Early 2009, however, saw them embark on pastures further afield. They signed a licensing deal for the album with Japanese major JVC, which was followed by a visit to Tokyo, a whirlwind of Japanese promo and a couple of packed showcase shows in the prestigious FAB venue.

They toured the length and breadth of the UK impressing everywhere they ventured with their own brand of melodic indie-rock.

Never ones to rest on their laurels, they have recorded in the historic Sawmills studio in Cornwall. After the success of their debut, the band were eager to get stuck in to their follow-up album, “Tony was an Ex-Con”, which has been produced by John Cornfield (of Muse, Supergrass & Razorlight fame) and this has become another instant smash hit upon it’s release in late September 2009.

They will continue to build on their ever-growing following with tours planned both domestically, in Europe and in Asia. One of Ireland’s “most likely to succeed” acts!

Steve and Joe have also re-released albums by their former band “The Stunning” and have undertaken major tours that have propelled that band back into one of the biggest live draws in the country. ‘Brewing up a Storm’, a massive hit in the nineties for “The Stunning”, is almost an unofficial Irish national anthem. Every Irish person in the world knows it. “The Stunning” only tour every two years. “The Walls” own ‘To the Bright and Shining Sun’ has a similar status among music fans globally.

The Walls are currently putting the finishing touches to their third album, which will be released in 2010.

“Seeing this project come alive over the last 18 months has been one of the most inspirational periods of my life. To give back to the people that saved my life, means so much to me.”

‘Hide & Seek’ was recorded in Los Angeles in 2007 with two highly acclaimed producers, 11-time Grammy winner Rafa Sardina (Stevie Wonder, Luis Miguel, Macy Gray) and Cheche Alara (Christina Aguilera, Pink), whom he met after two impressive solo showcases in Los Angeles in mid-2006. “Gerry was asked to make a wish-list for his band to record with in Los Angeles. He chose Peter Thorn (Chris Cornell, Linda Perry, Courtney Love, Jewel), Sean Hurley (Alicia Keys, John Mayer, David Ryan Harris) and Toss Panos (Andy Summers, Steve Vai) – he got all three. Gerry gets what he wants!” says Sardina.

The Young Troubadour and his musical journey began in the summer of 2005 with the creation of a critically acclaimed foursome (drums, bass, guitar and keys), Minus Circus. 29-year-old Scullion has toured Sydney, England, Scotland, Australia, Ireland and Los Angeles, and has shared stages with some of the largest names in the Irish and international music industry, such as Fun Lovin Criminals, The Blizzards, Peter Mulvey, Gary Knock, Nell Bryden, Roisin Murphy, Majella Murphy, Shay Cotter, Roesy, Mundy, Declan O’Rourke, Ray Heffernan and SJ McArdle.

Now based in Sydney, Australia, Minus Circus has just finished the recording of his debut album which was recorded both in County Wicklow, Ireland and in Sydney with Australian producer Brendan O’Brien. The album will be released in early 2011.

Luán has performed on many National TV shows including Ireland’s longest running TV show: RTE’s the Late Late Show (where she first performed a song she wrote at the age of 11 years old), Tubridy Tonight, The Café, WeTV and TV3’s Ireland AM, & Xpose. She has also performed on all National, regional and local Irish radio shows including: Today FM & RTE Radio 1. Luán regularly features in National press and magazines and has received rave reviews from the Top Music & Entertainment critics in the country. No novice to the music industry, she has been singing since age 7 and writing & performing since age 11.

Her very successful debut album “Free” spawned a hugely popular Top 10 hit single (“Ghost”) and paved the way for a most promising future and career as one of Ireland’s leading artists.

A new album is in the works and it is looking very promising for Parle to spread her popularity outside of Ireland

Packing his bags, Myles left behind his native Dublin and headed for the tranquillity of Dingle, on Ireland’s rugged west coast.

Returning to Dublin several months later with a laptop full of songs, Myles began the process of “putting meat on the bones of the songs”.

Recorded at various points over the course of that year, including Wicklow, London, Dublin and Nashville, the result (the album “Weightless”) is a collection of beautifully crafted songs, sometimes intimate, sometimes fragile, always honest and unmistakably “Juno Falls”.

Road-tested on a tour of the UK and Ireland with “Travis”, the new songs found their live legs.

