Paul Hourican

Last Thoughts On Derek Nally

Paul Hourican — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 16:26:13 +0000

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

Recording

Paul Hourican — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 18:53:15 +0000

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

Bewley’s Change Of Plan

Paul Hourican — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 21:33:02 +0000

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

London, Hibernation & Recording

Paul Hourican — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 10:00:28 +0000

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

New Videos On Youtube

Paul Hourican — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 18:49:35 +0000

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

Signing Off For 2009

Paul Hourican — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 15:56:01 +0000

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

Stage Times For Cobblestone Gig

Paul Hourican — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 16:45:22 +0000

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!

Paul Set To Make New Record With Producer Karl Odlum

Paul Hourican — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:50:19 +0000

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!!

Full Band For Dublin in December!

Paul Hourican — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:35:57 +0000

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!

What A Night In Dublin!

Paul Hourican — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 12:06:21 +0000

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