Tag Archives: new Irish music

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Saint Sister – release Madrid video, touring throughout summer

What you may need to know…

01. Gemma Doherty and Morgan McIntyre are Saint Sister, and specialise in a brand of folk that takes in vocal harmonies, floaty synths, and electric harp.

02. Formed in November 2014, the duo have been quick to make their presence felt, releasing debut EP Madrid, touring with O Emperor and Wyvern Lingo, and appearing on Other Voices.

03. Streaming above is the video to the title track of their EP, Madrid. Directed and produced by Bob Gallagher, it’s a tense affair to say the least.

04. The full summer touring and festival grind is underway. May 27 sees them hit the Unitarian Church in Dublin, and appearances are scheduled for Vantastival, Body & Soul, Longitude, and more. Full listings here.

Verdict: Gorgeous music, that runs the gamut from folk to ambient, with plenty to savour for alternative and post-rock heads, too.

Saint Sister

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Slomatics – Electric Breath

What you may need to know

1. Belfast doom-metal monoliths Slomatics have a new album, Future Echo Returns, enroute and available for pre-order via Black Bow Records.

2. Their fifth full-length sees them place continued emphasis on songwriting over heft for its own sake, as detailed in this interview with Stereogum.

3. Streaming above is lead-off single Electric Breath, accompanied by a mad 3D-animated piece from editor Dermot Faloon.

4. Live excursions to launch the record are likely for later this year, but until those announcements, here’s a look at the limited, gatefold, purple-and-green splatter edition of the LP.

Verdict: Fiiiiilthy tones and massive riffs at a (relatively) glacial pace. Perfect for summer barbecues and family gatherings.

Slomatics

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No Monster Club – Drinking at the Doldrums

What you may need to know…

1. Dublin lo-fi pop project and long-term ‘sheet favourite No Monster Club returns with a new single from last year’s I Feel Magic album.

2. The labour of love of Popical Island’s Bobby Aherne, NMC have been plying their bockety wares for a few years now, having toured with The Polyphonic Spree, Wavves, HEALTH, Jeffrey Lewis, Ariel Pink, and Jeff the Brotherhood, among others.

3. Streaming above is the video for Drinking at the Doldrums. In the band’s own words, it is: “The official No Monster Club videogame – the world’s first ‘choose your own adventure’ in which you are given no options whatsoever”.  Action, action, action.

4. Appearing next on the festival rounds, the band will be at Castlepalooza, Knockstockan and Galway Arts fests. More info here.

Verdict: A grin-inducer for fans of pop and/or dementedly sunshiny melodies of various stripes.

No Monster Club

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Overhead the Albatross – release debut album Learning to Growl

What you may need to know…

1.The last time we met Dublin post-rockers Overhead, the Albatross they were gearing up for their debut album and making up for lost time with a hometown show.

2. Learning to Growl is finally here, and it’s received the reaction one might expect.

3. It’s streaming in its entirety above, with purchase links for double-vinyl, for them what wants it. If you’ve the time to check it out, or need study/working tunes, dig in.

4. Now begins the victory lap. Cyprus Avenue in Cork in June, and appearances at Castlepalooza and Knockanstockan fests.

Verdict: Dear readers, I know you don’t take kindly to hyperbole, so I’ll spare you. But you owe yourselves at least one listen to this record, front-to-back. You won’t regret it.

Overhead, the Albatross

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1. HAWK is the brainchild of London-based Galwegian Julie Hawk and Matt Harris, with a full live band emerging in 2013 from initial excursions as a duo.

2. They’ve been getting adoring glances for their noirish alt-rock on either side of the pond, with airplay from BBC Radio 6 and XFM in the UK, and garnering a fancy among Irish muso media, including Nialler9 and Paul McLoone, whose show aired their upcoming self-titled EP in its entirety.

3. Streaming above is single Once Told, released this past January. It’s a rail against Ireland’s attitudes towards women’s rights and reproductive health, in a similar vein to last year’s pro-marriage equality piece Glass.

4. On tour throughout June, taking in London, the usual Irish city stops, and the Carlow Arts Festival. Full rundown of dates here.

Verdict: A Venn diagram of sounds, influences, references, and themes taking in indie, alt-rock, and post-rock.

HAWK

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SlowPlaceLikeHome – playing the Workman’s with Bantum and Carriages next month

Here’s what you may need to know…

01. The nom-de-beats of Donegal man Keith Mannion, SlowPlaceLikeHome brings forth electronica of various shades in an eclectic, yet accessible manner.

02. Having done the rounds of Irish festivals a few times, he’s also trod stages in support of Squarepusher, Glass Animals and Pantha Du Prince among others.