The “band” became victims of industry changes when Universal bought out their label V2 – but Myles has been putting all his energy into writing, recording and dreaming it all up again. He retains the moniker “Juno Falls”, and the highly anticipated results of his new writing should be unleashed upon the world sometime during 2010.

“Juno Falls” – “Face of the Day” contribution to Music Box for Life is an exclusive.

It elevates Barnes to a truly unique sound having forged his style and delivery over years of touring the US and Europe with the likes of Eric Bibb, Taj Mahal, Jeff Beck, Alison Krauss, Seasick Steve, The Blind Boys of Alabama and many more.

As a musician, Barnes is highly regarded as one of the finest performers on the roots circuit, a reputation solidified by his lyrical and song writing prowess.

His work is populated with stories of characters running and returning, longing and dreaming, down on their luck and finally finding peace, characters so thick with realism you could feel them move right through you.

Out of the studio and onto the stage, Barnes is not to be missed, as a live performer for this is where the sheer raw honesty and energy is each track comes to life.

RTE’s Harry Guiren noted in a review of Clive Barnes performing at Vicar Street, Dublin, “Clive is a guitarist who can make one acoustic sound like six. Barnes transported the entire, hushed venue across the Atlantic to where the paths taken by the Delta Blues, Tom Waits and Bruce Springsteen all led to his own special territory.”

‘Little Man’ is a live track featuring the Maynooth Gospel Choir from Jack L’s album ‘The Story So Far – The Essential Collection’. It is a long awaited retrospective celebrating a career spanning over a decade by one of Ireland’s best-loved recording artists and performers. Jack L’s live performances could hardly be described simply as “concerts”… The cross the boundaries into theatre, poetry and cabaret.

The album was inspired by the bestseller novelist Anna McPartlin’s latest novel ‘So What If I am Broken’ based on the lives of fictional fans of Jack L.

‘The Story So Far’ features Jack’s most sought after songs. It has been remastered and includes bonus tracks personally selected from Jack’s favourite recordings from over the years. The songs are taken from Jacks 6 platinum albums to date, Wax, Metropolis Blue, Universe, The Little Universe Show, Broken Songs, Burn On and the DVD Chez Jack L.

Juliet has three studio albums, a live album, double platinum sales and a Meteor Music Award under her belt.

The later songs are thoughtful and less acerbic than some of her previous writing and the narrative lines running through them are sympathetic and full of warmth. On stage, Juliet Turner has a wry charm, a beautiful voice and fine lyrics, making her a compelling live performer. The release of new material seems to fall in a four-year cycle and her latest album “People Have Names” was very eagerly anticipated. It did not disappoint, being her most critically acclaimed album to date.

Born in Dungiven, Northern Ireland – Rough Trade Records released her first 3 solo albums (“Cara Dillon”, “Sweet Libery” and “After the Morning”). All have had astonishing success and showered her with countless awards and accolades.

In 2006 Cara gave birth to twin boys Noah and Colm, who were born extremely premature and subsequently spent a great deal of time in hospital. This makes “Music Box for Life” all the more special for Cara (and and her husband / musical partner Sam Lakeman).

During the course of her career she has performed to appreciative audiences the world over. 2008 saw the release of Cara’s first live DVD called ” The Redcastle Sessions” and her latest and critically acclaimed album “Hill Of Thieves” was released in 2009.

Whether she’s singing native traditional songs of lost love and emigration, or original compositions, you will be hard pressed to find a more emotive and captivating performer. Cara Dillon is at the very top of her field and should remain there for a very long time.

By going their own way, Republic Of Loose has forged their own originality and naivety; with a hip swinging centre that women – and yes, you men too! – love!! The music has its own authenticity because it’s forged from passion and empathy, not from style and careerism, and it’s already paid off; when released in Ireland the album “Aaagh!” reached number two in the charts and garnered two nominations apiece for the prestigious Meteor and Choice Awards. Meanwhile, mesmerising live performances led to tour supports with The Neville Brothers, The Thrills, The Zutons, Scissor Sisters, Alabama 3, Fun Lovin’ Criminals, Snow Patrol, The Roots, and Dilated Peoples, plus festival appearances at Glastonbury, Oxygen and many others.