I have just arrived home from the funeral of Derek Nally, a very unique and inspirational figure in the Irish music industry and a tireless champion of emerging Irish artists. It is a sad day for all those who knew Derek, not least his family but also all of the artists and bands who benefited immensely from his wise no-nonsense advice and support. I feel very privileged to have been on the receiving end of that advice on many many occasions and it is something that I will dearly miss on the road ahead. I first met Derek back in 2003 when I was looking for a manager armed with a two song demo CD. A friend had suggested I approach him and so I called up to Whelans and introduced myself. At first I didn’t know what to make of this tall rather strange looking character who seemed distracted, opening the post containing demo after demo. I gave him my CD and he said he would have a listen. Just before midnight that night I was in bed when my phone rang (Derek didn’t do normal business hours!), he loved the two songs I gave him and was incredibly enthusiastic and passionate in his appraisal of the music.

Ever since that day I have always been able to rely on Derek when unsure on how to navigate the uncertain waters of the music business. He became a mentor to me and a friend. He booked me gigs and sent off my demos to record labels and publishing companies, told me if he didn’t like a song and equally told me when he thought the music was great. I last saw Derek some months ago when we met in Whelans and chatted over tea with various trips to the door so Derek could avail of a cigarette break! He loved to talk and you never knew where the conversation would go and that was Derek’s charm. He was so passionate and knowledgeable about music that it was infectious and he treated musicians with the greatest of courtesy and respect. I really don’t know how this void will be filled in a time of great difficulty for music.

Last Thursday evening I was on cloud nine recording with Karl Odlum (who Derek suggested I work with) and delighted with progress on the new album when we heard the tragic news. It was a shock to say the least and so sad to think he had passed so suddenly and without warning. I searched for an email I had sent him a couple of weeks ago, it read:

Hi Derek,

Been making a new record with Karl Odlum up in the Tyrone Guthrie Centre. I am really pleased with how it is going.
Will be in touch when we get to the mixing stage, should be around September realistically.

Hope you are keeping well,

Best,

Paul

Very sad to think Derek will not be there anymore. He will be greatly missed by so many people. One of the good guys for sure. All I can say is thank you!

Paul

Apologies I have been so quiet of late but it has been somewhat necessary due to the recording of the new album. There are some changes ahead for me musically and all will be revealed in the coming months. I am midway through a new album and without wanting to jinx anything I am really really pleased with progress so far. I am recently back from recording in The Tyrone Guthrie Centre in Co. Monaghan with a new band and producer Karl Odlum. We recorded 7 new songs there in 3 days and I am now working on more with Karl in Dublin.

With a little bit of luck we will get to go back up to Monaghan for one more stint and my hope is come September-ish the album will be finished! There will be a complete new website at a new address and all of this is on-going with new artwork being developed as I make the album and I hope for this to be launched come September. Thanks so much for your patience and I can’t wait for people to hear the new record and to get out there playing gigs again.  I feel a little like a caged animal not playing live of late but I will  be back doing gigs from October and am very much  looking forward to it. Things have been quiet from the outside looking in but reverse it has been quiet the opposite - very intense and very creative. I hope you feel it was worth the wait, I can’t wait to get this album out there - it’s been a long road but you’ve got to walk through the mud if you want to get to the forest!!

Not too long now…

Thanks,

Paul

Due to recording commitments I have been forced to pull out of the upcoming Bewley’s show scheduled for Saturday 13th March. I am very sorry to those who had been planning on attending the event. All my focus is now on making a new record and I have decided not to do any gigs until it is done. I hope you understand and am sure it will be worth the wait.

All is not lost however as the show will go ahead with Emmet Scanlan & What The Good Thought joined now by up and coming Dublin singer/songwriter Rob Mathews. These are two acts that I would highly recommend seeing live! I just regret that I myself can’t be there. Go along and enjoy immensely!!!!

I am going back to focus on making a great record. It will be done when it’s done and I look forward to playing live after it is finished!

Thanks for your continued support,

Paul

Morning all,

Just a quick update to let you know a little of what’s been going on! I’ve been recording lots and making a new record. I have been ordered to go on a strict artistic diet - no facebook, no twitter, no clutter for the mind. As you can tell by this post I have not been sticking to it but I will as I want to get this record right.

