Sarah Moyles Soundslide

Is there a time that we should take sides?

While looking up some international stories for my tutorial this week I came across a few articles about the Pope.

He visited Malta recently to meet with sexual abuse victims. This story was covered by the Sydney Morning Herald, the New York Times and the London Independent. While the story is barely a blurb in the London Independent, the other two gave a more detailed review with the New York Times giving the lengthiest account of the visit.

It is obvious why this story made the news, this issue is one that is extremely important world wide. This abuse has been going on the world over and it is time for the Catholic Church to step up and take the responsibility. Is this a way of doing that?

What I am really interested in is this: should we, as journalists, be putting more pressure on the Catholic Church? Would that be fair? Should we be putting pressure on the government to deal with pedophilia more generally rather than aiming it at the Catholic Church alone? How can an international journalist stay neutral in a topic that causes so much controversy?


Is there ever a time when a journalist should forget about being unbiased and just write? 


OW

Digital Rights: WTF?

I was going to write about something else for my final post on here, all about the US media and the political agendas which drive it, and how good things like the (now passed) Universal Healthcare bill were being opposed for all the wrong reasons, due in part to the irresponsible, fear-mongering yellow journalism of a certain (won't say who) American news network. But, you don't need me to tell you that Fox News is merely the PR wing of the American Republican party, that much is very evident.

What I am going to talk about is Digital Rights, a much more relevant topic considering the medium. For those who spend a lot of time online (me), one of the major points of contention for young voters in the upcoming English General Election is the proposed Digital Rights Bill. A little background: The Bill, known as the Digital Economy Act 2010, is quite similar to the famous Digital Millennium Copyright Act in the United States, which basically attempts to deal with the problem of illegal downloading and copyright infringement in the UK. And that's fair enough.

But reaction to the bill has been mixed, (to say the least) especially from those who are going to have their broadband disconnected. This is the unorthodox approach which is being taken to deal with copyright infringement, according to this bill. Using a graduated response system (3 strike style), those found to be repeatedly committing copyright infringement will have their internet access disconnected from their particular Internet Service Provider. This would actively require ISP's to basically spy on their customers activities (Right to privacy? It's been nice knowin' ya). And to my utter horror, the Times reported Friday that this same approach is being discussed for adoption here in Ireland.

Now, I don't have a problem with tackling copyright infringement. As journalists, what we create is our own intellectual property, and those are our assets. So there should be protection there for copyright infringement. But frankly, taking this kind of approach, in 2010? It might as well be Orwell's 1984. ISP's spying on your internet activities to make sure you don't misbehave? Sorry, but I'm 21 years old, and I'm a responsible adult. Stop treating me like a child. There's nothing that boils my blood more than a nanny state.

Now don't get me wrong here, I know I sound like I'm against tackling copyright infringement, but I'm not. I'm just against the way in which it is being handled. Having your Civil Liberties violated(God I sound so American, better go have a pint!), and your right to privacy pulled out from under you by your own Government at the behest of a series of multi-national corporations is not the right way to do things! And make no mistake, all that is driving this wave of hysteria are the multinationals who own the record companies which are losing money due to illegal downloading. The Government don't care if Sony or the IRMA are losing money because of copyright infringement, they're still making enough to pay their taxes to the State. But they are faced with increased pressure from the IRMA (Irish Recorded Music Association) to deal with the problem, otherwise the big boys pack up their toys and go home. And for a nation like Ireland, so dependent upon foreign investment, but which is a veritable wellspring of creative talent, record companies bring in a lot of moolah for Johnny Dáil.

The last word on this situation is that there needs to be a different approach taken to dealing with the problem. It seems that the English and Irish Governments are taking the wrong cue from the RIAA and attempting to deal with copyright infringement by individual cases. Not only is this an enormous waste of resources, it also brings up the privacy and consumer rights of the individual as mentioned earlier. As I said I'm all for Digital Rights, just not at the expense of my own.

