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1. Duke Special - 'Salvation Tambourine’

It’s not been released as a single yet, but there’s a growing feeling among Team Special that ‘Salvation Tambourine’ is the killer track from the Choice Music Prize-nominated Songs From The Deep Forest.. And rightly so: the instantly recognisable refrain (“I could go to London, baby, that’s where you are”) and coupled with the Duke’s trademark theatrical style makes this a perfect song for radio and an essential part of his live set.
After the acclaimed Adventures In Gramophone in 2005, it was no surprise when Duke Special, aka Peter Wilson, was snapped up by V2 for his second LP, the highly acclaimed Songs From The Deep Forest. With appearances on Across The Line, Later... With Jools Holland and more under his belt, he has no doubts about the potential importance of band competitions – regardless of the result.
“I remember entering two different hotpress competitions years ago, and through meeting other bands and, I suppose, not winning, I was determined to get better at what I was doing,” he reflects. “I didn’t win the Choice Music Prize, nor any of the Meteor awards I was up for. Was I discouraged? It would have been nice to win, but I just want to keep improving and learning from those around me.”

2. The Immediate - ‘Let This Light Fill Your Eyes’

Displaying a confidence that few young bands manage, The Immediate present us with a mid-tempo track that especially displays their vocal talent – the backing vocals by Dave Hedderman, and Barra Heavey are every bit as strong as Conor O’Brien’s lead. Not surprising, though, as it’s taken from their instrument-swapping-tastic debut, In Towers & Clouds.
Even away from their stunning debut album, which spawned the singles ‘A Ghost In This House’ and ‘Stop And Remember’, Malahide’s The Immediate have quickly gained a reputation as one of Ireland’s most enthralling live acts, with the foursome’s instrument duties changing throughout the set. Yet they weren’t so successful when they played the, er, Irish Glass Bottlers’ Associate battle of the bands in their formative months. “We didn’t win it,” laments Conor. “But we got a special mention for being off-centre, and during our hour-long walk home after the gig with all our gear, we were so thrilled at getting this mention. It encouraged us and made us want to gig more – and that’s what every band playing should take out of this.”

3. Delorentos - ‘The Rules’

With their first album In Love With Detail ready for release, ‘The Rules’ is representative of what we can expect from the Dublin four-piece: angular, staccato guitar juxtaposed with a melodic flow that’s infectious as it is distinctive. No wonder the song, described as “a sharp comment on the culture of casual racism”, charted at No. 14 last year.
Delorentos – meaning ‘the rent boys’ – headlined the Killarney heat, taking them back to 2005 when they competed, and subsequently won, the National Student Music Awards. “Murphy’s Live is a fantastic opportunity for developing Irish bands,” says co-frontman Ronán. “Aside from the excellent prize package, it offers much needed exposure, and a challenge to the artists to raise their game, as well as the chance to get to know and learn from each other.”
Since their own win, they’ve released ‘The Rules’, Leave It On EP and new single ‘The Basis Of Everything’, as showcased on their recent Other Voices performance.

4. Messiah J & The Expert featuring Nina Hynes - ‘No Bagsies, No Keepsies’

Ireland’s premier hip-hop group prove exactly why they were nominated for the Choice Music Prize with the fantastically-titled ‘No Bagsies, No Keepsies’. However simplistic it appears at first, the complex rapping and interplay with renowned Dublin songstress Nina Hynes is a sheer work of art.
Having met at a Scratch Perverts instore in 1999, Messiah J And The Expert, an MC/producer duo, have gained quite the reputation for their records as well as their storming live performances – they’ve supported the likes of The Streets, Public Enemy, Xzibit and Jurassic 5, as well as headlined the Dublin heat of Murphy’s Live. “The venue was rammed,” recalls Mr. J. “Nights like these tend to draw a big and diverse crowd and that can really get you places on the live circuit.”

5. Dae Kim - ‘All That Glitters’

Previously heard on Dae Kim’s debut album Matador and alongside The Frank & Walters, Ten Past Seven and fellow Treaty City dwellers Giveamanackick on a Sofa Records compilation, ‘All That Glitters’, was originally recorded with Joe Chester, but is presented here in a remixed form. Its driving vocals, set to a moody, dark atmosphere, tell a tale of love which should have been, but is not.
Formed by ex-Ten Speed Racer drummer Terry Cullen, the first time he took on singing duties was when Dae Kim competed in Murphy’s Live two years ago. “I think it was our first gig,” Terry reminisces. “We were just two guitarists and a laptop, without a clue what we were doing! It was amazing to be asked to headline it this time – it’s a real statement of how far we’ve come in two years.” And that they have: apart from committing themselves to record with Matador and lead single ‘Sticky Fingers’, they’ve supported the likes of The Frames and Babyshambles as well as play Germany’s first John Peel Festival.

