Tag Archives: New Music

Rory & The Island ‘When The Lights Go Down (Valhalla)’

Irish singer-songwriter Rory & The Island has released his brand new single ‘When The Lights Go Down (Valhalla)’. Rory’s journey began as lead singer of indie-rock band The Revs, who found themselves topping the Irish charts with two top 5 albums and a string of successful tours making waves throughout Ireland, Europe and even reaching Australia with a top 30 single. After the bands split in 2007, Rory moved to a remote island in the Canaries where he opened a live music venue ‘The Island Bar’. It was here the Donegal songwriter performed weekly residency shows building up a cult following of people from all over the world that would travel to the island to come and see him perform. It was also here that Rory & The Island was born and he began his solo project. Two albums later, Rory independently earned himself 8 top 30s, 2 top 10s and a number 1 single in the Irish charts. As well as performing all over the UK and Ireland supporting the likes of Ocean Colour Scene, Feeder and Alabama 3. 2019 saw Rory leave the island, return back to Ireland and extensively tour, filling out rooms around the UK and Ireland with his London show at The Dublin Castle selling out within 48 hours of going on sale. 

 ‘When The Lights Go Down (Valhalla)’ is a warm, catchy track saturated in the melodious songwriting of Rory & The Island. With a steady beat and buoyant acoustic guitar strum the track has an instant foot tapping charm. Rory’s velvety tone and subtle rasp caresses the infectious melody with a laid back tone while the sparse guitar strides add a dash of edge and indie rock to the song. It’s a passionate track which talks about the battle of keeping a sustainable career as an artist in a difficult industry through wonderfully rich and warm musicianship. 

Stream ‘When The Lights Go Down (Valhalla)’ below


Author : Danu

TV People ‘String’

Indie-punks TV People have released their new single ‘String’. Joining forces with Dan Doherty at Darklands Audio (Fontaines D.C., Vulpynes) and Christian Wright at Abbey Road Studios (Radiohead, Blur, LCD Soundsystem) the Dublin outfit are taking on 2020 with force; building a name for themselves as the latest in a wave of talent bursting out of Dublin. ‘String’ follows the release of singles ‘Nothing More’, ‘Kitchen Sinking’ and ‘Time Eats Up’ earlier in 2020, with ‘Nothing More’ collecting praise from Huw Stephens on BBC Radio 1, Steve Lamacq on BBC 6 Music and The Line of Best Fit to name but a few, ‘Kitchen Sinking’ earning a spot on Spotify’s ‘An Alternative Éire’ playlist, and ‘Time Eats Up’ receiving heavy promotion from the legendary Abbey Road Studios.

 ‘String’ is a perfect example of TV People’s personal and thought provoking musicianship. Exuding cold, sombre tones, the track pivots around precise drum beats and sharp chimes on guitar. Simmering dark undertones rumble under sweet guitar refrains and moody, lonely soundscapes as the song builds against a shadowy backdrop.

TV People craft their tracks beautifully. They expertly capture emotion through their instruments while also giving the guitars, bass and drums characters of their own within the song. It is as if the band allow the instruments to freely wander about the track engrossed within their own consciousness – a fantastic display of musical prowess. In true TV People manner the track builds becoming more harsh and expressive without losing the lonely casual pace. The drums and bass increase in intensity while the piercing on guitars embellish the track in bittersweet tones. 

Penned in the cruel clarity of hindsight, the lyrics ruminate on addictions and self destructive behaviours. Evoking a sense of dissatisfaction, regret and at times anger; the lyrics give the listener a glimpse into the writers thoughts at the time ” .. as I become my own regret…”.The honest and poetic nature of the lyrics is complimented greatly in their delivery. Paul Donohoe’s vocals are nonchalant yet emotive. His deep mesmerising tones guide the listener through the track’s drifting soundscapes and brooding atmosphere. 

There is something about this track that is intriguing; perhaps it is the poetic flair and artistic turn of phrase within the lyrics or perhaps it is the clever and expressive use of instruments within the songs brooding soundscape. One thing is for certain, ‘String’ highlights a moment of significant musical growth for TV People and showcases the bands lyrical depth and deft musicianship. They have honed in on their sound and established themselves as ones to watch.

