POSTS TAGGED : Anderson

10 Years of BarryGruff: Gruffalo Soldiers Zine

10 years, eh? How did that happen? I don’t really know where to begin. It feels both like yesterday and an absolute age since I began this blog.

There was no great plan starting out. It was an opportunity to regularly write and share music I found interesting, and something to keep me sane in the unemployment ridden world of post-banking collapse Ireland.

While a lot has changed over the 10 years, I have tried to keep the focus on music that I like and find exciting. There is a special feeling when you find something new that knocks you for six, I’d get that feeling blog or no blog, but it is nice to be able to share with other people.

In the spirit of keeping the focus on the music, to mark the 10 year milestone I decided to put together a Zine with a focus on some of my favourite artists from the past decade. There are interviews with Cian Ciaran from Super Furry Animals, Jinx Lennon, Elsa Lester, Peaness, Seazoo, Anderson, Martha Ffion & Lauran Hibberd, along with superb articles from Joe Donnelly, Evan Lynch & Captain Moonlight.

It has taken a bit of time to pull it all together and not without its hiccups along the way so I’m delighted it came to fruition in the end. It is/was an attempt to re-create an old fashioned Zine, whether that has been achieved or not, I hope you enjoy reading it.

I’d like to thank Joe Donnelly, Evan Lynch & Captain Moonlight for their articles, Peter Lane for use of his photos and artwork, Johnny Feeney for his IT acumen and support, all the artists who kindly took the time to be interviewed. Thanks to Stevie and Caroline for their assistance in getting this over the line and lastly, thank you all for indulging me with your time – it is greatly appreciated.

Barry

Anderson – ‘Makes Me Feel For You’

a0316308051_10

Dubliner Daniel Anderson – aka Anderson – has returned with his first new material since the release of his beautiful and beguiling debut album Patterns in 2015; a stand-out record from that year, in Ireland or anywhere else for that matter.

Anderson’s latest, ‘Makes Me Feel For You’ is in keeping with the extremely high standards we’ve come to expect from him. It is a simply gorgeous, meticulously crafted song influenced by late ’60s pop and early ’70s singer-songwriting. Its sullen, late night ponderous feel is brushed aside as the lush psych-sonics and guitar twang come to the fore, taking us far, far away. ‘Makes Me Feel For You’ provides the best possible follow-up and transition to Patterns that we could have asked for. Not only does it retain all the qualities which marked out his previous work while gently (and perfectly) introducing some new and glorious elements, it is also one of the finest pieces of work he’s produced to date. If you have a spare 2min 33secs in your day, ‘Makes Me Feel For You’ is the best way to fill that void, and will leave you better for it.

While there’s no release date as yet confirmed, Anderson is currently working on a follow-up to Patterns but ‘Makes Me Feel For You’ is plenty to be getting on with. Listen to it below.

BarryGruff May 2016 Playlist

BGMY16

Your regular monthly round up all the blog action, in a nice, neat and handy playlist of tracks featured throughout the month.

May was good, as was the weather but even better tunes and whatnot (although I was pretty busy with matters away from the blog). We had loads of great new tracks, with a cursory listen below, I’m pretty sure you’ll agree! Oh, and there were new episodes of ‘Millions Like Us’, Justin Beats & I’s music podcast for 604now (if you missed them, check ’em here). You can also subscribe to ‘Millions Like Us’ on iTunes & Podcast Republic or find us on Facebook & Twitter.

Well then, that’s that for another month – listen to BarryGruff’s May 2016 playlist below. Enjoy!

Watch Anderson’s Superb New Video for ‘The Existential Vacuum’

Anderson released his beautiful and beguiling debut last year, influenced by late 60s pop and early 70s singer-songwriting, it was one of 2015’s stand-out records, from Ireland or anywhere else for that matter.

You may also remember that Anderson teamed up with film-maker Colm Russell for a video in which he went door-to-door around his neighbourhood in Dublin, selling and spreading the good word about his wonderful debut album, Patterns. Well, he’s joined forces with the film-maker once again, to create a delightful visual companion to his latest single, ‘The Existential Vacuum’. The brilliantly imaginative music video, perfectly compliments playful, jaunty and colourful nature of this rich and beautiful song. In a mere two-and-a-half minutes, it demonstrates so clearly, why Anderson is an absolute treasure.