In the meantime for anyone in London I will be doing gigs there from this Sunday 31st, 1st, 2nd & 3rd and there will be a show in Bewleys in Dublin on 13th March with the great Emmet Scanlan & What The Good Thought. With these few exceptions I will be going into hibernation to record and make the record I simply have to make. There’s no telling how long this will take but to say that it will take as long as it needs to take.

Thanks a million for your continued support and see you soon,

Paul

p.s. link to gigs: http://paulhourican.net/index.php?page_id=3

Just to let you know that there are two new videos now online on youtube.com. Both songs are taken from the recent gig on December 5th in The Cobblestone in Dublin. They are two new songs and have not yet been recorded in the studio. The first is called ‘Burning Bright’ and can be viewed here:

Burning Bright Live at The Cobblestones in Dublin 5th December 2009

The second is a song called ‘I Will Follow You Down’ which can be viewed here:

I Will Follow You Down Live at The Cobblestones in Dublin 5th Dec 2009

Looking forward to seeing you all in the new year with a new album and possibly a new name too! You never know!!

Hapy Christmas and thanks to all!!

Paul

I’d just like to say a big thank you to all who came out to The Cobblestones on Saturday just gone. A great great night all round with fantastic performances from Rob Mathews and Owen Branagan. And thank you to all of you who came to gigs over 2009, all Dublin shows this year were sell-outs which is great! Onwards and upwards for a new year and a new decade. Happy to report that I have lots of new material and getting into the studio to make a new record now for next while. I will update as things progress and am very very excited about having a fantastic year in 201o.

Best wishes to all,

Paul

Hope you are all looking forward to getting the festive season off to a great start this Saturday 5th December in The Cobblestones! We certainly are here at www.paulhourican.net! As previously anounced Paul will be playing a full band gig this Saturday and the support acts Owen Branagan and Rob Mathews are seriously good and not to be missed! Stage times on the night are as follows;

Doors: 9pm

Rob Mathews: 9.30pm

Owen Branagan: 10pm

Paul Hourican (with band) 10.30pm

Tickets available at door for 12 euros!

Exciting news of new ‘going’s on’ around here! Paul has confirmed that he will begin recording a new record in December and that he will be working with the very much acclaimed producer Karl Odlum who’s list of credits include Gemma Hayes, David Kitt, Fionn Regan, The Frames, Mark Geary, Kila and many many more! No word on track names or titles or anything yet but it is scheduled for an early 2010 release! More news as we get it!!

Following on from a very successful flirtation with new material in Bewleys Theatre Cafe Paul will be rounding off 2009 on the live front with a full band show on Saturday 5th December in the fantastic venue ‘The Backroom’ in The Cobblestones Smithfield, Dublin. Join us on Saturday 5th December from 9pm where Paul will be joined by Owen Branagan and Rob Mathews on stage. It will be the full band’s last gig of the year and the last gig before they go into the recording studio to record a brand new record!!It will be a night of fun and frolicks for everyone so come one come all! Admission will be 12 Euros at the door on the night and there will be no pre-sale options so come early to avoid disappointment!

Hey Everyone,

I just want to say thanks so much to all who were there in Bewley’s last night. You were amazing!!! I really really enjoyed the gig, what a venue, what an audience and what a night!! Loved it!! More on the way I promise you!! Plus we have some footage of last night thanks to Eleanor Bowman - a star to pull it off at such short notice!!! Watch this space for video footage over the coming days and announcement of more shows!!!

Best wishes and thanks,

Paul

Deep in the writing process for a new record Paul will be coming up for some air in Dublin on Thursday October 1st. The venue is the beautiful and intimate Bewley’s Cafe Theatre on Grafton Street in the heart of Ireland’s capital. On stage Paul will be joined by upcoming acoustic Dublin outfit The Mysterious Chords who will kick start the evenings affairs. This will be a very special acoustic show previewing new tracks that may be on the forthcoming record. Paul will be without band but will be joined by his trusty sidekick Sue to share vocal duties on the night.

There are no pre-sale ticket options available and admission will be granted on a first come first served basis only, so arrive early! Doors are at 8pm and admission is 10euros.

