Tag Archives: Brand New Friend

Indie, Indie Quick Picks, indie rock, New Music

Indie Quick Picks

Y!KES

Genre : Alternative rock

Bio : Birmingham alternative rock band Y!KES have released their new single ‘Hiding In Plain Sight’, taken from their upcoming EP ‘Everything Pointless Is Correct’. The band have received support from Camden Rocks, BBC Introducing, Kerrang! and EGH Radio to name a few and have performed live slots with Vukovi, Mallory Knox, Led By Lanterns and Earls,

Track: ‘Hiding In Plain Sight’

Why We Like It: It’s a moody grunge drenched number brimming with sharp guitar riffs, gritty vocals and pounding drums as Y!KES present a melodic Californian punk side to their mammoth sound. Slinky guitar moments weave between a sweet melody and gripping undertone to create a moving and hopeful atmosphere immersed in old school rock charm. Y!KES are maturing wonderfully. Their deep lyrical content gives the listener a glimpse into the bands emotional and melodic side which blazes through a heartfelt powerful backdrop and scorching guitar solo. ‘Hiding In Plain Sight’ is a marvelous display of musicianship from Y!KES

You can follow Y!KES on Facebook here https://www.facebook.com/yikesofficial

Watch the video for ‘Hiding In Plain Sight’ below 

Crash Adams

Genre :Indie pop 

Bio:Crash Adams are an indie/pop duo from Toronto Canada. They produce, write, perform, mix and master all of their own music.

Track: Ooh!

Why We Like It: It’s a suave flaunty number that glides effortlessly on cool funky tones, jangly guitar riffs and 80’s shimmers. With a strutting backdrop, chiming keys and groovy bass this track wiggles and shimmies into your head with confidence boosting charm and infectious radiance. The smooth vocals coo the catchy lyrics before the spoken verses seep swagger into this glossy pop glistening number. With tasty synths and panache dripping from every note ‘Ooh!’ is a feel good song sure to have you dancing and strutting your stuff for days. 

You can follow Crash Adams on Facebook here https://www.facebook.com/crashadamsmusic

Watch the video for ‘Ooh!’ below 

Brand New Friend

Photo Credit : Ciara McMullan

Genre : Indie pop

Bio: Following on from the warmly received ‘The Letter A’ released last Autumn, the Northern Irish indie-pop quintet make a fresh-faced return with their new single and confirmation of a 7 track EP: ‘A Cure For Living’, to be released via Xtra Mile Recordings on 14 February 2020. Brand New Friend’s debut album ‘Seatbelts for Aeroplanes’, was released through Xtra Mile Recordings (Skinny Lister, Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly.) in 2018. The album spawned several singles including ‘Girl’, ‘I Was An Astronaut’ and the title track, all of which garnered plays on the likes of Annie Mac, Huw Stephens and Phil Taggart shows on Radio 1, John Kennedy on Radio X and 6 Music’s Steve Lamacq. Brand New Friend have also embarked on numerous headline tours both in the UK and Ireland, whilst also being invited to share stages with big-hitters the likes of Snow Patrol, Ash, Starcrawler, At The Drive-In, Pretty Vicious, RAT BOY, Feeder and Xtra Mile Recordings label mate Seán McGowan.

Track: Nothing Stays The Same

Why We Like It: This buoyant track swirls with Brand New Friend’s youthful indie musicianship. The band lather jangly guitar strides into a punchy drum and bass tag team while the harmonies between brother/ sister duo Taylor and Lauren Johnson sweeten the powerful sting. With a smooth catchy melody and lamenting guitar injection ‘Nothing Stays The Same’ is a vibrant nostalgic ditty sure to have any live crowd going wild.

Inspired by characters imagined by 80s indie veteran Lloyd Cole in his timeless ‘Jennifer She Said’ track, Brand New Friend’s ‘Nothing Stays The Same’ finds the band musing on just what may have happened next for its lovelorn protagonist… As the band explain: “‘Nothing Stays The Same’ is a love song constantly shifting perspective between two people. It’s the sound of two people who love each other deeply but who know they’re running out of distance. It’s framed in the Botanic area of Belfast, in the old Botanical gardens near Queens University. In the rain, of course. I was heavily inspired by Lloyd Cole on this track, I love the way he colours his world so you can see who he’s singing about when you close your eyes. The girl in this song is Jennifer, from ‘Jennifer She Said’. Hopefully it all works out for her…”

You can follow Brand New Friend on Facebook here https://www.facebook.com/brandnewfriendz/

Watch the video for ‘Nothing Stays The Same’ below 

Hook

Genre : New wave indie rock

Bio: Hook are a three-piece new wave indie rock band based in Dublin, made up of Eoin O’Donnell on vocals, guitars; Morgan O’Brien on drums and Danny Spelman on bass, vocals. 

