Our Worth A Listen Track This Week Comes From INSIDEAWAVE
Following the release of singles ‘Ivy Honey’ and ‘Bright Windows In The Night’, Dublin five-piece indie rock band, INSIDEAWAVE have released their self titled debut EP with lead single ‘Tour Guides’. To date, the band have amassed over 15,000 streams on Spotify, with ‘Ivy Honey’ having achieved 4,000 streams in 2 months.Their mid-tempo, heartening indie vibes have led them to performing extensively in premier music venues in Ireland such as Whelan’s & The Grand Social, The Bello Bar, Workman’s Club, The Wiley Fox, Bruxelle’s, Tramline, Spirit Store and many more.
‘Tour Guides’ is an intriguing listening experience. Presented within clean production the band create a spacious and airy track with soft falsetto vocal coo’s and dreamy melody. Guitar stings slice through a wispy atmosphere as the band blend dark psychedelic elements with raw indie to create an invigorating soundscape.The rumbling bass entwines the track in an ominous sense of mystery while the rich rhythm and percussion create a bubbling foundation. There is a wonderful contrast between the brooding darker verses and blossoming burst of the chorus as the band slip effortlessly into a brighter luminous soundscape. With haunting vocals wailing as the track fades to its end INSIDEAWAVE keep you on the edge of your seat all the way through. These guys are master musicians.Their ability to compress so much wonderful sounds and elements into one track is impressive. INSIDEAWAVE are a band to keep an eye on.
Chay Snowdon have released their new single ‘What The Kids Want’ taken from from the bands upcoming debut EP ‘Are You Sitting comfortably? (Then we will begin)’, which will be released in the autumn. Chay Snowdon are an Indie Rock four piece who met whilst at University in Bristol. The band joined forces with highly acclaimed music producer John Cornfield (Muse, Supergrass, Razorlight etc.) to record this high tempo track
‘What The Kids Want’ is a blistering display of Chay Snowdon’s swagger drenched rock n roll. With shredding guitars soaring, wailing and searing through a curdling drum rumble and pulsing bass line the band showcase their ability to produce a high powered anthem laced in panache and refined instrumentation. It’s a well paced track which builds and simmers as a gritty riff and bubbling rhythmic section lead the intense verses into the mighty chorus. Dynamic vocals flood the track with attitude as the rock n roll backdrop chugs along behind however voice samples are placed onto the track as the drums gallop into the powerful crescendo. Well crafted with masterful production and musicianship ‘What The Kids Want’ is an energetic new single for this very talented band.
About the track Snowdon explains : “‘What the Kids Want’ is an amalgamation of lots of different stories and experiences as told through one central character. Most of the subject matter in the song derives from things Chay heard, experienced, or witnessed whilst living in Bristol. The story unfolds as if it could be the plot to an old Hollywood Blockbuster.“
Cork-based three-piece The Lost Gecko have released an animated music video for their recent single, “On Sundays.” The song tells the story of two people caught in the waves of life, their lives colliding in uncertain times, with no idea how long it will last.The video was animated by Mark Corrigan, an award winning animator.The Lost Gecko is the brainchild of Malcolm and the tune was inspired by a boat trip that Malcolm took to Sherkin Island in West Cork.The band have released seven EPs, one album, and in the past few months five singles, all accompanying music videos, building up to their next album. Their music has been featured on RTE’s late date with Fiachna O Brainon and Cork’s 96fm Arts House with Pearse McCarthy. They’ve also played festivals in Amsterdam and toured in Finland, have gigged extensively around Ireland, including several festivals and sold-out shows in Cork.
‘On Sundays’ is a soothing acoustic track which showcases The Lost Gecko’s earnest songwriting and expressive musicianship. With warm cello lamenting through a steady beat the band surge rich melodic tones and cosy vibes into the track. The melancholic melody is softly caressed by Malcolm’s heartbreaking emotive vocals. His soothing rasp coos over the building backdrop and harmony on backing vocals while an acoustic guitar steadily keeps pace with the drums. ‘On Sundays’ is a tender and moving number showcasing The Lost Gecko’s masterful skill to tell a story through music.
