Lots of interesting deals being struck in the music world of late. We at HP Towers were delighted to hear the criminally overlooked Marc O’Reilly’s first album on Virgin, Morality Mortality, is winging its way to us. And we were equally thrilled with the news that the splendid Young Folk have just inked a co-management deal and record licensing agreement with the highly respected Esther Creative Group. Champers all round folks!

Marc, who is regularly compared to luminaries such as Bon Iver and John Martyn, releases his new long-player on October 28. The nugget follows on from his lauded independent collections Human Herdings and My Friend Marx.

In addition to his own writing, recording and gigging around the globe, Marc has provided vocals on three tracks for the new album by MOBO-winning act Karios 4tet, which was recorded at Peter Gabriel’s Real World Studios.

Plus his side project, the electro-pop duo R, received excellent UK radio support for their debut single ‘Change’ from Steve Lamacq (BBC 6music) and Janice Long (BBC Radio 2). A busy boy!…..

Regarding The Young Folk news, their deal with ECG (helmed by industry big-wig Tom Sarig who has worked with Lou Reed, Bryan Ferry, The Gaslight Anthem and more) will see The First Sign of Morning available through ECG Records in the USA, Canada, Australia and other territories TBA. Congrats all!….

Now for some blast from the past news….The Cute Hoors, featuring national treasure Doctor Millar, are back with their first recording for 25 years! ‘You Are Not My Kind’ lands on October 31 and this Buddy Holly/Velvets/Ramones-inspired gem is the first track from the act’s new full-length outing Hair Like Blood, which is due in early 2017.

Following on from successful European tours, appearances on MTV and the Beeb, the band ceased activity in 1992 but are now ready to unleash sonic war once again. A hearty welcome back gents!

Meanwhile further west Sligo’s This Side Up (featuring Myster-E, Shaool and Noone) are in debut album-release mode. The record is titled Full Fat and is a sonic slab of goodness which oozes hip hop stylings, doffing its cap to influences such as Jurassic 5, Beastie Boys, Blackalicious, The Roots and their ilk. Dublin fans can catch the official launch in The Grand Social on November 26….

Fellow westerners Crankyface are gearing up for a show in the Roisin Dubh on November 16. After a few line-up changes over the years the punk/ska mob are back on the gig circuit with a selection of top tunes, including those featured on last year’s excellent EP We Should Hate. Not to be missed!

And finally another important date for your gig diary. The wonderful I Am Niamh plays Bello Bar, Dublin on December 9 to mark the arrival of her new single ‘Bellend’. This will be Niamh’s last headline show of 2016 and she promises very special guests, dancers and visuals. Tickets are €10 from Eventbrite or €12 on the door!