Big Sleep have released their new single ‘Tall Stories.’ Big Sleep are a Dublin-based indie-alternative band who have spent the last two years playing to packed out rooms of an ever-growing fanbase until lockdown came along. The four-piece formed when frontman, Rónán, entered a Battle of the Bands as a singer-songwriter. He reconnected with some old bandmates and was introduced to some new ones to form the current lineup: Matteo Poli on percussion, Evin O’Connor on lead guitar, Rónán Connolly on vocals and rhythm guitar, and Dougie Sealy on bass.
‘Tall Stories’ is a mellow groove-driven gem. Big Sleep spread a warm, dreamy melody over a soft bubbling backdrop to create the ultimate hazy day-dream escape. Soothing vocals drift sweetly over the velvety melody, while a groovy bassline and playful drum combination drive the track’s funky foundation. With lush surf-rock guitar adding a dash of zest into the mix, this warm refreshing tune is euphoria to the ears. Big Sleep have created a sunkissed treasure for the listener to enjoy with ‘Tall Stories.’
props has released his new single ‘Domino.’ props’ debut tracks have been making their way into the world since the start of lockdown last year, with radio play from BBC Introducing and Amazing Radio.
Vibrant and upbeat; props displays his deft musical prowess through new single ‘Domino’. Beginning with jaunty guitar and energetic beats, (which, as the song progresses becomes more animated between the smooth reverb vocals ), the track is a delicious burst of lo-fi indie pop. The jump stop stammer instrumental is an intriguing and fun element that keeps the listener engaged from start to finish. As the song develops, props lets loose his juicy indie-pop sound allowing chiming keys to blossom into dynamic melodies while the strikes on guitar expand, becoming more lush, lustrous, and energetic. ‘Domino’ is a fun-spirited song filled with dreamy melodies and smooth vocals. props has a beautiful ability to create fantastic earworms that get stuck in your head all day, and ‘Domino’ follows this trend superbly. Can’t wait to hear what he comes up with next. Press play and enjoy.
New Yorker Sophia B has released her debut single ‘Boys are So Overrated’. After living in Bangkok and Prague as a child, Sophia B and her family settled in the Upper East Side of New York City. Sophia B certainly uses her heritage and multi-cultural experiences as well as her extensive experience in musical theatre to her advantage in her songwriting.
Sophia B blends pop with indie riffs to create a tight debut with ‘Boys are So Overrated’. With catchy lyrics and sweet vocals, the track is compact and relatable. Looking forward to hearing more from this budding new artist.
After a short break from releasing music, Dublin soul-infused pop-funk sextet Toshín have released their new single ‘She’.This release marks a new and exciting change in direction for the band, both sonically and in aesthetic.
Encased in velvety soul, ‘She’ is an alluring and emotive single from Toshín. Portraying a message of self-awareness and self-love despite obstacles and insecurities, this silken track flows upon a bed of elastic bass, steady cushioned drums, and elegant keys. Toshín coos delicately over an enticing melody while zinging guitar lines and warm horns inject funky elements and retro R&B hues into the musically rich soundscape.
Toshín have shown strong musical growth over the last year. ‘She’ displays this perfectly – a mature, refined sound laced in delicate melodic builds and sensual first-rate musicianship. Looking forward to hearing more from Toshín.
Sun Mahshene have released their new single, ‘The Righteous One.’ Sun Mahshene’s collective years of experience have helped them deliver some incredible live shows, including appearances at Whelan’s Ones to Watch 2018 and 2019, Ireland Music Week 2019, and high-profile support slots including Black Doldrums (UK), Magic Shoppe (US), Stony Sugarskull (DE) and Wand (US). Releases to date include three self-published EP’s, followed by three critically acclaimed singles on Reckless Records IE. Spotify and extensive national and international airplay supported these singles with playlists on the BBC and RTÉ Radio radio.
‘The Righteous One’ is an exhilarating psychedelic rock anthem that fizzes with the luring musicianship of Sun Mahshene. The track effortlessly weaves between hazy shoegaze, crashing indie rock, and dazzling psychedelia to create a high-quality gem that is a joy to listen to. Layering fuzzed guitars over agile rhythms the band provide an expansive and biting wall of sound. The whirring on guitars creates an ominous and mysterious quality within the band’s brand of psychedelic shoegaze whilst also capturing the most captivating sonic elements of 90’s guitar music.
