Monthly Archives: April 2018

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New Valley Wolves ‘GOSPEL’ EP Launch in The Workman’s Club Dublin With Support From Sub Motion and Scally

If you have a hankering for meaty, lusty rock dripping in more swagger than any one person can handle than, the Workman’s Club Dublin was the place to be last Saturday night. Dublin duo New Valley Wolves were launching their new EP ‘GOSPEL’ with support from Sub Motion and Scally.

Scally & The Dirty Rats set the night in motion with a little less on-stage antics compared to when we saw them last year. Scally is still suave on stage- jumping about as we watch him explode with an insane amount of energy while belting out tracks brimming with sock-it-to-me passion. They whack out ballsy, raw rock and roll with a relentless stamina that is one to be admired. Scally’s band – The Dirty Rats bring something magnificent to the table. Ben Mulligan on guitar continually hits the mark with slithery licks, thrilling spine-chilling shrills and such finesse that allows the nimble Eddie Reynolds on bass to bounce and rebound some funky groove filled rhythms off. “This next song is about laying around on a f**king Sunday morning and you f**king don’t know whether to ring a f**king takeaway or pull the f**king balls off yourself” Scally colourfully introduces the infectious, snappy ‘Filthy Animal’. With an attitude that screams egoistic rock and roll swagger Scally definitely grabs attention for sure, and the tunes back his persona up. They are catchy as hell and capture the beauty, brawn and panache that is punk rock in all its glory. The as of yet not quite named ‘Help’ “Well it was called help last night I can’t decide on the name” and new single ‘Get Ready For War’ demonstrate this perfectly with intricate licks, flicks and sing along ready chorus’. Scally raps and belts with enough chest-thumping pride and fiery attitude to keep you pumped and ready to join him in his Kiedis- esque dancing and limb flailing. They deal with technical difficulties like pros, and in true Kiedis manner the shirt comes off for the brazen ‘Lets Fuck’. It’s a fiery kinetic set with the blistering lead guitar leaving scorching burn marks through infectious bass grooves while Colin O’Brien literally breaks the drums with his pounding elastic beats, and to bring it all together is a charismatic, fearless frontman. The definition of swagger.

Sub Motion follow with an empowering set of catchy tunes and a sublime boisterous wall of sound. The punchy rhythm creates an easy foundation to get those body’s dancing and grooving while scuzzy guitars resonate through Rebecca Geary’s powerful vocals.  Geary is larger that life and takes on her front-woman role with a fierceness that is masterful. In fact, it was a stage brimming with charm and charisma as each member exuded their own brand of swagger. Though each track is riotous there is no shortage of fun on stage. These guys enjoy what they are doing, and boy does it show. The band are on top form all smiles and cheery. Banter is at a minimal as they waste no time whacking out their infectious tunes ‘Gun In Your Pocket’ in particular is one catchy song- you will have to prise that one out of your brain. It’s rumbling strident bassline runs along building in intensity before the track explodes with shrilling crashing guitars and mighty drums. When these guys are sleek and sultry it’s sublime ‘Headlights’ in particular comes across magnificently live. There is not doubt these guys are ones not to be missed live.

    

New Valley Wolves walk onstage and launch into a killer introduction to ‘Eyes on Me’. There is an air of professionalism with this duo that leaves you in awe. Singer/ guitarist Jonny Lucey’s gut-level riffs, and drummer Baz Joyce’s thunder-struck beats are incredible. Their bluesy tinged tunes are ball crushing and powerful and have the crowd moshing and dancing in no time. ‘Shake your bones’, ‘Silver Tongue’ and ‘Fire In The Blood’ are all well received as they keep the energy travelling at neck snapping speeds blasting out the monstrous tracks in their repertoire. There is no messing around, the tunes are heavy, crisp and robust. The lights go out between tracks – at times dimmed leaving just the duo’s silhouettes visible creating suspense for what’s to come. Their rip-roaring new single ‘Cut-Throat’ keeps up the constant barrage of top-quality riffs and with that sing along chorus has the crowd chanting along mindlessly. Lucy is fierce. He fist pumps the air with a stare that would curdle milk while savagely shredding through his gritty guitar riffs. Joyce pummels and batters the drums with bloodthirsty stamina which pounds through your entire body. Each track layers on another thick dollop of cool gritty intensity building the rooms energy to frenzied levels. The two spend most of their set going hell for leather and the rugged steamroller ‘Animal’ follows this vigorous trend, as members of the crowd howl and whoop. The never played live before  ‘Aloe Vera’ avalanches through with a shivering chorus while Joyce pelts out a mesmerising display of pulverizing perfection before the lean mean roar of ‘Trouble’ closes their set.

