Month: May 2018

Ireland’s Slow Riot are releasing brand new single, ‘Betrayed’ via Straight Lines Are Fine on May 11^th.

It’s the third in a quick succession of singles since the band expanded to a four-piece, after the addition of second guitarist Liam O’Connor (formerly of Fonda). It also follows an intense period of songwriting, honing their live craft via numerous festival appearances (notably Electric Picnic and Other Voices), and the recording of a debut album which will be released later in 2018.

Of ‘Betrayed’ frontman Niall Clancy tells us; ”This is one of the first tracks that we wrote in the early demo sessions for the album. Although I didn’t intentionally set out to write a song about this subject… the lyrics sort of came about subconsciously and all in one go. Betrayed is a song about the anger and frustration of losing somebody important in your life. It always feels like I’m getting something off my chest when we play the track live.”

The track implores the kind of infectious songwriting that by now the band have become known, utilizing their trademark motoric bass rhythm with soaring shoegaze guitars and a lyrical darkness reminiscent of the likes of The Cure and Interpol.

Fresh out of the studio, the single was recorded with longtime collaborator Kevin Vanbergen (The Pixies, The Maccabees, Dinosaur Pile-Up, The La’s and Biffy Clyro) at Savage Sound Studios, Hastings at the beginning of 2018. Vanbergen has been a catalyst for the band’s creativity since hooking up with them for the recording of their debut Cathedral EP. Their working relationship continues to thrive, with production of the new material pushing the band into richer sonic territory.

Slow Riot emerge from their hometown of Limerick backed with support from the likes of The Irish Times, Nialler9, Other Voices, Electric Picnic, Today FM and Whelan’s One’s to Watch; their plaudits building at an impressive rate. They’re flying the flag for a new breed of Irish acts ready for the global stage.

They have also amassed a rich profile of support this side of the Irish Sea, with the likes of Drowned In Sound, Q Magazine, The Line Of Best Fit, Clash and Gigwise amongst many others citing them for big things. Previous single ‘Trophy Wife’ earned the band plaudits from Shaun Keaveny on the 6Music Breakfast Show, Radio X, Absolute and was a mainstay on the band’s native Today FM with DJ Paul McLoone declaring Slow Riot to be “my new favourite Irish band”.

Slow Riot have announced a string of impressive support slots with the likes of whenyoung, The Underground Youth, The Minutes and Preoccupations as well as their own London headline show at The Victoria on June 13^th.

“A heady mix of layered atmospherics and fuzzy pop that bodes well for the future” – Drowned in Sound

“With this latest release, Slow Riot join the ranks of Eagulls and Savages at the forefront of a new breed of bands fusing danceable beats with dark-pop sentiments.” – The Line Of Best Fit

Live Dates:

May 23^rd / Grand Social, Dublin (supporting The Underground Youth)
May 25^th / Mike The Pies, Listowel (supporting The Minutes)
June 12^th / Music Hall, Ramsgate (supporting Preoccupations)
June 13^th / The Victoria, London
August 3^rd-5^th / Castlepalooza, Tullamore
October 20^th / Ulltra Festival, Hull

http://www.slowriot.ie/

‘Islands’ is the latest single to be taken from Delorentos fifth Top 10 studio album ‘True Surrender’, and follows on from recent airplay hits ‘In Darkness We Feel Our Way’ and ‘In The Moment’. There is also a Glas remix version of ‘Islands’ courtesy of Spanish ally Paco.

The Dublin quartet, who recently announced a headline show for Dublin’s Olympia Theatre for November 10th, are also getting set to join this Summer’s Festival circuit, having already been confirmed to appear at Indiependence and Sea Sessions. A full Autumn tour of Ireland plus dates in Germany, Benelux and the UK will be announced shortly.

www.delorentos.net

With only 6 weeks to go, Sea Sessions have announced their day to day line up along with 2 brand new stages.

Headliner Dizzee Rascal performs Friday 22 June followed by Walking On Cars on Saturday 23 June and Rudimental on Sunday 24 June 2018.  Hannah Wants and Dusky will headline the new Astoria Dance Stage and Irish album chart toppers Delorentos and The Blizzards will headline the new Monroe’s stage.

Sea Sessions, who return to the unique festival setting of Donegal’s Bundoran, has sold out weeks in advance over the last three years and this year promises to be bigger and better than any year yet as festival organisers celebrate 10 years partying by the beach in 2018.

Friday 22 June 2018

Dizzee Rascal, Dusky, Hudson Taylor, Le Galaxie, Versatile, Fekky, DJ Yoda (AV show), The Hot Sprockets, DJ Deece, Molly Sterling, Amber & The Bear, New Valley Wolves, Thumper, Alan Finan, Order of the Mess, Ciara Brady

Saturday 23 June 2018

Walking On Cars, Hannah Wants, Chasing Abbey, The Blizzards, Jerry Fish, Wild Youth, Kormac (AV show), David Keenan, Brave Giant, Interskalactic, Willie & The Bandits, Get Down Edits, 1000 Beasts, Vernon Jane, Colin Perkins, Sixpenny Plug

Sunday 24 June 2018 

Rudimental, Everything Everything, Delorentos, Greg Wilson, Stomptown Brass, Fabio, DJ Mek, Marc O’Reilly, Waldorf & Cannon, Elaine Mai, Slow Place Like Home, Ryan McMullan, Delta Fuse, A Different Animal, Motion DJs.

