Grope for Luna

Budget re-branding

noreply@blogger.com (Morgan) — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 12:56:00 +0000

When did it become levys? have taxes been re-branded to such an extent that they'll use any word other than the 't' word.

We can expect for the next while to have to pay extra tolls, dues, monies etc. Maybe if they work on it long enough they can come up with a new word altogether!

Anyway, we shall survive

Parenthetical Girl - Upstairs at Whelans

noreply@blogger.com (Morgan) — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 08:27:00 +0000

Anyone going tonight? i'm tempted to head along, as i do like some of the stuff on the new album, but i'm not entirely convinced! it might be a grower though. its certainly one of those difficult albums. Hmm. I'll make my decision later on i guess...

Album of the year?

noreply@blogger.com (Morgan) — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 10:08:00 +0000

Starting my pre-lim work for my album of the year. I think it could be one of .... Elbow, The Walkmen, The Dodos, Bon Iver, Fleet Foxes, TV on the radio....

Aaaaaaaaaaaah.
That's not even ten yet.
I guess it needs more work.

Totenham 4 - Liverpool 2

noreply@blogger.com (Morgan) — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 09:51:00 +0000

Rafa did the right thing! who cares? They've a chance at doing something in the league for the firs time in years (while admittedly, Chelsea do look stunningly good at the moment), so Rafa was right!
Only thing sad about last night's game was how poor the second team looked. El Zhar, Plesis and only or two others came out looking average, and everyone else looked pretty poor. I'm still worried about Dossena, could this be the first of Rafa's big signings not to work out? Is 7 million a big signing? Big enough i guess. Still, will give him time, and he does look very good going forward. Maybe he's a winger...

Liverpool versus Athletico

noreply@blogger.com (Morgan) — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 12:14:00 +0000

Ok, Gerard dived, but there should have been other penos, right? Agger was pulled down, and a couple of hand balls and that. The ref bottled those decisions and only took the other one because the assistant referee gave it!

Showed in techni-colour liverpool's new problem though, scoring goals. They create really good chances and can't put them away. I'm hopeful that Torres will change that agains West Brom on Saturday, but we shall see....

Neon Neon

noreply@blogger.com (Morgan) — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 09:46:00 +0000

Suprisingly a contendor for gig of the year! Yo Majesty started the night, and got the crowd going, which is more than you expect off the majority of support bands! They also revealed that Tripod charge them 40% for the merchandise sold. 'Hell to the no' as they said themselves.

Neon Neon played in front of three screens projecting great 80's style graphics, images of the delorean, production lines, Michael Douglas, Raquel Welch etc. which really added something to the night. Its rare to see a rock band do it these days! The album sounded much better live than it did on cd, or maybe i was just swept away by the atmosphere.

Anyway, a great night, and amost made up for missing the liverpool match!

Liverpool v Totenham

noreply@blogger.com (Morgan) — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 16:39:00 +0000

Ok, so it finally happened. There was an amazing comeback in this game, but for once it wasn't the 'pool, but Totenham instead. I guess it was always likely to happen, as the Harry Redknapp factor came into play.

The real question that has to be asked is 'is this a once off?'

Did it expose a soft underbelly for liverpool? What exactly was Dan Agger doing for the second goal? What was Carragher doing for the first? Can they hold the defence together with Skertl? Can they score enough goals without Torres? When will Robbie Keane start scoring?????? hmm.

Here's hoping for an easy win against Athletico, and we can all pretend that saturday never happened. Can't we?

Chelsea are going to win the league anyway, so i'm not sure why i'm getting so worried about it. They seem to win 5-0 regardless of who is on the pitch, or the opposition they're playing.... (other than liverpool, obviously!).

Gig Guide!

noreply@blogger.com (Morgan) — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 12:30:00 +0000

List of up and coming junk in Dublin. Did i miss anything?