The video displays the song’s tragic love story, and viewers are left with an open-ended resolution. The ethereal, dream-like animation compliments the acoustic, storytelling elements of the song. The handcrafted video reveals its narrative in small vignettes, where information is revealed and then quickly obscured.
Frontman Malcolm Urquhart says, “It’s about love, loss, mental health and the fallout.”
West-London based band Slender Pins have released their new single ‘Apprentice To Life’.This infectious stomping tune blazes in, swagged up and ready to rock. With 70’s punk pounding through a retro rock soundscape, the band present quite the fire cracker. Slinky guitars weave through a shimmy rhythm while the elastic bass line greases the tracks backbone in body moving grooves. The saunter on guitars meander between the heavier moments with elegance and skill while the charismatic vocals wail and flood the track in rebellious character. Experimenting with multi-genres is nothing new to Slender Pins and this carefree track is a fine display of their musical prowess. ‘Apprentice To Life’ is another fantastic and exhilarating track from Slender Pins.
Dublin five-piece, indie rock band Brass Phantoms have released their new single ‘Hurricane’.The track is just a taster of what’s in store from their forthcoming debut album ‘Holding Out For Horrors’ set for release 18th September. So far, the band have released their well-received single ‘Waiting Up’, which garnered national airplay. Their guitar driven, drum fuelled track ‘City Of Wolves’ was used to promote Irish television coverage of the UEFA Champions League this year, as well as being added to Spotify’s editorial Hot New Bands playlist.Their music featured on the likes of BBC Radio 6 with Steve Lamacq, RTÉ, Today FM, 98FM, Radio Nova, Amazing Radio and more. No strangers to the live scene, Brass Phantoms have toured throughout Ireland, the UK and the United States, having been listed as one of the top acts to see at MONDO NYC Festival. They have a host of major festival appearances under their belts plus support tours for the likes of Delorentos and The Slow Readers Club.
Boasting an epic and dizzying wall of sound ‘Hurricane’ isa labyrinth of tightly layered indie rock from Brass Phantoms. Initially the deep dramatic vocals from Ryan Cashell lures the bittersweet melody into your ears. The track blossoms from here. Swirling synths create an ethereal high while the arena ready backing vocals and meticulously textured backdrop erupt as intricate guitar melodies run rampant through the songs rich soundscape, weaving between rumbling bass lines and punchy drums. As the track reaches its hair-raising crescendo the band use whirring guitars to intensify the atmosphere.
‘Hurricane’ is quite the power anthem and sublime piece of music. Brass Phantoms have always provided indie tracks of epic proportion and ‘Hurricane’ continues this trend while at the same time taking the bands sound to new heights. Brass Phantoms are accomplished musicians: they have the deft ability to write tunes comprised of heavy indie rock elements interspersed with psychedelic moments which intoxicates the listener. Once their tracks end you are left surging with adrenaline and craving to hear more.
On the song, band member Greg Whelan says: “Hurricane is definitely one of the songs we’re most proud of on the album. It has quite an accessible sound, but there’s quite a bit of depth and openness in the words, and the energy in the music accompanies that quite well. We’re so excited for people to hear it, and the entire album”.
Three piece Nerves have released their new single, ‘Time Trial’. The song was recorded at Windmill Lane by David Michael Smith, Daniel De Burca and Fionn Corrigan, and produced mainly at home during lockdown by David Michael Smith.
‘Time Trial’ is a fantastic display of instrumental prowess from Nerves as they present a heavy aggressive sound filled with bruising post punk elements mangled between distortion and fuzz. The track bulldozes through with menacing drums as screeching and wailing guitars combust in a blaze of barbaric riffs which relentlessly crash and ricochet off the fierce rumble on drums evoking that hair-raising sensation within the listener.
The song builds superbly as Nerves slowly increase the instrumental tension and ferocity – it feels like they are removing the air pressure in an experiment to see how long it will take for the listeners head to explode. With a dizzying savage crescendo laced in acid-soaked dance elements ‘Time Trial’ shows strong growth from the Dublin based trio. The drums in this track are particularly impressive; they effortlessly flip between leading the ground shaking charge and subtly hiding behind the complex interplay of the guitars to create a rich intricate sound. ‘Time Trial’ is a thrilling listen.
