Trick Mist – The Junction

Trick is a treat.

Cork musician, multi-instrumentalist and producer Gavin Murray (top) aka Trick Mist is enthused about his new project.

This is the first installment of a unique music video and podcast series called ‘Tracing Places’ (funded by the Arts Council of Ireland) that involves 4 artists making 4 videos for 4 new songs and an adjoining 4 part podcast series hosted by Trick Mist.

Gavin writes:

“I’ve been working with these amazing artists in an unusual way. The artists were given full creative control over their art, making music videos based purely on their reaction to the song. Basically how it worked was I would send the artist the song and the lyrics. That was it. I would offer no directives. I see the video when it’s finished. Simple as that! My ambition is to emphasise individual perception, place it on a platform and celebrate it.

“When the works are completed I will host a stand alone 4 part podcast series. Each podcast will essentially be a discussion with the artist about the work created, their ideas behind the video, their interpretation of the song and my ideas behind the song.

“We’ll really try and tease out the intersection (if any) between us. There might not be any and that’s cool too. It’s all to play for. This will be the first time our concepts will meet. We’re going to communicate them here, on the podcast, out in the open.”

The video for The Junction was directed, shot and edited by Katie Ball and stars Sarah Reilly.

The Junction is released on Pizza Pizza Records.

Nick says: Up The Junction.

Trick Mist

PORTS – Swimming Pool

And we all float on…

There’s something in the water for Derry indie shoegaze-friendly quartet PORTS.

The band are Steven McCool (Bass and Vocals), Mark O’Doherty (Drums), Ryan Griffiths (Guitar) and Conor Mason (Piano).

Steven says:

“We were using a new lyric writing technique, where we would imagine a scene. So I said I can see someone diving into a swimming pool at night in slow motion.

“The song ultimately became a metaphor for our emotions; if you fight them they become harder to manoeuvre. So, like swimming, you just go with it and it gets easier the more relaxed you are”.

The new album – the follow-up to 2016’s The Devil Is A Songbird – is due later this year.

Nick says: Swim when you’re winning.

PORTS

Pio Hartnett – Roses

A good year for the roses.

Galway-born, Dublin-based genre-fluid singer/songwriter Pio Hartnett (top) is gearing up for his debut summer EP release.

A graduate of BIMM music college, Pio recently formed a 9-piece band “in order to help realise his ambitious vocal arrangements”.

Nick says: Flowered up.

Pio Hartnett

Daithí – Familial

Oceans apart.

Irish electronica pioneer Daithí collaborates with New Zealand filmmaker Ayla Amano on his new single.

Daithí says:

“‘Familial’ started out life as a track I wrote around an uncertain feeling I had about returning to my home county of Clare. Growing up in a remote area, there was a stifling feeling of repressed emotions; people in the area would sometimes find it difficult to say what they really felt. It was quite a personal piece of music to me, but it was transformed into something with even more to say when I began to collaborate with Ayla.

“The idea of finding common ground and themes with a community so far apart from my own got me really excited, and I started seeing the track in a new, more global perspective. The themes are universal.”

Ayla says:

“Originally, the concept for the ‘Familial’ video was set to film in Ireland. We’d discussed themes of family roots and community; ideas Daithí had been exploring around returning to his hometown in Clare.

“Then, while on holiday in New Zealand visiting my family, my partner and I discovered that we had a baby on the way, so we decided to stay there for the year.

“Apart from finding myself in a similar situation – reconnecting with my hometown and the community I grew up in – I was also reminded of New Zealand’s unique position in the Pacific.

“Our Pasifika communities are so integral to the spirit of Auckland, and after spending time in Ireland I could draw some unexpected parallels between the two cultures – wildly different on the surface, but both with a real strong sense of family and community, as well as a humour and warmth that my Irish partner immediately connected with.

“There was a real sense of community both on and off the screen. Filming while I was six months pregnant provided yet another layer to the story. We spent a lot of time on set talking about family and reflecting on where we’d come from.”

Nick says: From here to maternity.

Daithí

The Burma – Don’t Believe Your Dreams

The People’s Republic of pop.

Cork indie trio The Burma have the melodies to wow any self-respecting DJ on this single from their forthcoming debut album Sucker For Stars.

The band are Tony O Donovan, Cian Doherty and Peter Piggott.

Nick says: Southern lights.

The Burma

SOAK – Purgatory

There’s a ghost in my house.

Derry’s indie star Bridie Monds-Watson (top) aka SOAK has collaborated once again with video director Ellius Grace for the latest single from new album If I Never Know You Like This Again, out on Rough Trade on May 20.

SOAK writes:

“‘Purgatory’ is about the weight of time and the perpetual fear of reaching the end of your life, unsatisfied with how you’d spent it. The song came out of a slump phase, I wasn’t really a fan of myself and honestly just felt rather lost.

“In ways that felt like its own purgatory. I was trying to figure out how to make myself feel better, become a ‘better version’ of myself. So I guess whilst this song is about panic, it’s equally about the pursuit of change.”

Nick says: Heaven can wait.

SOAK

Cat Dowling – All That I Can Do

Cat power.

Kilkenny singer Cat Dowling (top) channels her inner PJ Harvey on the fourth single from her album Animals, released on the FIFA label.

Cat writes:

“Love is the greatest we can offer anyone and that includes ourselves.”

The video was shot in Bray, County Wicklow, by Louise Myler with Paddy Jordan as Director of Photography.

Nick says: Feline groovy.

Cat Dowling

Floor Show – Come Home

Shoegazers of the world unite.

Irish dreampop acolytes Floor Show build quite an atmosphere on their recent single.

The band are: Jessi Howell, Sean McGinley, Andrew Kelly and Sean Day.

The press blurb says:

“Come Home layers dreamy guitar and soft vocals over a smooth bass line, creating strong juxtaposition with the song’s darker theme, telling of someone oblivious to their controlling partner’s influence, despite attempts from outside parties to bring attention to this. Ultimately, the ‘Home’ in ‘Come Home’ is somewhere that isn’t a safe place but the protagonist is blind to this.”

Nick says: Home truths.

Floor Show

Driven Snow – Trying

Sometimes there’s sneachta in April.

The debut single from dynamic indie troupe Driven Snow (featuring Delorentos‘ Kieran McGuinness (top left) and Emily (right), a vocalist with Republic Of Loose and Stars On Fire) is a warm-hearted, contemplative song that will strike a chord with many a listener in these difficult times.

Driven Snow are: Kieran – guitar, vocals, keys; Emily – vocals, keys; Tommy McLaughlin – Additional programming, keys, and production.

It was recorded in Donegal’s Attica Studios and mastered by Fergal Davis.

To quote the press blurb:

“With influences including Neil Young, Beach House, Cat Power, Scandinavian TV shows and fireside beers, the realities of life as a musician in modern Ireland have never been more beautifully articulated.”

Nick says: Once upon a time in the North West.

Driven Snow

Brother Josh – Crawl Back

Get this party re-started.

Irish newcomer Josh Bass (left) and his cousin Daz Bass (right) aka Brother Josh, bring the house down in their new video directed by Michael Reid.

Josh writes:

“The absence of work made the lockdowns a difficult time for musicians. Apart from the lack of income, most felt cut adrift by the absence of that magical connection between musicians and fans in the live context.

“I’m determined to take this project all the way. I’m really excited by the material I’ve written and can’t wait to get it all out there and get back to playing live again.”

Nick says: Brother act.

Brother Josh