19/7/08 Tortoise Analog Saturday
20/7/08 High Lamas Sunday
22/7/08 Jim White Tuesday
27/7/08 Daniel Johnston Sunday *

2/8/08 Pantha du Prince Andrew’s Sat
5/8/08 Jeffrey Lewis Craw Tues
10/8/08 Elf Power Whelans Upstairs Sundat

3/9/08 American Music Club Whelans Wed
7/9/08 Rich Hall Olympia Sun
9/9/08 Jimmy Carr Olympia Tues
19/9/08 Robert Forrester Button Factory Fri
20/9/08 Sun Kil Moon Academy Sat
29/9/08 British Sea Power Academy Mon

7/10/08 Bon iver Tripod Tues
24/10/08 M83 Vicar Fri

1/11/08 Why? Andrew’s lane Sat
2/11/08 Mercury Rev Vicar Sun
2/11/08 Dr. Dog Whelans Sun
7/11/08 Okkervil River Academy Fri
10/11/08 Built to spill Academy Mon

9/12/08 Wedding Present Andrew’s lane Tues
20/12/08 Sultans of Ping Sat

Death of a Grope

noreply@blogger.com (Morgan) — Wed, 09 May 2007 09:29:00 +0000

I think i'm giving this up. Slightly becasuse i can't actually be sure that anyone other than myself actually read these. Its kind of a pain to think i'm 'wasting my sweetness on the desert air' so to speak. Just makes it all a bit pointless. I know these things take a while before they get going, and people start to sit up and take notice, but i'm just not prepared to wait!

anyway, if there is anyone out there, do say hello. If not... goodbye to no one!

hugs to all.
m.

Mahler versus the machines

noreply@blogger.com (Morgan) — Mon, 02 Apr 2007 13:18:00 +0000

I've been broadening my musical horizons of late. Last week i went to the national symphony orchestra's version of Mahler six. There wasn't a lot of reason i picked this, other than i was at a lose end. The only thing you might remember this symphony from is the zanussi, the appliance of science adds, where they had a tuba or some other wind instrument playing a short piece from it.

this week i went to the i & e (improvised and electronic) festical in trinity college. Admittedly i did have a vested interest in this, as one of my friends performed on the night. i didn't know anything they were playing that night, and i doubt any of it will every be used for a popular advertisement!

The first was so much more structured than the usual i type of gig i go to, with some many people in the audience highly aware fo the slightest variation from the norm (although i wouldn't have noticed a tot!), the second was the exact opposite, with most of the musicians without an idea of what they were going to do, seconds before playing it!

Of the two, obviously the symphony orchestra had a much higher level of professionalism, and in some ways, its very unfair to compare them. The sound of an orchestra is so fully developed and demanding on all levels. The electronic show had an air of unpredictabiliy that gave it an edge also though, at moments pieces really came alive, and could just as easily slip away.

The orchestral night did edge it for me, but i'm possibly more likely to go back to the electronic nights. Possilby because i feel less like a duck out of water, being the only one there under 60! Still, its always interesting to hear new sounds...

noreply@blogger.com (Morgan) — Thu, 29 Mar 2007 09:48:00 +0000

Ok, this is pretty similar to the last gig update, other than.... Julian Cope! Wow, i've oftern wondered what he would be like live. I've heard that he's as mental as you would expect. I haven't bought his last four or five albums, but i guess that doesn't really matter.

I'm sure he'll be doing his typical druid inspired show, with lots of dancing around and casting of positive love spells and the like. I can only imagine.

Maybe he'll come out and won't talk to the crowd at all, and play his songs, but i doubt it!

Scott Mathews, Fionn Regan, Willy Mason, Low, Cat Power ( i hear she's sober this weather, so she won't be as shocked as she was last time at Whelans, sounded an odd gig!). They're all relatively miserable, so I might go to Peter, Bjorn and John to kick off on a happy vibe. I'd say they'll be great at Tripod (where i've yet to see a bad gig!).
Besnard Lakes have been recommended to me, so i'll have to investigate before the gig. El-P also sounds interesting, but don't kow a lot about him.