CT

Limerick City Skyfest - Rowan Gallagher

Review: One Republic Live at the Savoy Theatre, Cork

American rockers One Republic gave a blistering performance last night at Cork’s Savoy Theatre to a packed house, with support from Irish rock group The Shoos. The modern American rock group first hit the big time via their collaboration with producer Timbaland on a remix of their song “Apologize”. The band have seen their star rising since, and released a string of popular hits from their debut album Dreaming Out Loud including “Stop & Stare”, “Say (All I Need)” and “All Fall Down”. They released their second album, entitled Waking up in November 2009, and have released two singles from the album, “All The Right Moves” and “Secrets”. The band is currently touring Europe in support of the new album.

The Savoy Theatre is a much larger venue than one would expect from the outside, almost twice the size of Dublin’s Tripod on Harcourt St., and far larger than The Academy on Abbey St. With an upstairs standing balcony and a sizeable ground area flanked by mid level seating, the venue provides an intimate atmosphere but with booming acoustics and resonance for great live sound quality.  Between The Savoy, The Marquee, and other famous music venues such as the Half Moon Theatre and Cypress Avenue, Cork is beginning to become an attractive Irish stop for bands on European tours.

Irish rockers The Shoos took the stage at around 9p.m. providing a very tight, solid and energetic performance of modern day rock infused with a spirit of mid-90s Punk rock, almost reminiscent of Belfast punk rockers Therapy?, but with a less edgy sound. Drummer Scott Maher provided a very tight and powerful foundation to the band’s sound, beating his drums like they owed him money. Lead singer Texas displayed some very impressive vocals and engaged and captivated the audience to sing along to the melodies of their latest single “Yeah”. The Shoos set lasted approximately 40 minutes, providing ample warm- up for the main event of the night. And with the true mark of any indie rock band paying their dues on the road, the band broke down their own gear and cleared the stage for headliners One Republic.

With the stage bathed in deep purple and red lighting, and smoke gently billowing from smoke machines to the sides, One Republic take to the stage one by one ,the audience cheering and clapping, until lead singer/brains of the operation Ryan Tedder emerges to a rapturous ovation of screaming females. I couldn’t help but wonder at that moment how the rest of the band must have felt hearing him get that reaction, as there was a marked difference between the receptions they got! The band opened with “Everybody Loves Me” from their new album. A blistering rocker of a tune, with a driving drum beat and blues-infused acoustic guitar riffing, it is a perfect opener to pump the crowd (and perhaps Mr. Tedder’s ego!)

The band went on to play all of their big radio hits, including “All The Right Moves”,” Secrets”, “Stop & Stare”, “Apologize”,” Say (All I Need)”, along with additional songs from their new and previous album, and even one new untitled song, another melodic slow burner that builds to a rocking crescendo, a trademark of Ryan Tedder’s writing style for the band. Tedder is an accomplished career musician, writing music for, amongst others, Beyonce, Kelly Clarkson, even former Soundgarden front man Chris Cornell, and Leona Lewis’ smash hit “Bleeding Love”.  Tedder’s main instrument is a large, two stack electric piano/organ, flanked by an Irish flag thrown on stage by a fan (along with two packs of Tayto’s Bistro crisps, which was a bit weird, but the band seemed to like them.)

The band offer a unique array of musical skills on multiple instruments, and positions are regularly changed throughout the night. Bassist Brent Kutzle alternates between a cello and an electric bass guitar for most of the set, even picking up an acoustic guitar for a stripped down version of “Last Goodbye“with just him and Tedder’s vocals.  Guitarist Drew Brown alternated between lead guitar and a glockenspiel which came through surprisingly clear in the live mix. Lead Guitarist Zach Filkins also picked up the viola for a brief 3 song stint. Tedder also picked up the lead acoustic for “Stop & Stare”, but undoubtedly his best performance of the night was with his vocals. It’ one thing to be a good singer on an album, but the true test of any singer is the live environment. Especially today in the world where auto-tune and pro-tools are used to pitch correct any vocal imperfections, (a studio trick which means anyone can sound pitch perfect on a recording, and is the reason why the Jonas Brothers and Miley Cyrus have music careers.) Tedder’s vocals are absolutely pitch perfect, not a bad note to be found. The high notes and vocal range he displays are truly impressive, and the power in Tedder’s voice cuts easily through the bass heavy live mix of the band’s rhythm section of cello and drums.  However there were minor sound issues regarding the levels of the vocals in some songs, when Tedder’s main vocal mic appeared to be turned down for rest between songs (to prevent feedback),  their sound mixer wasn’t turning it back up in time for the first verses of some songs.

