WELCOME to this week's Noise Annoys, in which you'll learn about the new album by Co Down singer/songwriter Matt McGinn and take note of some interesting free shows and panels/lectures coming to Belfast courtesy of this year's Output music conference.
:: Matt McGinn – Lessons of War (Matt McGinn Music)
"WAR – huh, yeah: what is it good for? Absolutely nothing." So sang Edwin Starr back in 1970. While auld Eddie was undoubtedly right on the button with those anti-Vietnam sentiments, at least he got an iconic tune out of man's seemingly limitless capacity for inflicting cruelty upon his fellow man: War's soul-powered lamentation of conflict is one of the only protest songs that can legitimately claim to be 'funky'.
Hilltown bard Matt McGinn's new, eclectic collection of folky acoustic guitar-based and multi-instrument embellished songs have also been very much inspired by violence – in Ireland and abroad.
The album's concept was that Matt would collaborate with other songwriters and musicians from a variety of conflict zones to help broaden his perspective: thus virtuoso flamenco guitarist Yazan Ibrahim from the contested Golan Heights features on several songs, with the album also including cameos by London's refugee-based Citizens of the World Choir, Sierra Leone percussionist/philanthropist Anthony Seydu, Derry musician and Children In Crossfire founder Richard Moore, who was blinded by a plastic bullet when he was 11, and Belfast band manager/engineer Mark Kelly who lost his legs in a bombing at the age of 18.
You'll already have heard the LP's affecting lead single Bubblegum, a ballad co-written with Mick Flannery on which guest vocalist Ciara O'Neill sings slice-of-disturbed-life lyrics based on the 1981 teenage diary of Lurgan woman Bronagh McAtasney: musings on pop favourites, boy crushes and homework sit next to hunger strikes, bombings, riots and sectarianism like it weren't no thing.
This song sits at the heart of Lessons of War, the rousing title track of which finds Matt appealing to those in power to take stock of human suffering with a little help from the massed vocals of the Citizens of the World Choir, who join him to deliver the tune's catchy Arabic refrain 'as-salamu Alaykum Dayimaan' – may peace be upon you forever.
Another highlight is a co-write with Malojian man Stevie Scullion, Child of War, a foot-stomper driven by Karen Porter's propulsive heavy metal cello riffing which contrasts nicely with the following ballads, the gentle 'as Gaeilge' An Shuaimhneas (One Day of Peace) and Lyra, a heart-rending ode to the late Lyra McKee, sung beautifully by Rita Maguire.
However, at the moment my favourite track is I Was There, a flute (courtesy of Barry Kerr) and organ (tinkled by John McCullough) infused affair which reminds listeners to take a look within before casting blame elsewhere as Matt takes us on a light-footed jazz-rock-informed tour of global clashes and suffering from Belfast to Calais.
As he sings on the plaintive album finale When Will We Learn, "every man has a choice if their fists or their voice will lead them on their way" – some thorough listening to Lessons of War should have everyone reassessing their own choice for the greater good.
The album is released on February 3 and is available on CD direct from Matt at Mattmcginnmusic.com. Look out for the forthcoming documentary about the making of the record from film-maker Colm Laverty, try to catch Matt live later this month on February 29 at The Manor House in Coleraine and remember: when it comes to the 'game' of war, the only winning move is not to play.
:: Output 2020
AS MENTIONED in a previous column, this year's Output festival is almost upon us. Hosted by The MAC in Belfast, the annual one day event on Thursday February 13 is geared towards all things related to 'the music industry' and thus will, as ever, bring with it a full programme of music-related workshops, speeches, networking events and free live shows.
Output 2020's opening keynote speakers Paul Pacifico (chief executive with the Association of Independent Music), Beverley Whitrick (Music Venues Trust) and Tom Kiehl (acting chief executive UK Music) will be attempting to explain The Music Industry in 2020: Tracks, Trends, Opportunities (10am to 11.15am).