12/4/07 Scott Mathews - Village Thurs
13/4/07 Amusement parks on fire - Whelans Friday
14/4/07 Joanna Newsome - Olympia - Sat --- Sold out
14/4/07 Peter, Bjorn and John - Tripod - Sat
15/4/07 El-P - Crawdaddy - Sunday
19/4/07 Fionn Regan - Whelans - Thurs
20/4/07 Fionn Regan - Crawdaddy Friday
21/4/07 Cansei De Ser Sexy- Ambass Sat
24/4/07 Cold War Kids - Whelans Tues
2/5/07 65 days of static - TBMC Wednesday
3/5/07 Jesse Malin - TBMC Thurs
9/5/07 Low - Village Wed
24/5/07 Julian Cope - Tripod Thurs
26/5/07 Willy Mason - TBMC Sat
10/5/07 Suburban Kids with ... - Whelans Thurs
10/05/07 Cat Power Tripod Thu
20/5/07 The Besnard Lakes - Whelans Sunday
23/5/07 Simple Kid - Village Wednesday26/5/07 Nouvelle Vague Tripod Saturday.

Sunday in the park

noreply@blogger.com (Morgan) — Wed, 28 Mar 2007 15:47:00 +0000

As Morrissey himself once said 'Every day is like Sunday, everyday is cloudy and grey'.
One of my friends once told me 'Organise your Sundays, you can leave ever other day to chance, but organise your Sundays'. Wise words indeed, as there is something inherently crappy about them. its like you just sit there waiting for Monday, and its world of pain to arrive.
I generally just go to the movies on a sunday, but for once, there was nothing i could enjoy on any level on. So, when coming up with a list of cheap days out in dublin on a Sunday, what would you suggest?

A walk in the park? Window shopping in Brown Thomas? (who exactly can afford to buy junk there!) Picking on the junkies on Talbot street? Dodging the pools of vomit from last nights stag/ hen parties in Temple bar?
Last sunday, I went to the Hugh Lane, for one in a series of concerts they've been having every sunday at midday. Admittedly, it is very poorly advertised, and even the guy on the front desk didn't seem to know what was on. I thought it would be a string quartet, and i might just slip away after the first movement/ song or whatever!

I was pleasantly surprised. The emphasis was on contempary and folk music. The first part was a solo violin, which was played wonderfully. The second was a dodgy poet, who has poems about crackling chestnuts on an open fire, that i really shouldn't mention in this sequence, anyway, they were short! The third was a guy playing middle eastern folk music on a lute and saz (strange shaped guitars to most).

Afterwards, I continued to wander through the various exhibitions. Tacita Dean's two video pieces, at one hour and forty five minutes respectively, killed another few hours. There was also a lecture on, on her work. There have been various lectures over the last few weeks, on a variety of topics. Admittedly, these are only for the hard core amongst you! Anyway, check it, chek it out....

Any other ideas for Sundays?

Shake it, shake it, shake it, Salome

noreply@blogger.com (Morgan) — Wed, 28 Mar 2007 14:09:00 +0000

This production of the Oscar Wilde play has been adapted to feature the feel of the decadent 20's in America. The style and clothes of the actors correspond to that. It is a reprisal of the Stephen Berkoff version from around 10 years ago, which is often mentioned in hushed tones, and featured the late dice man as the executioner.

Some other members of the cast have also changed, most notably Salome herself, as the new actress (Fiona O'Shaughnessy) is somewhat of a weak link in the piece. Her voice grates, and sounds like a children's tv presenter, but she does look the part, and moves with the grace that you would expect.

Generally well acted, especially by Alan Stanford (not an actor i generally enjoy) and Barbara Brennan. The the set, while being somewhat barren, and the music that is played through add to the silent movie or mime feel of the whole play. The minor characters form a chorus at the back of the stage, singing or repeating lines that the main characters have already spoken. This device works better than you would imagine, and adds to the drama of the piece.

I wasn't in any way familiar with the play before seeing it, and it is a pity to see it first time, in the re-constructed staging that is evident in this, but having said that, it did work. While i would be somewhat reserved about my recommendation of the play, mainly due to Salome herself, it is still a worthwhile event, and deservig of your time.