03. Streaming above in its entirety is Romola, Mannion’s most recent album under the moniker. For a taste of a full-band live show, check out their live performance of She Comes in Colour Stereo from St. Anne’s Church.

04. Next appearing live at the Workman’s Club on July 9, as part of a Dolittle-curated series of nights highlighting Irish artists at the venue. Also appearing are Carriages and former YMLT featuree Bantum.

Verdict: A broad range of sounds and moods, from atmospheric, post-rock-inflected moments to synthy bangers. Last year’s full-length was a bit of an unsung gem.

SlowPlaceLikeHome

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August Wells – touring Ireland and the UK throughout the summer

What you may need to know…

1. The brainchild of Ken Griffin (ex-Rollerskate Skinny, Kid Silver, Favourite Sons) and pianist John Rauchenberger (Daniel Carter, among others), August Wells specialise in baritone, world-weary ballads.

2. The project’s debut album, A Living and a Dying Game, was released in March 2014, and ensured them a busy touring cycle in support, culminating in recent supports in New York’s Bowery Hall for noted Rollerskate Skinny nerd Glen Hansard.

3. Streaming above is A Little Too Real, taken from their recent Windmill Lane session. New single She Was a Question is slated for release shortly through FIFA Records.

4. The band has announced a full schedule of dates around venues and festivals throughout the country for June and July, including Indiependence, BARE in the Woods, and Clonmel Junction festivals. More info here.

Verdict: Another chapter in the accomplished bodies of work of its members, August Wells pack croon-alongs big and strong enough to stand up on their own.

August Wells

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Malthusian – playing Dublin, Cork and Galway

What you may need to know…

01. Death metallers Malthusian arrived in earnest in 2013, and made an immediate impact on Irish metal with debut release MMXIII.

02. Named for the theory that dictated that population overgrowth would coincide with depleted resources and lead to various reckonings to right itself, the band explores such aesthetic and influences in this comprehensive 2013 interview.

03. Streaming above is Forms Become Vapour, taken from new EP Below the Hengiform, released this past April on Dublin’s Invictus Productions.

04. Next gigs are this Friday at Fibber’s on Parnell St, Dublin, as part of Carnage Metal Club, and June 11 at Cork Community Print Shop. Both dates alongside Limerick’s Zealot Cult, with Coscradh supporting on the Dublin date. They’re also off to Galway for Dark Arts Festival on August 13th, before hitting Norway for Beyond the Gates festival.

Verdict: An atmospheric blend of uncompromising death metal aggression and doom metal’s heft and recrimination.

Malthusian

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Sister Ghost – Growing Pains

What you may need to know…

01. Sister Ghost is the garage-rock/punk project of Co. Derry’s Shannon D. O’Neill, formerly of all-girl post-punk trio Vanilla Gloom.

02. The project has quietly been turning out singles for nearly two years now, progressing nicely from quick-and-dirty grunge, to the sum of a wide palate of influences and reference points held together by O’Neill’s distinct voice and muddy/jangly guitar dynamic.

03. Streaming above is the video for new single Growing Pains, premiering yesterday on The Last Mixed Tape. Practice is hard sometimes.

04.  Shannon is joined in a live four-piece by an assortment of good buddies from various bands on the Northern scene (that might also be familiar to Irish music blog nerds). Last seen live at Dublin’s F_ Festival, more gigging activity is sure to follow off the back of the new release.

Verdict: Think a shiny, ’80s indie-pop bijou roughed up to bejaysus with squally alt-rock and punk influences. Glorious.

Sister Ghost

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Myles Manley – touring Ireland this weekend

1. Emerging from Sligo, Myles Manley is a songwriter that is Ireland’s (definitely-not-self-proclaimed) “foremost highbrow, underground popstar”.

2. He’s grand for a tune, though – past the sarky sense of humour lies a penchant for pop goodness, as ably demonstrated in debut album Greatest Hits 2012-2013 and last year’s More Songs. It’s translated to UK, European and Russian touring, as well as love from BBC Radio 1 and the Irish music media.

3. Streaming above is the Arsenal-tastic vid for Pay Me What I’m Worth, described by Radio 1’s Phil Taggart as “an anthem for anyone who works below middle management”. ***NSFW bit at the end.***

4. He’s playing a free gig at the Triskel Arts Centre in Cork this Friday 13. He’s also at Broken Home in Galway on the 14th, and the Swagman in Sligo on the 15th.

Verdict: World-weary troubadour, or grinning smart-alec with an ear for pop? Worth the while to find out in a live environment.

Myles Manley