Cover versions get a lot of bad press. They provoke the backward-thinking, reactionary and greedy publishers – and artists doing covers often get criticised for lack of originality or artistic integrity. As much as I love hearing new original music, I can also be inspired by good covers. For this reason, I felt motivated to [...]
Not just the X-Factor, but American Idol, America/Britain’s got Talent – and the rest of their ilk. Are they destroying real, grassroots music? I think so and in this article I’m going to explain why. I feel I should start off with a confession. I watched the first few series of the X-Factor religiously (except [...]
If you are an independent artist or band that uses the internet to try and get your music heard, cut this chart out and stick it on the wall next to your computer! How to Use the Social Media Matrix Honestly rate yourself for the quality of your music, and for your attitude and approach [...]
Nobody connected with music in any way can help but notice how dramatically the landscape is changing. The way people find, listen to and pay for music has changed forever and will keep on changing for the foreseeable future. The big record companies are fighting a doomed rearguard action against illegal downloads. And the recent [...]
Contemplating The Muse – No. 3. Linda Ibbotson
Contemplating The Muse – No. 3. Linda Ibbotson With Guest – Cliff Horseman ** . . . . . . .. . “There is another world but it is in this one” W B Yeats Welcome. Thank you for joining me in another leg of my poetic journey. In my last article I featured the [...]
Musicians Together Dublin Welcomes Charlie Roth
Musicians Together Dublin Welcomes Charlie Roth June 2013 Charlie Roth was our very special guest at a mini MT gig ’MT Charlie’ held in Fibbers On The Quays Rock Bar on June 5th. and at a sit down session in Darkey Kelly’s on June 4th. It all started when Sean Brophy of Dublin City FM [...]
ALAINA BLAIR – Self Titled CD reviewed by Robert Craven
‘Alaina Blair’ Self Titled CD reviewed by Robert Craven . Describing her music as ‘soulful pop-rock’ 20yr old Alaina Blair belies her youth with an accomplished album with each tack showing a high degree of nous for radio-friendly airplay. Citing her influences as Joss Stone, Sheryl Crow, Grace Potter and Norah Jones, Aliana’s debut album [...]
BANNED FOR LIFE (Paperback) by D. R. Haney, reviewed by Robert Craven
BANNED FOR LIFE (Paperback) by D. R. Haney – reviewed by Robert Craven Just as bebop was the soundtrack to Jack Kerouac, Alan Ginsberg and Neil Cassady, so the sounds of CBGB’s, The Velvet Underground, Iggy and the Stooges, The Clash, The Sex Pistols and New York Dolls fuel D.R. Haney’s odyssey `Banned for Life’. [...]
ROBERT CRAVEN – Writer and music reviewer, in his own words.
Robert Craven is an author and music reviewer for Musicians Together Magazine. Robert lives in the seaside town of Rush in County Dublin, Ireland. . I have two novels; ‘Get Lenin’ and the sequel ‘Zinnman’, published by Taylor Street Publishing and which are currently available for Kindle download and paperback on Amazon.com and Amazon UK. [...]
SONGWRITING REFINED – Justin (Oswlek)
Songwriting Refined Justin (Oswlek) Hello everyone, welcome to my initial foray into the writing-about-songwriting realm. This will either be the first of several installments on a series of different subjects, or an experiment gone horribly wrong. Time will tell. I should admit that I have no great qualification for this role. I’m neither an acclaimed [...]