3/5

Current Exhibitions

noreply@blogger.com (Morgan) — Tue, 27 Mar 2007 11:26:00 +0000

IMMA is back to full speed at the moment, with three exhibitions recently opened, and according to the curator, has had some of its largest attendances ever, in the last couple of weeks. This is down to the quality of the shows on display, and long may it continue. It may be on the outskirts of town, but is well worth a visit at the moment.
Thomas Demand - This is an exhibition of photographer Thomas Demand, showing work from various stages of his career. These gigantic works, show a world not unlike our own, but obviously something is different. If you look quickly at the work, it would appear nothing different from an office scene or apartment block, but it is only when you take your time to view in detail what it is showing, that it begins to reveal itself.

He creates models of the world to photograph, but they have subtle differences from reality. Phones appear without buttons, doors without knobs, the complexity of every situation has somehow been removed, to focus on the form and the long fluid lines, that he is fascinated by. Even the photo of a clearing in a forest is somehow unreal, and it is almost impossible to tell what is real and what he has created.

IMMA

Alex Katz - This was the least interesting of the three shows, in my opinion, but still had something of value within. They are naive painting of people, sometimes poets and friends, sometimes group scenes of everyday life. Largely with a solid black or grey background, so you can focus on the individual and not on what is around them. They almost seem to float, living in a void, and removed from their every day life.
He is at his best, in the few scenes he paints of people and their surroundings, which are very evocative of a period and a location. (One of stockbrokers in New York in the 80's particularly stands out). I was slightly disappointed, due to the reputation that proceeded this artists work, but still did enjoy some of it.

IMMA

Georgia O'Keefe - A small collection of the artists work, including paintings and sculpture. A few commentators have suggested that her painting of flowers were actually that of a females body, and that seemed evident to me. He has a strong understanding of colour, and at their best, they are quite beautiful

Hugh Lane -
Tacita Dean - This is a collection of video art, paintings and sculpture by the English contemporary artist, and turner award nominee, Tacita Dean. The few that really caught my imagination were two video pieces, one of a plant producing camera film. It dwells on the strange machinery and processes involved in the production process. Sometimes, the reams of glowing film seem almost like abstract paintings, as the shimmer and glow, almost rainbow like, sometimes it focus on the rugged machinery, and its arms, wheels and cogs.

The other video piece is of a convent in Cork, and in contrast to the other piece, focuses on how slow and steady life is in these places. The long corridors at sunset, set alight as the sun comes through the stain glass windows, and other images to capture the mood of their life styles. It reminded me of the 'into the silence' film, currently showing in the IFI.

Dorothy Cross

noreply@blogger.com (Morgan) — Thu, 22 Mar 2007 15:57:00 +0000

Ok, I'll nail my colours to the mast, I'm a fan! Her work is haunting, it probes at something deep with us, and can cause feelings of unease and discomfort. Her images stay with you for long after you've left the gallery. As one of the very few Irish artists to be recognised internationally, she definitely deserves your time. Her recent show in IMMA, which featured pieces such as the virgin shroud (on loan from the Tate modern), was the highlight of the year for me.

She pokes around at the Irish psyche, on ideas deep within us around religion and our views on feminity and sexuality. Some of her work can be a little hit and miss, but when she gets it right, there's few better.

Some of my favourite of her images include an old bible core drilled through the centre, the virgin shroud, a statue of the virgin Mary covered in cow hide, with a crown made of udders, which looks like something from a Japanese horror movie, as it looms in the corner of the room.

Another of her pieces 'Ghost Ship', she covered a disused boat in Dun Laoghaire harbour with luminous paint and then shown an intense light on it. When the light was extinguished, the boat glowed in the bay. Something i'm annoyed i missed.

Her new show in the Kerlin gallery opens today. Go have a peek, it should be one of the more interesting shows in town.

Kerlin gallery includes images and biography

There's also Brigid Flannery in the Cross gallery at the moment, with some beautiful abstract pieces. I've only seen them on the net yet, but was very impressed! Its a good time for the ladies!

Cross Gallery

This is not a theatre blog!

noreply@blogger.com (Morgan) — Tue, 20 Mar 2007 15:04:00 +0000

Honest.

