Acclaim For The Clameens! 27/6/13

Image Compliments of Haarala Hamilton Photography

Fresh young talent and dare I say the best indie rock band the City and even the North West has to offer, The Clameens. There single ‘Follow’ has gone from strength to strength being used on a national scale by a number of companies on promotions of the City of Culture.

 “Boat Magazine from London had a promotional video about Derry because of the City of Culture about how good Derry is, they used our songs for the promotion. It was used again in the Irish Times & Discover Ireland when Derry was listed as one of the top 5 destinations to go on holiday and live, the track were used in the back ground. 

We’re really excited now because they’re also going to be used in a BBC documentary about City of Culture at the end of the year. They’ve emailed us and asked to use the track.” said Hayden.The group have only been together a year as the final line-up took a little time to master as guitarist and vocalist Sean tells. “It was myself and Hayden did it from the start but we thought we were lacking something so we brought Ethan, Hayden’s younger brother who is only 15, into the piece but we still felt we were lacking something. I had joined another band in this time and met Ryan and asked him to come join The Clameens and that’s really how the final line up was formed. It was like a jigsaw puzzle.”

Ethan Diver is the youngest member of the band playing lead guitar and vocal also, though he’s quiet he’s thrilled to be playing. “It’s fun to be doing that much at such a young age, having the experience, it’s class.”

The experience is going to continue as the guys have been picking up more success locally and further afield particularly in the last 6 months. Ryan, the bassist of the band think a lot of it has been as a result of adopting a manager. “It’s finally starting to pick up pace now since January, the ball has just been rolling since then. Once we got Mark on board. Once we got Mark on board as manager some things really began to push on. He on the ball, he knows, he’s really committed.  Where you’d hear a lot of managers would use their artists he supports us one hundred percent. He just wants us to be the best band that we can be. He’s not in it for money or anything.”

It turned out that for at least one member of the group, Sean, Manager Mark Holden was the final piece in the puzzle to their growing success. “We actually got mark by accident. We went into the studio to record a single and we rang Mark for advice for studio he gave us the studio which was the Blast Furnace with Rory and he came down and gave feedback, ‘Sounds good, you should do this or do that’. Eventually he was just giving us advice after a wee bit then I think one day we just called him manager and he was just the manager then. He never said ‘I want to manage you’, he just fell into it. He was the other jigsaw piece.”

Having heard the single ‘Follow’ and subsequently fallen in love with it the coming single seems like something keeping an eye out for. Hayden suggests that there was a lot of hard work involved before the singles came along. “We were practicing for ages before hand and came up with the first track ‘Follow’ which we recorded and we just released that on Soundcloud for free for people to listen to. The last single called ‘She’s got my Heart’ will be coming out in mid June time. You’ll be able to buy it off itunes and stuff like that. That’s our next big thing and what we’re really looking forward to it now.”

Taking a different approach, the group have decided not to have a launch of their single but instead to push it to online audiences in order to make it the most accessible to everyone. “We wanted to do something outside the box, a lot of artists now do videos and single launches, some people will think, ‘You’re not doing a video, you’re not doing a single launch, you’re not really pushing it’ but we wanted to focus more time on pushing it online and pushing it to a wider audience. We’re focusing on going back to the studio now too again.” said Sean.

As with any group the support they get a home can go a long way to setting them up with a future. The Clameens have expressed massive gratitude towards those giving a helping hand. “We really appreciate the help everyone’s been giving us like Stephen McCauley, I think he’s played the single every show that he’s done in the past week. We only gave it to him to play it before the release and I think he’s played it in every show and everyone that he’s done now this we. We were very humbled because we didn’t expect that. He’s said a lot of lovely things and Mark Patterson has said a lot of lovely things and Micky Bradley too.

