Ian Prowse - Brand new single and video revealed for God and Man

Ian has described the song as “a real Liverpool song for a real Liverpool girl” and is about the day his baby daughter Rosalita was christened in St Nicks, the sailors’ church by the city’s Pier Head. Not exactly a religious man, Ian squared it with himself by imagining that she was being baptised in the Mersey, that and the fact that they took her straight to the Cavern afterwards for a “rock ‘n’ roll” ceremony.

God and Man is being released simultaneously with the new album, appropriately enough on St Patrick’s Day, 17th March. On the same day, Ian will perform at the Knitting Factory, NYC for Liverpool Sound City.

Who Loves Ya Baby follows on from the success of The Best of Ian Prowse, a compilation of his work with the band’s Pele and Amsterdam, which was released to critical acclaim in 2012. This new album sees Ian cut loose as a solo artist and features twelve brand new songs, all perfectly showcasing his considerable talents as a songwriter and performer par excellence.

“An absolute triumph, I've played it four times on the trot already”

(Miles Hunt - The Wonder Stuff)

“The man who gave us the classic Does this train stop on Merseyside does it again”   (Elvis Costello)

“An epic album, 9/10!”  (Ian McNabb)

“He sure knows how to pen a proper song this fella, the music shines”

(Christy Moore)

Ian Prowse, often called the “Scouse Springsteen”, is best known for his work as main man with the groups, Pele (1990s) and the 7-piece group, Amsterdam (2000s). One of his most famous songs, Amsterdam’s  Does This Train Stop On Merseyside, was a huge favourite of the late DJ John Peel – he featured the song on his last ever Festive Fifty and it has been well documented that it often reduced him to tears on air. The song has gone on to be covered by many others, including Christy Moore, Miles Hunt and Ian McNabb.

In recent years, Ian Prowse has completed a couple of degrees, “just for the hell of it” and the album is, in part, inspired by his degree in Modern History and Masters in Irish music, for which he wrote his thesis on Iris Music. He has also become a father for the first time.

Who Loves Ya Baby will be supported by a series of live dates in the UK, spanning March through May. The shows will be a mix of solo appearances alongside shows with Amsterdam, with whom he still performs.

www.amsterdam-music.com

Capital FM Summertime Ball 2012 Vodaphone crowd Tag Competition

To celebrate the Summertime Ball, 95 – 106 Capital FM and Vodafone Freebee Rewardz are giving five of you the chance to win a trip to Paris, Barcelona, Amsterdam, Lisbon or Rome AND a BlackBerry Curve 9320 (with a £20 Vodafone top up credit included) each.

The much-anticipated Summertime Ball took place on Saturday 9th of June and showcased an incredible line up of music talent. Katy Perry, Jessie J, Justin Bieber and Coldplay all took the stage at Wembley Stadium for one of the most memorable gigs of 2012.

To celebrate the event, 95 – 106 Capital FM and Vodafone Freebee Rewardz have launched Vodafone’s crowd tag, which is a competition giving you the chance to win a trip to one of the most exciting cities in the world including Paris, Barcelona, Amsterdam, Lisbon and Rome and a BlackBerry Curve 9320 handset.

At the gig we used cutting edge technology to take a 360 degree photo of the legendary Wembley Stadium.

Hidden within the 360 degree photo, are lots of hidden logos. When you find and click on the logo, you will earn points, the harder the logos are to spot, the more points you will earn. You’ll need to collect a bundle of points to be entered into the draw to win a weekend break and a BlackBerry Curve.

To enter the competition, visit http://bit.ly/crowdtag

If you were one of the lucky fans who went to the event, you can tag yourself and your friends in the 360 degree photo. Its really simple, all you need to do is use your Facebook login, then tag. Once you tag yourself, you will instantly win a prize. You can even keep a memento of the gig by posting the pic on your Facebook wall.

To get tagging, go to http://bit.ly/crowdtag

Good luck!

Vodafone Freebee Rewardz is Vodafone UK’s loyalty scheme for all pay as you go customers. Every time you topup on Vodafone you’ll receive a Rewardz code by text. You can then either ‘grab’ an instant reward, or ‘grow’ your pointz for something bigger at vodafone.co.uk./rewardz There are even star prizes up for grabs – everything from the latest handsets to a Apple iPod Shuffle.

Article posted by Musicmafia

Liverpool Irish Festival presents Damien Dempsey and Amsterdam

Following on from last year’s sold out 'gig of the year' for the Liverpool Irish Festival, Damien Dempsey and Amsterdam will be re-creating that unbelievable atmosphere once again at Liverpool’s 02 Academy on Saturday 15^th October 2011. Both acts are known for having a fervent live following, so except a night of soul, passion and audience participation. This is one show not to be missed!

'Last year was a beautiful night by the Mersey, the Scousers sang all night and this year will be even better!' Says Damien Dempsey.

'Amsterdam and Damien Dempsey is a dream come true for us, it’s gonna be the gig of the year...again! Says Amsterdam front man Ian Prowse.

Damien Dempsey is currently the toast of all Irish music. Spoken of as the natural heir to the crown previously warn by Luke Kelly, Christy Moore and Shane MacGowan, Sineád O'Connor insists Damo is the best yet.   