On Saturday night New Valley Wolves sounded brawny, focused and all powerful. Their raw grandeur filled with death ray fuzz and might leaves you reeling and craving for more. There is no stopping these guys. There are only two of them, but boy they sound like an army.

 


Alt- Pop, Indie, Indie Pop, New Music

The Half Light ‘Night On My Mind’

London indie quartet The Half Light have released their new single ‘Night On My Mind’. It is the title track from their forthcoming EP and follows the earlier release of the lead track ‘8th May’, which was released in early March 2018. The single was recorded in December 2017 at Musicland Studios, Haggerston, produced by Ian Flynn of Werkhouse and will be followed in the summer by ‘Seven Summers’, the final track from the EP. The band have returned to the scene in 2018 with new material and a new line up consisting of James Rogers (Vocals/ Guitar), Guy Chapman (Guitar/Keys), Martin Sherbish (Drums) and Mike Taylor (Bass).Their music has featured on radio stations across the country, including BBC 6 Music, BBC London and Amazing Radio and the band were nominated for Best UK Act at the 2015 Pure M Awards.

‘Night On My Mind’ is another tightly packaged, blissfully melodic little gem from The Half Light that displays fine proficient musicianship and sublime melodies. Lavishly rich rhythmic layers ground the track creating the perfect foundation for the ethereal guitars to spring off while breezy soundscapes caress each guitar strum delicately to create a sublime dreamy atmosphere. The melody is simply divine as James Rogers’ smooth vocals gently embrace each delicious note adding a heavenly elegance and tenderness. Chiming keys add a shimmering graceful quality while the punchy drums and subtle edgy guitars add a nice dash of sting and bitterness to this sweet luscious can of punchy pop. The Half Light are steadily growing and building their sound becoming more majestic and mature with each new endeavour.

The Half Light will play Hoxton Square Bar and Kitchen, London, on Friday 11th May to mark the launch of ‘Night On My Mind’. The show is part of Hot Vox’s established RIDER indie club night events. Advance tickets will be available through the band’s website, with a series of further gigs and festival appearances to be announced (www.thehalflight.com).

Stream ‘Night On My Mind’ below

 

 


Alt- Pop, electro- pop, Electronic, New Music

Darce ‘Who You Loving Now’

Irish alternative Rap/Pop artist Darce has released his latest offering ‘Who You Loving Now’. The track, produced by Dale Holland and Wavefield Studios, features vocals from Becky Phillips and deals with the insecurities of the aftermath of infidelity. ‘Who You Loving Now’ is Darce’s most electronic venture to date as the addictive dance influenced beats slap and whack about the track setting a hypnotic steady foundation for the flashing electronics to rebound off. He’s brimming with confidence – his raps flow like melting butter over the dazzling soundscapes. It’s a summer ready jam that is both chilled and breezy yet sticky and sweltering hot all at once. Becky Phillips’ vocals are the icing on the cake- beautifully placed in the song she adds a creamy lush quality and melancholic airy sweetness that cools the tune down and sets a slow motion effect as you focus on the lyrics.  Another sublime radio ready track from Darce.

