Dublin- based singer/songwriter Kevin Casey has released his new single ‘It’s Alright’.Long standing regular in the Irish music scene, Kevin Casey has released several singles, two EPs, and a full length album since 2014. He has done two European tours and gigged extensively across the country as well as in Germany, the U.K and the USA, including two consecutive years at Electric Picnic. He is known for his raw vocals, versatile songwriting, and for keeping Irish rock and roll alive and well.
Casey has warm tones and oodles of passion flooding through his indie rock tracks and is sure to make for a enjoyable evening of tunes.
Kevin Casey has just released his new single ‘Alright’ check it out below
Last night indie folk pop artist Owen Denvir performed this week’s live stream on Virtual, A series of intimate evenings of exclusive live performances from the best emerging and established artists organised by AER Music, Fluttertone and dootdoot Records. An intriguing thought was implanted into the audience’s heads by Denvir as he wondered if the people with their cameras turned off were on the toilet – with that thought, Denvir began his set.
Another outstanding singer songwriter, Denvir takes the second show of the series in his stride. His passionate warm vocals delight the bopping heads and cheery faces of his audience. Once again we are joined by charismatic fans who clap and engage with warm encouragement as Denvir switches between guitar and piano for his heartfelt tunes. With a wall adorned with a lego image of the Beatles, Denvir confesses he was “debating wearing shorts” as the camera would hide it but thankfully he decided against it as “it’s a paid gig, better put on a shirt”. Denvir’s tunes revolve around his velvety warm vocals ‘This Could Be Love’,’I want You So Bad’ and ‘Stones from Paris’ all frequent the set list while the audience sit in their sitting rooms and kitchens with a cuppa or glass of wine, swaying and singing along.
The stripped back version of each track is quite refreshing and shows exactly how talented Denvir is as an artist. It’s starting to feel like a weekly gathering as some familiar faces appear on the screen. A little girl lines up lego figurines along her table to join the audience for Denvir as he greets and acknowledges as many of the viewers as he can. Denvir doesn’t clutter his tracks with over production, instead he slowly simmers them with raw emotion and this translates beautifully through the Virtual medium. ‘Stay’ in particular is quite the time stopping piece.The lonely guitar accompaniment laments with a Spanish tone around Denvir’s emotive vocals creating a pinnacle moment. Each track is beautifully created and if you weren’t aware of Denvir’s songwriting; live streams like this are a fantastic way to become totally enamored with an artist’s style. There is majesty and a rich complexity to his songs; the melodies elegantly and sweetly interplay with the soft piano or guitar. It feels like they don’t need anymore production than just this raw live setting to be truly enjoyed.
It’s an easy going soulful set. Denvir’s quirky banter has a cheesy charm to it. He buys time due to the heat “playing the The Hokey Cokey with my tuning” however he appears at ease with the peculiarity of the live streams. Small hiccups aside, Denvir presents a lush tapestry of songs, he treads very lightly into soul territory with his indie folk-pop providing a wholesome warmth and earnest quality to his tunes. Denvir is definitely an artist to check out.
A Q&A with the audience ends Denvir’s breathtaking set. It was a relaxed knockout performance from Denvir showcasing his moving, wonderfully crafted musicianship. Check out Owen Denvir, his emotive wholesome music won’t disappoint.
Fintan McKahey performed the first ever show on the new platform that is, Virtual. AER Music, Fluttertone and dootdoot Records have come together to create this opportunity on the Zoom platform where everything is focused on the artist and we can financially support them by buying tickets to the show. This streaming makes the whole live scene feel very weird at the start; seeing fans in the comfort of their own homes with cups of tea and wine, some snuggled beneath cosy blankets while others potter about in kitchens while watching the live stream. However the banter in the comments sections and the wonderful music from Fintan McKahey swiftly puts everything at ease.
McKahey performed his mesmerising set from the refuge of his own home studio in Cork. Unlike a venue show everything was punctual and smooth sailing. With signs held up by fans saying ‘’Fintan You Rock’’ the show began. McKahey’s tracks are laced with passion and warmth, it’s difficult not to bop and sway to his tunes. His setlist is the perfect soundtrack for a chilled evening. McKahey’s warm rasped vocals melt upon his heartfelt, luscious melodies like butter on toast while fans head bang, hold up images of lighters on their phones and sway with lighters in their hands. The most unusual part of this show is the clapping after a song. You can see the clapping but can’t hear it as all the mics are muted.
‘Lost Balloons’, ‘Innocent’ and new single ‘Platinum’ present McKahey’s chilled and effortlessly laid back sound perfectly. He uses rich blends of pop, indie folk and alternative to create a downtempo vibe that is calming and instantly pacifying.It’s refreshing to see tracks like ‘The Rebound Effect’ which is usually bewitching with a full band sound, stripped back to just McKahey’s moving vocals and slick guitar work.
‘Outro’ from ‘God Games’ EP is the special moment within the set.The soft pacing, immaculate guitar and beautiful ambient vibes created within this track is phenomenal and I really enjoyed just being able to listen to the music without being disturbed by yapping people or any other noise which is the norm in a live venue setting. This Zoom platform suited the calm pace of McKahey’s songs perfectly.
McKahey is a charismatic artist, he banters about his girlfriend’s pear diet ( 20 pears a day! that is dedication) and longing for his band to meet up and play in live venues again.Some fans hold up images of his spotify to help with promotion and encourage onlookers to check it out while others dramatically clap and display thumbs up in support as if attempting to make up for the lack of audience noise.Too often in live shows the theatrics and lighting are allowed to dominate at the expense of the artist’s songs. However here, where the tracks are stripped back the heart of the songs emit beautiful tones and vibes. With a crowd of all ages gathered from a little girl dancing with her teddy right up, it’s easy to see that McKahey has a sound that reaches a wide audience.