Now it’s time for me to step away and let you enjoy all that ‘The Existential Vacuum’ has to offer. You can stream / purchase Patterns here and here too.

BarryGruff March 2016 Playlist

BGMR

Your regular monthly round up all the blog action, in a nice, neat and handy playlist of tracks featured throughout the month.

March was good, as was the weather but even better tunes and whatnot. We had tracks courtesy of Helen Love, Teleman, Weird Dreams and Kelly Lee Owens  from their respective, new and forthcoming albums. We had introductions to Estrons, Hannah Lou Clark, Deep Sea Diver, Games Violet, Pavel and Eoin Dolan, while there were excellent new singles/EPs from Bousada, Anderson, Junior Bill, Silverbacks, Slow Riot, Boxed In and David Harks. Oh, and there were two new episodes of ‘Millions Like Us’, Justin Beats & I’s new music podcast extravaganza for 604now (if you missed them, check ’em here). You can also subscribe to ‘Millions Like Us’ on iTunes & Podcast Republic or find us on Facebook & Twitter.

Well then, that’s that for another month – listen to BarryGruff’s March 2016 playlist below. Enjoy!

Anderson Announces New Single ‘The Existential Vacuum’, & Solo Tour

Anderson Press Shot

‘The Existential Vacuum’ is the latest single to be lifted from Anderson‘s wonderful debut album, Patterns.

Released last year, the Dubliner’s debut is a gem of rare and beguiling beauty, it was one of 2015’s stand-out records, from Ireland or anywhere else. ‘The Existential Vacuum’ is a playful, jaunty number with rich and beautiful arrangement. In a mere two-and-a-half minutes, the new single captures the quintessence of Anderson’s sound, and why he’s a true treasure. Trading in ’60s/’70s influences, the arrangement is beautiful, from the stirred teaspoon clink, bubbling bass, irresistible keys and guitar jangle. A colourful and buoyant sound with a rhythmic twists amid some subtle off-kilter undercurrents and the self-evidently brilliant song-writing. Anderson has long been one of Ireland’s finest, it’s just great to see more and more people taking notice.

To coincide with the release of his new single, Anderson has announced a solo tour, taking in some of the country’s most intimate venues. Performing on solo piano and acoustic guitar, the shows will reveal and strip back, the origins of the songs on his richly arranged debut album, Patterns. The full list of dates are after the jump.

Check out ‘The Existential Vacuum’ below and Patterns can be found here.

Tour dates:

Friday April 22nd Cyprus Ave – Cork

Saturday April 23rd Whelan’s (Upstairs) – Dublin

Friday April 29th Joe Lee’s Bar – Tullamore

Saturday April 30th Roisin Dubh – Galway

Saturday May 7th Source Arts Centre – Thurles

Monday, May 9th New Theatre (James Connolly Festival 2016) – Dublin

Thursday May 12th Spirit Store – Dundalk

Friday May 13th Cunningham’s – Kildare

Tuesday May 17th Centre Culturel Irelandais – Paris

 

BarryGruff Albums of the Year (2015)

BGs Albums of the year 2015So it is that time of year again, lists, lists and more lists. Well, not be out done, here are my 41 (yes 41, and yes it’s a weird number) albums of 2015.

It has been such a good year for new albums, probably the best since I started the blog back in 2010. So much so that there is very little difference between the top 5, top 10, top 15 and so on. So without further ado, here are my favourite records from 2015:

There is also a Spotify playlist of the Top 20 albums, to save you time and hassle (it’s here).