The blazing instrumentation swirls around a sweet, delicate melody while supple vocals from Nathan Henderson anchors the listener within the musical maelstrom. He coos through the bewitching soundscape with a cool, emotive tone while bass rumbles, and pounding drums, wrestle for dominance in the thrilling background. Frenetic distortion covers the atmosphere in a crazed frenzy of crashing guitars, agitated bass and resounding drums as the harsh backdrop becomes aggressive for the building crescendo. At the same time, Henderson’s vocals echo gently, creating a blissfully dreamy, hypnotic contrast for the listener to indulge in.
‘The Righteous One’ is a glorious assault on the senses. Sun Mahshene have a masterful ability to express emotion through the medium of music. This is what makes them so special. They have a remarkable sound that entrances the listener from the very first note. ‘The Righteous One’ takes their music to a new level of achievement as Sun Mahshene continue to explore the depths of their unique, mesmerising musicianship.
Kynsy has released her debut EP ‘Things That Don’t Exist’ alongside a video for her latest single, “Elephant In The Room”. Kynsy is the solo project of rising 23-year-old multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and producer, Ciara Lindsey. Written and co-produced by the artist, the tracks were mixed by Claudius Mittendorfer (Interpol / Sorry / Parquet Courts) and Barny Barnicott (Arctic Monkeys / MIA / Bombay Bicycle Club). Having previously performed on the Other Voices Music Trail and at Ireland Music Week, the Dublin artist kicked off this year with a whole host of 2020 Hot List features.
‘Things That Don’t Exist’ is a confident and expertly crafted collection of tracks. Kynsy laces the EP in guitar-based thrills, electronic embellishments and agile lyrics which evoke emotion within the listener. This first-rate EP is overflowing with superb elements and details from exquisite guitar refrains and splintery bass manoeuvres to poignant narrations and soothing vocals.
An organ -esque intro leads us into EP opener ‘Elephant in the Room’ a darkly glamorous and brooding number smothered in razor-sharp guitar work and building rhythms. Kynsy balances raw indie rock with dazed electronics to create a sweet sting within the track. As swirling flutters on synths wisp about a pulsing beat and subtle elements of distortion the song simmers before the chorus explosion hits. Kynsy’s vocals coo and drag through the nostalgic woozy number with sweet tones ( which at times becomes aggressive ) offsetting the pop melody.
Kynsy is a master of melodies warping them into the moods and atmospheres she creates. Providing dramatic soundscapes, the EP elegantly shifts between the ethereal backdrop of ‘Elephant in the Room’ to the fizzy indie rock bravado of ‘Happiness Isn’t a Fixed State’.Blending cinematic soundscapes throughout, the song has a Tarantino residue while the smooth yearning melody cools the blazing instrumental backdrop. However, ‘Dog Videos’ is where Kynsy slaps us in the face with a sound unlike its predecessors. Brighter and with a sun-kissed radiance, this foot-tapping track is a refreshing gem. With triumphant horn elements, slinky bass lines and a breezy melody the track injects a dash of cheer into the EP. This liveliness is undercut by the sharp lyrics which describes the doom of time wasted and living within the Youtube/social media world.
Throughout ‘Things That Don’t Exist’ Kynsy excels at constructing settings and engulfing them in a dramatic, catchy melody. While exploring themes of struggling through modern life, the songs maintain an upbeat and engaging tone and exude an air of finesse and rawness that showcases the deft songwriting and musical ability of Kynsy. There is no lag within the EP just smasher after smasher until ‘Cold Blue Light’ ignites the EP in a fiery finale. A siren on guitar announces the track while the slap on drums drags through the swaggered soundscapes. The sultry, dark atmosphere unfolds into a blazing indie rock track as Kynsy coos over a smooth melody. Kynsy’s delivery is cool and nonchalant, allowing the rich instrumental backdrop build and slither into psychedelic territory toward the thrilling crescendo – a triumphant close to the EP.
