• 5 years ago
PRESENTED BY SARAH RICHES
BALCONYTV TORONTO IS BROUGHT TO YOU IN ASSOCIATION WITH INDIE WEEK AND THE UNDERGROUND GARAGE
http://www.indieweek.com
http://www.undergroundgarage.ca

Valentine Black is the alter ego of Irish musician Peco Mc Loughlin. Having fronted a number of bands, most recently indie-rockers Bright Light Fiasco who enjoyed success with the two top 40 singles, Peco decided to go solo in late 2008. He's been writing and demoing songs since and is currently recording his debut album which is due for release in Spring of 2011. The lead single off which, 'Retrospect' is due for release on October 22nd 2010.

He has already created quite a bit of interest making the heats The JD Set in 2009, being selected in May 2010 for youngrebel.co.uk's international playlist and playing the live heats for Phantom FM's 'Next Becks Thing' competition in August 2010. He is also performing a number of shows at Indie Week Canada in October. And although no singles have been released yet, his demos have received airplay on a number of Dublin, regional and internet radio stations.
Songs on the forthcoming album are about everything from state and church corruption to the old chestnuts of love, loss, life and even murder! The music is influenced by classic artists like David Bowie, Bob Dylan, Neil Young, The Clash, and more contemporary acts like Arcade Fire, The National, Elbow, Radiohead and James to name a few.

Over the years he has shared the stage with a number of major artists supporting acts like The Waterboys, Mundy, Bell X-1, Damien Dempsey, The Blizzards, The Coronas, Dirty Epics, Aslan and Something Happens to name a few. With the release of his debut album shortly he hopes to take the next step up on the bill!

PRESS:
Jackie Hayden; Hot Press journalist, music industry expert and the man who discovered U2 once described Peco as 'incomparable...a wizard and a true star'.

'Classic yet fresh musical style...displays strong talent and potential...
The Great American Song Contest 2010

'His "Retrospect" single features country fundamentals like the pedal steel and acoustic guitar, but later explodes into a Damien Rice-esque opus that also resembles Elbow.' chartattack.com Sept 2010

'Valentine Black is a treat for the soul as well as the ears, particularly if you have come to lose faith in the millions of unsigned acts out the...It is clear that his influences come from the likes of Bob Dylan and Neil Young...however he doesn't attempt to be his heroes but merely incorporates their essence into his own kind of music.'
clairekanedub.wordpress.com July 2010

'His work is admirably home produced with the man himself playing all the instruments yet still managing to sound like a proper band...he can dip in and out of various musical genres...rockabilly/early Beatles mode...moody atmospheric rock...tasty acoustic singer/songwriter terrain with a little of the vocal style of Harry Chapin...'
Hot Press

'One doesn't like to compartmentalise does one? But this young man and his band's last performance made me think of late sixties west coast U.S. sounds injected with original new millenium grooves. Great Live Act!'
ontheverge.ie

"...Bob Dylan with a new set of lungs..."
wheresthecraic.com

'Valentine Black has stepped outside the boundaries of song-writing with his new project after branching off from Bright Light Fiasco, OK maybe there are too many folk singers, buskers and rock star wannabes out there but Valentine Black's demo EP has a real 70's feel with Joni Mitchell styled lyrics...I feel there is room for this style of music on today's scene...interesting stuff. 4 out of 6 Stars
Musicreviewunsigned.com

'Reminiscent of the Frames ...Peco has a great voice -- it's that glamorous, heartrending folk sound born of years busking nowhere pubs. Think David Gray. Think the kind of voice Paddy Casey would trade his record deal for...this sounds fresh and vital..."
College Examiner

Musicunsigned, the influential UK website compared the songs to, "David Gray or Counting Crows with its rootsy pop undertones... intelligent pop music lyrically drawing on the timeless songs of Van Morrison and Dylan..."

www.myspace.com/valentineblack

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