After four years of being exclusive to a select few European countries and of course the U.S., Spotify has finally arrived in Ireland. Just in time Spotify, we were starting to get a little tired of listening to friends across the pond raving about it. The City team decided to try it out for ourselves and find out what all the fuss is about; And the good news is – it’s free, unless you want to go premium that is.
For those of you not ‘tuned in’, Spotify is a music streaming service that allows you to listen to music online from a range of major and independent record labels including Sony, EMI, Warner Music Group and Universal. Since it’s launch in the U.S. last year, Spotify has become one of the most popular music streaming services out there. Just last month the Swedish streaming service launched here in Ireland. Spotify now has 20 million active users worldwide, up 33% in the last six months.
So how does it work? It’s a lot like iTunes really. You can search for your favorite tracks by song name or by artist. You can also browse through friends’ playlists, create your own playlists or listen to Spotify’s recommended tracks. The Search bar allows you to find specific genres of music or songs released in a particular year. The possibilities are endless.
However, Spotify has attracted a lot of criticism from music artists since its creation. In March, Patrick Carney of the Black Keys said that, “Spotify isn’t fair to artists” and that for “a band that makes a living selling music, streaming services are not a ‘feasible’ option.”
Despite these recent complaints regarding royalties, Spotify announced just last week that it has paid out half a billion dollars to the music industry since its initial launch four years ago. It pays 70% of its revenue back to the artists, sounds pretty legit.
I have to say Spotify is everything it’s cracked up to be. The songs steam almost immediately, as if the music was stored on your computer. Check it out if you haven’t already. Do you think streaming is the future of music? Let us know what you think.
For its 2012 Christmas exhibition, the Talbot Gallery in Dublin has invited over 40 artists to create a new artwork using items purchased from discount shops.
The fun exhibition is called “Fast Moving Consumer Goods” and was launched yesterday.
With the recently released details of Budget 2013, the exhibition couldn’t have been better timed.
Artist Myra Jago produced a model of semi detached ghost houses made from card, matchsticks, cocktail sticks and pegs. The overall concept is eye catching and precisely illustrates the eerie atmosphere of the many ghost estates left behind in the aftermath of the Celtic Tiger. “I didn’t want to go down the plastic route. Boxes of huge matches kept jumping at me. My piece is based on actual ghost-houses in a ghost-estate in Balgriffin, County Dublin”, said Ms. Jago.
“Nobody’s Home”, By Myra Jago
Exhibition curator Elaine Grainger described the exhibition as a “huge success”. She said, “All of the artists really took to the idea and pushed the boundaries. Every piece of work is truly inspirational”.
An interesting take on one of this year’s best-selling books is Madeleine Hellier’s artwork titled “Fifty Shades of Grey”. Ms. Hellier produced a beautifully finished piece, using a humerous and quirky concept which was influenced by everyday family life. The piece is a wonderful abstract-style collection of used laundry colour-catchers which are displayed in two euro photo-frames. Describing her piece she said, “The colour-catchers were the two euro shop’s best-seller this year, while ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’ was a best-seller in the bookshops. I have four children, so the only fifty shades of grey in my life are the ones illustrated on these colour-catchers”.
Madeline Hellier with her piece, “Fifty Shades of Grey”
Nicky Hooper produced a piece titled ‘Tea and Symphony’, which was made from portable speakers, tights and china teacups. Ms. Hooper said, “It was a challenge because when you’re surrounded by a shop full of trash, it’s really hard to choose just one or two things”.
Curator and participant Claire Halpin described the exhibition as being “strongly influenced by the recession”. “Despite the materials used, none of the pieces being exhibited are tacky. All participating artists really had to push the boundaries with this one”, she said. One of her pieces, titled ‘1120 attempts to make one ice-cube’, humorously illustrates how the new-age round shaped ice-bag seems to be replacing the old fashioned ice-cube.
“1120 Attempts to make one cube”, By Claire Halpin
Artist Paul Mc Cormack’s work really stands out in this exhibition. He produced a striking and entertaining self-portrait, using an ornamental Cherub which he bought in a two euro shop. “It was such great fun. I realised that my facial features were very like that of the cherub. All I did was strip the gold paint off the face and repainted that part. The brush in the cherub’s hand is telling you that I am an artist”.