Within ‘Things That Don’t Exist’ there are elements of The Strokes with flavours of The Kills and St. Vincent peppered on top, but they are subtle. It is more like Kynsy is tipping a musical hat to their sound, then swiftly moving on to do things the Kynsy way – personally I’m glad the artist does not linger in any style for very long and because of this the EP is heavily brushed in the musicians raw creative thought process. It is a rare glimpse into a talented creative mind. Kynsy’s sound is brilliant and mesmerising in every way. ‘Things That Don’t Exist’ is a wholly consuming collection of tracks which sets the bar high for 2021.
Talking about the EP Kynsy said: “A lot of the songs are based around the idea of how we as people are either being followed or chasing after things that don’t exist. We are followed by the things we see through technology, television, the news – things that derail and confuse our sense of reality. We also chase things that don’t exist. We ignore the fact that things could change in a blink, or chase idealistic dreams of the future based on things we’ve seen on TV or on phone screens. I found there to be a juxtaposition in the positive and negative aspects of things that don’t exist; how having hope can change peoples lives for the better, how art is made from things that were previously non-existent and how these life fulfilling aspects as well as the things that can derail us are constantly fighting each other in our thought processes.This EP is a dialogue between those positive and negative thoughts and emotions. I wanted the music to create a world of freedom, hope and playfulness while the lyrics focus on the struggle of fighting, running and coming to terms with all of the good and bad we find in things that don’t exist.”
Wicklow based artist Nylophone has released his new single ‘Shy One’ to mark the death of W.B. Yeats. The lyrics are taken in modified form, from a poem called ‘To an Isle in the Water’ by W.B. Yeats.
‘Shy One’ is a beautiful display of Nylophone’s emotive musicianship. Soaked in sweet, dreamy melodies the track floats elegantly upon supple finger-picked guitar provided by Jonny Dillon (who also goes by Automatic Tasty) while the intricate shaken percussion by Rian Trench (of Panic Attacks and Solar Bears) chimes in the background. The soothing vocals caress a lamenting melody with a silken tone creating a calming atmosphere within the track. Tightly weaved and oozing pristine production, Nylophone creates music that is rich in tonality and texture, providing mystical soundscapes that touch the soul and ‘Shy One’ is a magnificent example of this. An utterly captivating piece of music.
If you’re looking for a feel-good indie band with a sound bursting from the seams with vigor, youthful adrenaline and lush melodies then Post-Party are going to be your next fix. By a chance meeting that completed the dynamic line up Post-Party formed in late 2018 in Dublin and have since built a reputation for their energetic live performances playing in various well-known venues across Ireland and the UK.
I caught up with frontman Keelan O’Reilly to talk about the blazing new single ‘Being Honest’, the band’s writing process, and how dressing up as a female singer for a secondary school musical helped him overcome his stage fright.
“I guess, me and three of the guys have been playing music together for years. We went to school together and it wasn’t until we went to college that I met Matthew who was the final member of the band to join. Me and Matthew were in a class together and they were doing the roll call, and my full name is Keelan Anthony O’Reilly, and they called out on the roll, Matthew Anthony O’Reilly, and it turned out that me and Matthew had the same middle name and surname, and after class, I was confused about the situation so I approached him about it and we just started chatting. It was such a weird coincidence. After that we were like yeah we have to do something with this. This is a sure sign”
Post-Party have become known for their vibrant sound. Guitar and melody hooks seem to be an instantly recognisable factor in their songs and their high-energy indie is unsurprisingly blowing minds and gaining them fans with each show they play. New single ‘Being Honest’ follows this infectious recipe.
“ ‘Being Honest’, stemmed from a different song we had for years. I had been working on a song with the three lads, just working it through, practicing together. It came from a place of personal experience. It’s about the silly fickle arguments and things that happen when you’re in a relationship with someone. When Matthew joined we decided to rewrite it, and just finish the ideas that we had started on. When we got into the session together on the first day it became what ‘Being Honest’ is today.”
“ I guess a lot of the time the first melody you come up with is often quite strong and a lot of the time it does come organically. Sometimes things have to be reconsidered, and that’s all part of the process of writing the song but the first melody we come up with is often the one we stick with, and after that we get some feedback from people we trust, and see how we feel about it if it needs to be changed. We’re not gonna be too personally involved, we’re all able to be professional and decide if this works or if this doesn’t. So, yeah, that’s kind of the process.”
