songs free!

yeah..shock! horror! gasp! the band that was AORTAL are now no more...and yep it's my (james's) fault..with the world economy set to shrink for the 1st time since 1945 and with governments slashing and burning their way through our services and standard of living i feel that i have to go back to my previous existence as a full time activist with the Socialist Workers Party...it's not a decision i took lightly as i am aware of the regard people had for the band and our musicianship etc.
people approach me on the street now when i'm doing SWP stalls and the level of suffering out there is unbelievable....i grew up in fatima mansions council flats and can articulate, can speak out on behalf of people who usually never have a voice.
my gift to the world is the sacrifice of my art to fight for a world where a fairer distribution of society's resources means many many more young working class men and women get to produce art...then am i not then responsible for the flowering of far more art and music than i as an individual could ever muster?

i'm sorry that conor and jay have to get their bearings and find new projects but seeing as they are two of the most talented musicians in dublin i have absolutely no doubt that whatever they do will succeed and flourish.

i enjoyed my time with AORTAL and will still be around busking occassionally as i will need the extra cash now and again....

i hope people understand this decision...

i am determined to fight and win a better life for my parents and people like them....

fianna fail....i'm comin to get yez!!

james o'toole
MARCH 09

"Aortal

Aortal are a three piece power alternative rock band with
an amazing vocalist. Their MySpace with 20,000 plus friends describes
the band as " ..... a Dublin three piece fronted by James O' Toole on
guitar and vocals with Conor Friel on bass and Jay McNamara on Drums.
This exciting new act combines striking vocals and visuals with the raw
energy of a pumping heart." Due to their search for a drummer I have a
feeling Aortal's debut won't be released in 2009 but what I do think
will happen is that the band will create a big buzz in Ireland. The
beginning of this buzz will be in February where they will be competing
in the JD Set rock band competitions after been chosen from hundreds of
bands! An initial Aortal comparison has to be JJ72 with a slighly
harder edge. James is a great singer and it's that voice that will
carry Aortal all the way to success."

thanks to www.2uibestow.blogspot.com for the mention!

we reached 150,000 views...its taken over a year but we did it without spam programs or 'buying' views..and i'm glad we did as now i can see how many REAL people have come along and read the blog or listened to a song or just had a look to see if we're up to anything...

anyway THANKS TO EVERYONE of you who contributed to the 150,000!

will have new tracks up and updates on the album REALLY soon.. we promise!

:-)
james
AORTAL

the JD set have just picked AORTAL out of thousands of bands to take part in the heats of their national tour and battle of the bands due to take place throughout february and march!
more details to follow as we get them in!

GIG for a great cause in need of funds!

"The purpose of 'IMAGINE' is to raise awareness about mental health issues in Ireland. All proceeds from this show will go towards the social fund in The Basin Club, which is a Drop-In centre for people suffering from mental illness."

8pm NOV 20th at the SUGAR CLUB 10euro

AORTAL, JEROME's LAW, GOBI and much more play for a great cause!

contact us for tickets asap!

or email- incubatormanagement@gmail.com

hope yez can make it!

james,conor and jay

AORTAL's video for BURN is Buzz Tvs video of the week!
check out channel 131 on NTL in ireland to view!!
:-)
james, conor, jay

you can watch the BURN music video promo from the new album on our myspace page NOW...or go to youtube and search for 'aortal burn'...or click the link-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zv8wZ3c4P4c

please let us know what ye think!! :-)

james,conor and jay

hey good news is... we found another drummer...JAY mcnamara's stepped in on the skins, although we cant guarantee that he wont spontaneously combust before he hits the stage...but here's hoping...
we're finishing the BURN video next wk as we now have someone to film the drummer's scenes and that should be ready and up on youtube in a few weeks with the wonderful sean kavanagh's direction and editing skills expect this to look really good (i've seen an early cut and it's great)... sean's in the middle of filming his zombie flick 'desperate times' so we're really reall lucky to have him working for us....
the album tracks for our spring release are starting to really come together with the new line up...expect some brand new tunes with reworkings of some of the best of james' previous work...any suggested titles? :-)
this wk end we're playing a gig with JOE CLEERE in radio city dublin.. head over to his page and check him out...really nice fella... and good musician too...
and finally...
the RAIN!!!!...i though last year was bad but christ it NEVER stops raining in ireland right now....ALL SUMMER long we've had monsoon style downpours and now , in september, it really aint showing any sign of stopping....

yep i dunno how (well i kinda do!) but we've ended up dropping another drummer (or having another drummer drop us whichever way ye wanna look at it)....
this is really getting like 'spinal tap'...or henry the 8th and his wives...or doctor who and his regenerations...
but its hard to find someone that can fit in (i mean really fit in not just play along until the first hurdle and then jump ship...wimps...) with me and conor and our attitudes to music and to life....
well if u wanna risk it and play drums maybe you can try and join the band??
you think you're up for it?
we may be playing alternative rock but we play it with a punk attitude and if anyone has a problem with that..well..he he he...you know what you can do!!
:-)

maybe i should just buy a drum machine??? cant cost that much?
and they stay in time....

james
;-P