Hard-rock outfit Soundrage have just released their debut single ‘Thereafter’. Founded in 2018, the band have a unique mixture of energetic rock and acoustic-driven material. Recorded and produced with Yoad Nevo (Bryan Adams, Sia, Moby),’Thereafter’ is inspired by multiple people in chief-songwriter Peter Zembery’s life suffering from strokes in recent times.
‘Thereafter’ is a rock-infused ballad brimming with passion and fist pump might. With punchy drums keeping a steady foundation Soundrage flesh out their emotive musicianship and rich guitar work. From warm balmy jingles to crashing outbursts the guitars flood the track with vivid rich qualities and vibrant intricacies. Mery Diaz has an interesting tone to her voice as she creates depth through the verses while her falsetto for the chorus has a Kate Bush tonality. ‘Thereafter’ is a powerful heavy hitting number brimming with passion.
Dublin five-piece Electronic Rock band Synk have released a live video of their song ‘Make it Swim’ When we asked the band about the video James Lonergan told us : “We shot the video in our rehearsal room in North Strand which is literally a railway arch beneath the Dublin – Sligo line. The train passes overhead every 10/15 minutes. While mixing the audio for the video we noticed that it can be heard faintly during the first crescendo. Our dear friend Jason Brennan shot the video a week before moving to Texas and did the edit in a trailer out somebody’s back garden in Austin. The audio was mixed by our own Daniel Smith & Evan Kennedy.”
‘Make it Swim’ is a dark, lulling and sometimes turbulent musical labyrinth as Synk entwine the mind in themes of fear and loss through deep passionate musicianship. A sombre melody is emotionally caressed and tenderly expressed through touching soulful vocals with a rock -esque rasp that floods the track in powerful outbursts. The band create a chilling shadowy atmosphere with pulsing thuds on drums while glistening melodies on guitar meander with a majestic delicate innocence and poignant pines. ‘Make it Swim’ takes you on an emotional journey as the band weave psychedelic tones masterfully with rock, electronic and indie elements to create something utterly compelling. The track takes on many forms, from a heavy crashing wall of sound drowning in pain and bitterness to lulling sweet calms of dreamy numbness to create a vivid listening experience which is rich in depth and refined intricacies. There is something truly compelling about this band’s tunes and ‘Make It Swim’ submerges you in the intense and broad spectrum that is Synk’s wonderful sound.
Bio: Gringoh are a London based duo consisting of two brothers from outer West London.The band create Urban London music influenced by beats of latin America and sounds from all over the world.
Track: Red Flower
Why We Like It: It’s a chic salsa-laced number as Gringoh weave lush Latin American sounds into an electronic background to create something truly tantalizing. The danceable beat and twinkling keys create a creeping and luring groove as the track flows with a spicy elegance and buoyant sass. The vocals are laid back as the band create a nonchalant melody and almost mysterious quality throughout this vibrant gem. It’s instantly infectious with crisp production.
Bio: Sinking With Love is formed of three members one lives in Cork, another in Berlin and the other in Bucharest. The band bring their talents together to create dreamy psychedelic pop that is refreshing.
Track: By Your Side
Why We Like It: This hazy track soothes with a tranquil soundscape encased in a delicate prism of psychedelia. With haunting vocals that coo the majestic melody and twinkling guitars the trio create a magical entrapment of dreamy bliss and euphoria. Well layered and sweetly mellow with a rich rhythm section Sinking With Love showcase a refined blend of mature musicianship that is to be admired.
Bio: Johnny Kills are an indie trio from London/Brighton. Their new single ‘Editing’ is taken from from their debut EP, ‘Panic’ which is set for release today via Killing Moon. Previous EP singles, ‘I Feel Like’ and ‘Help Me Out’, earned fans in BBC Radio 1’s Huw Stephens along with BBC Introducing and Amazing Radio.Johnny Kills have developed a reputation for an infectious sound and attitude, live they’ve supported the likes of Fangclub and Sick Joy whilst playing numerous shows between home bases Brighton and London, as well as further afield in Liverpool, York and Birmingham.
