Dingle Bells 2012! Other Voices 11 has begun

As sure the ground starts to frost, the wind takes a turn towards the cold and Christmas creeps upon us, it surely is Dingle time once again. December means the recording of Other Voices, back for its eleventh year and gearing up to welcome weekend visitors; both musicians and music enthusiasts on a rain-flecked Friday. Sound those Dingle bells!

We're off to a relatively quiet start today with the recording, in private, of the IMRO Other Room in McCarthy's pub on the main street. Usually, this gauntlet of capturing performances happens after the big gigs in St. James Church but this year, along with many other changes, the recordings of mostly Irish bands in the back venue is happening before most people arrive while everyone is fresh. It means a gentler start for many and for the bands featured, it's an opportunity to do their work before enjoying the weekend.

Local talent is represented by Walking On Cars. There's electronica from Dublin duo Forrests, electronic soul from Ocho, a Sheffield band you'll be hearing much more from called Drenge and atmospheric indie-rock from Ghost Estates whose drummer Keith says recording for TV is like being "looked at through a microscope." Limerick's Bleeding Heart Pigeons just wrapped up their recording a short time ago, they might have brought some of their parents and siblings along but their sound is wise beyond their teenage years.

If you are Dingle-bound for the weekend, you'll get the opportunity to see most of the bands above on the Dingle music trail Saturday, Sunday and Monday in venues in the town.


Photos by Rich Gilligan.