The Carmillas is a new band that combines one of Ireland’s most exciting young voices, with veterans of the local music scene. The initial fruits of their collaboration can now be discovered on the – Portals EP – a collection of 4 songs to showcase their combined talents.
Fronted by Molly, who also takes centre-stage with highly regarded local punk duo Vulpynes , The Carmillas includes some of Ireland’s most seasoned musicians, including Peter O’Sullivan (Stars of Heaven ), Conor Brady (The Blades ), Niall Austin (Brian ) and drummer Robbie Kelly, who has taken up sticks for many local favourites including Something Happens and The Fat Lady Sings .
Over the past 20 years, under the name Grand Canal, these 4 have collectively provided writing and musical support for a host of Irish legends including Ronnie Drew, Moya Brennan , Mary Coughlan and celebrated opera sensation, Claudia Boyle (who also makes a guest appearance on Portals ).
While The Carmillas’ Portals EP is grounded in melodic rock-sensibilities, the punk intersection is further amplified by Austin, who previously co-wrote and composed Ronnie Drew ’s final album, ‘Pearls’ with Public Image Limited co-founder, Jah Wobble .
In addition to being available on CD and through a host of streaming sites, The Carmillas’ Portals EP is also unique in that, in experimenting with new ways of engaging listeners, it pushes the bounds of emerging technology as the ‘World’s First Augmented Reality Record Release’.
Accessed through a smart phone App, available through both the Apple and Android Play stores, this ‘Portals’ App takes you into a totally immersive, alternative dimension, placing the listener at the centre of the band’s live performances.
Walking around the band’s studio, you can then tilt down to check out foot pedals, watch the chord sequences being performed or tilt up towards whatever’s happening above. And by turning your phone, you can even see back into the ‘other world’ you’ve just come from !
“At a time when music has been reduced to just an audio file and static image, The Carmillas wanted to not just introduce our sound but also to take the listener to an entirely new dimension, providing them with an experimental, immersive experience that they’ll not have seen or heard before”, said Austin. Compatible with most modern smart phones, downloading it for free – just allow plenty of space to try it out!
Download for Apple/iOS phones : https://apps.apple.com/us/app/the-carmillas-portals/id1613128424
Download for Android phones : https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.digiportals.thecarmillasportals
The Carmillas have also recently completing filming of a track for the Arts Council-funded ‘Virtual Verse ’ initiative, where artists like Camille O’Sullivan, Jafaris and Fair City’s Rebecca Grimes each performed a poem from this year’s Leaving Certificate English syllabus. Filmed live with 360 cameras at the Mill Theatre in Dundrum, The Carmillas delivered a compelling version of Emily Dickenson’s ‘I Felt a Funeral in my Brain’ , a studio recording of which also appears on the Portal’s EP. The resulting compilation of performances will shortly be distributed through a school’s tour featuring Virtual Reality headsets, taking students into a new dimension designed to ‘bring poetry to a new dimension’.
Stream Portals by The Carmillas below:
