CD Baby and DistroKid and the new MusicDiffusion. I am edging towards MusicDiffusion for a number of reasons. They seem to be the more progressive in regards to the services they provide. .
MusicDiffusion is the new Kid on the block but I am quite impressed with their platform. Along with having a very competitive Package it offers a free website for artists. Its has also launched a social network so artists from all the world can connect with the music community. This is a game changer in my opinion. It seems these guys went all out for their music community and they seem to be introducing new features all the time
As far as fee charges, DistroKid seem to be the best but they seem to recoup this by doubling up on Youtube fees. To be honest they all seem to be pretty much the same when you Judge it on the overall fee structure. I like the Release Leverage MusicDiffusion has. It knocks the rest out of the park for turnaround speed. It's a very solid platform with so many really good services on offer. They have a free package too so I would advise that you sign up and take a look around yourself. There are lots in there for you to study. Get onto its social network too and start getting plugged in. I can definitely see this new Distribution Company fast becoming the place to do your business .
So there you guys. Musibiz is giving MusicDiffusion its seal of approval as the most progressive Distribution Company out there at the moment . At the end of the day you will have your own preferences but I really like this one. Leave a comment if you are already connected with them and give us a little feedback . If you decide to Join then update us and tells us your experiences .
Another Helpful Article HERE
Building a fanbase for musicians is the most important part of a Musician's / Band's Job. Unfortunately Most artists do not do this and then wonder why no one is interested in their material or them. Music is a business and like all business it needs customers. In a traditional Business you would have footfall where people would pop into a store that is ideally positioned. The customer would purchase whatever the store or business offers and depending on the customer's experience, They decide whether they will come back or not .
For Musician this is a whole lot harder. You are positioned at home and all you have is the Gig and your laptop. You have to position yourself in the right place and then provide the customer with the right experience so they will be interested in you. As you are freelance and gigging in many different places, it is your business to collect up customers wherever you go. The only way to do this is by getting their email so that contact is saved and a relationship is created .
Over the past ten years, I have being advising Artists about the importance of collecting up emails. Emails are different from social Media and more personal. Artists think that sending people to their social media is the way to go but social media for artists is a very small part of the overall marketing process. You must have personal contact and Email is exactly that .
From my own personal experience, I open all of my emails and check them every day. I have signed up to dozens of bands over the years and I am very disappointed with how little I receive from them. I can count on one hand the emails I received last year from artists I have subscribed to.This is a shocking miscalculation of the power of the email from the Artist .Like any customer, artists need to be in constant contact with their fan on a regular basis. If not the fan will go somewhere else and loose interest..
Your email doesn't have to be long as people's attention span has become very short these days. This is due to all the click bait out there. We are programed to be baited in by very clever Marketing strategies from major companies. People love freebies too and will sign up just to get these. Once you sign up you get hounded with constant emails from them trying to upsell you.
The artists method is different. You need to build a relationship. An email a month is enough for an artist. The sharing of your Journey is all that is required and a few little pressies for your loyal customers. A free download , tickets to a show , a happy birthday, xmas , new year. All of these are you building a relationship with your fan .
If you can do all this then the fan will be loyal to you and the chances of them coming to your gigs are very high. The chances of them purchasing your CD at launch time is also very high. They will give back to you after you have treated them so well and have made them a part of your act. Remember they are part of your act. Without them, you would have no business so treat them very well .
Email marketing has become very easy recently. You have so many different email platforms that can send your message , download etc at just one push of a button. Once you have the customer's first name and email address you can put them on your list on the platform. You simply write your post and that post will be sent to each customer individually and with their name at the heading. You can actually see who opened their email and what activity happened after that. I use mailchimp myself but there are so many more out there. I like the mailchimp one as it allows me 2000 email addresses for free . That's right no cost whatsoever. I can do all my emailing for free .
So there you have it Guys . If you are an artist scratching your head wondering why no one is interested then start doing this immediately. Yes, post on facebook and all the others but concentrate on building your email list. That's where the real magic happens and you can see the results .