“You kind of build this bank of lyrics, and melodies, and it’s all in your head when you write a song. Then you decide maybe I’m not fully happy with this song, but you enjoy a certain part of the song, you’re going to keep that and you’re going to store that in your head. That’s where these organic melodies come from because you’ve come up with a melody, and maybe it doesn’t get used, and then in three weeks time you’re writing another song, and it finds its place and it just really fulfills that song, much more than it had in the original idea. “
The band have worked hard developing their music and building a fanbase through the live circuit. It is in the live scene where they bounce songs off the crowd to see how a song would translate with fans before they release it. This practice not only gains them new fans but also gives them confidence and helps the band hone their sound. So naturally with the lack of shows 2020 brought, it was a difficult time for Post-Party as they had to navigate through social media to find other ways of connecting with their audience.
“Yeah, our favorite part of this whole thing is the live scene, and that’s been from day one.We just love playing music together in front of a crowd and an audience. It’s really thrilling, and just so exciting. That was one thing that we wanted to maintain when we are writing. So we always consider ‘how can we make this full of energy, how can we make this something that a crowd would enjoy’. It’s become very central to our sound, because we focus on making our songs youthful and dancey”
“ We started writing songs and playing shows before we recorded anything. So, we released ‘Love You Everyday’ in 2019. We had a full year of just playing shows before that. It was looking at the reactions from the audience to our sound, that would enhance our ideas on what was good and what wasn’t. That’s where the feedback comes from on the writing, you can tell straight away if a song is working once you play a live show. It was a perfect opportunity to be able to hone in on sounds, and energies, especially for that first single ‘Love You Everyday’. That’s something that’s been super important to us.”
“We see a lot of familiar faces. We have really supportive friends and extended kind of Post-Party family so it’s really cool. That’s one of the best feelings in the world and especially when you haven’t released a song and people are recognizing it from being at other shows and stuff, that shows that people actually really enjoy what you’re doing and engage with what you’re doing.”
“ It was upsetting to lose the live side of everything because it’s very motivating being able to play in front of a crowd and have an audience listen to your music. So it even takes away an aspect towards the writing of the music as well. But, especially, with the loss of live music, you know we would have hopefully been playing a lot of festivals over the summer had COVID not been around, but unfortunately now, we didn’t get that opportunity. But we’re optimistic for the new year, we’re optimistic for 2021 and we’re just gonna have to push the music without the live. It’s gonna be very different. It’s a different scenario. And it’s challenging but I think it’s achievable.”
“ We definitely had to take a different approach. I was chatting to Matthew, our guitar player in Post-Party about this and we were saying, after releasing ‘Being Honest’, we would have played a live show, to launch this single. So…we definitely had to reconsider how we went about promoting the song. Last year TikTok was the platform that really took off over lockdown, and even setting up a TikTok page, which we just did two weeks ago,to help promote the single because there’s a lot of organic growth on the social media platforms with everyone being at home. So we really had to consider how to engage people through social media, rather than through the live scene. It just takes a lot of thought and processing how you can achieve something like that. “
“It’s definitely a learning curve, and it was something that we hadn’t really expressed ourselves in enough probably. Last year gave us the opportunity to learn how to use the platforms that are available to us”
“It’s quite a competitive marketplace. You’re competing with your peers. I love all the bands that I follow on Instagram or Facebook or whatever, but you’re essentially competing with those artists. There’s only so much music that can get heard by so many people. It’s a challenge, it is very daunting but I think last year a lot of people have learned how to navigate it.”
Post-Party have taken the uncertainty in their stride and created cracking tunes and an impressive music video during this time. The music video for ‘Being Honest’ sees the band performing the track while some bullies set their sights on terrorising a teenager. Featuring a heroic janitor and a nail biting badminton game, the band provide an entertaining visual (along with some fun bloopers on their facebook page).
“Yeah, it was a very cool concept and our bass player Colin actually came up with the idea. He directed, acted, edited, he did everything possible to contribute to the video. He really knocked it out of the park. We tried to capture that energetic, fun feeling that we strive towards, and I think the ideas that Colin formed were perfect for capturing that energy and vibe.
“ If you’ve seen the bloopers. There are about 1000 takes of the guys laughing at each other. It was so hard. I think one of the bloopers Colin literally says in the background that it’s impossible…but yeah, at the same time, it was so fun and that’s the main thing”
Being the frontman of a band can be a daunting task. You have to express the song’s emotions as well as carry the band’s message. However Keelan does this with a confidence and charisma that highlights his passionate velvety vocals. Keelan explained to me the moment he found his confidence.
