Minutes To Midnight has released a video to his track ‘Love Field’ taken from his debut solo album ‘After 1989 – A Trip To Freedom’. After a long stint as an audio professional in the gaming industry, Simone (Minutes to Midnight) has now turned his focus into music production. After extensive experience working with other artists, arranging, co-writing, and mixing, M2M has decided to tell a very personal story of his in the medium of a concept album. ‘After 1989 – A Trip To Freedom’ is a thoroughly crafted concept, it’s the result of a personal journey through a painful family legacy during World War II, and the tumultuous decades that followed.
‘Love Field’ is another emotive display from Minutes To Midnight as he creates a chilling icy track with light piano twinkles and warm guitar jingles. The tune floats delicately on a lamenting tone as Simone builds its intricate parts softly to create rich qualities and diverse emotions throughout. With the drums adding a punch and bite between the rooted bass line there is a groovy almost funky jazz-like quality that creates a hopeful undertone. Simone coos over the smooth melody however the track is mostly instrumental with an audio clip depicting the events as they were reported at JFK’s Assassination. The superb build on the track creates tension as the guitars whine over the progressing backdrop. Its another striking track from Minutes To Midnight.
The video takes us through the arrival of JFK and his wife Jackie in Dallas before his infamous demise. Through a variety of black and white and colour video clips we see the joy, celebration and devastation created by one event as JFK is shot. The entire video tells this story in an honest and emotional way. Simone fantasises about waving at Jack and Jackie, or leaning over the window of a sixth floor, or being Abraham Zapruder, standing still while everything changes.
Seventeen year old Gabe Beckles has released his first single ‘Winona’ under the name Floral Sounds.‘Winona’ – This dreamy sweet delight is a magnificent introduction to Floral Sounds bedroom produced pop. With a swoony ethereal soundscape creating a hazy laid back utopia the track floats elegantly into the ears. The twinkling keys meander through a soothing melancholic hued melody that is so sweet it almost brings a tear to the eye. The strong beat, slaps and buoyantly keeps a solid foundation while the supple electronics wisp and surround the listener in a candy floss-like sound. The deep vocals create a luring echo throughout, like a mysterious voice in a dream that you follow while the glistening guitar and keys slip you into a delicious lulling world of wispy fog and dizzying tranquility. Floral Sounds have created a narcotic world within this track that submerges the listener in gentle lush pop tones and wonderful soft textures. A majestic and sublime debut.
Dublin indie artist Donal Quinn is set to release his new single ‘Bubble’ on November 30th. We sat down with Donal a few weeks ago for a chat and a little acoustic set where he performed the charming new track for us in The Sound House Dublin.
Watch the acoustic version of ‘Bubble’ below
You can follow Donal Quinn on his social media here
Easy Tide have released their new single ‘When The Pills Don’t Work’. Easy Tide is a three piece garage band from Navan Co. Meath comprised of Aaron Dunphy (bass,vocals), Steven Rafferty (guitar,vocals) and Mark Carolan (Drums,vocals).
‘When The Pills Don’t Work’ whirls with acute guitar, driving bass and punchy drums as Easy Tide simmer their agitated garage into an effervescent catchy number. This band create an ethereal atmosphere and dreamy melodic flow between the thick darkened soundscape to lift the track into a more light and airy vibe as if ignoring the harsh jagged instrumental elements. They bubble and boil the buoyant bass line until it wriggles its way into your skull while the drum beat maintains the steady tempo for the brooding verses. The guitars jingle and glisten into the shredding chorus that erupts with a crashing, fuzzy wall of sound and heavy drum foundation.The sweet guitars twinkle and gleam through the track creating a golden ray of sunshine through the bulky gritty backdrop while the expressive vocals dynamically bounce over the moody melody. Easy Tide craft this song seamlessly to create a deft rumbling track slapped with refined elements and harsh rawness – a joy to listen to.
Watch the video for ‘When The Pills Don’t Work’ below
Dürtbürd have released their new single ‘Mongan’s Discotheque’. Dürtbürd are a 4 piece ‘dürtrock’ band based in Leixlip. ‘Mongan’s Discotheque’ which was filmed, recorded and produced by Dürtbürd is a funk flavoured number smacked in gritty dirt rock elements with a hint of soul peppering on top. Slick guitar lines meander between heavy riffs and suave licks with ease as the band showcase their nimble vaporous wall of sound with a brawny punchy quality. The battering drums create a steady, strong foundation while the agile bass rambles about the track exuding strutting panache and buoyant flexibility. The track builds superbly becoming more heavy as Dürtbürd cultivate their sound meticulously to create something truly intricate and refined. With rasp-filled vocals drifting between velvety soul and growl-like howls, the band have created a genre bending number filled with lush instrumentation and exhilarating melodies. ‘Mongan’s Discotheque’ is a gem for all tastes.
LA-based moody rock trio Karma Vulture have released their second single ‘Long Beach Vacation’ along with its music video. The track was Recorded, Produced, and Mixed by Jason Achilles Mezilis in Los Angeles, CA and Mastered by Joel Hamilton.
