Northern Stars: New Stephen Conley album full of hope, heart and hooks
Belfast-based troubadour Stephen Conley has just released his debut solo album and it's a reputation-making affair from the talented tunesmith.
Dubbed Hercules And Churches To You, the former member of the should've been massive alt-rockers Pine Barrens is at the peak of his powers on the 10-track opus and it's full of heart, hope and evergreen hooks that you'll be humming for months.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Fashion United
2 hours ago
- Fashion United
Vuori makes a play for a slice of the tennis market with Jack Draper
California-based performance and lifestyle brand Vuori is looking to expand its reach and take a slice of the tennis market by announcing a multi-year deal with British tennis star Jack Draper ahead of the US Open in New York. In a statement, Vuori said the move would expand its athlete roster, which also includes American football tight end Colston Loveland and freestyle skier Thibault Magnin, as well as mark its 'accelerated push into tennis,' as it looks to expand its global reach and influence across sport, style and wellness. Jack Draper named brand ambassador for Vuori Credits: Vuori shot by Theo Wenner Joe Kudla, founder and chief executive of Vuori, said: 'Jack represents the next generation of tennis - bold, driven, and authentic. We're thrilled to welcome him to the Vuori family.' Draper, the top-ranked British tennis player, who is currently world number five, will serve as a global brand ambassador and wear Vuori at this year's US Open Tennis Championships. He will also develop a 'signature line' with Vuori to be launched at a later date. The move will see the star stepping away from wearing Nike, which he wore during Wimbledon this summer. Jack Draper named brand ambassador for Vuori Credits: Vuori shot by Theo Wenner Commenting on the partnership, Draper added: "For me, style is about how you carry yourself, what you wear, and owning who you are without hesitation. As I've grown up, I've really embraced style as a form of self-expression, and whether it's shaving my head or trying something bold, I just go for it. 'That's why collaborating with Vuori is so exciting. It's a chance to create something innovative, performance-driven, and authentic, with no compromises." Vuori names British tennis star Jack Draper as a brand ambassador Jack Draper named brand ambassador for Vuori Credits: Vuori shot by Theo Wenner For Vuori, expanding into tennis is a natural progression for the performance lifestyle brand founded in 2015 by Kudla in a humble garage office just two blocks from the ocean in the beachside town of Encinitas, California. The brand has a fabric-first approach towards creating premium performance apparel and elevated everyday styles, and in recent years has added womenswear, gymwear and lifestyle clothing. Its signature menswear products, including the sleeveless viewpoint muscle tank, crafted in a breathable four-way stretch performance mesh designed to allow free movement, and its Kore shorts with a classic athletic fit, falling just above the knee, have been used for playing tennis by amateur players around the world, and now with Draper wearing them in his debut campaign for the brand it adds authenticity to Vuori's global ambitions. The brand has also been adding tennis-specific clothing for women, including skirts and dresses. Jack Draper named brand ambassador for Vuori Credits: Vuori shot by Theo Wenner Choosing Draper to front its expansion into tennis is a clever choice for Vuori. The British star is extremely marketable; he has a modelling contract with the prestigious IMG models, was named as an ambassador for luxury heritage fashion house Burberry earlier this year, and has been featured in fashion magazines, including Vogue and Esquire. He is also at the forefront of a new crop of tennis stars alongside Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, and joins other players such as Taylor Fritz, who also left Nike for a deal with German fashion brand Boss, and Frances Tiafoe, who left Nike and signed with Lululemon. The news also follows a year of international expansion for the US brand. Currently, Vuori is available in more than 18 countries worldwide, and will surpass its 100-store milestone globally by the close of 2025, including locations in the US and the UK. By 2026, the brand will have a total of 15 stores outside the US as it continues to push forward with an international mindset. In July, Vuori said it was adding new brick-and-mortar stores across Asia, with its first locations in Seoul, South Korea, in September through a franchise partner, followed by another debut location in Beijing, China, this October, alongside an expansion of its digital footprint with a rollout of its e-commerce platform across Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Switzerland, Spain, Italy, Belgium, Austria, Portugal, and Japan. The activewear brand also announced a partnership with the Gerber-Crawford family in May 2025, which tapped supermodel Cindy Crawford and her husband Rande Gerber, alongside their model children Presley Gerber and Kaia Gerber as ambassadors, as well as contributing to shaping Vuori as creative, strategic and financial partners.