“Yeah, it’s definitely something that I’ve learned. I remember the first time I played in front of an audience, and it was the scariest thing ever. I had really bad stage fright when I was younger, I did a musical in my secondary school, and I performed as a female singer. I had to get dressed up in a dress and high heels and everything. It really just put me in the spotlight and I had to adapt. I think that was the moment where I realized,I don’t actually have to be afraid of stepping out in front of an audience and being myself or whatever, even though in that particular moment I wasn’t.”
“It was a great experience. I really enjoyed it and it gave me an idea of what it was like to perform and the enjoyment you can have on stage.”
Post- Party have played venues such as the Roisin Dubh in Galway, sold-out headline Dublin shows, toured Ireland, performed at Electric Picnic and Indiependence as well as supported the likes of Miles Kane and The Sherlocks.The band soaked up as much of the experience to see how they can improve their own shows.
“You learn stuff, yeah 100% you learn stuff from every live show you go to. So going to any concert as a musician and as an artist you’re constantly taking mental notes in your head about what you enjoyed about the performance, or what that certain act did that blew you away. We never got any advice from Miles or The Sherlocks or any of the lads. They told us they loved the music, so that was a good thing. I guess just watching Miles Kane, he’s an amazing performer. He just pulls the crowd in and they are in the palm of his hand for the whole concert. As an artist, you would be analyzing what he’s doing to make the crowd so engaged. I myself went and saw The 1975 in 2019 and one of the things I really loved about the show was the lights aspect and the actual stage setup. It was something that we were really motivated by. It’s something that we’d love to do in the future. It was an insight into what the possibilities are for live shows, etc.”
Post-Party has set the bar high.‘Being Honest’ is a great track to start the year. I wondered what the band has planned to tantalize our ears for the rest of the year.
“We spent the last year writing, so we have loads of new material. We’re super excited about it. We’ve got some new tunes in the pipeline, and we’re hoping to see if maybe at the end of the year shows come back. It’s all playing it by ear at the moment. We’ve got some stuff we’re really excited to share. For the moment we’re just focusing on ‘Being Honest’, promoting the song, and we’ll see what happens in the next few months.”
Post-Party is a band to keep an eye on.Their heartfelt energetic tunes are irresistible and laced in emotive feel good indie.Teamed with deft lyrics and guitar hooks flying at you from all angles, it’s difficult to resist this band’s infectious sound. From strong bass lines, blood pumping drums and blazing guitar lines to warm vocals and sweet melodies Post- Party are charming the ears of all who hear them.
Bio : Formed during the global pandemic and in the thick of a nationwide lockdown, The Utopiates forged a strong bond over a shared love of music. The Utopiates is comprised of Dan Popplewell (Vocals/Guitar),Ed Godshaw (Keys), Josh Redding (Lead Guitar), Luke Nottingham (Bass) and Matt Dacey (Drums)
Track: Only Human
Why We Like It: It’s a dark number driven by gripping keys, heavy guitars, and a brooding atmosphere. Through honest lyrics, the band discuss the loss of community we have experienced in the last year as The Utopiates create a musical and expressive cry for help to the masses. With a shredding guitar solo, pulsing synths, and punchy drums the track exudes an 80’s rock persona however the lamenting and stark lyrics leave a bitter aftertaste. Impressive and utterly compelling.
Bio : Having sold out their debut headline gig in Manchester and chosen as main support for The Elephant Trees in Leeds – just two notable shows among a plethora of early highlights, Gloria are back with new single ‘Story Of Strife’. The band have also gained a massive 180,000 streams of their eponymous debut single ‘Gloria’ on Spotify,
Track: Story Of Strife
Why We Like It: ‘Story Of Strife’ is an emotive and beautifully written single. Jangly warm guitars glide through the track with a folk rock-esque glow that comforts a sombre, lamenting melody. A steady beat maintains a lush swaying tempo while Austin Woodcock’s passionate vocals coo and surge with heartfelt emotion. The textures and tones provided by an array of guitar melodies within the track are captivating. Gloria embellish melancholic soundscapes with nimble refrains to create a wholesome and heartfelt song. This trio present a mature and immersive sound that is well beyond their years. Keep an eye on Gloria.