It’s early morning as I write from Spain, the morning after the night before. The night before was a long one, an enjoyable one with far too much alcohol involved. It was just me and the old man eating, talking and drinking of course and ending up in places one should never really go to especially with your father but alas such is life and so be it!

I am writing because there has been a lack of correspondence of late and the old man got his knickers in a twist about it! ‘I went on your website and there’s nothing happening! What the fuck are you doing’? Etc. etc. Well, he has a point I can see. Of late I have been keeping a low profile really, not many gigs, if I did I didn’t announce them, not putting out new material or communicating with those of you who come to the shows and buy the records etc. Well all apologies, as the man said!

So this morning in the glorious sunshinnnne (pity about the Oasis split really) in Espania I wanted to let you in on what I have been up to. Well there is good news and then there’s some more good news. I have been writing and then I have been writing some more and after that I did some writing and low and behold I believe there is a new record on the horizon (why do I think of U2 when I say that word?). I have lots of material now to choose from and a record is taking shape in my head. I’m excited, very excited. There will also be some shows (to be announced in the coming weeks) this side of Christmas, at least one in Dublin and more around Ireland with our sights set on London at some point. There will be a new look website too, eventually (early days!) and a very busy touring schedule for 2010 along with a yes, a wedding to boot! I am delighted to say to you dear friends that I was recently engaged to my beautiful girlfriend of 5 or so years Susan Kelly! And while I am on the subject Sue has been working very closely with me on the music and will play a very prominent role on the album nuevo along with the upcoming live shows!

All in all, there is plenty in store and then some more with new songs being written and recorded, new videos being made, new tour dates being booked and a new album coming soon.  I will endeavour to keep in touch much more and promise an airing of some new material this side of Christmas and maybe a even a gift for those who have beed good! But you have to be good!!
But if you want to hear more you should come to a gig where we will be taking new songs for a test drive!

Until the next time…

Adios amigos!!

Paolo

Paul will be playing his first gig in ‘the garden of Ireland’ on Saturday 4th April in the wonderful Conary Arts Centre just outside Avoca in Co. Wicklow. Paul will be joined by Elton Mullally on Bass and Robin Ball on Drums on the night and tickets are now availble through the Conary Arts Centre website at www.conary.net

For all you hot lover’s out there… come and join us this Valentine’s Night, Saturday 14th February, in Dublin’s premier Art space Gallery Number One for ‘An Evening with Paul Hourican’. This is a FREE event with FREE beer!!!! No, not because i am so generous (if i had my way it would be a much more costly affair believe me!!) but rather because the gallery is so generous!!!! The wonderfully talented up and coming singer/singwriter Rob Walsh will be special guest on the evening!

Places are limited and people are advised to reserve their free admission by emailing their names to info@paulhourican.net
Doors are at 8pm until late!!!

It is with great regret that i have been forced to cancel this month’s scheduled event ‘Santa’s Workshop’ in Dublin on Saturday 13th December. Unfortunately there arose many complications in dealing with the church vestry which would have resulted in me not being able to fulfill my obligations to the those who have already bought tickets and those who planned to attend the event. In light of this, rather than let people down on the night with a watered down version of what was promised i have taken the decision to cancel the event altogether. I would like you all to know that this decision was not taken lightly by any means but it just became an impossible situation with appeal after appeal being rejected by the church vestry. It seemed they were unwilling to reason and so a compromise could not be reached upon the use of the church facilities.

I can only apologize to all those who have purchased tickets and assure you that everyone will all be contacted personally and a full refund will be issued to them immediately. I would like to thank those who have worked very hard in the preparation for this event, the other musician’s Emmett Scanlan and Rob Walsh and artists Richard Hearns and Paula kennedy and a host of others including a new band line-up i had been rehearsing, Kevin handling the sound along with bar and door staff for the night.

I promise that i will plan something new and exciting for 2009 to make amends!

Happy Christmas to one and all.

Best Wishes,

Paul

Tickets are now on sale for Hurricane Promotions Christmas shindig; Santa’s Workshop. Click here to purchase yours!

In it’s very first venture into the live promoting arena, Hurricane Records is proud to announce “Santa’s Workshop - A Festive Feast of Music, Art, Wine & Mince Pies” as promoted by the newly inaugurated Hurricane Promotions. We are delighted to be able to announce a very special night indeed in the stunning location of St. Bartholomew’s Church on Clyde Road in Dublin 4.

