Tipperary band, Locklin have released their new single ‘Shoot the Breeze’.Locklin is the brainchild of Barry McLoughlin. Under the pseudonym of Locklin, they released their debut EP in late 2018, entitled “Never Forget”. The band have played shows in The Crane Lane in Cork as well as Whelan’s in Dublin.’Shoot the Breeze’ was recorded prior to the initial lockdown of March 2020. The track features songwriter, Barry McLoughlin on guitar and vocals, Eoin Ryan on guitar and vocals and Cian Cronin on drums.
‘Shoot the Breeze’ is a melodic indie rock track saturated in the sun-soaked feel-good sound of Locklin. The song swarms in on a wave of adrenaline as the bouncy guitars ricochet off a rhythmic backdrop of driving basslines and punchy drums to create a mosh ready soundscape while the smooth melody and emotive vocals create that earworm infectiousness that is difficult to resist. Exuding sweet grunge melodies and 90’s alternative rock hues, ‘Shoot the Breeze’, boasts Locklin’s tight musicianship and refined songwriting.
Calum Agnew has released his new single ‘Don’t Think About It’.Agnew is a 17-year-old singer-songwriter from Duleek, Co.Meath. Since writing his first song at the age of 9, he has composed hundreds of melodies with lyrics in both the Irish and English languages. Currently a 6th year student in St. Marys Diocesan School, Drogheda, Calum has been tipped by many as a ‘rising star’ on the Irish Music scene after reaching number 1 on the Irish iTunes charts with his debut single “Crazy”. Calum says that his music is Inspired by ‘Soul & Pop’ artists such as Amy Winehouse, Billie Eilish, Jorja Smith and Hozier. Amid the Global Coronavirus pandemic, Calum used this time to craft his art, learning how to record and produce his own music from his bedroom, including his new single release ‘Don’t Think About It’.
‘Don’t Think About It’ displays the bright and compelling alternative pop of Calum Agnew. With supple melodies wisping through delicate beats and warm guitars, the song has a bubbling and light backdrop. Agnew provides an emotive and intricately weaved song through an array of soft instruments that highlight his confident and impressive songwriting. The verses brood and simmer with folk-esque tones on guitar while a lush pop melody coats the song in sweetness and buoyancy. Agnew sweeps an elegant string arrangement into the song’s vibrant backdrop adding a dash of grandeur and drama while the lush backing vocals and bouncy percussion build to the cinematic and powerful crescendo. ‘Don’t Think About It’ is a catchy and well crafted new single that marks Calum Agnew as an artist to keep an eye on.
NÍV has released her new single ‘Home’. NÍV is the alias for Niamh Murray, a Kildare singer songwriter from Maynooth. Since launching her solo career as NÍV, a little over a year ago, she has already gained many achievements. In March 2020, Nív sold out her first Single Launch in The Workman’s Club for her single “Silly Voices”. Nív was added to RTE Radio 1’s Recommends List. She was also shortlisted for Four Star Pizza’s Star Nation Competition as a Leinster Provincial Winner. On Spotify alone, in one year, NÍV has gained 15k new listeners across 73 countries.
Within ‘Home’, NÍV creates an ethereal soundscape that caresses the ears in emotive songwriting and elegant musicianship. This sweet and tender track flows with earthy tones and cosy folk as supple guitar twinkles through crisp piano and ambient soundscapes to create a soothing and beautiful tune. The space within this track instantly calms the mind, while layered vocal harmonies provide a timeless mystical quality. NÍV uses her poetic lyrics and a dreamy melody to create a hue of nostalgia and vivid imagery as she coos, “There’s a place beyond our fears, Only laughter no more tears, Where our bruises disappear, As our mother holds us near”. ‘Home’ is a time-stopping and stunning song displaying the raw talent and superb songwriting of NÍV.
Talking about the single, NÍV says “This song has ended up meaning quite a lot to me. It was written during the very first lockdown and so you could say it’s a gateway into my mind and what it was feeling at that time. As a result of the pandemic, I think that people haven’t been able to make it back home to see family and friends. I think as well everyone is missing what life was like before all of this began. Those kinds of feelings are where this song came from. It’s an echo of the warm nostalgic feeling that goes hand in hand with memories of home.”
