State Magazine

The new issue of State magazine is available as a free download from their page. Its a great read so its an awful shame that its not being pressed anymore. I always loved putting aside time to chill out and read it cover to cover. Go get it

Incidently they've included a rather nice review for EPonymously titled:

'Superb opening salvo from Ronan Carroll, a Limerick man based in Galway, whose bedroom-recorded four-track EP of electronic pop pushes all the right buttons, filling the spaces with atmosphere, groove and bass. There's a bit of a Four Tet vibe to this. Best of all, its a free download from myspace.com/tenakadrifting.'

Radio Play

The Far Side - Phantom fm. 
http://www.irishtimes.com/blogs/ontherecord/2009/01/28/the-far-side-playlist-for-tuesday-january-27/

Introducing - BBC 6Music 
http://www.bbc.co.uk/6music/shows/tom_robinsons_introducing/tracklisting_20090119.shtml
http://www.bbc.co.uk/6music/shows/tom_robinsons_introducing/tracklisting_20080714.shtml
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/podcasts/trintro

An Taobh Tuathail - RTE RnaG
http://www.rte.ie/rnag/antaobhtuathail.html

Dan Hegarty - 2fm
http://www.rte.ie/2fm/danhegarty/1249945.html

Green and Live - Live95fm
http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm? fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=62213395&blogID=466492366

Irish Nightlife - WLRFM
http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=62949326&blogID=467558435

Irish Beats - Beat10210fm
http://www.irishbeats.net

The Pulse - Radio Kerry

Hot Press Pick of the Fortnight

"Tenaka is the trading name of Ronan Carroll who comes from the Limerick/Galway region. He brings us a brand of electronica that keeps well away from the guitar band and singer-songwriter territories that are becoming quite over-crowded. The mesmeric ‘Aint Nobody’ has his disembodied vocal to win you over as well as cute ambient beats, modulated guitars and a touch of Radiohead. ‘Someday’ has a snappier beat but is no less hypnotic. The vocals don’t arrive until after a chilled mood has been well settled, and it oozes even more charm thereafter. The comparatively up-tempo instrumental ‘Open Up’ has a beguiling riff and builds magnificently. Tenaka s doing something that steers well clear of the obvious and he deserves attention for that alone, as well as the inventive quality of his work."

MAP Irish Artist of the Month

http://www.nialler9.com/2009/02/15/map-february-09/

Tenaka is Ronan Carroll, a one-man band who creates melodic and sinewy slices of electronic pop from his bedroom but which suggest an imagination far beyond the physical. Alaskan is the soundtrack to dipping your toes into a lake before dive-bombing into its sunshine-infested yet chilly waters. The song features on EPonymously Titled, a free EP available from his MySpace. No excuses, download it now.

Asleep on the Compost Heap

http://onavery.blogspot.com/2009/02/what-if-you-could-see-both-forest-and.html

Some nice sounds from Ireland:

I thought a Tenaka was a type of shape-shifting raccoon ghost with huge testicles from Japan. I was wrong. It turns out that's a Tanuki. A Tenaka is a Limerick man (who may or may not have huge testicles) who lives in Galway and makes understated pastoral electronica in his spare time. Think the clockwork rhythms of Plaid, the folky sensibilities of Fridge, and some hushed singing. If Greg from Masterchef heard it he might say "emotive bedroom electronica DOESN'T GET BETTER THAN THIS".

Galway Independent

http://www.galwayindependent.com/entertainment/entertainment/picks-of-week-%11-4th-february-2009/

Pick of the Week

Tenaka - 'Eponymously Titled' 
Ronan Carroll's take on lo-fi electronic pop is far from perfect, in fact it's sometimes out of tune, but that's not the point… sorry that is the point. It's perfectly imperfect, it's human. And 'Someday' is quite possibly one of the most beautifully broken pieces of music I've heard in eons. Music you want to tell your friends about

TenaciousT Review

http://tenacioustimothy.wordpress.com/2009/02/12/tenaka/

Tenaka

Oh there is a storm brewing in the west and what a sublime storm it is!

Tenaka is Ronan Carroll, a Galway based Limerick muscian who happens to be a Biomedical Engineer- not sure what part of the body he engineers for but he knows a thing or two about ears and what is good going into them.

