Category Archives: Indie

Worth A Listen

Our Worth A Listen Track This Week Comes From Bayonets

Bayonets has released his new single ‘Farewell To Me’. Bayonets is a solo project created by Kerry musician and songwriter Vinnie Flynn. His distinctive style is a mix of alternative rock, indie, blues and folk.In addition to writing and performing live, Flynn also works with several publishing companies based in the US who pitch his compositions to prime time TV shows and movies. Flynn has a string of gigs and festivals in the pipeline for 2019, including Vantastival and some overseas appearances.His singles have received regular radio play on RTE’s 2fm and have even hit airwaves as far as Brooklyn, United States.

Another deeply haunting number ‘Farewell To Me’ creeps and stealthily slinks into your mind with its thrilling inky stain of delight. Devilishly tempting the track lures with a hypnotic guitar refrain that lingers in your mind for days. With an air of chilling mystery wrapped in an opaque shroud of ominous soundscapes this track is sublimely crafted to fill you with enchanting horror. Flynn’s vocals take a Marilyn Mansion quality as he whispers and deeply entices beneath the steady beat and guitar strums as if slowly luring you to your demise with a deceiving sense of security. The verses prowl with a charming intrigue while the chorus entraps you in Flynn’s sound and dark eerie tale. The cinematic aspect of this track will give you goosebumps as ‘Farewell To Me’ takes you to the point of no return.

Watch the video for ‘Farewell To Me’ below


Pretty Happy ‘EGO, NO EGO’ EP

Hot off the release of single ‘Mr Crabs’ in February of this year, Cork based indie-punk trio Pretty Happy have released their debut EP, ‘EGO, NO EGO’. The group, consisting of brother/sister duo Arann (lead vocals, bass) & Abbey Blake (Guitar) and Andy Killian on Drums have built a solid reputation as one of Cork’s most charismatic and creative live bands over the past 18 months.

There is a lot of character and intriguing elements to ‘EGO, NO EGO’ as Pretty Happy finely blend some punk rawness with indie melodies and lush instrumentation. It’s a refined body of work, unique in its obscurities and filled with refreshing tunes, quirky interludes and catchy as hell melodies. ‘Note To Self: Don’t Buy Any More Skittles’ – a spoken snippet with delusion inducing sounds takes us into the sublime world Pretty Happy have created. There is a groovy shimmy from ‘Shut Up’ as the bass wiggles through a punchy drum beat while suave guitars jangle about the track. The lush backing vocals hold that infectious melody while the screaming, needy main vocals yelp hysterically. The lyrics are humorous and the track seamlessly wanders between brain crashing frenzy and sweetly mellow creating a thrilling psychotic sense of comfort.Indie Buddie favourite  ‘Mr. Crabs’ follows with its swagger drenched persona pounding though your brain with no shame. There is a theatrical flavour to these tunes and Pretty Happy blend this drama with absolutely mesmerising instrumentation and rhythms. Each track is unforgettable, unique and wholly mind boggling. ‘Eugene Completely Sold Me Out, Even Though I Let Him Give Me a Skittle for a Ride Home. Hell Yeah!’ is an interesting interlude that has to be experienced to be believed. ‘Delay’ peppers the EP in indie rock with vibrant guitars glistening with scintillation strengthened by the rooted foundation and thumping beat. The track builds into a dreamy pop speckled chorus. This song meanders from 60’s tones of flower power to reggae- esque hues before its dazzling psychedelic crescendo. A truly trippy and engaging journey, this track is where Pretty Happy showcase their musical prowess. The EP finishes on another obscure number- the short ‘That’s Over- Crooked Man’ another dramatic ditty with snide eerie vocals over a deep bass groove. It’s short but very absorbing ( I  wish there was more of that tune).

These guys have the entertainment down to a tee. Each track is witty and filled with character while the instrumental quality is top notch.  ‘EGO, NO EGO’ is a wholly satisfying and bewitching experience.

About the EP Arann Blake said : “We wanted to release an EP that was fun. Something that captured our personality but also had the energy of our live performance. We were also able to get a bit creative with our drummer Andy Killian producing. Andy was able to do our songs justice whilst still experimenting to make an EP that’s a bit different.”

