• Video Premiere: CATALAN! – OKA

    His debut solo release outside of his work with alt-punk three-piece Axis Of, ‘OKA’ by Ewen Friers AKA CATALAN! is a track that, whilst certainly redolent of the subtly anthemic and nicely bombastic alt-punk of the aforementioned North Coast outfit, explores new, socially-conscious territory. Set for release this Friday (July 21), the opening gambit is a strong, bobbing effort that tussles with indigenous history and social media, hoping to “highlight the value of living in a reality where the human mind can be invigorated and bring positive change”. Inspired by Big Country, Why?, Crass, Les Savy Fav and The Knife, it’s a first release stemming…

  • Video Premiere: Tuath – Youth

    Being just about the best thing in Ireland that we could call trip-hop, experimental Donegal psychers Tuath have a new single, and we’re delighted to show it for the first time. Casting an oneiric glimpse back to the years we’ve tossed away, the video is much like Tuath as a band: a ragtag affair that would have you believe everything they do is for kicks, but that belies a feeling that goes much deeper – listen and you’ll hear. ‘Youth’ is the title track from their forthcoming EP of the same name, due for release on August 15, and it echoes everything on the outer fringes from shoegaze, prog,…

  • Video Premiere: Bodies – I’m Waiting

    The solo project of Dublin’s David Anthony McGeown AKA Bodies was last on our radar back in November with his debut single ‘Nightmoves’ – an opening gambit we premiered and thought was “right up there with the most curious and captivating debut singles from an Irish artist this year”. New single ‘I’m Waiting’ is taken from a forthcoming EP and finds navigate ambitious and rather spirited alt-pop territory. Better still, the track – recorded at Clique in Straffan, Co. Kildare – is very nicely brought to life via a video written by McGeown and created by Shaun Ryan and Jeff Doyle of…

  • Video Premiere: The Tragedy of Dr. Hannigan – Hey Little Worried One

    The self-proclaimed bastard child of North Coast musician Tony Wright AKA VerseChorusVerse and producer and multi-instrumentalist Mr Dean Stevens AKA Deany Darko, The Tragedy of Dr Hannigan is a project that has already won acclaim from the likes of BBC Radio 1’s Phil Taggart, Radio Ulster’s Ralph McLean and RTE’s Dan Hegarty ahead of schedule. And with good reason. Featuring guest vocals from Stephen Macartney of The Farriers, debut single ‘Hey Little Worried One’ is a ridiculously earworming, quintessentially feel-good effort that is, in its blithe tone and swaggering sway, is much more ditty than song. And – let’s face it –…

  • Video Premiere: Waldorf & Cannon – Omit The Logic

    Like very others in these parts, Derry/Donegal alternative multi-instrumentalist duo Waldorf & Cannon make a little go a very long way. With both members on vocal duties, Philip Wallace AKA Walford playing a Farmer Footdrum kit, guitar and harmonica, and Oisin Cannon on bass, their sound – bearing the imprint of the Pixies, Devo, Link Wray and Beck – is testament to the fact that the song, no matter how it’s wrangled or performed, reigns supreme. A highlight from their consistently idiosyncratic debut album, Old Dogs New Tricks, new single ‘Omit The Logic’ is an infectious beast featuring a guitar solo from Cahir…

  • Video Premiere: Lauren Bird – The Way Out

    Having recently released her debut album The Inbetween, Strabane singer-songwriter Lauren Bird has made a name for herself on the live circuit in the North over the last couple of years. Making a little go a long way via just her vocals and ukulele, she delivers confessional lyricism, subtle-wielded truths and a strong knack for melody – something new single ‘The Way Out’ has by the bucketload. Undoubtedly Bird’s most quietly emphatic effort to date, it’s a maudlin and nicely earworming song from an artist whose pop prowess grows stronger by the day. Featuring animation by Gina Cuarán, here’s a first look at the video for…

  • Video Premiere: Naoise Roo – Almost Perfect

    Having left a considerable dent with her A Cappella cover of Roy Orbison’s ‘Crying’ back in March, Dublin chanteuse Naoise Roo is back with ‘Almost Perfect’, the fourth single from her exceptional debut album, Lilith. Launched last night in Dublin, the song is a masterfully melancholic and brilliantly candid insight into the mind of the artist, who has teamed up with Cork-based visual artist and filmmaker Chris O’Neill for the release. O’Neill – whose stripped-back, lo-fi visuals elevates the single to a whole new soul-baring realm – said: “Lilith is, in my opinion, amongst the finest albums released by an Irish artist in recent…

  • Video Premiere: R51 – Heavy Friends

    Having recently been in the studio recording new material, Belfast five-piece R51 will release a blitzing new single, ‘Heavy Friends’ and a b-side titled ‘Vitamin C’ on May 23. A song “about the realisation that all your friends are depressed weirdos”, it’s another starry-eyed – almost celebratory – blast of gaze-drenched alt-pop from the band. Accompanied by a DIY video (which has become something of a forte for the band), check out our premiere of the single and its artwork below.

  • Video Premiere: Beach – Bram Toker

    Released earlier this month, we said ‘Bram Toker’ by Dublin neo-psychedelic five-piece Beach was an effort confirming their arrival as a band to be “considered alongside fellow Irish sonic diviners The Altered Hours and Elastic Sleep“. A few short weeks later, the single – one of our favourite by Irish act this year – comes bearing a visual accompaniment, directed and animated by Ross Ryder. Have a first look at that below. Beach will play a Knockanstockan Presents show in Whelan’s on May 12, as well as their first headline in London on May 18 at the Islington.

  • Video Premiere: Video Blue – Hold Muzik

    London based, Dundalk native Jim O’Donoghue Martin AKA Video Blue has unveiled the video for ‘Hold Muzik’, taken from his album Love Scenes. Following from ‘Dusk Moves’ in March of this year, ‘Hold Muzik’ is yet another slice of snappy, indie-pop with minimalist guitars, subtle keys and vocal work that will remind you of those times you actually really liked the way Bono sang. Video Blue’s knack for earworm hooks and infectious melody shines through on this track as it does across Love Scenes and The Graduate inspired visual accompaniment directed by Freddie Leyden is an equally charming addition. Speaking of the…