I have also written a piece a few years ago about how to set up gigs. It will show you the workings of the venue and what you should do to start out . It sits nicely with this particular article and will be very useful to you going forward . You can find it HERE
Anyway I hope this helps you and please comment of you need anymore information . Thanks
PS. There is just one other thing i want to share. Many years ago , I interviewed a very successful Music Manager from the US and we were talking on the subject of building an email Fanbase. He told me that having one fan on an email list was worth more than a 1000 followers of any social media . He explained that there was no real relationship on any of the Social media platforms. That they were classed as simply a billboard type of marketing format and that people would be bombarded with all types of rubbish down the line Well he was correct as that's what happening today. He also said the Labels do not take any social media followers into consideration when signing an artist. What is critical is the Email list as this is where they see the real fan and a real relationship with the Artist. "This is where the gold is" he said . I tend to agree with him and would encourage every artist to consider this quite seriously.
More Use Information HERE
If you are looking for the next great rock act to come out of Ireland then you need look no further than Elevation falls. They were introduced to me back in 2013 when they first formed and if i'm honest, I seen a lot more improvement to come from them at that time.
What struck me about this Band at first was Hazel Jade Rogers ( Lead Vocalist ) . She had an incredible Range and confidence for such a young performer back then . Like most Bands, they have had their ups and downs at the beginning with Member changes throughout the years but they have it just right at present and have an excellent range of talented musicians.
Chris Young and Darragh Shields are on lead guitars with tremendous skills and what I like about them is there is no ego between them . Each exceptionally talented in their own right but when on stage they seem to gel their talent together equally with each encouraging the other. Its very special to watch .
Next comes Gabriel Grecco ( Bass guitarist ). This guy is a ball of energy on stage and you just can't take your eyes off him. He goes into a world of his own and seems to physically respresting the overall beat of the band. There is a lot going on on stage Guys. Goosebumps with every track is the only way to describe it .
I love the new drummer. Alex Sanchez De Ordena is the business. Very cool looking guy and reminds me of a rock star from the eighties . He looks the part and by God, can he play.
So back to Hazel Jade Rogers again. She has developed into one of the best vocalists we have here in Ireland Hazel engages with her audience at every opportunity and can deliver whatever the crowd demands . Don't get me wrong here , This is an original Band but you will be surprised with what they come up with on the night. Just to please the crowd you can expect some Phil Lynott, Gary moore, Alter Bridge and even Hozier rocked up to balance the theme of the night. Hazel's vocals are flawless and awe inspiring that leave you with an unforgettable experience and wanting more .
In the decade I have being involved in the Music Industry, I can safely say that I haven't seen any other Band that compares to Elevation falls in their overall performance. I've seen many thousands of artists since I first began my own campaign to help and advise Independent Artists. This band for me is the best around at present. I am very happy to give them this small review as a thanks for their Music.
Their new album " What Will Be " is out now and was Recorded and produced by Alwyn Walker from " Westland studios " In Dublin . The Studio and producer speaks for itself about the quality of this band . Go buy this album guys . you will not be disappointed and its only the start from this great Band .
I have to give a final mention to their Manager Belinda Rogers who has moulded this Band into what it is . Seldom Artist managers get a credit for their efforts . They are the backbone of any great artist and Belinda is no exception . She has worked tirelessly to bring this all together . She has sacrificed her time and money to this project and my congratulations to her on building this unique Band that will stand the test of time .
To all the Major labels out there . Check out this band in Ireland as they are ready to go . Elevation Falls have a big fan base and people will support them with a Label's help. They are a nice bunch of individuals who just want to play music and entertain others. The band are humble , respectful to everyone and above all exceptionally talented with a big future in my opinion . Go and see them perform . Their live performance is better than their recordings . Live performance is the key to any great band and this band are at the top of their game. It's only a matter of time before someone will spot them and sign them immediately. I really hope it's very soon .