Track: Spoiler Alert

Why We Like It: It’s a jaunty stab of slick indie rock with tantalizing guitar teases, elastic steamy bass and beefy whack on drums. The band blend their ferocious rock with sensual enticement to lure you into their brawny sound. With raspy vocals resounding through the kinetic backdrop and witty lyrics, this groove-filled number blisters and boils with red hot, intense swagger as Hook flesh out their intoxicating sound. 

You can follow Hook on Facebook here https://www.facebook.com/listentohook/

Stream ‘Spoiler Alert’ below 

The Burma

Genre : Indie rock’n’roll

Bio: The Burma are an Indie rock’n’roll band based in Cork City, Ireland. The band draw inspiration from the American Indie scene of the early 2000’s and British guitar bands of the 80s and 90s, The line-up consists of long-time friends Tony O’Donovan and Peter Piggott along drummer Cian Doherty whom they in 2012. The band is named after The Burma steps in Cobh, Co. Cork. 2019 saw The Burma have their busiest year yet with continuous nation wide festival and tour dates throughout the year following the release of their most recent single “Phoney Personality”. The first single off of their upcoming 5 track EP “Sugar Moonlight”, due for release in March 2020. In the past The Burma have landed support slots for acts such as The Academic, The Strypes, Delorentos, The Blizzards, Brian Deady, The Frank and Walters and more.

Track: When You’re Gone

Why We Like It: This ethereal gem glistens with airy spacious tones. The twinkling guitar majestically creates little melancholic sparkles of scintillation through the icy soundscape as the flickering electronics and snappy beat create a biting breezy quality. The track builds to a tense crescendo that becomes more gritty with distortion and psychedelic hues. A smooth sombre melody weaves throughout creating a mysterious, almost magical effect as the band create a swirling track that totally immerses you in their richly layered musicianship.

You can follow The Burma on Facebook here https://www.facebook.com/theburmaofficial/

Stream ‘When You’re Gone’ below 

Floral Sounds

Genre : Dream pop

Bio: Seventeen year old Gabe Beckles has released his new single ‘Day waste’ under the name Floral Sounds.

Track: Day waste

Why We Like It: It’s a hazy daydream that wisps through a whimsical vapour of jangly guitar and hypnotic bass lines. With sulky deep vocals echoing through the buoyant riff and steady beat the track drifts into a sweet state of euphoria with a darker undertone. There is something quite mesmerising and intriguing about this track as it weaves and entwines around your mind with a soothing quality and light dewy texture. 

You can follow Floral Sounds on Instagram here https://www.instagram.com/gabebeckles/?hl=en

Stream ‘Day waste’ below 

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Author : Danu

Indie, Interviews, New Music, Video Interviews, Worth A Listen

A Chat With : Brand New Friend

We sat down to have a chat with Lauren Johnson, Taylor Johnson,
Aaron Milligan, Logan Johnson and Luke Harris from Brand New Friend before their show in Whelan’s Dublin to talk about their new music and experiences while Wicklow band Felonies provided the shredding background music with their soundcheck.

Watch the interview here


Author : Danu

Indie, Live Music, Live Music Review, New Music

Brand New Friend Live Show With Support From Felonies At Whelan’s Dublin

When your ears are ringing after a show it’s either one of two things –  one, your ears hurt from unbearable noise that you wish to forget as soon as your hearing returns, or two, they are buzzing from one intoxicating, loud and invigorating show of fantastic music. Lucky for me I experienced the latter on Wednesday night. Castlerock’s Brand New Friend were headlining Whelan’s upstairs venue with support from Felonies.

Wicklow band Felonies kicked off the night commanding the stage with their blistering alternative punk rock. It’s a band of singers as Aaron Meagher, Andrew Connaughton, Ryan Mortell and Tom Brady all take a turn on vocals. Hair flailing over their faces they blast into ‘Berlin Blues’, ‘Welcome’ and ‘Small Town Syndrome’. They have an intriguing stage presence. Aaron Meagher ventures close to the edge of the stage laughing and engaging with the crowd while Tom Brady thumps his chest vigorously before the band steam roll into ‘S.A.P’. Shrilling guitars pierce through our skulls as the masterful drumming keeps the crowd bouncing. These guys have the crowd in the palm of their hands. Their fun approach radiates charm and swagger-filled persona as they shred through slick guitar solos and mosh smacked wall of sound. Extremely energetic and intricate Felonies meld raw acute punk and infectious indie rock with some pop sensibilities. They perform with magnetic adrenaline that creates frenzy among the audience. These guys are ones to go see live. Their presence alone is pretty mesmerising but those tunes are sure to frazzle your brain and leave you dazed, exhilarated and craving for more.