‘Long Beach Vacation’ is another dark, smudged, alternative rock track from Karma Vulture as they flesh out their sound, staining it in a bluesy hue. With sharp strident guitar jangling and stinging between a steady beat the track bubbles and broods within a tense and blistering atmosphere. The song builds becoming more powerful and vehement for its catchy chorus and scorching crescendo. The band weave a steamy yet eerie bass line into their fiery backdrop while the guitars push and pull with sensual pines and razor sharp riffs. These guys create thrilling raw rock tracks with an organic appeal and sultry backdrop that is utterly compelling. With raspy graveling vocals and a moody melody surrounded by an epic crashing wall of sound Karma Vulture have created an invigorating number to tantalizing our ears.
About the video for ‘Long Beach Vacation’ director Polaris Castillo said :“Inspired by the ancient Mayan concept of Kuxan Suum, which translates to “the road to the sky leading to the umbilical cord of the Universe”, the Long Beach Vacation music video follows a young man as he is plucked from his world and transcended into something greater. If you watch closely, you can see the head of a Maya native in the form of a business card holder on a coffee table in the living room while the young man is catapulted through the sofas. The Mayans believed this umbilical cord is a resonant pathway which connects us through the center of the planet, through the heart of the sun, to the galactic core, and finally, to the heart of all things. While the track signals for a nostalgic trip to the stress-free beaches of Long Beach, the visuals align by taking those same beaches as the transcendental bridge to the great beyond.”
Dublin rock duo New Valley Wolves have released their fiery new single ‘Snake Spit Venom’. 2019 has been a massive year for NVW with high profile supports including six nights on tour with ex QOTSA and Kyuss legend Nick Oliveri, shows with UK rocker Jamie Lenman and their own headline tour. Not to mention the release of their critically acclaimed single ‘All You Do Is Talk’ and two blistering shows supporting Holland’s finest De Staat, who have shared the stage with the likes of the Rolling Stones.
‘Snake Spit Venom’ is a raging, fermented deadly concoction of frantic blues rock with huge dust-laden riffs that whack you in the face and leave you astonished. New Valley Wolves’ raw, dry sound is kicked up a notch as the listener is consumed in the gritty, dirty riff-mania that this duo execute so effortlessly. With pounding drums that bulldoze throughout with ground-shaking ferocity the band grab your ears in a relentless grip of diabolical, unbreakable proportions. It’s a clever well crafted number with an explosive, rough wall of sound carefully encased to minimize the destruction while the vocals spit acid-dipped lyrics with a howling command that will both thrill and chill you to the core. ‘Snake Spit Venom’ is a vicious exhilarating assault on the senses that leaves the listener thirsty for New Valley Wolves’ infectious, rock-filled delirium.
Download ‘Snake Spit Venom’ through the links below
DEADBEAT DREW has released two new singles ‘SUGAR’ and ‘OBVIOUSLY’. DEADBEAT DREW is an independent electronic music project started by Barry Mullaney in late 2018. Currently residing in Dublin, but originally from Mayo, Barry started the project due to a strong interest in music production over the last numbers of years. Deadbeat Drew already has two releases under his belt; NOW I AM HOOKED, which was released on March 29, 2019 and available on YouTube and Soundcloud, and I’M GOING TO GO HOME NOW released on June 7, 2019.
‘SUGAR’ and ‘OBVIOUSLY’ display DEADBEAT DREW’s intricate electronic craft as he blends and weaves hip hop and pop into his tracks. ‘SUGAR’ is more beat heavy with obscure sounds glimmering through the pulsing beats and quivering electronics. The vocals coo a repetitive lyric while the tight dance infused synths and crisp production shuffle and bloop throughout. Ethereal melodies on keys create a pop element and airy texture between the fizzing electronic drops. DEADBEAT DREW’s sound oozes meticulously crafted component elements. He braids these perfectly to create a wholly invigorating house-hued psychedelic mirage. ‘OBVIOUSLY’ follows this trait however with more prominent melodies on keys creating a lighter sweet tone. Once again the flashing beats and rich percussive components add that dance tone but there is a softer 80’s pop element to this track. The deep vocals contrast the feathery melody on keys as Deadbeat Drew creates a dreamy trance-drizzled element to his effervescent sound.
‘SUGAR’ and ‘OBVIOUSLY’ are two sublime richly crafted tracks from DEADBEAT DREW as he establishes himself within the electronic dance genre.
Dutch five piece De Staat took The Academy, Dublin by storm last night. A band renowned for their high energy, intoxicating live shows brought their trademark fun, shredding tunes and dancing to the Irish crowd who went utterly bonkers for the band. It was an incredible sight to behold.