Once the set draws to its finale the audio mics are tuned on and the whoops and clapping can be heard. Maybe there is something to be said for keeping the jubilant cheer to the end. Fintan McKahey put on a wonderful, professional and tight performance. The entire event was well handled and seamless which is saying something, live streams such as this are difficult to organise and put on. A short Q&A session brought the show to an end as fans asked questions about McKahey’s inspiration for tracks, his thoughts on live streams, what covers he does and his love of oat milk as well as his inability to grow a beard.
This intimate style is an impressive and fun way of quenching fans thirst for live music. It is certainly a different feel to a live venue but McKahey took it in his stride. He is a mesmerising artist who writes wholesome passionate tunes. I enjoyed his set and can not wait to see him in a live venue soon.
Stream Fintan McKahey’s new single ‘Platinum’ below
Following the critical success of ‘Stones’, Dublin singer-songwriter Luke Clerkin is set to release a new single on June 5th. ‘Nocturnal’ will be the second release from Luke’s upcoming EP, ‘What Little Time We Have’, with this release seeing him move into a more full-band sound. The songs on ‘What Little Time We Have’ were produced by previous collaborator Gavin Doyle, as well as Jack Keenan, at Cabin Space Studios in Dublin. They were mastered by the internationally renowned, Pete Maher (Jack White, Damien Rice, U2), in London.
Clerkin has warm passionate vocals and his rich songwriting and melodious tunes are sure to make for a great live stream
Mullingar native Sion Hill (Nate Johnston) represented Ireland on Saturday night performing his new single ‘Speak Up’ in the Free European Song Contest in front of a TV audience of 4 million viewers, finishing in the Top 10. ‘Speak Up’ has already broken into the Billboard Top 100 songs in Germany and the Shazam Top 200 charts following its release last Friday. The music video for ‘Speak Up’ was shot in Berlin where Johnston was quarantining for the last few weeks in order to be able to compete in the competition, which took place in Cologne. Sion Hill is signed to German record label Clouds Hill GMBH and has recently released two other singles, ‘Fuel Kids’ and ‘Last Minute’ with Warner Music Germany.
Johnston’s rasped warm vocals and soulful tone translate superbly in a live setting. His tracks are melodious and honey to the ears. This is one not to be missed.
Sion Hill has just released his new single ‘Speak Up’ check out the video below
The Irish singer-songwriter Miles Graham has been establishing his reputation, first hittingBBC Radio 2’s playlist with ‘I Can’t Love You Again’ and then with high profile Billboard Dance hits withDon Diablo and L’Tric. During that time, Graham has focused upon honing his deeply affected songcraft, the first release of which comes with his brand new single ‘Don’t Change’.
Grahams velvety, soulful vocals and infectious tunes are going to make for one heck of a live stream.
Miles Graham has just released the live performance video to accompany his brand new single‘Don’t Change’ check it out below
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.
Frontman Gary Kingham from Reading quartet Mellor has kindly recorded an acoustic version of the bands tracks ‘Arms Length’ and ‘Delicate’ for us here at Indie Buddie to help relieve the boredom of the lockdown. The recordings add a new dimension to these catchy tracks. If you were planning to go to one of the bands shows before the Covid – 19 madness had them rudely reschedule this will satisfy those cravings for a live Mellor show, for a little while at least.
Mellor have received radio support from Abbie McCarthy, Radio 1; Tom Robinson, BBC 6 Music; John Kennedy, Radio X; Charlie Ashcroft, Elise Cobain, Frankie Francis, Jim Gellatly and Scott McGerty from Amazing Radio to name a few. The band have also featured on Spotify’s Hot New Bands, Indie List and Transistor playlists as well as Amazons Best New Bands playlist, and Apple Music’s Breaking Rock & The A-List.
You can watch the acoustic videos for ‘Arms Length’ and ‘Delicate’ below
Mike Paterson takes a unique approach to song writing. Formerly the lead singer of rock group Travis Oaks, Mike now likes to craft intricate, vocal driven melodies, full of nostalgia and insight. He writes, records, and produces his own work. Previously releasing work as Mike Paterson, he has simplified his moniker to just Paterson.
Paterson’s sound is truly unique. He uses darkened reverb layered soundscapes which swirl between jangly guitar lines to create an echoed dream-like distortion with hints of psychedelia. This live stream is going to be an enjoyable experience for sure.
You can stream ‘Stuck Around’ below to get a taste of Paterson’s style
Asylums are set to take over our Instagram and Facebook this Sunday 5th April at 8pm for a live stream.
Frontman of Southend’s finestAsylums, Luke Branch will play songs from the albums ‘Killer Brain Waves’ (2016) Alien Human Emotions (2018) and the forthcoming third album due this Summer.
It’s been a huge 18 months for Asylums. As recent recipients of the prestigious and hard-to-score PRS Momentum Fund, their next leap forward seems gilded, greased, and good-to-go. Current single ‘Catalogue Kids’ finding a warm home at BBC 6 Music, Radio X and Kerrang! Radio, as well as playlist adds at Deezer and Spotify and nods from The Independent, Kerrang! and Louder Sound has only increased expectation and excitement for album number 3.
These guys have a blistering fuzz filled sound brimming with attitude and gusto and whether its acoustic or not their songs carry themselves with power and timeless charm. I for one can’t wait to see Luke whack out these bangers.
As a taster you can stream the band’s recent single’ Catalogue Kids’ below
Author : Danu
Indie: (n) an obscure form of rock which you only learn about from someone slightly more hip than yourself.