He has created a 4 track ep called EPonymously Titled that you can download for free from his MySpace and they really are some great ambient tunes.   Not only do they grab your attention but his writing to go along with them really puts you into the right frame of mind…

Tenaka awoke to hear the storm hissing and battering at the window.
He stretched and glanced at the fire - it had faded to glowing coals.
He had slept in the lady’s arms, taking comfort in the bugs, haven and
crawl, as she slept in the chair, her breathing deep. Tenaka rose to his
feet, slowly making his way from the room. The corridor was icy, the
wooden boards creaking under his boots. He moved to the tribes fire,
adding fresh wood and gently blowing the flames to life. He felt revitalized
as it flared from the first child through to the pause of the fourth.

Tenaka removed the red dagger from its sheth and stirred the broth with
the blade, scanning the room for ingredients. As he poured the broth into
a bowl, he cut the stitches from his cheek, emotions firing behind paper
eyes. Quietly he stowed his gear in the canvas pack, fastened his cloak
and pushed gently through the doorway.

The storm was inviting.

Just to make it even better there is some great artwork and the humorously entitled play all ‘Sure why not, it only takes 928 seconds and twas free.wpl’.

Of the tunes themselves- these aren’t the lull you off to sleep ambient tunes but the type that peak your interest and where your foot starts tapping on its own accord.  Ain’t Nobody and Someday have some soft vocals to go along with the synths and building rythms, Open Up has more complex rythms with a more driving pace and Alaskan is more sampled with kids and kids toys and some gorgeous synth strings.  Of them all I wish Alaskan was longer but you can always stick it on repeat!

He is not currently touring but hopefully soon- for the moment get the tunesand let their blissfullness wash over you.

The Ticket, Irish Times

http://www.irishtimes.com/blogs/ontherecord/2009/01/23/changes-at-the-ticket/

"Limerickman in Galway Ronan Carroll’s “’EPonymously Titled EP is chockablock with dashing slow-mo electronic pop"

Musical Rooms

http://musicalrooms.wordpress.com/2009/02/01/musical-rooms-part-55-tenaka/

Musical Rooms Part 55: Tenaka

“My favourite place to make music is my bedroom. It allows me the solitude to work on music yet also the comforts of home. Since it is also one-half my bedroom it can get somewhat messy but before I can settle down to be creative, I’ll make sure to have it clean and organized. I couldn’t work in a cluttered environment. I’m constantly striving for better production qualities and cleaner sounds so it helps to be in an area that feels organized and productive. I’ve been here for nearly two years and, although I started dabbling with music shortly before that, here is where all of my music in its current form has been composed and recorded. Like most bedroom studios everything happens through the laptop and so in order for my music to feel more organic I’ve built up a series of instruments, tools and devices that allows me to work more fluidly, instead of with the generic mouse and keyboard.

So far, my musical instruments include an acoustic and electric guitar, bongos, congas, xylophones, harmonicas, shakers, a ukulele, a kalimba and a kora. I can record all of these through my condenser mic, which has become essential for me. I also use a lot of samples for keys and percussion and so I use a MIDI keyboard and Monome in order to control and manipulate them. All of this is fed through Ableton Live 7 which is the focal point of my studio. When composing new melodies on the acoustic guitar I will sometimes use my RC-50 Loopstation to seamlessly build on riffs but all of the final recordings go through the laptop. I monitor the music using a pair Sennheiser 280 PRO headphones.

I try to work on new music when I can, but its hard to find a fixed time so it’s usually in the late hours when I sit down to work. I’m definitely a night owl and feel most comfortable, creative and inspired when everyone else is zoning out. I’ve started a few side projects where I have other musicians call over to work on some music and so far it’s going really well, but when it comes to my music I really need to be on my own. I am still learning and I’m constantly looking to create new sounds, styles and ideas and to do this you really have to let yourself go and try things that may not work out. I find it more comforting to be on your own where you can work with these rogue melodies and sounds without worrying what other people think. As I said I’m still in my infancy stage and learning every day but it’s invigorating. It’s the greatest drug I know. For me the music is very organic and evolves through time so there is no fixed outline for any of my tracks. I may begin work on a track thinking I know the main melody, vibe and feeling, but the final track can tend to wander off where it wants to go and leaves you thinking ‘how did that happen?’. Michelangelo once said that “every block of stone has a statue inside it and it is the task of the sculptor to discover it“. That’s exactly how I feel about my music.”

****************************************************************
Tenaka is the one-man project of Limerick man Ronan Carroll. His four-track debut EP ‘Eponymously Titled’ was released in January 2009 and is four quarters of melody-fuelled electronica with many influences, from Devendra Banhart (‘Ain’t Nobody’) to RSAG (‘Open Up’). The EP can be downloaded for free on his myspace page. For more information and details of upcoming live shows, visitwww.myspace.com/tenakadrifting.

