SCENT OF A MOMENT ready for release!!
Skully has announced the release date of his newest album, SCENT OF A MOMENT!! The release date has been set to May 2, 2011. This new cd is filled with passion and "scents of a moment" from the life of the writer/performer Skully. You can get a preview of the first song released from the album, Fort Camden Winter, at www.myspace.com/skullymusic. As you read on, you will understand why and how this song came about!! Skully was involved in beginning the renovation of the derelict fort, helping to complete the first two rooms in 2010, making the fort ready to be opened to the public. As you listen to the song, visions of the daily life of the military at the fort flash before your eyes. This is only one of the beautiful, unique and wonderful songs on this album. To keep up with the release of the album and the goings on of this magnificent musician, please visit his new website!! Don't forget to sign the guestbook to let him know you were there!
UPDATE: From Skully: From the 20th of April, every day for 13 days (until the release on May 2nd) I will stream a different track from SCENT OF A MOMENT on the website player @ www.skully.ie
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Irish musician raises the flag for self-help
After thirty years of neglect and vandalism the Irish flag flies proudly once again over Crosshaven's 'Fort Camden'.
At the beginning of the Summer well known Irish musician Skully, now based in Crosshaven, got together with locals Vincent Farr, Noel Condon and Paul Brierley to set up the 'Rescue Camden Group'.
They all shared the belief that Camden Fort, which at that time was derelict, overgrown, and fenced off from the public, could become not only a valuable local amenity but also a much needed focal point for tourism both in the lower harbour and for Cork in general.
Camden Fort is a sprawling complex of military buildings, gun emplacements, tunnels, and underground chambers. Positioned on Rams Head near Crosshaven, and overlooking the entrance to Cork Harbour, the Fort is internationally recognised as one of the worlds finest remaining examples of a Classical Costal Artillery Fortification. It dates from the Napoleonic Wars, through its occupation by the British, and up to its eventual occupation by the Irish State forces in 1938. The fort was occupied up until the 70's when the last Irish forces abandoned it, locking the gates behind them. In the years since then time had not been kind to Fort Camden. The weather had eaten away at the vulnerable structures and vegetation had consumed and hidden much of the complex. Man had taken his toll too, with various structural elements such as floors and hand-rails being pillaged and underground caverns vandalised. It had even been proposed to use the fort as an asbestos dump at one stage.
Over the years various proposals were touted for the development of the Fort, none of which had ever materialised.
The 'Rescue Camden Group' decided that the only way that anything was ever going to happen was if they 'got stuck in' and started work on the Fort themselves.
The task ahead of them was enormous.
Undaunted, Skully and Vince set to work. Under the early summer sun and armed with only a collection of garden tools brought from home, they started to take the first steps on the long journey that lay ahead. Fighting back briars, lost rooms were revealed, and the sun shone where it had not done so for thirty years.
Progress was slow however and they soon realised that more volunteers would be needed. Luckily, word of activity at the Fort had started to spread and when Skully put out an appeal on the Fort Camden Facebook page, there was no shortage of people willing to lend a hand. People who had always felt that it was a shame that someone didn't do something with the Fort could now see that something was being done and they were happy to be a part of it.
The community was reclaiming their Fort.
Photographs of the progress and stories about the Fort from people who remembered it as a child, or who had served or lived there, started to appear on the Facebook page and everyone could now follow the story as it happened.
The Rescue Camden Group decided that the first stage of the renovation would be to restore and convert two rooms to accommodate a museum and gallery. These rooms would depict the Fort in its former glorious past and as it is today, overgrown and decaying. This proposal was made to Cork County Council where funding was sought. The County Manager, seeing the potential and the enthusiasm, rode behind the Rescue Camden Group. The challenges and costs involved in tackling this project were daunting, and our voluntary group had extremely limited resources. They were, however, fortunate to experience a great level of co-operation and goodwill from various individuals and groups. Some donated time and expertise. Some organised fundraising events. Others sponsored products.(Dulux Paints sponsored all the paint for the project.
Calor Gas provided heating for the rooms with elegant Provence Gas Stoves.
Pat McDonnell Paints supplied brushes, rollers, trays and buckets.
Blue House Architects offered expertise and finance.
O'Callaghan TV and Munster Sound provided audio-visual equipment.