A night that promises to be jam packed with with festive cheer, wonderful art and great music and will be headlined by none other than Hurricane Records own Paul Hourican. Tickets go on sale THIS MONDAY 3rd NOVEMBER exclusively through www.paulhourican.net. Please see flyer above for full details of line up and how and where to get tickets to this very unique event!

Paul joined the wonderful Louise Heraghty of Dublin’s 98 over the weekend for conversation and song ahead of his upcoming performance at Dublin’s 98FM Halloween Party in Radio City this Thursday 30th October with The Coronas. This event is now SOLD OUT!

Taking a break from live duties, Paul will be heading up to a wonderful artist’s retreat in Co. Monaghan for a week in November where he plans to begin honing tunes for a follow up to this year’s critically acclaimed debut album “Let The Enemy In”. More news as we get it!!

Paul will be taking a trip over to Galway on Sunday 9th November to play the wonderful Neachtains Bar on Cross Street in the city centre. Good news: it’s FREE!.

Increasing his presence on the web, Paul has established himself on the recently launched (and quite spectacular) Irish-based Web TV service MUZU.TV. Definitely one worth checking out!.

After a long time away from the good old diary writing i have been dragged back to duty by an irate Italian fan! New entry on diary page so! 

Two new reviews for "Let the enemy in" have come to our attention of late: check out the recent edition of U Magazine for a good review plus head over to iVenus for a GREAT 5 Star review.

Paul was recently the featured artist on o2’s Making Waves podcast. You can listen to it here, or click forward to track 10 on the ph.net audio player.

With it’s atmospheric setting within an ancient oak woodland, Charleville Castle once again plays host to Ireland’s most uniquely independent “boutique” music festival, Castlepalooza. Paul as been confirmed to play on the 3rd of August, alongside such Irish music superstars as Republic of Loose and Fight like apes. More information at the festival’s website.

Film and music blogger (and Whipping Boy Obsessive) No Ordinary Fool featured a review "Let the enemy in" recently. You can read it here

A new series of videos will be appearing on the site over the next few weeks, featuring interviews with Paul and some behind-the-scenes footage. The first of these clips, documenting Paul’s performance of "Let it go", is available now on the videos page.

Elsewhere, a photo of Paul playing at a fashion show, in Dublin’s Tripod, has found it’s way into the images section plus a new album review in press. Dig it early, dig it often.

Hot on the heels of debut album, "Let the enemy in", today sees the release of the single "She’s gotta be (the one)". Featuring a previously unreleased original demo of never-before-heard song “Leaving Home”, it’s available to purchase here. For digital downloads, see 7digital, iTunes, 3Music and Vodafone Live. 0² customers with 3G iMode handsets will be able to download the tune via Napster.

The track listing is as follows…

1. She’s Gotta Be (the one) - Radio Edit

2. Leaving Home (Home Recording)

3. She’s Gotta Be (the one) - Album Version

Those of you who took time out during the Paddy’s day weekend to scan the sunday papers would have come accross this rather excellent feature on the Sunday Independent. For those of you who missed it, you can read it here.

Today sees the long awaited release of Paul’s debut album, Let the enemy in. Already receiving rave reviews across a wide spectrum of publications, now you can find out what all the fuss is about. The album is waiting for you in all decent record stores.

Digital downloads are available at the following; 7digital, iTunes, 3Music and Vodafone Live. 0² customers with 3G iMode handsets will be able to download the tune via Napster.

You can also purchase the single right here at paul hourican.net.


Track Listing:

1. New York city lights
2. Alive
3. Even though you’re gone
4. One step forward
5. All I ever wanted
6. Lost at sea
7. She’s gotta be (the one)
8. Forget yer blues
9. Still she haunts me
10. Don’t know if I do know
11. In a funny way
12. Let it go

Another nationally glowing review appeared today, courtesy of Kevin Courtney in Irish Times culture supplement, "The Ticket". You’re welcome to read it there, as it’s one of the few free bits on ireland.com, but why not hang around and read it here instead.

The first of what should be many positive reviews for "Let the emeny in" has been published in this week’s Hot Press. Check it out here.

