We got the pleasure of witnessing a diamond in the rough develop into a rising star last Saturday night at the Grand Social Dublin where the bubbly Áine Cahill had her first sold out Dublin show.
Megan-Kate Doolan greeted the crowd with her warm mellow vocals and smooth soothing tracks. The Wexford youngster showcased her flavour of alternative folk, sprinkled with a bit of soul and glazed with gentle creamy vocals and a slight rasp giving a fantastically unique rich texture to her tracks. With beautiful melodies presented simply with just her and her decorated guitar Megan-Kate Doolan looked delicate and elegant but when performing her songs she draws you in and touches your soul.
David Keenan follows with an intense set of strong lyrics and dynamic vocals. Belting out tracks about places he has been and people he has met on his travels. He possesses the art of story telling in true Irish manner. With proficient guitar playing that is organic and raw strengthened with powerful vocals that are attention grabbing with the odd lilt almost half yodel at times. Keenan shows the red-blooded gritty side to music reminiscent of the Irish songs of old.
Once Keenan finished his set the crowd flooded forward awaiting the entrance of Áine Cahill. The room became clammy and sticky as the people packed to the front. I began to realise just how popular Cahill had become as I was being pushed back from the people in front of me, who made no apologises of their crude assault on my shoes while leaving me with little to no personal space. One gets worried when you are so close to someone that you can almost breath in their hair. Cahill begins her set with a captivating a cappella version of ‘Bang Bang’ which completely absorbs the crowd in a frenzy of awe and admiration. This starlet shatters any doubt anyone can have as she performs a soulful rendition of this classic with all the emotion and suave only Cahill possesses. Crooning her way into ‘Puppet’ followed by a passionate and soulful ‘Dangerous Woman’ which gets everyone swaying and loosening up their hips. Track after track showcasing her talent effortlessly. Cahill displays she is a born performer. Exuding sass and likeability she holds the entire audience in the palm of her hand while she banters back and forth with them. ‘Blood Diamond’ is a catchy cheeky little dig at the “bitches ” who always get what they want. Portrayed with a characterisation of class and an attitude of high class splendour while also delicately giving the middle finger Cahill once again pulls the crowd into a “girl power” anthem that has everyone shouting out the lyrics as they are reminded of someone they know who fits the description of the lyrics. The famous ‘Black Dahlia’ had everyone singing and swaying. It is obvious that Áine Cahill is set for great things from the roaring for “one more song” and from the massive amount of people bombarding her for autographs and selfies after the show. Watch out for Áine Cahill she has a big career ahead of her.
You can catch Áine Cahill live at
Fri 23 Sep The Waiting Room, London
Fri 04 Nov Christchurch Cathedral, Dublin
Our Worth A Listen Track This Week Comes From The Good Water
The Birmingham duo Rob Clements (Guitar & Vocals) and Tom Fisher (Drums & Vocals) have developed their own unique psychedelic tinged style of indie, rhythm and blues. They have released their new single ‘See Your Light’. Its a groovy slick shimmy of smooth sensual rock and psychedelia. Its punchy pounding drums keep the chorus throbbing and driving forward while adding a flexible rhythm and a stirring brawn stomp to the track. Layered with swirling keys that add an intoxicated hypnotic effect, this track is rich in colourful quality and textures. The fuzz fuelled guitar riff is instantly catchy and adds an edge and an exhilarating charm. The vocals are simple, strut -like and smeared with lush harmony they exude a cool velvety swagger.The track builds to a shredding spine-tingling guitar solo and fantastic crescendo that leaves you wanting to hear more.
New Valley Wolves have released their new track ‘Silver Tongue’. Its a snarling, balls-out beast of a track bursting with the bluesy, gritty, frantic sound that the rock duo create. It’s a ferocious riff-driven wall of sound enriched with sensual elastic tones. With irate swagger infused vocals, primal drumming and a bass so skilfully wielded it lures the listener into a fuzzed haze of entrapment that could cause a frenzy-filed brawl amongst the most timid of people while still remaining tactile. Lyrically, ‘Silver Tongue’ is pure unadulterated macho rock. New Valley Wolves once again create an almighty racket as Joyce assaults the drums creating a turbulent pounding sound adding to the tracks speed driven fury.