Paul Mc Cormack with his creation, titled “Self Portrait 2012”
Mr. Mc Cormack is also exhibiting a piece titled, ‘It’s always the strap that breaks on a €5.99 watch’. “This one is about my relationship with cheap shops. I have a habit of buying my watches in these discount shops, no matter how often they break. Funny enough, the actual piece that tells the time rarely breaks but the straps seem to rip like paper. The straps are so expensive to get repaired so it makes sense to just buy another cheap one…until the next time that is. Maybe it’s time I invested in a good one actually”, he said.
“It’s always the strap that breaks on a €5.99 watch”, By Paul Mc Cormack
Bláth Ní Mhurchu’s initial plan was to produce a collage. However, when she first went into the two euro shop, she just took lots of photographs and went home to contemplate. Ms. Ní Mhurcu said, “It was only when I went home and looked at the photos that I realised every product in the shop was marketed with tags saying ‘WOW’. There are lots of subliminal messages in this type of marketing. The piece I decided to do in the end represents the reality that many of the items bought in such discount stores are disposed of very quickly, which makes the ‘WOW’ theme quite ironic.”
“Homo Consumericus”, By: Bláth Ní Mhurchu
The materials used in Claire Mc Cluskey’s piece include glass from picture frames, doilies, road map and tinfoil. Her piece is titled ‘Resources, Origins and Culture’. “There were a couple of late nights but it was great fun working on this project. My pieces are about how people’s identities are shaped by resources, where they are from and social mannerisms”, she said.
Daria Privalko used a fibre optic lamp, fairy lights and foam board to create an exquisite, technologically driven piece titled ‘6,094’. She describes the ‘Fast Moving Consumer Goods’ exhibition as “exciting” and said, “It was great to work outside the box”.
“6,094”, By: Dario Privalko
Considering the work that has been put into the pieces exhibited, the selling-prices really do not do them justice. Prices range from just €2 to €250.
The exhibition runs from December 6th to 22nd at The Talbot Gallery 51 Talbot St, phone (01) 8556599.
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton attended the meeting of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation (OSCE) in the RDS,Dublin on Thursday 6th December.
US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton.Photo:Martha Gberevbie
In her ‘swan song’, she expressed concern for the future of the OSCE “I see a growing concern for the future of this organization and the values it has always championed.”
She added “The United States remains committed to the goal of a Europe that is whole, free, and at peace and to the OSCE whose principles are sound.”
Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore hosted the two-day event because Ireland has the 2012 chairmanship of the OSCE.
Eamon Gilmore and colleagues. Photo:Martha GberevbieEamon Gilmore agreed to the Civic Solidarity Pact. photo:Martha Gberevbie
Foreign ministers from 50 countries were in attendance. They discussed fighting corruption, media freedom, human rights and drug trafficking.
United Nations and NATO Commissioners greet each other. Photo:Martha Gberevbie
Mrs Clinton also met with the Taoiseach and the President, before she arrived at Dublin City University(DCU) to deliver a human rights speech. “You have all the tools you need; your voice, your vote, your intellect and education, your compassion and conscience”, she said. She praised the young people of Ireland for their “talent, energy and optimism”.
The City crew took to the streets of Dublin to find out some of your Top New Years Resolutions for 2013. We know it’s a little early, but it seems the people of Dublin are thinking ahead and planning for an exciting 2013.
It’s only been a few weeks since Abercrombie and Fitch opened its 10th European flagship store in Dublin and despite the plummeting temperature outside it’s safe to say this store is heating up.
Known for its scantily clad dressed topless models at the door and “casual luxury” clothing, Abercrombie and Fitch is going down very well with Irish shoppers. Although the recession has got people watching every penny, it looks like people are willing to drop the cash and splash to have this logo on their jumper.