Jim McHugh has released his new single ‘Hey Jimbo’. The track is the second offering from his forthcoming third album ‘Pretending to Wake Up’ due May 28th. With two albums already under his belt, McHugh has garnered an impressive list of supporters with multiple singles added to the RTE 1 Recommends list and being chosen as the ‘LMFM All Out Local Song Choice’ as well as Roddie Cleere’s ‘Song of the Week’.’Hey Jimbo’ was recorded, produced and mixed by Alex Borwick (Parliament Funkadelic, Catfish & The Bottlemen, Niamh Regan, Sput Searight, Lankum) at Black Mountain Studios, Jenkinstown and Wynne Wynne Studio, Dundalk. It was mastered by Fergal Davis (Sinéad O’Connor/Muse) and features Paul McCabe on bass, Butch McNeill on drums and Alex Borwick on trombone.
’Hey Jimbo’ is a lively, gritty tune as McHugh propels raw riffs over a thunderous drum display to create his punchy rock backdrop. Following on from his tantalising release, ‘Dave’, the song continues McHugh’s venture into a darker, more raw rock aesthetic. Brimming with energy and a relentless percussive onslaught, ‘Hey Jimbo’ spirals into motion as the clamorous drums lead into the bluesy soaked riffs and beefy bass lines, creating a thrilling soundscape for the listener to indulge in. Throughout the song, themes of desperation, tension and yearning come to the fore and are deftly expressed through biting arrangements and instrumental embellishments. However, it is through the lyrics and McHugh’s expressive vocal delivery where the themes truly hit home. McHugh sings “Hey Jimbo She don’t love you, Hey Jimbo you’ll see, In the morning, she will leave you.” – the hard-hitting, earnest lyrics skillfully express the distress and uncertainty within the song which is greatly enhanced by the instrumental backdrop.
McHugh is developing his passionate and edgy sound superbly, creating tunes that exude an infectious swagger and anthemic might. Boasting an impressive full-bodied sound and slick musicianship, ‘Hey Jimbo’ is a lean, mean well-orchestrated tune from Jim McHugh. Love it.
I caught up with David Whelan and Conor O’Donohoe From Wild Youth to have a chat about the band’s new EP ‘Forever Girl’. We talked about how they experimented to create the lush sound on the EP, what inspired the songs as well as how they got through the lockdowns chatting fashion, watching movies and even cooking with their fans.
Soda Blonde announce their debut album and tour with the release title track ‘Small Talk’. Out July 9th via Velveteen Records, the entirely self-produced album sees the group reflecting on their twenty-something experiences with refreshingly honest transparency. All four band members (Faye O’Rourke, Adam O’Regan, Dylan Lynch and Donagh Seaver-O’Leary) are seasoned musicians, despite their youth. They have been playing together since their early teens, with their previous band – the internationally renowned Little Green Cars, whose seminal debut album skyrocketed to number one on the Irish album charts.
‘Small Talk’ is a brooding new addition to Soda Blonde’s smoky alternative pop sound. The band take shimmering disco elements and light wispy synths and blend them to create an 80’s-esque intoxicating bop. Soda Blonde’s ability to weave rich musical threads throughout their instrumentation is awe-inspiring. Within ‘Small Talk’, the band create a fluid, hazy atmosphere through these mystical threads while injecting a funky bassline and buoyant beat into the track’s foundation which exudes a sultry dark undertone and air of mystery throughout. As the electronics unfold gently, the rhythmic backbone intensifies and bubbles, expanding into the catchy melodies and glittering guitars for the euphoric chorus. O’Rourke’s vocals are mesmerising. Her lush whispers elegantly drift over the dreamy melody exuding tender emotion as she coos, “Do I suppress everything? Am I just too late to admit that I’m Ignoring myself? “. With light twinkles on keys, lush harmonies and earnest lyrics, ‘Small Talk’ is a bewitching alternative pop track that boasts the musical mastery of Soda Blonde.