One Republic’s set lasted about 75 minutes, taking the stage at 10p.m. and ending at 11.15. The big highlight of the night was a blistering rendition of the immensely popular tune “All The Right Moves” which left me nearly deaf, and the big surprise of the night was a bang on rendition of The Beastie Boys’ famous hit “Sabotage”. The band excelled on this one, and Tedder impressed with his rapping on the verses. But being a vocal style he wouldn’t normally utilise, he didn’t seem to be able to project himself as loudly as he could while singing, as he tried to keep up the frantic vocal pace. But overall, a very tight, solid performance from a very talented group of musicians, they kept the audience captivated and energised right through to the end and delivered a high quality live performance which has been honed to perfection from constant touring. And a bargain too for €28! 

Also spotted in attendance were Peter Stringer and his lady.

One Republic, 12/4/2010, The Savoy Theatre Cork:

*partial setlist*

Say (All I Need)

Stop & Stare

Apologize

Goodbye Apathy

Won’t Stop

Come Home

Marching On

Made For You

All The Right Moves

Secrets

Everybody Loves Me

Dreaming Out Loud

Sabotage (Beastie Boys cover)

Something’s Not Right Here

Good Life

Last Goodbye

Waking Up

CT

Our own lost generation

FIND a safe house, stay away from the market place and above all, don’t get kidnapped by Hezbollah.

The advice from my noble peers and family couldn’t have come at a more ardent time. A trainee journalist leaving Laois for the streets of Lebanon, a ludicrous move in their eyes.

The death of a Japanese journalist caught up in a riot did little to disperse their argument. Six months work experience with SABIS, a leading educational publishing company based in Beirut awaits me. An act of escapism, opportunism and down right cheek will, I hope, sort me out.

The Middle Eastern stereotype of the suicide bomber sends alarm bells ringing in my family’s ears. I’m trading a toothless tyrant for a vibrant city and culture I know nothing about. But that’s the only way to approach the unknown, learn all you can when you can.

After all, there are terrorists and suicide bombers on my very doorstep. They have dropped bombshell after bombshell on any chances and ideals of prosperity I had. My family has been hit by every possible blast.

The shrapnel has pierced every bone in my body. My father, a garda in Rathdowney, County Laois, has seen his pension reduced by the levy of 7.5%, yet he admirably says we must put our shoulder to the wheel and build a better future for our children.

A rise in interest rates means a double whammy, never mind the fact that he raises my four siblings, one of which is in WIT. Coupled with being injured on the job and a looming hip replacement, things have gone from bad to worse.

The next generation will be paying for the mistakes of others for their lifetime. While the working classes slaved away to build this republic, our politicians, bankers and statesmen dazzled away on yachts, golden handshakes and multi-million euro pensions. The family provision in the constitution should be scrapped. Protecting us, protecting our children-are you having a laugh?

Not everyone was part of the Celtic Tiger era. Moyross, the regeneration areas, addressing child poverty and education all missed out. Hospital areas lay in ruin, primary school classes were the largest in the EU. Forget knowledge economy, Bord Failte should replace it with blah, blah, boom. The government didn’t create the boom, sheer luck and good fortune combined to perch them on the highest pedestal they could find.

Come 2012 I have to envisage myself working. I will be footing the bill for my siblings. My father has done everything to get me this far, I owe it to him and my brothers and sisters to pay off our mortgage, loans, and pay for their third level education.

If there is any justice in this country then the likes of Michael Fingleton and Sean Fitzpatrick will literally have got their comeuppance while I’m away.

Bertie Ahern once remarked: “I don’t know how people who engage in that don’t commit suicide”, in response to UCD Professor Morgan Kelly’s economic prediction of the looming bust.

Just don’t hit my family on the way out. I’m indebted to hard labour in the gulags of urban Ireland. I’ll enjoy my time in Lebanon at your expense.

D.K.

Neil Treacy Soundslide