what's the difference between snowmen and snowwomen? Snowballs.

Bya! I'm off snowboarding in Switzerland for a week tomorrow. Thank you to Jenny on 2fm for playing me Fight Like Apes this evening in exchange for a snowball.

Tainer Bang just tried to convince me there (and nearly did) that she hadn't booked my flights, and didn't I book them, oh no etc., but I am actually off, and everything is cool. There are 15 of us going, so it should be pretty wild!

Try not to break anything while I'm gone.

A sad day for Irish music journalism

The Event Guide is to cease printing and become a solely online entity. It's a total bummer. The Event Guide was essential reading for listings and interviews, and although it never shouted about it, frequently got A-lister music and film interviews, and was an all round top read.

The man behind the publication, Kieran Owens is one of the soundest guys in the biz. I worked for the Event Guide for nearly two years (I think. Dodgy memory!) when I was in college and when I first started writing in the Tribune. Kieran was sound enough to give me a break when I was barely earning beer for my music writing.

The Event Guide was a brilliant place to cut your teeth. I can't begin to imagine the amount of interviews I did over that time. Loads, I guess. Sometimes you'd be doing five a day, a few phoners with various bands and musicians, running to the Central Hotel to get more local ones, writing copy on the fly.

Now, I realise how my time at the Event Guide served me so well. I was only thinking the other week how it was such a great crash course. Because you were producing so much copy, you had to mix it up, find a strong voice and a different style for each one. Kieran always offered me constructive criticism, telling me to pull up my socks when I was getting lazy and threw a few nice words my way when I produced something good.

Loads of music journos have started out there, or wrote for the Event Guide along the way, and for that reason, along with the service and entertainment it provided, it will be sorely missed in paper.

Lily Allen being adorable

LOVE HER.

(Via Pope BenaRick)

GPO - Ballet Shoes

Ballet Shoes - Grand Pocket Orchestra from Luke Franklin on Vimeo.

Via El 9-o

No, it's not a Damien Hirst

Body found encased in a block of ice in Detroit.

(Love Charlie LeDuff's Max Payne-esque narrative.)

SoundCheck tonight!

Whip out your pay check, folks, the weekend is here! SoundCheck will be kickin' tonight, with the best indie in town, the most eclectic mix of DJs and defo hefo the most fun you can have in Dublin on a Thursday evening - good value too!

In order of appearance, the DJs this evening are;
UnaRocks (that's me)
Carla Ryan
Grand Pocket Orchestra
FionnTimes + Wolfie
Sarah Fox

RAWK!

We got some bangin' booze deals - two for one cocktails before 11pm, €4 vodka & Red Bull after 11pm and €4 vodka and dash, along with beers and ciders. Yumsies. Also, if you're feeling peckish, skip dinner and head in early to gulp down some of our free cakes and other tasty treats on the ever popular SoundCheck CupCakeBuffet.

That's hot.

So, it's SPY on South William St, 7pm - 2.30am, free in before 11pm, fiver after. Le Cirque will be rocking it from 11pm upstairs too, their theme this week is SMILES! Smile, Januaury is nearly over.

Let's rock this shit!

(spotted: the very groovy Brian Cowen on his way to SoundCheck just a few short moments ago.)

Statement from ALTO RE: Eircom High Court ruling

Just got a mail from the heads in ALTO regarding the Eircom and 'big 4' case (article linked in articles of the day below)

"The alternative telco sector is not party to the recently announced agreement between Eircom and four major record labels. This is according to ALTO, the body that represents Ireland’s alternative telecommunications companies.

It was announced yesterday that Eircom will work with EMI, Sony, Warner and Universal in a bid to reduce illegal downloads. Under a system known as “three strikes and you’re out” Eircom customers found to be pirating music online will receive two warnings, and, if they persist, broadband service will be discontinued. The agreement is unprecedented worldwide.

In reaction, Ronan Lupton, Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators (ALTO), said: “As yesterday’s agreement between Eircom and the record companies was a direct action against Eircom it is not enforceable on Ireland’s other broadband providers. While we obviously do not condone illegal downloading or any illegality on or over the Internet, we firmly disapprove of any draconian measures that would compromise the privacy, speed or services offered to broadband users. We do not need measures to further impede the development of next generation broadband in Ireland.”

For over a decade, the international music industry has been reeling from the surge in illegal file-sharing and digital downloads on the web. While the situation has exacerbated in recent years with the increased availability of broadband, opinion varies on solutions.

ALTO’s members include BT Ireland, Magnet Networks, NTL, Chorus, Smart Telecom, Budget Telecom, Cable & Wireless, Colt Telecom, Complete Networks, Digiweb, ESB Telecoms, Verizon and 3 Play Plus."

