Showcasing
SXSW '09 Music
Music from Northern Ireland and it's capital city of Belfast played a major part in this year's SXSW 2009 Festival in Austin Texas - a wealth of exciting new and emerging talent appeared in the official showcase and party programme alongside a host of Northern Ireland's music businesses.
Northern Ireland showcasing artists include Fighting With Wire, Skibunny, General Fiasco, The Beat Poets and The Lost Brothers. Northern Ireland businesses include CDC Leisure, Smalltown America Records, No Dancing Records, AU Magazine, Jeff Robinson PR, Bruised Fruit and Penny Distribution.
Ross Graham, from NIMIC, explained the significance of this event for the local participants saying "SXSW is undoubtedly the primary world industry and media showcase for live music; the event also offers music and media entrepreneurs a wealth of opportunity to develop global business. Northern Ireland's fast developing music industry is taking centre stage at SXSW 2009 with performances from 6 bands and 5 solo artists and business representatives from a wide range of N.I. Companies. NIMIC are delighted to be working towards market and audience development for N.I. music in association with the Creative Industries Innovation Fund, Belfast City Council and Invest N.I."
Fuller information on artists and bands who travelled to SXSW 2009-
General Fiasco have already toured the UK, played at 2008's Reading Festival, and performed at MIDEM in January of 2009. This will be a big year for the three young men from Belfast.
"Let six months drift past and tracks like ‘ever so shy' will be constantly accompanied by the limb tossing of an endless mosh-pit." NME
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W: http://www.generalfiasco.co.uk
Fighting with Wire
Fighting With Wire imbue classic 90's grunge influences with a fierce punk aesthetic and a melodic sensibility that recalls Nirvana, Jimmy Eat World, Soundgarden and Foo Fighters in equal measure. Devastatingly tight, refreshingly accessible and thrillingly entertaining!
"As debuts go, this is an absolute corker..." KERRANG KKKK
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W: http://www.fightingwithwire.co.uk
Skibunny
Electro-pop from Northern Ireland's legendary dj's, remixers, promoters and now three piece band. Skibunny have played everywhere from Tokyo to Moscow, from Glastonbury to New York. File next to Depeche Mode, Afghan Whigs and Goldfrapp.
"The number 1 Belfast DJ's, promoters, and clued up commotion-causers." NME
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W: http://www.skibunnyclub.co.uk
The Beat Poets
Touring relentlessly the Beat Poets have supporting world renowned acts such as Sonic Youth, The Chemical Brothers, The Duke Spirit, Nine Black Alps, and much more from venue's such as Marlay Park (Dublin) to two impressive shows at 2008's Canadian Music Week.
"This band kicks ass... so impressive I just had to play them." Tom Dunne, Today FM
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W: http://www.thebeatpoets.com
The Lost Brothers
The Lost Brothers are a roaming Irish duo who recorded their debut album in Portland, Oregon with producer Mike Coykendall (Bright Eyes). Their sound has been likened to cosmic
Everly Brothers or to a modern Simon and Garfunkell.
"The Brothers spin yarns of forests and lost loves in such a spellbinding way that you can almost see scary shadows flickering in the firelight." NME
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W: http://www.myspace.com/thelostbrothersmusic
Bap Kennedy
Bap Kennedy's songs have been described as American country blues plus upbeat Irish melancholy. He has written and performed with artists such as Steve Earle, Van Morrison and Mark Knopfler.
"Fabulous!' Mojo Magazine
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Ken Haddock
A naturally gifted vocalist, Ken Haddock has been a hugely popular figure among audiences and fellow performers since his arrival on the Belfast scene in the late ‘90s.
"His voice is massive, tender and truthful. These songs will intrigue and intoxicate you." CD Baby
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W: http://www.myspace.com/kenhaddock
Eilidh Patterson
Eilidh is a unique contemporary folk singer/songwriter from Northern Ireland. Her self-accompaniment on guitar is clean and precise, the music moulded to the mood of each individual song. Lyrically her compositions bring a message as passionate and fresh as the vocal.
"Eilidh has a voice as clear as the frosty night air and her self-penned songs suggest a maturity beyond her years. Brilliant." Maverick magazine
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W: http://www.myspace.com/eilidhpatterson
Anthony Toner
Toner's heartful songs cover everything from disorientated astronauts to urban renewal. He sounds like John Prine meets Bryan Adams - in a second hand bookshop. And he's gathering momentum.
