• Video Premiere: Pretty Happy – Sea Sea Sea

    April 22, 2021 - By 

    Just a couple of months on from their hugely successful ‘Salami’, Cork art-punk trio Pretty Happy are back with the video for new single ‘Sea Sea Sea’. While the dischordant rattles of NYC no-wave-inspired guitar drive things song along, tension is cranked between shrieked vocals of bassist Arann Blake – recalling Black Francis and David Byrne at their most effervescent – and a spoken word passage from guitarist/vocalist Abbey Blake. Positively owning its Irishness, ‘Sea Sea Sea’ is an at-times dadaist exploration of the nation’s chronic self-loathing and perpetual issues of queer identity and gender stereotyping. Its video – debuted in November’s Spilt Milk Festival – was…

  • Watch: Pixie Cut Rhythm Orchestra – I didn’t love you when I said I did and I don’t now

    February 14, 2021 - By 

    On this, a day of unilateral disappointment and self-loathing, we’re delighted to share some reprieve in the form of a new single from one of the most exciting guitar bands to pop up on our radars in the last year, Dublin trio Pixie Cut Rhythm Orchestra. ‘I didn’t love you when I said I did’ more than delivers on the promise of their prior two singles, as the band increasingly look to be held in the same breath with the likes of the fast-rising Pillow Queens and Maija Sofia. Recorded & mixed by Sean Montgomery Dietz at Annesley House, its understated wooziness is enveloped in a maelstrom of crushingly…

  • Premiere: Naoise Roo – Falling Stars

    November 13, 2019 - By 

    Dublin’s Naoise Roo creates a world unlike any other in 2019 Ireland – atmospheric electronics lay alongside towering, glacial electric guitars brimming with portent, driven & controlled by Nick Cave-esque astromancy by Roo’s unmistakably beguiling chanteuse vocal. We adored her 2015 debut LP, Lilith, and recently, she’s been gradually rolling out material from her forthcoming Sick Girlfriend EP, after a break from the Irish music scene. Its second single ‘Falling Stars’ directly addresses that issue, and that of mental health in the music industry at large, in a slow-burning gratification that’s more than worth its delay. Produced by Liam Mulvaney, with Roo backed by Rian Trench on drums, Daniel Fox on bass & guitarist Karl Tobin. Tomorrow night – Thursday, November 14…

  • Cat Palace – why don’t you // why don’t you, go off

    April 14, 2017 - By 

    We’ve had our eye on Dublin’s Cat Palace since their 2015 debut EP. The moniker under which frontman David Blaney operates, the act balances social commentary, personal revelations and kitchen sink absurd realism by way of very listenable alt. rock and folk forays. Featuring a full band, debut album why don’t you // why don’t you, go off is out now through Little L Records. Absorbing you into his worldview for about 40 minutes, it’s a stream-of-consciousness trip through ruminations on life, from the deeply relatable nostalgic yearning and the dissatisfaction brought to you by your 20’s (Bret Hart & Vince McMahon, 1997 in ‘Welcome…

  • Stream: New Pagans – Worker’s Song/Ode To None

    January 30, 2017 - By 

    One of our featured acts in 17 For ’17, New Pagans, have just released two new tracks following their debut tunes in September of last year. The band is one of NI music royalty, featuring Girls Names & Cruising‘s Claire Miskimmin, Jetplane Landing, Goons & Fighting With Wire‘s Cahir O’Doherty – whose trademark memorable alt. rock riffing is on display – as well as vocalist Lyndsey McDougall and Conor McAuley on drums. The band have yet to perform live, but by their sound and aesthetic so far – with each song featuring unique artwork from the band – New Pagans forms the bridge teased…

  • R51 – No Chill EP Premiere & Interview

    September 9, 2016 - By 

    R51 are amongst the hardest working bands on the island right now; they’re taking this seriously. Falling broadly into a nu-gaze sound without ever losing sight of their carefully crafted & thoughtful pop sensibility, they’re a five piece with all the right components. In the studio, they’re all about pop perfection and live, it’s a padded mallet of sound. They’re led by the power coupling of frontwoman Mel Shannon’s soaring vocals – also band photographer & craftsperson – and lyricist & guitar wizard Jonny Woods – who records & produces everything in their studio – with the punk edge coming from…

  • Watch: Neon Atlas – Get Up

    October 28, 2015 - By 

    Cork grunge-tinged alternative trio Neon Atlas have just released the video for their latest single, ‘Get Up’, following up on July’s ‘I Never Felt So Good‘. With frontman Kieran Ring’s Corganesque vocal qualities and a strong angst:anthem ratio, it’s plain to see in which era these folks’ hearts hark towards. Their knack for a hook has improved tenfold between their new album, Graffiti Reality, and their 2013 debut LP, Absolute Magnitude, given the strength of its two singles. The single is officially released on Friday, November 13 through iTunes, along with the rest of their album, which came out in July. Check it out below:…

  • Stream: Droids – Burn Down

    September 22, 2014 - By 

    Derry/Londonderry alt-rock/post-hardcore quartet Droids have whet our riff-loving appetite for the long-awaited follow-up release to their eponymous debut EP with their new track, ‘Burn Down’ – a progression in terms of craft and production –  which is available for stream on their Bandcamp below. The track was recorded in their hometown’s Smalltown America studios by Chris Cassidy, and was mixed & mastered by Neal Calderwood of Manor Park. Come November, the band will play a set of dates to kickstart activity towards their new release, from which ‘Burn Down’ comes, which are as follows: November 1 – Atlantic Bar, Portrush November…