New Pagans – Harbour
Daydream nation believer.
Belfast post-punk indie darlings New Pagans will have old Sonic Youth fans rejoicing with the latest single from their new album The Seed, The Vessel, The Roots And All out now on the Big Scary Monsters label.
The artful video comes courtesy of the band’s Claire and Lyndsey.
Nick says: Finding my religion.
John Murry – Oscar Wilde (Came Here To Make Fun Of You)
My life as a doll.
The inimitable John Murry (top) is Kilkenny’s favourite adopted son and his new video is directed by the one and only Aidan Gillen, and features a striking life-size doll of the Mississippi-born singer.
Bonus points for the memorable title.
Nick says: A man of some importance.
Bk Pepper – Alerts
We hope you all enjoy the show.
I chose Dublin composer and virtuoso pianist Brian Pepper‘s Territories was one of my Top 10 albums of 2020. It’s tremendous.
And now there’s a striking new video for one of the pieces on the record – Alerts – directed by Hector Romero.
Nick says: A splendid time is guaranteed for all.
Thom Southern featuring Sonic Boom – Soul Singer
Boom at the top.
Belfast-born, Liverpool-based alt.rocker Thom Southern (top) teams up with legendary Spacemen 3 frontman Sonic Boom on his expansive new single.
It’s got a groove goin’ on.
Nick says: Southern star.
Soda Blonde – Small Talk
Blonde ambition.
Formed out of the ashes of Little Green Cars, electro-pop savants Soda Blonde have announced their new album Small Talk will be released by Velveteen Records on July 9 with a UK and Ireland tour penciled for August and September.
The sumptuous title track dropped today as the lead single.
Singer Faye O’Rourke (top left) writes:
“To put it simply, Small Talk is about life in our 20s. Every part of us is in here, both subliminally and literally. Lyrically, this record is like a collection of my flaws and insecurities. “They’re lingering awkwardly by the bar at a crowded social gathering, waiting to integrate with the wider world.”
Nick says: It’s good to talk.
Three Underneath – You’ve Been Had
Hands up, nobody moves, nobody gets hurt.
The brilliant new video by Dublin guitar devotees Three Underneath sees the band hold up a bank… but it’s a cinematic thrill ride with a neat twist.
Singer Daragh Murray writes:
“I was writing the lyrics about the music industry. The mental toll of being constantly rejected. But sure, sometimes I read through the lyrics and think they could apply to all sorts of situations. It’s a song of desperation – of being at the end of your rope.”
The song can be found on their eponymous album.
Nick says: Take it to the bank.
Cathal Coughlan – Owl In The Parlour
A hoot.
The ageless Corkonian contrarian Cathal Coughlan (top) crams a lot into this cryptic puzzle of a song from his new album Song Of Co-Aklan which is out this week on Dimple Discs.
Andy Golding worked his magic with the animation.
Nick says: Owl at the moon.
Lisa Gerrard & Jules Maxwell – Noyalain (Burn)
The star of the county Down.
One of the greatest voices of this eon, Lisa Gerrard, has teamed up with the touring keyboard player from her band Dead Can Dance – Jules Maxwell from Bangor, County Down – as well as producer James Chapman of Maps to deliver a singular atmospheric soundscape.
The striking video comes courtesy of Polish arthouse film director Jacob Chelkowski.
Look out for the album Burn on the Atlantic Curve label in May.
Maxwell has also just released an instrumental album Nocturnes.
Nick says: Falling for a Dancer.
Clannad featuring Denise Chaila – In A Lifetime
Collaboration once again.
The stars of the county Donegal, Clannad, revisit their classic duet from 1985 with Bono’s part now sung by recent RTÉ Choice Prize winner Denise Chaila. And it’s every bit as good as you’d hoped it would be.
The picturesque video was shot in Dunlewey Church overlooking Poison Glen in the Gweedore area of Donegal.
Nick says: We came because we heard the harp.
Paul Quin – Life On Earth
You ain’t heard nothin’ like the mighty Quin.
Electronica pioneer Paul Quin (top) – who was one half of synth-pop duo Biazarre in the late 1980s – wears his heart on his sleeve on the title track of his comeback album, due in October on the Russian label Scent Air Records.
The songs on the album reflect on his life as a valued member of the LGBT community and the homophobia he has endured.
The video was shot in Laragh House, County Kildare, by Philip Kidd.
Nick says: The Quin-ner takes it all.