New Valley Wolves have released a video for ‘Silver Tongue’ it captures the high intense energy and atmosphere of their live shows. Watch the video below.
Dublin’s Alternative band Swords released their new single ‘Betty Machete’ in July. Diane Anglim (vocals & piano), Jarlath Canning (bass, guitars & synth) and Ian Frawley (drums) have created a catchy beaming track that glows with bright textures and an upbeat snappy ball of elastic rhythm. The golden hook pulls you into a marshmallow of sweet lush melody. Anglim’s honeyed vocals are delicate and captivating while the fuzzed bass and guitars add a kick and psychedelic buzz to the track. The rapid soft slap beat drives the song and gives a playful quality and an infectious clap-along feature. ‘Betty Machete’ is instantly likeable and with an ear worm sing along chorus you will want to put it on repeat and enjoy its feel good vibe.
Stream ‘Betty Machete’ below
Born in Mexico City, 22 year old Heez grew up in Dallas, Texas and now resides in Downtown Los Angeles. The first story he wants to tell is about codependency and having such a strong connection with someone that both identities begin to blur into one. He achieves this through his debut single ‘Dancing’. Heez embarked on this musical journey from his Los Angeles dorm room while studying music industry at the University of Southern California, finding inspiration from his past heartbreaks. ‘Dancing’ was released earlier this year. Its a catchy flex wave track with a snappy beat interweaving electronics glazed in shadowy melancholy tones. The heavy hearted vocals add emotion to the track while the rap adds rhythm and gives an edge. The track is richly textured and portrays Heez’ lyrics poetically while holding a grit and darkened atmosphere. The quick synth stabs give the track an elastic bendable quality while providing a strong sharp whack beat that has a trance effect. ‘Dancing’ presents us with an airy hazy vibe you can loose yourself in while maintaining a bite and grit that gives this track substance and attitude.
Stream ‘Dancing’ below
Fauna Twin are Parisian singer-songwriter Claire Jacquemard Ginsberg (leader of Hippies Vs Ghosts) and North Wales’ Owain Ginsberg (We Are Animal). The duo have recently signed to Crammed Discs Records and they released their new single ‘Water on Mars’ taken from their debut ‘The HYDRA EP’, which will be released in October followed by a string of shows around Europe. ‘Water on Mars’ is a dark intoxicating swirling concoction of alternative synth pop. The track lures you into its bewitching atmosphere from the very start with meandering instrumentation that draws you into a psychedelic labyrinth of complexity and confusion while enticing and coaxing you into its rich interweaving textures. Jacquemard’s vocals are haunting and gently coo and soothe the listener while giving a mysterious eerie tone to the track. The guitar adds grit and gives that final pull, drawing the listener in and trapping them in an enthralling brooding atmosphere. The track is coated in mesmerising rhythm and shadowy hints of tribal beats that give this track a fantastic bounce and multi texture.
Put ‘Water on Mars’ on repeat and let yourself become consumed and enraptured by this fantastic dark enchanting track.
Watch ‘Water on Mars’ below
Atlantic Fire are a Synth heavy pop/rock band from Guildford. The band consists of members Gary Nicks (vocals & guitar) Ryan Nicks (Drums, synths & backing vocals) Will Gray (lead guitar,synths & backing vocals) Ian Cooke (bass & synths).They have released their debut single ‘Running Out’ and have recently finished their debut album which will be released later this year. ‘Running Out’ is a tightly compact melodic indie track, featuring soft dynamic synths and a flexible spongy beat. The sharp sting of the guitar adds an edge to the track while soaring backing vocals raises the track and gives an aerial feel. The song is coated in a melancholy nostalgic tone which is highlighted perfectly by the synths and wistful vocals. The track flows fluidly and consistently with bright tones acting as a ray of sunlight provided by the zealous guitars illuminating and raising the song up. The synths add a contrasting eerie and mysterious tone to the track at times which disperses for the vitalising and energising crescendo.