You Can Catch Soda Blonde Live at:
August 13 – 15 Wild Roots Festival, Sligo, Ireland August 27 + 28 SoFFT Nights, Co.Meath, Ireland September 08 Mike the Pies, Co.Kerry, Ireland September 09 Cyprus Avenue, Cork, Ireland September 10 Dolans Warehouse, Co.Limerick, Ireland September 11 Roisin Dubh, Galway, Ireland September 12 Whelan’s, Dublin Ireland September 19 Belfast Empire Music Hall, Belfast, UK September 21 Broadcast, Glasgow, UK September 22 YES, Manchester, UK September 23 Sebright Arms, London, UK July 17. 2022 Iveagh Gardens, Dublin, Ireland (with Sinead O’Connor)
Bio : Dublin/Meath Indie-Folk Band Between//Roads have released their new single, ‘Blue Eyes’.Formed in 2018, B//R began as an indie-folk 2-piece who sought to create catchy tunes similar to some of their favourite artists. B//R weren’t long in realising that their aspirations surpassed their set-up and in order to achieve the sound they were looking for, they needed to turn B//R into a 5-piece; in doing so, they instantly got closer to their musical vision.
Track: Blue Eyes
Why We Like It: It’s a bright indie folk song that showcases the expanding sound of Between//Roads.The band cut haunting soundscapes with jaunty guitar and jangly percussion to create a compelling and magical listening experience. With rumbling drums creating a sense of turbulence through the earthy folk and sweet melody, the song has a sense of mystery. The track broods and haunts between vibrant indie moments as backing vocals coo creating a ghostly dimension to this dynamic tune. Richly crafted with a cinematic crescendo, catchy chorus and dark luring verses, ‘Blue Eyes’ is a fantastic single.
Bio : Coral Palms are a four-piece indie pop band conceived and created in Torquay, Devon. Now, currently based in London, band members Ollie, Will, Adriano and Callum deliver an infectious, breezy sound, planting palm trees and warm summer memories in your head
Track: Echoes
Why We Like It: It’s a vibrant track that packs oodles of punch as the band surge an adrenaline-soaked indie-pop backdrop over buoyant rhythms to create a hyper listening experience. With dynamic hip moving bass lines wiggling between jaunty guitars and snappy drums, the track exudes youthful energy. The band create a fun sun-kissed sound as the intense verses bubble over to the animated chorus. With a catchy melody, smooth vocals and tight instrumentation, ‘Echoes’ is an irresistible tune that marks Coral Palms a band to keep an eye on.
Bio : Made up of three brothers from Canterbury, lotusbliss is a uniquely DIY indie band that focus on an ambient, yet sleek musical delivery. ‘Thunder in the Room’ is the last single from the band before their explosive, tightly executed new EP set for release in early April named Bittersweet.
Track: Thunder In The Room
Why We Like It: It’s a shimmering indie-pop track shrouded in dark tones and melancholia. The band drive edgy bass grooves through an icy, ethereal soundscape to create a compelling and chilling listening experience. As the song progresses, the band introduce warm horns and layered guitar melodies, which expand and build into a cinematic crescendo while the 80’s hued soundscapes flourish with sparkling synths and brooding tones. Utterly mesmerising and lushly crafted lotusbliss provide an emotive, refined new single that fully submerges the ears in rich melodies and expressive musicianship.
Bio : Formed in Galway and drawn together by a mutual appreciation of all music, past and present, The Clockworks are a four-piece comprising James McGregor on Vocals/Guitar, Sean Connelly on Guitar, Damian Greaney on Drums and Tom Freeman on bass. Relocating to London in 2019, the quartet signed to Alan McGee’s new record label Creation23 almost overnight. They have since impressed audiences across Europe with live performances at festivals including Eurosonic and Electric Picnic, performing to a huge crowd at Sefton Park in Liverpool in support of Kings of Leon, as well as a head-turning televised appearance on Sky 1’s Soccer AM.
Track: Feels So Real
Why We Like It: It’s is a sharp and thrilling tune. This band create soaring, refined music where ethereal pines on guitar pierce through a muggy backdrop of rumbling bass and drums. A dark undertone adds moments of agitation while the expressive melody and dynamic vocals tell a story of buzzing city life. ’Feels So Real’ is an honest and exhilarating new single that boasts the fresh songwriting and musical prowess of The Clockworks.
