Finnian – Even Flow
Dundalk troubadour Finnian Kelleher channels James Taylor and ‘Harvest’-era Neil Young in this emotionally charged tale of the ‘charlie’ and the damage done.
Finnian pulls a master stroke in drafting in singer Stephanie Winters whose pitch-perfect vocal elevates the song to another level.
His debut album ‘Under The Influence’ is due later this summer.
Nick says: ‘Even Flow’ is all Finnian’s own work and not to be confused with the classic Pearl Jam grunge anthem.
Conor Cleere – I’d Vote 4u (Won’t You Vote 4 Me)
Written by Fianna Fáil South Dublin Councillor Trevor Gilligan.
Cllr Gilligan explains:
“I’ve always wanted to write an election song. I’ve had this song on my mind for years but was too shy to release it. It has a 60’s rock n roll vibe to it, something I wouldn’t normally write.
My Dad Martin died from cancer at 61 years old, this month 8 years ago. When I started out in politics and I had no one, he was there, without fail.
He was a great banjo player, he loved his bluegrass and passed his love of music onto me. I would like to dedicate this song to him.”
Bairbre Anne – 27
If you draw a straight line from Adele to Ellie Goulding, you’ll find Bairbre Anne somewhere in there.
Blessed with a deep and powerful voice, the soulful Dublin chanteuse is set to unveil her debut album ‘I Wanted To Do It Right, But There’s No Such Thing’ on May 31, with a headline show in Whelan’s of Wexford Street, Dublin 2 pencilled in for June 3 in between a nationwide tour as special guest of Paul Brady.
Nick says: 27 is a precarious age for musicians (ask Jack L) but we hope Bairbre Anne lives long and prospers.
KILNAMANA – Hola Amiga
In the mood for blissed-out electro-indie? Then walk this way.
Enda Gallery and Miguel Garcia Soler named their band after the Tallaght suburb where they formed.
‘Hola Amiga’, which pulses with warm New Wave synths, is something of a swansong with the duo calling it a day once they have released their final four songs.
Enda says:
“We want to thank all the people who gave us a shot, an opportunity, and gave us their time and their love.”
Nick says: The video features Twin Peaks’s dancing dwarf… say no more!
Runabay – Dig
This soaring multi-layered widescreen epic is centred around the spoken-word beat poetry of Stephen James Smith.
The eye-catching video cuts between the hustle and bustle of Times Square in Manhattan and the bucolic splendour of Howth Head and Killiney Beach.
They say:
“Dig captures a moment in time, and recounts a typical Irish schooling experience full of mischief, truancy, wonder and adventure.”
‘Dig’ is followed on Friday May 24 by the album ‘Between The Lines’
Nick says: Dig for victory
ReGroovanation – ATM (All That Money)
“They cover their asses we won’t recover our assets
We won’t discover what happens ‘til the economy crashes.”
This versatile Irish collective take the scenic route between acid-jazz, funk, hip-hop and soul in this strident anti-capitalist takedown.
The video was recorded in Sun Studios, Temple Bar, and you can catch them live at The Workman’s Club in Dublin 2 on May 15. Tickets from Eventbrite.ie
They also play a free gig in Cork’s Crane Lane Theatre on May 16.
Nick says: Urban soul for the post-troika generation
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWjwnPkF58I
Neasa – Rain
If high-octane power balladry is your bag, then check out the new single from Irish-born, Australia-based Neasa de Baroid. The former singer with 1980s band Hidden Fears launches ‘Rain’ at An Spailpin Fanach in Cork on May 17.
A versatile vocalist who has sung the national anthem at the Melbourne Cricket Ground and who worked with members of the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, Neasa has the pipes and the smarts.
Neasa says about performing her music:
“It’s the joy I see in other people’s faces – being carried away on a journey, escaping their own lives for a while – that makes it so important for me.”
Leigh Michael and Chap Stallion – E- 14
Fancy some decent Irish rap?
Bray, County Wicklow rapper Leigh Michael has teamed up with producer Chap Stallion for a forthcoming album ‘Secret Herbs Vol. 2’.
The lead single ‘E-14’ (above), which ‘dropped’ this week, features Leigh laying down some seriously impressive rhyming wordsmithery over a bouncy upbeat instrumental:
“Anxiety rise intertwined with your dial-up speed/ It’s why I find night sky is a diamond feed.”
Got ya.
Nick says: Leigh’s got the flow.
Free tomorrow?
Are A Lazarus Soul too real for ya? If not, then you will rejoice at the news that the Dublin indie outcasts are launching their new album ‘The D They Put Between The R & L’ in The Grand Social tomorrow night.
Last week, Brian Brannigan and his crew ‘dropped’ the lead single ‘No Hope Road’ (above) – in which they sing about escaping the drudgery of modern Irish life by spliffing out to classic Jamaican reggae.
It’s another coruscating state-of-the-nation address from Brannigan, who has fire in his belly and the bit between his teeth. Fans of Joy Division, Billy Bragg and Damien Dempsey take note.
Students of Dublin in the rare oul’ times will also not want to miss the video to ‘We Know Where You Live’, which features wonderful home video footage of the community of Deanstown, north Dublin, in 1972.
Support on the night comes from David Long, former lead singer of cult 1980s indie desperados Into Paradise.
Dubliner Dave releases his new solo album ‘In Headphones’ later this year (catch its first single Pill Box here) and you can read a quite wonderful appreciation of the man and his work by former Into Paradise press officer and ‘No Disco’ TV producer Colm O’Callaghan on his ‘The Blackpool Sentinel’ blog.
Nick says: If you’re searching for the pure soul of Irish rock, look no further.
BETA-MAX – Pleased To Meet You
BETA-MAX is Dubliner Trevor Courtney’s brainchild. For his third single, Courtney has drafted in Fight Like Apes singer MayKay to add a sassy lead vocal that puts the fun in funk.
Fitting somewhere between Garbage and Daft Punk, BETA-MAX hopes to have an album out before Christmas.
Nick says: The playful animation in the video is truly ALPHA.
