Just a little alternative Halloween Playlist for all your Halloween needs. Over 39 hrs of music chosen to fright and delight you, chill and thrill you from almost every genre you could imagine and maybe a few you wouldn’t. 

If you can find a better collection of songs about Murderers, Mayhem, Ghosts, Ghouls, Witches, Werewolves, Demons and Devils then please send it my way. 

Just a little alternative Halloween Playlist for all your Halloween needs. Over 39 hrs of music chosen to fright and delight you, chill and thrill you from almost every genre you could imagine and maybe a few you wouldn't. 

If you can find a better collection of songs about Murderers, Mayhem, Ghosts, Ghouls, Witches, Werewolves, Demons and Devils then please send it my way. 

Well this is a little special.....Definitely going to be breaking out my Kruder & Dorfmeister tomorrow

Jo Quail - “Salamander”

The first time I saw Jo Quail was when she supported Caspian At their gig in Berlin 2015. Jo Quail is one of the most interesting and fascinating musicians I’ve seen in the last couple of years. The way she uses and explores the possibilities of her cello is simply stunning. With a little help of some loops and some effects she creates such amazing worlds and makes you feel everything without singing a single word. Like “Salamander” which takes you through some very unsettling emotions, the beats at the beginning feel very nervous while the cello is still trying to calm yourself down but continues to fail more and more until everything breaks out of you in some angry burst. But that’s just how this song makes me feel. What does it make you feel? 

Best,

Dörte

Ceoil out the Hole (Irelands Finest) 

 As it's St. Patrick's Day I've put together a playlist of some of the best in Irish music, It's a healthy mix of some of the best acts around the country at the moment with a sprinkling of our musical histroy thrown in. The Irish have left no genre unturned and I think this is pretty representative of all we have to offer. I got super patriotic with this one. Today the world gets to be Irish, I hope you all have an amazing Paddy's Day(.......can’t stress this enough it’s Paddy not Patty, little infuriates the Irish as much as that little fact. It’s nearly as bad as calling us Brits)

#NowPlaying Ceoil out the Hole (Irelands Finest) by Ciaran McAllister

St. Patricks Day message from Michael D. Higgins, President of Ireland

"On this St. Patrick’s Day 2017 may I, on this special day for the Irish at home and abroad, send my warmest greetings as Uachtarán na hÉireann President of Ireland to Irish people, wherever they may be, and in whatever circumstance, and greetings too to all those who are joining us in celebrating our National Day and our rich cultural heritage.

It is a source of pride to all of us Irish that our National Day is celebrated not just here in Ireland, but in countless places around the world where members of the Irish global family have been able to make their homes. We are, as a people with a wide diaspora, happy to have the opportunity to share our national day with those who will join us in our celebration of our culture, our songs and our language.

As a migrant people, the Irish have brought their culture and traditions to many new homelands, and in doing so they have been peerless ambassadors for our nation. It is thanks to the millions of Irish emigrants that Irishness, and our Irish national day, is celebrated with such affection and enthusiasm all over the globe.

It is appropriate that we celebrate as our National Day the Day of St. Patrick, whose own life story was one of hardship and migration. St. Patrick, we are told, was trafficked into Ireland as a slave, managed to escape, but chose to leave his native land again and return to Ireland. In the centuries that followed, migration has remained a constant feature of the Irish experience, defining us as a people, and shaping our outlook on the world.

Since taking office I have set out to visit many of our Irish communities abroad, to be given the opportunity to hear their experiences and to connect with their hopes and concerns. Then too, over 80,000 people have visited Sabina and I at Áras an Uachtaráin – people who are active in community groups and civil society organisations who are building an inclusive, sustainable and fair society. Their passion, energy and commitment are building blocks of our nation, and their practical actions of solidarity provide the threads that make up the multi-coloured tapestry that is our Irish nation today.

Today, on St. Patrick’s Day, we celebrate Irishness at is best, and we reflect on the impact our culture and heritage have had around the world.