UnaRocks articles of the day

What do you mean you've never wanted to freebase caffeine? - Jezebel

Karaoke rage - Slate

Eircom will disconnect downloaders - Irish Times

Taliban destroy 183 schools in 6 months - CNN

Colombia: gay couples must have same rights as straight couples - Advocate

The real Wrestlers - Vanity Fair

John Martyn dies - Guardian

Pete Doherty in 24 hours - State

All the Single Commanders in Chief

Even Obama learnt a move from Beyonce's awesome video.

Meet the world's first lesbian head of government

Holla at ya gurl Johanna Sigurdardottir

"The President of Iceland has asked Social Democratic party leader Ingibjorg Gisladottir to try to form an interim administration. It is reported that Social Affairs Minister Johanna Sigurdardottir will be named as interim Prime Minister.

If chosen Ms Sigurdardottir, 66, will become the first openly gay or lesbian person to become a head of government. She has been an MP since 1978 and was recently voted the most popular politician in Iceland."

Panti and Penny walk home

Via Panti, of course.

It was Madonna all along!

According to Lynn, who knows everything about affairs of the heart due to her owning Dream Phone, Angelina Jolie's ex-lover Jenny Shimizu is saying that the 'infamous popstar' Angie had an affair with after giving birth to Shiloh was Madonna.

I'm kind of disappointed. Why Madonna? Like, I know she's MADONNA and everything, but Angie could have any woman in the world! Hmm.

That was back in 2006, so can we assume that songs Madge has written since then were influenced by Angie. Hmm, 'Give It To Me'? Or, 'She's Not Me': "She is licking her lips / And she's batting her eyes / She's not me / She's got legs up to there / And such beautiful hair / She's not me / Oh, devoted for life / Make a beautiful wife / She's not me / If you spend some more timeI guarantee you will find / She's not me."

They do both like orphans...

I Kissed Brian Cowen, and I Liked It

Fight Like Apes - 'Tie Me Up With Jackets'

Fight Like Apes - Tie Me up in Jackets from Eoghan Kidney on Vimeo.

Another Meteor Award oopsies

Just picked up the press releases from the launch there, and nominated for Best International Live Performance? It's The Killers @ Oxegen!

Remember that gig? That was fucking deadly, it was awes... oh yeah, the Killers didn't play Oxegen last year.

Oopsies.


*update*
I actually think there might be ANOTHER mistake in the Meteor Awards nominations.

The Coronas are nominated for Best Irish Live Performance @ the Button Factory, but the only record I can find of them playing there recently were two sold out shows they did in December 2007. Their two big shows in 2008 were @ the Ambassador in March and the Olympia in December.

Am I wrong? If so, I stand corrected - if anyone was at a Coronas gig in the Button Factory in 08, please let us know!

*another update*
"Best Live Performance" - To qualify the nominee must have performed a live concert in Ireland between 1st November 2007 and the 31st December 2008 - The Coronas gigs @ the Button Factory qualify as a result. Best of luck, lads!

Kings of Leon to headline Oxegen

Via MCD:

"Fans have chosen Kings of Leon as the first act to be confirmed for OXEGEN 09. The phenomenally popular US rockers will headline for the second consecutive year when OXEGEN returns to Punchestown Racecourse, Naas, Co Kildare from 10th-12th July 2009 (subject to licence).

Kings of Leon confirmed their status as the most popular live act in the world by once again topping the poll of fans on OXEGEN.ie. The band were thrilled by the reception their performance received last year and lead singer, Caleb Followill, speaking from the stage, hailed the famous OXEGEN atmosphere: ‘It is a dream to play gigs like this. We consider ourselves a small band but you have made us feel so big'..."

(photee by Lili)

more Sarah Haskins: Target Women

Is the Today Show trying to kill Ann Curry?


Super Bowl promo:

The Damned United

Looking forward to this:



Via El Chancero

SoundCheck tomorrow

We've got the savage Grand Pocket Orchestra and Carla Ryan on board tomorrow to play their favourite indie tunes, alongside SoundCheck residents.

Check out the blog for February listings, including the ALMIGHTY Battle of the Bloggers night set to take place during Blog Awards Week and featuring DJ sets from; Nialler9, Rick O’Shea, Jim Carroll, Ian Wright, me, NaRocRoc, Sweet Oblivion, Rapture Ponies, Aoife McIndieHour, Bluebirds Are So Natural and more. I know, MENTAL! Dublin has never seen a night like this, the best music bloggers in the country coming together to rawk the place! Should be a crazy one.

So hit SoundCheck tomorrow night from 7pm. We've got our usual awesome 2-for-1 cocktails and free cakes and other tasty treats. It's free in before 11pm and a fiver after, when we will be joined as usual by Le Cirque who will be partying away upstairs, so you might need one of our special €4 vodka & Reb Bulls to keep you going.

There are loads of awesome special guest DJs coming up too, Heathers, Crayonsmith, You're Only Massive, So Cow and the like, SoundCheck be RAWKIN' Winter!

