Kindred ‘Our Tomorrow’ Album

Formed in the picturesque countryside of the South-West, Kindred are a five-piece indie rock band formed of members Fran Crandon, Ian Scott, Helen Sayer, Ian Anstey and Clive Millar. The 5-piece have recently released their debut album ‘Our Tomorrow’, distinguishing themselves from other ‘young rockers’ by taking influence from more traditional genres like folk, which is reflected in their debut. The album is written by guitarist Ian Scott (better known as Scottie) and released on his own record label, ScottSound Ltd, and recorded at the White House Studios. Consisting of 10 engaging tracks,’ Our Tomorrow’ has already picked up support from local radio shows, particularly the track Sunset Surf, written about how it feels to be surfing that special wave, whilst missing your loved one. As well as this five, special mentions go to Heidi Neil for backing vocals and Josh Munyard who played bass on selected tracks on the album.

‘Our Tomorrow’ is a captivating collection of indie rock songs from luscious sweet melodies smothered in bouncy vibrant instrumentation –  it’s a little box of light indie treasures. Its folk influences add a feathery lightness and wholesome depth to the tracks. From the first animated note of ‘She’s My Girl’ it’s obvious this album is set up with positive pick me up good vibes and spirited tunes. It’s elastic with a spring in its step peppy rhythm and jangly guitars teamed with sparkling elegant piano twinkles between the sweet melody. The soft charming vocals add a sugar-coated smoothness and delicious dreamy vibe. Naturally ‘Sunset Surf’ takes you to sunshine and sea air. Zealous stabs on guitar squirt some refreshing zest into the hazy laid-back track while a longing melody flows fluidly throughout. ‘Friend’ has a doo wop-esque  creaminess which adds a touch of animation to their toothsome collection of tracks. Each song becomes more positive and elastic than the previous it’s like walking into a musical that is bursting with smiles sunshine and enthusiasm without becoming too cheesy. Those guitar lines interweaving between the melodies are sublime and add a glorious tropical radiance. ‘Moonshine’ displayed this superbly with its dazzling lustrous guitar solo. The keys in ‘Our Tomorrow’ is about as peppy and gleaming as possible yet light and heavenly. The track oozes warmth and with a well layered sound featuring meticulously crafted details placed perfectly to create a wholly unique experience that is soothing, soul lifting and pure- it’s hard not to let your spirits be lifted. With tracks called ‘Summer Days’ and ‘Free’ they have created your positive feel good playlist. Even final track ‘Baby Blues’ is a fun swinging danceable number. It’s the cheeriest bluesy jam spread generously on a slice of swagger soaked rock and roll.

‘Our Tomorrow’ is a charming collection of tracks clearly designed to brighten your day and it does that for sure.

​20% of the sales of ‘Our Tomorrow’ will be donated to the children’s charity Bibic, which supports children and their families who struggle with brain related disabilities such as Down Syndrome, ADHD and cerebral palsy.

Stream ‘Our Tomorrow’ below


Dan Rico ‘Flesh & Bone’

Chicago Singer Songwriter Dan Rico has released his new 7″ called ‘Flesh & Bone’. Its three tracks back in time to all things glam rock, vintage pop and beautiful. It’s a timeless collection that rewinds all the hustle and bustle and brings you swagger and slickness suave at its best. ‘Flesh & Bone’ resurrects Mark Bolan in all his glam rock strutting fineness. Its gritty riff driven and smooth as hell. Snappy and thrilling with lush backing vocals teamed with Rico’s oh so smooth vocal croons its like it could be a T-REX track. With steamy guitar licks and a shimmy ready flamboyance its sure to get those hips shaking and feet tapping.  ‘Gold Volvo’ is just beautiful. Sweet vocals and luscious melody glide immaculately together while jangly guitar blasts bright rays of sunshine into this hazy dreamy track. Gentle and soothing its a sun kissed heart felt sublime tune that oozes nostalgia. ‘Anyway You Want Me’ continues this timeless laid back sentimentality. With a delicious pop melody smothered on a rock and roll slow jam this track cruises and glides with charm and charisma. It is so mellow and easy-going with a clap along rhythm and danceable chorus, Rico knows how to write some infectious tunes. Perfect for hazy lazy days in the sun.

Stream ‘Flesh & Bone’ below


Donal Quinn ‘Twat’

Following a string of big dance bangers during summer 2017 and the BBC 6 Music plays of “Massif Anthem”, Drogheda-based indie dance artist Donal Quinn has released his new single ‘Twat’ which was recorded in Hackney, London with top producer Tom McFall (Kasabian, Snow Patrol, Bloc Party). With its shuffle slow jam verses and sway ready radio friendly chorus ‘Twat’ is a sing along anthem (well until you pay particular attention to the words). Smothered in soft velvety tones, it’s a sweet melancholic drown your sorrows tune with a few cheeky lyric jabs. Featuring a sombre strong piano chord progression, soft beat and lush melody it has everything you need to create a wistful ear worm. This ditty even comes packed with a steamy sorrowful guitar solo. Its damn catchy and smooth on the ears. Keep an eye out for Donal Quinn.

