Video of the week: Ailbhe Reddy’s “Fingertips”
Ailbhe Reddy has come out fighting with her latest release Attach To Memory and the EP demonstrates the positive affect touring has had on the Irish singer/songwriter with up-tempo led tracks and strong but simple accompaniment. ‘Fingertips’ is the lead track from the EP and the track and it’s accompanying video are true to Reddy’s vision. Never one to shy away from a topic that is affecting on ‘Fingertips’ Reddy explores female sexuality with a frankness and honesty we have come to expect from her. The video is a graphic visual representation of what it feels like to fall for someone. First, it’s a lightening touch before being overwhelmed in emotion, and paint. Ailbhe Reddy is an artist with a clear vision of who she is and what she’s about. No apologies given take her as she is which is a glorious representation of Irish women in 2017. And she has just been added to the Glastonbury lineup along with a full festival lineup over the summer, a sign of things to come. Check out ‘Fingertips’...
Bobby Green reviews The Fontaines new single “Liberty Belle”
Review: Bobby Green I do get genuinely excited when I get to review a single that comes in under 3 minutes, and with “Liberty Belle” loaded up at 2.38 I thought I’d make myself a nice cup of tea and strap myself in for one hell of a ride. But this wasn’t quite what I expected….. This is beautiful basic Rock n Roll, the like I’ve not heard in some time. The Fontaines are a Dublin 5 piece that have been gigging around Dublin and impressing everyone who sees them. It’s like they’re showing us all the basics and we’re all falling in love with the rock n roll sound again. They’ve opened for some seriously great bands, too, including next big things The Lemon Twigs, YAK and Hinds. They also kicked off Girl Band’s Mayo show. Their debut single “Liberty Belle” is out now and will be available on iTunes and also on limited edition 7”, stocked exclusively at Tower Records. ...
Sonera release new single Claustro
Review by Bobby Green “Claustro” is the deeply infectious groove laden alternative rock debut from Irish four piece Sonera. The band were formed from the remnants of Beautiful Corruption and consists of Oisin Wolfe, James Brown, Simon Cooke and Rory Cooper. Speaking of the change they said. “Beautiful Corruption was a name we picked as 16 year olds, before Rory was even in the band and at a time when we may as well have been different people. We’ve grown and evolved as a band and for the last while we haven’t felt at home with that name. The things we’ve learnt over the years along with the obstacles we’ve overcome have shaped the band we are today. This is a fresh start for us, a new identity under which we can launch our career as a band. And with that we’re proud to announce that our new single ‘Claustro’ will be released at the end of this month with an Irish tour to coincide” There’s a huge slice of stoner rock about their sound but enough of an alternative influence to stop them being a stonner band. This hugely impressive debut comes off the back of some energetic live performances throughout 2016 and with the release of “Claustro” they’ll no doubt be some great gigs to push them even further into your consciousness. Check them out now in these intimate venues before it’s too late, they might not be playing them for too much longer. The new single is out 28th April with a tour to promote it. https://www.facebook.com/wearesonera/ April 27 -Fred Zeppelins, Cork April 29 – Central Arts Centre, Waterford April 30 – Murphy’s, Thomastown ...
Warsaw Radio impress with “Still Have You To Hold”
Review by Bobby Green There’s a whole plethora of reasons why certain bands make it and certain bands don’t, but those reasons get fewer and fewer when it comes down to longevity. And I believe that the main reason a band will stand the test of time is quality. Quality not only in the song but in the delivery, I’ve seen my fair share of great live bands but ultimately couldn’t deliver away from the stage and even more bands that are just shocking live. With this in mind I believe Warsaw Radio are a band of genuine quality and their single ‘Still Have You To Hold’ could be the slow burner that keeps them warm for some time. Brían McNamara’s vocal isn’t a million miles away from Liam Ó Maonlaí of The Hothouse Flowers with its richness and warmth. You could imagine it belting out raucous stomping anthems that scream with meaning, but it would also be the whisper of emotion so delicately sung in an intimate setting. With ‘Still Have You To Hold’ it is accompanied by some beautiful strings that lead the song on a beautiful dance that will leave you enchanted by its lush beauty. This latest single was mastered by John Davis (U2 and White Lies) at Metropolis in London and follows up on their critically acclaimed single ‘After Eve’. They are currently in studio finishing off their debut album, in their adopted home of Brighton, with Mercury Nominated Producer Jag Jago (The Maccabees and Florence...
Bobby Green experiences loss and hope through Elaine Mai’s new EP “The Colour Of The Night”
Review by Bobby Green I’m delighted I invested in a new set of headphone recently because Elaine Mai’s The Colour Of The Night EP sounds absolutely phenomenal through them. Her atmospheric concoctions slowly wrap you up and lift you to a plateau of heavenly delight as you groove along to the sweetest of melodies she has become known for. The EP kicks off with Enniscrone and sets the tone wonderfully for the 5 tracks that are an uplifting delight for the listener. Almost three years in the making, her new EP is a cathartic piece of work which centres around the common human experiences of grief and hope, but you’ll also find elements of pure joy too. Elaine says ‘Over the last few years, I have encountered close personal grief for the first time and this track is about that experience. The melody and movement in the strings are a musical representation of the journey from sorrow and despair to acceptance and hope. Although the person you loved is gone, there is joy in their memory, solace in the time that was shared together and “The Colour of the Night” captures that for me.’ Elaine Mai will be playing the Body and Soul festival, Westmeath // 23rd – 25th June, her music is tailor made for events like this and I’m sure her performance will be one of the ones worth capturing. The Colour Of The Night EP is out...