More Irish Artists HERE
There is a huge misunderstanding in the music community today about how an artist must market themselves and build a real fanbase they can rely on. It is not the typical business format like most other business. It is much more complicated.
In this post I will attempt to give you a much more in depth understanding of the processes and differences between the two so artists can take the right measures to have a more successful campaign and build a fanbase.
Typical Business
Typical business has a very simple formula. You have a great product and you have the premises to sell it from. Your Job is to get that message out to as many people as possible and attract customers to you. When the customer arrives it is your job to make their experience as positive as possible and resulting in a sale.
That customer is pleased, tells others and there is a very good chance that customer comes back again. Your Job then is to build a relationship with that returning customer and that's the basic principle of running a good business.
Social media works very well in this type of business as the local community can be targeted for any updates and events in the future. This is a very basic explanation on how it all works but you can clearly see steps in the process to a possible positive outcome.
Artist's business
An Artist's business is a different matter altogether. The first thing they need to determine is the Music they are playing actually good and do people like it. In other words, Does the artist actually have a product in the first place to build a fanbase ?
The second thing is the ability of the artist to interact when performing and after every show. Like-ability factor is huge as the artist goes part and parcel with the whole music experience. You are the Product along with your Music. Many artists do not get this. How many times i have heard its all about the music. They are right but the fan is an essential Part of that.
Gratitude should be second nature to everything you do. Always thank everyone during and after performances. You are building a brand around yourself and mixing with people is a huge part of that. Every single person is important and must be followed up and a relationships created.
Sustaining each relationship can only be done by EMAIL and not Social media. Don't get me wrong Social media is relevant too but it is not personalised enough to build a real relationship with your fan. Let no fan escape you when gigging. Get them on your email list and build that list as fast as you can. Update them each month, send them demo's and ask their opinion, send them invitations to events, make them feel special. Send them stories, pictures, birthday wishes and let them share your wonderful news to their friends and your potential fans.
Set up an Artist / Band fund so you have expenses covered always. every member should be contributing a weekly amount if they are serious about their act. Living on a wing and a prayer is just irresponsible and you will loose out on many opportunities.
Stay away from negative people and acts who bitch and moan about how bad everything is. Always remain positive and if you find yourself in a negative circle. make your excuses and leave quietly.
Never post anything negative on social media. I know it's tempting as this business can be sometimes quite volatile but resist and stay positive. Great pictures, everybody having fun and all is good in the camp.
Don't launch an ep or album until you have a very healthy email list and you have developed a good relationship with your fans. They are the ones that will buy from you and anything extra on social media will be a bonus. You have busted the bank and your energy on your Music so give it the best possible chance of success and build a fanbase.
Dare to Reach the pinnacle and shoot for the Charts. The time has never being better in fact and selling as little as 300 Cds in a single week could get you on the official charts. Put your Music into a national store and have your email fans ready to purchase so each sale is registered for the official Charts. It's not impossible if you did your homework and built a good fan base.
Artists that have reached the charts get noticed. Radio, media, agents, labels, festival interest is the result of a good chart entry.
I could talk about this for pages but I hope you are seeing a way to climb in this complicated business. Full of misconceptions and confusion. Its doesnt have to be like this.
See yourself as a sales person and you are simply finding customers and telling them all about you , your Music and your Journey. Each Customers is there ready to be part of your team and wants you to do well. All you have to do is involve them on a more personal level so they get to know you and your Music.
Family and friends is a good place to start. Collect them at every opportunity and keep them by emailing them once or twice a month. Mailchimp is one the the best free Email marketing platforms and its free to use. If you need anymore advice on how to begin then contact me.
Here is a Youtube Video I found from an artist who uses Email Marketing.
More useful articles HERE
Jimi Cullen is an Irish Singer-Songwriter, Musician, Producer & Recording Artist. His music was once described as "what you might get if Bob Dylan had a baby with John Prine and fostered it out to Neil Young and Woody Guthrie" and, to be fair, it's pretty hard to argue with that upon listening to some of his songs.
