The inside track: Oscars wild

And the Oscar goes to…..Drogheda’s SJ McArdle!!! Unfortunately the Louth native will not be receiving an award on the night but will be entertaining the Hollywood glitterati at a special pre-event function. The US-Ireland Alliance ceremony has been organised to honor the work of Neil Jordan, Jim Sheridan and David Holmes. The organisers invited SJ to perform when they were introduced to his music through Neil Jordan’s PA, Christine Sheridan. Colin Farrell, Cillian Murphy, Anjelica Huston and Walt Disney Chairman Dick Cook are just some of the stars expected to attend. Well done SJ!...
Continuing on a stellar note…… He Looked One Way, She Looked The Other is the debut EP from Stellarband featuring six tracks culled from last year’s extensive recording sessions. So extensive in fact, that you can look forward to a second EP, Player Of The Year, in the next few months. Last year proved an eventful one for the band who supported the wonderful Cake in Vicar Street and enjoyed much success with the radio single ‘Good Stuff’...
Incidentally, Steve Lynch from the band has engineered and co-produced the forthcoming Jinx Lennon album, which should be in shops mid-March. Entitled Know Your Gouger Nation, the opus was mixed late last year with the assistance of Mark Aubele (formerly of Jack L’s band and currently with The Walls). There are 20 tracks on the album and it clocks in at just over 45 mins. There will be an extensive tour in late March to promote the album but in the meantime you can catch Jinx live at Radio City on March 1st. Will keep you posted on future dates…..
Other news from the Dublin circuit, first the good, is that The Coldspoon Conspiracy make their official return to the live scene with a headline gig in Whelans on Friday March 3rd, support on the night comes from Large Mound and Windings. The bad news is that Puget Sound’s last show will be in Crawdaddy on March 4th, with support from Estel and Mongolia. RIP.
On a happier note….TKO return to the studio in March to record their debut single ‘Old Habits’, which is due for release in May. This will be followed by a nationwide tour. 2006 will be a busy year for the band, who kicked it off with a prestigious support to The Frames in Vicar Street. Upcoming events include a European tour in April and a mini-tour of the US, pencilled in for the autumn.
Gigs on the horizon include a Dublin show on February 24th followed by outings in Paul Flynn’s, Waterford, on Friday March 3rd and St Michael’s Theatre, Wexford on March 24th.
The south comes alive at the end of February when Budrising South kicks into gear. Highlights include Delorentos in An Brog on February 23rd, Dave Couse in the same venue the following night and The Fewer, The Better in Waterford’s Ten on February 25th. The Limerick band will be showcasing material from their forthcoming second album, which will include contributions from Woodstar’s Alan Sheehan and Pierce Turner.