Dublin’s rock ‘n’ roll duo New Valley Wolves took the task of warming up the crowd in their stride. ‘Shake Your Bones’ aptly kick starts their set loosening up the crowds hips. This band are a raw rock duo that produce no nonsense tracks saturated in steamy blues and gritty riffs. Their lusty sound filled the venue with razor sharp guitar lines and pulverising drum progressions that could shake the floor of hell. Their set is a battering assault of crashing rock at its purest. ‘Animal’, ‘Eyes On Me’ and ‘All You Do Is Talk’ wrestle the ears and command you to dance and mosh and the crowd gladly obliged – headbanging and bouncing to the duo’s infectious rock. There is little banter with the crowd – Jonny and Baz are there to rock our socks off and boy! they did. The duo were as tight as ever, musically impeccable and their sound dropped into the venue like a heavy atom bomb. Jonny’s vocals howl out the sharp spitting lyrics while he nimbly maneuvers through slick swagger-filled riffs with ease. There is a coolness to this band that oozes out of everything they play – well, that is until Baz describes them as “dad rockers” to which Jonny replies “ don’t say that we will look un-cool”. The band play their new single which is due for release tomorrow ‘Snake Spit Venom’ – a catchy, acid drizzled slithery number laced in the neck breaking drums and fiery riffs that New Valley Wolves are known for. This band are professionals and are unfazed by the task of warming up the crowd. They sprawl their scorching tunes into the atmosphere consuming all with ears. I’ve seen these guys perform to a packed venue of their devoted fans moshing and jumping in unison a few times now so it’s refreshing to see the band perform to a new fresh-faced audience and see them win them over one by one until the crowd are moshing and wiggling by the final ballsy track ‘Fire In The Blood’. There is never a lagging moment in this duo’s set and they put on a whopping, fantastic show no matter the setting.
De Staat enter, casually taking up their instruments as the crowd cheer in excited anticipation. Torre Florim the ever flamboyant and entertaining frontman dressed in a silver suit begins to wiggle and dance while he spits out the lyrics to ‘Me Time’. The five piece are an increasingly eccentric and energetic band and their show even more so. Last night De Staat’s set traveled between genres. Wobbly, piercing and intricate guitar maneuvers come from Vedran Mircetic, who is perhaps the most calm and collected person in the venue. His stance is simple and his guitar pedals are almost uncountable as he steps and strides his way between different combinations while producing the most exhilarating and unique sounds. ‘Down Town’ creates stomping frenzy among the audience. The rapid gallop of the track is a hyperactive infection that causes limbs to flail in every direction imaginable. Rocco Hueting multi-tasks between synths, percussion and guitar but it’s that ‘Pikachu’ dance he performs with Florim that is the icing on the cake. These guys create fun, dance-able tunes that bend your mind in many delicious ways. From the techno tones, the hip hop R&B elements of ‘Fake It Till You Make It’ and swag of ‘Peptalk’ and the psychedelic brain trampling of ‘Make Way For The Passenger ‘ these guys create an atmosphere for you to let everything go and dance. Tim van Delft on drums creates those infectious grooves with finesse while occasionally standing to encourage the crowd’s frenzy and showcase his chic golden embossed shirt. The set goes from one high point to another as the mass sing along’s and Florim’s dance-filled antics continue. Florim ventures towards the crowd commanding them like his worshiping congregation. I don’t think there is even one person who didn’t know every word of the lyrics. Everyone knows when to clap and when to shout as Florim passes the mic to members of the crowd to sing the “You gotta help yourself” lyric of ‘Help Yourself’. However it is ‘Witch Doctor’ that is the most wonderful sight to behold. I’ve heard of it and always wanted to witness it first hand – anyone who has seen the ‘Best Animation in a Video UK Music Video Awards 2016′ winning video will be aware of the concept of Florim standing in the middle of a mass of people like some wicked circus ring-leader and commanding them into a circle of death. Well, last night when the band performed ‘Witch Doctor’ the crowd began this circle themselves as Florim stood at the front of the stage swirling his hands like a master puppeteer as if he was churning the crowd round while they jumped and moved in a circular motion. It was a whole room filled with a sea of bodies moving in one moshing mush. However, the fun did not end there. No way were the crowd going to let the show end there. The audience shouted for “one more tune” until the band returned for their electrifying encore. Jop van Summeren operates the bass with majesty creating unique and wacky sounds while laying down slinky grooves especially for closing track ‘KITTY KITTY’. ‘KITTY KITTY’ is one outstanding piece of work but I wondered how would it measure up live. Well…. pretty damn fantastic. That bass intro is brilliant live. It has the mystery and luring power that could introduce the main character in a Quentin Tarantino movie while also adding a sweet sleek quality to this adrenaline building track. The crowd erupted – singing, dancing and screaming throughout the song, A fantastic end to a riveting night.
I was aware that De Staat put on a good show but last night it was from a whole other world. The five piece put on a whirlwind show and had the audience eating out of the palm of their hands, drooling for more. Once you see these guys live you will wonder what you have been doing with your life up to now. Maybe it’s the raw ecstasy of their tracks or the hyper rhythms, slinky guitar and psychedelic hues, but once you see them live De Staat become the drug you just can’t quit.
We sat down to have a chat with Lou Cotteril, Rob Ellis and Jacob Leff from Cassia before their sold out show in Whelan’s Dublin. We talked about their debut album ‘Replica’ , the trail of breadcrumbs left within their lyrics, those colourful shirts Rob has been known to wear and much more.
Watch the interview below
Author : Danu
Indie: (n) an obscure form of rock which you only learn about from someone slightly more hip than yourself.