Jimi Cullen's music is indeed steeped in the same folk traditions and songwriting sensibilities of the above four. From humorous songs about love & small minded assholes a la Prine to snarling protest songs in the vain of Guthrie and Dylan, straight through to some good old fashioned Rock & straight up Country that tips a definite hat to The Godfather of Grunge himself, Neil Young.
Yes, Jimi Cullen is definitely from the old school style of singer-songwriters. Pure, honest songs, from the heart, without the bullshit, take it or leave it.
That's not to say though that Jimi doesn't have an original sound of his own, in fact, quite the opposite is true. Jimi's music has a refreshing and often uplifting sound which blends elements as varied as Folk, Rock, Country, Reggae, Spoken Word and many more. He is a renowned performer across Ireland and Europe, both of which he has toured extensively and counts renowned songwriters like Christy Moore, John Spillane and Jim Page among his many fans.
He has even shared the stage with both Spillane and Page on several occasions as well as the likes of Damian Dempsey, Paddy Casey, Aslan, David Kitt, Declan O'Rourke and many of Ireland's other top performers.
To date Jimi has released 4 albums, 3 eps & 2 singles including 2014's critically acclaimed LP 'Life' which featured as Roddie Cleere's album of the week on KCLRfm and gained a healthy dose of local and national airplay including several spins on RTE Radio 1's 'Late Date'. Jimi also had some chart success in 2013 when his version of The Cranberries 'Zombie' reached number 2 in the Irish itunes charts.
An avid lover of performing and touring, you can always be sure to catch Jimi traversing the many highways and bi-ways of Ireland & Europe, so why not do yourself a favour and check out one of his shows. He really is one of the last true troubadours.
Digital Marketing for the independent artist is something I have wanted to write about for quite a while now. I have being using it over the years without really understanding it. This year I decided to take on a professional qualification in Digital Marketing so I can further understand the process and relay this information to you the Independent artist.
I would like to start with where I have come from in regards to Music and its promotion at this present time. It has definitely been a long process reaching this far but those years have taught me the roots of Marketing.
I starting working in Bars from an very early age and my first Job was working for my parents in a country Pub "The Uisneach Inn" outside Mullingar. Music was a huge part of Pub life in the early 80s and anyone who was anybody showcased themselves in this traditional way. I understood from that early age that Music, Song and verse were deeply intertwined into our society.
Since then I have worked on and off in Pubs and venues for over 30 years. Over those years I noticed a change occurring around the end of the 80s. Music was not as prevalent as Pubs struggled with emigration and recession. You could see a definite change as most of our young had gone in search of work elsewhere. The family dynamic had changed dramatically and the once meeting place " the Pub " had taken a turn for the worst. That communal feel of the meeting place had disappeared almost.
I remember as a young man being passionate and almost obsessive about bringing that sense of community back to life wherever I worked. It wasn't an easy task but I did manage to have that kind of feel to a pub or venue I ran back then. As publicans were seen long ago, I adapted to their mentality and became the key networker, the protector of order, the organiser, the host and all the other things that go with this responsibility.
It was a massive responsibility to take on and anyone in the trade will know this very well . Traditional Marketing was the way back then . Word of mouth was the single most important part of the marketing process .
So what has any of this got to do with Music ? Everything in my opinion. My success in Bars and venues was down to building a community and word of mouth was a huge part of that. Communication and satisfying a need was the key. It wasn't about the best pint or the match on TV or even the Music that was being played on the weekends but a community of people who were a part of something. A recognition from others, a place of belonging, excepted, loved, respected etc.
I write this because I want to give you the foundations of what marketing is and where it comes from my own eyes . You understand this and you understand everything about what to do when marketing yourselves . You need to understand what marketing is . Marketing is community .
I wrote an article last year on the approach to Gigs for Independent artists Called " Reality check for the artist " . Its very practical and is inline with what i'm saying here this process is also part of the overall digital strategy for Artists. My advice is to have a read of this first before going any further with this article.
