Category Archives: indie rock

Worth A Listen

Our Worth A Listen Track This Week Comes From The Howlers 

The Howlers have released their debut single ‘LA Dolce Vita’. Formed in May 2018, London’s Desert Rockers The Howlers have gone on to receive critical acclaim for their ferocious live performances.The track has been played on BBC Radio 1’s Indie Show as well as on John Kennedy’s show on Radio X.

‘LA Dolce Vita’ is a searing debut as The Howlers introduce themselves with a scorching sound – blistered, festered and coiled in desert western-esque guitar and confident instrumentation. Catchy and razor sharp, the track simmers through rooted bass and flexible drum laced verses while the sizzling guitar whines majestically through the humid backdrop. With raspy vocals, infectious chorus and sing along lyrics- this sweltering number blasts through on refined, swagger steeped instrumentation. The Howlers ooze rough and ready panache and  ‘LA Dolce Vita’ is an exhilarating debut to announce them. The rawness and precise musicianship is quite masterful and makes for one thrilling track.

Watch the video for ‘LA Dolce Vita’ below 


The Covasettes ‘It’s Always Sunny Above The Clouds’ EP

The Covasettes have released their debut EP ‘It’s Always Sunny Above The Clouds’. Catching the summer sun and bottling it in this glorious four track EP The Covasettes have captured summer and made it bite-size and ready to unleash anytime of the year for nostalgic daydreaming or for enjoying as you create those summer memories. Brimming with zesty radiant guitar and catchy melodies each track is a lustrous gem. From the energetic  ‘Twit Twoo’ with its rooted groove, jagged guitar and carefree atmosphere to ‘You & I’ an energetic love smothered sprightly number,this four piece present us with a youthful burst of exhilarating indie. They layer their tracks superbly with a heavier crashing instrumental backdrop for the crescendos while remaining buoyant and sun kissed. Each track is a delight on the ears. Delicious melodies grace the jaunty backdrop for the sing along friendly ‘Let’s Go’ while the warm and easy on the ears vocals from Chris Buxton adds a charming quality to the songs. With elastic bass lines running riot around the punchy buoyant drums, these guys set a strong, dance floor coaxing foundation to their sound. The EP’s  beach time, adrenaline inducing pace is relentless right up to the final track ‘Fine Lines’. Golden guitar jingles flood the track with glimmers of scintillation while the breezy jaunty backdrop keeps you craving more. 

‘It’s Always Sunny Above The Clouds’ encapsulates summer as The Covasettes flesh out their tight fun indie pop through glorious infectious melodies, big choruses and sublime instrumentation. A fantastic feel good debut EP from this young four piece. 

Commenting on the EP , frontman Chris Buxton said: “To me, it’s the best piece of work we’ve ever done, each track gives you something different from the last, but they all come together to paint part of a bigger picture. It’s something we were really keen to achieve, we didn’t want to put four ‘random’ songs together and call it an EP, we wanted to create a journey that people can jump into and I really do feel we’ve achieved that. We’ve been consumed by this EP for the last 6 months, and we’ve been speaking about it for 6 months before that, so it feels so good to be finally putting it out. Every time we’ve had a spare few minutes we’ve been sat recording, tweaking and slaving over this EP and we couldn’t be more proud of it. It really feels like the next chapter for us, we’ve had an incredible start to 2019 and now we have this to propel us to the next level; I just can’t wait to see what everyone thinks to it… I’d be telling a lie if I said we weren’t all a little bit nervous.”

Stream ‘It’s Always Sunny Above The Clouds’ below 


Gin Palace Self -Titled EP

Northern Irish band Gin Palace have released their debut self-titled EP. The band have created a three track EP brimming with sun sprinkled indie and sublime melodies. With intricate jangly guitar weaving beautiful zest drizzled melodies throughout each track the EP is a delight and easy on the ears. ‘Sophia Loren’ sets the EP in motion allowing the wonderful guitar lines to flourish through a buoyant rhythm and groove infested bass. ‘Passing By’ follows with evening sun set tones and sombre hues while ‘Mondegreen’ closes the EP with a slow dance croon. Delicate and moonlit the track drifts on a steady beat and passionate melody while the brass element pines and laments through the swoony soundscape.

