Single of the Week: Slow Riot with ‘Pink December’
With a whiff of The Smiths about them art-rock three-piece Slow Riot return with new track ‘Pink December’,released February 13. ‘Pink December’ offers a tantalising glimpse of a new sound being forged in the band’s Limerick rehearsal space. The signature deadpan vocal delivery and motorik driving bass remain, but gone is the athletic, lean post-punk in its place we find layers of dense guitars, tribal drums, and half-heard backing vocals slowly unveiling themselves as the single progresses. Says vocalist Niall Clancy: “Sonically it’s our most satisfying Slow Riot track. At the core of a lot of our songs are some pretty intense themes and rather than just hint at those through the lyrics we wanted to drag them to the surface through the whole atmosphere of the song”. Regular producer Kevin Vanbergen (The Pixies, The Maccabees, Dinosaur Pile-Up, The La’s and Biffy Clyro)was again at the helm of this production, steering the creation of this intoxicating atmosphere. Slow Riot are now in writing material for their debut album, for release later this year. Check out their new website here Listen to ‘Pink December’...
Video of the Week: Bitch Falcon ‘Clutch’
Releasing their first material in a year Dublin trio Bitch Falcon enter 2017 unapologetically with new single ‘Clutch’. An introspective look at intrusive thoughts, this four-minute distillation of the band’s volatile-yet-hypnotic sound introduces new elements in the form of electronic textures and synth-based layers. Recorded at Orphan Recording Studios and Asylum Studios/Bow Lane over a two-day period, ‘Clutch’ was engineered and mixed by Robin Ball, who previously worked with the band on ‘Wolfstooth’ and ‘Breed’. Fergal Davis handled mastering duties, following on from his work on ‘TMJ’. Directed and produced by Allyn Quigly of Spice Burger the video contains 90’s references including Nirvana and Skunk Anansie utlising Lizzie Fitzpatrick’s energy and physical performance to capture the mood of the single. According to Quigly “For this, we always knew we wanted to do something performance based. Even though we’d never done anything like this before we felt Lizzie’s stage presence was just too powerful not to take full advantage of. From here we met with the band, chatted about some of the meaning and inspiration behind the song as well as 90’s music videos that had an early impact on them. We developed an idea based around two opposing forces. The first represents a kind of external pressure with various images that give a sense of suffocation and constriction; of pushing and breaking through a bond. We then mixed this with a second thread that communicated a kind of internal energy. A visual representation of that internal rage. In this world, Lizzie was able to move without resistance, just pure, uninhibited energy. As the video progresses these two things push and pull against one another more and more to give what we hope is a spin on a traditional performance piece that’s a little abstract and a little visceral.” Catch Bitch Falcon at the following shows February 10 – Central Arts – Waterford February 11 – Kavanagh’s Pub – Portlaoise February 16 – Roisin Dubh – Galway February 18 – Dolan’s Warehouse – Limerick (supporting Redneck Manifesto) February 25 – Workman’s – Dublin March 10 – Connolly’s – Leap March 11 – Cyprus Avenue – Cork Watch ‘Clutch’...
Music Cork launches in Cork Opera House
Cork singer Stephanie Rainey was on hand in the Cork Opera House tonight to help launch new venture Music Cork. Taking place over three days between May 10-12, Music Cork will create a unique opportunity in Ireland to listen to some of the best industry professionals talk about their work and experiences, see the best new talent perform and enjoy plenty of opportunities to network with speakers and delegates over three days of intimate social gatherings and shows. Music Cork has already confirmed some great speakers for the event, including Darcus Beese, President of Island Records. The event will also bring together agents of the calibre of Geoff Meall (UTA / Muse), Steve Zapp (ITB / Biffy Clyro) and Josh Javor (X-Ray / Coldplay), alongside people who understand publishing like Martin Toher (B-Unique) and Tommas Arnby (Locomotion). Some other delegates involved in the three-day event are manager of Kodaline and Stephanie Rainey, Ricardo Zambak, Adam Barker, Director of Business Affairs for Universal Music UK, Rebecca Allen, Managing Director of Decca and Marc Robinson, Managing Director of Globe. More great industry professionlas are yet to be revealed. Music Cork will be showcasing a small selection of new Irish artists in a series of shows over two days,” said one of Music Cork’s organisers, Jim Lawless, “combining the newest talent and some of the great new acts already emerging from the Irish scene. “We’re also very pleased that Niall Byrne (Nialler9.com) is already confirmed to curate one of the lineups. “We aim to provide an opportunity for some of the best new Irish artists to be seen by the high calibre of international industry professionals attending. It will also be a great opportunity to be showcased as part of an event that will be a new focus for the best of the Music Industry in Ireland.” In addition to this, there will be opportunities for attendees to network with some of the industry’s top minds on the Music Cork Pub Crawls, at a networking breakfast and during Friday’s Networking Day Trip – more details on these to follow. Further information and ticket details can be found at...
Video of the Week: Lore with “Never Got Over You”
Northern Irish group Lore blew us away with their version of ‘Teenage Kicks’ before Christmas and we are even more impressed by their latest offering. Recorded in Sonic Visuals Recording Studio by Brian O’Kane. The video captures the band at a Slemish Session displaying their folk infused soulful single ‘Never Got Over You’. Watch the video for ‘Never Got Over You’...
Quarter Block Party for weekend take-over
With the annual Quarter Block Party only days away from making a welcome return to Cork City energy levels are ramping up for a great line up of music, word and performance. Taking place over the weekend of February 3-5 in various venues around North and South Main Street in Cork city the festival presented by Makeshift Ensemble and Southern Hospitality Board is a series of unique events – aiming to present art in unusual locations; celebrate the street’s unique character; and open up the historic quarter of Cork over a vibrant weekend of fun during the quieter months. Featured events include Brigid Mae Power, Naive Ted, Snake Talk, Volxkuche, Ian Whitty, Le Boom, Mira Fuchs, Crevice, Sissy, Ganglions, Wastefellow, Alternative Route, Oose, Gash Collective, Now Then A Prologue, Sky Horse & Death, Baby, Anna Mieke, Dowry, Lowli, The Rave Space, Arthuritis, Nature & History Tour, How Music Works, Bum Notes, Dragaoke, Not Earth, Super Silly, Rowan, Pale Rivers, Skinner, Myles Manley, Darragh McLoughlan, Paradise Poetry Dispenser, Triptych, Vinyl, Sing Along Social. For tickets and information go to...
