Patrick Freyne talks to Ken McHugh of Autamata about his double life as artist and producer, his new album, Colours of Sound - and about moving to the country.
Already a favourite at Autamata live shows, ‘Jellyman’ further showcases the collaborative talents of maverick producer Ken McHugh and the gonna-be-huge Cathy Davey.
You mightn’t be familiar with the name Ken McHugh, but chances are you own and love at least one record he has produced, such as Creative Controle’s calling card debut ‘Bloodrush’ or David Kitt’s exquisite modern Irish masterpiece The Big Romance.
Ken McHugh certainly knows how to build an elegant wall of sound but this is very much Carol Keogh’s record, one that easily stands alongside her finest moments with Tychonaut.
Birr’s Alan Roe, aka Roesy, returns with a simple, sing-a-long single, recorded with Ken McHugh of Autamata fame. Such is Roesy’s ear for a good tune, this seems specifically born to be played on the radio as you head to the countryside for a long sun-drenched afternoon. It’s a celebratory, warm ditty which implies good things for the album it’s taken from, Colour Me Colourful.
Reluctant to follow in the tradition of 'toilet tour' promotion, Autamata will be selling his music - and a few cars - when his track 'Fragments' features in an American TV ad for Mitsubishi
At once exuberant, uplifting and highly charged, ‘Headlites’ is blessed with a truly kick-arse chorus, while the fiery B-side ‘The Beautiful Mission’ is worthy of a release of its own.
Ken McHugh is rapidly turning into this year’s Moby with a number of tracks from Autamata’s My Sanctuary album being licensed to American film and advertising companies.
With the truly spellbinding vocals of The Tycho Brahe’s Carol Keogh captivating the audience from the off, the suprisingly formal guitar/bass/drums/keyboards line-up masterfully wove a supremely atmospheric, hypnotic wall of sound.
It’s no surprise when Roesy opens his second Dublin gig with the title-song of his latest album, the soulful 'Colour Me Colourful'. What is unexpected however, is that he dedicates it to the Garda who just caught him breaking a red light in an effort to get to the venue on time.
KIM PORCELLI sees DAVID KITT in Brussels on the eve of the release of his new album The Big Romance. Back in Dublin, the pair settle in at the Long Hall for the long haul…
Photography: MYLES CLAFFEY
Tanya Sweeney gets up early to bring you the best of the Sunday afternoon artists, including Nina Hynes, Kings of Leon, Jerry Fish, Cane 141, The Walls and Automata.
Some of the country's leading music industry figures joined thousands of people for the Music Show, a two-day celebration of all that's good about the recording arts in Ireland.
This fortnight's Hot Press is our Electric Picnic special to celebrate we've teamed with O2 to put together a collection of the best Irish talent to grace the festival in a 16 track free CD. There’s something here for everyone; in fact, it’s the perfect picnic spread! Not only that, but we've got some of the bands in question to preview the festival for you (and us!!)