The guys have just finished the gigs they’re playing as part of the North by North West festival but are playing more this summer. You have the chance to catch up with them this weekend at the Carnival of Colours festival in St Columb’s Park this Saturday, where they’ll be playing as part of a fun filled family festival. Fear not if you can’t make it as they will also be appearing at the Stendhall Festival outside Limavady this summer too.

There will be lots more information on up and coming gigs on their Facebook. You can find links here to their Bandcamp page were you can listen to some of their tunes or even their YouTube channel for teasers on up and coming tracks. Get a listen to the single; I played it on repeat for a whole hour!

Messin With the Music! 20/5/13

Image compliments of Denis McLaughlin.

Messin With The Music is a music project which aims to bring together young people in a week of musical workshops to encourage music creation and performance. Denis McLaughlin, one of three facilitators of the project explains a bit about MWTM.

 “We’ve been running it now since 2011, it’s run maybe 3 or 4 times a year, it’s funded by the Arts Council and run in conjunction with Greater Shantallow Community Arts with Olly Green. The idea is to get young people aged 14-17, bring them together. 

When we ask for applications we also encourage non instrument players as well and stuff like that as well as instrument players so they can do a bit of peer to peer learning. It’s been going on this week, we’ve been doing different workshops on songwriting, arranging, chord progression and then they’re split into 3 groups each with a facilitator. The stuff that they’ve learned and stuff that they already know, they can learn from each other. At this point now they’ve created a song, their own original piece so that’s why you do the songwriting, chord progression, give them the tools they need to pick from.

 The main thing, from doing it in the past and doing it now it that you can see there’s a need for it. The young people that do it have nowhere to go and they just want to practice and rehearse and things like that. Friday we set up our showcase, like a rehearsal if you like, they got to do a bit about sound.”

The young people also played at the launch of the Earhart festival at Ballyarnett Park yesterday which was the main performance for the groups but there’s more in store. “On Tuesday as part of Amelia Earhart Day they’ll be playing in the Guildhall Square so it’s that opportunity of getting them on the big stages as well and get a bit of a buzz for it. The ones we have in now are 14/15/16, that kind of age.” Says Denis.

The social aspect is also very important and has been incorporated into the week to encourage the young people to mix and share ideas. “As much as us doing the workshops we’re always keen to give them decent breaks were they can mingle together for the social aspect because we have them in groups but then sometimes we like having half hour breaks where they’ll go and play with different people, people they know, people that are interested in this or that, they might come together and start playing. The whole thing is about giving them a platform to get involved in music.”

The project was started to encourage young people to develop themselves through music and it continues to do so. Denis and all those at the MWTM project aim to see the young people take the skills they’ve gained into the future. “When we first started it, it was summertime and it was something for the kids to do during the summer, we were working in a disadvantaged area and taking kids from socially deprived areas and thought we’d like to do some music stuff with them. There’s a lot of sports stuff and all going on but there wasn’t much music, we know there’s loads going on now with the City of Culture but back when we started it there wasn’t that much going on musically. We hope that with the people they might meet here they’d go on to do something, strike up friendships or some people come here that have already done a bit of work together, they know each other and have had a wee jam and for them it’s a focused week and they can start creating some stuff and setting stuff in stone. By the end of it we’d hope they’ve learned a few things from us, from themselves and they’ve added some more strings to the bow for stuff to be moving on with.”

Luke Lafferty is just 16 and is playing in one of the bands. “ I’ve always had an interest in music being brought up with my dad who liked to play his guitar every so often. It was like, you know what, why not pick up the guitar? I’ve been playing since I was eight but properly the last two years. My dad would have taught me songs to start off with and then I would have eventually just taught myself from there. I’ve always wanted to be in a band and this is the first opportunity I had to actually get band work. I used to be really shy, I could never get up on stage and talk in a big crowd of people but the fact that this has made me come up on stage and sing, this is my first time even getting to play guitar here even though I’m a guitarist. I’ve been able to sing in front of big crowds in the Guildhall which I never would have done before until I came here, it’s gotten me over so much stage fright.”