Speaking about ‘String’, frontman Paul Donohoe details: “String’ is about my past experiences with addiction and using self destructive behaviour as a coping mechanism for life’s problems. In the culture we have surrounding drinking and sessioning, the line between having a good time and seriously damaging your mental health isn’t always clear. Self-destructive behaviour is normalised and even encouraged. I’ve seen a lot of people around me going through it. It’s hard to escape from even when you’re aware that it’s a problem because it’s so hidden and ingrained in the way that we socialise. The song is about the feelings of hopelessness, regret and frustration that I’ve felt in the past when I’ve been stuck in that situation and the damage that they do to your mind over time.”

Stream ‘String’ below


Author : Danu

The Clockworks ‘Enough Is Never Enough’

The Clockworks have released their new single ‘Enough Is Never Enough’. Formed in Galway and drawn together by a mutual appreciation of all music, past and present, The Clockworks are a four-piece comprising James McGregor on Vocals/Guitar, Sean Connelly on Guitar, Damian Greaney on Drums and Tom Freeman on bass. The latest and last in a series for Alan McGee’s Creation 23 label sees the Galway four-piece take aim at the injustices and prejudices rife in our society with an assault of straight-up punk rock.


The Clockworks paint a vivid picture of our fractured society with new release ‘Enough Is Never Enough’; a concise, energetic and hard hitting track which is sure to knock your socks off.

Clever and well placed lyrical content is where The Clockworks excel. With raw commentary and witty turns of phrase McGregor’s biting delivery wavers between emotional, disgust and nonchalant acceptance, “And everybody loves to bitch, Factions speak louder than herds”. The canvas for the track is a bristly energetic blend of harsh punk rock and moody grunge with a sweet peppering of indie to provide a buoyant light embellishment on top. A constant drum beat crashes between the rumble on bass while jaunty guitars meander between striking, acute exclaims and gentle laments accompanied by an infectious melody which coils underneath; the band use these contrasting elements to build diverse textures into the song which are a delight to listeners ears.

The Clockworks ability to wrap energetic soundscapes around an expressive lyrical delivery is impressive and makes the track entirely consuming. ’Enough Is Never Enough’ is a vigorous and catchy tune from a band that keep getting better with each release.

Speaking about the track James of The Clockworks says: “This was the last song we wrote in Ireland. I’d been working on the lyrics for ages. I like to write about the social or emotional by writing about a specific character or scene. I think focusing on the particular and the specific is the best way to get to the general and abstract… Musically, this song was all about getting the feeling right. We wanted it to be forceful and relentless but also for there to be enough space for melody and emotion.”

Stream ‘Enough is Never Enough’ below


Author : Danu

Da-sh ‘See You Later’

New Australian pop punk band Da-sh have released their new single ‘See You Later’.Da-sh is the brainchild of Ashlie Woods and David Thompson who hail from sunny Western Australia. Recorded with Troy Nababan at Hammerspace Studios, the song came together quickly after singer Ashlie and guitarist Dave had created a demo in their pyjamas at Dave’s house.

‘See You Later’ is a blistering whack of pop punk as Da-sh present their raw vigorous sound with plenty of passion and attitude. With shredding guitar slashing into the pummeling drums, Da-sh create a meaty crashing wall of sound brimming with fiery angst. The rumbling on bass wriggles through the songs underbelly creating an ominous dark undertone while the catchy pop punk melody and powerful vocals showcase the band’s might and energy. As the track explodes into its brawny raw chorus the lyrics boldly remind us that we are better off without toxic people, no matter what they try and make you think. ‘See You Later’ is a lean, mean, powerful new single from Da-sh. 

The video for the track was shot with Joseph Varley of DarKSpirit Photography. Speaking of the video, Da-sh says “We love how Joseph’s videos have an ominous undertone. Even though the video is quite bright and pretty to look at, there is definitely the darker context there.” 