Track: ‘Editing’
Why We Like It: It’s a punchy indie number drench in the youthful jangly musicianship Johnny Kills are becoming known for. The sharp jagged guitars relentlessly stride through while the punchy drums create a buoyant foundation. The band whack out a gritty rough strident track with a smooth sulky melody that screams teenage angst. Razor sharp and brimming with vigor its another smasher from the trio.
Bio: Brain Donation are an alternative rock three piece from Dublin. The band consists of Dan McKenna (Guitar and Vocals), Alan Stapleton (Bass, Vocal), and Ollie Jordan Kelly (Drums.) Their latest offering is a single called Knockoff Dandy. It was recorded and mixed by guitarist, Dan McKenna and mastered by Ivan Jackman (Girl Band, Jape, Solar Bears).
Track: Knockoff Dandy
Why We Like It: It’s a dirty sleazy desert-rock number that spirals with silky riffs and brawny bass lines as the band develop the track into a swagger-dipped banger. The trio add strut quality and swanky panache to their vaporous track with shredding guitar elements chopping through the buoyant, strutting bounce of the drums. With a polished presentation wrapping the gritty persona in refinement the band create an exhilarating mosh ready track that builds to a shivering crescendo.
We sat down to have a chat with Rocco Hueting from De Staat before their show in The Academy Dublin. We discussed the bands transformation through their six album long repertoire so far, the ‘Pikachu’ dance and the intricacies of how they form their tracks. Watch out for cameos as Torre Florim and Vedran Mircetic make sneaky appearances.
Alternative rock artist Deva St. John has released her new single ‘The Information Age’. The track which has already received radio play with Huw Stephens, Steve Lamacq, and Dan Carter is a scrappy blast of alternative rock driving on a punchy powerful backdrop and striking vocals. Deva presents the track in a punk – esque ruffling feathers manner while she delivers a catchy melody and some pretty slick instrumentation. With jangly guitars creating twinkling tender moments as well as crashing fiery moments, the track has the perfect balance between blistering energy and delicate chilling elements. There are some wacky wobbly screeches and alien-like whines between the buoyant pound of the drums and western peppered guitar components as Deva takes the alternative rock format and saturates it in her own blazing style. ‘The Information Age’ is bold and loud with plenty of gusto. There is a hue of Sleater-Kinney wafting over the track with its powerful bursts and gritty elements however Deva creates her own sound within this punchy gem.
About the track Deva said :“The Information Age is a sarcastic salute to the often oppressive nature of social media. How it can distract and divide us as quickly as it can inform and connect. In a world where our self-worth is being buffeted daily by a relentless barrage of content, the song examines the consequences of our internet addictions on our personal wellbeing. I guess I was inspired to write it after spending way too long comparing myself to other people online, wishing things were different, while simultaneously knowing I’m being manipulated to think that way, as is the nature of the social media business. I hope you enjoy it! It’s heavy, bratty, and was a lot of fun to put together.”
Seventeen year old Gabe Beckles has released his first single ‘Winona’ under the name Floral Sounds.‘Winona’ – This dreamy sweet delight is a magnificent introduction to Floral Sounds bedroom produced pop. With a swoony ethereal soundscape creating a hazy laid back utopia the track floats elegantly into the ears. The twinkling keys meander through a soothing melancholic hued melody that is so sweet it almost brings a tear to the eye. The strong beat, slaps and buoyantly keeps a solid foundation while the supple electronics wisp and surround the listener in a candy floss-like sound. The deep vocals create a luring echo throughout, like a mysterious voice in a dream that you follow while the glistening guitar and keys slip you into a delicious lulling world of wispy fog and dizzying tranquility. Floral Sounds have created a narcotic world within this track that submerges the listener in gentle lush pop tones and wonderful soft textures. A majestic and sublime debut.