Such is the power of the big man’s music, Damo has found himself lauded by true musical giants Bob Dylan, Bono and even Morrissey. The Wonderstuff’s Miles Hunt regularly claims Damo to being the greatest living songwriter we have ever had. Having won six Meteor awards and release five studio albums, Damien Dempsey is the authentic voice of modern Irish music, his live performances are filled with passion and he has the ability to unify with the power of music.   

Merseyside legends Amsterdam are currently a tour de force seven piece musical carnival whose ability to wow a crowd is second to none. The band have performed with Elvis Costello on EMI Records, wooed crowds at Glastonbury to the Echo Arena. Their second long player Arm in Arm was voted 14th best ever album out of Liverpool by the local press, no mean feat when you consider the Beatles released ten!

Their most famous song to date Does this train stop on Merseyside?   (Their previous single The Journey, hit number 32 in the UK charts) was John Peels’ second favourite song, John would regularly be too emotional to speak on the radio after playing it.

The song itself got a further lease of life as one of the centrepieces of Irish legend Christy Moore’s latest album which spent five weeks at the top spot in his home country.

Amsterdam are band leader Ian Prowse's second successful band after forming Pele in the 1990's who released 3 albums on Polydor/M&G and had hits all over Europe.  

Having a fan club of such luminaries as Bob Harris, Mick Jones and Christy Moore, Amsterdam's real forte is the live arena. Don't miss this unique opportunity to see both bands perform full sets on the same night, from the same stage.

O₂ Academy2 Liverpool

Saturday 15^th October 2011

Doors 7.00pm - Tickets £16.00 Advance 

0844 477 2000

www.02academyliverpool.co.uk

www.liverpoolrishfestival.com

www.damiendempsey.com

www.amsterdam-music.com

Local stars Amsterdam sign up to Chester Rocks

 

Local heroes Amsterdam will be headlining the Dawsons-Bido Lito! stage at Chester Rocks on Sunday 3^rd July 2011. The second stage will also feature up and coming bands from the area as festival organisers will be announcing the winners of the local band search in coming weeks.

The new two day outdoor music festival will take place at the famous Chester Racecourse on Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd July. The line- up has something for everyone, with artists ranging from punk legends Iggy Pop and The Stooges to the hottest boyband on the planet The Wanted. 

Chester Rocks is all about the music but don't forget there will be fairgrounds, performers and trade stands; it’s going to be a great family day out.

Amsterdam frontman Ian Prowse from Ellesmere Port, has formed two successful bands Amsterdam and Pele. Ian is the engine room behind Amsterdam but also enjoyed previous success in the 1990's with his band Pele who recorded three albums for Polydor and even had a number one hit in South Africa. “'We really can't wait to sock it to Chester, without a doubt this has to be the best setting for any festival in the country” said Ian.

Amsterdam are a seven-piece riotous ensemble who have spent the year working on their new album as well as playing Pele's first album Fireworks in full to live audiences across the UK. “We promise to play all the best loved Pele tunes at Chester Rocks” adds Ian.

The last couple of years have been good to Amsterdam. The band performed a duet with Elvis Costello for EMI Records, stormed Glastonbury, supported The Pogues at the Liverpool Echo Arena and the single, The Journey, hit number 32 in the UK charts. Whilst the album Arm in Arm album was voted 14th best ever album out of Liverpool by the local press, which when you consider the Beatles released ten is some mean feat!

John Peels’ second favourite tune was Ian's most famous hit song, Does this train stop on Merseyside? John would regularly be too emotional to speak on the radio after playing it.  

Ian sang the track at the launch of the John Peel train in Liverpool, it was an emotional performance in front of John’s family and widow Shelia. Amsterdam have also performed the song four times for Janice Long on her BBC 2 show.

The song itself got a further lease of life as one of the centre pieces of Irish legend Christy Moores’ latest album which spent five weeks at the top spot in his home country
. Amsterdam's Springsteen-esque live show has earned them a high profile fan club from the likes of Mick Jones, Bob Harris, Elvis Costello and Miles Hunt. Watch out Chester!

 
  
All up to date info and lively discussion at: www.amsterdam-music.com

Or listen at: www.myspace.com/amsterdamhq 

Watch 'Home' at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qf2QNDZpeTw

Or 'Does this train..' at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8zpvJOF9sJw

  

Saturday’s line-up includes; Taio Cruz, McFly, The Saturdays, Sugababes, The Wanted, Eliza Doolittle, The Christians and Stephen Langstaff.

Sunday’s line-up includes; Iggy Pop and The Stooges, Leftfield, The Australian Pink Floyd Show, Echo and The Bunnymen, Feeder, I Am Kloot, Shaun William Ryder, Lightning Seeds, and Tommy Scott and the Red Scare.

More acts to be announced shortly.

Tickets for the Saturday or Sunday are £47.50 each or £85 for both days and are available from www.chester-rocks.co.uk or by calling 01244 304 610.

For more information and updates on Chester Rocks check out:

Website:    www.chester-rocks.co.uk

Facebook:   http://www.facebook.com/ChesterRocksUK

Twitter:    http://twitter.com/chester_rocks