It is an in depth look at the ways the Pub or Venue works and how they must be approached and worked with to build a community ( fanBase ). The article was written from my perspective with booking artists for over 30 years plus investigating the Music industry and working with artists directly for a decade..
There are so many areas within the Digital marketing spectrum but for artists I believe that a handful of them is all that is required for optimum effect. I will take it that you have read the article mentioned and continued with my analysis .
To begin your community you need a place to call home and no it's not facebook Guys . Its a website !! Having a website is the first critical step in the process. Its your base of operation and everyone needs one in business. On Reading " Reality Check for the Artist" you will also realise that the Venue is your second home.
If you are an independent artist you need to realise that you are in business. You are a Songwriter and your product is Music. You need to understand this clearly. If you are starting out and do not have a product then you still build that website to prepare for that product.
Websites should be minimal with clear tabs and call to actions on the front page . You should have a contact page where you can be contacted and also your telephone number and email address available. You should have an about page with an up to date bio with any reviews. You should have a media page with any video and music widgets available to watch and listen to your material.
You should have a blog page for any updates you want to write about. Google search engines love to see blogs coming from websites. You should have an events Page, where you have played and are playing. You need to have an email registration form so people can sign up and join your community.
Have all you social links available so people can view you on the social networks. Facebook, twitter are essential and Instagram is now the most popular with teenagers today. Linkedin is another one that could be considered . It is full of Music professionals and labels. Google plus is another one that isn't very popular but don't be fooled by this. Shared blogs to this platform gets ranked by google search engine as it is a google product. Definity share any blogs with this platform for more impact. Make sure all of these networks are connected to your website .
There is no excuse for not having a website. Personally I don't take anyone seriously if they have not got their own website. There are lots of free website platforms that provide you with a server for as little as 100 to 150 euros a year. less than 3 quid a week .
Now that you have the website up and everything connected , Including a secure venue you are now ready to be taken seriously. You are plugged in to everything and everything reverts back to home which is your website, Your workstation and your headquarters.
If you have implemented my advice on reality check for the artists along with building the website and connecting everything then congratulations. You have just done what so many others have not and are on the right road to building a community. By this stage you will be feeling motivated, excited, hopeful and empowered to move on quickly.
Email marketing is your next challenge. This is where most people fail . I cant tell you how many artists have argued that this is not required, WRONG WRONG WRONG. Email marketing is the most powerful way to communicate with your community. It is estimated that 90 % of all email delivered will be opened. That blows any social network out of the water in term of successfully connecting with your community.
I have befriended quite a few Music Managers and everyone of them have confirmed that email marketing is the single most important way to communicate with your fan base. In fact they went onto say and i quote " Facebook and twitter mean jack shit to labels, they look for obvious talent, relevance to the current climate and your email fan list ". Your list is gold to them and you. It is a direct link to your Fan and a possibility of a real sale in the future . There are ESP ( email marketing platforms ) available for free.
Most of them allow up to 2000 emails for free and a small fee after that. If an artist actually got to 2000 fans they are a serious contender for much bigger things. You see labels cannot afford to do this donkey work for you anymore. Having this done for them is a huge message for any label to take a closer eye on what you are doing. By then you may not want them involved at all or at the very least you have a serious negotiating tool to use when needed.
There are so any figures out there as to the worth of an email address to a company but a safe figure would be between 50c to 1 euro per promotion. So at 2000 email addresses @50c to 1 euro with lets say 12 promotions a year could fetch you 12,000 euros to 24,000 euros a year in sales. That's the way the industry looks at this and that's the way you should too. Your Business has value. I use Mailchimp myself. There are lots of them but I personally like this platform. I suggest you look around and see which one suits you.
In my opinion Social media Marketing has little effect for artists .In the beginning they seemed to be more reaching but that has drastically changed over the years. Facebook and twitter seemed to have optimized it for sales. The problem for artists is they need to build brand, a community and eventually a need for their music. Those platforma do not support this type of marketing in my opinion. Social Media should only be used to post updates like upcoming gigs, events and Video.
