Music from the Heart

There are very few female vocalists in rock music who really get your attention. Of course, there are likes of Amy Lee of Evanescence or the late Dolores O'Riordan coming to your mind when you think about it but then there are surprises. Kimmii Heart of Reality Suite is one of them. An incredibly powerful vocal that goes perfectly together with chosen genre, the singer has a great diction so you understand what she says and that's not always the case these days. Formed in 2009 in North Haledon, New Jersey by childhood friends Brian King (drums,) Antonio Valenti (bass,) and Joe Padula (guitars) – their ambitions have been to produce heavy, melodic rock. After several male and female vocalists, Kimmii Heart had joined in 2013 establishing the definitive line-up known today worldwide.

Dave Clarke is a musical force to be reckoned with. He has spent time as a drummer for Glen Hansard but most people would know him as a drummer of Hothouse Flowers. His solo releases are more rock,  there are hints of Nick Cave in his vocal delivery. The dark tone remains also in the lyrics. His latest offering Listening for Signals is no exception. He plays all instruments on his recordings which might be surprising for those who haven't had the chance to discover the extent of his talent.

Basciville are a multi-instrumental folk/indie duo, originating from Co.  Wexford, Ireland thatcame to be in 2016, when brothers Cillian and Lorcan Byrne finally took the plunge and began creating music together. Since that time the duo has formulated their own unique blend of rhythm and blues with jazz, folk and orchestral harmony. They recently supported acclaimed violinist Colm Mac Con Iomaire at the launch of his third solo album The River Holds Its Breath (Tost ar an Abhainn)  - and also were involved with making of this album. On May 3rd 2019, Basciville will release their brand new single ‘Post Youth’. Basciville are currently recording their second EP, which will be released in 2019.  The as yet unnamed EP will be supported by a full Irish and European tour.

Lau is British folk band from both Scotland and England formed in 2005, named after Orcadian word meaning "natural light." The band comprises Kris Drever (vocals, guitar), Martin Green (accordion, wurlitzer, keys, electronics) and Aidan O’Rourke (fiddle) and together they effortlessly bridge the seemingly diametrically opposed worlds of acoustic folk tradition and post rock – electronics. A decade on, Lau are fearless innovators, festival curators (Lau-Land) a band that simply never stand still. Kris Drever, Aidan O’Rourke and Martin Green also create some of the best music being made anywhere in any genre. Being declared the Best band on BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards on four occasions only proves their uniqueness.

Cork based alternative rockers Paradox were formed in 1997 by brothers Pete Mac and Mike Mac. The early Paradox sound was heavily influenced by the Grunge Era of the 90's. Paradox have released 4 studio albums to date. Their debut album 'Circle of Growth' was recorded in Los Angeles in 2000 and released on a US label. Their second album 'Sacred' was recorded and released in 2004, 'Corporate Pollution' was released in 2011 and their latest album 'Chapters' released in 2015. Singer and songwriter Pete Mac also recorded and released a solo album in 2009 in Berlin, Germany. The new single 'Here Comes The Pain' was released in May 2019 with the band making a return to a more heavier sound. More new music is planned to be released this year.

A driven force in the Swedish "rock" scene of the 2000s —Hailing from Sweden, a touch of glam/sleaze/rock metal of the 1980s. Since the band started the Bai Bang members have spent a lot of time together on their tours all over Europe, Canada, Japan and USA. Bai Bang have been touring with bands like: Alice Cooper, LA Guns, Dio, Ratt, Pretty Maids and Union among others and have done many headline tours as well.The band have been playing at festivals like: Sweden Rock Festival, Wacken Open Air and Rocklahoma.
Coming back with a Best Of release from their last 4 albums ( Are You Ready – 2009, Livin' My Dream – 2011, All Around The World – 2013, Rock Of Live – 2017.

Robert O'Connor is a singer/songwriter from Dublin, Ireland, who returned to the songwriting scene in 2018 after five year hiatus during which he worked as a journalist for various lifestyle titles. The sacrificies paid off and his threee singles released in 2018 received a great radio support on both sides of the Atlantic which is pretty unusual for an unsigned artist without a manager. Each of those singles showed different side of O'Connor and the latest, Real Good Fight, continues the trend.

From time to time you come across a rising talent so good who simply stops you in your tracks. That is the case of Martin McDonnell. The 17 year old Dubliner can be frequently seen busking on Grafton street but has also played the famous Ruby Sessions (previous performers include Glen Hansard, Hozier, Conor O'Brien (Villagers). His debut single "Hold Me Tight" was released on Beadfire on May 31^st.

Cork singer/songwriter Jack O'Rourke first emerged on the Irish music scene in 2016 with his critically acclaimed debut album Dreamcatcher.  O'Rourke's craft, driven by his classical piano training and rich baritone voice, seems to take you back in time - there are echoes of Cohen, Bowie and Waits in his ballads. As Jack himself says, his deeply personal songs from the debut album were ten years in the making. His song Silence was chosen by Amnesty International as a marriage equality anthem in 2015 and progressed to win a prestigious songwriting competition where Tom Waits was among the judges. Now the Corkman is back with follower, an EP entitled Ivory towers.