Vulpynes – Bitches Are Like Waves
For those about to rock we high-five you.
Irish punk duo Vulpynes prove that less is more on their third single which features on their EP Dye Me Red, due in September.
Drummer Kaz Millar (top right) and singer/guitarist Maeve Molly (left) dispense with the frills and just play head-down no-nonsense rock’n’roll.
And they do it very well.
Nick says: Put another dime in the jukebox.
Laoise – Seriously?
If you like your pop with a capital P then you’re going to love Laoise’s new single.
The 22-year-old Galwegian singer brings an infectious enthusiasm and charisma to this come hither ditty.
The video is also an hallucinogenic magic carpet ride.
Nick says: Laoise has a seriously bright future ahead of her.
The Unelectables from left: Paul Byrne, Leslie Keye, Nick Kelly, Sean Millar and Daragh O’Toole
Free tonight?
It’s time to rock the vote, baby.
The Unelectables play a FREE gig tonight in The Leeson Lounge in Dublin 4.
The 5-piece is a supergroup of sorts featuring a different Nick Kelly (The Fat Lady Sings), Sean Millar (Dr Millar & The Cute Hoors), Paul Byrne (In Tua Nua, The Drays), Leslie Keye (The Wild Oscars) and film composer Daragh O’Toole.
You can check out their new single Hair Trigger on Bandcamp here.
Vote early and vote often.
Nick says: Nick Kelly for president!!
Fangclub – Vulture Culture
Oh to be back in, er, 1994.
The title track off Fang Club’s Vulture Culture album harks back to the heady days of grunge.
Steven King (top centre) and the lads appear to be enjoying themselves as they lark about in County Cavan.
There’s a nod to The White Stripes too in the mind-bending video editing. Nice.
Nick says: Molar power.
Moncrieff – Ghost
Neo-noir-soul is how Irish singer/songwriter Chris Moncrieff (top) describes his music.
The London-based artist has sung backing vocals for Adele and now comes Ghost, the lead single from his debut EP The Early Hurts.
Blessed with a stellar voice reminiscent of Hozier, Moncrieff delivers a commanding urban confessional that should take him to the next level.
Nick says: A Ghost is born
Rory & The Island – So Little Time
Looking for a soundtrack to the summer? Then wrap your ears around the new single from Rory Gallagher (top right) – not the duck-walking guitar legend of the same name but the former lead singer of Donegal band The Revs.
This incredibly catchy tune features Sean Magee (top left) on the fiddle and will feature on Rory’s solo album which is due in October.
You can catch them live at Limerick Dolan’s Warehouse on Friday and the Mary from Dungloe Festival in Donegal on Saturday.
Nick says: I want to take you to the Island.
Soda Blonde – Swimming Through The Night
Readers, behold the headliners of this weekend’s KnockanStockan festival.
Out of the ashes of Little Green Cars have arisen, Phoenix-like, Soda Blonde. Containing four of the same members, this is a wonderful way to kickstart the new project.
Singer Faye O’Rourke (top) is front and centre and produced the stylish dreamlike video (directed by Adam O’Regan) full of startling visuals. Midnight Tai chi anyone?
Nick says: Not drowning but waving.
archmotors – Lemming
Sean Lynch and Gary Landers are the duo behind archmotors and they hail from the West of Ireland.
A taster from their forthcoming album The Swimsuit Edition, Lemming is an accomplished alt.pop gem that has echoes of Beck and Radiohead.
The video animation by Marc Corrigan is also first class.
Nick says: Motoring along nicely
Isaac Jones – Listen
In the mood for some slinky acid jazz?
Then put your hands together for Isaac Jones who was hit on a punchy lounge groove Jamiroquai would give one of his many feathered hats for.
The video, directed and edited by Luke Murphy, is a hoot too.
Actors Ronan Carey and Lauren-Shannon Jones have their date ruined by a sadistic waiter and kitchen staff. But is everything as it seems?
Isaac also wrote the music for the rap drama Beat which was a standout at last year’s Dublin Fringe Festival.
Nick says: Something is happening here, Mr Jones…
Orla Gartland – Inevitable
The Dublin-born, London-based singer/songwriter is a YouTube sensation with over 210,000 subscribers to her channel and 1.7 million views of her video to last year’s single I Go Crazy.
The 24-year-old makes a cameo appearance as the music teacher in her excellent new video from her recent EP Why Am I Like This?.
Directed by Guy Larsen, it’s both a touching ode to family life and a warning about the dangers of letting Yer Da near a camcorder.
You can catch Orla live at Dublin’s Iveagh Gardens this Friday supporting The Academic.
What are the chances she will headline herself there one day?
Nick replies: Inevitable.