Stream ‘Twat’ below


Royal Blood at the 3Arena Dublin with support from Black Honey and At The Drive In

Rock duo Royal Blood ascended into the 3Arena Sunday night for their biggest headline show in Dublin to date. The band who have built a devoted fanbase with their hard-pummeling rock have been known to put on some insane live shows and the 3Areana was no different. I’ll admit having seen the lads perform at smaller venues before and experienced the raw intense show they put on I was afraid that a larger venue would lose that intimate mania…. I was wrong.

Brighton four-piece Black Honey kicked off the night for their Dublin debut blasting straight into ‘All My Pride’. Front-woman Izzy Baxter (who popped outside before the show to give queuing fans posters and encourage them to stay warm) exuded sass and swagger with every hip pop and powerful point at the crowd. It’s difficult to connect with the crowd with a lengthy runway between you and the audience but she ventures as far out as her guitar lead would let her and wallops out as much charisma and oomph as possible. It’s an enchanting display as Baxter commands the stage with a daring poise that can only be admired. Their tracks, undoubtedly catchy with spaghetti western guitar wails it’s fiercely thrilling live. The hazy fiery ‘Madonna’ with it’s blazing guitar lines follows using the shrilling distortion and hysteria causing intro of ‘Somebody Better’ as its chaser. They belt out solid tunes that blend hazy dreamy melodies with shattering drums and scorching guitars. Baxter’s sultry vocals radiate over the dizzying instrumentation as she struts about exuding a fierce confidence. “Sláinte” she says while lifting her drink to the crowd, “did I get that right? … what’s the craic?..what is the craic though?” she questions before the steamy new single ‘Dig’. ‘Hello Today’ sparks a clap along among the crowd and you have to hear ‘Spinning Wheel’ live that’s all i’m going to say, it was dynamite. Black Honey are an exciting band for sure who amply coped with the large crowd and put on an exciting show. With a debut album due next year, I can’t wait to see what they do at a headline show here in Ireland.

At The Drive In followed and wow words can hardly describe the experience. Cedric Bixler-Zaval leapt rolled, kicked and wailed his way through the set. It was hard core brain assaulting mania and the crowd loved it. With his signature mic drop and kick trick as he strutted down the runway oozing swagger and attitude it was a swanky spectacle for sure. With tracks accelerated to neck breaking speeds they had the crowd pumped and ready to rock. “yeah that’s right tell your momma tell your nan” he shouts before the frantic ‘No Wolf Like The Present’. The crowd erupt into a blur of moshing heads and flailing limbs. “Can you feel it in your veins?, can you feel it in your teeth?, let me see your teeth” he bellows while the crowd scream back and you could for sure feel the sound pounding through your body bashing your senses. It was a mighty frenetic set that was unforgettable. Cedric Bixler-Zaval is tireless he doesn’t stop moving from climbing onto the speakers and karate kicking to springing into the air frantically. He gets the audience riled up and pumped. The mass of spiraling interweaving guitars pulverising drums and screaming vocals grip the crowd into submission, At The Drive In are a force to be reckoned with.

Royal Blood take to the stage as the crowd explode with screams and whoops. ‘Lights Out’ sets the fans alight. The duo have an impressive red laser light display which encased the band for the first track and with artistic screen images they were ready to make an impression. Every lyric, riff and drum roll was bellowed out by the crowd as frontman Mike Kerr takes every opportunity to strut down the stage to the crowd. There’s a lot going on from stage hands swiftly placing mic stands as Kerr moves about the stage to rapid guitar changes. Favourites from their self-titled debut album sparked massive cheers and huge sing alongs. Their fans adore them and make filling an arena like this easy for the pair. Kerr has grown into his frontman role and is taking it in his stride as he slickly blasts out those lusty beefy riffs. “I don’t believe this is happening to us tonight this place is huge” he admits before the explosive ‘Come On Over’. It’s a tireless set of moshing singing and hair everywhere. Ben Thatcher’s pulverising drumming is so powerful and mighty it sends the crowd into a frenzy of headbanging. With dashing backing singers introduced for ‘I Only Lie When I Love You’ these guys exude a new suaveness. They’ve learned a lot and for a two-piece filled the arena with their larger than life swagger. Track after track is announced to mammoth screams and whiplash causing headbanging. They pulled out all the stops from a dramatic clap along, shredding solos to a stick on fire hitting a gong. Royal Blood made sure they put on a show to remember. There was crowd surfing, pushing, fighting for the drum sticks Thatcher threw out followed by the “Olé, Olé, Olé” chant. The duo had the crowd in the palm of their hands. Though these guys have developed a rock and roll persona they haven’t left their humbleness behind “we feel very uncomfortable right now. Worst front man of all time.  I’m a man and I’m at the front and that’s it.” Kerr admits before the knock out  ‘Hole In Your Heart’ which sees Kerr relocate to the front of the stage to play keys. Kerr recalls their first time in Dublin where they got “so f**king drunk… I feel like we fit in here, I feel like we all drink the same”.

The crowd scream and stomp for the encore until Royal Blood triumphantly return with ‘Ten Tone Skeleton’ and the fierce ‘Out Of The Black’ which causes total anarchy among the crowd. Thatcher approaches the crowd stepping up on the barrier they fight over him and reach forward to grab any and every part of him so much so he says “whoa whoa hang on guys”. They leave the stage like heroes as the crowd bellow, scream and clap.

Royal Blood blew the roof off the 3 Arena. They steamrolled in and blasted out a cracking show losing little to none of the manic intensity of their more intimate shows.