A slew of news has come into us in the last day or two from our pals over in MCD and here are a few 'can't miss' dates to pencil into your live music calendar for the weeks and months ahead.
Darling (pictured above) have announced their biggest headline show to date, having secured the stage at Whelan's for a show on Friday 23rd May. The band are due to release of the second track from their debut self-titled EP. "Sail Away", according to lead singer Gary Harding, "addresses a bigger theme". In the few months since making their debut, Darling have been featured by MTV's new music site MTViggy.com and been named on Today FM's 14 for 2014 ones to watch list. The blogosphere have been taking note too. Influential NY based Nylon Mag, Earmilk, Pigeons & Planes, Nialler9, The Thin Air, Alfitude, Harmless Noise and more have been singing the praises of the duo's musical talents. Definitely ones to watch. Tickets for this one are €11.
Part Alabama Shakes, part Janis Joplin, 25-year-old Colleen Rennison is a force of nature, a post modern blues belter and queen of soul who will make her Irish debut as No Sinner on 21st May next at the Workman's Club in Dublin. No Sinner's music is about, according to the presser, "the clash between the sacred and the profane" - a very rock n' roll statement if we've ever heard it. Rennison's goals are simple, she says. "I just want to play music with people I love and respect” says Colleen. “I want to see the world. People who come to our shows leave happy. And as long as you keep making music that people want to listen to, how could you go wrong? Colossal success would be nice, but right now we’re just concentrating on the quality and, hopefully, the rest will fall into place." Tix will cost you €14.
Odds are you haven't heard the name Samantha Crain just yet but we suspect that once you hear her sing it'll be a while before her voice leaves you. Hailed as "one of the best things at SXSW" last year by SPIN, Crain will tread the boards Upstairs at Whelan's on July 24th next. Tix are just €13. Inspired by the likes of Woody Guthrie , the Flaming Lips, Bob Dylan and Neil Young, Crain has been building a following in the US and beyond over the last couple of years and has Dublin firmly in her sights as she looks to continue to build her ever-expanding audience.
While we have you, check out the new video from Laura Elizabeth Hughes above. You can catch Laura on her Irish tour at the dates and places listed below.
Laura Elizabeth Hughes full Irish tour dates:
Fri 28 March: KERRY, INEC Acoustic Room Killarney (supporting Lumiere)
Sat 29 March: CORK, Cyprus Avenue
Wed 2 April: WEXFORD, The Sky & the Ground
Thurs 3 April: DUBLIN, Whelan’s Upstairs
Fri 4 April: LIMERICK, Dolans Pub
Sat 5 April: GALWAY, Roisin Dubh
Mon 7 April: MEATH, Boyles Pub Slane
