On the wave of Tenacious D’s success the interest for humorous music is growing. Their latest album serves a high quality of rock music melted with a good laugh, and on the music scene, the captivating attitude of musicians who focus on a funny albeit rigorous approach, varying between musical styles, is tempting.

Mad Fantastic is walking this path. The Irish duo, composed of Gary Byrne and Tony O’Neill, focuses its efforts on developing a humorous concept resulting from the mixture of sound and lyrics. The sound is left free, in the sense that Mad Fantastic has not focused solely on a particular style to accompany its expression so far; music adapts to the situation. The duo shows good potential to succeed in this direction, and be part of an important, although sometimes underestimated, niche of music.

Toonari Post had the chance to talk to Mad Fantastic about its project.

Toonari Post (TP): When and why did you decide to start this project?

Mad Fantastic (MF): It’s been said that music can change the world, but for us it was a particular food item. Pancakes! ‘Is love like a pancake’ was the song that started our transition to  comedy music. In February 2012 we sat down to write a novelty song to celebrate pancake Tuesday, after noticing this unsung holiday had no official anthem. Then something happened we didn’t expect: the combination of comedy and music seemed to bring a new level of energy into the camp. So like a breath of fresh air and with a sense of “where have you been all my life,” we decided comedy music  fusion (com-usi-fusion) was what we had to do.

TP: While music, mainly certain genres, is usually taken very seriously, there is an increasing interest in music and bands that are able to make people laugh, such as Tenacious D. Why do you think this is happening?

MF: Society is shifting so fast these days, everyone is struggling, so we need a relief and comusifusion is still fresh enough to be interesting. We take the view that making people laugh is a “serious business.” With comedy music you get two for the price of one, and it’s developing nicely. No longer is it a comedian with a prop or a singer with too many syllables and a swear word; it’s coming into its own creative form.  Also, music and the music business are taken very seriously so when that comes in contact with comedy…well, we’ve all seen spinal tap!

TP: Who would you say influenced you the most?

MF: You would expect us to say, Flight of the Conchords or Tenacious D, and you’d be right; but also the genius comedic performances of Richard Pryor, Eddie Murphy and the social and edgy stuff that Bill Hicks and George Carlin did, had you thinking ” You’re right!, Why can’t everyone see how silly, war, sex, consumerism etc., is” Holding up a microscope to life and showing how caught up we get with the little things really hit, excuse the pun, a note with us.

TP: How would you define your style? Do you want to stay faithful to a certain kind of sonorities, or you just mind staying faithful to the funny part of your music, moving among different styles?

MF: The lyrics dictate the music. For instance ‘Is Love like a Pancake’ could only be an 80′s rock ballad ’Hero,’ a blues reggae offering, couldn’t have been anything else. Our comedy is based on ideas, so it doesn’t feel like an option to be closed to any style or genre of music that will enhance those ideas. Also, we really want to see what comusifusion can do and where it can take us creatively, because we are only getting started.

TP: How do you want to develop this project?

MF: We want to create a journey for people; entertain the pants off them and then give them their cab fare home. Connect and maybe make them laugh, think and even stamp their feet. Furthermore the music we are working on animated comedy sketches that will hopefully develop into an animated sit-com (think “Flight of the Conchords” HBO show meets “Family Guy”), to give the music a context and back drop. We’re doing it all ourselves so it takes a bit of time.

TP: Do you find it hard to convince people, also in the industry, to take your music project seriously, because of your style?

MF: Not really. The comedy music genre is growing all the time. There might even be an explosion into the mainstream soon enough. The next Kurt Cobain could be hilarious [The real one was hilarious too, Ed.], or the next Jay-Z might have 99 jokes!

TP: What are your near-future plans? An album, a tour?

MF: Well, all of that really. There are enough songs to fill two albums at the moment, it’s just a case of deciding which ones, then of course hitting the comedy clubs to test it out in front of real, honest and drunk people. It’s about gaining exposure at the moment. We are even entering competitions. Incidentally we are in one at the moment, if you don’t mind us mentioning it and if anyone wanted to vote for us they could here.