6. Hybrasil - ‘Getchoo’

A laidback track with a beat that will have feet tapping the country over, Hybrasil contribute ‘Getchoo’, a taster from their long-awaited debut. Reminiscent of the Madchester baggy scene, it loops around simple lyrics but intelligently uses layers to create a gorgeous song that’s nothing less than a party essential.
Hailing from Co. Wicklow, Hybrasil have taken their “indie-tronica” to great heights during their three years together. They’ve got appeared on Ryan Turbidy and at the BudRising festival, but they look set to take themselves to the next level with their debut album, due out later this year. “We played the Murphy’s competition two years, and I know that it really helps on the PR front,” says singer John ‘Spud’ Murphy. “But it’s also nice to meet other bands and see what they’re about. I was blabbering away with Lost and SuperJimenez at the Sugar Club gig, but I’d had a few beers so I’m sure my pep talk wasn’t as useful as I thought!”

7. Vesta Varro - ‘Weighted Love’

Limerick five-piece Vesta Varro have the same sense of grandeur and epic as Muse and Royseven, but with ‘Weighted Love’, there’s some dark atmospherics that add to the passion and drive which overflows in the track, a taster from the forthcoming Exit Here.
Formed from the ashes of hotpress Song Of The Year-winners The Sutras, VV’s live shows are equally breathtaking, as proved by their headline performance at Dolan’s. “There was more of a festival atmosphere that night,” comments guitarist Keith Forde. “I like that it wasn’t run like your stereotypical ‘…and the winner is…’ band competition.”
Bassist Rod Smith agrees: “The headline act diffused the competition aspect, helping them relax and enjoy playing to a decent sized crowd.”

8. The Chapters - ‘Heart Of Glass’

No, it’s not Blondie’s classic – it’s an original track from Dublin’s The Chapters that had previously been included in their lauded Four Thorns EP. With an original set-up involving a piano at the forefront of their sound and even onstage, ‘Heart Of Glass’ is a country-tinged ballad inspired by Gavin Glass [of Gavin Glass And The Holy Shakers fame]. Check out the ending, where it breaks down into an ol’ style clap-percussioned jam.
Set to play the Dublin semi-final, they remain philosophical about the impending results: “We originally entered to get our name out, and although I’d be lying if I said we didn’t care about winning, it’s just great to be on the same bill as people like The Immediate and Messiah J,” says Turlough Gunawardhana.
Yet they’ve other accolades too: they played Castlepalooza last year and are currently preparing to record their debut album, due out at the end of this year. Exciting times indeed.

9. SuperJimenez - ‘Faye’

As is integral to SuperJimemez, melodies are at the fore for the exclusive track ‘Faye’, which is likely to be a future single. Displaying Ronan Cunningham’s voice in all its glory, the track ties in perfectly with these sun-laded days, with a summery, rousing chorus which is more effective than guarana in providing the listener with bags of energy.
It’s no surprise if their name’s already familiar: Dublin’s SuperJimenez already have a top 20 hit under their belt in the form of ‘Helicopters’. After raising their profile with slots at Oxegen, Music Ireland ‘06 and Hard Working Class Heroes in 2006, their radio-only single ‘Beau’ was A-Listed on Phantom FM. “This is the first competition we’ve entered,” says Ronan, “and the competition is tough. But I’m really looking forward to the next heat – not least because we’re playing with The Immediate, who I love.”

10. Ilya K - ‘Glass Eyes’

A song dedicated to the demon alcohol, ‘Glass Eyes’ has previously only been available as a split single with Gorbechov. It begins as if it’s a hardcore industrial track that would have Trent Reznor quaking, before unfolding into an indie choon with even some falsetto action thrown into the mix. Now that’s eclecticism for you.
After releasing their first single ‘Blackout/Ice’ in 2005, Ilya K have the past year earning a strong live reputation in their hometown of Waterford, signing up to Murphy’s Live for the exposure it would give them. “You’d normally send demos to industry folk,” explains singer Mick O’Reilly, “but we’re more comfortable on stage, so this was our ticket to get noticed by people in the industry, irrespective of who wins. It’s the only competition we’ve entered, or will enter.”

11. Philtre - ‘Took The Time’

Tralee’s Philtre recorded this track in December 2006 with a view to releasing it in an EP later this year, but here’s a sneaky peek. Lending itself perfectly to the airwaves of Ireland, ‘Took The Time’ is a tight, uncluttered amalgamation of Oasis veneered with the hard-to-emulate vocals of Kelly Jones from The Stereophonics, all adding up to some serious pop fun.
While they’ve an EP, Bullet From Nowhere, and slots with The Flaws, Vesta Varro, Delorentos and The Killarney Summer Festival to show for themselves, their location has made it difficult for Philtre to excel as they would like. “That’s why we felt it really important to enter this competition,” explains frontman Tom Leahy. “Being from the south, it’s hard to get your band heard nationally. Any group who wants to put their name out there has the Hard Working Class Heroes, the IMRO showcase and Murphy’s Live, and it was ideal for us that Murphy’s came to Killarney.”