It just seems that way.
Hmm.
Maybe i've found a niche. The four people that go to the theatre in dublin, when its not disney on ice or Mama Mia can visit this site regularly to find out what i liked and didn't like.
I think its working like this. I go to the cinema loads too, but i'm always behind the times. I'm aiming to go to inland empire this week, and i'm going this week as i think it finishes on thursday! Its always the same, i go to things with panic for fear that they'll close before i see them.
I buy a decent amount of music also, but its generally being posted from Hong Kong, or somewhere, so by the time its arrived, the critics have already all had their say, and it all seems old hat. I guess i need to convince to give me stuff for free before it comes out. That should be easy enough!
With the theatre, i'm just being cheap. Previews are cheaper, so I go to them. Then when i'm thinking of what to chat about on this site, it always seems obvious enough.
Anyway, here's a review of things i've generally liked in the last while, but haven't mentioned as they're hopelessly out of date!
Music

Fionn Regan - Yep, he arrived. They're lovely songs, very melodic and just canter away, with great plucked guitars. I'm not sure i'm completely convinced by his lyrics. Maybe i'm just being stoopid, but things like 'I have become, an aerial view of a coastal town, that you once knew' just dont' mean a lot to me. Is he trying to suggest that he's become a distant image as he fades from her world, or... god only knows. Anyway, I've a nagging doubt that they're just lyrics, words, that don't have huge meaning. Anyway, i'm enjoying it none the less, just slightly less than i though i would! 3.5/5

Arcade Fire - Another small let down. It all sounds like I've heard them before. Even the lyrics seem strangely familiar, i'll have to research it better, but i think they're covering at least one of their older songs, or maybe i just heard it on the internet somewhere before i got it!
They've made their sound slightly bigger, using church organs and choirs and the like, which does seem quite impressive. The slow songs lose me completely though. There's more than enough on it, to make me happy i bought it, just a few too many songs i skip, if i'm near the cd player! 3/5.

Kristin Hersh - Ok, if you've ten or twelve albums from her already, this will not shock you! Its got some interesting arrangements, with strings in almost every song., Violin and Cello to augment the three piece rock band of 50ft wave! Its definitely the best album of her last few in my mind, and varies between fast and slow songs to give the album some variation and depth. 3/5.

Cinema
Venus - I like that he's a horrible nasty character, not a sweet gentle old man. I real old Lech, who is disgusted that he can't pull like he once did. Its well acted throughout, but there's a lull after an initial high. It starts incredibly, but loses its pace and humour slightly after the initial half hour or so, and falls away. The end is slightly sentimental, but still, made me laugh more than once and is worth it for the performances alone. 3/5

Kicking a dead horse

noreply@blogger.com (Morgan) — Thu, 15 Mar 2007 14:10:00 +0000

Kicking a Dead Horse at the Peacock

By Sam Shepard

Its a real pleasure to see something of this standard on in Dublin. The complete run is almost sold out, other than for some of the matinees, and i'd recommend anyone that can, to get one of the last tickets.
Although, having said that, it isn't for everyone. A few of the people I went with, had mixed feelings about it. It is quite cerebral, and as most monologues do, lacks movement or a dynamic on the stage.
The play starts with the main character digging a hole for his horse, in the middle of an unknown desert! The Horse has died near the start of his soul searching trip through the land he knew as a young man. He searching for 'Authenticity'.
It has the feel of a Beckett play and deals with some similar subject matter. Indeed, some of the plot devices used in 'waiting for godot' can be seen in this. Stephen Rea is great throughout. To hold the attention of an audience in a monologue such as this, must be difficult, but there was never a moment he wasn't commanding on the stage.
I'm off to London tomorrow, and don't expect to see anything better than this on the stage over there! Nice to see Sam Shepard at the back of the theatre at the end of the show also. He seems to have put a lot of time and effort into this production, and it shows!
4/5

noreply@blogger.com (Morgan) — Tue, 13 Mar 2007 09:12:00 +0000

Don Carlos - Rough Magic - The Project.
This staging of the Schiller play has a great feel of size and power about it! As you enter the theatre you are met by an actor playing a bouncer, who stops you and only lets you in, in fours and fives. You are then let inside and one of the actors takes you to a seat. A small touch, but a nice one.
The theatre itself is set up with seats on all four sides, with doors set up at each corner. This allows the actors to leave the stage and one side and emerge at another! It gives the play good movement and you're never sure which door will be flung open or who is listening from what side of the stage.

