One of Ireland’s newest and most exciting rock bands SUNDOWN are back with their latest release ‘Chimneys’. The Dublin quartet have been in close collaboration with James Smith (formerly of Gypsies on the Autobahn).Having sold-out a headline show in Whelan’s last year, SUNDOWN have toured Ireland with gigs from Belfast to Cork, including their festival debut at Independence and supporting acclaimed artists like Sion Hill & Larkin’s. They have amassed over 125,000 collective streams on Spotify
‘Chimneys’ broods within a lonesome ethereal soundscape as SUNDOWN create a rich, spacious number that showcases the bands mature songwriting. With a pining lament on guitar, this atmospheric gem haunts as it builds and unfolds. The band cultivate the track meticulously, gradually delving into the song’s void of melancholia with a deep bass rippling through the underbelly. The airy and light texture of the track creates an enchanting and mesmerising quality that draws the listener deep into the songs abyss. The guitar maintains the rock element we know and love from the band while the rasp toned, warm vocals embrace the sweet melody. This track is truly special and compelling.
Bayonets is set to release his new single ‘We Light Fires’ on all digital platforms on the 15th of May and has released the video this weekend. Bayonets is a solo project created by Kerry musician and songwriter Vinnie Flynn. His distinctive style is a mix of alternative rock, indie, blues and folk. In addition to writing and performing live, Vinnie also works with several publishing companies based in the US who pitch his compositions to prime time TV shows and movies. ‘We Light Fires’ was recorded last year at Darklands Audio in Dublin by the great Daniel Doherty. Flynn worked on the video idea with an excellent Illustrator & Animator Lukas Beles at Flock of Crows Motion Design.
Chilling, dark and wholly consuming ‘We Light Fires’ continues Bayonets luring sizzle of fiery alternative rock. Presented through an icy cool breeze of haunting delight the track coils with flourishing grandeur.The western- esque guitar strides with a swaggering stomp between sharp refrains of scorching intensity as Flynn ferments the tracks dark smothering underbelly.
Flynn has been able to push past any limited parameters a solo artist may have to develop an identity increasingly distinct and memorable. The track wildly swirls and rages behind Flynn’s rasp filled vocals as he maintains a calm enticing composure. With intriguing mysterious undertones rippling through the ominous harsh backdrop the track has that “ I can’t watch but can’t stop looking” horror movie quality as the cinematic stings on guitar paint shadowy characters into the songs soundscape.
Flynn’s ability to colour his tracks with evocative and vivid images through misty vaporous musicianship and smoky instrumentation is impressive and utterly captivating. Sublimely dramatic and meticulously crafted ‘We Light Fires’ is one spine-tingling force of nature.
Easy Tide have released their new single ‘Carpet Grave’ which was recorded by the band in Fennor Lane Studios. Easy Tide are a DIY Garage band hailing from Navan Co Meath. Members include Aaron Dunphy on Bass and Vocals , Steven Rafferty on Guitar and Vocals and Mark Carolan on Drums and Vocals.
‘Carpet Grave’ presents Easy Tide’s punchy alternative rock through a hazy laid back garage rock filter. The band cruise through light ethereal guitar melodies and warm rumble on bass with a sluggish lazy day attitude. The track bops with an airy texture as the buoyant drums create both a spongy cushion for the verses and a punchy bite for the chorus. Glistening guitars ricochet off the heavy drum progression as the track drifts effortlessly from moody verses into the dynamic chorus and crescendo. Well crafted and exuding shoegaze elements, ‘Carpet Crave’ is a sun speckled sulky number that is just as sharp and punchy as it is melodic and dreamy.
Limerick Alt/Electronic/Indie duo Pity of the Sea have released their new single ‘A Swarming’ which was taken from the forthcoming debut album.Pity Of the Sea are comprised of Ger Cremins (Vox/Bass Synth) and Tony Monahan (Producer, Guitars, Synths, Bass and drum programming). The track follows the band’s last release ‘Headscarf’ which received plays on both national and local radio and was very well received.
