Tag Archives: Nick Kelly


Hook – Best Days

Those were the days?

Hook are a Dublin-based New Wave ensemble featuring Eoin O’Donnell (vocals, guitar), Morgan O’Brien (drums) and Danny Spelman (bass, vocals). Their new single was self-recorded in the band’s home studio.

Eoin writes:

“The song is an autobiographical account of being a young person or in college. For some, it’s a very lonely and isolating time. Everyone is telling you that these are the best days and years of your life, but more often than not it doesn’t feel that way. There’s so many expectations to be social and interesting, but most people in fact have trouble making friends or feeling accepted.”

Nick says: Nobody told me there’d be days like these.

Hook

Thank Flatley it’s Friday.

It’s that time of the week when the guns fall silent, a truce is called and the battle-weary Broadsheet commenters make their way through the blood-soaked fields of No Man’s Land to have a kickabout and a smoke with the enemy. In other words: it’s music competition time.

This week the theme comes courtesy of reader Scottser, who suggests your favourite one hit wonder.

Here’s mine.

Reply below to be in with a chance of bagging yourself a €50 Golden Discs voucher redeemable in any Golden Discs store.

The winner will be chosen by my CO.

Please include a video link if possible, thanks.

Lines MUST close on Saturday at 1pm.

Nick says: Good luck.

Last week’s winner here

Golden Discs

Adrian Crowley – A Shut-In’s Lament

The eyes have it.

Vera Graziadei (actor, writer, director and poet) stars in the mesemerising new video for the third single from Adrian Crowley’s new album The Watchful Eye Of The Stars, out now on Chemikal Underground Records.

The vid was directed by Adrian and Trevor Murphy.

Adrian (top) writes:

“I felt the entire story could be told by just Vera’s eyes alone. When Vera stepped into the frame, I knew we were able to capture some magic.”

Nick says: The stars are underground.

Adrian Crowley

Moxie – Is Ainm Dom

It’s trad, Jim, but not as we know it.

Fancy a bit of Irish and Arabic cross-cultural pollination? Of course you do. Moxie put a modern spin on traditional Irish music and are led by the charismatic Julia Spanu (top centre), who was born in Carthage, Tunisia.

The sweeping video for this single was directed by Ted Kelly and Michael Fitzpatrick and Julia was the artistic director.

Look out for the forthcoming album The Dawn Of Motion, produced by Jake Birch.

Nick says: Moxie music.

Moxie

Gorgeous Wrecks – Strong Suit

Orange man sad.

Anonymous Irish pop-tronica duo Gorgeous Wrecks continue to intrigue with the second single from their forthcoming album Gentle Art Of Persuasion.

There’s Daft Punk vibes off the video as the man with an orange for a head travels through Dublin in search of his muse.

Nick says: The man from Del Monte says yes.

Gorgeous Wrecks

Saint Sister – Oh My God Oh Canada

Dancing round the Maple.

Belfast’s Morgan MacIntyre and Derry’s Gemma Doherty aka Saint Sister unfurl the latest single from their new album Where I Should End, due on June 25.

The atmospheric video was directed by Janna Keperman and Kev Freeney for Algorithm Studios.

Nick says: Canuck in a moment.

Saint Sister


The 4 Of Us – Waiting Room

Brothers are doin’ it for themselves.

Long beloved Newry siblings Declan and Brendan Murphy aka The 4 Of Us are back with a new single from their album Heaven And Earth, which is available in limited edition beautiful blue vinyl.

Brendan (top left) writes:

“Waiting Game is about how the past 12 months under varying levels of lockdown have affected our families. One of the few upsides has been the chance to spend more time together. The song came about through our weekly Facebook/YouTube live shows – and the video for the song is a compilation of clips from those live sessions.”

Nick says: Murphys lore.

The 4 Of Us

Bri – More Than

The queen of the castle.

Offaly songsmith Bri (top) stars in a captivating video filmed in Tullamore for her fourth single, with her debut album Hide due in October.

Bri says:

“My original plans for the visuals fell through due to travel restrictions. After a lot of waiting for restrictions to lift, I decided to direct my own music video and my local friend Constance Vance stepped in as my photographer, videographer and stylist. We discovered that she had talent to burn. The photos and video were shot at Charleville Castle, Tullamore.

“Darragh Nolan of Asta Kalapa studios in Wexford built magic around it as usual and my friend Aidan Mulloy lent his electric guitar skills once again. He also makes his debut bass performance on this track.”

Nick says: An Offaly big adventure.

Bri


Charles James Livingstone – What The Heart Needs

Mr Livingstone, I presume.

Monaghan tunesmith Charles James Livingstone (top) takes a lockdown-enforced break from his band Lowlight Gathering with his second solo single that follows on from debut single Midnight Moon.

Working remotely, old bandmates Shay Sweeney (drums) and Danny Mahony (keyboards) join Charles on this smooth, melodic love song.

Nick says: Good tune Charlie.

Charles James Livingstone

The Jonah Medal – From M To M

The Baillie lighthouse.

Wicklow-born, Brighton-based songsmith Bjorn Baillie (top) aka The Jonah Medal (and formerly of La Rocca) lights up the room with this introspective take on ageing that sounds like a cross between ’70s giants ELO and Pink Floyd.

Bjorn writes:

“The last single ‘Septembering’ was about that journey as a couple from early days straight through to family and all that brings. This song is like the impatient foot-tap of midlife – eager to keep pushing and creating.”

Nick says: Bjorn free.

The Jonah Medal