Constant Supply – Treehouse

This is the lead single from Donegal band Constant Supply’s third album Isn’t Life Great (out on July 5).

Fans of Modest Mouse will admire the dreamy, freeflowing feel of Treehouse, centred around James Gillen’s soulful voice.

The video is also an object lesson in how to make small budget go a long way – the band and a few friends larking about a castle in slo-mo.

The album launch is Upstairs at Whelan’s, Dublin on July 5.

James writes:

“A recurring theme is mental health and some of the means by which we mask our problems – be it through humour, drinking, or never leaving the house.”

Nick says: Constant Supply should be in great demand

Constant Supply

The DC Experiment – Dona Ignez (Has The Last Laugh)

Dave Conway (top) is the man behind The DC Experiment, and the lead single off their forthcoming new album is based on a story that his wife Regina told about her mother.

The Dunboyne, County Meath-based musician (who has a sideline running new talent showcases in the capital via the Gigonometry moniker) then took a recording of the tale and challenged himself to write a song with the spoken word as a backing track.

The result is that you hear tantalising snatches of the story underneath layers of expansive guitars and Conway’s confident vocal that bring to mind ‘Infected’-era The The.

The launch gig for the single is at Dublin’s Underground, 64 Dame Street, Dublin 2 on Saturday July 6, supported by Lady Landscape and Jamie O’Reilly.

Nick says: A very successful Experiment!

The DC Experiment

The Divine Comedy – Norma and Norman

It sometimes seems that we take Neil Hannon for granted. For nearly 30 years he has been one of Ireland’s best songwriters and his new single is a case in point: a three-act love story that is warm, witty, wise and with a killer chorus. And he makes it seem so effortless.

The video is also brilliantly edited and directed.

Neil is touring his new album ‘Office Politics’ this autumn when his band play Dublin Bord Gais Energy Theatre on October 6; Belfast Ulster Hall on October 7; and Cork Opera House on October 8.

Nick says: How many pop songs namecheck the Battle of Hastings? Genius.

The Divine Comedy

Danny Forde – Fire Inside

Inspired by the poetry of WB Yeats and hiking in the Wicklow mountains, Danny Forde has penned a love letter to nature and the indomitable human spirit.

Joined on this live performance by Brian Walsh, Christian Wethered and Aoife Dowdall, Forde cites the likes of Bon Iver and Nick Drake as influences, and has previously collaborated with everyone from The Trinity Orchestra to Bill Whelan.

Danny says:

“I place such a high value on spending time in nature, getting to know the universal Energy that creates all things, and that guides us with insight and intelligence.”

Nick says: Is this burning an eternal flame?

Meanwhile…

Danny’s ‘Summer Solstice  mini tour.

Danny Forde

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CN5fE4iTSWg&feature=youtu.be

VINCI – When We Go Out

The video (above) for When We Go Out’, by Irish band VINCI, features Aidan Gillen.

VINCI met the actor when he was honoured earlier this year at the US-Ireland Alliance’s annual Oscar Wilde Awards at J.J. Abrams’ Bad Robot in Santa Monica. VINCI performed at the event.

While in LA, they noticed that the serious homeless crisis there shared many similarities with the crisis in Dublin and they wanted to “shed more light, not only on the crisis, but on perceptions of the homeless”.

VINCI

Seskin Lane – Wide Open Space

A soaring multi-layered anthem that makes good use of the quiet/loud/quiet dynamic beloved by the likes of Snow Patrol, Seskin Lane’s first single from their forthcoming second album showcases singer Eoin Ryan-Anthony’s powerful arena-filling voice.

And the beautifully-shot video has the cinematic sweep of a bittersweet Oscar-winning melodrama.

Nick says: Watch this Space.

Seskin Lane

Michael – The Burns

Michael move in mysterious ways. An Irish three-piece who prefer their individual identities to remain secret, the group are planning to release their debut album Shudder next year.

The Burns is their debut single and hits a strident melodic hip-hop groove that Eminem would appreciate.

The video, directed with aplomb by Ror Conaty, was shot in County Wicklow – never has a trip to the Irish seaside looked so ominous.

Michael say:

“The video deals with the tensions inherent in living according to the mythical identity of the lone hero.”

Nick says: The hero is dead; long live the anti-hero Michael.

Michael

Fangclub – Hesitations

Operating in the shadows between grunge and goth, Fangclub are a pleasing throwback to ye olde balls-out rock’n’roll of yore.

Having recently been announced as special guests of Metallica at Slane Castle this summer, the Dublin trio are clearly not fazed by the big occasion.

‘Hesitations’ is the lead single from their forthcoming album ‘Vulture Culture’ and the unsettling video has the feel of Nirvana’s ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’ had it been directed by Wes Craven. Fright!

Nick says: Fangs out for Summer.

Fangclub

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_4pk1Z_Sjo&feature=youtu.be

Joe Chester – Foreign Correspondent

Having helped create the epic soundscapes on A Lazarus Soul’s magnum opus, Joe Chester steps up to the mic on his new solo single ‘Foreign Correspondent’ from his album ‘She Darks Me’.

Joe says:

“It’s about people who have forgotten how to love, if they ever knew how. Love, for them, becomes something to be measured out like the advancing and retreating of the ocean.”

Nick says:There’s no show like a Joe show.

Joe Chester

Top pic by Julie Bienvenu

The Riptide Movement – I’ll Be There

The new single by the Dublin four-piece is an old-fashioned rousing guitar anthem that if there is any justice in the world should have men linking arms and bellowing out the chorus on dancefloors all across the country.

This is big music with an ever bigger heart.

Mal Tuohy’s soaring vocals here put one in mind of The Mighty Wah or The Killers, while the video should deter anyone from even thinking of applying for a corporate office job.

You can catch The Riptide Movement live at Bandon Music Festival, Cork, on June 1 and The Courtyard Hotel in Leixlip, County Kildare, on June 2.

Nick says: Let it Rip!

The Riptide Movement