I had the pleasure of listening to another on the bands  who as of yet do not have a name but comprise of Niall Doherty, 15 on keys, Caoimhin McFadden, 17 on lead guitar and vocal, Gavin McCafferty, 15 on Yukulele and vocals, Jessica Doherty, 15 on Rhythm guitar and vocal. It’s hard to believe the group have only been together a week and have already put together a great orginal track called ‘Summer’, though that name could change. Jessica Doherty has been able to enhance her skills by taking part. “Last year my music teacher said I should go to a songwriting competition and it just seemed to go from there. I’ve got on really well, I’ve been writing songs for everything and find it really easy now to write. I started off on piano so it’s easier for me to write for piano accompaniment. These workshops are hard to find, what they’ve offered with the workshops like improvisation and I’ve developed my guitar skills. I’ve enjoyed working with other people, seeing things from other people’s point of view and sharing ideas and opinions.”

Niall tells of how the group may even stay together after the week is over.  “It’s good because mostly I’d play on my own but get to play with other people so it’s different, better as well. It gets people that don’t normally get the chance to play with other people in bands and stuff so it’s good experience. We’re thinking now of keeping that band together as well.”

In just one week three new young bands have been created on the music scene in the City. If you’re going to be around the Guildhall Square on Tuesday get a look at what these young bands have been able to achieve in just one week. It goes a long way in showing what that talented people of this City are capable of!

Libidoswitch On Again! 16/5/13

Image Compliments of Vanessa Brown

Local hardcore punk/metal band Libidoswitch is launching back into the music scene with a ‘final push’ on making music. Andy Anderson, guitarist and vocalist of the job goes into the bands history of ten years from their formation until today.

 “We put the band together at the start, we were three friends with similar tastes in music, we’d all come from previous bands and had a shared interest that brought us together. Started giggin’ locally and did a bit of recording, we put our first recording, an EP together in 2003 which done well and helped us finance the second one in 2006. We were on a bit of a hiatus between 2008 and 2010 playing the odd show just to remind ourselves we were still in a band. We decided to give it a push in 2011 and we’ve been here ever since. Luckily we’ve held a lot of the interest that we’d gathered with the first push and we’re just trying to capitalise on that now."

A ten year span is not something many other bands have under their belt but there have been good times, and bad, in the mix for Libidoswitch. “We got to do plenty, we got to play with some of our hero’s, we got to open for the Anti-Nowhere League and we got to meet a lot of interesting people; a lot of promoters. One thing I’d have to say is that we’ve done everything the hard way because we’re a niche market musical genre you don’t get anything handed to you and you’re limited to where you can play. Even your audience is very limited so you have to love what you do because there’s no money in it and it’s definitely a labour of love.”

One of the most recent pieces of news to hit the music scene was the departure of bassist Squinty from the group. Here Andy explains that the change in line-up was down to nothing more than personal choice, no drama or fall outs involved and new bassist Gerry has been warmly welcomed. “I have to say because everybody keeps asking this, the separation is totally amicable and always was, it was Squinty’s decision and he’s very supportive of Gerry’s role in the band. He’s been out and the shows and he’s said it’s been very interesting for him seeing it from a new perspective watching the music on stage. That was great and there’s no point in telling lies about it, it was a very difficult time for us and we questioned where to go on with the project. The introduction of Gerry is like a breath of fresh air, he’s brought a new dynamic to the sound. At the minute we’re building up the set-list, there’s a lot of new music in the set-list as it stands but we haven’t started properly writing and integrating Gerry yet but he’s adding his own touches to old favourites already and it shows in the music, it’s really positive and we’ve had a great response.”