Fizzing and swirling through dizzying synths and a crashing wall of sound ‘A Swarming’ is an energetic punk slapped track from Pity of the Sea. The duo consume your ears with an onslaught of shrilling guitars that churn through a groove-filled rumble on bass. The band use acid soaked psychedelia to create a track brimming with organised chaos while a punchy drum machine loop surrounds the backdrop. The band blend a raw post punk soundscape with sharp alternative rock to create an invigorating listening experience. The shimmering ethereal synths rush with adrenaline while the dynamic spoken vocals pound out the catchy chorus of respetitive lyrics. ‘A Swarming’ is a fantastic assault on the senses.
London alternative rock band Escape The Box will be releasing their new single ‘Grey’ on May 1st. The band comprised of Ziey Kizzy (Vocals),LouZy Hero (Drums), Stephen Smith (Bass) and Aaron Maullin (Guitar) formed in November 2018 and released their debut EP towards the end of 2019.
‘Grey’ is a robust alternative rock track that boasts Escape The Box’s frenetic crashing wall of sound. Raw, jagged guitar slashes through a punchy rhythmic backdrop as the band present a sound full of vigor. They swirl a catchy pop smacked melody over the brawny instrumentation to soften the punk aggro while the smooth expressive vocals hook the listeners ears. The verses bubble and build on a bright sun speckled indie backdrop while the chorus hits like a bolt of lightning setting the track ablaze with heavy guitars ricocheting off the meaty drums while the vocals soar above with thrilling intensity. The band utilise the raw bass and drum interaction to provide something to mosh and headbang to.
Escape The Box have created a tune that is loaded with rock heavyweights and immense intensity with short moments of release.
Columbia Mills have released their highly anticipated sophomore album ‘CCTV’. 2019 saw the band release two singles from the album; ‘Strange Game’ and ‘Who Am I Supposed To Talk To Now?’ which garnered huge radio support here at Indie Buddie and in the UK including John Kennedy Radio X, RTE Radio 1, Ed Smith (Today FM) choosing the band as his Play Irish Artist of the week and ‘Recent and Decent’ on Today FM, Dan Hegartys (2FM) Track of The Week, and heavy rotation on Paul Mc Loones Today FM show, as well as heavy airplay across all national and regional radio stations. 2020 has already seen the release of ‘UNDERSTAND’ (31/01/20), the third single from ‘CCTV’ which also received huge radio support.
With passion exuding from each melty, infectious melody, rich rhythmic progression and superb guitar lament ‘CCTV’ is quite the first rate body of work from Columbia Mills. These guys don’t pull punches, they give this album their all, entwining electronic elements into their alternative indie rock to create an album that holds you in animated suspense while the spinning sublime instrumentation, intricate layering and wonderful pacing intoxicate and invade your mind.
From the start this album is a whirlwind. The gripping heartfelt ‘Car Crash TV’ begins our breathtaking journey into the album. To be honest, I was totally consumed within this track’s melancholic tone, soft instrumental build and utterly beautiful, raw presentation. The twinkling ethereal guitars encase Fiachra Treacy’s warm emotive vocals in a wispy delicate coating as the track progresses to its more distorted electronic half. Like a masterful puppeteer Treacy’s vocals control the tone and ambiance of the tracks within this album. He has the power to pull tears from your eyes as he digs beneath the surface and unravels the listeners joy, pain and thrills and it is from here the tracks flourish from.
The band use synths and dizzying electronics to build the songs and ferment them into either a dazing dark crescendo like in ‘Car Crash TV’ or spiral into an intoxicating, dance-evoking whirl as in the infectious pulses of ‘Understand’. The synth elements within each track either flicker with tantalizing illumination providing sweet flirtatious moments between the rich indie backdrop or drape the songs in crashing twisting and asphyxiating soundscapes.
‘Isolate’,‘Who Am I Supposed To Talk To Now?’ and‘The Greatest Love’ are a mesmerising display of artistic flair and proficient musicianship, evoking complex themes and emotions of lonliness, guilt and depression.
The band flood their tracks with emotive instrumentation as they surge smoky downcast atmospheres with lamenting pines or western- esque warm tones on guitar. The guitars soar and ooze rich textures and almost convey the characters within the tracks while braided beneath are rooted bass lines and pulsing drums. ‘You’re Not The Answer’, ‘Strange Game’, ‘Heart And Soul’ and ‘Trees’ convey this perfectly as Columbia Mills immerse striking earnest lyrics in time stopping soundscapes.