The ensemble cast of 13 characters, some bit parts, but many more important to the script, were in general impressive with Darragh Kelly (as the malevolent voice of Rome) and Fergan McElherron (as Don Carlos' closest advisor) particularly standing out .
The script itself felt slightly convoluted and you did have to pay attention to follow who knew of who's letters and how was on who's side! At three hours, it was slightly long, and there was no comic relief or sub plot to break up the flow. The plot took many twists and turns, with Don Carlos struggling for truth and an idealistic better world against his tyrannical realist father, and also, with his impossible love for his step mother the Queen, who had been his childhood sweet heart.

It is a tough, long night, but quite rewarding
4 / 5

Project

The Gods of Football are tired!

noreply@blogger.com (Morgan) — Thu, 08 Mar 2007 17:25:00 +0000

Well, another round of the Champions League has passed, and Arsenal are the team that most are surprised to see being knocked out. It does raise one question though. How exactly the Gods of football work? It was the most predictable occurence in the world that once Brazilian defender Alex, having scored an own goal, would then head up the end of the pitch and head one in at other end of the pitch.
'Oh, from villain to hero in minutes' says the commentator.
I'm not claiming to be some kind of a soothsayer, but I did actually say exactly that before the free kick he scored was taken. 'Bet Alex gets his head on this'. Its not even unusual, I can remember five or siz instances of it, off the top of my head. I think Niall Quinn did something ridiculous like score at each end and save a penatly at one point in his career, i'm sure he's alone on that stat!
Football's gods are a predictable bunch. Actually it rarely has more surprises than the wrestling, If a player leaves a club, especially when there is some bad circumstances over his departure, he will then score every time he plays that team from then on! This is the one fundamental rule.
If a teenager makes his debut, he'll always score the winner, even if it goes in off his butt or arm, with him having absolutely no knowledge of the event. The same thing stands for an expensive import on their debut, but if they do happen not to score, they'll then go on a 15 game streak where they won't score.
I guess the script writers need to work 'outside the box' so to speak. It really is becoming far too predictable...

I am not a number, I am a free man

noreply@blogger.com (Morgan) — Thu, 01 Mar 2007 12:53:00 +0000

A Number - Peacock Theatre

The London version of this play had Michael Gambon and Daniel Craig. One version in America had Sam Shepard playing the father. Unfortunately, in Ireland, we got two relatively unknowns. This was not always meant to be the case. In fact, Tom Hickey was meant to play the father, but after 'artistic differences' with the director, pulled out with two weeks to go. I'm sure this lead to a huge amount of panic, and meant that the guy they did end up with, was unfortuately, someone who was not working at this time. I think this may have been with good reason. He was a plank!
The other actor involved was much more up to speed. He had the more difficult role of the two, having to play three differect characters in the one piece. Each as clones of the other, each fundamentally different from the other!
There did seem to be some basic quality in the writing, but it barely escaped from what was on stage. The main device, used throughout the play, is of having one actor finish the other's sentences for them. It showed how under rehearsed the play was, as there was clear gaps between when one stopped and when the other actor started talking! There was be a brief pause from when one stopped talking before the other picked up on the thread, which felt bizarre, like dead air on the radio!
It was a pity as the play may have been good, but with this leaden performance, was never destined to make the grade. The night I went to it, there was a secondary school year at it. I'm sure they got reduced price or free tickets to fill up the space. The Peacock will have to do a heck of a lot better before the crowds will come back to its doors.

Will be interesting to see how Sam Shepard does with his new play. Going next week. Should be fun anyway....