This Spring, as nature signals the beginning of the season of hope and renewal, let us all work to build the future we hope for and that is rich in shared possibilities. Let us renew our commitment to build on the rich seam of Irish achievements and creativity, in fields as diverse as the arts, science, humanitarianism, politics and business, and work, together, towards achieving the best version of ourselves, for all of us Irish, for our children, our children’s children and for all those with whom we share this vulnerable planet.

To my fellow Irish citizens, and to our friends celebrating the day with us: May I wish you a happy and enjoyable St. Patrick’s Day 2017.

Beir beannacht."

footnote: Michael D is a President to be proud of, a politician, poet, sociologist, author, but at this very moment theTaoisech (prime minister) is in Washington kissing the ass of Trump a man who is the antithesis of the message of President Higgins, that sickens me. Enda Kenny is a disgrace and is not representative of Ireland as a whole. Some of us have a still have a spine

Fuck sake, if you’re going to have a festival celebrating the Irish then you really need to do as the Irish do. We fucking legalised Gay marriage through the popular vote. I know the popular vote doesn’t mean a lot in America these days but if you’re celebrating our culture then you can fucking well celebrate every part of it that includes our heart. We’ve embraced love in all it’s forms, loudly and proudly, for all the world to see. 

You know for countless  years America(and others) through film and television have painted the Irish as a backwards country seemingly decades behind the rest of the world, but clearly we’re not the ones who are stuck in a time gone by, we’re not perfect but at least we’re progressing. Listen I’m not trying to paint all Americans with the same brush, I know that this is probably a minority but the hypocrisy of celebrating an inclusive culture by excluding those we very publicly accepted pissed me right off and should piss you off too.

Love wins

LGBTQ rights are human rights

Acceptance takes so much less effort than hate

The Black Madonna - Venus Requiem

Happy International Women’s day to all the glorious females of the world. I’m forever in awe of your strength and general brilliance. I’m sorry for all the shit my gender has put you through. To all those who marched across the world today, I  promise to help you fight for a more equal future. Special thanks to the females in my life, my Mother, my Sister,my Aunts and my Friends who are just far better than I deserve, They give so much, ask for so little and who take absolutely none of my shit.

 Repeal the 8th!

Todd Terje -Jungelknugen (Four Tet Remix)

Wax Tailor feat. Lee Fields - The Road is Ruff

There is absolutely nothing about the combination of a soul legend and a Trip Hop producer that I don’t like. I was lucky enough to see Lee Fields & the Expressions live  a few weeks ago and it was one of my highlights of the year so far. Ageing like a fine wine

The Growlers - I'll Be Around (Official Music Video)

Do yourself a favour and give Pine The Pilcrow a listen, your ears, your heart and your soul will appreciate it. This is the Dublin trio's debut ep and it's brimming with the bands own brand of melancholy folk.

the inevitable conclusion

Jean-Michel Blais - il

Unf........ It’s hearing music like this that reminds me why giving up playing piano is probably the biggest regret in my life. absolutely magical

A Message To The Irish Americans:

If you’re one of the millions of loud and proud Americans who claim Irish ancestry and you’re in support of Trump and the hate he is perpetuating then you should be ashamed, you’ve forgotten your history and you’ve forgotten your blood. It’s not so long since we were called the terrorists, we were the filthy immigrants, we were the problem for the so called god fearing countries. If you are in support of the fascist simpleton in the white house dancing to the tune of a Nazi organ grinder then you have no right to claim ties to Ireland, Ireland wants no part of you, your ancestors are ashamed

and finally to the Irish Americans who are standing against him, give him hell, take to the streets and support your fellow immigrants and all those facing persecution. The Irish can be found on every continent, every religion, we come in all shapes and sizes, we are all colours, we’re gay, straight, bi and trans but no matter what we’re all fucking Irish and that’s something to be proud of.

Forever in Love with Janelle Monae

Janelle Monáe for American Way Magazine (February 2017 Issue) 

for American Airlines

Photos by Martin Schueller

Sinkane  -  U’Huh

and now for something a little more uplifting after my last post

(”We’re all going to be alright, U’Huh!”)