Gin Palace take us from scorching summers days to chill evenings with this sublime three track EP. Their use of brass floods each track with warmth and rich textures however its those golden intricate guitar melodies that lifts the tracks and makes them so charming and captivating. It’s a sublime debut EP from Gin Palace as they showcase their precise and compelling musicianship.

Stream ‘Gin Palace’ below 


The Vanns ‘Mother’

The Vanns have released their new single ‘Mother’ taken from their long-awaited debut album.Developing a strong live show and presence off the back of high-profile support slots with artists including Catfish and The Bottlemen and Ocean Alley, as well as selling out their recent run of shows of their own on the east coast, The Vanns have been at work on their craft since their inception in 2013.

‘Mother’ is a laid back groove rooted indie rock track as The Vanns stroll through this exhilarating number with a suaveness and prowess that is admirable. Jangly guitars saunter through the verses, relaxed and sun kissed before blistering and scorching into the epic chorus. With an elastic hip moving bass and punchy drum backdrop the band build and layer this track superbly to create the most thrilling and exciting track. With raspy vocals cooing through the verses and expressive chorus it’s an instantly likeable rock n’ roll tune that packs a serious punch. Refined, swagger dipped and laced in oodles of passion and fantastic instrumentation ‘Mother’ gives us another reason to keep an eye on The Vanns. There are big things ahead for this band.  

Watch the video for ‘Mother’ below 


Scally ‘Guilty’ Video Release

Scally has released the video for his new single ‘Guilty’. The track is a luring brazing number smoldering on a  hotbed of blistering instrumentation and rooted rhythmic grooves. The elastic bass weaves and tantalizes with relentless stamina while the shrilling guitars soar and sting through the turbulent wall of sound. It’s a hefty brawny track however Scally teases and entices the verses holding the blustery rock for the massive chorus. It’s a brassy brutish blast of Scally’s musicianship with refined intricacies embedded throughout. With a kick ass guitar solo and swagger dripping vocals ‘Guilty’ is another smasher from Scally.

The video for ‘Guilty’ was filmed in the beautiful city of Amsterdam by Conor English and sees Ethan Scally prancing about the city getting up to all sorts. From alcohol soaked antics to running around in flamboyant attire it’s a sin filled video perfectly placed for the track. 

Watch the video for ‘Guilty’ below


Indie Buddie Introducing : Fagash McCann

Northern Ireland two Piece Fagash McCann have released their new single ‘Black Lipstick Kiss’. A slinky ambitious track ,‘Black Lipstick Kiss’ is a riff driven lusty mammoth that showcases Fagash McCann’s ability to create a satisfying powerful number. The duo rein in their wild wall of sound binding it with tight muscular bass riffs and punchy drums. The bass weaves steamy elastic melodies through the drum beat while attitude soaked vocals exude swagger. The track boils and burns beneath the robust blues-hued rock instrumentation while the sleek melody seeps into the ears with ease creating the perfect balance between sensually smooth and razor sharp.This rough and tumble gem has a Royal Blood vibe without leaning too heavily on the comparison. There is a lot blistering and sizzling beneath the depths of this track and as a drum and bass duo these guys create and layer their sound superbly.

Stream ‘Black Lipstick Kiss’ below 

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New Valley Wolves ‘All You Do Is Talk’

Dublin rock duo New Valley Wolves have released their new single ‘All You Do Is Talk’. Comprised of Jonny Lucey ( vocals/guitar) and Baz Joyce ( drums) New Valley Wolves have toured extensively around Ireland, UK, Netherlands and Canada since releasing their critically acclaimed debut album ‘Refusal is our Weapon’ in 2015. They have become festival favorite’s for their raucous and high energy live shows. In April 2018 ‘Cut-Throat’, the first single from their ‘Gospel’ EP went straight to #1 in the Irish Rock charts. New Valley Wolves have also toured with ex-Queens of the Stone Age and Kyuss bassist Nick Oliveri as well as rock legends Black Stone Cherry.  

