MacD on Music: Let’s Dance

If you’re reading this, that means January is almost over. As we push through these last six weeks of the month, we have plenty to look forward to, not least the release of Louise DaCosta’s new album ‘Dance Dance’, out this Friday. I caught up with Louise to talk about the new album:

What have you been up to since our last chat?

Hi Domhnall, Happy New Year! Good to see you!

It's been a fairly hectic end to 2024 and busy start to 2025. It has been flat out with DaCosta Records Label Party events and rounded the year off with a packed-out full house Christmas event. Played the NYE live countdown with BBC Ulster (which you can listen back to on BBC Sounds). I've also been working on a few film pieces including BASE with Dr Mhairi Sutherland & Queens University as well as some other scores and mastering projects including with DCRs own Pharma Phil and Galway Film School!

As well as that we've been working on some video projects for the album and label with NWR College, Department of Economy and Dr Hamideh Javadi. Between all the DaCosta Records projects and getting the new album finished it has been all go!

Tell me about your new album.

'DANCE DANCE' is an intergalactic odyssey of funk, disco and house. Space inspired futuristic vibes to take you on a journey through sound. It's a full 11 track album of upbeat electronic party vibes! Hopefully it makes you want to dance, dance, ha-ha.

What were your main influences in making 'Dance Dance'?

Conceptually it's sci-fi inspired, Star Trek, Star Wars, alien, robot, space disco vibes! Sound wise beyond that it's really electro, disco, funk, house and I wanted to make something sounding more akin to the live sets I play!

How's the reception been from those who've heard the album so far?

Thankfully it's been fantastic so far with lots of radio features etc. Also looking forward to doing guestmix and interview on RTE on release day [31st Jan] with Christian Homan Twilight show etc.

Have you got much lined up for the future?

Just Intergalactic domination...ha-ha.

Are there any other acts you think we should be keeping an eye on?

Some cool remixes and features on the way from DaCosta Records DJs and artists including Pharma Phil and Cozmic Cat. Also, upcoming remixes of my track 'Faith' with Abby Oliviera from Tony Krisp and Mark Lennon! Check all those brilliant artists out on Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, etc.

And that’s it from Louise. ‘Dance Dance’ will be available this Friday on all good streaming services.

Stendhal

Now, onto other business. This summer sees the return of the Stendhal festival. Always a great weekend, this year’s applications have recently opened. From the press release:

Stendhal Festival has opened its annual performance application process and organisers of the multi-award-winning music and arts festival say there are keen to hear from as many musicians, comedians, poets, family performers and artists from as many disciplines as possible, as they look to build another exceptional programme for the event’s 15th Birthday bash.

READ MORE: MacD on Music

Submissions for all types of performers can be made now via the event website  www.stendhalfestival.com  and the process will remain open until February 14, 2025.

Scheduled for July 4th to 6th, 2025, the milestone fifteenth instalment of Stendhal Festival will this year for the first time run for a true weekend from a Friday to a Sunday, with campers heading home on the Monday.

As ever, Stendhal is on the lookout for the best indigenous talent across all artistic disciplines as it continues its mission to provide a platform and showcase an eclectic and varied artistic experience.

Event Director Ross Parkhill said: “We say this every year and it still rings true; the submission process is always one of our favourite times of the year. We love discovering new music, new artists and new performers and the submissions always throw up some absolutely brilliant discoveries.

“We first discovered acts like Ryan McMullan, Soak and JC Stewart through our annual submission process but it’s not just about music. We want to hear from poets, visual artists of all kinds, comedians, dancers, theatre groups and basically anyone who would like to get on stage at Stendhal and wow our audience with something special.”   

He added: “We love to see as wide a variety of acts apply as possible, from acts that have just started up to more established acts who haven’t played the festival yet, even acts that have played before and want to come back, we want to hear from everyone and anyone that can make our programme as good as it possibly can be.”

Ross concluded: “We have already had a lot of inquiries with regards to acts getting on the bill this year so now is your chance to make it happen but please get your submissions in before February the 14th because any applications received after this date will not be considered for 2025.”

Stendhal Festival takes place on July 4th -6th, 2025, Early Bird tickets to the event are on sale now at www.stendhalfestival.com

That’s it for another week. Now time for the socials. The Stendhal festival can be found on Facebook and Instagram @stendhalireland and Louise DaCosta @thelouisedacosta.