A strong debut from Atlantic Fire
Stream ‘Running Out’ below
Rat Ta’Mango are an Adelaide band who play a unique brand of blues rock, fusing elements of garage, psych and funk. The three piece have recently released their debut self titled EP. The 5 track Ep is bursting with a mixture of garage rock, blues and Latin-jam influences intertwining and blending together while creating a massive raw sound that packs a punch.
It was their first single ‘Let It Go’ that caught our attention. Its heavy furious fuzzed intro teases their garage rock mosh worthy sound before revealing a funky slick verse. The sensual swagger and opulent rhythmic groove and percussion-soaked bounce adds an elasticity and addictive energy to the track. The vocals are passionate and dynamic giving a steamy exhilarating strut quality and confidence. The track spirals into a shredding guitar solo and intense weighty burly headbang. ‘Let It Go’ softens to gentle vocals and light accompaniment before a final beefy robust crescendo to end. Rat Ta’Mango show us how to mix raw gritty bluesy sound with funky sensual guitar licks and fantastic brawny hooks leaving you wanting to hear more.
Stream ‘Let It Go’ below
We are big fans of the New York City band Public Access T.V. here at Indie Buddie. They just keep belting out quality tunes. Earlier this year they released ‘Sudden Emotion’ which gave us a taste of what is to come from their debut album ‘ Never Enough’ which is set for release on 30th September. Now band members John Eatherly (lead vocals, guitar), Xan Aird (lead guitar, vocals), Max Peebles (bass, vocals) and Pete Star (drums, vocals) have released ‘End Of An Era’ to ease the anticipated wait for ‘ Never Enough’. ‘End Of An Era’ lives up to the hype of its predecessors. It glows with infectious rock and roll qualities and a Thin Lizzy vibe. Its a strut-like, swagger infused track that exudes flaming confidence. With slick zesty biting guitar that adds an old school feel and a blazing riff that is red hot giving the track a razor sharp edge. It is enthusiastic and bold with a high spirited peppy elastic bass and sprightly beat that is contagious which will have you bopping along in no time. With cool smooth vocals and catchy lyrics these guys know how to write a good track and have you hooked from the first note.
‘End Of An Era’ is setting the bar high.
Stream ‘End Of An Era’ below
Indie: (n) an obscure form of rock which you only learn about from someone slightly more hip than yourself.
Megan-Kate Doolan greeted the crowd with her warm mellow vocals and smooth soothing tracks. The Wexford youngster showcased her flavour of alternative folk, sprinkled with a bit of soul and glazed with gentle creamy vocals and a slight rasp giving a fantastically unique rich texture to her tracks. With beautiful melodies presented simply with just her and her decorated guitar Megan-Kate Doolan looked delicate and elegant but when performing her songs she draws you in and touches your soul.
true Irish manner. With proficient guitar playing that is organic and raw strengthened with powerful vocals that are attention grabbing with the odd lilt almost half yodel at times. Keenan shows the red-blooded gritty side to music reminiscent of the Irish songs of old.
Cahill possesses. Crooning her way into ‘Puppet’ followed by a passionate and soulful ‘Dangerous Woman’ which gets everyone swaying and loosening up their hips. Track after track showcasing her talent effortlessly. Cahill displays she is a born performer. Exuding sass and likeability she holds the entire audience in the palm of her hand while she banters back and forth with them. ‘Blood Diamond’ is a catchy cheeky little dig at the “bitches ” who always get what they want. Portrayed with a characterisation of class and an attitude of high class splendour while also delicately giving the middle finger Cahill once again pulls the crowd into a “girl power” anthem that has everyone shouting out the lyrics as they are reminded of someone they know who fits the description of the lyrics. The famous ‘Black Dahlia’ had everyone singing and swaying. It is obvious that Áine Cahill is set for great things from the roaring for “one more song” and from the massive amount of people bombarding her for autographs and selfies after the show. Watch out for Áine Cahill she has a big career ahead of her.
