Rory Hall (born 1994) is an Irish singer/songwriter, electronic music producer and radio presenter best known under the alias Proper Micro NV.[1]

Proper Micro NV
Background information
Birth nameRory Hall
Born (1994-11-15) 15 November 1994 (age 29)
Genres
Occupation(s)Singer-songwriter, record producer, radio presenter
Years active2015–present
LabelsStrange Brew

Biography

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2015–2017: First, Second & Third EP

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Hall was signed by German record label plasmapool in 2015 and his debut singles 'Closure' and 'We Must Go Now' were released in late 2015 and early 2016 respectively to positive reviews following on from mainly focusing on uploading snippets and soundscapes to SoundCloud.[2] On the day of his second single's release DanceTop40.com named it as one of the hottest tracks of January 2016.[3] It peaked at number 18 in the Irish Dance Charts.[4]

In May 2016, Hall announced the news of his debut EP titled 'EP1' – a two track collective that was released on Plasmapool records on 23 June 2016. On 10 June 2016, Irish music website 'The Point of everything' reviewed the first single off the EP 'Revive'.[5]

The track 'Revive' received its first play on Dublin's 98FM on 12 June 2016. On 22 June 2016, Irish blogger Nialler9 reviewed the first single off the EP 'Revive'.[6]

EP1 was released on 23 June 2016 and it was reviewed on 7 July 2016 by Jim Carroll of the Irish Times.[7] Niall Byrne, also of The Irish Times, reviewed the second single taken from EP1 – 'Erase'.[8]

In an interview with the Limerick Leader in July 2016, Hall revealed that a second Proper Micro NV EP was in the works, and would be released before the year ends. On 14 September 2016, Hall announced via his personal Facebook page that he would be releasing a second EP titled 'It's always raining'.[needs update]

On 3 November 2016, Hall released 'Flaws', the first single from the new EP. The track received positive reviews. Niall Byrne of Nialler9 called it "a minimal hushed highlight" and that Flaws was a "sporadically arranged song built on soulful mantric vocals and minimal textures to support it, that is more than the sum of its parts".[citation needed]

The EP received generally positive reviews, with Hot Press calling it "a gorgeous blast of ambient electropop".[citation needed]

In April 2017, Hall announced that a six track third EP titled 'Colours' was in production. Hall was quoted to have said that the EP would be a lot more shiny than anything he's released to date. On 23 June 2017, Hall released 'Colours'. TLM reviewed the EP on 29 June 2017.[citation needed]

On 10 July 2017, Joe.ie chose the song 'Do What You Do' as song of the day.[9]

Music website REMY called Colours easily one of the best Irish EP's to be released this year, in any genre whilst giving the collection a positive review.[citation needed]

Joe.ie dubbed Hall as a gifted force, whilst choosing Oblivious as song of the day.[citation needed]

In November 2017, Proper received an RTÉ Choice Music Prize long list nomination for Colours.

2018–present: Debut Album

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On 15 June 2018 after one year of recording and focusing on live performances Proper announced his return with a new single to be released through Irish label Strange Brew on 29 June 2018. With this, he announced a series of live performances including gigs at Electric Picnic, Castlepalooza, The Workmans Club, Roisin Dubh and Dolans.[citation needed]

Dot Dot Dot was released on 29 June 2018.[citation needed] Irish writer Niall Byrne of Nialler9 and The Irish Times said that "Dot Dot Dot sounds like a natural progression from Proper Micro NV's earlier material; the song is refined and mature with subtle soundscapes and airy arps yet it retains the essence of his earlier music in the warped vocoder and drum loops."[citation needed]

On 16 November 2018, Proper released his debut album Dormant Boy.[citation needed] The Last Mixed Tape praised lead single 'Eyes' calling it "an obscured electronic backdrop filled with pops and clicks melds into a vocal that searches and reaches beyond".[citation needed] RTÉ 2fm presenter Dan Hegarty also praised the album saying that the record was "inventive, captivating, & it has that little extra ingredient that helps it stand out from everything else".[citation needed] The album entered the Irish Album Chart at number 31 and was included in Nialler9's Top 20 Albums of The Year, REMY's Top 20 Albums of the Year and was voted in at number 7 in The Last Mixed Tape's Readers Top 20 Albums of The Year.[citation needed]

Hall was nominated for a Hot Press Award in the Best Dance/Electronic category in February 2019. In March 2019, Hall created a new Irish music showcase titled "Limerick City ALL IN".[citation needed]

Live shows

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In late 2016, Hall announced that plans were in place to create a live show. On 22 March 2017, Proper Micro NV along with his live band, performed at Nialler9's Future Proof in Bello, Dublin.[citation needed]

During 2017, Hall played Body & Soul festival, The Grand Social in Dublin and supported British band 'Pumarosa' at the Workmans Club (also in Dublin).[citation needed]

In early 2018, Hall was announced as one of 50 acts to play Whelan's Ones to Watch Festival 2018, and played on 18 January.[citation needed] This was followed by performances at Electric Picnic, Whelans, Roisin Dubh, The Workmans Club and Castlepalooza.[citation needed]

In 2019, Hall began a tour which included shows at Body&Soul and at Latitude Festival.[citation needed]

Radio

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Hall has been a presenter with Clare FM and previously also worked for iRadio and Spin South West.[citation needed]

Albums

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Studio albums

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List of albums, with selected chart positions, showing year released and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions
Ireland Irish Dance Charts UK Germany Poland Belgium Ukraine France
Dormant Boy 2018 31 2 - -
"—" denotes a recording has not been released yet.

Extended plays

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List of extended plays, with selected details
Title Album details
EP1
It's always raining
Colours

Singles

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List of singles, with selected chart positions, showing year released and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
Ireland Irish Dance Charts UK Germany Poland Belgium Ukraine France
"We Must Go Now" 2016 91 18 - - Non album single
"—" denotes a recording has not been released yet.

Honours

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Nomination for "Best Dance/Electronic" – Hot Press Award 2019

References

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  1. ^ "NV – 'What Do You Feel?' • Nialler9". Nialler9.com. 12 August 2015. Retrieved 10 January 2016.
  2. ^ "We Must Go Now – Single by Proper Micro NV on iTunes". Itunes.apple.com. Retrieved 10 January 2016.
  3. ^ "New dance releases January 2016". DanceTop40.com. Archived from the original on 1 August 2015. Retrieved 10 January 2016.
  4. ^ "Irish dance top 40 – dance charts in Ireland". Dancetop40.com. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 10 January 2016.
  5. ^ "Weekly Roundup of New Irish Music (June 3–10) | the Point of Everything". Retrieved 10 June 2016.
  6. ^ "Limerick's Proper Micro NV adds some neo-soul to his electronic music on 'Revive'". 22 June 2016. Retrieved 22 June 2016.
  7. ^ "New Music – Jonen Dekay, Cruiser, Proper Micro NV | on the Record". The Irish Times. Retrieved 7 July 2016.
  8. ^ "Nialler9's New Irish Music: Windings, Cathy Davey, Rusangano Family and more". The Irish Times. 9 September 2016. Retrieved 3 June 2018.
  9. ^ "JOE's Song Of The Day #457: Proper Micro NV – 'Do What You Do'". Joe.ie. 10 July 2017. Retrieved 27 September 2024.