Oxegen festival to go from three days to four?

I know, I know, I know, it's FAR too early to talk about music festivals (actually, have you all got your Glasto tickets yet?), but a jump over to the Oxegen 2009 website which is being discussed on the Electric Picnic forum sees this time table taking form:

Thursday 9th July: 6PM - 12AM

Friday 10th July: 12PM - 12AM

Saturday 11th July: 12PM - 12AM

Sunday 12th July: 12PM - 6PM

I kissed a girl and I liked it, but then, well, you know...

Tainer Bang is blogging about hasbians.

(FYI: Hasbians = women who came out of the closet, lead gay lives, but end up in a heterosexual relationship.)

The Meteors

It's been v quiet on the Meteor front this year, not much hoo-ha about them at all. In fact, a couple of people had been on to me asking whether they were going ahead at all.

Well, they are, even though usually the voting and nominations and all that jazz usually happens before Christmas.

And if you go here, you'll spot the nominees. Are they meant to be there? No? Oopsies.

According to the website, Fight Like Apes have three nods (Best Irish Band, Best Irish Album, Best Live Performance), Jape has one (Best Irish Male), Messiah J & The Expert get the nod for Best Irish Album, as does Lisa Hannigan.

The Meteors are happening in the RDS on March 17th. Well, they'd hardly be in the O2 now, would they?

*update* the page linked above has now been password protected. Someone obviously dropped the ball briefly.

Jim has the full list.

Davih is scared he's going to turn into a lesbian

It's all on his blog, something about tattoos, Thailand, Nazi Germany... you kind of have to know Davih and hear him speak in your head in his own voice for this to make sense. Or not.

Anyway. Davih, you are a genius.

the question everyone is asking

Well, the question everyone was asking last night @ Apartment in the Sky for L Word Mondays: who is the 'infamous' female popstar Angelina Jolie was fucking after she had Shiloh?

I took the question to Facebook:
UnaRocks is wondering who the "infamous female popstar" Angelina Jolie was having an affair with is.

Steven Mitchell Wright at 19:31, on 26 January.
madonna..

Fionn Kidney at 19:31, on 26 January.
Charlotte Church, obviously.

Sinéad Cochrane at 19:42, on 26 January.
ME.

UnaRocks Mullally at 19:42, on 26 January.
Madonna was second on my list next to Pink. I reckon Christina Aguilera is a good bet too, she used to have some girlfriend in Germany ALLEGEDLY.

UnaRocks Mullally at 19:45, on 26 January.
Or Sinead, obvi

Steven Mitchell Wright at 19:49, on 26 January.
yea.. but christina is married with children now and gone wholesome.. pink recently divorced.. britney is definately the most 'infamous' at the moment - but would angelina stoop?

UnaRocks Mullally at 20:00, on 26 January.
hmm. This was after she had her baby, so 2007? I think it's Pink. They both like motorbikes.

Annie Atkins at 20:03, on 26 January.
Kylie, I hope.

Emma Somers at 20:12 26 January via Facebook Mobile
But Kylie is the same size as Angelina's lips... plus, she's saving herself for me. Beyonce fo shizzle. God-fearin' my ass.

Steven Mitchell Wright at 20:14, on 26 January.
does lindsay lohan's meek attempt at a pop music career make her a pop star?

Davih Cassidy at 20:19, on 26 January.
where did you read this piece of information my una?

Lisa McInerney at 20:39, on 26 January.
Ronan Keating

Josef O'Shea at 21:20, on 26 January.
Gracie Fields....mad for lady lumps, she was.

UnaRocks Mullally at 22:34, on 26 January.
@ Joe: I have no idea who you are talking about!
@ Davih: her bodyguard is coming out with a book dishing all the dirt on Angie
@ Steven: I think Lindsay would already have already sold that story to get money for crack
@ Lisa: I think you're on to something
@ Emma: I really hope you're right

Steven Mitchell Wright at 22:39, on 26 January.
we were drinking in the same club in december - she seemed genuinely happy with that very skinny girl friend she already has..

UnaRocks Mullally at 02:00, on 27 January.
i think you're right dude, i believe Lindsay and Sam

Battle of the Bloggers

Hello Bloggers.

A couple of days before the Irish Blog Awards, SoundCheck @ Spy is having a Battle of the Bloggers night on Thursday Feb 19th. So far, myself, Nialler9 and Ian from Thrill Pier are stretching our musical muscles ahead of a night that will be full of blogging musical pleasures.

We at SoundCheck want to pack this night as full as possible with the best music blogging talent. So if you are a blogger (music blogger or not) with exquisite music taste, and want to be part of the action and have a DJ set on the night, then email me at unarocksiesATgmailDOTcom

It should be a fun meet up before the Blog Awards, or even if you're not heading down to Cork, a fun get together full stop. And if you're not a blogger yourself, and just into your tunes, it will be a great night to hit to hear some of the best indie and beyond around at the moment from the taste makers, band breakers and music lovers. And nerds.