Belfast-born Liverpool-based songwriter Thom Southern has released his third single ‘Soul Singer’.It’s a fantastic burst of fuzz-pop that continues the frenetic sound we have come to love from Southern. I caught up with the singer-songwriter to talk about the new single, working with Sonic Boom and how he is carving his own recognisable sound as well as the advantages of beginning a solo career in the middle of a pandemic.
“Yeah, it’s always good to finally get the song out there because as a musician, you kind of just want to play it as soon as you write it and record it, you want to put it out the next day but there’s always a bit of a process to releasing music. I finished writing that song, probably a year ago and then I just sort of last-minute ended up asking Sonic Boom to work on it with me and he mixed it and added his instruments. Then we decided to put it out quite quickly, which was cool. Normally there’s more of a strategy to releasing music, especially if you’ve got a record label but with this track, I released it completely DIY. It was just fun to do it completely on my own and use friends to make videos and things. So that’s cool.”
‘Soul Singer’ was produced in collaboration with Peter Kember a.k.a Sonic Boom of Spacemen 3. A collaboration made in heaven as Spacemen 3 were notoriously known for their minimalistic psychedelic sound and Southern’s previous releases have shown flairs of psychedelia while maintaining a shoegaze and indie bite. Southern chuckles as he tells me how a random social media interaction brought about this beautiful collaboration.
“ It’s funny, I’m a big fan of Spaceman 3, for years I’ve been listening to them. And it’s [Soul Singer] actually really inspired by tracks that were probably more prominent with Pete [Peter Kember] because obviously Jason Pierce and Pete, their styles are very different inside Spaceman 3. You can kind of hear the difference, especially on the Recurring album. I’m pretty sure they’d split up by that point, and they did that album completely separately, and I think tracks like ‘I Love You’ and there’s a track called ‘Big City’. I think that was mainly Pete doing them. Those two tracks actually really inspired the production sound of Soul Singer so it was weird. I didn’t even know Pete then and I was just producing myself with Spaceman 3 in mind. Also, I love going to Spain, and everywhere you go in Spain, you kind of hear that…, I don’t know whether it’s Samba or whatever, you know, that kind of beat pulsing through every song, everywhere. Its like, boom, kicka boom ka. I’ve always really wanted to make a tune like that in an ironic way. So I just sort of blended that kind of Spanish influence and Spacemen 3 with like, another track I like, ‘Movin’ on Up’ by Primal Scream and I just really wanted to make a really feel-good song. I just felt like it was the right time to release it because, everyone’s a bit down at the moment, and it’s coming up to the summer, but yeah, it was funny, I just started following Sonic Boom on Instagram and he had released a new Christmas tune or something and I put it up on my story and then he shared my story post, and then I shared his share of my story post, and then he shared my share of my share, you know, and we kept doing that for like 10 minutes out of nowhere and we created this, In a way, it’s kind of poetic, but we created this kind of interstellar story sharing thing, and it’s like a parallel universe. It kind of looked like that with loads of shares. So we were just laughing and joking with each other all day and then I just said, you know what, I’ve actually got this song that I think would be perfect working together do you want to do it? and he was up for it, so it’s quite weird but yeah we’re kind of friends now on email and I keep in touch and stuff so yeah it’s funny how life works out like that.”
Like all true production maestro’s, Southern crafts his songs meticulously adding lush melodies and layers through each melodic whirl or sharp guitar wail. Within ‘Soul Singer’ there is a wonderfully sweet key melody that becomes the hook that lures your ears into the song while a catchy guitar and vocal melody intertwine to create a lush and exhilarating soundscape.
“I think, the way I connect the instrument and the vocals together, like the way I write songs, they sort of are always intertwined with one another. So a lot of the time I write a guitar chord that gets me going. I’m like oh this is class. I love writing a very simple hook inside the guitar. In a lot of my songs you’ll find, that I write the melodies of my lyrics, based on what the guitar’s doing or vice versa. So with Soul Singer, I’m pretty sure it was the acoustic guitar riff . I just sort of heightened it with a very clear melody and then I wrote the lyric, “you’re taking my problems away”, that’s the same melody over the top of that. I quite like when songwriting is completely simplified down to almost like a nursery rhyme hook, you know, just something super simple. So, yeah, that’s kind of how that came about.”
