• Watch: Meltybrains? – Green, Yellow & Purple

    January 7, 2014 - By 

    Dublin weirdo/electro-pop five-piece Meltybrains? have long been a band that have piqued our interest. Becoming less a mere curiousity, that interest has blossomed into full-blown excitement with the release of the band’s latest single, the ten-minute ‘Green, Yellow &Purple’. Created by Louise Gaffney (of Come On Live Long, no less), the video for the single is a decidedly tripped-out accompaniment that nicely weaves around the track – a skittered, blissed-out mini-odyssey that forges the eccentric with the stellar in thoroughly confident fashion, unravelling to become something of a prog/electro masterstroke. Immerse yourself in the video below.

  • Stream: Francis Lung – A Selfish Man

    January 7, 2014 - By 

    Manchester-based musician and ex WU LYF bassist Tom McClung – not satisfied with having already formed the guitar-pop band Los Porcos since his former band’s split – now steps out under the Francis Lung moniker to deliver catchy, sun-kissed indie-rock. ‘A Selfish Man’ runs for six and a half minutes, yet burns bright for its entirety; no doubt something to do with the uncomfortable truths hidden within: “Abandoning was not the plan/ but I don’t wanna know you/ or wanna understand/ I can let you go/ cause I’m a selfish man“. There are too no doubt several not-so-subtle swipes in…

  • Watch: Little Bear – Night Dries Like Ink

    January 5, 2014 - By 

    Having had an extraordinary 2013, Derry band Little Bear have unveiled the video to their single, ‘Night Dries Like Ink’. Shot and edited by Samuel Steele of Missing Piece Film, the video – shot at the Derry’s Playhouse – is a suitably entrancing accompaniment to the song, the fast-rising Northern Irish band’s debut single on Smalltown America. Buy the ‘Night Dries Like Ink’ double A-Side single as a deluxe transparent green 12″ vinyl here. Watch the video for the song below.

  • Stream: Girl Band – Lawman

    January 6, 2014 - By 

    A cover of Blawan‘s terror-techno ‘Why They Hide Their Bodies Under My Garage?’ may not be the most orthodox way for a grunge-rock band to bring themselves to the attention of the blogosphere, but then again ‘orthodox’ isn’t exactly the word that first comes to mind when listening to Dublin quartet Girl Band. They certainly have their influences – fans of Mclusky, Liars, and Metz will want to get on board – but there definitely seems to be something setting the group apart from most modern ‘guitar music’; whether it be the pent up frustration that seeps through their songwriting,…

  • Stream: The Jepettos – Troubles EP

    December 17, 2013 - By 

    Officially launched at the weekend at Belfast’s wonderful Sunflower Bar, Troubles, the latest EP by Northern Irish twee-folk collective The Jepettos is available to stream and purchase via Bandcamp. Featuring the singles ‘Chemicals’ and ‘Water’ (featuring Alana Henderson and Scott Jamison of Go Wolf) the four-track EP is a brief but brilliantly burrowing release brimming with the band’s instantly recognisable brand of lullaby folk. Stream (or buy for a mere £3.00) the EP via Bandcamp below.

  • Watch: We Cut Corners – Every Thief

    December 18, 2013 - By 

    Having really hit home with the superb ‘YKK’ last month, Dublin indie rock duo We Cut Corners have unveiled the video to their  new single, ‘Every Thief’. Set to feature on their forthcoming debut album, Think Nothing – out via Delphi in April – the track is, for the most part, a decidedly more restrained affair than ‘YKK’ from Conall Ó Breacháin and John Duignan. Sparse and delicate in equal proportion for the first half, the track erupts at its climax – the refrain of “Will you be mine?” cutting off in striking fashion at the end. Watch the video for the…

  • Stream: Simon Herron – Demons EP

    December 16, 2013 - By 

    Currently based in Edinburgh, Derry alt-folk singer-songwriter Simon Herron has unveiled his wonderfully wistful new EP, Demons. Released via DhARMA, the four-track release was recorded and mixed by Phil D’Alton at Graham House Studios and mastered by Jon Moorehead. D’Alton, Walter Thee Goon and Gerard Gormley of Master & Dog formed Herron’s band in the recording process. Want a warm and suitably reflective soundtrack to pre-Christmas evenings? Stream – or pay what you like for – Demons via Bandcamp below.

  • Biffy Clyro to play Royal Kilmainham Hospital

    December 16, 2013 - By 

    After a hugely successful summer which saw the band play their first headline sets at Reading, Leeds and Radio 1’s Big Weekend, Scottish alt-rock three-piece Biffy Clyro have announced they will play Dublin’s Royal Kilmainham hospital on June 28, 2014. The announcement comes after the band were confirmed to play Cork’s Live at the Marquee the day before on Friday, June 27. The Pixies, Elbow and Neil Young are amongst others acts set to play the festival. Tickets for the Dublin show are priced €44.50 including booking fee go on sale this Wednesday, 18 December at 9am from Ticketmaster.

  • Neil Young and Crazy Horse to play Cork’s Live at the Marquee

    December 13, 2013 - By 

    Six months on from their show in Dublin, Neil Young and Crazy Horse have announced that they will play Cork’s Live at the Marquee on Thursday, July 10 2014. Having last performing there back in 2008, tickets for the show will be able from Monday, December 16 at 9am. To purchase tickets go to Ticketmaster. In the meantime, there’s this masterpiece:

  • Watch: Hornets – Stay Free

    December 14, 2013 - By 

    Ahead of supporting LaFaro at Belfast’s Voodoo tonight, Saturday, December 14, Belfast-based punk metal band Hornets have unveiled the video to their new single, ‘Stay Free’. Shot and produced by Patrick McElwee,  the video for the single – released via Start Together Singles Club – was shot on location in Belfast city and features a guest appearance from Steven Toner from Belfast glam punk five-piece The Unprotected. Having recently expanded to a four-piece (as the only photo of the new line-up, above, shows), Hornets have just finished recording their latest EP, No Faith, with Rocky O’Reilly. The EP is expected to be release…