Stream ‘EGO, NO EGO’ below


Thumper ‘In My Room’

Dublin’s Thumper have released their new single ‘In My Room’. With major radio support across Ireland and the UK and stretching as far as Brazil, these guys are currently riding high on Spotify’s Hot New Bands playlist.

‘In My Room’ is an erosive blast of psych pop that corrodes with blistering guitars and pummeling drums creating an exhilarating wall of sound while the pop smacked melody coats the track in sugary fizz. This frenzied track froths with shrilling distortion and abrasive instrumentation as the rumbling elastic bass slaps and grooves infectiously behind the crashing majestic guitar-burns while the smooth vocals bounce along the bubblegum melody. The track builds into a sonic blast of pounding rhythms and mania for the thrilling crescendo as this adrenaline-inducing song shows Thumper at their most intoxicating. It’s one hell of a tune made for playing as loud as possible.

Watch the video for ‘In My Room’ below


Distant Blue ‘Lucid Liar (Novocaine)’

Nottingham alternative rock band Distant Blue have released their new single ‘Lucid Liar (Novocaine)’. With its hefty gritty persona ‘Lucid Liar (Novocaine)’ storms in boasting the scorching, swagger-dripping sound of Distant Blue.Raspy vocals prance through the infectious melody while the brawny drums and burly bass provide the pulverising, body pounding foundation. This track is impressively crafted as the band blend their mighty, powerful alternative rock with a smooth luring melody. The track builds fantastically into an intense beastly crescendo as the vocals scream through the furious instrumentation. The refined guitars slice through some beefy riffs as well as showcasing the bands finesse with slinky licks and shrilling whines. ‘Lucid Liar (Novocaine)’ is a lean mean,  powerful number from Distant Blue.

Stream ‘Lucid Liar (Novocaine)’ below


Delights ‘Daydream’

Manchester indie band Delights have released their new single ‘Daydream’ another heavenly track from the band. With a rooted bass weaving its elastic wiggle-ready groove around the punchy drums and glistening sun saturated guitar, this sweet number is easy on the ears and utterly mesmerising. The dreamy melody floats delicately on the zesty indie backdrop creating a soothing cushion while Delights build the background with subtle edgy instrumentation. The guitars soar, sting and wail through the track adding dashes of vibrancy and scintillation throughout as the sublime rhythmic foundation bounces and bubbles behind the velvety vocals.It’s a charming track that is ready for those lazy hazy days in the sun.

Stream ‘Daydream’ below


Velvet ‘Drift’

Five piece band Velvet have released their new single ‘Drift’ – a dreamy sun speckled number that floats along a sweet melody, vibrant guitar jingles and a punchy beat. This candied sugary pop ditty swirls around your ears with its delicious laid back melody while raspy warm vocals coo and soothe. The glistening guitar wisps about the track’s melody lifting this ethereal hazy number and adds a zesty sting. With a subtle indie rock backdrop providing instrumental depths and rich texture the track bops along brimming with summer vibes. This luscious, glorious track is another delightful gem from Velvet.

About the track the band said: “The story behind the song was feelings and emotion felt during a gap year in Australia and reflecting back on that. The feeling of drifting away from someone and accepting that for what it is. It was the first song we wrote so it’s nice to finally get it out there, it’s changed a lot over time but we first started writing it in summer 2018”

Stream ‘Drift’ below


Pompadour ‘Oh Honey’

Three-piece rock band Pompadour have released their second single, ‘Oh, Honey!’ which was recorded and mixed at J&J Studios in Bristol. Pompadour co-produced the single with Nathan Long. It was mastered by Tom Cory, who has also worked on tracks for Adidas, and his own band; Novatines. Pompadour was founded in January 2018 after college friends and bandmates, Tamsin Sayers (vocals, bass) and Kearney Day (guitar) left their previous band and created their own project with their best friend from college. After a lineup change in early 2019, Rob Beresford joined Pompadour on drums, adding a whole new dynamic to the band.

‘Oh Honey’ is a dynamic surge of indie rock as Pompadour blend their smooth melodies with blistering instrumentation. Sharp guitar bursts jangle between a snappy beat while Tamsin Sayers’ powerful vocals ooze expression and warm tones. The track has an ethereal atmosphere as the easy on the ears melody melts upon a stormy backdrop. The song builds into a fiery chorus as the guitars crash and rebound off the buoyant beat while the gritty bass slices through this gripping wall of sound.Filled with adrenaline and oodles of energy ‘Oh Honey’ is another exhilarating track from Pompadour.