Watch The Video For ‘See You Later’ below


Author : Danu

GEOFF ‘Nothing Lasts Forever’ Album

GEOFF has released his latest album ‘Nothing Lasts Forever’. With a polished and clean sound, ‘Nothing Lasts Forever’ is the second studio album to come from electro-alternative rocker GEOFF. 

Exuding hook filled melodies, ‘Nothing Lasts Forever’ is an anthemic album laced in alternative rock. From the exuberant energy and shredding guitar riffs of ‘My Egirlfriend’ to the thumping beat and rush of adrenaline in ‘You Dream Away’, GEOFF creates a diverse and explosive listening experience. Within this album we see pop punk melodies, driving rhythmic foundations and soaring guitar riffs. There are glimmers of 80’s pop within ‘Last Chance’, while ‘Treason’ provides a glimpse into the passionate and expressive alternative rock side of GEOFF. Delicate tunes such as title track ‘Nothing Lasts Forever’ showcase the depth within GEOFF’s vocals as he coos through sweet melodies, elegant strings and soft guitar lines.

‘Nothing Lasts Forever’ is a collection of spine tingling heartfelt tracks. Displaying dramatic vocals, shimmering synths and passionate ballads, GEOFF utilises his refined musicianship to create an album of uplifting, diverse and dynamic tunes. 

Stream ‘Nothing Lasts Forever’ below 


Author : Danu

A Chat With : Bloxx

We caught up with lead singer, Ophelia (Fee) Booth from BLOXX to talk about the release of their debut album ‘Lie Out Loud’ and their huge UK tour scheduled for spring 2021.

‘Lie Out Loud’ has been a long time coming for the Uxbridge four piece, and follows a glorious ascent since BLOXX exploded onto the scene four years ago with their definitive brand of confessional, relatable indie pop. The album features the huge singles ‘Go Out With You’, ‘Coming Up Short’, ‘Thinking About Yourself’, ‘Off My Mind’, alongside a wealth of new material that showcases the band’s journey so far, which has seen them play huge shows, build an army of fans and amass over 30 million Spotify plays.

You guys have released your debut album Lie Out Loud. You guys burst onto the scene four years ago. Why did it take four years to bring out an album, were you crafting your sound, readying for this release to make it as cohesive as possible?

We really just wanted to build a bit of a name for ourselves with singles and Ep’s. Crafting an album can be a long thing when you’re brand new to the industry. It feels good to not have rushed it all.

Talk to us about the title, why did you choose to call the album ‘Lie Out Loud’?

It came as a bit of a shock when i said it out loud, and I didn’t actually think it made much sense until I dwelled on the idea that it actually does. We spend, as humans, a lot of time convincing ourselves that we’re being honest with ourselves, when we can just be lying. The act of lying out loud is the idea that we’re so unaware that we’re lying, we’re doing it out loud. A lot of the tracks on the record deal with personal things for me, and the feeling of the above. 

It’s an album of cracking energetic indie tunes with shredding guitars, driving rhythmic sections and oodles of energy. How did you guys approach the writing for this album?

I think it’s important for me to write as if I’m trying to write a song for the stage. I love the idea of a crowd in my mind when I’m writing. 

You have a wonderful knack with writing earworm melodies. Talk us through how you come up with these melodies. Do you spend time ruminating on them or does it just come naturally? 

A lot of it is patience, listening and feeling the music. But I am always singing to myself, sometimes around supermarkets I’ll have to grab my phone and record a melody that I’m singing. I listen back most of the time and it’s absolute nonsense.

To coincide with the album release, You have unveiled a new single ‘5000 Miles’. It’s an unconventional love song that perfectly encapsulates the feelings of love, lust and growing up in a British satellite town. Tell us about that song and what sparked you to write it?

It is about my girlfriend at the time whom I met in the US. When I left I was really upset and penned half of the lyrics for this tune on the flight whilst drinking red wine. The music came later in this case, which is unusual for me. 

Do you write your songs from personal experiences? If so do you ever feel anxious that the people you are singing about will know the song is about them? 