“Some of the verse melody ideas and lyrics I actually wrote when I was like 19 or something. It was at the very beginning of my old band, Southern. It used to be a song called Violet View or something, then I changed it to Soul Singer and sort of made it about a different story, but yeah it’s kind of three songs sort of put together and developed over time. I think it’s been hanging around for a good few years and I was never really happy with it. I wanted to define a vision for the production if you know what I mean. I think whenever I heard that Spanish drumbeat when I was going on holiday, a lot of that just sort of clicked.”
It’s interesting to see the versatility within each of Southern’s releases. He is creating his own instantly recognisable sound. ‘Soul Singer’ blends the swelling blitz of fuzzy shoegaze from ‘Shivers’ and the sweet heartfelt nostalgia of ‘Perfect Someone’ while adding more textures and sounds. I wondered is this Southern weening us into his sound or just showing what he can do
“That’s a good question. I think. Yeah, because of lockdown, I was watching an interesting interview with Mac DeMarco the other day actually and he was being interviewed about his process since covid came and everything, and it was funny what Mac DeMarco said. He said, there’s no point in me releasing anything at the moment because I can’t show and tell. That made me laugh. It’s so true, like normally I would write music that would incorporate how I’d like to present it on stage, so like, if I had a tour coming up or whatever I’d always make sure that the songs, sort of sounded similar so that when we go on tour, I can capture people in that moment and that style and get lost in it with them. Whereas I think because of all the lockdowns, it has sort of thrown the rulebook out of the window and it’s allowed a lot of artists to experiment more and I think it’s funny, I launched my solo career in the midst of it all so yeah, I think you can kind of get away with more. But, long story short, I think, It’s a bit of both. I’m just experimenting and I don’t think I can ever really have a specific style, because I really love a lot of genres, but the basis of my songwriting is always pretty similar, you know. I like writing catchy pop songs. But then, experimenting with the production sound. So maybe it’s more like the production sound, is what is more experimental. I think I’m just developing it at the moment. Eventually, when I’m ready to go on tour, I want to make a more full body of work where it’s like six tracks all interlinked and the whole story and the songwriting is all based around that EP whereas at the moment I’m kind of just releasing singles. So yeah, I’m just enjoying this.”
This experimentation has created a diverse listening experience for fans as they can hear the produced spectacle of the track as well as a more raw version when Southern performs the songs live. Recently Southern showcased how the tracks will translate live through a performance on This Feeling, providing yet another side to his sound that I’m sure fans were eager to see.
“I think, with Soul Singer, it was more of an artistic collaboration with Sonic Boom. It’s kind of not a representation of me on my own, just doing it completely on my own. So that was just a fun collaboration and something that I wanted to do because I admire Sonic Boom and I just thought, you know, it’d be cool to mix our styles together. But if I was to play Soul Singer on an acoustic guitar, it would sound more like what I did for This Feeling. And obviously, you know, ‘Perfect Someone’, it’s hard to replicate a sound like that with just three people on stage, unless you’re playing the backing tracks and I’m not a big fan of backing tracks. I prefer to hear the band totally raw. So, yeah, I think, what I did with This Feeling is probably more close to what I will sound like on tour, in general. Especially if I’m only playing with three people, you know guitar, bass and drums. I mean it’s hard to replicate all those sounds that I put into the production of Soul Singer. So, yeah that’s a good point, I think what I would really like to do is to make a more raw EP, eventually, I think at the moment just because of lockdown and everything I think it’s more fun to just do whatever I want, production-wise, and then when I’m ready to go on the road I definitely would love to make a more live-sounding EP, or album that I could easily replicate on tour. But for the meantime, I think it’s more fun for artists to just do whatever they want because there is no rule book at the minute.”
Versatility is an important trait to have as an artist and Southern doesn’t shy away from pushing himself to create tunes that erupt with life and energy. He also showcases his versatility through a few covers, most recently Billie Eilish’s ‘everything i wanted’.