Lynch's Centra of Crosshaven and HM Yachts donated the proceeds from fund-raising events held in the community.
Skully, Vince and this enthusiastic band of volunteers worked tirelessly and in just six weeks, this daunting task was achieved. The Gates were once again, open'.
Fort Camden opened its doors to the public for the first time in September this year.
A symbolic raising of the Tri-colour by the next generation of Custodians - Nomah Sullivan aged 9 and Katelyn Farr aged 10.
Proof that with the right attitude and the will to get it done, communities can achieve things for themselves.
The next year will see further developments at Fort Camden with more and more sections opening to the public all the time.
Keep up to date at the 'Fort Camden' page on Facebook.
All of the work carried out by the Rescue Camden Group has been on a voluntary basis.
Vincent Farr works for Cork City Fire Department and is Officer in Charge of Irish Coast Guard unit in Crosshaven.
He spends all his spare time working on and planning for Fort Camden.
Skully composes music for TV and Movies in the US and is half of the duo Metisse, his music has recently been used by MGM, NBC,ABC, and The Jay Leno Show,
he just doesn't sleep, working in the Fort by day and writing and recording by night.
At the beginning of the Summer well known Irish musician Skully, now based in Crosshaven, got together with locals Vincent Farr, Noel Condon and Paul Brierley to set up the 'Rescue Camden Group'.
They all shared the belief that Camden Fort, which at that time was derelict, overgrown, and fenced off from the public, could become not only a valuable local amenity but also a much needed focal point for tourism both in the lower harbour and for Cork in general.
Camden Fort is a sprawling complex of military buildings, gun emplacements, tunnels, and underground chambers. Positioned on Rams Head near Crosshaven, and overlooking the entrance to Cork Harbour, the Fort is internationally recognised as one of the worlds finest remaining examples of a Classical Costal Artillery Fortification. It dates from the Napoleonic Wars, through its occupation by the British, and up to its eventual occupation by the Irish State forces in 1938. The fort was occupied up until the 70's when the last Irish forces abandoned it, locking the gates behind them. In the years since then time had not been kind to Fort Camden. The weather had eaten away at the vulnerable structures and vegetation had consumed and hidden much of the complex. Man had taken his toll too, with various structural elements such as floors and hand-rails being pillaged and underground caverns vandalised. It had even been proposed to use the fort as an asbestos dump at one stage.
Over the years various proposals were touted for the development of the Fort, none of which had ever materialised.
The 'Rescue Camden Group' decided that the only way that anything was ever going to happen was if they 'got stuck in' and started work on the Fort themselves.
The task ahead of them was enormous.
Undaunted, Skully and Vince set to work. Under the early summer sun and armed with only a collection of garden tools brought from home, they started to take the first steps on the long journey that lay ahead. Fighting back briars, lost rooms were revealed, and the sun shone where it had not done so for thirty years.
Progress was slow however and they soon realised that more volunteers would be needed. Luckily, word of activity at the Fort had started to spread and when Skully put out an appeal on the Fort Camden Facebook page, there was no shortage of people willing to lend a hand. People who had always felt that it was a shame that someone didn't do something with the Fort could now see that something was being done and they were happy to be a part of it.
The community was reclaiming their Fort.
Photographs of the progress and stories about the Fort from people who remembered it as a child, or who had served or lived there, started to appear on the Facebook page and everyone could now follow the story as it happened.
The Rescue Camden Group decided that the first stage of the renovation would be to restore and convert two rooms to accommodate a museum and gallery. These rooms would depict the Fort in its former glorious past and as it is today, overgrown and decaying. This proposal was made to Cork County Council where funding was sought. The County Manager, seeing the potential and the enthusiasm, rode behind the Rescue Camden Group. The challenges and costs involved in tackling this project were daunting, and our voluntary group had extremely limited resources. They were, however, fortunate to experience a great level of co-operation and goodwill from various individuals and groups. Some donated time and expertise. Some organised fundraising events. Others sponsored products.(Dulux Paints sponsored all the paint for the project.
Calor Gas provided heating for the rooms with elegant Provence Gas Stoves.
Pat McDonnell Paints supplied brushes, rollers, trays and buckets.
Blue House Architects offered expertise and finance.
O'Callaghan TV and Munster Sound provided audio-visual equipment.
