Extract from

extract from "the great record of irish music - volume 20 - tipperary" - published in hot press - 13th. october, 1999

Dan Prendiville is a Nenagh resident (by way of Castleisland) whose hellbent on making it happen all by himself. Having done the rounds of bands and live shows in the 80’s, Prendiville now settles for making his own music in the comfort of his own home, and uses the Internet to promote and sell his CD’s from there. His debut CD, Tantrum Ego was released on the Net in August, and already the laurels have started to descend on his shoulders, from the likes of such luminaries as Dave Gregory of XTC. Prendiville’s philosophy of self-sufficiency could bear some close scrutiny from young pretenders who believe that fame and fortune is but a record deal away.

"Basically, Tantrum Ego is a one man operation with guitar and synthesiser", he offers. "I’ve discovered that through the internet you can get access to a very healthy underground scene, especially in the States. What I’ve learned is that, for as little as £2,000 you can have a PC with up to 96 tracks of audio – a stunning home music recording facility! So for me to release my own CD, all it costs is the price of the CD. I burn it myself, as needed. So there’s no pile of unsold CD’s lying in boxes in the garage. It’s the ultimate in independence, and I think there’s a real future in it.

Prendiville’s kept himself up to speed on the intricacies of making music available over the internet, and he’s quick to point up the achilles’ tendon of the whole process, as he sees it.

"Everybody’s talking about MP3 files, and how easy it is to download your music through the net", he notes, "and that’s true, but I’ve seen some of the contracts that are offered to bands who want to make their music downloadable through magazine sites etc. It’s incredible what these contracts say. They basically buy out the entire rights to the music – and for absolutely nothing! The musician has even less comeback than with a conventional recording deal. It’s madness. Retaining control over your own material in the only way, as far as I can see.

Prendiville doesn’t just limit his sights to his solo efforts either. He’s also working on a 4 track CD with Peter Fitzpatrick of Shabby Road Records. Their joint project is titled ‘Benign’ and they plan on an October release. He’s also working with Italian singer/songwriter, Franco Turra, so his musical life isn’t entirely played out in the hallowed confines of his own recording studio. Prendiville’s work is a lesson in the art of true multimedia. Budding writers and musicians would do well to take note.