Ave it!

What do women want?

An article on female sexual desire in the NYT, via Panti.

Spacecadet

Just when you think The Killers couldn't get any more ridiculous:

here's their new vid.

Brandon Flowers really doesn't know who he is, or who he is meant to be, does he? He always looks so uncomfortable in everything he wears and how he moves.

Then again, it would be hard not to be uncomfortable when you're a Mormon dressed as a gay Optimus Prime.

what do we think...

Of Kanye's new LV kicks for chicks? (More pics here.) The pink sole is tight, but I'd like fatter laces and a rectangular lace part, like Cons, not a triangular one.

They look a little stumpy and blocky, like the first couple of stages in a design, not actually the finished thing.

Meanwhile, his vernacular is turning into a Venn Diagram of Fonzworth Bentley and P Diddy:

A message from kwest on Vimeo.

FLApes get some very nice words in the NME

Their album reivew is in.

Ze Weekend

Friday, I didn't really want to go out and was pretty tired from work. Myself, YoCo, and FionnTimes went to the Science Gallery and played with some stuff. Then we had an hour to kill, so drove out to the Pigeon House to look at the sea and the lights and also freak out some doggers.

We went back to the Science Gallery then because Eoghan was showing some stuff, and there was the awesome talk by a guy who made a UFO and flew it over Gdansk. What a legend!



On Saturday, I made breakfast for Tiger and Anthony and bought a hat, which Fionn has now stolen. Then myself, Fionn, Ragin and Anthony went to see Milk. It's such a great film, go see it, Sean Penn is astounding. Everyone should see this movie.

After doing some work that evening, myself and Fionn went to Queer Spraoi @ Seomra Spraoi, which was so much fun. The place was packed, the music was great and there was such a good vibe, and loads of nice people, including Will, Aine and Gerry, who were among the posse that ended up going to PantiBar, where I preceded to think I was Beyonce and snot myself while doing the 'All The Single Ladies' dance, and then because it was Will's birthday, buy champagne and spray it over everyone but somehow only end up really soaking myself. (I've stolen these photees from Peter)






Sunday, myself and Fionn went to the flea market in Newmarket Square and bought finger puppets. Then we met Eoghan and Anita and went to Koh for tom kha gai which I was craving. If you like tom kha gai, then this is the best one in town. Seriously. Just go and eat it.

Then Tainer Bang and us went to the Joy Gallery to see Lucky Dragons. Unfortunately, my hangover only hit then, so I got as far as Sunken Foal and had to roll.

Do You Wanna Funk?

Thanks MM

Celebrity Album Reviews #1: Barack Obama reviews Animal Collective - 'Merriweather Post Pavilion'

I stand here today humbled by the album before me, grateful for the sounds that have been bestowed, mindful of the sacrifices borne by a record label. Animal Collective have now made nine albums. The songs have been recorded during rising tides of prosperity and the still waters of peace. Yet, every so often an album is released amidst gathering clouds and raging storms, genres blurring beyond recognition, a music industry in freefall. So it has been. So it must be with this generation of Americans.

Today I say to you that the complexities of this record are real. They are serious and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this, music lover – they will be met.

On this day, we appreciate this record because we have chosen progress over the static, avant-guarde beauty over reluctant discord. From the glowing synth of ‘My Girls’, inspired by our forefather Frankie Knuckles, to the expansive exquisiteness of ‘Summertime Clothes’. On this day, we come to proclaim an end to landfill indie, the petty pop and false promises, the worn out MOR rock, all of these things that for far too long have strangled our music collections.

Animal Collective remain a young band, but in the words of Scripture, the time has come to set aside childish things. Their time has come to reaffirm their enduring spirit, to choose a better history, and to carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea, of innovation and experimentation in indie music.

Everywhere on this record, there are intricacies. The sounds are as glorious as they are mysterious. The progress in vocal harmonies and melodies is tinged with bravery, courage and hope. All this they do so well. We are the keepers of this legacy.

What the cynics fail to understand is that the ground has shifted beneath them. The question we ask today is not whether this album is cool or not, but whether it works.

Men and women and children of every race and every faith can join in celebration over this magnificent album. So let us mark this record with remembrance, of who Animal Collective are and how far they have travelled.

In the year of Animal Collective’s birth, in the coldest of months, a small band of musicians huddled by dying cigarette lights on the shores of home studios. Music was being abandoned. The enemy of thoughtless songwriting was advancing. At a moment when the outcome of the flux in the industry was most in doubt, Animal Collective banded together and succeeded. And like true citizens, they persevered in their craft, and it is only because of that, they can produce such work now.

