Carosel released their debut album Kaleidoscope in February 09 on Reekus. The opening track, ‘Easy as it Flows’ has already made the soundtrack of hit Canadian television series ‘The Best Years’.
Carosel's first gig in 2007 was certainly impromptu, with guitarist Pete McGrane coaxing Michelle Phelan onstage at his gig for a rendition of Al Green's 'Let's Stay Together'. The enthusiastic reaction of the audience encouraged them to continue working together and since then they have notched up some memorable gigs and TV appearances, including the Late Late Show, the Guinness Storehouse, and the main stage at the Cork Jazz Festival . They were invited to perform at the Jazz Festival again in 2008, and also played at Electric Picnic that year.
Michelle and Pete began writing songs for the album at the end of 2007 while on retreat in the south of France. When the first demo tracks from the album filtered out from the studio, interest in the band grew rapidly with comparisons being made to Feist and Regina Spektor.
The News of the World has described the album as ‘a joy’.
The sunny uplifting music on Kaleidoscope is just what is needed this time of the year - the extremely positive early comments on the music have name-checked Burt Bacharach, Nouvelle Vague and Jack Johnson while Michelle's "warm, but crystal clear vocals'" have been likened to Feist, Dionne Warwick and Karen Carpenter. Carosel’s music is generally influenced by Michelle’s love of 60’smusic and Pete’s background in flamenco guitar. The album is available from all good shops and leading digital sites.
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Early reviews have described Carosel's debut album Kaleidoscope as :
THE SUNDAY BUSINESS POST ****
"Michelle Phelan and Pete McGrane are a rare combination in the current Irish music scene. Not only do they eschew affected indie-posturing and sundry rock-star clichés, but their retro-eclectic approach to pop purity has created its own unique sense of cool"
THE SUNDAY TIMES
"Kaleidoscope, their forthcoming debut album, is a gently enchanting affair that encompasses pop, jazz, blue-eyed soul, bossa nova and even flourishes of flamenco"
NEWS OF THE WORLD
"Carosel frontwoman Michelle Phelan's crystal clear, atmospheric voice contains enough warmth to melt any cynicism"
THE MIRROR
"They have been compared to Feist and Regina Spektor but we think they have an individuality that's all their own"
THE TICKET - THE IRISH TIMES
"Perky, soulful, sunny jazz-pop"
THE STAR
"Phelan’s striking vocals add a sunny disposition to Mc Grane’s cheerful array of melodious songs, so the album has a feel-good factor of 10"
Hi Carosel, I Draw Slow are playing The Cobblestone, Smithfield in Dublin on Wednesday 24th June, supported by the amazing Thomas Kitt. Doors are at 8.30 and admission is €10, a small price to pay to see the citys two premier acoustic acts don't you agree? On the off chance you disagree, come down on wednesday next to the Cobblestone, Smithfield Dublin and we'd be happy to discuss it.
People are often unreasonable and self-centered. Forgive them anyway. If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives. Be kind anyway. If you are honest, people may cheat you. Be honest anyway. If you find happiness, people may be jealous. Be happy anyway. The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway. Give the world the best you have, and though it may never be enough. Give your best anyway. For you see, in the end, it is between you and yourself. It never was between you and them anyway
Hello!!! We are doing the " Bumble Bee Helicopter Show" This Saturday the 13th in The Village..... With Roamnov's Goodbye and Elavator. Hope too see ya there dressed like a bumble bee! Thanks for letting us post this. Have a great day!
The best kind of friend is the one you could sit on a porch with, never saying a word, and walk away feeling like that was the best conversation you've had. ~Author Unknown
i dreamt last night that i was writing 'the lord of the rings'.... ....i must have been tolkien in my sleep.....BBBBBBAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA.......
Guys! We would love you to get your music up on www.mytunerox.com. We are a new site and hungry to promote artists! Sell tracks,singles and albums,blog,comment,get fans,mail,review. All artists share 20% of the site advertising revenue! 1st 500 artists to register receive 100% of all sales. Live the Dream, Spread the Word, MyTuneRox! The MyTuneRox! Team.
DOING GOOD MICHELLE, SETTLING DOWN TO MARRIED LIFE STILL PLAYING GIGS NOW AND THEN, ANY PLANS FOR THE BAND TO PLAY IN THE LONDON AREA IN THE NEW FUTURE?
I bought KALEIDOSCOPE today and love it, every track. It is so uplifting, the perfect antidote to all the doom and gloom. And THAT voice. Every time I hear it on the radio it stops me in my tracks. And the violin on "Sun is shining" - pure genius. I can't wait to hear you play live. Roll on the 17th !