Bio : Pushpin are a new and inventive band, based in South London. Their music has been featured on BBC Radio London, BBC Introducing and Soho Radio, and has been performed at 93 Feet East. They have further written and produced theatrical soundtracks at the Camden Peoples’ Theatre, and provided original compositions for XR London.‘Folds’ is the first of five songs written in 2020, as Pushpin got to grips with being a “virtual-based band”. Working apart, they exchanged voice notes, sampled microwaves, pots and pans, hoovers and whatever was to hand during the lockdown.
Track: Folds
Why We Like It: Fizzing in a psychedelic synth explosion and sweet dream-pop elements with post-punk outbursts ‘Folds’ is a unique and thrilling single. The song bubbles in intricate grooves and sharp guitar riffs mixed with sweet pop bounces creating an instant charm and vibrancy that is infectious. The catchy melody glides with honeyed earworm tones into the ears allowing the distortion and heavy rhythms create an almost mosh effect as the dizzying synths crash into the mind-frazzling chorus. The song explores the elusiveness of self-love and affirmation while the track spirals in and out of control through numerous blending and colliding instrumental bursts. Pushpin take us from soft self-care mantras to drum-driven head pounding confusion in one swift swoop. ‘Folds’ is a fantastic new single.
Bio : Beginning her musical career as the front woman for Sons of Rock in her teen years, ALBA has taken stages by storm, captivating audiences and becoming known for playing her guitar behind her Head. Alba embarked on her first solo project upon moving to London in 2016, performing on stages across the UK including The Cavern Club, Ronnie Scott’s, Lancaster Music Festival, and opening for acclaimed acts such as The Waterboy
Track: Sister
Why We Like It: Alba sets a velvety melody over smoky instrumentation to create a wholly engaging and powerful new single. With intricate guitar rippling through a foot-tapping beat and lush backing vocal harmony this bight track is instantly charming. The rock toned guitar adds an edgy quality to the track without becoming overpowering. It’s an emotional soulful track that boasts the immaculate warm vocals and passionate songwriting of Alba.
Bio : Hailed as one of the most critically heralded new artists in 2020, 17-year-old Isaac Dunbar from Cape Cod, Massachusetts has released his new single ‘pink party’ which follows on from “intimate moments” and “love, or the lack thereof,” both of which will be featured on his forthcoming EP ‘evil twin’ set for release in February 2021.
Track: pink party
Why We Like It: It’s a dark frenetic single which shows a new exhilarating side to Dunbar. Smothered in muggy electronics and an intoxicating beat the track has an eerie dance-infused soundscape as Dunbar’s menacing whisper and deep chants drive the track’s hypnotic element. ‘pink party’ sees Dunbar at his most bewitching. The frantic, head-spinning synth is laced in swaggered vocals as the track struts in before the hook loaded chorus kicks in. There is an ominous soundscape within this track that is sheer genius. The punctuated beats and aggressive electronics are set to a smeared glitter ball dance vibe which creates a fantastic sonic assault on the senses that is infectious and luring.
Solly has released his latest single, ‘She Can Run.’ Infatuated with sounds from a young age, Solly began learning guitar from youtube tutorials. Logic Pro and Ableton became the lens through which he saw the world as he started to push his creativity’s bounds. ‘She Can Run’ was written in a period of grief after Solly’s dog’s passing. Recorded and mixed in his home studio, Solly had friends play the electric guitar and bass, giving this project a friendly collaborative energy.
‘She Can Run’ is a mellow lo-fi indie-pop tune. Solly spreads warm soulful tones over a bubbling backdrop while using buoyant beats and radiant guitar to give the track a bright and soothing tone. The ethereal soundscapes float through dreamy verses, creating a refreshing and freeing atmosphere filled with tropical rhythms and light guitar refrains.
Velvety vocals surge emotion within the track’s laid back dreamy tone while a sense of optimism and freedom is perfectly captured through the use of sharp guitar and emotive instrumentation. ‘She Can Run’ is a sweet and impressively evocative new single from Solly.
Stream ‘She Can Run’ below
Author : Danu
Indie: (n) an obscure form of rock which you only learn about from someone slightly more hip than yourself.