With eyes fixed on the horizon and God's grace upon them, they carry forth that great gift of ‘Merriweather Post Pavilion’ and will deliver it safely to future generations. Thank you. God bless you. And God bless Animal Collective.

"65 year old womens cunt and large nepples"

Something I like to do once in a while is check out the Google search terms that people use and end up at my blog. I think that one above is pretty much my favourite.

Others include:

- can a cow give birth to a dude
- is unarocks a lesbian
- cunt chart
- fuck the pope skin for bebo
- in eamonn dorans until 6am
- knickerless on the street videos
- sex man
- rot in jail you cunt rot rot rot there forever now

John Ryan has clearly been Googling himself an awful lot too, because there are LOADS of search terms with his name in them. And he's not that popular, is he? *waves*

Waiting for IKEA

I met Georgina @ Partie Monster last week, and although the wait for IKEA is almost over, why not check her play out.

Waiting For IKEA is hitting these places soon:

The Mill Theatre, Dundrum Town Centre. D.14
Jan. 27th - 31st 2009, 8pm.Tickets: € 16/ €14
(2 tickets for + meal for two in Harvey Nichols + bottle of wine = €100)

axis:Ballymun, Main St, Ballymun, D9.
Feb 2nd - 6th 2009, 8pm.Tickets: €15/€12

Wantsies

American Apparel's new shiny bat-wing hoodie.

BYOB this weekend

If you're sick of whacking out loads of money for a few pints, then you might be interested in a couple of Bring Your Own Booze events happening in Dublin this weekend.

On Saturday night Queer Spraoi is on in Seomra Spraoi (which is in Belvedere Court). A screening of Stonewall will be followed by some dancing with soundtrack provided by the Ait Ait DJs.

Queer Spraoi sez: "In an era where we're led to believe that queerness is a commercialised 'lifestyle choice' to be bought and sold, we want to establish a radical community that celebrates our diversity, our differences and brings us together. To have fun, learn from each other, and have hot makeouts behind our grandparents' tool sheds while wearing multicoloured Tutus and acting improperly towards the family silverware."

Then on Sunday, Skinny Wolves present Lucky Dragons and Sunken Foal at the Joy Gallery @ Redspace, Rutland Place. Capacity is limited to the first 65 people.

Have you picked up your Free Art yet?

Today is Free Art Friday! That means, all around Dublin city, over 200 works of art will be left in public places for you to pick up, take home and keep.

Organised by Will, and featuring around 100 artists who have contributed their work, it even made the Nine O'Clock news on RTE last night (you can watch that here.) I especially like the end of the report where Tiger does his best Superman impression.

upcoming SoundChecks

Rock on to everyone who came down last night, check out the SoundCheck blog for deets on upcoming special guest DJ sets from Grand Pocket Orchestra, So Cow, and mucho moreo.

Telepathe to tour Europe in April

The dates will be up on their MySpace soon. Here's hoping for a Dublin date, I'd imagine there will be one.

I missed both of their gigs here last year, both in Crawdaddy and upstairs in Whelan's. Dammit, Janet, etc.

SoundCheck tonight!

Aloha! We've got a cracking SoundCheck for y'all as usual tonight; Ed Mackey, UnaRocks (me), Sarah Fox and Quigo will be playing awesome indie tunes.

Cocktails are two-for-one, it's free in before 11pm (fiver after), and we've got a special on vodka red bulls too!

Free cakes, great music, good vibes, and FUNTIMES from 7pm. See y'all @ Spy on South William St.

(spotted: Jacques Chirac and his poodle making their way to SoundCheck just a few short minutes ago.)

The Fist Lady

Serious roflcopter alert. Go here and watch the clip.

2fm inadvertently support the Rick & Nikki campaign, roflcopter etc

From the Facebook group If It's Not Broken Don't Fix It: Keep Rick O'Shea and Nikki Hayes Talking.

"Fans of 2FM presenters Rick O'Shea and Nikki Hayes have this week turned the tables on 2FM over format changes to the shows.

All this week fans, or Ricktivists, have been inundating 2FM shows with requests for Britney Spears' Trouble and dedicating them to Richard or Nicola. This song has in fact been adopted as an anthem by the campaign. Campaign organiser Allan Cavanagh has said that in effect, 2FM has been playing a song dedicated to Rick and Nikki:

"The Facebook group was set up to show RTE that fans were unhappy with the changes to the shows. We adopted Britney's Trouble as an anthem for its name and likelihood of getting played. Effectively 2FM have been playing our anthem in support of two of its presenters on its request shows. Now every time it's played on 2FM it will stand for the unnecessary changes made to the shows and the need to revert to the previous, more popular format.

"The campaign now has over 300 members and will continue to urge 2FM to reverse its decision on this dreadful waste of talent."

Rick O'Shea and Nikki Hayes had previously had highly interactive shows where listeners drove the shows' content, but were recently instructed by 2FM management to drop features and simply introduce the music."