Lynch's Centra of Crosshaven and HM Yachts donated the proceeds from fund-raising events held in the community.
Skully, Vince and this enthusiastic band of volunteers worked tirelessly and in just six weeks, this daunting task was achieved. The Gates were once again, open'.
Fort Camden opened its doors to the public for the first time in September this year.
A symbolic raising of the Tri-colour by the next generation of Custodians - Nomah Sullivan aged 9 and Katelyn Farr aged 10.
Proof that with the right attitude and the will to get it done, communities can achieve things for themselves.
The next year will see further developments at Fort Camden with more and more sections opening to the public all the time.
Keep up to date at the 'Fort Camden' page on Facebook.
All of the work carried out by the Rescue Camden Group has been on a voluntary basis.
Vincent Farr works for Cork City Fire Department and is Officer in Charge of Irish Coast Guard unit in Crosshaven.
He spends all his spare time working on and planning for Fort Camden.
Skully composes music for TV and Movies in the US and is half of the duo Metisse, his music has recently been used by MGM, NBC,ABC, and The Jay Leno Show,
he just doesn't sleep, working in the Fort by day and writing and recording by night.
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Metisse (Skully & Aida) Music in new tv series!!
ABC tv is using Metisse's song Boom Boom Ba in their new tv series THE GATES, which airs June 20th at 10/9pm cst. See the series trailer @ http://abc.go.com/shows/the-gates and be sure to tune in for the first episode!! Hope you all enjoy it!!!
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Listeners Review from Celtic Radio.Net
From Mcnberry:
Back in May of 2008 I discovered Skully. I fell in love with his music, and it has been with me ever since.
I love all of Skully's music, but I keep coming back to his 'Without A Voice' album. Although all the songs are purely instrumental, so much of Skully himself is in each and every song! Sometimes I wonder how many nights he spent awake working and thinking; to get everything just right. One can tell that he poured his heart and soul into creating 'Without A Voice'!
Living in Oregon and waking up to the rain hitting the window panes once again, Skully's 'It Rained That Morning' has become my favorite song. Oregonians have a saying: "Don't just stand in the rain, FEEL it!"
I "feel" the rain while listening to this beautiful song! Early morning dawning, simulated by strings. A little "rumbling" in the back, just like before a storm. The piano setting in when the first raindrops start falling. The guitar accompanying the piano, the rain increasing. The song ending with the piano by itself, tiny raindrops continuing to fall, echoing while the song slowly fades away.
Here comes 'Arduity Sails By'. Literally! I am not sure if Skully got his inspiration for this song by one of the big Ferries in the Irish Sea, or by a Sailboat gliding by. To me it sounds like the engines of a Ferry are slowly starting, turning into the rhythmic, steady sound one can hear when the Ferry leaves port and gains speed. A little creaking and moaning, after all the engines have to run day after day, but there she goes!
Love Trains? Listen to 'Gare De Montrabe' and go on a journey through the French country side. You can hear the rhythmic, metallic sound made by the wheels of a moving train. The clickety clack everyone is familiar with living close to a train station!
'My Waltz With Matilda' is another favorite of mine! I was enchanted the very first time I heard it. In my mind, I traveled back in time. Skully mentioned to me later that the song was inspired by the story of a WW1 soldier and his Tank "Matilda". To me, listening with my eyes closed, it conjured up these images:
A soldier coming home after being away for a long time. Walking up to a big, beautiful old house. The house appears to be empty. Ivy is creeping up the facade, and the paint has faded. He pries the front door open, hesitates for a moment at the threshold and finally steps into a great hall. Silence greets him, only the wood creaking beneath his feet while walking up the stairs. A double door leads into a ballroom. There are no furniture left, but in the far left corner a grand piano with a bench awaits. He sits down on the bench, opens the lid, wipes the dust off the keys and starts playing 'Matilda'. For a moment it seems like the old house is waking up and is listening to the music. A young couple appears out of nowhere and starts dancing. Laughter, bits and pieces of conversation and the clicking of champagne glasses can be heard. As soon as the music ends, the couple disappears and the house is quiet once again. The visitor closes the lid softly, gets up and looks around one more time. Down the stairs and into to the great hall he goes, closes the front door and walks away.
