Things are happening up North. There is currently an almost unprecedented sense of vibrancy about life in Northern Ireland, as if the energies used to deal bravely with thirty years of tribulation are now being channelled into more joyful matters.
These things are fragile at the best of times. Certainly, as those who ve lived through the Troubles, and seen its terrible ravages first hand know only too well, you can move from hope to despair in a matter of weeks in Northern Ireland. We are currently going through one of those sticky phases where people who care for peace have to pull together even more resolutely. However there is a genuine feeling now that, even if the politicians and public representatives haven t got it right yet, the people themselves have moved on. And especially young people, who are less hamstrung by the baggage of old animosities and tribal allegiances.
When you place what has been achieved in the Arts in the North in the context of the obstacles created by the surrounding conflict, it is remarkable. There s scarcely anywhere in the world that has produced such a concentration of great and acclaimed writers. But it is easier for writers to make an impact, than it is for bands and film-makers, who need infrastructure, gigs, events a scene into which they can plug. That has come together over the past few years, and the hope is that the gains made can now be consolidated on.
Certainly, those movers and shakers who have helped put the province back on the international map have contributed to a renewed sense of confidence about the future across a wide range of spheres, from music to sport, film, business, media and theatre. Live local music, music in the media and on record, and the success of Northern acts on the world stage have all been helped by this fresh vibrancy.
The Heineken-Hot Press Awards have enjoyed unprecedented success since the involvement of BBC NI. The profile and quality of the music emanating from north of the border has never been higher and that is most obviously reflected in the continuing success of the long-running Across The Line on Radio Ulster and the ongoing presence of DJ Johnny Hero, now ten years on Downtown Radio.
The emergence of vital new rock acts of the calibre of co.uk, Watercress and Snow Patrol among others, dance provocateurs like Agnelli & Nelson and Hedrock Valley Beats and a new breed of singer-songwriters, including Juliet Turner and Tony McLoughlin, has turned the focus of the music scene in Ireland northwards. So now seems like an appropriate time to acknowledge those who are bringing fresh vigour to Northern Ireland and to celebrate the long line of talent from the past.
ACROSS THE LINE
Apart from being enthusiastic and knowledgeable broadcasters, the Across The Line team on Radio Ulster have an unerring ear for great rock, from all quarters of the planet. Just take a stroll through the playlist for even one of last week s programmes, and you ll get an idea of just how eclectic and inclusive yet cutting edge Across The Line is.
Night one: after opening with Kill Hate Destroy by local heroes Therapy?, they rampaged through an inventive and adventurous playlist that included Christian Girls by Heffner, three tracks by Scheer, Just by Radiohead, the classic Straight To You by Nick Cave, and some gems from Gonzalez (their album of the week), Clinton and Fuel.
As if to prove that this was no fluke, the following night had a dance sequence that had Paul McClean admitting, Oh lordy, that was a corker!!!!! And he was right: the track list for that particular extravaganza was truly splendiferous, including Blackalicious If I May (Mo Wax); DJ Stix Melodicmadness (Kingsize); Blowpipe Mission (Harmonic); Welt Mercurial (promo); Laurent Garnier The Man With The Red Face ; Svek mix (F Communications); Circulation Green (Circulation); Native Force Music Box (Zozan); LTK Bukem Undress Your Mind (Good Looking).
The same programme featured an interview with Donnacha Costelloe from Minimise Records and included that label s David Donahue s Try To Make You Love Me and a track by Costelloe himself. Then came Rennie Pilgrem Some Place Funky (MOB); The Freaks You Do It Like That And We ll Do It Like This, Yaaaa (Music For Freaks). The show also managed to fit in an interview with Derrick May, Radiohead s Climbing Up The Walls : Fila Brazilia mix (Kudos) and much, much more.
So what was it you were saying about there being no good music on the radio anymore? Over the years Across The Line has given crucial exposure to a long litany of Irish acts, many of whom were heard on Across The Line when they were being ignored by radio elsewhere. It s comforting to know that the programme still has a commitment to that fine tradition long may it run.
IMMORTAL RECORDS
It is difficult to imagine any local music scene, no matter how vibrant, being taken seriously without the most adventurous of those artists having an outlet for their music on record. And Northern Ireland is no exception.
Historically, Good Vibrations led the way, kickstarting the punk upsurge in the North with the success of Teenage Kicks by The Undertones. More recently, a few new indies have emerged, notably the Schism label, which is the home of the promising Asterix, and Immortal Recordings a label that has really begun to blossom.
Formed in late 1995 by William Maxwell, Immortal s basic philosophy was to establish a label that would serve as a platform for local musicians, especially giving them the opportunity to record their own material.
To date the label has released eight CDs an impressive tally. The Immortal Story Part I, Hit The North and Covers And Others were the first trio of releases, all compilation albums featuring various local acts. Born With A Sad Gene by the enigmatic Emily Ryder soon followed and it was well-received critically.
The summer of 1999 saw the re-emergence of local music legend Terri Hooley with his inimitable cover of the great Rudi classic Big Time . Following on from the success of Big Time , Immortal has recently released the debut album by Leslie Rich and The Rocket Soul Choir entitled Geek Love; another impressive outing, the single Sexual Attraction Baby by Jerkin Crocus and finally Wild For Kicks by rockabilly rebels The Sabrejets.
Building on its successes to date, over the next twelve months the label plans to launch Immortal On Line, as well as releasing Big Time for the European market, supported by a promotional video.
The month of April will be particularly busy with a raft of free events being lined up, to promote the Belfast label s impressive catalogue. Leslie Rich and The Rocket Soul Choir play a series of gigs to highlight Geek Love, including Friday 7th April at the Duke of York and Sunday 9th April at Lavery s Back Bar.
Meanwhile, Emily Ryder will be promoting Born With A Sad Gene on Friday 31st March at the Duke of York and on Wednesday 5th April at Lavery s Back Bar, aided and abetted by Suki. Jerkin Crocus will promote Sexual Attraction Baby , on Friday 7th April at the Duke of York and on Wednesday 19th April at Lavery s Back Bar.
In the meantime, there is hugely encouraging news: The Sabrejets Wild For Kicks has already established itself as the fastest-moving album on Immortal so far, selling out its initial run of 1,000 copies within a month of release. There are even rumours that Terri Hooley will be recording a follow-up to Big Time which should reach us by the end of the year. So all told, there s a busy time in store for Immortal Records, helping to keep Northern Ireland safe for rock n roll.