There's quite a few interesting/useful looking panels in this year's programme, including the following selections which are very much only the tip of the Output iceberg;
SelfMade Presents – The 100% DIY Guide to Your First Release (11.30am to 12.30pm) Words of wisdom from Problem Patterns' Alanah Smith, singer/songwriter Jess Kav, Ailbhe Reddy (songwriter) and Darragh Nolan (artist/producer) and moderated by Julie Hough of Dublin DIY initiative SelfMade.
Confessions of A Female Tour Manager – From Motorhead to Black Sabbath, One Woman's Journey Through a Male World, And How You Can Follow in Her Footsteps (12.40pm to 1.20pm) Seasoned tour manager Kim Hawes in conversation with journalist Roisin Dwyer.
Radio Free Europe – How to unlock BBC Introducing, RTE & Across The Line engagement: Pitching New Music to the key UK and Ireland Gatekeepers (1.30pm to 2.30pm) New music-friendly broadcasters Dan Hegarty (RTE 2FM), Gemma Bradley (BBC ATL), Kelly Betts, Millie Carter, Tom Billington (BBC Introducing) plus moderator Lara Baker (Songtrust)
The Joy of Running an Independent Label – How to set up and grow your own (1.30pm to 2.30pm) Featuring Ceri Dixon (RubyWorks), Mark Lippmann (Scruff of The Neck Records), Joey Edwards (Pizza Pizza Records) and moderator Aaron Casey.
How Did You Manage That? Live podcast recording (2.45pm to 3.45pm) With Trevor Dietz (manager of Fontaines DC) and moderators Ally McCrae (BBC) and Sophie Paluch (Pouch Music), introduced by Jane Stynes (Music Managers Forum)
Picture This – Creating Iconic Images for Your Band That Will Cut Through (2.45pm to 3.45pm) How to create timeless images of your act with pro snappers Bradley Quinn (official Snow Patrol photographer), Ruth Medjber (photos for Hozier, Arcade Fire etc) and moderator Ciara McMullan.
You can find out how to sign up for these sessions and indeed discover more about the full Output 2020 programme at Outputbelfast.com. Oddly, at time of press the website was lacking any details of the event's free evening live showcases, which look a lot (exactly) like this:
The Duke of York
Downstairs: No Oil Paintings (11pm), Shane Joyce (10pm), Arvo Party (9pm), Old Sea Legs (8pm)
Upstairs: Sundown (11.30pm), Somebody's Child (10.30pm), Kehli (9.30pm), Elkin (8.30pm)
The National
Problem Patterns (11.15pm), Cloakroom Q (10.15pm), Reevah (9.15pm), Gemma Bradley (8.15pm)
Oh Yeah
Sister Ghost (11pm), The Florentinas (10pm), Sasha Samara (9pm), Joel Harkin (8pm)
The Black Box
Strange New Places (11.15pm), Wynona Bleach (10.15pm), Gender Chores (9.15pm), Lucy Gaffney (8.15pm)
The Dirty Onion
Cherym (11.15pm), Alice La (10.15pm), Lavengro (9.15pm), Leo Miyagee (8.15pm)
Voodoo
Scimitar (11.30pm), Sugarwolf (10.30pm), God Alone (9.30pm), Gas Hands (8.30pm)
Bullitt
Fears (11pm), Junk Drawer (10pm), The Bonk (9pm), Son Zept (8pm)
Babel Rooftop
Ferals (11.30pm), Koyoto Love Hotel (10.30pm), Dani (9.30pm), Porphyry (8.30pm)
Ulster Sports Club
Downstairs: Outsider YP (11.30pm), Tebi Rex (10.30pm), Dark Tropics (9.30pm), Laytha (8.30pm)
Upstairs: Careerist (11pm), Silverbacks (10pm), April (9pm), Trick Mist (8pm)
Committee Room: Rory Nellis (10.30pm), Conor Scott (9.30pm)