41. Only Real – Jerk At The End of the Line’

40. Rozi Plain – ‘Friend’

39. Wildling – ‘Molecules To Moon’

38. The School – ‘Wasting Away And Wondering’

37. Sweet Baboo – ‘Boombox Ballads’

36. The Stammer – ‘Days In Between’

35. SexWitch – Sex Witch’

34. Faith Healer – ‘Cosmic Troubles’

33. Girl Band – ‘Holding Hands With Jamie’

32. Joanna Gruesome – ‘Peanut Butter’

31. Fort Romeau – ‘Insides

30. Soft Serve – ‘S/t’

29. Applescal – ‘For’

28. Zefur Wolves – ‘Zefur Wolves’

27. Hot Chip – ‘Why Make Sense?’

26. Drenge – ‘Undertow’

25. The Charlatans – ‘Modern Nature’

24. Gaz Coombes – ‘Matador’

23. Bill Ryder-Jones – ‘West Kirby County Primary’

22. Drinks – ‘Hermits on Holiday’

21. The Expert – Dynamic Drift

20. Boxed In – ‘Boxed In’

Continue reading →

2015 According to Knoxville Morning

Knoxville Morning 2015

One of my proudest achievements on the blog this year, or any year for that matter, is the release of GruffWuff; a 19 track compilation of new, previously unreleased and exclusive recordings from some of my very favourite acts over the past 5 years of blogging.

It was a truly fantastic way to mark 5 years of BarryGruff and I am incredibly grateful to everyone involved and the overwhelmingly positive and enthusiastic response. As 2015 draws to a close, I have enlisted help from people who made the compilation what it was, to chat about their favourite moments and sounds from year, and up next is Ciaran Dwyer, of Knoxville Morning.

The Knoxville Morning project was inspired by a trip around the USA taken by chief troublemaker Ciaran Dwyer. The result of which is a combination of sweet folk, country and Americana. While it certainly wears it’s US influences on it’s sleeve, Ciaran’s intuitive storytelling remains a cornerstone as does their home town roots. A longtime BarryGruff favourite that never cease to deliver, again and again.

Before we take a look at his 2015 sound selections, you should check out Knoxville Morning’s fabulous self-titled debut LP, and their GruffWuff inclusion, ‘Bridget’ – of which you can download here for FREE.

Continue reading →

BarryGruff Playlist November 2015

BGNV15

Your regular monthly round up all the blog action, in a nice, neat and handy playlist of tracks featured throughout the month.

November was another busy one, with introductions to A.S. Fanning, exmagician & New Cardinals. There were excellent new singles/EPs from Avid Walker, Anderson, Public Service Broadcasting, Ulrika Spacek, Daniel Avery, CaStLeS, David Harks & Manor. And we had tunes from Globelamp, MMOTHS, Coves, Hinds & Tuff Love ahead of their respective, new and forthcoming albums.

Oh, and there were two new episodes of ‘Millions Like Us’, Justin Beats & I’s new music podcast extravaganza for 604now (if you missed them, check ’em here). You can also subscribe to ‘Millions Like Us’ on iTunes & Podcast Republic or find us on Facebook & Twitter.

Well then, that’s that for another month – listen to BarryGruff’s November 2015 playlist below. Enjoy!

 

Anderson – ‘Cecilia’s Sister’

Anderson has announced his new single, ‘Cecilia’s Sister’, the second to be taken from his meticulously crafted debut LP, Patterns.

Immersed in an irresistible lush, sweeping and classic orchestral sound with nods to late ’60s/’70s pop and singer-songwriters, and draped in Anderson’s prowess for intuitive song-writing and storytelling, Patterns is one of the finest records of 2015 – from Ireland or anywhere else. If you haven’y yet heard it, you need to rectify that situation sharpish (you can do so here). That bring us nicely to ‘Cecilia’s Sister’; in just over two-minutes it sums up everything that is so marvellous about both Anderson, and Patterns. An enchanting and buoyant Beatles-esque number, it is lyrically rich, clever, personal and wholly optimistic as it bobs happily along some jaunty keys, acoustic guitar mingling with a generally sunny disposition. A simply wonderful track from one of the finest and heart-warming records of the year.

You can listen to ‘Cecilia’s Sister’ below and/or download it here, for free.

Anderson plays the Button Factory Dublin on December 9th and the Roisin Dubh in Galway on November 27th. Patterns is available now from www.andersonsongs.com, and digitally from iTunes.