Stream ‘Who You Loving Now’ below


Alt- Pop, electro- pop, Electronic, Indie, Indie Pop, New Music

Sampson ‘Damned’

Halifax-born indie electro-pop artist Sampson has released her new single, ‘Damned’ off her most recent album, ‘Dark Sky Night’. This noir pop track is steeped in sultry electronics as a sticky beat slaps and gloops between Sampson’s luring coo. Its enticing as lush backing vocals add a haunting chilling quality while lamenting guitar broods in the background. The flashing swirling darkened electronics add an eerie dizzying spin to the track that dazzles and blinds building up to the crescendo. This track is superbly crafted creating moments of intensity and drama which is subdued between the gloomy darkened daydream- like soundscapes. Thoroughly thrilling and chilling this track seeps, creeps and almost wallows in a hazy sense of pessimism while building a lush electronic soundscape for its shadowy cinematic atmosphere.

When asked about the track Sampson said: “Damned, the latest single off the album, was co-written by two of my best friends – Nicole Ariana and Laurenn Marchand – at a song camp in Cape Breton Island. It’s a song about feeling stuck, and having choices to make that all bear consequences. For me, it was about whether or not I should leave somewhere and miss it, or stay while knowing something that would inevitably make me start to hate it.”

Stream ‘Damned’ below


Electronic, Indie, Indie Pop, New Music

Deep City Diver ’Dream Sequence’

London-via-Stoke on Trent band Deep City Diver have released their new single ‘Dream  Sequence’. Comprising  Australian  expat  Ryan  Nicolussi  (Voice/Guitar)  along  with  Stoke  on  Trent’s  Joe Macmillan  (Bass)  and  Dom  Davies  (Drums),  Deep  City  Diver combine  the  melodic  sensibilities  of  80’s  English  new  wave  with  the  incandescent  energy  of  New  York 00’salt-rock.

’Dream Sequence’ is an invigorating slap of indie pop that hops and bops with exhilarating infectious grooves while shimmering synths flurry about and ricochet off glimmering guitars to create a sublime buoyant backdrop. It’s snappy, breezy and vibrant as a soaring chorus lifts the track to ethereal heights while the funky swagger-soaked verse springs a dash of vitality and dynamism into the track. It’s instantly likeable and energetic as zesty guitars weave and boomerang off the animated bass to create a rich danceable number that is both sturdy and fluctuant all at ones. This charming number is clap along ready and feet shuffling-ly infectious- it’s hard not to swish, sway and bounce around the room while listening to it.

Stream ’Dream Sequence’ below


90's Grunge, Alt Rock, indie rock, New Music, Worth A Listen

Worth A Listen

Our Worth A Listen Track This Week Comes From LIERS 

Dublin’s alternative female fronted four piece LIERS have released their new single ‘Universal Female’. LIERS started life when lead singer Liz Seaver was looking for the right talent to compliment her self-penned music titles. An established singer/songwriter in her own right with two independent albums to her name, Liz has been performing with the line-up of Lead guitarist Ed Scanlan, Bassist Stephen Farrell and Drummer Ronan O’Hanlon for some time at festivals such as Castlepalooza and venues such as the Sugar Club. These four talented musicians are not new to the Irish scene. Liz has previously toured with the inimitable Jack Lukeman and shared the stage with other Irish greats such as Mundy, Damien Dempsey and Paddy Casey. While playing alongside Liz over the years Ed, Stephen and Ronan also formed three-piece ‘Long Tail’ who released the EP “Your Time” and have toured nationwide with Fangclub. The energetic and experienced LIERS are now being repped by Polite Society (Fangclub, Long Tail, Vulpynes).