“Actually it was like a year ago that I did the majority of that recording. I just kept hearing Billie Eilish’s name everywhere and I was like, you know what, I’m just gonna go and listen, and then the first thing I listened to was ‘everything i wanted’.Obviously, I think I’d heard some other stuff and it’s brilliant, but it’s not my cup of tea, you know like, ‘bad guy’ and stuff. But then I heard ‘everything i wanted’ and I was like, whoa, For fun I just started stripping it back onto an acoustic guitar and singing along with the lyrics and you just realize how good at writing her and her brother are. I think it’s as good as any master songwriter out there and it just suited my voice while I was singing. I thought I’d do my own take on it and I showed it to a couple of my friends and they were like you should definitely put this out, but I was sitting on that track for a while, and I just decided to put it out at the end of the year. And, yeah, it’s pretty cool and she won a Grammy for it the other day. It seems to be my most popular tune on Spotify which is cool”
Thom Southern is a talented singer-songwriter. He combines a natural knack for heartfelt melodies with an intense and ever-growing soundscape of alternative pop, shoegaze and psychedelia to create a sound that is truly mesmerising and lush. Each release brings something new and exciting. Looking forward to hearing what Thom Southern releases next.
Clonmel-based electronic artist, Culla, teams up with Limerick Indie Pop Quintet, Dylan Flynn and The Dead Poets, on the new EP, ‘Like It Never Happened’.The EP was written, produced, and mixed by Flynn and Culla, with Gavin Murray, the drummer of the Dead Poets mixing the closing track, ‘Miles’. Both artists are founding members of the Limerick-based collective, BitDepth.
‘Like It Never Happened’ is a diverse collection of tracks that surge with rich rhythms and refined instrumentation. Kicking off with the instrumental ‘Microscope’ the EP sets itself up to be a rich and unique collection of songs. This track oozes swagger as the guys melt intricately weaved guitar lines into a swirling thick electronic soundscape while warm saxophones inject a jazzy mellow element into the mix. Boasting deft production and dense percussive textures ‘Microscope’ is the perfect appetiser to the following track ‘Mellow Green’.The electronic pulse continues throughout ‘Mellow Green’ as beats ricochet off a swirling soundscape of bright guitars and lush instrumentation. This track ventures between R&B and indie-pop while velvety vocals create a soothing and moving atmosphere. ‘Miles’ brings the EP to a tender ballad-esque finale. Its rich blend of indie-folk radiates a heartwarming tone while the easy on the ears melody, steady beat, and soft guitar twinkles exude an irresistible charm. This is the most commercial track on the EP – laced in wholesome tones and bittersweet nostalgia it’s a moving and soothing end to the EP.
Culla and Dylan Flynn and The Dead Poets weave golden laid back melodies through their vibrant and kinetic sound to create a mellow yet engaging listening experience. Their unique blend of instrumentation and production techniques is refreshing and results in a well crafted and vibrant three-track EP.
Lemonade Shoelace is set to release his new single ‘Autopilot Paradise’. on 24th March. Lemonade Shoelace is the project of 23-year-old Ruairí Richman, a graduate of the BIMM institute in Dublin and a native of Newcastle, Co. Down. All his tracks are written, recorded, and produced entirely in a small home studio.
Throughout ‘Autopilot Paradise,’ Lemonade Shoelace uses prismatic psychedelic tones and lusciously blended sounds to create one refreshing guzzle of alternative pop. The song drifts along with a bubbling beat and elastic bass groove which creates a dance-infused foundation while 80’s-esque synths soar and wisp throughout providing an ethereal sense of euphoria. This juicy burst of electronic pop surges with zesty guitars and rich reverb soundscapes that intensify as the anthemic chorus kicks in. Richmans’ smooth vocals coo over the dreamy melody while the synths shimmer and flicker between the vibrant soundscapes. The track is a feast for the senses and layered perfectly, revealing new luxuriant sounds with each verse and chorus arrangement.
Oozing bright melodies, deep grooves, and ethereal synths, ‘Autopilot Paradise’ is a tantalizing new single that makes Lemonade Shoelace an artist to keep an eye on.
