Social commentary from The Clockworks
Drawing comparisons to the likes of The Streets, Artic Monkeys and The Libertines Galway Indie-Punk band The Clockworks make writing social commentary attached to a catchy hook look easy. The groups latest single “The World Owes Me A Favour” is some of their strongest writing to date and they are backing it up with Irish and UK dates. Wedged full with precise comments and razor sharp observations The Clockworks take the Irish political system to task. And they do so while referencing some of the great Indie-Punk social commentators of recent times creating a sound that is International but is playing out in each of our living rooms. Rusangano Family did it from Limerick and now The Clockworks are embracing the values of punk to decry the current state of affairs in Ireland from outside the capital. Heralding a situation where meaningful commentary is being created in the vacuum left by Dublin demanding to be heard. Catch The Clockworks when they play: Aug 26 – 96/1 Festival, Cork Sept 21 – Roisin Dubh, Galway Watch the video for “Te World Owes Me A Favour”...
The Scratch release new music with Vico Road
Review by Bobby Green The Scratch are a 4 piece from Dublin / Cork who play an exciting brand of traditional music that will ignite a passion within you. They look like they’ve found Howard Marks hidden supply in the Galtee Mountains and you’d fully expect them to start playing Hells Bells rather than the pulsating melodies and rhythms they are now becoming famous for. When music is played with this much passion it’s impossible to not be effected by it, Imagine Malcom Young’s driving rhythms with a traditional Irish flavour and you’ll be getting close to the sound these lads are creating. I’m not sure how the traditional purists would take to these guys, but they look like they couldn’t give a pair of monkey’s balls what anyone thinks. And with music this good does it really matter. The single “Vico Road” is out now, and to hear it live is an experience you need in your...
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’...
Song of the Day: Pine The Pilcrow “Dahlia”
After stunning Irish media and fans alike with their self-titled debut EP in 2016 Pine The Pilcrow return in 2017 with a new agenda and promise of a second EP in May. “Dahlia” is our first taste of their new music. As we saw last year Pine the Pilcrow make their own rules and the hypnotic, dreamlike quality of “Dahlia” calls on folk traditions but it’s their unorthodox approach to these traditions that make them such an exciting Irish act. Combining classical and pop elements into “Dahlia” we find Pine the Picrow at their most innovative and a reminder of why they created such a buzz when they emerged onto the scene. Catch Pine THe Pilcrow on the following dates June 2nd YouBloom June 3rd Vantastival, Louth June 23rd Civic Theatre June 25th Body and Soul July 21st Ballinamore Fringe Fest July 28th The Tin Church Laragh, Monaghan Aug 5th Arcadian Field, Dundalk Aug 6th Feile Beag, Thurles Sep 3rd Electric Picnic Watch the video for “Dahlia”...
Bobby Green reviews The Grey Merchant’s new single ‘Convenience’
Review by Bobby Green Convenience is the 3rd release from the Cork based music collective ‘The Grey Merchant’ and is as focused and socially charged as you’d expect from these lads from the peoples republic. I remember hearing their 1st release, ‘Spotless (The Protecting Veil)’ and being really impressed and eager to find out how their sound would evolve without being so reliant on such an iconic vocal sample. But after ‘The Last Transmission’ and now ‘Convenience’ I’m now aware that The Grey Merchant aren’t just a collective with some talent and spare time on their hands, they really mean business. I’ve been getting bored of the bleeding hearts that are so commonplace in Irelands music scene, open up a blood bank and do something useful with all that spillage lads because at last there’s an Alternative Rock band with something to shout about on the horizon. It’s only Hip Hop nowadays that really has something to say on street level and even that’s getting a bit turgid and distasteful in some places. But The Grey Merchant are stomping down your street right now, shouting out loud and maybe waking a few people up. And if this is a flavour of their debut album ‘Avenue De Rennes’ expected in late July this year, then I’m sure it’s going to be fucking tasty. Convenience goes on release May 31 2017 on Spotify, iTunes, and the usual digital platforms, but if you can’t wait that long then jump on ‘The Last Transmission’ & ‘Spotless (The Protecting Veil)’ while you...
Kid Karate release remix of Redbone
Review by Bobby Green Kid Karate originally played ‘Redbone’ as part of a live radio session, but after performing it live they went back to the studio to record this slick remake of the Childish Gambino hit. This is a perfect follow up to their pulsating single ‘No Way’ that brought about a sense of freedom for the band with the addition of bassist Ian McFarlane. There’s still chugging bass lines and propulsive drums that their fans expect, but at the heart of this new sound is honest song writing about how they interact with each other and a new sense of effortless groove to the music. This reminds me a lot of when Beck gets all soulful and funky and that’s no bad thing. ‘Redbone’ is dripping with charisma and style and will have you driving around town with the windows down nodding like a pidgin, this could well be your new favourite groove. Listen to ‘Redbone’ below...