'Trouble' must have given Skully the most Trouble, pun intended! What a challenge it must have been to combine the flute from the 1970's Horslips hit 'Trouble With a Capital T', and the guitar from their acoustic album 'Rollback' recorded in 2004. The end result with the 2 melodies combined, and the flute and guitar playing for the very first time together, is amazing!
These are just a few songs I love listening to from this beautiful album! Skully's pride and joy, rightly so. Go and give it a listen and make up your own stories to each song!
Back in May of 2008 I discovered Skully. I fell in love with his music, and it has been with me ever since.
I love all of Skully's music, but I keep coming back to his 'Without A Voice' album. Although all the songs are purely instrumental, so much of Skully himself is in each and every song! Sometimes I wonder how many nights he spent awake working and thinking; to get everything just right. One can tell that he poured his heart and soul into creating 'Without A Voice'!
Living in Oregon and waking up to the rain hitting the window panes once again, Skully's 'It Rained That Morning' has become my favorite song. Oregonians have a saying: "Don't just stand in the rain, FEEL it!"
I "feel" the rain while listening to this beautiful song! Early morning dawning, simulated by strings. A little "rumbling" in the back, just like before a storm. The piano setting in when the first raindrops start falling. The guitar accompanying the piano, the rain increasing. The song ending with the piano by itself, tiny raindrops continuing to fall, echoing while the song slowly fades away.
Here comes 'Arduity Sails By'. Literally! I am not sure if Skully got his inspiration for this song by one of the big Ferries in the Irish Sea, or by a Sailboat gliding by. To me it sounds like the engines of a Ferry are slowly starting, turning into the rhythmic, steady sound one can hear when the Ferry leaves port and gains speed. A little creaking and moaning, after all the engines have to run day after day, but there she goes!
Love Trains? Listen to 'Gare De Montrabe' and go on a journey through the French country side. You can hear the rhythmic, metallic sound made by the wheels of a moving train. The clickety clack everyone is familiar with living close to a train station!
'My Waltz With Matilda' is another favorite of mine! I was enchanted the very first time I heard it. In my mind, I traveled back in time. Skully mentioned to me later that the song was inspired by the story of a WW1 soldier and his Tank "Matilda". To me, listening with my eyes closed, it conjured up these images:
A soldier coming home after being away for a long time. Walking up to a big, beautiful old house. The house appears to be empty. Ivy is creeping up the facade, and the paint has faded. He pries the front door open, hesitates for a moment at the threshold and finally steps into a great hall. Silence greets him, only the wood creaking beneath his feet while walking up the stairs. A double door leads into a ballroom. There are no furniture left, but in the far left corner a grand piano with a bench awaits. He sits down on the bench, opens the lid, wipes the dust off the keys and starts playing 'Matilda'. For a moment it seems like the old house is waking up and is listening to the music. A young couple appears out of nowhere and starts dancing. Laughter, bits and pieces of conversation and the clicking of champagne glasses can be heard. As soon as the music ends, the couple disappears and the house is quiet once again. The visitor closes the lid softly, gets up and looks around one more time. Down the stairs and into to the great hall he goes, closes the front door and walks away.
'Trouble' must have given Skully the most Trouble, pun intended! What a challenge it must have been to combine the flute from the 1970's Horslips hit 'Trouble With a Capital T', and the guitar from their acoustic album 'Rollback' recorded in 2004. The end result with the 2 melodies combined, and the flute and guitar playing for the very first time together, is amazing!
These are just a few songs I love listening to from this beautiful album! Skully's pride and joy, rightly so. Go and give it a listen and make up your own stories to each song!
Thursday, April 30, 2009
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH SKULLY!!!
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH SKULLY!!!
1. At what age did you take a serious interest in music?
**I would guess around 12, I was a DJ when I was 13.
2. Did you have any formal training on piano/keyboards?
**I did do piano, but found it soul destroying learning to play TEN LITTLE INDIANS by sight, while playing Scott Joplin by ear at school concerts! I was asked to leave music in high school. I was told it wasn’t for me!
3. Your father was a very well known musician in Ireland. What influence did he have on your choice of careers? Was he supportive of your choice?
**My Father is the reason I chose this career. He has always been incredibly supportive, and I always run things past him if I am having production problems.
TO CONTINUE READING MORE OF THIS INTERVIEW, CLICK ON THE BANNER BELOW!!!!
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Sunday, April 26, 2009
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