Big thanks are due to Heineken Ireland, who have agreed to sponsor the launch party for Paul’s debut album, "Let the enemy in", next thursday 6th March. Details of whether this will affect the price of a pint on the night are not yet forthcoming. Watch this space!

Paul’s debut album, "Let the enemy in", is released next Friday, the 7th March. If would like to have it appear through your letterbox on that very morning, why not place a pre-order, here!

Tune in to TG4’s Pop4 this Saturday 16th at 17.55 for a two-song live performance. The show will be repeated on Sunday 17th at 10.55am.

Details have just been released charting Paul’s imminent Irish tour, with appearances in Dublin, Belfast, Dundalk, Galway, Waterford, Limerick, Mullingar and Kilkenny. Full details here.

More details on Paul’s forthcoming debut album have been released. The album, titled "Let the enemy in", is due for relase on March 7th. There are 12 tracks coming your way, which are listed below…

1. New York city lights
2. Alive
3. Even though you’re gone
4. One step forward
5. All I ever wanted
6. Lost at sea
7. She’s gotta be (the one)
8. Forget yer blues
9. Still she haunts me
10. Don’t know if I do know
11. In a funny way
12. Let it go

Tune in to Phantom FM 105.2 this Friday morning (8th), at the reasonable hour of 10am, for "Access All Areas": Paul will be chatting with host Edel Coffey about the build up to the new album and performing live in the studio. The show will also be streamed live at phantomfm.com

This Thursday 31st, way early in the morning, sees Paul make another appearance on Irish radio; tune in to Spin FM 103.8’s Breakfast Xpress with Joe & Keith. Also available on the internet, here. For early risers only. For the rest of you, pick up a copy of that day’s Evening Herald which features an interview with Paul by journalist and Horslips legend, Eamonn Carr.

Help us to help radio stations to help you hear the new single, "One Step Forward" by texting, phoning or emailing in your requests to some of the numbers below…

PHONE NUMBERS:

2FM :
txt: 087-7720000

TodayFM:
txt: 085-4100102

Spin 103:
txt: 085-7111038

98FM:
txt: 086-6000981

Fm104:
txt: 53104 Read the rest of this entry »

Paul’s first album, "Let the enemy in" will be unleashed on the world very soon now, or to be more precise, the 7th March 2008. Having been privileged enough to sneak an early listen, we can confirm that it has been worth the wait. Stay tuned for details of the all-important launch party!

Irish Release February 15th on Hurricane Records / Warner Music Ireland.
Taken from the widely anticipated debut album "Let The Enemy In".

For Information / Interview requests / Promotional Copies contact:
Berube Communications on info@berubecommunications.com or phone 087 2442695

Paul’s profile in the UK has been gathering momentum; in addition to “Toxic” Pete’s entries, reviews have appeared recently in Entertainment Focus, Playing Out Loud and The Beat Surrender. See Press for details.

The internet’s own inimitable “Toxic” Pete has added two reviews of Paul’s music to his cult website. Check them out here or head over to toxicpete.co.uk.

From Paul, the band and your friendly neighborhood webmaster, a very happy new year! 2008 promises faithfully to be a momentous time in our lives, from simple matters like the end of the Bush White House to more important events, such as the release of Paul’s debut album on 7th March. Stay tuned for more announcements and prepare to be entertained!

Music photographer, Siobhan Quigley, has kindly shared with us a series of images taken at Paul’s recent concert in Dublin’s Crawdaddy. View the images here.

Irish music mag Hot Press have likened Paul’s vocals to “an early 80’s Bono”, in a review of the latest single, ‘Even though you’re gone’. A spokesperson for Paul has revealed that, while the adoption of a mullet has been ruled out, there is every likelihood that he might temporarily abandon the stage, during performance, to dance with random (female) members of the audience.

Read the review here.

Paul’s recent 98FM session, featuring a performance of ‘Let it go’, is now available to listen to right here on paulhourican.net. Click forward to track 9 on the media player

Paul will be special guest on 98fm’s ‘The Lowdown’, this Sunday 11th November. Tune in at 11am, from bed if necessary, to hear Paul entertain host Louise Heraghty with an exclusive performance of ‘Let it go’, from the forthcoming album, ‘Let the enemy in’.

Paul would like to say a BIG thank you to everybody who attended last tuesday’s show at Crawdaddy and helped to make it a great night.