Feeling philanthropic?
We sure hope so as Wexford-based singer/songwriter Carol Keogh (top) is looking to crowdfund her next double album The Wolf Chronicles via the indiegogo website (details below).
Having sang with The Plague Monkeys, Autamata, Side4 Collective and her own band The City Fathers, Carol will be recording under the name The Wicc for this project.
Nick says: Go fund her!
Aleigh – Boys Not Right
Let’s hear it for the boys.
Dublin indie rock newcomer Aoife Leigh (top) aka Aleigh strikes a chord with her new single which is a sort of jazz-blues take on the White Stripes.
The video, shot in moody black and white, was directed by Seán Kavanagh.
Nick says: Girl power chords.
David Keenan – A Corner Boy’s Lament
Make no mistake, this mercurial troubadour from Dundalk, County Louth has the soul of a poet.
Finding the ley line between Brendan Behan and Bob Dylan, David is filmed above in London for the Mahogany Sessions.
The song can be found on David’s album A Beginner’s Guide To Bravery.
Currently in the middle of a mammoth European tour supporting Hozier, David is playing the Electric Picnic this Friday on the main stage at 6pm with his band The Unholy Ghosts.
Nick says: G’wan the town!
Haunted Head feat. Hamell On Trial – Big Purple Bruise
Warning: adult content!
Haunted Head is the new project from Wexford-born, Kilkenny-based singer and guitar virtuoso Clive Barnes.
Here he has teamed up with his old touring buddy, the cult New York punk troubadour Ed Hamell aka Hamell On Trial, who delivers a chilling spoken word tale over Clive’s Mellencampian six-string swagger.
The climax is both shocking and droll.
The Haunted Head vinyl EP (top) is available to buy here
Nick says: Killing it.
Partland – Hope To Love Again
Some people want to fill the world with lost love songs – and what’s wrong with that?
Thomas McPartland (top), who hails from County Leitrim, is the latest Irish singer to wear his heart on his sleeve with this emotionally intense slow-burner that would give Coldplay a run for their money.
His second album The Empty Atlantic is out next year.
Nick says: Oceans apart.
Mark Geary – Dandelion
All flowers in time bend towards the sun…
Dublin-born singer/songwriter Mark moved to New York in 1992 and was a regular at the famous Sin É bar where he befriended Jeff Buckley.
This video was filmed during Mark’s recent American tour and can be found on his latest album The Fool.
It’s a grower.
Nick says: Heavy petal.
Paddy Goodwin & The Holy Ghosts – Break For The Border
Saddle up, folks.
The times they are dismaying so a swamp blues protest song of sorts is very much called for.
Step forward former Trouble Pilgrim Paddy Goodwin, who delivers a scathing j’accuse of our political overlords.
His backing band here includes Horslips legend Jim Lockhart on flute and keyboards and we must give a shout out to Enda Whyte for the powerful visceral video.
Paddy can be seen in action on September 19 when he plays guitar for The Atrix at their album retrospective launch in The Sugar Club.
Nick says: A win/win.
Girl Band – Going Norway
Welcome back to the wonderful and frightening world of Dara Kiely and co.
One of the Irish indie scene’s marquee names, Girl Band have turned to director Bob Gallagher for their startling new video. Cue the sinister shrink hypnotising his bewildered patient.
Are Girl Band this nation’s saving grace? See for yourself when they release their sophomore album The Talkies on September 27.
Nick says: Homage to Scandinavia.
The Murder Capital – Don’t Cling To Life
If you are partial to rattling post-punk guitar stylings with moody gothic lyrics, then you are going to love The Murder Capital.
The video by Ethan Barrett and Tom Gullam evokes pagan midsummer rituals that may convince you to avoid that walk in woods.
Singer James McGovern and the gang’s promotional tour for their new album When I Have Fears starts THIS afternoon at 1pm in The Thomas House basement venue on Thomas Street, Dublin 8.
Nick says: All killer, no filler.
Michael – The Runner
If you need something to put a smile on your face, then the new video by this enigmatic Irish trio should do the trick.
Graham Connolly (top left) hops, skips and jumps his way through the streets of Dublin on a bright sunny day, stopping only to dance with the ladies and high-five the lads.
It’s a badly needed blast of positivity that was inspired by Maser‘s famous murals.
The band release their debut album Shudder next year.
Nick says: A rare oul’ time.