Arcade Fire and Prawn Sandwiches

noreply@blogger.com (Morgan) — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 15:33:00 +0000

I got a ticket to the match on saturday. Ireland versus England. History and all that! Have to say i really enjoyed it. There was a great atmosphere inside the ground and it was amazing to see Ireland beat England at a sport they really care about! We have beaten them before in Football and Rugby, but never to my recollection anyway, by such a convincing margain. We completely out classed them, and looked superior at nearly every facet of the game.
I generally don't have much interest in Rugby. Having gone to a Rugby school, you can go in one of two directions, love it or hate it. I took the second, and paid no attention to it for my formative years. This was re-doubled by the fact that my brother was good at the sport and every coach in the school figured that i was an undiscovered talent! I remember being pinned against the wall by one teacher, who was gently requesting that I give rugby a go. I did for a few weeks, but it was never for me.
My opinions on the sport have long since mellowed, but i don't generally watch it on tv, or pay that much attention to it.
My Dad offered me a ticket for the French match and I resisted, on the basis that there must be someone more deserving of the ticket. I'm sure there was, but my sister went instead, who doesn't even really know the rules of the game. My Dad offered again for the England, after someone else had cancelled on him, the day before. I didn't refuse the second time!
I am one of the very many people that didn't get tickets for Arcade Fire's incredibly expensive (thanks MCD!) gig in the Olympia. I didn't log on till five minutes past nine, and it was sold out by then. I'm a fan of Arcade Fire, but would never feel that i'm entitled to a ticket for it, just because i am. Why isn't it the same for sports? Why do people feel entitled to the tickets, even though they're not prepared to pay huge sums for them? Same as Roy Keane's complaining about the corporate whores with their prawn sandwiches. Doesn't mean he'll resist his 60 grand a week pay cheque. People that support sports teams feel linked to that team in a strange way, and therefore feel entitled to something from that team. In reality this isn't the case. Its just another bunch of entertainers playing a venue. Ok, i'm just justifying going to a match where loads of people 'woulda given their right arm to go to', but i do have a point, somewhere!

Fionn Regan and Irish Music

noreply@blogger.com (Morgan) — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 10:05:00 +0000

I have eventually just purchased the Fionn Regan album, after much consideration for the last couple of months on the topic. I'm not sure why I hesitated to the degree that i did! I really liked what i heard of him, but admitedly i didn't hear it where i normally hear new music. Ian Dempsey played it on his morning show on Today FM. I listen sometimes, in the way you watch morning tv on a saturday, in a blind stare, not really taking in anything that happens, letting it wash over you.
He described him as a new Irish artist, and i guess i reacted with as much reluctance as i always do to those words! I generally assume that they're gong to be crap, and the only reason they're on the radio is that they're Irish. This clearly wasn't the case with Fionn.
One of my friends recently asked the question, what i would have thought if he had come from Idaho, would he be cooler then? I've written before on the variety of folk style music i like, with Micah P Hinson and M Ward being two of my favourite albums from last year, so why was i hesitating with Fionn? He's also on Domino records, the home of many of my favourites.
I also noticed something on reading various blogs on music, is people's reactions to Snow Patrol, Damien Rice etc. People hate them so much, much more than their bland inofensive music would generally dictate. You have to ask the question, would these people generate this type of reaction if they weren't Irish? Do i secretly dislike or mistrust music simply because it is Irish? Maybe.
I could argue that its just fear of hype. Generally anything even half way decent that is Irish, is hyped beyond all recognition. Bands like Aslan continue to amaze me by how everyone gets so excited over them. They have played the point depot in the past, and I couldn't name one of their songs.
The list of Irish bands i like is very short, but generally if i do like them, they've a fond place in my heart. From my past i did enjoy Rollerskate Skinny, An Emotional Fish, even Something Happens had their moments. Modern day bands include the Redneck Maniffesto and the Jimmy Cake, but i don't own an album by either of those last two bands.
Good luck to Fionn in the Choice Music awards, and done with my prejudice! I need an open mind from now on...