Yes sometimes but I usually send a text explaining that there’s no hard feelings. In some cases people think it’s about them when it’s not at all. I find that quite funny, but if the glass slipper fits I say! 

How did you choose which tracks you were going to put on the album?

It was a bit hard but most of them were no brainers. I rarely hate a song that I write. Except for ‘Lay Down’. Bin that one.

‘It Won’t Work Out’ is one of my favourite songs on the album. Tell us about that track and how you crafted it?

Oh right, amazing! Me and Steph Marziano spent a hot hot day in the studio just writing and this happened! The four on the floor really makes that tune for me, and the way it opens up with guitars in the second part. It’s a cool one.

Do you have a track that you are particularly proud of?

 I think it has to be ‘Coming Up Short’. We were totally able to completely capture my energy and my song writing style in that song. I’d love to think that’s my sound down to a T. 

Fee your vocals are strong and emotive while oozing attitude and swagger have you always been a confident singer?

Oh no, I used to be awful really. Confidence is so key to performance, and I didn’t have any, but I’ve taught myself that feeling strong makes you act stronger so I’m not nervous anymore.

You have constructed a solid reputation through touring extensively with the likes of indie giants Two Door Cinema Club and The Wombats, hitting up major festival stages and rapidly churning out anthemic crowd explosive tunes. I bet you were gutted that you haven’t been able to tour the album this year?

Yeah! We’ve been really lucky actually! We were really gutted yeah. Having to cancel loads of shows really hit us hard, and I’m sure it’s hit everyone! Just can’t wait to get back on the road.

What tips have you picked up playing these shows with Two Door Cinema Club, The Wombats and Sundara Karma, as well as the festivals like Reading, Leeds and The Great Escape?

I think it helped us grow up a lot. We got to live on the road for a bit and being away from home and family when you’re young is how you learn to be independent I think. All of the bands we’ve toured with have been amazing to us, and it’s been so great to learn things like etiquette and also how to perform better! 

You are set to celebrate the album’s release with a huge UK tour scheduled for spring 2021. What have you got planned for the shows?

So many great things. We want to make those shows the best we’ve ever played. Getting to play album tracks for the first time in front of people will be the best feeling. I penned some of these tunes to be live anthems, so we want to bring everything to the table next year for all the fans.

Do you have any advice for anyone watching who wants to start a band or career in music?

Keep going, write a load of music, stay true to your ideas and your sound, and never stop dreaming big. 

What’s next for you guys?

More music, more shows, energy and some cool surprises early next year!

‘Lie Out Loud’ is a tight, vigorous album and an impressive debut. BLOXX pack oodles of energy into these passionate tunes and the result is a hook laden album which evokes the raw energy of a live gig as well as providing a refined satisfying body of work locked and loaded for repeat listens. 

BLOXX are set to head out on tour in 2021. Check out the dates below 

APRIL

15 – The Rescue Rooms – Nottingham

18 – Riverside – Newcastle

19 – King Tuts – Glasgow

20 – Brudenell Social Club – Leeds

22 – Academy – Manchester

23 – The Bullingdon – Oxford

26 – Thekla – Bristol

27 – Heaven – London

Stream ‘Lie Out Loud’ below


Author : Danu

Event News : Rachel Grace Takeover

Rachel Grace will takeover our Instagram and Facebook for a live stream on Saturday at 8.00 pm

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/indie_buddie/

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/indiebuddie/

Rachel Grace is a singer songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who has been creating music from a very young age. At 13, she released her debut album and now at 18, she has just recently won the Four Star Pizza, Star Nation competition. Along the way she has also supported established Irish musicians such as Wallis Bird, Brian Deady, Don Mescal and Paddy Casey. She has also played a number of festivals including Vantastival & Electric Picnic.

Grace is a diverse and engaging performer who blends genres to suit her wonderful emotive style. Her mesmerising vocals showcase a warmth and maturity beyond her years, as do the passionate and well crafted tunes she writes. Grace stops time when she sings and her soulful songs and dreamy melodies are a joy to listen to. 