I spoke to Chris Breheny aka Moncrieff last week about his new single ‘PLAYLOUD’. Breheny’s cheery persona and charm set the conversation alight as we banter about the differences since we last spoke a few months earlier – from the craziness in the world at the moment to his new sound. He quizzes me as to my thoughts on the single and we discuss how this budding artist is pushing and removing the boundaries of genre.
“We spoke in the library last year in December didn’t we? Back in much different times.
The song is out so I’m very happy about that. I’m glad that my story is moving forward. During this shit show of a year. What are your thoughts? Be honest. It’s a big move from ‘Early Hurts’. I’m not sure whether I told you at the time but when I was releasing ‘The Early Hurts’ a lot of the songs they’re an early kind of diary for my songwriting but all the while I was kind of writing songs that were like PLAYLOUD and they were down that vein and I was like how the fuck am I going to change it over, it’s just got to be a big switch.”
‘PLAYLOUD’ takes Moncrieff’s sound to a different level boasting deft production and electronic soundscapes blended beneath R&B and pop elements. Even his voice for this track is different. It’s more rebellious with less of that soulful smooth tone that we have come to know him for. I wondered had he been experimenting with his vocals and how he wanted to sing.
“Yeah, I guess it just kind of came out that way. It was one of those days where everything just kind of aligned, the song was written, in like an hour. And then we spent a day just kind of messing around with the production and we knew it sounded different than something we’ve done before, but it was something really exciting and, I think, has to be sung that way in order to get people to wake up to the message of the song. I mean that’s where I want my music to go. I want to be fluent, to kind of talk about and express whatever I’m feeling in whatever way. Obviously I’m not going to go and do some, like Himalayan singing and shit but that’s just the way the song had to be sung. Do you know what I mean?”
He’s fully committed to his new style; he has even dyed his hair blue.
“It is. It all kind of feeds into that, into the kind of.. the ethos. The story of the song is the most important thing for me and so I want everything I do to reflect, where I’m at. So, right now PLAYLOUD is about being frustrated and feeling alienated as a young person in the world that you live. We’re talking Donald Trump is going for re-election and shit and the whole world is going crazy so I kind of want to be a visual. I want my visuals and my own visual persona to line up with what I’m talking about. I don’t want to have blue hair forever, but I think it helps tell the story of the music”
Last time we spoke, Breheny said that his EP ‘The Early Hurts’ is a summary of all the most significant people, places and events that happened to him from moving to London until the age of 22 and PLAYLOUD is the start of a collection of songs telling the next chapter of stories from his life
“I guess so I mean The Early Hurts was a record of how I started, where I came from. This is definitely like the next chapter, It’s definitely not as autobiographical, it’s how I’ve developed and how my voice has developed as to what I want to say. I feel like I obviously want to talk about the stuff I’ve been talking about in PLAYLOUD and I have another track coming out, the track that we’ll be following up on this, is just as loud and it’s quite commentary. But the next chapter also does talk about a lot of personal stuff as well, but it’s just an ongoing story of growing up and coming into adulthood. It never ends.”
Breheny’s debut body of work ‘The Early Hurts’ EP featured lead track ‘Like I Do’, this debut radio single (released in Sept 2019) received extensive airplay across national radio racking up nearly 12 million audience impressions and 5 million streams. The success of the single and EP led to Breheny selling out his first headline show in Dublin in less than 3 hours. However this success didn’t make him feel pressured to create something to match that success
“Obviously you want it to go well, like you want people to like it. At some point, you don’t want everyone to hate it. I knew that releasing this new body of work that I had, I wanted to make a statement that I’m a dynamic artist. I’m not as bound down to genre and stuff. But, yeah, so I was maybe a bit nervous for that but I really like the songs and I’m ready to put out so that kind of superseded that.I think the songs are good. I’m happy to shout about my tunes I got loads of shit songs, like so many. I just trawl through the shit until I find one and I’m like ok this is good, I know this is good.”