Oscar watch: Roddy Doyle FTW!

Now that Glen has an Oscar, EVERYONE wants one. Along with the Paddy nod for 'In Bruges' (Original Screenplay), an Irish short called 'New Boy' based on a Roddy Doyle story about an African immigrant struggling to fit in at school is also up for Best Live Action Short Film.

This is Doyle's second-ish Oscar nom. The Commitments was up for best editing, wasn't it?

weird

AIB in Cournelscourt's hold music is Sheryl Crowe's 'Home'.

There are no keys on my keyring

So... I'm officially homeless. How very recession chic of me.

Yesterday, I moved EVERYTHING out of my apartment, and threw out so much shit too. Possibly including my passport, which I now can't find. Oopsies.

It's really sad, because the triangle of myself, Lainey and RoRo who have lived together for over three years in two different gaffs is now broken. Last night, we drank loads of wine, had our final chats, and watched Tara Road like the saddos that we are.

Lainey and RoRo were such fantastic flatmates. I don't think I'll ever have two other people who will put up with all of my shit and acting the maggot and come out of it still being mates! I will miss coming home to them so much. We had so much fun. Through the bad times they were so solid and such an amazing support, and through the good times they were the best people to have a laugh with.

I still haven't got a new gaff because I'm holding out for one I really want, one that inspires me, and one that I can call home, not just a random soulless apartment. So because I'm such a picky McGinty, I guess I'll be seeing a lot of couches over the next couple of weeks!

(FionnTimes took this last photee of the triangle last night.)

O.B.A.M.A.

My Girls, Your Love

Listening to Animal Collective's 'Merriweather Post Pavillion', the simiarities between the best track on it, 'My Girls' to Jamie Principle/Frankie Knuckles' 'Your Love' strikes you straight away.

XXXChange thought so too, so here's the mash-up:

the (very)longlists for the Blog Awards are out

Here!.

This blog is longlisted for Best Popculture Blog, Best Blog from a Journalist and Best Music Blog.

Thanks for nominating me!

Hopefully I'll make the shortlist in one category so Rick can beat me again ;)

Villagers tunes

Nialler9, the ledgebag that he is, has two tunes off the new Villagers EP, 'Hollow Kind'. Got get em!

What a lovely EP cover that is, too.

Telepath - 'Devil's Trident' (Diamond Vampires remix)

I've been listening to Telepathe's 'Dance Mother' record a lot over the past few days. REALLY like it. Kind of like a cross between Bat For Lashes and The Knife, but with added squishy electro if that makes sense?

There's not much info on their MySpace about tour dates, although they did post this message they got:

You girls are hot, but do hot girl bands get the male-groupies or are you guys better than dat?

Out of curiosity, are you girls, girls of virtue? Some times you guys after your set, you guys are accessible to your audience and i'm wondering if you girls ever get any male-groupies. I hope this makes sense, i'm fucking drunk. ABD? always be drinking.

Codes bag Keane support slot

Dublin band CODES have netted a huge support slot @ the O2 and Belfast's Odyssey Arena when Keane come to town this weekend.

I'm a big fan of their stuff. Bravo, lads!

the boys explain themselves:


Guided By Ghosts:

U2 release shit tune shocker

ohhhh discotheque, etc.

Work with The Forberg

Fashion and music photographer extraordinaire Lili, is looking for hair stylists, make up artists, fashion stylists and graphic artists who are looking to expand their portfolios by working with her.

If you think what you've got what it takes, then get in touch with Lili. The deets are on her blog.

Passion Pit hit Wexford Street

From MCD:

Two of 2009’s hotly tipped bands have come together for one special double headliner at Whelan’s. Portland’s Hockey will join up with Boston’s Passion Pit at the Wexford St. venue on Sunday 1 March. Tickets for this one off show are priced €15 incl. booking fee and are on sale at all usual Ticketmaster outlets from Wednesday 21 January.

Here's hoping for a special acapella version of Oro Mo Bhaidin.

Here's the wonderful 'Sleepyhead', a popular little ditty down at SoundCheck these days.

new stuff I'm listening to at the moment

The Bronx
The Bronx
Wichita

Lady Gaga
The Fame
Interscope

Secret Machines
Secret Machines
Co Op

Eagles of Death Metal
Heart On
Downtown

Sky Larkin
The Golden Spike
Wichita

The Phantom Band
Checkmate Savage
Chemikal Underground Records

Women
Women
Jagjaguwar

A Camp
Colonia
Reveal Records

Telepathe
Dance Mother
V2

Diplo
Decent Work For Decent Pay
Big Dada

Mi Ami
Watersports
Quarterstick Records

Bon Iver
Blood Bank
Jagjaguwar

Paypah

Is it wrong to love a song just because of the way Rihanna sings the word 'paper'?