"Superbly played, literate and melodic songs." Irish News
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W: http://www.anthonytoner.net
Ben Glover
Ben's new album was recorded in Nashville, produced by JD Foster, with guests including Vince Gill, Jim Lauderdale and Buddy Miller. It has been critically acclaimed and has received national airplay in the UK and Ireland.
"Ben Glover hails from Northern Ireland but sounds like he belongs amongst the best of American singer/songwriters- and could easily be a rival for the likes of Ryan Adams."
Get Ready To Roc
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NORTHERN IRELAND BUSINESS DELEGATES
Smalltown America Records
Smalltown America is an independent record label based in Derry, Northern Ireland. Our roster includes: Fighting With Wire; And So I Watch You From Afar; Calories;
Alan MX and Let Our Enemies Beware.
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W: http://www.smalltownamerica.co.uk
Escape Act / Volte-face Records
Escape Act are gaining a reputation for their absorbingly upbeat poprock aesthetics and lyrical smarts. Reinforced by stage outings that electrify and creative promotional tactics, the Belfast three-piece continueon a steady upward trajectory.
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No Dancing Records
Northern Ireland independent alternative record label. Recent releases include Panama Kings and Cashier #9 with upcoming releases from Black Alley Screens and Robyn G Shiels.
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CDC Leisure
CDC Leisure own and run Northern Ireland's busiest music venues, The Limelight, Spring & Airbrake & Auntie Annies. They also promote is several other venues across the province including St Georges Market, The Ulster Hall & Mandela Hall.
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Filmtrip
Filmtrip is an interactive visual and print media company based in Northern Ireland, bringing together over 30 years experience in promotions, film and television and
interactive mobile industries.
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AU Magazine
AU Magazine is a music, culture and lifestyle publication and website based in Belfast. It presents opportunities for companies to effectively market themselves to an Irish and UK audience via their various media outlets and networks.
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Graham Smith Photography
Graham Smith is a photographer shooting exclusively within the music industry. Working in a unobtrusive manner has allowed Graham to build up trust between himself and his subject, something which is reflected in his photographs.
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W: http://www.grahamsmithphotography.com
Bruised Fruit
Since 2005 Bruised Fruit have been supporting and promoting Northern Irish artists, working with approx. 250 bands each year. In 2008 we partnered with Big Life Music and now offer management and publishing services. Our roster currently includes Ed Zealous, Strait Laces and John Shelley & The Creatures.
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W: http://www.bruisedfruitpromotions.com
Penny Distribution
Penny Distribution is a full service music distribution, licensing, marketing and promotion service based in the San Francisco Bay Area, CA and Downpatrick, UK. Penny Distribution
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W: http://www.pennydistribution.com
Jeff Robinson PR
Jeff Robinson PR is an independent promotions company providing bands, artists and arts related businesses with media promotions throughout Ireland to coinside with a Tour, Single, EP or Album release. Including: Radio, Television, Print Media Coverage, Online, I provide a full promotional service helping you get the coverage you deserve.
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W: http://www.jeffrobinson.me.uk
Most photos by Ken Haddock and Graham Smith with thanks.
Editor Notes:
Creative Industries Innovation Fund Invest Northern Ireland
The South by Southwest 2009 project is supported by the Creative Industries Innovation Fund. This £5 million fund has been established to help support the development of the creative industries in Northern Ireland, through the provision of funding to creative businesses and innovative initiatives Speaking about the creative industries innovation fund, Roisín McDonough, Chief Executive of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland stated "The Arts Council is pleased to be administering this new fund as it provides the type of support creative business people need to develop and sustain a flourishing creative industries sector. This is not only a key theme of our five-year strategic plan for developing the arts in Northern Ireland, but also supports a government priority.
"One of the challenges facing us over the coming years is to develop the kind of creative and economic environment that will encourage our creative businesses to remain in Northern Ireland, as well as attracting other innovators from around the world to live and work here.
This round of new funding for the development of the local creative industries will go some way to establishing such an environment."
www.artscouncil-ni.org, http://www.dcalni.gov.uk
Invest Northern Ireland
Invest Northern Ireland's role is to grow the economy by helping new and existing businesses to compete internationally, and by attracting new investment to Northern Ireland. It is part of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment and provides strong government support for business by effectively delivering the Government's economic development strategies, making the most efficient use of available resources. Invest NI offers the Northern Ireland business community a single organisation providing high-quality services, programmes, support and expert advice.
www.investni.com
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