Top Upcoming Irish Acts 2009

http://swearimnotpaul.blogspot.com/2009/01/blog-co-operation-top-10-upcoming-irish.html

http://2uibestow.blogspot.com/2009/01/sound-of-2009.html

Tenaka is one guy: Ronan Carroll. He's this year's RSAG. Yes, he's that damn good. His name reminds me of a wrestler, or T-Hawk from Streetfighter, but who cares about names? It's the music that matters. He recently released his debut EP, EPonymously Titled to much acclaim, and has even been featured on BBC Radio across the water. Some of his tracks are instrumental, but add in the word "multi" and it makes them all the more interesting. A supremly talented musician, if his live act stands up to his studio stuff, 2009 could well be his year.

Swear Im not Paul

http://swearimnotpaul.blogspot.com/2009/01/download-tenaka-eponymously-titled.html

Well, not today, but from Saturday the 10th of January, you can download Tenaka's excellently monikered EP EPonymously Titled. Tenaka is Ronan Carroll from Limerick and has been featured as an upcoming artist on BBC Music. And you know what? They're right. Perhaps an Irish Sound of 2009?

Tenaka - EPonymously Titled
1. Aint Nobody
2. Someday
3. Open Up
4. Alaskan

Check out his MySpace on Saturday to download it:
http://www.myspace.com/tenakadrifting

RedTrack Music Reviews

http://redtrackmusic.com/joomred/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=193&Itemid=70

Eponymously Titled is the debut EP from Tenaka. This trippy little record is an atmospheric gem that you can stick on and listen to over and over without having to press skip as the tracks follow each other nicely and conjure up that wonderful imagery we all get in our heads from music so relaxing and deeply organic sounding. 'Aint Nobody' is heavily Moby influenced yet very original in execution. 'Someday' and 'Open up' are soundscapes within their own right before 'Alaskan which is the EP's main contender strikes out a little more aggressively and full of intent.  Tenaka is definitely an artist to listen out for. Music for the masses

Easy Music for Difficult Ears

http://easymusicfordifficultears.blogspot.com/2009/01/tenaka-eponymously-titled.html

When this independent release from Galway based electronic musician, Tenaka (aka Ronan Carroll), arrived on my doormat the other day, there were serious intentions to plant myself down, give it a blast and stick pen to paper in order to doodle and jot down useless notes.

Of course for obvious reasons (once again, see below) I took my time, but this allowed me the luxury to kick back, relax and partake in some simple absorption (i.e. - flake out).
Following six days of erring and ahhing, thinking and sweating, I finally crouched down, knocked off the lights and eventually... fell asleep. But first, the EP.
"EPonymously Titled" contains four tracks of chilled out dark electronica that has been rather neatly crafted together by Carroll. The release blends itself from New Order-esque bass lines with a very Death in Vegas / Royksopp feel - although thankfully this CD never falls into chasm of utter boredom that Royksopp inhabit.

Admittedly the release isn't entirely perfect - the vocals on Ain't Nobody slightly out of sequence with the rest of the track and the percussion on Someday is far too static - but for a debut issue, there is some pretty good stuff going on here.
Open Up is probably the best song on the disc, bringing to light some nice touches reminiscent of Death in Vegas - my only quibble being that when the track reversal near the end is somewhat unnecessary. The fourth of four is Alaskan, an nice driving track that is just the touch to finish the EP.
This definitely an excellent debut effort and while there are still remnants of various musical influences at work, I am expecting there to be some solid progression come the next release.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Off Her Rocker - Soundtrack

http://wordpress.hotpress.com/offherrocker/2009/02/04/soundtrack-tenaka/

My name’s Nay and I’m addicted to Tenaka.
It’s been twenty hours since my last song.
I realise by facing the truth of EPonymously Titled’s hold over my playlists, I can move forward to a fruitful life equal to my peers, gaze no longer blinded by the brilliant, electronic sun…

Day and Night, Irish Independent

http://dayandnightmag.ie/2009/02/06/band-of-blogs-q-tip-the-pains-of-being-pure-at-heart-tenakaktv-on-the-radio-cover-bowie/

Tenaka free EP

Limerick’s Ronan Carroll offers up a superb free 4 track release called Eponymously Titled filled with atmospheric lilting electronic pop for free. For fans of Four Tet, Warp and chillout music (when that term was a signifier of quality).
myspace.com/tenakadrifting

drop-d Soundtrack Interview

http://www.drop-d.ie/article.php?article_id=872

Tenaka's colourful debut EPonymously Titled hit ears across Ireland in early January and has since gathered steady acclaim from musical camps across the country. Known as Ronan Carroll in the real world and hailing from Limerick but residing in Galway, the mind behind our latest electronica love-affair offered to share his thoughts and passions with a SoundTrack of his own.