Dublin indie artist Donal Quinn is set to release his new single ‘Bubble’ on November 30th. We sat down with Donal a few weeks ago for a chat and a little acoustic set where he performed the charming new track for us in The Sound House Dublin.
Watch the acoustic version of ‘Bubble’ below
You can follow Donal Quinn on his social media here
Easy Tide have released their new single ‘When The Pills Don’t Work’. Easy Tide is a three piece garage band from Navan Co. Meath comprised of Aaron Dunphy (bass,vocals), Steven Rafferty (guitar,vocals) and Mark Carolan (Drums,vocals).
‘When The Pills Don’t Work’ whirls with acute guitar, driving bass and punchy drums as Easy Tide simmer their agitated garage into an effervescent catchy number. This band create an ethereal atmosphere and dreamy melodic flow between the thick darkened soundscape to lift the track into a more light and airy vibe as if ignoring the harsh jagged instrumental elements. They bubble and boil the buoyant bass line until it wriggles its way into your skull while the drum beat maintains the steady tempo for the brooding verses. The guitars jingle and glisten into the shredding chorus that erupts with a crashing, fuzzy wall of sound and heavy drum foundation.The sweet guitars twinkle and gleam through the track creating a golden ray of sunshine through the bulky gritty backdrop while the expressive vocals dynamically bounce over the moody melody. Easy Tide craft this song seamlessly to create a deft rumbling track slapped with refined elements and harsh rawness – a joy to listen to.
Watch the video for ‘When The Pills Don’t Work’ below
Dürtbürd have released their new single ‘Mongan’s Discotheque’. Dürtbürd are a 4 piece ‘dürtrock’ band based in Leixlip. ‘Mongan’s Discotheque’ which was filmed, recorded and produced by Dürtbürd is a funk flavoured number smacked in gritty dirt rock elements with a hint of soul peppering on top. Slick guitar lines meander between heavy riffs and suave licks with ease as the band showcase their nimble vaporous wall of sound with a brawny punchy quality. The battering drums create a steady, strong foundation while the agile bass rambles about the track exuding strutting panache and buoyant flexibility. The track builds superbly becoming more heavy as Dürtbürd cultivate their sound meticulously to create something truly intricate and refined. With rasp-filled vocals drifting between velvety soul and growl-like howls, the band have created a genre bending number filled with lush instrumentation and exhilarating melodies. ‘Mongan’s Discotheque’ is a gem for all tastes.
Dutch five piece De Staat took The Academy, Dublin by storm last night. A band renowned for their high energy, intoxicating live shows brought their trademark fun, shredding tunes and dancing to the Irish crowd who went utterly bonkers for the band. It was an incredible sight to behold.
Dublin’s rock ‘n’ roll duo New Valley Wolves took the task of warming up the crowd in their stride. ‘Shake Your Bones’ aptly kick starts their set loosening up the crowds hips. This band are a raw rock duo that produce no nonsense tracks saturated in steamy blues and gritty riffs. Their lusty sound filled the venue with razor sharp guitar lines and pulverising drum progressions that could shake the floor of hell. Their set is a battering assault of crashing rock at its purest. ‘Animal’, ‘Eyes On Me’ and ‘All You Do Is Talk’ wrestle the ears and command you to dance and mosh and the crowd gladly obliged – headbanging and bouncing to the duo’s infectious rock. There is little banter with the crowd – Jonny and Baz are there to rock our socks off and boy! they did. The duo were as tight as ever, musically impeccable and their sound dropped into the venue like a heavy atom bomb. Jonny’s vocals howl out the sharp spitting lyrics while he nimbly maneuvers through slick swagger-filled riffs with ease. There is a coolness to this band that oozes out of everything they play – well, that is until Baz describes them as “dad rockers” to which Jonny replies “ don’t say that we will look un-cool”. The band play their new single which is due for release tomorrow ‘Snake Spit Venom’ – a catchy, acid drizzled slithery number laced in the neck breaking drums and fiery riffs that New Valley Wolves are known for. This band are professionals and are unfazed by the task of warming up the crowd. They sprawl their scorching tunes into the atmosphere consuming all with ears. I’ve seen these guys perform to a packed venue of their devoted fans moshing and jumping in unison a few times now so it’s refreshing to see the band perform to a new fresh-faced audience and see them win them over one by one until the crowd are moshing and wiggling by the final ballsy track ‘Fire In The Blood’. There is never a lagging moment in this duo’s set and they put on a whopping, fantastic show no matter the setting.