They also have a livestreaming facility and i see Artists using this quite skillfully . It's a very good idea to GO LIVE and update your Social Fans with your latest material. It's a fantastic way to drive fans to your website, email sign up form and selling your Music. In my opinion it is a very powerful way to connect, Communicate and Build a following. It's also free so use it. Live is the way to go.
NB: I've added this point as it has being brought up from a fellow professional in the business after I launched this blog. He was concerned that i was Disagreeing that Facebook etc was not a good way to communicate and build a fanbase. It absolutely is and i agree with him but using it as your headquarters is not the way to go in my opinion. Social media is part of the overall marketing process but treat it like just that " Just one part of the process ".
See what parts work for you on it and what part don't. If you are getting a poor response rate then reassess and try something different. The point i was making is everything should revert to the Main console which is your website ...
Another thing I forgot about was mentioning google analytics. This tool is a must from all website owners. It has the ability to tell you where you traffic is coming from on you website . Whether its social media, search, referral etc. It can tell you what device they are viewing your site from, what interests they have, what country they come from, age, How many viewers you have. Its a fantastic tool and its free and easy to link with you website.
Imagine having that power to see everything and the impact of any promotion or blog you post ? Incredible tool and one that should be studied back to front as you move forward with you business.
As I said before being an artist is a business but the structure around this is different in many ways. You have to build basically before the product and drum up support by painstakingly collecting one fan at a time in the hope of a sale and support down the line. Its based on the particular Genre of Music, the skill of the band or artist, the likeability factor and the regular interactions with the community.
It's a very difficult task and is not for the weak minded. This can be an excruciating process for so many artists out there but if it is done right, you will enjoy the process. Like I said be ready from the beginning and gradually Build. .
I will finish this with a bit of a recap. Read my blog " Reality Check for the Irish Artist " from last last year, follow the steps outlined in this blog, Build your fan base. Use social media for you and not for social media. Write blogs, Send your fans an email once a month and update them with how things are going.
If you have no updates then email them a blog, keep in contact !! Don't be afraid to tell them how it really is sometimes, be honest. If you are having a bad day then say it, you will be very surprised how people respond to someone who is down. It happens a lot in Music. They are your community and many of them will support you and also guild you as best they can.
I've seen some wonderful fans coming to see their band or artist play. They not only care about the music but the Artist or Band too. Like i said in the very beginning, It all boils down to a sense of community and mutual admiration. We don't have to pretend to be someone else in this musical Journey. Be yourself, love what you do, Build friendships and stay in touch is all that is required. The rest will come when you understand this.
I sincerely hope that this resonates with some of you reading it and gives you encouragement moving forward.
God bless and thank you for reading.
Michael Kiernan
Creator / Promoter of Musibiz
Reality Check for the Irish Artist
Knoeline Keane is singer/songwriter from Galway, Ireland. At the age of 17 she taught herself guitar from watching many covers on YouTube.
Since then she has been writing her own music and putting out videos , both originals and covers on her YouTube channel. She has built up quite a following and today she has over 35,000 views on her channel.
Knoeline has played in some of Ireland's well-known venues such as Roisin Dubh & Monroe's Live in the heart of Galway city and has supported musicians such as Elaine Mai & Mick Flannery.
In August 2017 she recorded and released an EP called 'Bedroom Recordings' and has been promoting it through gigging and online media since then.
Her musical tastes comes from the unforgettable greats of the 70s, 80s and 90s. Artists such as Bruce Springsteen and Joni Mitchell have had a huge musical influence but she is also inspired by more current artists such as Julien Baker and Phoebe Bridgers.. She believes that one of the most important parts of a song are the lyrics and she has always been drawn to finding lyrics that have deep meaning to her .
The way she describes her music is moderately sad, thought provoking and singer-songwriter type songs. She uses her songwriting as a way of emptying her mind of all the her struggles at times and expressing that into lyrics and Music. It is a great sense of relieve to her when all of this is out and expressed beautifully in her songs .