‘Universal Female’ is a smooth, melodic adrenaline shot of alternative rock. It’s chilled and cool with a whirring buzz fuelled wall of sound. These guys blend a sultry infectious melody with rowdy crashing instrumentation seamlessly to create a wholly satisfying listen. Strident sharp guitars pierce and shred through an elastic rumbly bass and punchy drums while Liz’s dynamic luring vocals slap a hefty dose of sass and power on top. This track is a catchy hook-filled force of nature that steam rolls in and invades your brain leaving you jumping around the room thinking you’re a bad ass. It’s brimming with kinetic energy and blazing spirit with a sing along ready chorus, its sure to be epic live. These guys are ones to watch for sure. ‘Universal Female’ is compact, rhythmically rich and vibrantly explosive in all the right places. It’s definitely worth a listen.

LIERS will also be supporting Fangclub tonight in Whelan’s along with Sub Motion make sure to check them out.

Stream ‘Universal Female’ below


Alt Rock, Indie, indie rock, New Music

Mellor ‘Tri-State Blues’

Reading indie quartet Mellor have released their new single ‘Tri-State Blues’. Having recently been tipped by promoters ‘This Feeling’ and Subculture to be ‘Big in 2018’, Mellor’s music has gained exposure from Amazing Radio, BBC 6 Music along with inclusions on Spotify playlists ‘Hot New Bands’, ‘The Indie List’ and ‘Transistor’ (which have a combined following of over 250,000 listeners). The band have had previous gigs playing alongside The Kooks, Bay Rays, Carl Barat & The Jackals, Flyte, and Blaenavon and have now released another catchy banger to wrap your ears around.

A shrilling suave guitar wail introduces ‘Tri-State Blues’ with a choppy steamy swagger that commands your attention. Once that drum kicks in, your hooked. This boisterous panache-soaked track is steeped in adrenaline rushing guitars, punchy drums and dynamic vocals to create a thrilling roller-coaster ride. It’s slick and polished with ear worm melodies that are so smooth and delicious its like they are soaked in honey just to tempt and lure us music mad little bees. The electrifying guitar quivers are riveting while neck snapping hefty elements insure a sweaty, frenzied live performance. Its frenetic yet at the same time cool and chilled as a cucumber. Another sing along ready smasher from the Reading quartet.

You can catch Mellor live at:

28/04/18 – Are You Listening Festival? – Reading

03/05/18 – The Monarch, Camden

12/05/18 – The Horn at The Half Moon, Bishops Stortford

25/05/18 – The Star, Guildford

16/06/18 – The Black Prince, Northampton

 

Stream ‘Tri-State Blues’ below

 


Alt Rock, Indie, indie rock, New Music

whenyoung ‘The Collector’

Limerick’s whenyoung have revealed the video for new single ‘The Collector’ which is the third track from the hotly tipped three piece and follows stunning tracks ‘Actor’ and ‘Pretty Pure’. The clip was shot on location in London and directed by frontwoman Aoife Power. This superb gem is engaging and delightful as twinkling guitars and Aoife Power’s crisp vocals introduce the track delicately. The track builds becoming more dynamic as reverb laden guitars whir around her sweet immaculate vocals while the catchy chorus surges through with heart racing urgency. The Collector is subtly anthemic with a captivating melody that flurries around your brain for days. The instrumentation is breezy gripping and majestic without becoming over powering. A sublime track, keep an eye out for this young trio.

Speaking about the clip, Aoife Power said: “The video for The Collector documents the simple, everyday movements that everyone experiences. We are all carrying out the same routine to show that we are all connected in the universal tasks of daily life but still individually searching for a sense of place and belonging. The gentle tones and slow paced everyday storyline was inspired by the films of Eric Rohmer.”

‘The Collector’ comes in the midst of a series of support slots throughout spring for whenyoung, with the three piece touring with the likes of Peace, The Vaccines and Declan Mckenna later this month. Tickets are on sale now, and the full list of dates can be found below.

