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alanalda

Eeehh...what are we doing now?

About Me

Founding member Dermot O Leary left the wilds of Co Carlow and a promising Arts degree in UCD and entered the Rock School in Ballyfermot, Dublin, in Oct 1998 where he met bewildered singer songwriter Evan Harding, from just outside Birr in Co Offaly. Taken aback by the politics of the Rock School, Dermot and like minded class-mates formed the band Babysleg. Evan, after failed attempts to form a super backing band for his songs, decided Babysleg were the band for him, even if the others didn’t know it yet!From 1999 to 2003 the band played legendary status gigs in venues such as Eamonn Dorans, Whelans, Slatterys of Capel St (the old and best version!), Issac Butt (now Radio City) to name but a few, er, cos there were so few gigs! The last Babysleg gig was in the grand arena of Vicar St for a showcase of Garageland bands but in true Babysleg style, the band decided to be like the Beatles and never play live and retreat to the studio.By the start of 2005 and after many failed attempts at DIY recording, the band parted ways. Evan decided to hang up his telecaster while Dermot started at grass roots again with the acoustic version of Alanalda. Enlisting the help of budding composer/multi-talented violinist Dylan Curran and his trusty sidekick and exceptional cellist Pauline Freeman, the trio launched themselves upon the singer/songwriter night trail across Dublin with great gusto playing nights in Bankers, Legal Eagle, Sin-E and Malahide Yacht Club (!!!!????).After hearing Dermot’s latest batch of songs, Evan was eager to get back playing again and so the plan was put forward to put the songs to tape (or hard-drive/CD format these days!). With the help of good friend and engineer Jon Ledden of Soft Cuddly Toys fame, the extraordinary drum-lending talents of Mick O Dowd (Alphastates, Dave Couse, loads more), the effortless bass playing of Massive Cookie (he of Incommunicado fame) and with the finishing touches provided by mastermind Fergal Davis of Suite Studios, "demonstration" was finished in late 2006. The first 3 months of 2007 have been spent beavering away on more material. The public were given their first taste of this at Radio City on Friday 13th April when Alanalda launched their debut demo to great acclaim and reaction. Check out the player above for an idea of their songs and their sound...

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My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 3/2/2006
Band Website: CONTACT US AT [email protected]
Band Members: There are many and few...here's a video forAlways Someone Watching

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Influences:BEATLES, BLUR, RADIOHEAD, SUPER FURRIES, JOHNNY CASH, BECK, DEUS, LES GARCONS DE LA PLAGE, BEN FOLDS, LEMONHEADS, ELLIOTT SMITH, ABBA, PRINCE, SPRINGSTEEN, EELS, BEETHOVEN, BRIAN WILSON,BURT BACHARACH, WILCO, GILLIAN WELCH, BABYSLEG, NEIL FINN, BLACK FRANCIS, INCOMMUNICADO, REM, FATHER TED, ALAN PARTRIDGE, BLACKADDER, FAWLTY TOWERS, THE DAY TODAY, BRASSEYE, JAM, SEINFELD, THE OFFICE, EXTRAS, ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT (THE COMEDY SERIES!!)....AND MANY MANY MORE!
Sounds Like: WELL HERE'S THE PRESS OPINION : "their use of violin brings echoes of Scarlet Riviera on Dylan's Desire album." "In The Past has a Waterboys gloss to it, but it's neither pastiche nor imitation, and it has some neat guitar playing. Steve's Shirt....a poignant song that hovers nicely between genuine sentimentality and warm-hearted whimsy, with a build-up to a fine chorus" - Jackie Hayden HOT PRESS"sound chocolate, ear candy, soul cookies. Yes, soul cookies. You heard me." "Alanalda sound like everything and more. Which makes them original, insomuch as anything is original. And then you smile." "Yes, folks, Alanalda are different... messy, clanky, sweet, classic, peculiar" "Watch out for this lot. I rate this my demo of the summer" - WWW.RAWKSTAR.NET"Slick, tasty and mean""melodies here are of the towering and timeless variety""influences are classic, easily spotted, but coming in cutely new combinations""Steve's Shirt is something all of their own, something beautiful too" - WWW.UNPEELED.CO.UK"catchy, easy to like style" " had me wanting more, and they are a band well worth checking out" - DEMOS REVIEWED"musical talent with moody tones mixed with some original style""cool dynamics in the rhythm""very well written and composed""6 OUT OF 6" - WWW.MUSICREVEIW.COM"Alanalda could be on to something" - MP3HUGGER.COM
Type of Label: None

My Blog

Video!! & other news..

Hey again (it's been a while),It's the new year so there's new stuff to talk about..n stuff... well basically the '7' has changed to an '8'.I'm stuck in bed with a bad cold so have availed of the chan...
Posted by alanalda on Mon, 07 Jan 2008 05:43:00 PST

Gigs in December...Christmas is coming

I've started working a 'day job' again...fun fun fun! Am back in Dublin tho so gonna be playing a few gigs and songwriter nights if I can..Dec 1st - playing Alfie Mulligans on Leeson St. it's opposite...
Posted by alanalda on Sat, 24 Nov 2007 01:31:00 PST

Alanalda interview / performance on Dublin City Anna Livia FM..

Alright?First of all, big thanks to those who came along to gig in Eamon Dorans on Friday night...much appreciated....sorry for forgetting the chords!! Hope you enjoyed the show.Am about to head off a...
Posted by alanalda on Sun, 04 Nov 2007 10:21:00 PST

Video Shoot preview photos & another EP review..

Evening all...As promised we have a few sneak preview photos from the set of our first video shoot for the song Always Someone Watching. Check out the slideshow below.. Also Demos...
Posted by alanalda on Mon, 22 Oct 2007 01:21:00 PST

Hot Press live review...n more!

Hey yous,We got our first live review from Mr Jackie Hayden in the latest issue of Hot Press (Dave Grohl on the cover)..If you haven't already got a copy it reads as follows..(ur not even going get th...
Posted by alanalda on Tue, 16 Oct 2007 05:13:00 PST

Gigs n Radio...

Hey ho,Just a quick update to y'all who are interested...In chronological order - Oct 17th - we are taking part in the King Kong Club in Pravda at 9pm..a few tunes 'sans drummmer'..Nov 2nd - we playin...
Posted by alanalda on Tue, 09 Oct 2007 06:54:00 PST

Wexford Arts Centre Tomorrow Night Sept 21st...

Hey ho,I'm back from the US holiday and we're back playing again. As previously featured on this wonderful blogamajig we're supporting local heroes Chaplin in Wexford Arts Centre tomorrow night Friday...
Posted by alanalda on Thu, 20 Sep 2007 03:35:00 PST

New gig date - I’m off on holiday..

I usually post blogs from home on the ol' laptop but today I'm killing time in an internet cafe...not that I don't have news etc. We're pencillled in to play Wexford Arts Centre on Sept 21st supportin...
Posted by alanalda on Sat, 04 Aug 2007 06:23:00 PST

New tune...well, new recording up online.

Hey,Just uploaded Not Since The Day for your aural pleasure. It's a lil' tune about goin to a wedding of an ex 'n' stuff..There's also some new photos from our sell-out gig in Eamon Doran's recently -...
Posted by alanalda on Tue, 17 Jul 2007 08:41:00 PST

New gig dates (provisional)...

YoWe're hoping to fulfill a couple more Dublin dates in the next 4 weeks. They're both part of the Garageland series of gigs which showcase unsigned artists on a consistent basis thru'out the capital....
Posted by alanalda on Wed, 13 Jun 2007 03:21:00 PST