Author Archives: Nick Kelly


Thank Gus Fring it’s Friday.

Shall we have another bit of music chatter and carry-on to wile away the weekend? There’s still no voucher but we know you’re not it for the money (loud guffaws down the back).

This week, I want to know: What’s your favourite song whose title or lyrics mention metals, as in gold, silver, bronze etc.

Here’s mine.

Lines close on Saturday Midday!

Please include video link if possible.

Nick says: Good luck!

Meanwhile…

Eva Cassidy – Autumn Leaves

Last week, we asked you to name your favourite song whose title or lyrics refer to Autumn or the Autumnal months.

Ghost Of Yep won my esteem with this excellent entry:

“Heartbreakingly apt and just an incredible performance.”

Last week: Win Nick’s Esteem

Pic: Spindizzy Records, Dublin 2

Secret Nazi bank accounts.

Toblerone.

Cuckoo clocks.

Now this.

Previously: Those Who Feel The Breath Of Sadness

Motion Control – Shutdown

Do you like your rock raw and in-yer-face?

Then you’ll love Dublin five-piece Motion Control who sound like the square root of The Clash and Rage Against The Machine.

Motion Control are: Vocals – Conor Hamilton (Actor/Bartender); Bass – Michael McCrimmon (Bike repair specialist/Metal enthusiast); Lead guitar – Brandon Larkin (Life insurance broker/child prodigy); Rhythm guitar – Ross McMullin (Local Spar cashier and music producer); and Keyboards – Conor Barnes (Ryan’s bartender and skin fade specialist aka barber).

Singer Conor writes:

“Like most live acts during the off-time, we all found it hard to find the motivation to put plans together but after 6 years it’s hard to let it all just fade into nothing. After the positive response to the release of our single ‘Sick Memories’, the band are set to release our latest single ‘Alice’ sometime before the new year.

“’Alice’ will be available across all platforms with a list of potential gigs to be announced in November/ December following the return of live music to venues.”

Nick says: I second that Motion.

Motion Control

Thanks Alan Bracken

Maria Kelly – The Sum Of The In-Between

For alt.folk’s sake.

Irish singer/songwriter Maria Kelly (top) journeys inwards on the title track of her debut album, released on VETA Records on October 15.

Maria writes:

“The sum of the in-between’ is a long list, laying out every messy, chaotic, complicated thing about me. It’s about giving myself permission to look directly at this current version of myself without criticising everything I find.

“For me, that’s what this album is about – permission. Permission to face myself, permission to feel it all, permission to get the help I deserve – no matter how uncomfortable or painful that might be.

“Who I was, who I’ll be, I’m ‘the sum of the in-between’; I guess I’m saying that the current me matters more than this rose-tinted version from my past, or this ideal version that I long to be. So, maybe it’s just time I gave her a break.”

Maria plays The Workman’s Club, Dublin, on November 12.

Nick says: Maria’s the name…

Maria Kelly


Three Underneath – Sun May Glow

“The sun may glow one more time for you.”

Irish neo-grunge enthusiasts Three Underneath (top) evoke happy memories of Nirvana and Soundgarden on the new single from their self-titled debut album, due October 15.

Singer and video director Daragh Murray writes:

“This album is our calling card. It’s our real debut. It had to be self-titled, because it shows all facets of where we’re at right now. The last 18 months have been challenging to say the least and I think this album pretty much chronicles our journey throughout The fear and confinement to the love, hope pragmatism — there’s plenty of heavy, straight-up rock and some quite candid introverted stuff in there!”

Nick says: Solar power.

Three Underneath

Keeley – Never Here Always There

Never forgotten.

Dublin indie pop classicist Keeley (top) pays loving tribute to the memory of Inga Maria Hauser – the teenage German tourist murdered in Northern Ireland in 1988 – with this song from her Brave Warrior EP on Dimple Discs.

The video is edited by David Hodgson and produced by Keeley.

Check out the Keeley Chronicles blog.

Nick says: Inga lives.

Keeley