Author Archives: Nick Kelly

Win Nick’s Free Tix

We’ve Only Just Begun, The capital’s best new band festival is back in Whelan’s of Wexford Street. Dublin this weekend.

With the likes of Wyvern Lingo, Pillow Queens (above) and Soda Blonde joining dozens of other great local acts over multiple stages through the weekend, I am offering you the chance to win 2 passes for the Saturday and Sunday night of the festival.

Simply tell me below who was your favourite Irish band you saw play live.

Lines MUST close at 4.15pm 5.15pm 6.15pm 9.15pm

Winner will be contacted tonight.

Nick says: Good luck!

UPDATE: Papi wins the tix (see comments)

We’ve Only Just Begun (Whelan’s)

Yesterday.

National Gallery of Ireland, Dublin 2

NGI writes:

New stairs, and you know what that means – NEW EXHIBITION TIME!

Sorolla: Master of Light opens here on Saturday, and we just got a sneak peek – we think you’re going to love it!

Joaquín Sorolla?

National Gallery of Ireland

Deadly Buzz Aldrin – Bad Move Space Cadet

Sitting in a tin can far above the world…

Tonight Anseo on Dublin’s Camden Street hosts the launch of the first EP on the new Soft Landing label from experimental electronica geezer Deadly Buzz Aldrin aka Colm O’Riordan.

Colm also DJs at Anseo on Sundays spinning mellow sounds as well as hosting a monthly show on Dublin Digital Radio.

The EP is available on vinyl and digitally on Bandcamp and other platforms.

Nick says: A giant step for Irish electro chill.

Deadly Buzz Aldrin

Screaming Orphans – Shine

The four Diver sisters from Donegal are back with an upbeat blast of sibling revelry.

Joan, Grainne, Angela and Marie Therese harmonise to great effect on this single from their 14th album Life In A Carnival.

Vasco Mendes directs the cinematic promo featuring Svenja Tiger and her magic hula hoop.

Sounds like a summer hit.

Nick says: Be-bop-a-hula.

Screaming Orphans

Tipsy early morning tweet from David Simon (above right), creator of The Wire.

Hic.

Any excuse.

RIP David Berman (top) of Silver Jews and Purple Mountains (above).

A singular poet, songwriter and cartoonist, a true eccentric of the American indie scene.

David Berman (Silver Jews, Purple Mountains) Dead at 52 (Pitchfork)

Meanwhile…

Sun Mahshene – This Girl I Know

“There’s this girl I know and she’s always blue/
The sadness in her eyes is enough for two.”

So begins the powerful new single by these Dublin shoegazing acolytes. Over waves of reverberating guitars, singer Nathan Henderson ( top second left) tackles themes of mental illness, depression and homelessness.

The video by Ismael Diarra perfectly complements the song’s message and features a tremendous performance by Kendal Kennedy as she forlornly wanders the cold streets of Dublin.

The song can be found on their new album Contradictions And Tales of Fiction.

Nick says: Solar powered.

Sun Mashene

There’s a special tribute show to the late, great Elliott Smith in Whelan’s, Wexford Street, Dublin tonight to celebrate what would have been his 50th birthday.

One of the greatest songwriters of his generation, Elliott, who died in 2003, checked out way too early.

I Heart Elliot Smith (Whelan’s)

Meanwhile…

Sia Babez – Hit My Line

Sia Babez is the nom de plume of Dublin-born Irish/Zimbabwean teenager Seorsia Jack (top) who could well be our next urban r’n’b star.

A social media sensation already, Sia is sure to add to her 14,000 followers on Instagram with the slick dance moves and state-of-the-art production in her new video.

Her debut EP Inception is imminent.

Nick says: Jumpin’ Jack flash!

Sia Babez