May

3rd – Headline Show @ The Grand Social, Dublin

4th  – Jimmy’s, Manchester

8th – St. Luke’s, Glasgow (with PEACE)

9th – Leadmill, Sheffield (with PEACE)

11th – Fibbers, York (with PEACE)

12th – The Venue, Derby (with PEACE)

13th – Welly, Hull (with PEACE)

 15th – Norwich, The Waterfront (with PEACE)

16th – Kentish Forum, London (with PEACE)

 19th – Engine Rooms Southampton (with PEACE)

23rd – Dryden Social, Leicester (with PEACE)

24th – Birmingham 02 (with PEACE)

Watch the video for ‘The Collector’ below

 


EP Review, Singer/Songwriter

Sundays Always Calling ‘Summer Dreams’ EP

Sundays Always Calling, the solo project of songwriter and musician Chris Gardner is set to release his new EP ‘Summer Dreams’ on 1st June 2018. Hailing from Michigan, Sundays Always Calling was formed in 2014. Discovering his love for music and writing, he released his EP ‘Sweet Sunshine’ in the same year and later released his debut album ‘At Sunrise’ in 2017. Both releases incorporate melodic qualities along with tuneful acoustic fingerpicking which is also incorporated into his upcoming release ‘Summer Dreams’ giving him a distinctive style.

‘Summer Dreams’ is a melodic and sweet collection of tracks that sway and jangle along at a gentle calming pace. Title track ‘Summer Dream’ delicately sets the EP in motion with warm acoustic tones  glowing with the zesty cosiness of subtle country guitar twang injections. The track builds becoming a little more vibrant and passionate. These songs smoothly flow into each other creating a laid back picturesque mellow listen to just relax into. ‘Nights Were Young’ and ‘Warm Night’ are your romantic slow jams as a twinkling guitar fills out the spacious contemplation and delicacy of the tracks. Each song builds nicely becoming more waltz-like or softly vibrant adding lush little shifts and richer textures each time. This EP is easy on the ears and sweetly dainty right up to closing track ‘In The Moonlight’ which brings us to a soothing heart-warming end to this dreamy EP.

Sundays Always Calling ‘Summer Dreams’ does exactly what it says on the tin. It lulls you to a tranquil dreamy state while packing it with golden sun kissed vibes.

Stream ‘Nights Were Young’  below

 

 

 


Alt Rock, Blues Rock, Indie, indie rock, New Music

Run Into The Night ‘The Devils Rhythm’

Run Into The Night are a female indie rock / noise pop duo from Glasgow, Scotland formed by Christina Cassette and Ellie May. After spending many late nights drinking and listening to their favourite records, from 60’s pop to 70’s punk, the friends began fusing genres and making music together. The band had success with the self-release of their first 7″ record ‘Turn To Static’ in mid 2017, which reached the Top 100 songs by unsigned bands in the UK with Salute Music and aired on many radio stations, most notably on Steve Lamacq’s BBC 6 Music radio show. Run Into The Night are a BBC Introducing artist and their sound has been compared to bands such as Queens of the Stone Age, Arcade Fire, The Black Keys and Blondie. Performing live is where Run Into The Night really come to life by delivering raw energetic shows and recreating the experimental sound captured on their records. Whilst touring, guitarist Christina Cassette picked up sponsorships from Eastwood Guitars and Honeyboy Amps. Since the band’s first release they have been touring the UK’s underground scene and have opened for international acts such as California’s Deap Vally and New York’s Twin Guns (ex The Cramps).The duo have now released their second single, ‘The Devils Rhythm’.

‘The Devils Rhythm’ is a sultry slap of bluesy tinged rock smeared in sassy eerie swagger. A stuffy beat provides the ominous groovy foundation for the steamy guitar to entwine while haunting backing vocals coo creating a mysterious chilling atmosphere. Its misty covered verses lure and tempt entrapping you in its darkly hued vapourous melody. The chorus explodes into a fiery angsty punk flavoured attitude while the guitars stride and crash between the ghostly backing vocals. This track creeps and entices before building to a mighty hefty crescendo as the razor sharp guitar wails and jabs between the rumbling drums. It’s thrilling and a sizzlingly dangerous track from the duo.

Watch the video for ‘The Devils Rhythm’