News In BriefsWe have our first News in Briefs of the year. As we attempt to clear our inbox of all the music news that rattles through it, we’re a bit behind, so here’s a couple of news stories we need to make sure you hear about.

John Blek

John Blek & The Rats will be releasing their debut album something during the summer entitled ‘Leave Your Love At The Door’.  They are heading to the UK in advance of the release for a short tour which will see them take in Bath, Swindon, Bristol, London, Brighton and Cardiff. Full date and locations below for the infrequent UK readers.

As a teaser he did send over the official video for the track Don’t Take The Road I’ve Taken for your enjoyment.

Feb 13th – The Porter Cellar Bar, Bath
Feb 14th – The Beehive, Swindon
Feb 15th – Stag and Hounds, Bristol
Feb 16th – Dublin Castle, Camden, London
Feb 17th – Prince Albert, Brighton
Feb 18th – Four Bars Inn, Cardiff

John Blek – Don’t Take The Road I’ve taken


Valerra

Just an update on some gigs from Mayo band Valerra. They released their debut album ‘Valerra’ this month and it reacher #6 in the Independent releases chart. They are currently working with independent label Stereoplex Records.

They have a few live shows coming up. Letterkenny, Castlebar and Sligo are on the hit list. Full details below. The album is out now on iTunes for anyone looking to grab some Mayo based hard rock. We have the video below from Living In Stereo for you to enjoy.

Feb 05th: Letterkenny, Green Room
Feb 19th: Castlebar, Mantra
Mar 01st: Sligo, McGarrigles

www.valerra.com

Valerra – Living In Stereo


The King Kong Company have a new video and an upcoming Irish tour they need to share with you.

First up we have some tour information. They released their latest dance floor fillers ‘Bagpuss yesterday January 30th and will head out on tour hitting Waterford, Cork and Dublin along the way. All the shows are late shows with doors at 11pm and the band on stage at 1am. Below that is the video for said recent release Bagpuss. Go check if it’s going to be your next dance floor manouvre.

Tour Dates
Forum Waterford – Sat Feb 9th – Doors 11pm
Cyprus Avenue, Cork – Sat Mar 2nd – Doors 11pm
Pogo at The Twisted Pepper, Dublin – Sat Mar 16th

King Kong Company – Bagpuss


CMA Songwriters Series

The Country Music association Songwriter series is back in Dublin next month with four next acts.

The CMA Series this year will feature Bob DiPiero, Brett James, Chris Young and Kristian Bush (or Sugarland) heading to Whelan’s on Thursday 21st February 2013. Ticekts for teh show are priced at €20 inclusive of booking fee and are available from WavTickets.ie.

Doors at 8pm


The Lynchburg Mob

Alternative four piece from Dublin, The Lynchburg Mob, will be playing a midnight show in Whelan’s in February.

The show is on February 8th 2013 in Whelan’s and is a precursor to a busy 2013 where they are planning to get out a release amongst a busy year of gigging. Go check these guys out.