Brand New Friend take to the stage with a new addition to the band, Lauren and Taylor Johnson’s younger brother Logan Johnson. Overwhelmed with the attendance the band are in good form and ready to rock. They burst straight into their exuberant youthful wall of sound as the crowd joyously bops and bounces along. Lauren and Taylor Johnson’s vocals blend and contrast superbly as they smile at each other. These guys are having fun on stage and that radiates throughout the room. Their humble yet confident stage presence is charming and quite refreshing. Though their sound is tight, refined and professional Brand New Friend are not pompous or arrogant Taylor sweetly and regularly thanks the crowd for their attendance he shouts “This is F*cking mental… genuinely don’t know what to say…thank you so much for being here this is ridiculous.. We didn’t expect this… this is class “. They hop and jump about the stage encouraging the crowd to go wild. Luke Harris’ drumming rumbles through the venue. The floor creaks from people jumping and moshing as Harris’ flexible roll and rumbles pound through their bodies. The band dedicate songs to members of the audience such as ‘Settle Down’ “ this ones for Eoghan ”. The sweet keys jingle and glisten between their vibrant wall of sound creating refreshing little melodies to blissfully lilt along to. Their tunes hold an air of nostalgia with emo hues and punk foundations against an indie rock backdrop. From mass sing-alongs, a lot of excited swearing (from Taylor ) and people from the crowd shouting “we love you!” to a cheeky Blondie intro to the ‘Maria’- esque start of track ‘Girl’ these guys don’t take themselves too seriously and it makes their live shows more enjoyable. Aaron Milligan wrestles those playful guitar lines with a cheeky grin while newest member Logan Johnson fits in perfectly singing every line enthusiastically as he creates that all important bass groove with confidence and prowess. They are a tidy band brimming with fun and exhilarating tunes.The happiness is infectious and the kinetic and elated atmosphere impossible to fight off. Everyone was dancing, moshing and enjoying themselves helping each other so no one hurt themselves throughout the mania. It’s the promotion of fun, the innocence and sheer charm of this band that is utterly compelling and their skill and talent is the icing on the cake. 

Felonies and Brand New Friend are two spirited bands with powerful commanding tunes and both bands are enthralling to watch live. I highly recommend going to their live shows. You won’t regret it.


Author : Danu

Alt Rock, Alt- Pop, Indie, Indie Pop, indie rock, New Music

Brand New Friend ‘The Letter A’

After their stellar performance at the 2000trees Xtra Mile Recordings takeover in July, Northern Irish five-piece Brand New Friend have released their new single, ‘The Letter A’. They have played shows throughout the UK and Ireland, both headlining and with veterans or peers like Snow Patrol, Ash, Starcrawler, At The Drive-In, Pretty Vicious, RAT BOY, Feeder and Xtra Mile Recordings label mate Seán McGowan – plus a host of festival slots at Reading and Leeds, 2000trees and others.Their debut album ‘Seatbelts for Aeroplanes’, spawned several singles all of which garnered plays on the likes of Annie Mac, Huw Stephens and Phil Taggart shows on Radio 1, John Kennedy on Radio X and 6 Music’s Steve Lamacq as well as sessions and interviews on the Across The Line show on BBC Ulster.

‘The Letter A’ is a punchy track with a smooth melody wrapped in a biting indie rock soundscape as Brand New Friend blister and swarm through the track with relentless stamina and infectious vigor. With jagged striking guitars slicing through the bouncy bass line and snappy drums this track has an infectious energetic buoyancy that is sure to have a live crowd going wild. The pop smacked melody and 50’s-60’s classic melodic hue gives a sentimental familiarity and charm to the song. The vocals exude confidence with a youthful sense of urgency as the band flesh out their tight and dynamic sound. With an explosive chorus, The Strokes- esque verses, sharp instrumental backdrop and gritty crunchy element presented beautifully on guitars, this adrenaline-inducing number is sure to have you singing along in no time. 

Watch the video for ‘The Letter A’ below 


Author : Danu