Luck of the Irish Night Featuring: The Fisticuffs – Mickey Harte (CD Release Show) – John Condron

Formed in 2005, The Fisticuffs marry driving punk and folk instruments. Hailing from the south side of Chicago, the band is known for their raucous live shows in Chicago venues such as The Bottom Lounge, The Double Door, The Beat Kitchen, Reggie’s, Champ’s Rock Room and the Subterranean. The Fisticuffs have also toured nationally.

With lyrics about hard work, family, heritage at home and abroad, a great many sins and life on the south side of Chicago, whether you’re on your feet at the lip of the stage or singing along atop a bar stool, these high-energy live shows will get your blood pumping.

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Singer songwriter Mickey Harte has been a mainstay of the Irish contemporary music circuit for well over 10 years. Career achievements include multiple Platinum records, Meteor Awards, regular RTE TV appearances, plus hundreds of concerts for audiences large and small across Ireland as well as Germany, France, Spain, Sweden, The UK, The Netherlands, and the USA.

From County Donegal, Ireland, Mickey grew up in both a musical culture and a musically-appreciative family. Inherent talents recognized early, he was encouraged to explore and cultivate them. Finding inspiration in the world around him, the results reflected growing up in the turbulent times of life in an Irish border town.

During his formative years as a musician, Mickey was always well regarded as an exceptional songwriter. His soon to be released album, “A Man’s Aloud to Dream” well-represents the evolution and maturity of Mickey’s talents. Recorded in The States, in Chicago, the finished work is rootsy and up-front with a wide-variety of compositions and sounds. Mickey’s strong vocals and intricate acoustic guitar work are delightfully accompanied by various backing instruments and teasing percussion. It’s to be released this autumn with a single or two for starters. To be released on Mickey’s own Swerve Music label.

Long-time fans recall that Mickey’s career velocity accelerated dramatically in the early years of the last decade. Mickey signed a major record deal with Sony Music UK Ltd. The first single under Sony, “We’ve Got The World” shot straight into the No. 1 spot in the Irish charts and it remained there for 5 weeks going quadruple Platinum with sales of over 60,000 units. It was the fastest-selling song of that year.

A debut album followed, “Sometimes Right Sometimes Wrong,” done in London produced by Jon Kelly (Paul McCartney, Chris Rea, Kate Bush, etc.). The title single from the album hit the No.1 spot for three weeks on its release in Ireland, with double platinum sales figures after only 5 weeks of release. Additional songs from the album also charted, reaching as high as #2.

Mickey’s second album, “Live and Learn” also received critical acclaim as well as chart success. Released on his own label, Swerve Music Ltd., the first single “New Way to Fly” started @ #14 and garnered huge national airplay. Titles including “Wish You Well,” “Live and Learn,” and “Sound of the Summer” all charted.

As for other career highlights, Mickey has performed at major Irish venues, upwards to 80000 attending, at Croke Park and Phoenix Park/O2. Other prestigious gigs have included Vicar Street, Olympia, INEC, Whelan’s, The Button Factory, and more. Mickey has performed at major festivals including Popkomm Germany, Eurosonic (NL), Midem (FR) and South by Southwest (USA). Mickey has supported and collaborated with other artists including: Paul Brady, The Sawdoctors, The Chieftains, Shane MacGowan, Francie Conway, Jack Tempchin (Eagles), Phil Jones (Tom Petty), Rick Ross (Neil Young), Ronnie Wood (Rolling Stones), Rob Burke, and Rory Gallagher (Revs).

One of Mickey’s continued interests is in mentoring aspiring artists. He has frequently been a coach and presenter on RTE’s “Star Search” program. Mickey also co-founded Musicool, a summer program for musically gifted teens.

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John Condron is a Philadelphia born singer-songwriter, musician, & producer who currently makes his home in the Chicago-land area. The sometimes front man for the power quartet “the benefit” has been spending much of his time lately focusing on solo performances that include material from his four previous studio albums as well as songs from an upcoming solo project due out @ the beginning of next year. John shares his time these days between performing & producing works for other artists,including, most recently a full length studio recording for multi platinum Irish singer songwriter Mickey Harte slated for release @ the end of 2011. John is proudly endorsed by the Chicago based Hanson Guitar Co.(Lakland basses). He tours & performs regularly with a number of acts as a support musician & has written & arranged music for dance performance companies(TIDC)& performance poets(EM-press; Sourcebooks) as well as independent T.V. & film projects.Over the years John has shared the bill w/ many major label & independent acts from varying walks of life including guitar legend Adrian Belew, bluesman Kenny Wayne Shepherd, singer songwriter Duncan Sheik, & Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees The Lovin’ Spoonful to name a few, in addition, he is one of only three American artists to have performed a set as part of Francie Conway’s Troubador Club. John has spent the majority of the past year producing projects for other artists. He is currently putting together a solo acoustic touring schedule for 2012 to showcase his new material

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