So, how was Gerry Craig chosen for what was bound to be a very sought after place in Libidoswitch? Talent, is the answer. “We knew that he was very experienced and we knew the level of his talent but they were open platform auditions and we had a few great people and it’s important to say thanks to everyone that showed interest, we were very flattered and humbled by it. Everybody got a chance and Gerry was the most compatible man, he wasn’t involved with anybody full-time so it worked on that basis alone, it was his talent over our relationship with Gerry and now it’s a nice happy medium of both.”

The group are thrilled to be making another push at the music scene and this week will see Gerry’s debut as bassist in a headlining gig. “This has only just begun, where we’re standing right now it’s very simple logics, we’ve had twenty years playing in bands now I think we kind of half know what we’re doing. Right now the prime objectives of the year are to get merchandise which is already in the works which will hopefully finance a recording that we’re hoping to do as soon as possible, that’s already being worked on as we speak, with an aim to finance a tour before the end of the year, maybe a UK wide tour. That’s definitely going to happen, we’re finalising all the details at the minute and all these things take time. It’s a milestone, it’s the first headline gig on the 17^th with Gerry on board, we’ve done a few shows around the province just to break him in and he’s enjoying it which is the most important thing and so are we. It felt like work for a long time and now it’s back to being something that we enjoy.

Andy feels that there is something in the band now that hasn’t been there for a while, it could even be a change in himself but it’s being reflected in the writing. “There’s a new imperative in the unit that hadn’t been there for a long time. There’s a spirit in the band that maybe hasn’t been there since 2005/06. It’s got nothing to do with Squity leaving, that’s a lot to do with me personally. There’s something new happening and it’s reflected in the new music we’re writing, there’s something fresh. We were never out to break new ground. I think in the genre of music that we play which is alternative/hardcore/metal/punk whatever you want to call it, everything has already been done so we were never about breaking new ground, we were just about writing three minute heavy tunes with a good hook that are strong enough to stand on their own two feet in a set. Make it all killer no filler.”

Finally Andy made the point that the hardcore scene in the area is flourishing and that personally he’s excited to be working with new groups which are up and coming, overall an exciting time for Libidoswitch to be making a comeback. “Getting to work with a lot of the younger bands that are coming through now is just amazing. Just seeing the potential in bands like Making Monsters, doing something really fresh. Bands like M.O.T.H, Acari, Seneron, Zia Régime; a really progressive sound happening there, you’ve got the old guard like TRIGGERMAN, Zero Point Zero, Janette Hutton Band, it’s like a list of name checks. You just have so much happening in the town now and it’s just an absolute privilege to share the stage with these new up and coming bands that are breaking through. A lot of them are breaking ground too, some to watch for the future like Mandala Skies from Strabane or Dying Breed from Dungiven or Axecatcher and Black Sonnet from Limavady, they’re bands that I would keep a close eye on in the future. The hardcore scene is very healthy at the moment and it’s a good time for us to have a good clash at it and see how we get on.

Check out the free gig tomorrow at Masons for a listen to Libidoswitch and some other great acts details of which can all be found online if you check out the guy’s Facebook page.

Johanna's Music Maneuver! 9/5/13

Image compliments of GC Photographics

Johanna Fegan is a bit of a local legend when it comes to the music scene in the city. Her power house vocals do not fail to impress alongside her stage energy and plain raw talent. Johanna has now revealed that after years of hard girl rock she’s looking to her softer side and things are due to mellow out. Johanna began playing music while still at primary school picking up the guitar at the tender age of 8. Immediately she was writing songs but didn’t fancy herself as a singer from the start.

“I developed song writing buzz, started writing a few wee tunes but never thought of myself as a singer but I loved writing. When I was in secondary school in St. Mary’s I wrote a few tunes, one was called ‘Opening number’, ‘No Denial’ and I would just play them on my own. I used to hound my best friend at the time and get her to listen to them but some of them would be while dark and morbid and she would be like: “What are you writing that for?”. 

