In Dublin 'The Last Sunday Showcase' provides a unique opportunity to hear emerging songwriters perform their own original works. Every showcase features three emerging songwriters and the format includes a special guest performance from an established artist each month. The showcase is organised in association with IMRO. The first showcase of 2004 takes place on Sunday 1st February next and the featured songwriters will be:- Stephen Hodd www.stephenhodd.com Seán Needham www.seanneedham.com Maggie Keane www.maggiekeane.com with special guests Brendan & Declan Murphy (THE 4 OF US) www.the4ofus.com Date: Sunday 1st February 2004 Doors: 9.00pm Tickets:€10.00 The Last Sunday Showcase Holiday Inn Dublin City Centre 99-107 Pearse Street Dublin 2 Phone 01 670 3666 web www.holidayinndublincitycentre.ie PLEASE SEE BIOG INFORMATION BELOW Stephen Hodd www.stephenhodd.com A former rocker with the band HEMP, Stephen Hodd discovered his mellower more acoustic side as a student in Dublin's 'Rock School' in the late 1990s. As a participant at one of IMRO's rightfully acclaimed workshops in Maynooth in 2001, his songwriting received praise from unexpected quarters and earned him a Paul Brady support slot in Vicar Street later that year. An enforced sabbatical due to illness put a stop to Stephen's career for almost a year but his comeback has seen him perform important support slots with Damien Rice, Rodrigo y Gabriella and Mundy. Stephen's sound combines his eclectic array of influences which are most effectively demonstrated on his 2003 album 'Pillarcats'. Seán Needham www.seanneedham.com Hailing from Donegal, Seán Needham has just released his debut single 'Hey Juliet'. With a music style that has been compared to Ben Harper and Paul Weller, Seán will soon be bringing his blend of melodic, upbeat acoustic rock to audiences across the country. Already a veteran of the live scene in Dublin, Seán has supported an array of major artists on tour including Tracy Chapman, Ladsysmith Black Mambazo and The Hot House Flowers. Seán has also guested with Diana Krall, Sophie Ellis Bextor and the legendary Bo Diddley. His debut album 'Loosely Based On A True Story' will be released in March 2004. Maggie Keane www.maggiekeane.com Maggie Keane is the possessor of one of the finest female voices in Ireland. She began singing with Martin Black (of the Black Family) in the early 1990s and soon afterwards started to write her own material. Donal Lunny produced her first single 'Special' and her 1999 debut album 'Luna' received very favourable notices. In its review of the album MOJO Magazine spoke of "her breathy voice sprinkling moondust" over the musical arrangements. Maggie is currently working on a new album with producers Pat Donne and Trevor Knight. With her ethereal vocals and sophisticated sound, this is one to watch out for in 2004. Brendan & Declan Murphy (THE 4 OF US) www.the4ofus.com The career of Newry-born brothers, Brendan and Declan Murphy, the songwriting nucleus of THE 4 OF US, boasts five critically and commercially acclaimed albums, innumerable live performances and a committed international fanbase. From early in their career THE 4 OF US set the benchmark for intelligent rock-tinged pop. They wrote the anthemic smash hit single 'Mary' (an Irish No. 1 and an enduringly popular radio standard) as well as 'Drag my bad name down', 'She hits me' and a host of other quality tunes. The duo have been at the forefront of the Irish music scene for nigh on fifteen years and their recorded output comprises 'Songs For The Tempted' (1989), 'Man Alive' (1993), 'Classified Personal' (1999) and 'Off The Record' (2000). Their latest offering is the sublime 'Heaven & Earth' (2003) which received honourable mention in Tom Dunne's Top 100 albums of 2003 and whose eleven tracks reflect the maturity and clarity of the songwriters' lyrical output and their continuing vibrant musical energy. Brendan and Declan are shortly off to Europe on tour to coincide with the German release of 'Heaven and Earth' on 9th February. Their appearance at 'The Last Sunday Showcase' will be a welcome New Year treat! ENDS