Drop-D: Can you pigeonhole your tastes into one particular genre or do your preferences spread through an array of influences?

Tenaka: I think a few years ago I probably could have pigeonholed my tastes in music, being a fan of bands like Oasis, The Beatles and Radiohead. All the obvious choices really. That all changed when I heard Radiohead's Kid A. I vividly remember the day I played it for the first time and thinking "I've no idea what you'd call this style of music but it's exactly what I've been looking for..." I'd always been a huge music fan but had never actively sought new music so the radio was my main and limited source of new bands. Kid A was complemented by Four Tet's Pause shortly afterwards and I was hooked. It opened my eyes to the diversity and originality of new music available and it felt like a darkness had lifted. I finally had ears.

Drop-D: What triggered your musical infatuation? Was it a certain band/person/style/age?

Tenaka: I think it had to be that Kid A moment. It really was defining and certainly shaped me as a person. Finding a deeper love of music and expression frees you from every-day stresses. It opens your eyes to the important things in life.

Drop-D: Is there any kind of music you'd like to know/hear more of?

Tenaka: In the last few years since I started to make music I've become more aware of new (and old) Irish music. When you think of Irish music, U2, Snow Patrol etc... but there's so much beneath the surface. I've only been aware of all of this in the last few years but the potential of some of these bands is phenomenal and they really should get more recognition. It's important for me now to become aware of all that the Irish music scene has to offer and to promote it to friends and acquaintances where I can. 2008 was an amazing year for Irish music and I think that's 2009 is going to build on that ever further.

Drop-D: What influenced your decision to choose a career in a band?

Tenaka: I don't think any one thing in particular has influenced me to become actively involved in music apart from when I bought my first guitar three years ago with the intention of learning Radiohead'sThere There. With regards a fulltime music career, I don't think that's an option for me. So many bands struggle to find success, critical acclaim or enough money to survive but for me it's just about expressing myself through music. I have other career plans in mind, but music will always be as big a part of my life as anything else I do. I like the idea of working on music for the love of it and having no demands/expectations to meet in order to 'receive your cheque'. It allows you to be more free and daring. It's only my opinion but I think monetary success also brings pressures and that can sometimes inhibit an artist's music. The pressure to produce to a working formula doesn't appeal to me. I still can't play There There.

Drop-D: How much time do you spend listening to music now? Has it de/increased over time?

Tenaka: The amount of music I listen to on a regular basis has definitely increased as time has gone by. I'm an addict and I cant live without my fix. I've always needed music but now I appreciate it on a whole new level as well as needing it in order to survive. The day I die I'll be late for my funeral because I'll want to put on some music while I'm getting ready.

Drop-D: Do you prefer live music or listening from home?

Tenaka: I think live performance and listening to a recording from home should be two completely different things. I love to chill out and listen to every little sound on a recording, appreciating the detail and emotions in every track, but in a live performance I want to be moved in a different, more physically recognisable way. There are some bands whose live performances can't be missed in order to appreciate the whole package that is their music. On the flip side however, there are others who are content to make the live show sound identical in every way to the recordings. For me, if I wanted that I'd stay at home and listen to the CD.

Drop-D: How often would you spend at gigs that aren't your own?

Tenaka: I think like most music fans I could go to more gigs than I do, but I try to make as many as I can. I try at least once a week to make a gig whether it be an established band or an up and coming Irish band.

Drop-D: Would they be Irish or international bands? Any genre more so than the other?

Tenaka: There is so much great new music out there that I don't think its fair to restrict yourself to one genre or nationality. If you look at any of the bands/artists that are doing new and original things at the moment their influences are taken from all forms of genres and styles whether it be Jazz, Country, Pop, Rock, Dance or RnB. There are certain bands, both Irish and International, that I keep my eye out for, but if something grabs my attention or comes highly recommended by a friend, blog or article, I'll try to catch it.

Drop-D: Where does Irish music come on your playlists?

Tenaka: I'm a big fan of Irish music and so it features highly on my playlist but you also have to look to where these bands are taking their influences...that's what so endlessly enjoyable about music, every time you find a new favourite band you'll find five of their influences that will equally blow you away!

I'm a big fan of well known Irish bands like Jape, The Jimmy Cake, RSAG, Fight like Apes, Halves,Ham Sandwich, Heathers, The Vinny Club etc but there are also a lot of upcoming bands that I think will do great things like Villagers, Grand Pocket Orchestra, Kill Crinkle Club, The Ambience Affairand Mail Order Messiahs. Galway also has some great bands such as So Cow, Mirakil Whip, Mugger Dave, Blasterbra, The Followers of Otis, Music for Dead Birds and the Depravations. There's a lot happening in Irish music at the moment.

