2009 saw the domestic scene flourish with rabbit-like fecundity. Inside Track could barely keep up with the deluge of new releases whilst the gig circuit was ablaze with established and emerging talent. Electric Picnic and Oxegen bills featured an unprecedented amount of homegrown acts too. And yet one event, above all others, copperfastened our place in the pantheon of artistic greatness – Glen and Marketa on The Simpsons. What a year.
January is always a dull month but in the wings to bring some sparkle to the dreariness was The Mighty Stef who kicked off 2009 with an Irish tour to promote his most accomplished album to date, the beguiling 100 Midnights. The beautifully crafted release features guest performances from ex-Pogue Cait O’Riordan and Shane MacGowan. His own Firstborn Is Dead Recordings label added Band On An Island and The House Of Dolls to its stable and we were treated to absorbing efforts from each. Stef ended the year with his response to Thierry "Handy Work If You Can Get It" Henry, the ‘Protest Song With No Name’, which caused a bit of a stir on the domestic airwaves, elegantly capturing the national mood.
Another gent who brightened up the year was Thomas Walsh, aka Pugwash, who, after signing with Andy Partridge of XTC fame’s label, went on to release what is without a doubt the finest cricket album ever with Neil Hannon, in the guise of The Duckworth Lewis Method. Never has such a dull sport been made so entertaining.
Mr Hannon was amongst the stars who performed in Road Records at its relaunch on International Records Day. Also entertaining the vinyl-loving punters were Paul Noonan, Lisa Hannigan, Neil Hannon and Jape (who scooped this year’s Choice Music Prize for his album Ritual).
The much-loved record shop had announced its closure but reversed the decision after the music community rallied around and organised the sell-out fundraiser.
Another welcome u-turn came when Ronan Yourell of Delorentos changed his mind about quitting. After announcing plans to leave Ronan had a rethink and we are all the better for it. The excellent longplayer In Love With Detail followed a few months later and the boys continue to be one of the best live acts on the circuit.
A u-turn of a different nature occurred when Paul Noonan appeared on the HP cover in drag in March, and what a fetching air hostess he makes too. This year the band released their non-major label debut Blue Lights On The Runway, which spawned one of their most successful singles to date, ‘The Great Defector’, and saw them appear on the David Letterman show from New York.
The Bellies were amongst those asked to support U2 when the Northsiders' sold-out 360 show visited Croke Park in July. Also on support duty were Damien Dempsey, The Script and Republic Of Loose.
The summer brought us interactive TV show The Raw Sessions which saw Dirty Epics, The Infomatics, RSAG, Majella Murphy, Noise Control, Hoarse Box, Sweet Jane and Sick Boy fight it out over the eight-week series, which followed their efforts to write, record and mix a single. The Infomatics emerged victorious.
A few months later the schedules got a further boost in the form of weekly indie show When Under Ether presented by Michelle Doherty and Elton Mullally.
The year also saw also saw a slew of new albums from established artists such as The Pale, Jerry Fish, Adrian Crowley, Dolores O’Riordan and Therapy?
And it was a bumper 12 months for the ladies of the scene, with Lisa Hannigan garnering plaudits from all corners and, on the pop front, Ruth Anne Cunningham’s star continuing its ascent. She penned tunes for Leona Lewis, Pixie Lott and released some grade-A songs of her own.
Laura Izibor went from strength to strength both at home and on the international circuit and her debut album Let The Truth Be Told cracked the US top 30.
Wallis Bird released her second album to rave reviews and claimed the Hope For 2009 Meteor Award. She also signed a worldwide deal with Columbia.
Michele Ann Kelly proved she’s an artist with a conscience by donating proceeds from her single ‘Time’ to the Marriage Equality Campaign.
Julie Feeney outdid herself by releasing the sumptuous follow-up to Choice Winner 13 Songs, pages. Also noteworthy was Valerie Francis’ enchanting debut Slow Dynamo.
The lady who graces this cover and who must be still pinching herself given her meteoric ascent this year, Imelda May, plays the O2 on December 22.
In other "Girl Power" news Paula and Caoimhe formerly of The Chalets joined forces with ex-Neosupervital gals Lauren and Jessie and drummer Michael to form top powerpop outfit Talulah Does The Hula.
More notable collaborations occurred when Tara McCormack of the Rubyworks record label joined forces with members of Republic of Loose to form the pop-loving glamrock combo Vengeance and the Panther Queen.
The Loose also contributed their creative efforts to a remake of The Horslips classic ‘Trouble With A Capital T’ with some of the original band. Additional help came from members of The Blizzards, Kila and Preachers Son.
Codes caused a stir by signing to EMI and releasing the lauded Trees Dream In Algebra. Other releases of note came from The Coronas and The Chapters.
In the latter part of the year, Hard Working Class Heroes presented us with the usual mind-boggling array of local talent. Outstanding as always and a safe bet for world domination next year were JD Set winners We Cut Corners.
As the year drew to a close stellar albums from The Sick and Indigent Song Club, David Turpin, Paula Flynn, Sanzkrit, Twin Kranes and Channel One kept us warm on winter nights.
Roll on 2010….