De Staat enter, casually taking up their instruments as the crowd cheer in excited anticipation. Torre Florim the ever flamboyant and entertaining frontman dressed in a silver suit begins to wiggle and dance while he spits out the lyrics to ‘Me Time’. The five piece are an increasingly eccentric and energetic band and their show even more so. Last night De Staat’s set traveled between genres. Wobbly, piercing and intricate guitar maneuvers come from Vedran Mircetic, who is perhaps the most calm and collected person in the venue. His stance is simple and his guitar pedals are almost uncountable as he steps and strides his way between different combinations while producing the most exhilarating and unique sounds. ‘Down Town’ creates stomping frenzy among the audience. The rapid gallop of the track is a hyperactive infection that causes limbs to flail in every direction imaginable. Rocco Hueting multi-tasks between synths, percussion and guitar but it’s that ‘Pikachu’ dance he performs with Florim that is the icing on the cake. These guys create fun, dance-able tunes that bend your mind in many delicious ways. From the techno tones, the hip hop R&B elements of ‘Fake It Till You Make It’ and swag of ‘Peptalk’ and the psychedelic brain trampling of ‘Make Way For The Passenger ‘ these guys create an atmosphere for you to let everything go and dance. Tim van Delft on drums creates those infectious grooves with finesse while occasionally standing to encourage the crowd’s frenzy and showcase his chic golden embossed shirt. The set goes from one high point to another as the mass sing along’s and Florim’s dance-filled antics continue. Florim ventures towards the crowd commanding them like his worshiping congregation. I don’t think there is even one person who didn’t know every word of the lyrics. Everyone knows when to clap and when to shout as Florim passes the mic to members of the crowd to sing the “You gotta help yourself” lyric of ‘Help Yourself’. However it is ‘Witch Doctor’ that is the most wonderful sight to behold. I’ve heard of it and always wanted to witness it first hand – anyone who has seen the ‘Best Animation in a Video UK Music Video Awards 2016′ winning video will be aware of the concept of Florim standing in the middle of a mass of people like some wicked circus ring-leader and commanding them into a circle of death. Well, last night when the band performed ‘Witch Doctor’ the crowd began this circle themselves as Florim stood at the front of the stage swirling his hands like a master puppeteer as if he was churning the crowd round while they jumped and moved in a circular motion. It was a whole room filled with a sea of bodies moving in one moshing mush. However, the fun did not end there. No way were the crowd going to let the show end there. The audience shouted for “one more tune” until the band returned for their electrifying encore. Jop van Summeren operates the bass with majesty creating unique and wacky sounds while laying down slinky grooves especially for closing track ‘KITTY KITTY’. ‘KITTY KITTY’ is one outstanding piece of work but I wondered how would it measure up live. Well…. pretty damn fantastic. That bass intro is brilliant live. It has the mystery and luring power that could introduce the main character in a Quentin Tarantino movie while also adding a sweet sleek quality to this adrenaline building track. The crowd erupted – singing, dancing and screaming throughout the song, A fantastic end to a riveting night.
I was aware that De Staat put on a good show but last night it was from a whole other world. The five piece put on a whirlwind show and had the audience eating out of the palm of their hands, drooling for more. Once you see these guys live you will wonder what you have been doing with your life up to now. Maybe it’s the raw ecstasy of their tracks or the hyper rhythms, slinky guitar and psychedelic hues, but once you see them live De Staat become the drug you just can’t quit.
Author : Danu
Check Out Some More Images Of The Show Below
Indie: (n) an obscure form of rock which you only learn about from someone slightly more hip than yourself.