A music video for ‘PLAYLOUD’ is something I have been looking forward to and boy it sounds like its going to be wild.
” I think it’s coming out next week.I really like the video. The video is mad, I don’t know how long it’s gonna stay up on YouTube and that’s genuinely a fact. It’s just a series of ridiculous things. I’m not gonna spoil it for you, but I’m really looking forward to getting it out.”
Breheny has been keeping busy during this crazy COVID-19 time. He has turned his energy to creating some amazing limited edition merch which should be available soon
“Bits and bobs. It’s not as easy to just pick up a pen and just start writing when like nothing has happened. I mean I could write about being anxious about the fucking world that I’m in at the minute, I could write so many songs about that but that probably wouldn’t be good for me to constantly feed into that but I’ve written a bit, I’ve been working on other shit.I’ve been working on a clothing line which is coming soon but it takes a lot of time. I’m working on that, I’ve put this video together myself and I’ve been working on new songs as they come. It’s fun. I’m gonna put some pictures up soon. I make them all myself. I’ve been making weird designs from weird things I found on the internet and printing them and stuff. But, yeah, I’m doing it myself. It’s just weird clothes. I’ve just been doing it myself for the last little while. It takes so much time. When you’re doing it yourself there’s a lot of trial and error. A lot of T-shirts get sacrificed, I’ve got two pieces that I think are sick. And then once I’ve like five or six I’ll put them up, and I want every piece to be, super sick and not make a lot of it. I want merch you will wear and that has an interesting story . Every piece will be a once off. Every piece I will probably have made or painted myself. So yeah it’s probably gonna be extremely time consuming, but at least when people buy it, it’s gonna be like, well, there is no other t-shirt like this.“
Breheny is missing live shows and I can imagine with the release of ‘PLAYLOUD’ the live shows he would be doing now would be epic.
“Yeah, big time. A live gig is where I feel I translate best or I can get my message across. And it can make sense to people immediately, live. It’s like I live for playing live.The live version of PLAYLOUD would be such a vibe. Like break it down at the end, everyone’s singing it! .”
So what has Breheny got planned for the coming months.
” More music. I’ve gotta get on a mission to get all these songs out. I’ve got like six songs.
I don’t know whether it’s an EP, but it’s definitely a body of work, PLAYLOUD is the first statement. So I want to try and get at least another three or four out before the years out, and then do some live gigs next year, for the love of God! “
Moncrieff has a tour coming up in September so fingers crossed Breheny can perform ‘PLAYLOUD’ live soon because when he does it’s going to be insane.
Until then check out ‘PLAYLOUD’ on spotify here and keep an eye out for the video which will be released soon!
After the release of three preceding singles alternative rock band Turfboy have released their debut album ‘At Tension’. The album was released through Horn & Hoof Records Manchester and was recorded with Michael Richards in Trackmix Studio Dublin late last year. Coming from different parts of Ireland; Longford/Roscommon/Mayo-Galway/Wicklow, to be exact; the band is based in Dublin City, and is most often found playing shows there.
‘At Tension’ is a blazing roar of alternative rock. The album’s moody grunge elements and crashing backdrop boasts a heavy sound that is not for the faint hearted. Turfboy have created a rock-filled album so explosive and powerful it will melt your brain leaving you on the floor twitching and frothing from the mouth.The acute lacerating guitar riffs gash through tracks like ‘Rageahol’ and ‘In Absentia’ with bloodthirsty stamina while being accompanied by an occasional desert-rock squeal and wail. The band use a battering onslaught on drums to pound their tracks forward while shredding guitar solos and scorching licks display the more majestic and refined side to the band’s savage sound.
However it’s not all fury and anarchy, ‘Holly Daye’ reverbs with an infectious punk pop melody over a slick riff while ‘(L)earn’ showcases a grunge Nirvana – esque side to the band. The gem of the album ‘(L)earn’ pivots around a sulky guitar refrain and moody catchy vocal refrain that will revolve in your head for days. The beauty of the angst in this track blended with sulken nonchalance and despair is masterful as the band build a powerful backdrop to encompass the dark emotion and rawness within the track.‘Idiocracy Is Reality’ is another smasher on the album. Doused in gritty jaunty guitar riffs and eerie bass lines this ominous mammoth displays Turfboy’s ability to build and cultivate a track. The soundscapes occasionally jolt into something more sinister and dark as the band allow each verse to raise the tension for the dramatic and crashing chorus release.