Drop-D: What do you think of the climate of the Irish music scene? Is it a good place to be a musician right now?

Tenaka: For a long time guitar bands and singer songwriters were the order of the day but I think these days, bands are looking for something different in their music to separate them from everyone else and it's great to see. Ireland's a very exciting place to be at the moment for a musician.

Drop-D: If you could choose a musical era to experience, what would it be?

Tenaka: I suppose most people would say the Sixties or Seventies but I'm happy right here thanks.

Drop-D: Choose some albums you find timeless and explain why....

Tenaka: I won't embarrass myself trying to describe what makes these albums stand out for me. I just get them and they get me.

Radiohead – Kid A

Fourtet – Pause

One Giant Leap – One Giant Leap

Air – Moon Safari

Moby – Play

Drop-D: Now name some modern tunes you've really enjoyed.

Tenaka:

Lykke Li – Youth Novels

RSAG – Organic Sampler

The Jimmy Cake – Spectre and Crown

Jape – Ritual

Santagold – Santagold

Bon Iver – For Emma Forever Ago

Frightened Rabbit – Midnight Organ Fight

Ratatat – LP3

Flying Lotus – Los Angeles

Daedalus – Love to Make Music To

Dan le Sac v Scroobius Pip – Angles

Why – Alopecia

Wolf Parade – Apologise to the Queen Mary

Drop-D: Who/what do you find absolutely awful crap, rubbish, dross?

Tenaka: Bands who choose to play a style of music just because they think it's the 'in-thing' and that they might make it big by doing so. I like originality.

Drop-D: You've hijacked RTE at prime time and the DJ's tied up in a corner. Which five songs do you think the nation HAS to hear?

Tenaka: I don't know about what songs people 'have to hear' but songs that rock my boat at the moment are:

Of Montreal – The Past is a Grotesque Animal

Mogwai – The Sun Smells Too Loud

RSAG – Moving Image

Frightened Rabbit – Old Old Fashioned

Why – Fatalist Palmistry

EPonymously Titled is available for free digital download fromwww.myspace.com/tenakadrifting

'EPonymously Titled' drop-d review

http://www.drop-d.ie/article.php?article_id=865

Des Lynam, Richard Harris, Terry Wogan

Limerick (It's in the west of Ireland for all you Dublin types) has given us some of the greatest people ever created and musically speaking she has been no slouch either with wunder-rockersgiveamanakick and the Out On A Limb posse all hailing from that direction.

Enter Ronan Carroll, who, according to himself, may currently reside in this writer's hometown of Galway, and who peddles his aural wares under the moniker of Tenaka, a mysterious tag with Manga overtones.

EPonymously Titled is his debut EP and the love and care positively oozes from the speakers, delivering top drawer, chill-out electronica with Mr. Carroll demonstrating an enviable ear for melody and IDM noodling.

Opening track, Ain't Nobody, begins with a plucked guitar chord and gradually builds with the vocals, bongos and keyboards all easing you into proceedings. Someday's farting bass grabs you next with swirling synthesizers and an out-of-tune vocal that results in a song equal parts eerie, warm and hypnotic. Open Up is all rumbling Nirvana bass with a pulsating beat driving the song and the requisite amount of glitch to give most electronica fans that nice feeling in their pants...or, possibly, their tummies.

While living in Galway for my formative years effectively ruined my appreciation of the bongos - given their New Age association and Quay Street ubiquity - Tenaka is doing his damnedest to heal my bruised ears with his use of said percussive instrument. Alaskan, the final track and my personal favourite, has a tasty 80s opening with bongos teasing the mix. Various sounds and textures gestate and evolve, giving way to Tenaka, or the song's character, submerging himself in water and re-emerging to the sound of playing children. It's a beautiful piece and one that hauntingly concludes the EP.

The liner notes of this four-song collection tell a story about each track and if you read them whilst listening to the music it is hard not to feel the very personal nature of this recording. Tenaka is already popping up on many 'ones to watch' lists and hardly needs my endorsement, but this is an impressive and touching record with a heartbeat aswell as an electronic beat. Go out and buy it - no excuses.

Drifting

Ill be posting information here on my music such as forthcoming releases, tour dates, downloads, press,  general information and ideas, but also bits and pieces here and there on what im listening to at the moment.

As i find alot of new music through other blogs ill sometimes repost things that i think should be heard, referencing the original post of course.

(Deep breath!)

Here we go...