The start-up record label and 'music company’ Ensemble – set up by musicians Rob Farhat and Rob Kearns – celebrated its first birthday on Saturday night, with a gig in the Freemason’s Hall, that featured Loah, Conor Walsh, Simon Bird and The Dublin Laptop Orchestra.
Ensemble are currently working with Loah, Conor Walsh, Kirkos Ensemble, RiZa and Ensemble Ériu, among other artists. The latter are about to set out on The Stargazer Tour, featuring music inspired by the paintings of Jack B.Yeats – emphasising the unique emphasis of the Ensemble enterprise.
"We feel that Ireland needs a new independent label with a fresh perspective,” the label’s Kickstarter mission statement says. "One that will support exceptional artists who have a lot of potential but aren’t necessarily seen as commercially viable.” The label is being run by Brian Dillon of Meltybrains?.
"It was a really cool gig,” Hot Press’ man on the spot tells us. "Loah, who is of Sierra Leonian/Irish origin, co-wrote 'Someone New' by Hozier – and she was fantastic. Her songs ‘Cortége' and ‘Nothing' were really awesome, and she had a great band playing with her. She didn't use a drummer, and the way the songs were arranged, with instruments coming in and out, really made it a cool show.
"Conor Walsh does what might be described as Einaudi-esque instrumental, piano-led, pieces. His composition 'The Front' was really impressive." 
Ensemble are currently just finishing a Kickstart campaign, aiming to raise €8,000 for the launch of EPs by Loah and Conor Walsh, which will be the first records released on the label.”
Click here for a photo gallery from the night, with pix by Max Matthews.