Lugosi – The Owls
Hoot sweet.
Dublin rockers Lugosi take David Lynch as an inspiration for this single from their album Rise From The Grave.
JM Burr, Jimmy Rooney, Neal Wright and Alan Morton turn the heat up on Bohemian Grove and Masonic rituals in Angel Croitor’s video.
Nick says: Owl at the moon.
Soda Blonde – June
It’s not easy for bands to keep their creative juices flowing while sheltering in place.
But Soda Blonde have shown us just how. Faye O’Rourke and friends hurdle over the logistical problems to produce a bittersweet hymn to resilience during lockdown.
The 4-song EP ‘isolation – content’ (top) is now available on bandcamp.
Nick says: Faye of hope.
Shona Blake – Daughter
O mama.
Clare singer/songwriter Shona Blake (top) is a bit special.
This ode to her daughter has the depth and feel of Tim Buckley and Shona’s voice is as pure and true as Judy Collins.
Paul McCabe adds sensitive guitar.
The video is the perfect fit too.
More please.
Nick says: Blake’s heaven.
Owen Denvir – This Could Be Love
Even better than the rail thing.
Belfast singer/songwriter Owen Denvir (top) takes us on a high-speed train journey for his new lyric video.
Taken from his new Stones EP (released May 29), Owen recorded all the parts himself in his home studio during lockdown.
Nick says: Love on the tracks.
Earlier: A New Age of The Train
Larissa Tormey – Live Another Day
Larissa Tormey (top) is an Irish-Russian singer/songwriter, based in County Westmeath.
Conveyed in a video (above), created by Maxim Isakov, is Larissa’s response to a series of health scares that befell her and her family this year.
She says:
“This song was born in 10 minutes, as my little whispery chat to God and I am sure that many people will emotionally connect.”
Larissa is donating all the proceeds of this song to The Irish Music Industry’s COVID-19 Emerengency Relief Fund.
Nick says: Life-affirming.
Download here
The Barbiturates – And So Six Months Pass
DIY guerilla punk rock.
That’s how Derry band The Barbiturates describe themselves.
Led by Geoff Street (top), the group are about to release their new album Your Now Entering Free Derry.
The psychedelic vibe here is very pleasing to the ear.
Nick says: Medication for the nation.
Leigh Michael – Grief Verse
Bray [County Wicklow] rapper Leigh Michael (top) has composed an emotional tribute to his late father.
Leigh says:
“This week marked the 5-year anniversary of my father’s passing so I decided to make a video of one of the more cathartic verses I’ve written on the experience.
This particular verse focuses on the shock and unexpectedness of his death and the aftermath felt by myself and my loved ones during that time. The beat is produced by Chap Stallion.”
Nick says: Let grief be a fallen leaf.
The Covid Collective – My Girl
A Zoom with a tune.
James Downing of Cork band The Shruggs has assembled a motley crew of musicians to pep up our spirits during the lockdown.
Here he is joined by Tim Hereijers, Shelly Burke, Bart van Bergen, Gerard Mehigan and Kees Hendrickx to present a version of The Temptations’ classic.
Nick says: Good for the soul.
Joe Chester – The Heart Of St Laurence O’Toole
There’s no show like a Joe show.
Having wowed us with his stellar contributions to A Lazarus Soul and The Hedge Schools, Joe Chester (top) is back with an epic solo double album, Jupiter’s Wife, due on May 1.
Here’s a video of Joe playing a song from the album live in the woods of Aquataine in France.
Nick says: A new Jupiter symphony.
James Cramer – Simple Man.
Any skateboarders in?
Then you’ll dig James Cramer’s gritty new video. The singer with alt.folk trio Tupelo flew to Norway to record his debut solo single, with an album dropping later this year.
James has also collaborated with Hermitage Green, Eleanor McEvoy and Luan Parle.
Nick says: Skaters assemble.