The lyrical content in this album is profoundly poetic. Lines like “You said watching you control yourself, Is like watching blood dry”, “Crawled through the shit of old romance” and “Or is it in the vacuum of the struggle Where our love always thrives” shroud the album in dark times and griited struggles. Columbia Mills present these honest and gripping themes with outstanding elegance and grace. At times Treacy’s vocals are icy and almost matter of fact in his portrayal of these lyrics however he still manages to depict heart breaking emotion through his delivery.
Columbia Mills bring the album to a sublime end with ‘Mirror On The Front Seat’. The track blossoms superbly with glistening guitars and a brooding indie rock ballad -esque soundscape. It is beautifully crafted, lush in its intricacies yet simple in its approach. There is a warm country element to this track that evokes images of a dry desert night while the glistening airy guitar paints the sky an indigo hue. The loneliness and isolation is briefly lightened with warm instrumental builds while a sustained fuzz and steady beat trap tension beneath the emotive velvety vocals. Once again the band build the track allowing it to unravel for the dynamic thumping crescendo. It’s a spine tingling and utterly superb finale.
There are so many textures, sounds and wonderful elements within ‘CCTV’. Columbia Mills are only on their second album and their maturity and ability to grasp your very soul with their tunes is so precise and powerful it is mesmerising. ‘CCTV’ is a moving, intoxicating album with solid musicianship. The listener beholds musical majesty, depth and a mystical quality which bewitches with every track. The bands layering and building of the songs is first rate and clean while the indie rock, electronic hybrid sound is seamless and exquisite. This is a band you need to know, they have achieved so much with ‘CCTV’. It is exciting to imagine what Columbia Mills will release next
Influenced by rock and roll from a young age, New York alternative rock n’ roll artist Jack West taps into Nirvana, Neil Young and The Doors whilst he pays his own homage to rock and roll. He might be only 15 but he has amassed over 10,000 streams on his debut single, and joined Eddie Vedder on stage to perform to 30,000 in Nashville. Jack West is set to go far he recently released his new EP ‘Jack West – Live at Easy Street Records’.Recorded live and mixed by renowned producer Barrett Jones, the EP includes polished covers of ‘Sick Love’ by the Red Hot Chili Peppers and ‘Like a Stone’ by Audioslave as a tribute to the late Chris Cornell. The EP also includes his latest single ‘Bring the Records Back’ and perfectly captures the raw energy of Jack’s live performance. Judging from the EP this live takeover is going to be great.
Barefoot Magicians have released their new EP ‘Hangin’ On’.The band comprised of Dave Greene on harmonica and vocals, Graham Stewart on Guitars, Brian Steemers on drums & percussion, Paraic Carroll on Bass and Petra žižak on Keys & Mandolin formed in early 2017 after a recording session in Dublin’s prestigious Windmill Lane Studios.
Barefoot Magicians throws the listener a curve ball with ‘Hangin’ On’ as the EP takes everything we know from the band so far and turns it up a notch, augmenting the bands bluesy sound with new stylistic twitches. Doused in the groove rooted bluesy tonality this band does so well title track ‘Hangin’ On’ introduces the EP. The band present moany lyrical content with suave instrumentation and slinky arrangement to create a get up and dance catchy number. Punchy drums and groovy bass adorn the backdrop while the sleek guitars, warm harmonica blast and rich percussion adds a swanky flamboyance and irresistible upbeat vibe to the track. ‘We Can’t Give It Up’ is where the band showcase their versatility and genre bending sound. The heavier alternative rock backdrop and synth elements creates a dark, wispy and haunting atmosphere as Dave Greene lets loose over a lamentful melody. Here, he takes his usually powerful tone and smoothes it to intensify the spine chilling eerie soundscape. The heavy rawness of the guitars crash and jaggedly slice through the track with rough relentless stamina while the pining melody on harmonica sweetly contrasts the beefy backdrop with a light and almost innocent melodious refrain. ‘Get What You Want’ brings the EP to a close with a nimble and bombastic bass announcing the bands triumphant finale. Barefoot Magician’s ability to create a tight robust rhythmic backbone is impressive and is the perfect recipe to get a crowd up and dancing. Those thundering drum whacks, resounding bass and itchy percussion is the ignition to this band’s sound. They team this with shredding guitar flourishments, sultry licks, scorching solos, sweet harmonica and warm mandolin melodies to provide a rich tasty collection of tracks.