The article Mad Fantastic Interview: When Music Meets Comedy appeared first on The Toonari Post - News, Powered by the People!.

As we speed toward that metamorphic holiday in March where the whole world turns green and becomes Irish, St Patrick’s Day, the Irish Music Association has released a new list of the Best in Irish Music, creating new international icons in the genre.

On Saturday, January 28, 2012, during the 4th Annual Irish Music Award Presentation ceremony, the IMA recognized outstanding Irish artists in 18 different categories. The event took place in the 60-foot-underground historic brewery cellars of the 1842 Royal Brewing Company at O’Malley’s Pub in Weston, Missouri.

More than six weeks of voting and electioneering occurred in two online forums: “Members of the Irish Music Association” and “Free Public Voting.” The two forums for voting are used as checks and balances to insure fair and balanced reporting. Close races were in the following categories: Top Button Accordion, Top Fiddle, and Best Female Vocalist.

“There is magnificent talent among the ranks of Irish performers and musicians today. The Irish Music Association is proud to highlight these extraordinary artists, celebrating not only that which is traditionally Irish, but also appreciating more eclectic sounds,” IMA Executive Director R. T. Reeder said. “This year’s nominations include some of the Irish music industry’s most famous artists and performing groups.”

Reeder, who founded the organization in 2003, said the mission of the IMA is to “promote, produce and perpetuate Irish music worldwide.” This is accomplished by producing shows, sponsoring festivals, and producing the annual Irish Music Association Awards Ceremony, he said.

The IMA Awards event helps “recognize, promote and support Irish music and musicians from the U.S.,Ireland, the European Union, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom.” The awards program can be seen in its entirety at http://www.irishmusicawards.com

This year’s “Lifetime Achievement Award” went to Paddy Keenan for his dedication to Irish music.

Irish Music Award Recipients for 2011

• Top Solo Performer in Concert (US, IRE, EU, UK) - Ryan Kelly
• Top Solo Performer in a Pub Venue (US, IRE, EU, UK) - George Donaldson
• Top Duo in a Pub, Festival, Concert (US, IRE, EU, UK) – Qristina & Quinn Bachand
• Top Group (US, IRE, EU, UK) – The High Kings
• Best New Irish Artist(s) (IRE, EU, US, UK) – The Ryans
• Best New Irish CD - Orla Fallon - My Land
• Top Celtic Rock Band (IRE, EU, US, UK) – The Roving Crows
• Best Irish Tenor (individual) - Michael Londra
• Best Female Vocalist (individual/trad.) - Lisa Kelly
• Best Sean-nos Singer – Iarla O Lionaird
• Top Traditional Performance Show – Celtic Woman
• Top Traditional Group in a Pub, Festival, Concert – Teada
• Tommy Makem Award – Enya
• Top Uilleann Piper (US, IRE, EU, UK) - Tommy Martin
• Top Harpist (US, IRE, EU, UK) - Orla Fallon
• Top Fiddle/Violin (US, IRE, EU, UK, CA, AUS) - Caitlin Barrett
• Top Button Accordion (US, IRE, EU, UK) - John Whelan
• Lifetime Achievement Award - Paddy Keenan

Reeder said the IMA has received an overwhelming response to this year’s awards process, from the number of performing artists and groups nominated — to the number of votes already cast. “This outpouring of support reflects a growing appreciation and love for the music of Ireland,” he said.

Reeder was pleased the awards ceremony took place at O’Malley’s Pub, host of the annual O’Malley’s Weston Irish Festival. The pub is also home to the Weston Brewing Company and the American Bowman Restaurant. Promoted as the “oldest brewery West of the Hudson,” the brewery sponsored the first Kansas City Royals baseball team in the early 1900′s.

“The grand response we received from fans of Irish music and talent was so inspiring, as we gain momentum and build from year to year,” said Reeder. “I want to thank not only the winners, but those nominated in all of our categories, for their outstanding contributions in every aspect of Irish music.”

Image Courtesy of   TDC Photography / Shutterstock.com

The article Irish Musicians Achieve New Height of Recognition appeared first on The Toonari Post - News, Powered by the People!.