BreakingNews.ie
3 hours ago
- BreakingNews.ie
Picture This announce concerts in Dublin and Belfast in December
Picture This announced they will be performing in Dublin and Belfast this December. The band will perform in the SSE Arena in Belfast on December 27th, followed by the 3 Arena on December 29th. Advertisement This Christmas show marks the band's long-awaited return to Dublin, following their sold-out headline performance at St Anne's Park, Dublin in June 2024. Tickets go on sale this Friday, August 22nd at 10am on Ticketmaster, with prices at €52.55 (3Arena) and £41.90 (SSE Arena). The announcement follows the release of their new single Heart over Head, a collaboration with German artist Joris. After playing a sold-out run of four coastal regions they never played before, the band naturally felt they had to bring their new show also to the capital.
Scottish Sun
3 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Gangster Mark Richardson's brother battered at Oasis gig as rivals taunt him over gangland attack in new video
It comes amid a fresh explosion of gangland violence on Scotland's streets in recent days BRAWL WITH IT Gangster Mark Richardson's brother battered at Oasis gig as rivals taunt him over gangland attack in new video Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE brother of caged kingpin Mark Richardson was battered at an Oasis gig as rivals taunted him in a new sinister video as Scotland's violent gang war reignited. Mystery Tamo Junto (TMJ) hoods working for Dubai-based mobster Ross 'Miami' McGill issued the dig at at Dale Richardson in clip playing he Manchester bands classic hit 'Roll with it'. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Caged Mark Richardson's brother Dale was allegedly attacked at an Oasis gig. 4 The sinister clip shared by Tamo Junto in their latest video taunt at rivals. 4 Tamo Junto (TMJ) have claimed responsibility for a wave of attacks. 4 Ross 'Miami' McGill has been blamed for orchestrating a gang war from Dubai. The video emerged hours after cops launched a probe into the latest alleged attacks linked to McGill's bitter revenge campaign against Richardson associates. The short video shows a photo taken from the stage during one of the rock legend's recent comeback gigs and comes weeks after TMJ claimed they had binned the PR tactic. A message with a laughing Emoji face and fist appears in the video and reads: 'Did Dale enjoy Oasis?' Last night an underworld source revealed the note was a calculated taunt at Dale who was set upon by gang underlings who spotted him among the thousands enjoying the sell-out Murrayfield show. Our insider said: 'Dale got battered by a few younger lads from Edinburgh at the concert. 'It shows he can't go anywhere without worrying about getting attacked - not even at an Oasis gig. 'The latest video is as clear a sign as any that this madness isn't gong to stop and there will be more violence to come.' We told how a home linked to Dale was attacked in May - one in a growing number of attacks across Glasgow and Edinburgh since March. It happened on May 6 within hours of mobsters destroying two taxi cabs outside Capital Cars in the city's Gorgie Road - which was attacked again early on Monday morning. The latest video also mention the latest incidents at the private hire business run by Stephen Rose whose plush home in nearby Crammond was also targeted. Cops stand guard outside Capital Cars in Edinburgh after suspected gang 'firebomb' attack The sinister warning to Richardson: 'You friends stole from us and we aren't going away. 'There is [sic] a lot more of us than you think.' In June the TMJ mob vowed to continue their turf war for 'years to come' in what they say is their final video warning. The message issued to The Scottish Sun went on to issue a dig at cops who have now made 57 arrests as part of Operation Portaledge – the crackdown on the raging war that has included firebombings, shooting and attempted murder bids. It added: 'We will continue our pursuit against the gremlins regardless of Operation Portaledge for many years to come. 'This is the final video we will be releasing. There will never be another video created by TMJ again. 'Don't steal from us. Don't snitch on us. Don't pretend to be us. Or we will target you relentlessly. TMJ accept no imitations.' The claimed end of the PR campaign came days after Police Scotland Chief Constable Jo Farrell warned 'we are coming for you'.
