Unquiet Nights on Balcony TV

 

Making Ugly film fundraiser at Store St

Dublin plays host to fundraiser for indie feature film ‘Making Ugly’

The young filmmaking team behind new independent thriller ‘Making Ugly’ present an evening of film and live music from 8:30pm on Saturday 22 January 2011 at The Good Bits, Store Street, Dublin 1. The event will include a preview of the film trailer and a fantastic array of local musicians that include Starters, Press Empire, Ciaran Smyth, Blue Syndrome and guest DJ Thomas Farrell; all performing to raise funds for the post-production stage of the project.

Dublin-born producer Dara Carroll welcomes this event as a homecoming but also ‘because Dublin is bursting with young filmmakers, artists and musicians that are full of drive and talent but more often than not have to leave to pursue their careers.’ Carroll sees this event as ‘an opportunity for people to come together with ideas and skills and start producing some great work.’ Describing his role as producer on ‘Making Ugly’, a micro-budget feature film, Carroll explains how ‘everything has to be negotiated or done for as little money as possible. You have a lot of people saying that it is impossible to make a film on no budget, while at the same time the crew would be making their way to the 31st floor of one of the most famous buildings in Canary Wharf. It’s a role that takes a lot of belief in the project and in yourself.’ On future projects, Carroll reveals ‘the goal is to produce and shoot the next film in Ireland, this is now the time and place for Dublin filmmakers of all skills to come together and get the ball rolling.’

This event follows a thrilling, uproarious fundraising event in Edinburgh and the ‘Making Ugly’ cast and crew views the growing support for the film as testament to the support and excitement for independent British and Irish cinema to flourish once more. ABOUT THE FILM ‘Making Ugly’ is an original, independent feature film that revolves around the dark bonds that link seemingly disparate characters and the horrific crimes committed when no one is really looking. The film is currently in post-production and set for theatrical release in 2011.

The film was shot on a budget of £7,000 with an actual budget of £500,000 gained in kind. Shot on location in London and Edinburgh over 3 months in 2010 and made possible by the support of local and national business that include London and Edinburgh film council, Abbey Offices, Bl Developments, Ghillie Dhu, The Royal Botanical Gardens Edinburgh, The Film House, Tea Tree Tea and Tower Hamlets Council.

Interview: Luke Mathers of Unquiet Nights

Unquiet Nights are the business. A kind of shining light in the Irish music world. Lead singer Luke Mathers answers some questions for dublinzine.

Q. Where did the name for the band come from?

A. The word Unquiet features in a Genesis song, who are on of my favourite bands.  Also the word is vaguely related to bipolar disorder, the unquiet night of the soul etc.  It implies the late nights, loud music, adventure, scandal that fits in with the rich history of Rock & Roll music.  But also has the darker undertone I mentioned.

Q. Band members names & instruments?

A. Rodger Firmin’s the drummer, Daniel Lynch on guitar, Adam Black on bass, and Luke Mathers which is myself on guitar/vocals.

Q. Who are your influences? (Are you XFactor fans or against it?)

A. Opposed to the X-factor in every possible way.  Rehashing awful, souless versions of formerly great songs with no one writing original stuff or playing an instrument is not music.  I resent hugely that everyone asks “why my band don’t go on x-factor” by clueless people who’s album collection is thinner than their credit card.  Because we write and perform original material is the main reason.  Musical talent and X-factor car crash entertainment are two entirely different leagues, and people should realise that soon.  The UK and Ireland have made incredible contributions to popular music in the past and now this.  I would say it’s the depressing celebration of mediocrity, but that’s only on a good night.  I’ve also read Cowell attacking Springsteen and Weller’s legacy as artists.  This is the same guy who made his money flogging novelty records like Robson & Jerome, Teletubbies and wrestling soundtrack albums.  I sincerely wish I would wake up tomorrow and this shite would be finished with.  Or atleast put into perspective by the mainstream.

Q. You have quite an authentic rock/indie sound,  do you  think rock will make some kind of a comeback, as opposed to rap,  poppy rock, anthem music, or boy bands. Jim Morrison said in the late sixties ‘rock is dead. ‘ Agree, or disagree?

A. It still exists, I’ve witnessed it.  I’ve seen The Stones, Springsteen, Weller, Richard Ashcroft live many times and it was the real deal.  Also relatively newer bands like The Hold Steady, Gaslight Anthem, Editors, Foo Fighters, Audioslave are the real deal.  Listen to the current Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers album “Mojo”.  That’s living breathing Rock & Roll if I’ve ever heard it.  Look at people’s appetite and curiosity towards Rock culture with the John Lennon film biopic coming out.  It’s not dead and never will die.  It’s just that the music industry have become so incredibly greedy and corporate that Rock bands can’t be trusted.  They’re free spirits, know their own worth, won’t surrender all artistic control of their music and image.  The music industry want something that can be sculpted, managed, contained, and ultimately owned.  It’s their own fault for not developing new talent that they’re having to endlessly remaster and release random Best Of collections by bands they own the back catalogue of.  The need to balance the books.

Q. What’s the goal for the band?

A. To keep writing and recording, doing good work.  Building the fanbase, turning people on to our stuff.  We’d like to find a way of making it work financially to tour more and take some of the opportunities that have been offered to us.  I don’t personally think the songwriting of the band limits us in anyway.  There’s no apparant trend to what type of people like our songs, any age, any continent.  People are getting it.  I’d just love for anyone who reads this to get on www.unquietnights.com and download our stuff off the tunewidget.

Q. Are you playing in Dublin soon?

A. Possibly doing Balcony TV Dublin very soon.  As for live gigs there isn’t a date I can give you but there are things threatening to happen soon.  The only gig confirmed at the minute is Sat March 12th in The Scala London with Bloc Party.  Dublin will happen though that’s for sure.  Best way to be kept up to date is join the mailing list, and follow on twitter/facebook/myspace.  All the networking sites are linked from www.unquietnights.com.

Unquiet Nights-a band worth hearing!

I came across this Irish band, Unquiet Nights, on myspace and I think they rock, in every sense of the world. If you’re looking for authentic rock music with an edge, check these lads out.

They are featured on a sampler by Under The Radar magazine.

Unquiet Nights myspace.

Unquiet Nights facebook