Here we have an empyreal live version of our 2019 single “The Rain On A Wave.” I’d forgotten all about this until I accidentally found the file, had a couple of listens and I must say it really grew on me. Recorded on iPhone in Roisin Dubh last September, audio improved with iMovie hum remover. Keep a look out for the official video to the studio recording, featuring the best of Galway street art. It’ll be live on our YouTube channel in the coming days. If I don’t see you through the week I’ll see you through the window. Whaaa????
Music
Rodney Owl’s new single “Blame The Devil” is out now on Bandcamp.
Rodney Owl‘s new single “Blame The Devil,” is out now on Bandcamp.
There’s a big tip of the hat to The Velvet Underground, a rustling of Curtis Mayfield, an after taste of Neil Young, a stench of late 60’s Rolling Stones, a sudden remembrance of Radiohead, and a tiny sprinkling of Hot Chocolate… Yes, the band.
I wrote this song about 10 years ago when I played in a band called Dog House with the intrepid Peter Åkerström Music and the inimitable Juliana Erkkonen of The Raines .
A decade on, and that Scandanavian connection to the song has been rekindled, with the legendary Werner Gladh (better known to you all as V) on the fiddle drones and stabs. Also featuring the very talented and patient Martin Hickey on piano.
It’s almost unrecognizable to the song it once was, a totally new and shiny, shiny version. You can have a listen below. I sincerely hope you like it.
As an experiment, I’ve decided to make “Blame the Devil” available on Bandcamp, Reverbnation and my YouTube channel only… for now at least. Mainly because I’m not a big fan of Spotify, iTunes etc. Not specifically for their streaming payments to artists, it’s also how they’re turning music into a luxury item, and worse still, the constant recommendations makes for easily manipulated, lazy listeners. I feel like we’re all being hoodwinked, directed away from the good stuff that has feeling and emotion. Uh oh, conspiracy nut!
However, all of my other releases are available everywhere. Check out the spotify player below.
I’m off to hibernate for the next couple of weeks before deciding what’s next for Rodney Owl. #okboomer New song awaiting attention.
The Rodney Owl Roadshow for 2020 starts tonight at Cleary’s Window sessions, Newcastle West, Limerick.
The world is turning, the worm is turning, the big wheel keeps on turning. The cogs in my head are rusted, need a good polish. I was once in a band called Proud Mary. We were a quartet from New Zealand. That was a lie. The bit about New Zealand.
You can probably tell I’m not thinking too hard about this, rusty cogs and all. We’ll be performing a couple of brand new songs at this gig, the new single “Blame The Devil” (out next Friday 31st Jan) and a super fresh stage musical type number entitled “Ok Boomer” written about an internet troll who hooked me on a line, because of an honest and righteous instagram interjection. I’ll be playing piano on that one… apparently.
Anywho, I’m off to practice, maybe eat, have a snooze. Indie artists, get off social media, (oh the irony) that’s where they want you, staring at a screen, waiting for nothing to happen, wondering why no one cares, it’s a clusterfuck of empty promises… according to me. Instead, play your music, feel it, improve it, enjoy it, off load whatever weighs it down. Look after it and it will look after you, providing contentment and a real purpose. I love Neil Young.
Big News For A Big big love
Folks, I have an announcement. I’ve teamed up with the good people at http://www.friendsofthecoombe.ie/ to release a charity single, “Wrap Your Trouble In Dreams” just in time for Christmas. This charity is very close to my heart. Read on to find out more… At the moment the track is exclusively available on Bandcamp, however it will be for sale on all platforms soon. Click on this link https://rodneyowl.bandcamp.com/track/wrap-your-troubles-in-dreams to buy the single and donate to a great cause this Christmas. ALL PROCEEDS GO TO FRIENDS OF THE COOMBE.
What’s the Story? – Why Friends of The Coombe?
On February 2nd, 2015 our daughter was born. All seemed well until my partner went into labour and experienced a placental abruption, which resulted in an emergency C-section. Our child entered this world in cardiac arrest, unable to breathe. The amazing staff at University Hospital Galway managed to resuscitate her and the moment an ambulance became available, she was rushed to The Coombe. She was admitted to intensive care, placed in a cooling machine and put into induced hypothermia (to minimize brain swell) for 10 days. For the first week of that time, we had no idea if she was going to survive, and if she did, what quality of life she might have. From day one of our stay in Dublin, Friends of the Coombe provided us with free accommodation, counselling, free meals and most importantly of all, kind words, support, and comfort.
This story has a happy ending, our daughter is now a very happy and healthy 4 (almost 5) year old. We are all eternally grateful to Friends of The Coombe and the help and support they gave to us at that traumatic and worrying time. I’m releasing this charity song to give something back, in the hope that it will help another family in some small way. PS I have no desire to appear on The Late Late Show. Been there, done that. 😉
This song is a cover of an old jazz standard, originally recorded in 1931 and written by Ted Koehler, Billy Moll, and Harry Barris. MCPS Ireland, (on behalf of Shapiro Bernstein & Co. Inc., BMG Rights Management US) has granted me permission to use this song. I in no way claim the song as my own. All proceeds from the sales of this download go to http://www.friendsofthecoombe.ie
Castlebar, we’re coming for you :-)
On stage in Bridge Street tonight at 9pm. We’ll be pouring out this one, goes by the name of “Molly’s Weak,” has it’s own genre – Paranoid Bossa Nova.
See you there!
Gig Tomorrow Night
Feeling positively upbeat and jaunty about the Bridge of Song showcase tomorrow night in Bridge St Bar, Castlebar. A couple of new songs have been added to the set. We’ll be playing a 35 minute show so hits only I guess. 🙂
Humanity was not born to a predetermined destiny
There once was a time when powerful words were spoken softly. Nowadays, power lies with whichever monkey shouts loudest. Zero tolerance towards the beliefs and ideas of others can only be considered an aggressive stance and will most likely exacerbate and deepen the problem you would seek to eradicate. There is no rebuttal to the truth. There is however, much truth to be gleaned from a history of lies.
Humanity was not born to a predetermined destiny. The path is not laid out before us. Earth is not a burden, it’s people not a sin. We have our own future to believe in, free from gods and Greed.
rodney owl 