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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Paul Woodfull & Patrick McDonnell – But I Like You
“A quirky love song for oddballs.”
A few weeks ago, we featured the charming new video from the legendary Paul Woodfull (ex-Joshua Trio, Ding Dong Denny O’Reilly).
Now Paul (top left) has enlisted Louth comedian Patrick McDonnell (top right) – famous for his role as Eoin McLove in Father Ted – to double up with him and turn the song into a duet.
We like.
Paul also recorded an alternative version featuring different lyrics based on the suggestions of his social media followers, who shared their pet dislikes.
Thanks, Paul, for making us smile amidst all the gloom.
Nick says: It takes two.
Paul Callan – And You Follow
Seeing the wood for the trees.
Paul Callan, formerly of Bobby Pulls A Wilson, has just released his debut solo album Funzi (top).
A collection of the 12 singles he released each month in 2021 with an extra three songs added, the album was written, performed, produced and mixed by Callan himself in his cabin in County Louth.
Paul writes:
“Funzi is the story of 2021. These songs came and in some ways captured the times for me as I travelled through the year.
“Initially at the beginning of the year my thoughts were to record and release a record for the summer of 2021. A friend suggested releasing one song per month as a way to work on my writing, to make me look at each of the songs as singles in their own right.”
The album is named after Paul’s Airedale Lurcher who is also the cover star.
Nick says: A dog’s best friend.
Bono and The Edge – Walk On Ukraine
Lyrically-adjusted. acoustic rendering of ‘Walk On’ off U2’s All That You Can’t Leave Behind (2000).
Via Bono and The Edge:
“The brave people of Ukraine are fighting for their freedom — and for ours — in the face of unspeakable violence and an unjust invasion. More than 4 million people, mostly women and children, have had to flee for their lives — a population nearly the size of Ireland. World leaders must stand up and stand by Ukranians now … those who are fighting and those who have fled … and stand with refugees everywhere who have been forced from their homes and their lands.”
Alternatively…
An0maly – Ukraine Flag In The Bio
Uncompromising American rapper An0maly sets the cat among the pigeons in his topical new video.
Nick says: Broadsheet commenters assemble.
Wallis Bird – The Power Of A Word
Word on a wire.
Berlin-based Irish songsmith Wallis Bird (top) gives us food for thought in this single from her forthcoming album Hands, due next month.
Wallis writes:
“I wrote it with the intention that it would feel like an embrace of safety, of walking towards complex relationships and situations with an open heart and patience and I’m so glad you feel its warmth. I love you. Peace.”
The video was shot in Berlin’s Grin & Bear Studios by Joseph Wright.
Wallis plays a Rock Against Homelessness charity gig in aid of Focus Ireland at the Little Theatre, Gorey, County Wexford, on April 16.
Nick says: Come fly with her.