I've tried everywhere to find and embed code for the video, but can't, so just go here to see what I mean.

The return of L Word Mondays

Tonight sees the return of L Word Mondays (or as FionnTimes likes to disdainfully label it, 'the coven'.)

It's the sixth and final season of the L Word, and every Monday for the next six weeks, Lucy will download the latest episode, and up to 20 L Word fans will head to Tainer Bang's Apartment in the Sky, watch the episode projected on to her sitting room wall, and drool at Leisha Hailey, Katherine Moennig, Jennifer Beals, or whoever you're having yourself.

I just finished season 5 last week, so can't WAIT for tonight.

twit

FionnTimes says that I can't avoid Twitter and that 'within months' I'll be all over that shit.

I already joined and unjoined ages ago because I didn't see the benefits of it, why I should constantly update people on what I'm doing when I have a blog and a very busy Facebook status update?

So, Twitter, why should I, and why shouldn't I?

PS: did you know that Jane McGinty was on Twitter? She's right here.

the end of The Indie Hour

Just saw on Nialler's blog that the Indie Hour is no more. CRYSIES

The Indie Hour on Dublin City FM was one of my favourite radio programmes. I wouldn't get to listen to it live due to SoundChecking on Thursday nights, but enjoyed the podcasts so much. They are all here, listen to them!

Aoife McIndie Hour says, "I’ve been putting on the show every Thursday night since June of 2004. In that time, I’ve had an absolute blast. I got to witness first hand the most recent growth of our own home-grown music scene. Although I’m sure it’s the same for anyone who is involved in music during a certain time frame, I felt that I witnessed a pretty exciting time in Irish music."

Aoife is a true champion of quality Irish music, and over the last four years her programme has been a platform for most upcoming bands you can think of, everyone from Super Extra Bonus Party, Fight Like Apes, Adebisi Shank and beyond. I was lucky enough to get to know Aoife over the past while too and she is so sound and talented and there defo has to be an awesome gig in RadioLand for her out there, and I look forward to hearing her on the waves soon.

Aoife will be producing a new monthly Irish music podcast for Nialler9 every month, along with presenting the regular Nialler podcast.

I will miss the Indie Hour, though :(

(photee stolen from Nialler)

SoundCheck photees

The awesome Loreana Rushe came down to SoundCheck last Thursday to snap. Check out the photees on the SoundCheck blog.

Thanks Loreana, you RAWK!

Also big up to the The Ticket (Irish Times) for picking SoundCheck as one of the fun freebie things to do in the city this week.

See yiz on Thursday!

Ze Weekend

Got ready for Partie Monster on Friday, which I am still feeling the reprecussions of now. I dyed my hair gold with body paint and I can't get it out, so every time I touch my hair, my hands are covered in a gold film. Oopsies.

Before that, myself and FionnTimes went for dinner @ Pintxos, breaking our wine embargo and then we went to see Ragin's play @ Project (Brand New). 'Victor and Gord' was BRILLIANT. Such a good, thought-provoking and emotional piece about friendship. I really enjoyed it.

After that, Tainer Bang, Lucy, FionnTimes and I got ready for Partie Monster in my gaff - and the goldness OD. We went to PantiBar for one and the Front Lounge for one. I was wearing a corset dress made out of Tatty Divine 3D tape, and realised half way through my first drink that I wouldn't be able to go to the loo, which was quite traumatic, because my entire body was taped in. Anyway, I made some readjustments, but kind of lost the visual effect of the dress as a result. Partie Monster was LOADS of fun. We danced, and Lili and YoCo came. Then we went to a party and got stuck in a glass lift and everyone had to climb out and be dragged up to the floor we were stuck between ala a late-80s action movie.

Yesterday I went to see The Wrestler. I enjoyed it, and Rourke's performance is awesome, but I thought it would be better...? Am going to see Slumdog Millionaire in the next couple of days and then Milk. That's the plan.

Cynthia Nicole Moreno: murdered for being different.

Last September, my friend and colleague Ali Bracken (she's the crime cor for the Sunday Tribune) travelled to Honduras to investigate human rights abuses, especially violence towards the transgender and gay community there. The piece she wrote is here.

Ali's fixer and translator for the week was Nicole Moreno, a transsexual prostitute.

The level of homophobia is so huge in Honduras, that gay and transsexual prostitutes are frequently assaulted and sometimes murdered after 'clients' have sex with them, because the 'clients' feel so horrified or guilty or angry or whatever about what they have just done. Ali said Cynthia Nicole was one of the most remarkable and interesting people she ever met.

On Tuesday morning, Ali got a shocking and sad phonecall from a human rights worker to say that Cynthia Nicole had been murdered - shot dead in a drive-by shooting. She is the third transgender person to be murdered in the last three months in the capital of Honduras, Tegucigalpa.