With their unique blend of quality acts, beach sports,  surfing and a stunning location right on Bundoran beach on the Wild Atlantic Way, Sea Sessions has evolved organically over the years and is much more than just a music festival.

Sea Sessions surfing and sports events have become an important kick off to the tourist season in Bundoran and have made Sea Sessions an integral part of the Irish festival circuit.  Winner of IMRO Festival of the year at the 2017 IMRO awards alongside picking up the gong for Festival of the year at the “Excellence in local Government Awards”, Sea Sessions has gone from strength to strength.

Sea Sessions 2018 festival lineup includes Dizzee Rascal, Walking On Cars, Rudimental, Everything Everything, Hannah Wants, Dusky, Delorentos, Chasing Abbey, Hudson Taylor, Le Galaxie, Jerry Fish, Kormac (Av Show), Fekky, The Blizzards, Versatile, DJ Yoda (AV Show), Wild Youth, Greg Wilson, Stomptown Brass, Fabio, Ryan Mc Mullan, The Hot Sprockets, DJ Deece, David Keenan, Wille & The Bandits, Slow Place Like Home, Waldorf & Cannon, Amber & The Bear, Marc O Reilly, Get Down Edits, DJ Mek, Brave Giant, New Valley Wolves, Elaine Mai, The Clandestinos, 1000 Beasts, Vernon Jane, Thumper, Alan Finan, Delta Fuse, Salty Sea Dogs, Bpm, Colin Perkins, A Different Animal, Order of The Mess and Ciara Brady.

Over the years such luminaries as Tinie Tempah, Paul Weller, Bastille, Seasick Steve and loads more have graced their unique stages. The Festival started way back in 2008 as an after party for a Surfing Competition. Now it holds the top Surfing Competition in the country as well as hosting the worlds top skateboarders, BMX’ers and loads of beach sports. Supported by and working with DonegalCounty Council and Failte Ireland the event has become an important kick start to the tourist season for the capital of Irish surfing in Bundoran.

Early Bird tickets have now sold out but tickets are still available from all Ticketmaster outlets nationwide, www.ticketmaster.ie. Priced from €109.90 for 3 days and €134.90 including 4 nights camping. There’s also limited single day tickets available from €49.50, Surfer Bar (VIP) Upgrades from €50 extra plus Glamping options. Check www.seasessions.com for more details.

Sea Sessions
22nd – 24th June 2018.
www.ticketmaster.ie and Ticketmaster Outlets Nationwide

Forget Daft Punk. Forget Enya. The Stasi are the new soundtrack to your collective existential crisis. Think big guitars, whiskey stained vocals and smart songs that linger in the mind like last night’s indiscretions.

Their first album ‘Love In The Age Of Narcissism’ is out now available from www.thestasimusic.com / SPOTIFY / iTunes / GOOGLEMusic.

Founding members Caoimhe Connolly and James Walmsley spent the best part of a year honing material, playing private shows for friends and late night house guests before holing up in Ravensdale Studios to record in the last days of 2017.

The self-produced tracks are mastered by Led Zepplin, Rolling Stones and The Who producer Jon Astley (no relation to Rick).

On the bass is Jonny Jude and on drums Sean Connolly (he IS a relation -to Caoimhe, not Rick). The boys were torn kicking and screaming from their usual instruments – guitar and bass respectively – to lay down a hefty, straight-up rhythm section.

The Stasi will begin touring with this line-up this summer.

Log on to www.thestasimusic.com to keep abreast of developments.

INDIVIDUAL BAND BIOS …

James Walmsley (Guitars, Vocals) toured the world as frontman for cult comedy rock band Dead Cat Bounce. He made numerous TV appearances in Australia, Canada, UK and Ireland and starred in the multi-award winning feature film Discoverdale. (http://www.discoverdale.com/) His 2016 solo album ‘A Little Wisdom’ released under the moniker Black Wing Bird was picked as one of GoldenPlec’s hidden pleasures. (https://www.goldenplec.com/featured/hidden-pleasures-2/)

Caoimhe Connolly (Vocals, Guitar, Bass) works as a Creative Producer for Festivals + live TELE when she’s not on the microphone. She’s co-founded Voice Over company Dulcet + Gravel, Produces Scene + Heard Festival (http://smockalley.com/sceneandheard/), is the programmer for FLEADHTV,(which won the 2015 IFTA, Best LIVE Event).

Creative audio collaborations include ‘The Voices in My Headphones’ sound installation with Midightscowl Orchestre, ‘Something, Something Vampire’ soundscape with Cabaret Yoko, ‘Lena’ live performance as part of SCORE by Breach + Quinn (DFF, 2016).