You can stream Rachel Grace’s new single ‘Cry Me An Ocean’ below 


Author : Danu

SUNDOWN’Dead In The Water’

SUNDOWN are back with their latest release ‘Dead In The Water’. The Dublin quartet sold-out a headline show in Whelan’s last year and have toured Ireland with gigs from Belfast to Cork, including their festival debut at Independence and supporting acclaimed artists such as Sion Hill and Larkin’s. 

‘Dead In The Water’ continues SUNDOWN’s run of adrenaline-inducing, turbo-charged tunes. Boasting deft production and evoking a sense of youthful energy the band’s sound is mature and impressively tight. Burly riffs and a resounding rumble on drums introduce the track’s lonely desert atmosphere before the song begins to trot and then gallop into the chorus accompanied by blistering guitars and a rooted bass which ignites with roaring intensity. A passionate yet chilled vocal delivery drifts over the melody, simmering and bubbling with dramatic glimmers on synths, which at times peer through the epic stride on bass and relentless drums. The band rein in the songs ebullient tenacity allowing tense and utterly thrilling soundscapes to continually build until the blazing guitar solo finally announces the songs pinnacle moment. SUNDOWN have an exciting sound and the tunes they are whacking out are of a high standard and substance. Keep an eye on these guys, they are going places.

Stream ‘Dead In The Water’ below 


Author : Danu

Dunluvly ‘Something On My Mind’

Dublin-based singer/songwriter/producer Dunluvly has released his new single, ‘Something On My Mind’.The song is the second release off Dunluvly’s upcoming EP, ‘Plethora’.

Exuding a chilled atmosphere, subtle R&B elements and indie pop melodies, Dunluvly crafts ‘Something On My Mind’ superbly. The multitude of textures created through looped guitar and meticulous attention to detail showcase just how talented Dunluvly is as an artist. Each subsequent listen provides a new treat to the ears as it reveals a new melody, rhythmic pull or electronic twinkle within the song’s rich sonics. With warm indie guitar peering behind a lo-fi beat and agitated percussive progression Dunluvly creates a vibrant backdrop for his smooth vocals and hook filled melody to flourish within. ‘Something On My Mind’ is wonderful track from Dunluvly. Looking forward to hearing more from Dunluvly.

About the track Dunluvly says, “I wrote the track when I was in the decision making process of trying to move out. I was going a bit mad living at home with my family, and feeling mounting frustration at the impossibility of moving out in the county that I grew up in. The song expresses the agitation of wanting to fly the nest but feeling chained. It felt impossible to work to afford a place to live and also have the time to pursue creative endeavours.“The main hook of the track is a looped melody that repeats quite a bit in the song. It mimics being caught in a mental loop and being haunted by the same recurring thoughts.” 

Stream ‘Something On My Mind’ below


Author : Danu

Matt Warren ‘Bill’s A Fool’

Inspired by conspiracy theories and those that relish in spreading them comes the new single from UK pop punk artist Matt Warren. Tongue-in cheek ‘Bill’s A Fool’ takes on the character that we all see on social media with an opinion about everything. Cheshire based Matt Warren has carved out his own path in music, pushing the boundaries of hair metal and punk music. He played in bands throughout his teens, even getting scouted by a number of top-class labels and management companies that worked with artists like Deus and Space. His early band Smackwater Jack was formed in the 90’s and gained much critical acclaim before coming to a halt in the mid 2000’s. During the Covid-19 outbreak, Matt Warren once again picked up his guitar and returned to writing. This recent project has resulted in a debut solo album, made up from two months of rigorous writing and some 30 songs.

‘Bill’s A Fool’ is a sun soaked alternative pop/rock track oozing a glorious melody spread upon Matt Warren’s witty songwriting and hook-laced backdrop. With jangly guitars executing sharp riffs through a buoyant beat the track is an upbeat fun tune. Showcasing smooth vocals and lush harmonies, Warren pokes fun at society while providing an energetic catchy gem that is sure to make you smile. 

Stream ‘Bill’s A Fool’ below


Author : Danu