In a rather unexpected nominal curveball, fast-rising Derry quartet Little Bear have changed their name to PØRTS (monosyllabism, capitalisation and obscurism is in, after all) as well as releasing a new track, ‘Ancient Wave’. Bearing a distinctly more fleshed-out sound than previously heard, the song retain the band’s building, anthemic shtick whilst hinting at treading new ground in terms of ambience and soundscaping in new material. Stream the track via YouTube below.
The sole Northern Irish event taking place as part of Independent Music Week 2014, fast-rising Derry quartet Little Bear, Belfast indie-pop band Go Wolf and Lisburn garage-rock band The Couth will play our Gig of the Week at Belfast’s Oh Yeah Centre on Thursday, January 30. Running from January 28 to February 2, eighteen venues from across the UK will take part in the inaugural celebration of independent gig venues. “The struggle to compete with large, sponsor-backed venues makes it a tough and challenging time for independents,” said the project’s organiser Sybil Bell. “Combine this with bands finding it harder…
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.
With 2014 fast approaching, we’re very itchy underfoot to wrap up our countdown of our top 100 Irish songs of 2013. A veritable wealth of great music of practically every shade of genre featured in the first and second installments of the list and we very much continue on that trend on from tracks #50 to #35. Check back next week for tracks #34 to #1 and have a very merry festive period from us in the meantime! 50. Linebacker Dirge – Words Are Missing Fronted by Jason Gibson, Belfast-based alt-rock quartet Linebacker Dirge are comprised of members of bands including…
In the latest installment of The First Time, we ask Steven McCool from Derry band Little Bear to divulge the “firsts” of his music listening, loving and making life. Thanks, as ever, to the upstanding and excruciatingly talented Joe Laverty for the wonderful accompanying portrait photo of Steven. Nice, isn’t it? Check out more of Joe’s photography right here. First album you bought? Excluding the dodgy rave tapes that I bought from the local market, I think it might have been Radiohead – Pablo Honey, and/or Gomez – Bring It On. First single you bought? The Hed Boys – ‘Girls…
Dublin freelance photographer Ruth Medjber happily toddled along to see fast-rising Derry band Little Bear support Glasgow-based indie rock four-piece Glasvegas at Dublin’s Whelans last night, Wednesday, October 9. Check out here photos from the night below.
Taking in place in Limavady’s Ballymully Cottage Farm this summer, Stendhal Festival of Art celebrates its third birthday on the weekend of Friday 16th and Saturday 17th of August. Headlined by Duke Special and Neil Hannon of Divine Comedy, the incomparably scenic showcase is all but set up to succeed the departing Glasgowbury as the go-to Northern Irish festival of the summer. With the tagline “experience the syndrome” Stendhal is much more than a festival of homegrown musical talent. Comedy, theatre, visual art and poetry also play a huge role in ensuring a comprehensively enjoyable experience for people of all ages. Speaking of…
Having proved itself to be one of the country’s best outdoor urban festival sites at Radio 1’s Big Weekend, Derry’s Ebrington Square will host a free concert as part of the Music City celebrations on Friday June 21. Taking place between 4pm and 11pm, Sounds from this City vs. Sounds from Cities on the Edge Festival will stage to two arenas. Whereas The Sound from this City arena will host some of the most promising emerging and established bands and musicians from the city including Little Bear, Ryan Vail (pictured), Best Boy Grip, Wyldling, The Clameens, Wonder Villains, The Wood Burning…