Jonny ‘Filth’ Jude (Bass, Guitar, Vocals) Played the first real six string. Seriously.

Previous live shows / guitar shredding for ETC, TTLOVE (not the Spanish LINGERIE) and SHAKALAK; John Cummins (poetician) + Fin Divilly’s (https://www.facebook.com/fin.divilly) who will play Body & Soul, Doolin Folk + BARE IN THE WOODS, Indiependence, Bobstock + All Together Now this summer. HOT YES.

Sean Connolly (Drums) When he’s not in the groove, Sean makes furniture. Also, DRUM.

Comes with own swizzle spoon. Enjoys Silver Darlings.

Saarloos are a new Irish band consisting of acclaimed songwriters Craig Gallagher and Brian McGovern (former Fallen Drakes). Having formed a formidable songwriting partnership they felt a desire to perform their songs together onstage. Together they already racked up a massive combined 4 million plays on Spotify and both have performed alongside artists such as Gavin James, The Coronas, Daniel Bedingfield,  Picture This and Bon Jovi. As well as touring across Europe selling out show’s in Amsterdam, Rotterdam an three Sold Out nights Dublin Whelans. Their debut single “Changes” is release his Friday 9th May and is produced by London based producer Ollie Green. Saarloos will be opening for Gavin James for all upcoming Irish and European tours starting May 30th in Brussels.

30 May 18
Het Depot
Leuven

31 May 18
De Oosterpoort
Groningen

01 Jun 18
TivoliVredenburg
Utrecht

02 Jun 18
CAFE DE LA DANSE
Paris

04 Jun 18
KØBENHAVN V Lille Vega
Copenhagen

06 Jun 18
Nachtleben
Frankfurt Am Main

07 Jun 18
artheater Köln
Cologne

09 Jun 18
O2 Shepherds Bush Empire
London

11 Jun 18
Santeria Social Club
Milano

12 Jun 18
Amboss Rampe
Zurich

16 Jun 18
Live At The Marquee
Cork

20 Jul 18
Galway Arts Festival, Big Top
Galway

21 Jul 18
Kings John’s Castle
Limerick

28 Jul 18
Trinity College Park
Dublin

facebook.com/saarloosmusic
twitter.com/saarloosmusic

A. Smyth continues his run of releases with his third single of 2018.

‘Coming Back To You’ follows hot on the success of ‘Be There’, a track Nialler 9 highlighted as one of his Irish songs of the week and which GoldenPlec applauded for its “shimmering folk sound reminiscent of Ryan Adams”.

Adams is again a touch point on ‘Coming Back To You’, a raucous track that further highlights Smyth’s ability to flit between genres.

Sounding as radically different as it is familiar, the rollicking punk-infused track calls to mind The Replacements and Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers.

Producer Darragh Nolan (Asta Kalapa) is again at the helm, while a video has been produced by Ultravíolet (Jason Foran & Conor Maloney), an emerging cohort of Irish music video directors. Cinematography on the ‘Coming Back To You’ video is provided by Rua Meegan (Outsider, Ryan Sheridan).

Live Shows:

Whelan’s Dublin May 5th (Supporting Hue & Cry)
Empire Music Hall Belfast May 6th (Supporting Hue & Cry)
Music @ Meltdown Dublin May 10th
Whelans Dublin May 13th (Men for Repeal)
Castlepalooza Festival  Co Laois August 4th
Indiependence Festival Cork August 5th

www.facebook.com/asmythofficial
www.twitter.com/asmythmusic
www.instagram.com/asmythmusic
www.asmythmusic.com
www.soundcloud.com/asmythmusic

The title track from Robb Murphy’s second album, ‘Sleep Tonight’ featuring The Ulster String Quartet is being released with the support of The Samaritans. It aims to raise awareness for mental health and the importance of communication rather than suppressing the condition. Prescription medication is of course required in some cases, but too often we resort to it as the only solution. Accompanying the song is the just released animated video by Maria Bevcar that narrates the issues an individual may face in day-to-day life. The video helps to highlight some of the best sources of help – reaching out to family, friends and experienced professionals.

While creating the album ‘Sleep Tonight’ Robb’s mother passed away unexpectedly. She had suffered from a mental illness for many years, undergoing treatment with many different medications but sadly this therapy never provided her with long-term relief from her illness. The recording of ‘Sleep Tonight’ gave Robb a focus and helped him during this loss. As the album’s finale, ‘Sleep Tonight’ brings to the forefront all of Robb’s creative endeavors in a six and a half minute production. This is the last release from the ‘Sleep Tonight’ album. Robb is currently working on new material

The animation video was released at the beginning of Mental Health Awareness week on the 14th of May. The single is available for pre-release now and releases on the 1st of June. All proceeds will be donated to The Samaritans.

Ralph McLean of BBC- Radio Ulster says, “Robb Murphy is a real talent. His songs are melodic and magical. He writes from the heart and the results are spellbinding.”

Live Dates:
3rd of June at 101 Donegal Street, Belfast.
Animation screening and full band show with The Ulster String Quartet.
Support by Randall Stephen Hall and Brigid O’Neill