Barefoot Magicians pack a lot of power into this well balanced three track EP. This band’s modern blues rock has charm, character and oodles of wonderful melodies and embellishments. They are building their sound superbly bringing what they achieved with their ‘The Awakening’ EP and fleshing it out, carving their own sound and brand meticulously to create something quite invigorating.
Our Worth A Listen Track This Week Comes From Bullet Girl
Photo Credit: Nicholas O’Donnell.
North Dublin post-punk band Bullet Girl have released their new single ‘Hatred’. A song about online trolls, it is particularly fitting right now. Bullet Girl are on an upwards trajectory. A seriously energetic live band, they blew the crowd away at TiLT in The Button Factory, run by 98fm’s John Barker (Totally Irish). On the back of this, Aiken Promotions asked them to support The Mystrines at Eastbound Dublin. This show has been postponed due to pandemic restrictions but is rescheduled to go ahead on Thursday, 24th September at The Workman’s Club, all things going well.
‘Hatred‘ is a potent punch of the hard hitting musicianship Bullet Girl do so well. These guys present a sound that oozes powerful, post punk battering with majestic flair. The wonderful intricacies within the track shows how refined Bullet Girl’s sound is. A relentless bass writhes its way through the songs dark underbelly while the pulverising drum throttles with vigor and adrenaline creating the perfect, beefy, floor shaking foundation. On top of this the slick flourishes on guitar soar and crash with a fierce uncompromising display of power and finesse. It’s a pure and raw number that explodes with the bands energetic soundscape. The frenetic vocals howl and rasp over the erupting instrumentation as the track builds to its dynamic and thrilling crescendo. This band’s ability to communicate their message through ruthless and mesmerising musicianship is impressive. ‘Hatred’ is a well crafted, invigorating call to arms against the online hatred inflicted by trolls. Once again Bullet Girl knock it out of the park.
Songwriter and lead guitarist Dylan Keenan says: “The song is a rally cry against the hatred that the internet age has conjured up; the ability of people to participate in hate speech under the cover of anonymity. Angry little soldiers with ideologies built on insecurity. When you see far-right political leaders gain support across the western world and hateful attacks against minorities and racial groups at both a local and global level becoming the norm, sometimes it does make you worry if the schoolyard bullies have won? This is not happening a million miles away, it’s happening right outside our door.”
With a sound that’s mature beyond his years, 15 year old Jack West is gearing up to release a live EP on 17th April. The EP was recorded at Easy Street Records in West Seattle. Recorded live and mixed by renowned producer Barrett Jones, the EP includes polished covers of ‘Sick Love’ by the Red Hot Chili Peppers and ‘Like a Stone’ by Audioslave as a tribute to the late Chris Cornell. He has amassed over 10,000 streams on his debut single, and joined Eddie Vedder on stage to perform to 30,000 in Nashville.
‘Jack West Live At Easy Street’ boasts West’s raw and energetic sound. It’s an EP brimming with swagger-drenched rock n roll, solid tunes and refined musicianship. West shows maturity through this EP while giving a glimpse into all the vigor his live shows behold. His cover of ‘Sick Love’ by the Red Hot Chili Peppers and ‘Like a Stone’ by Audioslave sit snugly on the EP blending with the tonality of his own tunes while adding a dash of finesse and slick textures into the mix.
There is a blues tone to West’s tracks within the vocal melodies especially in the twanging smooth power ballad – esque ‘Look Out Below’.The rich band sound translates well and compliments his vocals. West uses pummeling drums with sweltering guitar lines and groove infested bass to ignite the rock n’ roll charm of his latest single ‘Bring The Records Back’ and the desert lonely ‘Leave Us Behind’ while ‘Revival’ provides a laid back Californian sun kissed euphoria beneath the energetic instrumental burst. West’s vocals are quite impressive, his rasp hued whisper warms the tracks with a gentle caress while his dynamic vocal eruptions for the chorus exude swagger and panache.
‘Jack West Live At Easy Street’ shows West’s capability as a performer. He reins in his wild and energetic set with his calm presence while scorching instrumentation and a rich wall of sound rages behind him.
‘Jack West Live At Easy Street’ will be released this Friday April 17th
