Frankie Wolf – Waiting

Are you ready to rap?

County Wicklow-based MC Frankie has just released his debut album ‘Smiling Politely’ on bandcamp via the Louth Music Collective’s subsidiary label Evenings & Weekends.

The label name reflects the part-time nature of the bedroom producer in the 21st Century.

Frankie describes his sound as drawing influences from comic books, film and pop culture.

The video for the album’s trippy lead single ‘Waiting’  (above) is a visually arresting swirl of psychedelia as the howling Wolf leers ominously at the camera in a balaclava.

Crikey!

Nick says: Beware of the Wolf!

Lugosi – Man’s Best Friend

Are you ready to rock?

Then check out Lugosi, who have boldly turned their amps to 11.

The Dublin-based metallers comprise JM Burr (vocals), Jimmy Rooney (drums), Alan Morton (guitar) and Neal Wright (bass).

Their subject matter ranges from alien vampires, American Indian legends, horror and witchcraft.

Man’s Best Friend (above) is about Cerberus who, according to Greek legend, guarded the gates of Hades to prevent the dead from leaving.

Lugosi play ‘The Alternative Sunday Social Club’ in The Wild Duck, Sycamore Street, Dublin 2 this Sunday at 4pm with Arcadian Shadows and Restive Nation completing the bill. Details here

Nick says: Woof around the edges

Lugosi

Thanks Brother – F*ck My Life (FML)

How can a song with such a risqué title be so radio-friendly? That’s the dilemma posed by Irish songwriting duo Roisin O and John Broe, who have collaborated with Gavin James and Ruadhri Cushnan on this jaunty sing-a-long.

The video features an exuberant dancing priest giving it socks played by actor Brian Stewart and a choir which features Gavin James himself.

Is this the feelbad hit of the summer?

Nick says: Thanks Brother, where art thou?

Thanks Brother

Black Bank Folk – Last Star Fall

This Irish trad-pop ensemble are launching their new album later this evening in Lost Lane, Adam Court, off Grafton Street, Dublin 2.

Last Star Fall is the band’s first record since their 2016 debut Rising – which was a concept album about the 1916 insurrection, inspired by band members John and Mark Colbert’s great uncle Con Colbert, who took part in the events of that mythical day.

The new album is an intriguing mix of folk, trad, Americana and singer/songwriter elements which makes it feel simultaneously both familiar and fresh.

The line-up is completed by James Sheeran, Sean McKeon and Sharon Hussey.

James says:

“A lot of it is to do with letting go and saying goodbye. To various things and people and for various reasons.”

Nick says: Paint it Black Bank Folk

Black Blank Folk

Gypsies On The Autobahn – Leave It All Behind

Gender identity issues are the forefront of the new video from this four-piece band from Cabra, north Dublin. It’s a theme which seems particularly relevant during Pride month.

Gypsies On The Autobahn comprise brothers James and Dan Smith (vocals and drums respectively) alongside their old school pals Gary Quinn (bass) and Niall Mooney (guitars).

Their second album ‘Suspended’ is out on Universal Music Ireland on June 28.

The band say: “Leave It All Behind is a tragic love story born from self-doubt and longing, where insecurity has forced him to be lost in these ‘mirror episodes’.”

Nick says: Go Gypsies!

Gypsies On The Autobahn

EMR – Boy Moon

There are so many talented musicians in this small country beavering away under the radar, just waiting to be discovered. Step forward Eimear O’Sullivan, a singer/songwriter from Skerries, north County Dublin, who records under the moniker EMR.

Having released three EPs and a wonderful Christmas single (no, really), EMR is back with a moonstruck ode to love’s young dream.Unshowy acoustic guitar and minimalist piano set the mood for EMR’s incredibly intimate, yearning vocal. Sweetness follows.

The video (above), with its clips of the gravity-defying Peter Pan, complements the song perfectly.

Check out her website

Nick says: Fly me to the moon.

EMR

Fontaines DC – Sha Sha Sha

Fancy a day at the circus? Then let Brian Chatten and his crew be your guide.

Directed by Hugh Mulhern, the new video from the Dublin post-punk tyros sees them larking about in costume at Duffy’s Circus amidst the acrobats and the bikers. A splendid time is guaranteed for all.

‘Sha Sha Sha’, whose riff has echoes of The Clash and The Cure, can be found on their album ‘Dogrel’, which has been generating a serious buzz across the Atlantic.

Nick says: Bring on the dancing horses

Fontaines DC

Ruth Brosnan – Good Enough

If ever a song has a positive message we can all get behind, it’s Ruth Brosnan’s debut single.

A graduate of the Cork School of Music, the Cork native has written a song overflowing with kindness, compassion and empathy for those hit hard by life’s slings and arrows. It turns out the song was inspired by her own life experiences.

Ruth says:

“I lost my mother when I was 14 and several close friends to suicide. I think if younger people particularly had this song/video on their phone to listen to and to watch, it might encourage them to think before they act.”

Nick says: In using her talent to help others, Ruth shows that the only thing bigger than her voice is her heart.

Ruth Brosnan

A Lazarus Soul – Long Balconies

The second single from A Lazarus Soul’s stunning album The D They Put Between The R&L is a love letter to the resilience and dignity of the Dublin working class, while also being full of righteous fury at their shafting by hostile housing authorities.

The video features priceless archive footage of O’Devaney Gardens near the Phoenix Park – the spirit of the residents of the “long balconies” shines through.

You can read a revealing in-depth interview that singer Brian Brannigan (top right) gave to music writer and shrink Niall Crumlish at Niall’s blog here

Special mention must also go to Joe Chester, who produced, mixed, mastered and played stellar guitar on the album.

A Lazarus Soul support Damien Dempsey at Iveagh Gardens, Dublin 2 on Saturday July 6.

Nick says: A Lazarus Soul are all heart

A Lazarus Soul