Together Animals – Kings And Queens
“We were kings and queens; we were idols.”
The second single from the forthcoming debut EP by Together Animals (comprising Dave, Chris, Hank and Paul) is an amped-up rocker that has an important message about melancholy and redemption.
The thought-provoking video features “a King and Queen leaving their castle behind them as they wander through a dangerous wilderness, plagued by dark forces and lost souls”.
Nick says: Animals magnetism.
Kynsy – Cold Blue Light
Not so fast, Eddie.
Dublin newcomer Kynsy aka Ciara Lindsey (top) delivers some harsh truths to an ageing lech on her new single.
The 23-year-old songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer has performed at Other Voices Music Trail and Ireland Music Week.
Nick says: The Kynsy report.
God Knows featuring MuRli and BONY – We Move The Needl
Limerick-based rapper God Knows (top) and friends give their take on recent events on the first single from the forthcoming Who’s Asking, Vol 2 EP.
The video is directed by Stephen Hall of Hallway Media.
God Knows says:
“The essence of hip-hop was there as a result of the art made by the lads in Cork as a response to what’s going on in the world.”
Nick says: Fear of a Limerick planet.
James Shannon featuring Lisa Dooner – Self Love
The party’s over.
There are shades of The Streets and Frank Ocean as rapper James Shannon (top) experiences writer’s block on this track from his new album The Night Before The Morning After.
The video was directed and edited by Ciarán McGrath.
Nick says: Love hurts.
Banyah – Watch You Go
Together in electro dreams.
Pop duo Paul and Aisling Jarvis (top) knock it out of the park with their new single.
Banyah say:
“Watch You Go itself is a song about complicated relationships and heartache; Aisling and Paul both pulling influences from their past experiences. Whether it be romantic or platonic, love has many grey areas.”
Nick says: Romantica.
Brake Loose – Dublin Daze
Brake Loose are a Dublin-based hard/alternative rock four-piece – Rob Higgins on guitar, Eoin James Madden on bass, Dan Crowe on drums and Venezuela-born frontman Alex Murillo – with a habit of including spoken word poetry between songs.
Brake Loose say they lay down…
‘…a sort of sultry electrifying soundscape with punching moments, galloping tempos that are dripping with groove, influenced as they say by the poems, novels and manuscripts of the Beat Generation and Gothic literary figures of 19th and 20th century.’
Nick says: Thank you for the Daze.
The DC Experiment – Come On
Don’t let the lockdown get you down.
That’s the message from The DC Experiment, who wrote and recorded this ska-influenced call to arms in various locations remotely.
Singer, songwriter and guitarist Dave Conway (top) was joined by Robbie Stanley (bass), Paul Maguire (guitars) and Kirk Ricketts (sax).
Dave says:
“The song celebrates the coming together of musician friends using new found technology to creatively collaborate in both audio and video formats.”
The song is available at bandcamp and the usual digital platforms.
Nick says: The ska’s the limit.
Alan Newman X DecO featuring Rapthor – Wait
Grand Theft Auto goes hip-hop.
Check out the ingenious promo for rapper Alan Newman‘s new track which was co-written with Dean Byrne and produced by Deco McGlade.
Alan (top right with Rapthor) says:
“The tune is about the frustration in waiting to unveil a creation and the effects of the anticipation. More often than not, the frustration kicks in early before the piece is even half finished which leads to a perspective struggle. A wreck-the-head labour of love.”
The video is credited to amilachamara and Yassine.
Nick says: A clean set of wheels.
Jape – Instrumental For The Lonely
Magic and loss.
Jape aka Richie Egan unfurls the latest chapter in his Sentinel video project.
Ais Brady directs this absorbing film in gorgeous monochrome.
Richie says:
“Ais and the crew made something so beautiful and intimate – a meditation on the privacy of loss and how love can transcend physical presence.
“The idea really made sense when she described it to me and the wonderful video stayed with me long after watching.”
Nick says: Ah, look at all the lonely people.
Cursed Murphy – Where We Come From
Late at night on a lockdowned street…
Acclaimed novelist and ex-Hot Press journalist Peter Murphy aka Cursed Murphy reads “a love letter to the home ground” – the Deep South East – in a piece from his new album Cursed Murphy Versus The Resistance (top).
Video shot by Dan Comerford.
Nick says: Waxing on Wexford.