Even then I still didn’t even think, you know I thought I had a decent enough voice. I used to sit and sing up in my room, like 4 Non Blondes and stuff like that and my mammy would be coming up the straight all: “Would you stop that singing! Everybody can hear ye from down the street!”. So I used to mess about with those kinds of songs, loved the Cranberries. My writing became that type of style.”

Turning her hand to arts of another direction Johanna was interested in acting but funnily enough it was through her performance arts that she really discovered she wanted to do music. “I went to lower sixth and then left to join performance arts because I was more into being an actress at the time. I wanted to go to America and all and do all that craic. I just thought my singing and guitar playing was just a hobby. When I went  performing arts I sang for my audition and I ended up playing my guitar for everyone else to do their auditions so I had awe bit of confidence then because everyone was all: ‘That’s brilliant, you picked that up really quick’ and I was thinking, so I did. One of the tutors David McGookin, he thought I had a really good voice along with my other two tutors Ann and Pauline. He worked with part of the popular music section in the tech and he was all: “Look, I’d love you to record something”. There was one wee place called Church House and there was this wee group of boys and they were working with our show. They were in a really good band called ‘Price’ and they were tight and did all Skunk Anansie and proper rock and that. There were two female singers and we used to go and watch them in the Bound For, I used to just want to be in that band. He had decided to ask them to do the music for my CD, he wanted me to record my own songs. We all ended up recording three of my songs and it sounded really good, that just sent me off on one then, I wanted to do music after that. Then the two girls that were in the band had to leave for uni and that. The boys asked me to join the band, so after that then I was all into rock, girl rock, Alanis  Morissette, No Doubt, Skunk Anansie, Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins, anything kind of heavy that was my thing, it still kind of is.

Of course with these kind of influences it’s no surprise that the sound Johanna was pitching for was a strong gutsy female vocal but now she’s finding her softer side. “I learnt to sing aggressively because Skunk Anansie, she was a big idol to me. It’s only now, years down the line, 15 years down the line I’m kind of teaching myself to soften up and get more nice softer, more mature , to drag something out from within myself rather than shouting and screaming like a teenager. So, taking a different approach to things now, a lot more mellow in my old age.”

Her journey to a more melodic style of vocal has seen Johanna on a path of discovery of what she is actually capable of. “I’m not smoking anymore so I’m finding I can get those wee notes so I’m really enjoying discovering my voice again, which is exactly what it’s like. It’s like I’m discovering parts of it I’ve never ever been introduced to before because I’ve always been a smoker. Since I joined bands and even after gigs I’d end up wrecking my voice because I had never learned how to warm it up properly until about three years ago, I was just hardcore. I never ever took care of my talent and my throat and stuff. Now at this stage it’s like I’m learning everything I should’ve learnt back then but it’s good, like a new lease of life. I’m a lot more protective now, not as open. When I was younger up until a few years ago I used to give my whole life away through songs. Whether people knew that or not I don’t know, I knew it. In some ways that has helped younger females which gives me back so much, it really does but now I just feel like I want this for me. I want to get real, I want to figure out what my strong parts are and what I enjoy. Times have changed and people are singing differently and I want to evolve with that, not to fit in but to replenish and find myself and touch all elements. I want to be a proper singer and writer. I have found dynamically it can take things to another level. I’ve sat and written more songs but because they’re slower and I’m not giving it the bit, I kind of doubt myself a wee bit in it. Are they going to be as good? Until I’m ready to put them out there and get the reaction then I’ll kind of know myself, it’ll confirm things with me but I’m liking it and I like the change and I’m finding that it’s a change that isn’t just physical it’s internal too. It’s a progression and it’s happening because of the way I’m feeling inside wanting to evolve.

Johanna has mentioned that the all new style won’t be unleashed straight away but rather will be something that will come with time and only when she’s ready. However, there may be a sneaky peak sooner than expected. She will play tonight at Sandinos as part of the IU SHE charity night which is raising funds to help Child Victims of Sex Trafficking in Asia. A worthy cause and great entertainment so do not miss out.