The Shruggs – West Cork
Munster’s The Shruggs’ (‘ (James Downing and Kees Hendrickx) charm-soaked ‘West Cork’ video starring Pascal Scott and directed by Paddy O’Shea has gone viral with 82k views and rising.
In fairness.
Nick says: The Shruggs do work.
The Remedy Club – True Hand True Heart
Are you ready for the country? Because it’s time to go.
Wexford-based husband-and-wife duo KJ McEvoy (top left) and Aileen Mythen (top right) aka The Remedy Club have just released the title track of their forthcoming sophomore album (due next year) as a single.
Recorded in Nashville with superstar producer Ray Kennedy (Lucinda Williams, Steve Earle), the song features guest musicians Lex Price on bass; Lynn Williams on drums; and Rory Hoffman on harmonica.
Fans of Americana will love the pure rootsy groove. The video was directed by Aileen.
The Remedy Club play Wexford Arts Centre on Friday November 22.
Nick says: A Club worth joining.
Brave Giant – Wizards And Witches
Tis the season after all.
Longford quartet Brave Giant conclude their nationwide tour with a prestigious headline show in Dublin’s Olympia Theatre on Saturday night.
The band’s debut album White Pink + Blue reached No. 1 in the Irish charts and they clocked up over three million streams on Spotify.
The video for the catchy single Wizards And Witches (above) was directed by Eva Wyse.
Nick says: Size matters.
Jape – Sentinel
A waking dream.
This inbetween state is the inspiration behind the new album by Choice Prize winner Richard Egan aka Jape (top).
Released on Faction Records on November 17, the record’s title track has been uploaded on YouTube accompanied by a thoughtful lyric video (above) that highlights just how the Redneck Manifesto bassist has taken his songwriting to another level.
The profundity of the words is complemented by hazy musical textures that transport you to some netherworld.
Nick says: Egan better than the real thing.
Elaine Mai – Heartbeat
Good times never seemed so good.
Irish indie-tronica artist Elaine Mai returns with a new single that celebrates her nuptials in a truly innovative way.
This is how she explains it in her own words.
“I wrote ‘Heartbeat’ for my wife Roisín after we got married in the summer of 2018. It was three years after Ireland voted to legalise same-sex marriage and it felt amazing to celebrate with our friends and family after canvassing for a ‘yes’ vote together.
“One of my friends recorded our wedding video so I was able to take some of the ambient noise from our wedding day and layer it into the track. I wanted to write a song that captured how I feel about her and to remember that time in our lives.”
The quirky video animation is by Bronagh Lee.
Elaine plays the Bello Bar, Dublin, on December 12.
Nick says: Aorta be a big hit.
Bitch Falcon – Damp Breath
Welcome to the hard rock of ages.
Dublin power trio Bitch Falcon turn the amps to 11 for this pneumatic blast of head-shaking metal.
Afghaniscan directed the video of Lizzie, Barry and Nigel at play in the studio.
Singer Lizzie Fitzpatrick explains the message in the song:
“Damp Breath is a story that deals with someone being managed by a person of authority who is potentially seedy in their intentions….
“Would things be easier if they embrace their sexuality and use it their advantage or would behaving in that way quickly create dread, anxiety, self-loathing and a complete abandonment of feminist values which ultimately would results in overwhelming guilt.”
Nick says: A Falcon for this millennium.
Glimmermen – It’s Nice
Chart-rigging in the Irish music industry?
Shurely some mishtake?
That’s the devious plot hatched by Dublin band Glimmermen in their new video which sees them transported back to the good old days when showbands stalked the ballrooms of Eireann.
Shot by Trevor Murphy, it’s a humorous and nostalgic take on a bygone era.
The album Here I Stand is released next week on vinyl and it contains a digital download code.
Glimmermen are Gav Cowley (guitar and vocals); J Basseti (bass); Phil Murray (drums); Dave Prendergast (trumpet); and Orlaith Gilcreest (sax and vocals).
They launch the album on Thursday at The Bello Bar, Dublin 6 and on Saturday at Tower Records, Dublin at 1pm.
Nick says: Naughty but Nice.
Tandem Felix – Oil Money
If you are partial to smart indie bands that breathe the same air as Beck and Pavement, then you will want to hear the new single by Tandem Felix.
The Dublin hopefuls’ current line-up comprises David Tapley (top, vocals, guitar), Conor Muldowney (guitar), Evan Keogh (bass), Ena Brennan (violin) and Neil Dexter (drums).
The band name comes from the Latin epitaph on scientist Marie Ampère’s gravestone, which translates as “happy at last”.
Spot the Trinity student!
The smart-as-you-like video was directed by Ror Conaty.
You can catch them live next month.
Nick says: That petrol devotion.
The Lost Brothers – Fugitive Moon
In the mood for some evocative Americana noir?
Then you’re in luck as the new single from Irish roots duo Oisin Leech (top left) and Mark McCausland (top right) aka The Lost Brothers is a slow-burning country blues number which was recorded in Brooklyn and features the stellar talents of M Ward on electric guitar and Tony Garnier from Bob Dylan’s band on upright bass, who also co-produced the track.
This is the first taster from the new album After The Fire, After The Rain which is due next February.
Shot in moody black and white in Meath and Tyrone, the video was directed by Ian Lawton.
Nick says: Fly me to the moon.
Shrug Life – You’re Such A Good Looking Woman
Prepare to be inducted into the church of Joe Dolan.
How could you resist?
The new video from Dublin indie ensemble Shrug Life is a blast as demon-eyed singer Danny Carroll (top) brainwashes unwitting Dubs into joining his cult.
And the next thing they know they’re donning white robes and performing the Albert Hammond classic made famous by JD…
Sign me up.
Shrug Life are on tour in November.
Nick says: There’s no cult like a Joe cult.
UPDATE: sorting out the video settings. Apologies for delay.
