Kanyu From The West

The Jacksons, the Gallaghers, the Davies’, the Van Halens… the list goes on. Musical families have played an integral role in the history of rock and pop.
Step forward new contenders the Cluskeys from Galway. Sony Music Ireland have just snapped up brothers Daniel, Shane and Oisin aka The Kanyu Tree.
The band have graced this column many times in the past and are regulars on the domestic circuit, packing the Roisin Dubh on a regular basis. As major label signees they will release their debut single ‘Radio’ on April 15. It’s taken from their debut album to be released later this year.
They are currently beavering away in the studio on the aforementioned opus with co-producer Ali Shaheed Muhammad of A Tribe Called Quest fame, with whom they bonded over a mutual love of Steely Dan no less!
The single was mixed by Steve Fitzmaurice (Paloma Faith, Daniel Merriweather, Metronomy, Depeche Mode, U2). Catch them live at The Trinity Ball, Dublin (April 8); The Sugar Club, Dublin (29); and the Roisin Dubh, Galway on (30). Hopefully the brothers won’t be following in the acrimonious footsteps of Noel and Liam…
News has reached us of a new supergroup SOULS which counts ex-Kerbdog and Wilt drummer Darragh Butler, ex-Dali guitarist Sean Doyle, ex-Kerbdog guitarist Billy Dalton on bass and Clive Barnes on guitar and vocals. The band’s debut gig will be in the Set Theatre, Kilkenny May 21. They’ve also been confirmed to play Temple House Festival Sligo June 18.
Expect high-octane, unpredictable rock stylings that are “funny and scary in equal measure” according to the band’s missive!...
Dundalk folk merchants Norabelle unleash their debut album Wren April 1, on the heels of the acclaimed Come The Bluest Dawn EP.
The long-player was recorded in Steve Shannon’s (Strands, Halfset) studio Experimental Audio. Check hotpress.com for upcoming tour dates…
The legendary Harvest Ministers release new single ‘Tombstone Eyes’ on April 11, culled from excellent album Strange Love Letter. Produced by Andy Fitzpatrick and Will Merriman the nugget is available on i-Tunes, CD Baby and Amazon…
Celebrated singer-songwriter Simon Fagan has three tunes in the finals of this year’s International Songwriting Competition. ‘Damn Honey’ is selected in the AAA (Adult Album Alternative) category, ‘Memphis’ is a contender in the AC (Adult Contemporary) category and ‘Love Don’t Work’ features in the Performance category, All of these songs can be found on Fagan’s debut album Outside Looking In, available online and in all good record stores nationwide. Best of luck Simon!
The ever-inventive Katie Kim and her sublime live band played their own enchanting score to French director Germaine Dulac’s avant-garde masterpiece The Seashell And The Clergyman at its screening at the Cork Film Festival recently. The event was filmed and will appear as a multi-media download later this spring, so keep you eyes peeled. Katie has recently completed a double album, containing 20 new tracks, set for release later this year. It follows 2009’s lauded Twelve and an untitled collaborative vinyl release with House Of Cosy Cushions in 2010…
Rising singer-songwriter Róisín O, sister of Danny O’Reilly of The Coronas, has announced a Dublin headliner in Whelan’s March 31 to launch her new EP The Thrill.
Impressively, support slots to date include The Coronas, Imelda May, Shay Cotter, Mary Black and Robert Cray. The band which includes Alan Tully (guitar), Darren O’Reilly (drums) and Niall McFadden (bass) have also appeared on Balcony TV, Bandwagon TV and performed to a packed tent at the Mitchelstown Indiependence Festival. ‘Drifting’ from the forthcoming EP was chosen for the recent Woman’s Heart Now compilation which also features Lisa Hannigan, Wallis Bird and Imelda May. Watch this space!