‘All You Do Is Talk’ builds on New Valley Wolves’ fiery, enraged sound as they batter the track in their signature lancing guitar riffs and savage drums. This band has a knack for creating a hell raising, blood curdling tune. ‘All You Do Is Talk’ ferments beneath a gritty slick riff while a pounding rhythm creates the perfect backdrop for summoning your inner demons. It’s a catchy, dark track with intricate guitar elements weaving between the acute riffs while Baz Joyce’s’ drumming pummels through your skull with relentless groove infested stamina. Jonny Lucey’s authoritative vocals howl through the stomping beat, wild and mercilessly while the crashing and powerful wall of sound created by this duo compels you to mosh and go absolutely crazy. These guys have crafted one raw mean machine of chaos in ‘All You Do Is Talk’.

To celebrate the new release New Valley Wolves will be playing a run of shows you can catch the band live at:

July 13th Crane Lane, Cork

July 26th Cow Bay Belfast

August 3rd Fibber Magees, Dublin

Stream ‘All You Do Is Talk’ below 


Jester ‘Summertime’

Thurles band Jester have released their new single ‘Summertime’. Jester are Colly Dempsey, Mark O’ Dwyer, Tomas Maher, Niall O’ Shaughnessy and David Fitzpatrick. In 2018 they signed a publishing deal with UK based independent record label Velvet Moron Records, the brainchild of Dave White (Biffy Clyro, Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, Kasabian, etc.). Their debut album ‘’Shadows Need A Light’’ was released in March 2019 on the label. The release coincided with an Irish tour culminating in a sold out show in their home town of Thurles at the Source Arts Centre in mid-March.The band formed over ten years ago in county Tipperary, Ireland and have had a lot of success over the years playing festivals and club gigs the length and breadth of the country and beyond, sharing the stage with some of the biggest acts in the country and beyond including The Fun Lovin Criminals, The Blizzards and Paul Weller amongst others.

‘Summertime’ drifts in on balmy guitar twangs and a sway- like tempo as Jester venture into their sweet sentimental side. Wrapped in romantic tones this delicate number floats on acoustic guitar and radiant hazy electric guitar pines. The track builds and unfolds beautifully into a classic rock crescendo as the guitars develop becoming more sharp and expressive while the drum kicks in. There is a sublime instrumental break which will have live audiences punching the air in dramatic passion as they lilt that shredding lamenting guitar solo with oodles of gusto. It’s a compelling track filled with cosy Bon Jovi – esque tones as the band take their catchy rock sound and strip it back into a snug charming number. 

The band are currently back rehearsing their set list for a string of dates around the country over the coming months in support of their upcoming single ‘’Summertime’’. 

You can catch Jester Live at:

De Barra’a Clonakilty . Cork July 27th

Feile Beag, Thurles Aug 4th

Tipp Classical , Semple Stadium, Thurles September 21st

Stream ‘Summertime’ below 


The Sheratons ‘Part of a Picture’

Leeds indie rock band The Sheratons have released their new single ‘Part of a Picture’.The band is fronted by singer and lead guitarist Kane Bulleyment with Caty Labbett playing bass, Finley Ryan on guitar and the secret weapon powering the band, Emma Liu on drums. Since their formation they have caught the ears of BBC 6 DJ Steve Lamacq and BBC Introducing DJ Alan Raw.

‘Part of a Picture’ is a fluttering swoon of nostalgic indie at its most invigorating. Zest filled jangly guitar weaves radiant golden sunshine through the punchy drums and groove laced bass to create a youthful rush of adrenaline. The laid back vocals drift effortlessly over the melty melody while the vivid instrumentation floods the track in suspenseful bliss and kinetic energy.Its a catchy and instantly likeable number from The Sheratons.

