As way of thanks to a storming Electric Picnic crowd, Jape’s posted a version of Toto’s Africa to download:
http://www.divshare.com/download/5318370-bff

Unfortunately Karma hasn’t seen eye-to-eye with Mr Egan of late as last week his neighbour’s gaff was burgled on accepting delivery of a keyboard in his absence. Jape’s hunt for a Siel Orchestra continues and he’s asking people to keep an ear out if one pops up for sale. You can contact/listen/mooch around on his page:

www.myspace.com/richiejape

Well that was nice while it lasted…

My Hot Press alter-ego took over at Stradbally, zipping Off Her Rocker into a sleeping-bag cocoon for the weekend. Irish music had a really strong presence in this year’s Picnic line-up and it was great to hear loads of good reports back of Halves, SEBP and Jape, while Cathy Davey’s performance was all but sent up in thanks for the celestial weather.
I had the pleasure of spectacular Sigur Ros to wind down on Friday, la Franz on Saturday (and was a bit miffed that they left the stage at 11pm in order to encore and be done by the 11:15 finish listed on the timetable. I met them later that night (*drool*swoon*) there wasn’t a peep of such criticism from yours truly) …My Bloody Valentine on Sunday. They were really the most important performance on the schedule for me and didn’t disappoint, except I wanted membrane-shredding LOUD and didn’t get it….

Over in the Hot Press Chatroom it was all systems go as we had some incredible names lined up for interview: Carbon/Silicon, Elbow, That Petrol Emotion, Foals, Michael Franti and The Roots took the tent by storm: it was so interesting to listen to their stories while hovering with the camera. ?uestlove of The Roots was just riveting, explaining how he started performing on the street because their esoteric hip-hop wasn’t suited for the clubs and years down the line, jamming at Prince’s gaff with Stevie Wonder on piano. Imagine!

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Cloud Castle Lake - The Village - 21/08/08

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Recently renamed and hailing from Derry, I met up with these likely lads Future Chaser at Pulse Studios last week. They won the 2fm School of Rock competition as Organised Confusion a while back and were recording as part of their prize. Keep an eye out!

Here’s a live shot of main man Niall taken at Oxegen by ze Enda Casey of www.gasun.net:

www.myspace.com/futurechaser 

Distractors’ Ciaran Kavangh at Monkey Clock Studios recently.

Distractors have announced a special podcast of recordings from their Monkey Clock studio space in north Dublin. Coinciding with the Olympic date (though I think of it as the year of subtitles, 888!) footage is available tonight at 8pm and promises a range of never-heard-before tracks and video antics. Now you can rock’n'roll from the comfort f your own throne!

www.myspace.com/thedistractors

There’s been loads going on all over the country in recent weeks as this list testifies. You know what that means, don’t you? Ye-es. Loads of photos!

• Donal has Mitchelstown Indie-Pendence all sewn up with Gemma Hayes and The Kinetiks:
• Toni Ireton was on hand for The Red Labels at Oxegen and Fight Like Apes and Robotnik at Castle Palooza
• kDamo was up the front for Super Extra Bonus Party at Mantua Lives
• Celine Burke has some pics of Damien Dempsey at LeCheile on her Flickr:
• Richard Walsh captured the live vibe of Knockanstockan with pics of New Secret Weapon and The Amazing Few
• Jenny Guerin was also at Knockanstockan for Murder of Crows and The Hassle Merchants
• Ruth Medjber snapped her heart out with The Blizzards, Delorentos and Republic of Loose at the Hot Press Signing Tent at Oxegen

Still to come: Irish Green Gathering, Solas, Electric Picnic, Cois Fharraige and Hard Working Class Heroes!