About the track Tamsin Sayers said: “Oh, Honey is written as a love song of sorts, in whichever capacity that may be, It’s about how the right person can have a big effect on your disposition. In this case, they bring out the fun, kind of crazy side of them. On the flipside, it could be a love song to themself, and how they love the carefree, energetic part of themselves. They can’t quite summon the energy inside them to be like that all of the time.”

Stream ‘Oh Honey’ below


Oceans Over Alderaan ‘Falters’

Blackpool atmospheric rock band Oceans Over Alderaan have released their second single ‘Falters’. Since the release of debut single ‘Sevenfour’ in January the band have received airplay from DKFM, Radio X, BBC Introducing, Primal Radio, Dandelion Radio, Fylde Coast Radio, ARFM, Manchester Music Scene, Progwave Radio, Lost In The Manor, Merryn Music Feed & Indie XL.The new single was recorded with Tom Peters of Alpha Male Tea Party and released on the band’s own label ‘The Recording Industry Is Dead, Records’ who also release music by the band members other projects as well as music made by their friends.

‘Falters’ is an atmospheric beautiful display from Oceans Over Alderaan. The band meticulously blend alternative gritty instrumentation with sweet tender twinkles and ethereal soundscapes. The verses flicker and emotionally glisten with soft guitars and simple drum progression while Alice Deacon’s passionate vocals glide over the dainty melody as the chorus builds becoming more aggressive and harsh. The guitars crash through the punchy rhythm as the vocals become more expressive. There is painful heartbreaking tones through this mesmerising track as Oceans Over Alderaan depict a tender theme with grace and elegance.

The video for the track  is a joint effort made by Barry Parkinson and Alice Deacon with band friend (and label mate) ‘The Wisdom Of Oz’, who plays the main character in the video, with band members Joe Wylie and Steve Trenell helping out with the performance sections.

Watch the video for ‘Falters’ below


Fast Trains ‘Measure by Measure’ EP

Following on from debut track ‘Measure by Measure’, Tom Wells has released the ‘Measure by Measure’ EP ,further building on his Fast Trains solo project. Comprised of two additional tracks,again written and recorded by Wells primarily in his home studio,the EP continues the exclusive relationship between Fast Trains and YouTube.

‘Measure by Measure’ EP is a beautifully melodic three track treasure filled with rich instrumentation, lush production and crisp musicianship. The pop sprinkled melodies caress the ethereal, joyous and gripping instrumentation superbly, creating a wholly satisfying listening experience.

Title track ‘Measure by Measure’ which we previously featured on Indie Buddie sets the EP up with lush melodies,flashing electronics and velvety vocals creating a  sweet joyful tone and easy listening atmosphere for the tracks to follow. With twinkling guitars warming the cockles of your soul the soothing and melodically beautiful ‘Higher than Everyone’ follows. The song is an uplifting ode to new beginnings that begins simple as a soft guitar and drum pattern coax the track into your ears before it builds into a cheery ditty. ‘This Wondrous Foe’ brings an emotional end to the EP. With its slower tempo, brooding delicate groove and touching lyrical content – it is a soothing gem to ease the EP out. With a lamenting pine on guitar, ethereal soundscape and cosy vocals this track is a comforting lush number to wrap your ears in instrumental, dreamy bliss. The song builds to a rich chorus that holds a charming tone of hope. The lyrics tackle depression and emotional distress but the chorus offers a helping hand to those who may be struggling. It’s a sublime way to end the EP.

Stream ‘Measure by Measure’ EP below


Adam Rock ‘Quiet Now’

Dublin songwriter and producer Adam Rock has released his new single ‘Quiet Now’. This twinkling ambient track floats delicately on elegant keys, sun-kissed guitar and velvety vocals. With the lush harmonising vocals melting over a sweet melody this track is ethereal and dreamy. It builds gradually as swirling electronics and rich instrumentation wisp about the song while the guitar becomes more distorted and expressive blasting into a shredding anthemic solo. With layered vocals and its gripping aerial atmosphere ‘Quiet Now’ is a compelling and sublime track from Adam Rock.

Stream ‘Quiet Now’ below