In today's Sunday Tribune Ali has a piece about Cynthia Nicole's death, and reflects on the week they spent together and the current situation in Tegucigalpa.

Front Line: Protection of Human Rights Defenders have posted this about Cynthia Nicole, sayinf "Front Line believes that the killing of Cynthia Nicole may be related to her legitimate human rights activities, in particular her involvement in the defence of the rights of the transgender community. Given that there have reportedly been several violent attacks against transgender people in the country in recent months, Front Line is concerned that this may form part of an ongoing trend of harassment against the transgender community in Honduras."

Pump Up The Volume

This old documentary just popped into my head recently. I watched it ages ago, but don't think I've ever blogged about it, and then Anthony and I were talking about it recently and then I forgot about it again and for some reason just thought about it now. Most of you have probably already seen it, but if you haven't, and have any interest at all in music, watch it.

Here's the first part, you can follow up on the rest on YouTube.

tonight

Not drinking is GREAT! I have energy and therefore can go out five, six, seven nights in a row and not be wrecked.

Tonight, I'm going to see Ragin Spice in a play in the Project called Victor and Gord ("Friends since before they can remember Vickey Curtis and Aine McKevitt, aka Victor and Gord, invite you to visit their friendship for fifteen minutes. Devised by the cast and director, Una McKevitt, Victor and Gord is, perhaps, "An insight into a friendship that's like a sisterhood sort of, even though we're not that close anymore, we still are but we're not?"")

Then I might try and make a little bit of Kaboogie's 3rd birthday party @ Twisted Pepper because I wanna check in with my homie The Killer aka Redmonk and Burco and pick up the !k CD compilation that's free for the first 150 people in.

After that, it's Partie Monster @ RiRa. I haven't decide what I'm going to wear yet; I'm either going to go for a Pete-Doherty-killed-by-a-glitter-bomb-look or be a pair of 3-D glasses.

UnaRocks articles of the day

Oprah used to smoke crack - Perez

Remember Helena's jail lover in the L Word? Well, did you know she's arguably the best female fighter in the world? - Curve

The end of White America - the Atlantic

How Biggie changed hip-hop - Slate

Obama to end military's 'don't ask, don't tell' policy - Fox

Beyonce adds third Dublin show - Hotpress

Meet the Hero of the Hudson - New York Magazine

The growing clout of the nouveau poor - The Nation

When newspapers are gone, what will you miss? - Seth Godin

Obama site posts video of LGBT meeting - Advocate

Feminist anti-pop culture/Britney adbusting vandalism (or something) - Jezebel

Women steer Battlestar Galactica's final voyage - Wired

Boy George sentenced to 15 months in jail - Salon

A guide to the musical side of Obama's inauguration - Spin

The best and worst of the L Word - AfterEllen

Does anyone actually believe Jeremy Piven's totally dodgy excuse? - Daily Beast

Is Obama really a feminist? - Bitch

you and I, left alone cannot be trusted, there's a lust we can't control, slowly undress chest to chest...

I can't stress how much I love 'Trouble' by Britney Spears. Maybe it's the similarities between it and 'Blinded By The Lights' and 'Get Together', maybe it's the sentiment, maybe it's because it sounds so awesome in a club and in my headphones, maybe it's because it's Britney's best song ever, maybe it's the reaction it gets anytime I play it at SoundCheck (with people who have heard it loving it and those who haven't saying "who's that?"), maybe it's the lyrics, maybe it's because it just so happens to be exactly in my vocal range so I can belt it out without sounding shit, maybe it's a lot of things, but I listen to it constantly. Beyond OBSESSED.

I've blogged about it before here and here.

MP3s
Britney Spears - 'Trouble'
Britney V Madonna - 'Trouble V Get Together'
Britney Spears feat. Donnis - 'Trouble' remix


TROUBLE

Madonna & Child

This is one of the funniest things I've seen in ages. It's also the best Madonna impersonation I've ever come across. Panti and Perez have already blogged it, watch it NOW.

comforting

Like many people, I'm convinced I'm going to die in a plane crash. Most of my dreams involve plane crashes. But I'm not scared of flying, because I've kind of accepted my fate, and anyway, I have concocted an amazingly simple escape plan should I ever be involved in a crash.

ANYWAY, I always thought those safety demonstrations were totally lying to you when they showed a plane calmly landing on water. You'd presume the whole fecking thing would just break into a million pieces if it hit water, but no! It's true! J

ust look at this US Airways craft that hit the Hudson! And those escape boaty things really work! Amazing. I feel a little safer now.

Pilot hailed 'Hero of the Hudson' - RTE

Road Records RIP

A very sad sign o the times as already discussed by Jim and Ian.

Road was a great store. Dave and Julie are pretty much ledgebags (TM, Nialler9) in my book.

Crysies.

Obama yo-self

Via Panti