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  • Tune of the Week: James Vincent McMorrow – Red Dust

    Tune of the Week: James Vincent McMorrow – Red Dust

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    The air in EL Paso, Texas, must be something special. That’s where James Vincent McMorrow went to record his second album, ‘Post Tropical’, the follow up to ‘Early in the morning’. Although we’ve, so far, heard just two tracks, Cavalier and this new one, ‘Red Dust’, the sheer quality of these makes it look like ‘Post Tropical’ will be one of the great albums of 2014.

    Red Dust was premiered on Complex last weekend and shows McMorrow is stunning form. He’s still got the beautiful harmonies and heartfelt lyrics but this feels like McMorrow is growing into the artist that he should be. Red Dust will make you tingle. That’s why it’s this week’s Tune of the Week.

    Post Tropical is out on January 13 in the UK, you can pre-order it on iTunes.

    [EDIT: 16/12/2013] The video for Red Dust just premiered on Rolling Stone. Here it is:

    Listen to Red Dust on Soundcloud:

    Here’s the video for Cavalier:

  • The Countdown to Christmas No 1 2013

    The Countdown to Christmas No 1 2013

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    It’s begun! The countdown to the Christmas 2013 gets serious this week, with one more number one before this year’s champ is announced.

    At the time of writing, Sam Bailey is pretty much favourite to win X Factor this year. Other contenders will have to go up against Cowell’s powerhouse but it must be remembered that James Arthur wasn’t Christmas Number One last year. One of the things that Sam Bailey has going for her is that classic voice, no doubt the winning song will be a ballad that would hang well with a Christmas No. 1 title, making her favourite for the Christmas Number One. That went to The Justice Collective‘s He Ain’t Heavy He’s My Brother.

    So who’s up to the challenge? Choirboy Jack Topping has recorded a version of ‘Tomorrow’ from the musical Annie. From Liverpool, he’s signed to Decca records who had a Christmas Number one in 2011 with The Military Wives and Gareth Malone. (I have to confess I met Jack at work two weeks ago, he’s a lovely young man). Jack’s been on the campaign trail for a couple of weeks now, his single is out on the 16th.

    There are also some contenders in the shape of The Big Reunion ‘I Wish it could be Christmas Everyday‘ and Altern 8 with Active 8. It’s hard to know how much traction these two actually will have, The Big Reunion just seems a bit jokey while 90’s rave just doesn’t say Christmas.

    The one contender that really could scupper Sam Bailey’s plans is the campaign to get AC DC’s Highway to Hell to number one. Remember Joe McElderry? In 2009 Rage Against The Machine’s ‘Killing in The Name of’ kept him off the top spot thanks to a campaign from John and Tracy Morter. John was also involved in last years Justice Collective campaign but this year, he’s helping out Steevi Diamond. A rock fan with a Facebook campaign. If Facebook likes translate into sales, ACDC could give Sam Bailey a run for her money.

    Christmas number one in Ireland is announced on the 20th while in the UK, it’s Sunday 22nd.

  • House of Cards: Season 2 Trailer

    House of Cards: Season 2 Trailer

    HouseofCards_SpaceyNetflix proved to the word that changing new visual serial work from a television audience to an online audience with season one of House of Cards. I loved it! Great script, great acting, beautifully shot and some fantastic little effects here and there, all in all a slightly brilliant political series. The amount of Golden Globe nominations it has received is testament to that: Best TV Series, Drama; Best Actress in a TV Series, Drama (Robin Wright); Best Actor in a TV Series, Drama (Kevin Spacey); and Best Supporting Actor in a Series, Mini-Series or TV Movie (Corey Stoll).

    Season 2 premiers on Netflix on February 14 2014. Going on what’s in this trailer, there will be no let up. Looking forward to it!

  • The London Ear on RTE 2XM Show 12: 11/12/13

    The London Ear on RTE 2XM Show 12: 11/12/13

    The London Ear on RTE 2XMI really loved this week’s show, I loved the music and I loved the chats I had with Nat Jenkins who spoke about his new album ‘Now Here This’ and The Late David Turpin who chatted about his new single ‘Fur’. Thanks to both for coming on the show.

    Here’s what happened!

    1. The London Ear Intro
    2. Moonshoes: If you want to do it
    3. Harts: Leavn it all Behind
    4. Nat Jenkins and The Heart Caves: East and West
    5. Chat with Nat Jenkins
    6. Nat Jenkins and The Heart Caves:Home
    7. Cronin featuring Mark Greaney (JJ72): Something’s Gotten Hold Of My Heart
    8. Last Lynx: Lacuna
    9. The Late David Turpin: Hymn
    10. Chat with The Late David Turpin
    11. The Late David Turpin: Fur
    12. Rosenthal: Afraid of Stairs
    13. Royskopp: Running to the Sea
    14. Strangers: Divine

    Thanks for listening, you can listen live every Wednesday at 1400 and the repeat on Sunday nights at 2100. You can listen to the show again on the RTE player.

    Don’t forget if you’re Irish and in a band based in the UK or touring in the UK, get in touch I’d love to hear from you. I love hearing new music so if you have something you think I’d be into send me a mail nessy @ nessymon.com (Take out the gaps)

    Thanks for listening!