100 Bullets

noreply@blogger.com (Morgan) — Fri, 23 Feb 2007 11:01:00 +0000

100 Bullets, First shot, Last call.
I've had a quiet week, mostly due to the re-emergence of the champions league, which generally means the closing of my social life!
One thing i did read was the First graphic novel in the 100 Bullets series. I'd heard about them for a long time, and was always interested in them, having read and enjoyed some of writer Brian Azzarello's early work.
The first story tells the tale of a young woman leaving jail to start her life once again. While in jail, her husband and son were killed in a supposed drive by shooting. She has long since decided in her own head, that she is responsible for these deaths, as retribution from God for her earlier life, and is determined to 'go straight'. The mysterious Agent Graves meets her and offers her a suitcase containing a gun, 100 untraceable bullets and evidence of who really shot her husband and son.
The stories deal with vengence in its purest sense. What would you do to someone who has hurt you, if you knew that there would be no retribution against you, for your efforts. While they don't delve too deeply into the psyche of the characters, they do create an interesting world and set of dilemmas for the characters to deal with.
The art of Eduardo Risso is perfect for the series, and is reminiscet of Sean Philip's Hellblazer's work. Largely monotone, with strong blocks of colour throughout. Each panel is a delight, with huge attention to detail in backgrounds and street scenes.
I'm hooked anyway! The best crime comic book i've read since stray bullets, and not far off being as good. I'm off to e-bay to see how i get the whole series.

Gig Guide

noreply@blogger.com (Morgan) — Wed, 21 Feb 2007 14:10:00 +0000

Gig Guide: Not that many new ones on the list really. Willy Mason will be good to see, but that's months away!
Think i'll make it to Kirsten, Scott Mathews, Peter, Bjorn and John, Fionn Regan (been meaning to see him for months now!), Low and Willy Mason.

There's a few interesting sounding things on in crawdaddy, but i'm not vouching for anyone i don't know! Still, lots of delights ahead!

25/2/07 Field Music - Whelans - Sunday
27/2/07 The Holdsteadys - TBMC - Tuesday

5/6/3/07 Arcade Fire Olympia - Sunday/ Monday -------.
12//307 Kirsten Hersh TBMC - Monday *
25/3/07 Cathal Coughlan Sugar Club - Sun
12/4/07 Scott Mathews - Village Thurs
14/4/07 Joanna Newsome - Olympia - Sat --- Sold out
14/4/07 Peter, Bjorn and John - Tripod - Sat
19/4/07 Fionn Regan - Whelans - Thurs
20/4/07 Fionn Regan - Crawdaddy - Friday
21/4/07 Cansei De Ser Sexy- Ambass - Sat
24/4/07 Cold War Kids - Whelans - Tues
9/5/07 Low - Village - Wed
26/5/07 Willy Mason - TBMC - Sat

Champions League

noreply@blogger.com (Morgan) — Tue, 20 Feb 2007 15:29:00 +0000

Champions league is back. I'm using this as a way to teach myself never to bet on football, as its a mugs game. Impossible to predict.

EUROPE
Lille 1 v Man Utd 1 - Lille are a very fluid team, with some good players. I think they'll give Man united a fair run for it. United are probably playing to well to be beaten over two legs though! First to score, as i can only name about two of their players, and both are in midfield, i'll go for .... Larsson
Celtic 2 v AC Milan 1 - A big win for Celtic! maybe... Milan are a bit of a mess at the moment, they seem to be getting it together slightly, but Ronaldo can't play for them in the Champions league, so.... i think i'm going to go for Celtic to be roared home. First to score... Craig Beattie
PSV Eindhoven 2 v Arsenal 1 PSV should be good at home. Thought they looked good against liverpool earlier, but got shocked by an early goal. Who knows... First to score ... Kone
Real Madrid 2 v Bayern Munich 1 Real Madrid are mid slump. Bayern aren't much better. I'm going for the home team! First to score. Ruud.
Barcelona 2 v Liverpool 0 Head versus heart time. I'd have to go with Barca as they're just so much stronger on paper. I'd say liverpool will play deep, but Barca have too much invention around goal, they should break through. Maybe Bellamy will be as deadly on the break as he is on the golf course! chance of that.... First to score. Ronaldinho.
FC Porto 1 v Chelsea 2 Chelsea have Terry back and Porto are no great shakes anymore. First to score Drogba.
Inter Milan 1 v Valencia 0- Inter are trotting along in the italian league, but is that because they have no real competition at the moment? Possibly. First to score. Adriano.
Roma 1 v Lyon 0 - Lyon are dropping points all over the place at the moment. Roma are good at home. First to score. Totti.