So what is it about Abercrombie that gets people so sucked in? Since going public at the end of 1996, A&F has kept a high public profile through its sexually-orientated marketing, which has often resulted in numerous lawsuits, however whatever they’re marketing is working. The models they use portray an idealist American athletic type with washboard abs you could grate cheese from. So obviously its working, young adults see these super humans and want to emulate them. It’s a pretty obvious marketing plan isn’t it?
So who is behind this so-called Abercrombie generation? Who’s pumping the cash into this multi-million dollar company? Many would have thought the fascination with Abercrombie would have faded out about 4 years ago, but evidently not. Even its brother store Hollister & Co in Dundrum Town Centre is packed with queues out the door every day. It seems the Irish just can’t get enough!!
Young children and adults are always under pressure to conform, just take the music they listen to Justin Bieber, The Jonas Brothers, Miley Cyrus it’s like musical sheep, they follow the herd with what is popular. The same goes for what they wear, if it’s cool to wear Abercrombie and Fitch, you can bet their parents are getting moaned at all day long to get them some clothes from Abercrombie and Fitch, much to the delight of Abercrombie and Fitch executives.
Abercrombie is somewhat of a pop culture sensation, it symbolises the modern generation. The impact that media and marketing can have upon a nation, in just over a decade this brand has taken a global position on the world and has essentially been so profitable by playing on people’s vulnerabilities. People are known to feel the need to conform, to fit in, to be and look the best they can. Abercrombie and Fitch took these insecurities and used them to manipulate a nation.
They target young adolescents because as we all know, this is a time when all you want to do is fit in. And the way Abercrombie and Fitch sees it, you can all fit in by looking the same, by having a generation all walking around with large, obnoxious and unavoidable Abercrombie logos in your face.
TheCity.ie took to the streets of Dublin to ask them what they thought of Abercrombie and Fitch’s store opening up in Dublin.
by Caroline Ewins
Heres what Dublins saying about the new flagship store.
The City team headed over to Parnell Square to check out the Moving Crib in St. Martin Apostolate. This charming Crib has attracted huge crowds over the past 55 years. It has over 100 figures and begins with the story of Adam and Eve and finishes with the young Jesus teaching the doctors in the Temple.
The Moving crib will be open until the first week in January and is the perfect Christmas activity for all the family. The Crib in all its glory, reminds us of the real meaning of Christmas.
Hillary Clinton is in Dublin today for the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe event at the RDS. And while she’s in town she decided to catch up with some of her Irish friends. TheCity’s Kevin Donnellan was privileged to view some of her recent texts.
AFTER SATURDAY, 1st December 2012 – cash and leap card fares for Dublin Bus, Luas, Iarnród Éireann and Bus Éireann services will increase.
Prepaid tickets prices will also increase, but this change will not come into affect until early 2013.
The move, approved by the National Transport Authority, was made due to Ireland’s “difficult economic circumstances” and increasing fuel costs – despite cost cutting measures in the industry.
For Dublin Bus, the last fare increases were introduced in January 2012.
What does this mean for the city’s commuters?
Cash paying commuters are the worst affected by the increase. While those using Leap Card and prepaid tickets will still suffer price increases, these options still offer better value over cash fares.
On Dublin bus – the new price adjustment will see cash fares increase by an average of 11%. Meanwhile, leap card fares will be increased by an average of 7%.
For example, a cash paying adult travelling 8 to 13 stages on Dublin Bus previously had to pay €2.15. After December 1st 2012, this same journey will now cost €2.40.
Dubliners availing of the Dublin Bus’ ‘City Fare’ to get around the capital are also affected – with their cash paying fare increasing from €0.60 to €0.65 cent.
How do these new fares compare with nearby European capitals?
Across the pond – London’s bus service charges passengers a flat cash fee of £2.30, or at a discounted fare of £1.35 if using the Oyster Card (similar to Dublin’s Leap Card).
Meanwhile in Paris, the French pay a flat fee of €1.70 per bus journey.
Further South, commuters in Madrid pay a flat cash fare of €1.50 per bus journey.
What adult passengers paid Dublin Bus before the fare increaseWhat adult passengers are paying Dublin Bus after the fare increase
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