Watch the video for ‘Part of a Picture’ below 


Fangclub ‘Vulture Culture’ Album

Dublin’s Fangclub have released their eagerly awaited sophomore album, ‘Vulture Culture’, on Vertigo Records. The band kick off their headline UK and European tour this October, opening in Liverpool and closing in Dublin’s Button Factory. They will also play Indiependence Festival, Cork on August 4th.

 ‘Vulture Culture’ is an experience – each track spirals towards the next in a gush of frenzy and turmoil while Fangclub showcase their expressive, explosive and majestic musicianship. Within this album Fangclub refine their sound, lacing each track with intricate guitar, raw bass lines and dynamic drum progressions. The album lulls into motion with ‘Last Time’. This beautiful track is made up of extracts from a confessional note that vocalist Steven King wrote his girlfriend, (which he sang to her in a lamp-lit studio). The band ease us into the album encompassing tender emotion and turmoil in one sublime slow burner. This delicate gem stops time and introduces the fragile aspects of the album with glistening guitar, reverb whispered vocals and a dreamy nostalgic melody. The track builds superbly becoming more vigorous as the drums and guitars crash into motion bringing about that powerful expressive sound we have come to love from this trio. What a track to introduce the album it’s everything the album contains and more. Title track ‘Vulture Culture’ has the trying job of following and boy it doesn’t disappoint. Stomping in swagger soaked and filled with bravado ‘Vulture Culture’ struts on slinky guitars, pulverising drums and snide vocals. With its jagged gallop and creepy carnival jingle on guitar, this light fun track is a daring cocktail of sinister and dark with a cynical zesty twist to add a sting to the palate. 

Epic choruses and a robust wall of sound flood through the darker ‘Nightmare’, ‘Hesitations’ and  ‘Kingdumb’ concreting the mosh ready hair raising effect of the album as each track takes you further and further into this glorious festering experience. ‘Viva Violent’ adds a steamy flourish to the album with its jangly guitar infectiously weaving between the elastic beat and rooted bass groove leading to the feisty chorus eruption. The melodies in the album, as always are catchy delicious spreads of honey that roll and drift into your mind in sweet easy doses. Each track has its own slinky raw manner which adds a sublime character and lovable quality to each song. Themes of fear, paranoia, addiction, love and despair all spew, ferment and curdle through ‘Every Day’  ‘Heavy Handed’ and ‘All I Have’ while the band use their musical prowess to create an instrumental whirlwind of shrilling guitar, beefy bass lines and mammoth drums creating the most thrilling and commanding backdrop. ’Black Rainbow’ is another gem within this treasure trove. This adrenaline inducing track drives through the gritty darkly smothered verses setting the tune up for another blasting chorus however, strikingly the band break into a sweet, light, fluffy chorus with King cooing over a dreamy, euphoric backdrop. There is of course a heavy crescendo but the track winds down into repetitive soft vocals, acoustic guitar and piano end – allowing us a glimpse of a more elegant side to Fangclub as we are lulled into a whimsical state of bliss. This track is fast becoming my favourite on the album. Its opium soaked melody and rich peppy rhythm mixed meticulously between the contrasting, brain-frazzling mania is masterful. ‘Slow’ closes the album ensuring our thirst for more is unquenchable. A beefy beat, luring guitars and attitude soaked vocals end the album on a massive high. You can’t get bigger, better or more frantic (well these guys probably will ) but it’s an enticing, vaporous and anthemic number that I can imagine is utterly mind blowing live. The track is raw, endearing and filled with enormous moments from crashing slick guitar to ground shaking bass lines and first class drumming.  

Fangclub have created a phenomenal album with ‘Vulture Culture’. Once you listen to the album you will never be the same again. It is brimming with passion and curdling themes of confusion, sadness and violence. The band express this through fiery intense instrumentation that surrounds you and consumes you in a world created entirely by Fangclub. The tracks reach deep into the crevices of your subconscious and lay bare your emotions and experiences – raw and exposed but contained within this powerful medium. ‘Vulture Culture’ is pretty potent musicianship.

Stream ‘Vulture Culture’ below