Vocally the band venture from all out fury-filled growls and howls to raspy passionate punk/pop bellows allowing the tracks to have their own identity on the album. We see this especially in ‘AttenDANCE’ where the vocals begin soft and almost lulling to start and venture into a howling scream as the song progresses. ‘Not Like You’ is probably as pop punk the band get on the album with a catchy melodic hook and lighter persona while ‘Millie The Jeff and Subh The Snail’ returns the album to a 90’s alternative rock tone for the finale.
‘At Tension’ is a ballsy gritty album brimming with vigor and massive soundscapes. It is a thrill to listen to. The bands ability to blend anarchy-filled tunes with brooding tones, moody textures and a mosh-worthy sound is glorious and displays strong growth in Turfboy.
Kynsy is the solo project of rising 23 year-old multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and producer, Ciara Lindsey – who today has released her debut single, ‘Cold Blue Light. 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.
‘Cold Blue Light’ is a fermenting blitz which evokes a thrilling sense of anticipation while Kynsy carries herself with a vivid coolness through a fizzing raw soundscape. The track is dark with a cold embrace as the song punches with effortless rock stamina through a nonchalant delivery. With sharp guitars saturated in distortion the track ventures into psychedelic territory.There is substance to this track as well, the wry lyrics depict fading chancers and their last grasp at relevance. The soft pop melody has a dreamy delicacy as shimmering synths sweeten the tracks ominous undertone which is provided by the sluggish drum beats and sinister foundation.
‘Cold Blue Light’ exudes a residue of St. Vincent flair albeit with more edgy rock elements as Kynsy builds and creates distinct moments of brilliance within the track which set the bar high. Kynsy is an impressive artist to keep an eye on.
About the track and video, Kynsy said: ‘’Cold Blue Light’ is about the bullies we all encounter in life and looking for meaning in the darkness they create. I wanted to write a song that held some sort of balance between destruction and hope. It’s based on an encounter I had at a new year’s eve party where there was a guy spouting racist remarks at people and it was quite upsetting and stuck with me. The result was a rowdy pop song truck full of sticky anger and synth pop goo. The video was filmed just with a camera on a tripod in my back garden, I wanted it to be direct and simple so people could focus on the music.”
Feuds have released their last ever single ‘Until It’s Done’ and music video as a band. Feuds started in the small town of Kilcoole, Wicklow. After going through many lineup changes they settled on their final lineup in 2016. 2017 saw the band release the single ‘Anything I Wouldn’t’ and playing Electric Picnic after being voted one of the winners of the 2fm ‘Play the Picnic’ competition. 2018 saw the band release their debut self titled ep which was received well on radio. Following the EP the band gigged in venues like Whelans, the Roisin Dubh, the Lighthouse and an EP launch in The Workman’s Club. ‘Until it’s Done’ was recorded and mixed by Eoin Whitfield of Ehco in the Hive Studio, Kilcoole in September 2018.
‘Until It’s Done’ is a bittersweet indie track as Feuds provide us with one last guitar twinkling gem to indulge in. With ethereal soundscapes, light guitar refrains and a punchy rhythmic backdrop, ‘Until It’s Done’ drifts elegantly through a nostalgic and moving wall of sound. The band build the tracks indie rock sonics allowing them to unfold and blossom beautifully becoming more heavy as it progresses. A braided bass groove weaves into the songs tight underbelly as the tracks rhythmic pull remains grounded and elastic for the refined guitar to flourish off and lift the song into an airy, breezy atmosphere.With a biting guitar solo and hair raising refrain ‘Until It’s Done’ allows Feuds to go out with a bang. It’s a tear jerking farewell to a talented Irish band. We wish all the guys all the best for the future.
Stream ‘Until It’s Done’ below
Author : Danu
Indie: (n) an obscure form of rock which you only learn about from someone slightly more hip than yourself.
