• Premiere: Joey Gavin – Rolf/Run

    August 8, 2017 - By 

    No stranger to provocative, accessibly experimental indie rock, the latest two-track from Thumper‘s Joey Gavin is called Rolf/Run, released on 7″ through prolific Irish DIY label Little L Records (Shamir, Homeshake, Alex Calder, Syd Kemp etc.). It’s a catchy psych-pop number whose acid-dripped King Gizzard-lite melody belies a more acerbic message, veiling a darkness even The Zombies would nary have attempted. It’s framed, as you might have guessed, around the shortcomings of institutional hierarchies, and the abuse of power that they’ve given rise to, without forgetting to check ourselves for letting it happen; evenly, he also explores the shortcomings of the witch-hunt that can, and does take place, it’s…

  • Premiere: Fox Colony – Patterns EP

    May 1, 2017 - By 

    Ahead of its release on May 4, we’re delighted to premiere the new EP from Belfast-based emo-tinged indie rock trio Fox Colony, Patterns. Associates & former bandmates of indie-pop outfit Brand New Friend, the young band recorded Patterns with Start Together Studios’ Rocky O’Reilly and have the uncanny ability to craft a tune without the usual fear of wearing their hearts – or accents – on their sleeves. The EP takes some cues from the current emo-pop revival of Modern Baseball, with slight glimmers of early ’90s alt. rock sophistication & dischordance seeping in that belies their youth. Patterns will be available from Bandcamp – both digitally on…

  • Stream: Life Goals – Wreck Less Nature / / Between the Lines

    July 8, 2016 - By 

    Comprising former & current members of Belfast-based punk & alt. rock bands Gascan Ruckus, Empty Lungs and Two Glass Eyes, brand new indie punk trio Life Goals have just put out their debut two-track release, Wreck Less Nature / / Between The Lines. US contemporaries like Menzingers, PUP & Modern Baseball are clearly a shared influence amongst the band, from their gritty, modern emo-tinged guitar lines to frontman Decky McBride’s heartfelt, hook-laden vocals. Having spent most of the year writing and rehearsing, their release was recorded in March at Start Together Studios with Niall Doran. Life Goals played their first show in Belfast’s new, intimate The Barracks, last Saturday. They play…

  • Stream: Naoise Roo – For You

    March 9, 2015 - By 

    Alternative singer-songwriter Naoise Roo unveiled yesterday – International Women’s Day – ‘For You’, the darkly atmospheric new single to be taken from her upcoming debut album, Lilith. Having debuted only last summer with powerful alt. rock free-download single, ‘Oh Son‘, Roo’s fire has lit up the local scene impressively quickly, with Lilith set for release on April 27 through Irish alternative & experimental label Little L Records. With only the layered-yet-stripped sound of ‘For You’ to go by, the album’s genre-spanning promises of ambient electronica, indie rock and burlesque could well show Lilith to be one of the great Irish breakthrough albums of 2015. Certainly this early on, her output is…

  • Stream: Princess – Black Window

    February 10, 2015 - By 

    Following up on the sprawling ‘Molly’ – our Irish track of 2014 – one of our 15 picks for 2015, experimental indie rock act Princess – based around the creative pair of Aoife Frances & Liam Mesbur – have just unveiled their latest single, ‘Black Window’. Weighing in at little under three minutes , the song is significantly more concise than the duo previous work, recalling prime ’90s indie rock with hooks to match. It’s one of their shining moments to date, covering more ground in their perpetually evolving blend of shoegaze, krautrock & noise, as heard on the pair of singles…

  • Revival Belfast – Baptism of Fire

    July 3, 2014 - By 

    Belfast has a new – if indeed any already exist – folk, punk, indie, rock & blues club in the form of Revival Belfast, taking place at McHugh’s Bar at Queen’s Square, starting from Friday, August 1. High-tops and sailor ink is not just permitted, it’s expected; so get down and party at their inaugural night. Admission is £3 and doors open at 10pm.