A particular word that has frequently being used to describe her unique sound is " Water " But strangely enough they like it.
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Berthmark is the persona name of Singer Songwriter Mark Joseph Parsons. He is a Singer/Songwriter of Fun Loving Romantic Folk/Rock and Blues told through a story telling Tongue. You got to tell a story, don't you.? , he says.
He learned how to play the thin whistle and bodhran and over the years that followed, he went on to teach himself other instruments.
Short stories was a huge passion of his and he began turning them into songs and bringing them to life, This particular method was the perfect fit for him and he has being writing this way ever since .
At the age of 16 he saw an add in the local newsletter about an act looking for members for a local Folk group. He applied and later was invited to join that Senior folk group in his local church, They played regularly at mass and it was there he gained valuable experience with the more experienced musicians and mastering his own unique style of playing.
A few years later he set up his own junior folk group and taught other younger kids how to play and sing, This is something that is very close to his heart and he still continues to this very day . As a youth worker through Foroige he encourages, supports, advises and produces all kinds of music for kids.
He has played on the live circuit with many bands with many different styles of music, One of his bands, had a record label interested and his future seemed promising but life started to take its toll, with band bust ups and all that other stuff that comes with rock n roll and the industry. Its was around that time, He found himself struggling physically and mentally,.Fighting the inner demons that affect so many artists and also trying to raise his young family.. It was his Music and writing that kept him going through this period . "Music and writing is in my bloodstream and it has always been my lifeline", he says, He took the time needed to recuperate and he is back with some fantastic Music.
He has classed himself as a writer of indie singer/songwriter stuff, He was reared on the likes of the Dubliners and Christy Moore,moving hearts and planxty, So he thought he would have a go at writing a ballad for change. A song such as…. “Government A” ( about our then struggling Irish government under the bad leadership of Cowen and their bad choices and mishaps, a song most countries today can relate to today )
Another Song." R.I.P In Loving Memory." (Is a song about a woman's heart ache at the powers up above for taking her love away, after his long struggle with Alzheimer's for years) His music takes a story and tells it with heart to bring it to life with soulful acoustic music..
His music includes covers and lots of originals, He has built up quite a back catalog of his own songs over the years.
Some have being recorded as home.and some he has released out to the General public .
Blackbird and Crow hail from the farthest northern corner of Co Donegal, Ireland. They formed three years ago and comprise of Maighread Ni Ghrasta (Vocals) and Stephen Doohan (Guitar/Bouzouki /Stomp).
They are best described musically as a folk blues duo and when onstage together. They leave nothing behind in the dressing room. The show is a blatant, honest, in your face expression of musical passion. Their songs are a timeline of life events and delivered with the same honesty and intensity that it took to write them.
They released their single 'I Gave Away My Home' and album 'SHOCK SHATTER CONVINCE' in early 2017. Blackbird and Crow have been going from strength to strength on the Irish music scene having played major festivals including Electric Picnic and Longitude Festival. This band is quickly making a name for themselves as one of the most hardworking and driven bands on the Irish scene. They are looking forward to an exciting 2018 with plans to release of their second album in 2019.
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More Irish Artists HERE
Barry Jay Hughes is one of Ireland hardest working solo folk rock musicians. Carving a path for himself in the Irish music industry since early 2014. His Debut EP 'This Way Up' was released in April 2015 to critical acclaim and was quickly followed by 'Tried & Treasured' a mini album which was released in April 2016.
Since Hughes hit the Irish Music scene he has been touring the country as well as gigging in the Uk, Sweden and Poland. His powerful vocal has been compared to that of Eddie Vedder and Glen Hansard and he takes inspiration from other Irish artists including Wallis Bird and Damien Rice.
His songwriting style is that of a story teller and Hughes always manages to draw the audience in with his solemn and quiet tones that fit nicely upon his rhythmic style of guitar playing.
The live album 'Acoustic, LIVE & Honest' was released in Nov 2017.
