In their first 40 shows as a band Greywind have already achieved playing some of the biggest festivals in the world, including Reading and Leeds Festival, Isle of Wight Festival, Download Festival, Rock Am Ring and have supported the likes of You Me At Six, Palaye Royale, Thrice and in December 2019 played a sold out arena show with The Coronas. They have been heavily backed by BBC Radio 1, Zane Lowe and MTV.
The brother and sister duo, Steph and Paul O’Sullivan’s debut album ‘Afterthoughts’ was recorded in Texas with Grammy-Winning producer Jason Perry and has achieved huge critical acclaim from the likes Zane Lowe, Kerrang!, Rocksound, MTV. The album was released through Universal Music and charted in the Top 10 of the Official UK Rock Chart.
These guys are known to put on one heck of a show and we are pleased to have them infiltrate our socials for a live takeover not to be missed.
You can watch their latest single ‘Desolate’ below
Following the recent success with debut single ‘Kitchen Sinking’, Dublin’s garage/indie-rockers TV People return with their new single ‘Time Eats Up’. The track was mixed by Dan Doherty of Darklands Audio (Fontaines D.C.,Vulpynes) and mastered at Abbey Road Studios by Christian Wright (Radiohead, Blur, LCD Soundsystem)
Gyrating through jagged ethereal guitar riffs and slaughtering drum progressions ‘Time Eats Up’ presents TV People’s ambitious garage rock in all its raw relentless glory. A dreamy melody carefully swerves around trigger happy guitars and combustible drums as the band tease between laid back hazy monotony and fiery explosions. Sweet jingles on guitars playfully dance between the sulking bass and punchy drums. Paul Donohoe’s vocals trudge with a coarse texture over the smooth melody creating a moody sense of boredom as he narrates the tracks theme of solitude and isolation. The band build the song superbly allowing it to fidget and itch to its massive harsh crescendo with shrilling guitars and thrashing wall of sound. ‘Time Eats Up’ is an impressive new track from TV People. Keep an eye on these guys.
About the track lead singer Paul Donohoe explains: “I wrote the lyrics for ‘Time Eats Up’ at the tail end of a 6 month spell of unemployment. I think we really managed to capture the mixed emotions of that idle state of existence in the song. The feelings of liberation that come with sitting idle and how these conflict with the dread that time is passing you by were a huge influence in the songwriting process for us. I came to view time as a very sinister and oppressive force and we tried to get this across in the music. As the song progresses, the sounds begin to get a bit heavier and sharper. We wanted the intensity of the outro to swallow up the more melodic sounds from the song’s earlier verses as a way to convey the toxicity of that way of living.”
Cabbage return with their new single ‘You’ve Made An Art Form (From Falling To Pieces)’.Since forming in 2014, Cabbage have occupied provocative territory by promoting progressive politics and supporting charitable causes through their live shows, leading them to be featured the BBC Radio Four documentary ‘The Art of Now: Band Politics’. At the same time as headlining sell-out UK tours, the band played Edgeley Park with Blossoms in 2019 and launched their debut album with a one-off, specially-curated exhibition at Manchester Art Gallery.
‘You’ve Made An Art Form (From Falling To Pieces)’ fizzes with a sweet sugary splash as Cabbage splurge melodic indie pop over an edged post punk canvas. The band create one nectarous irresistible gem as they swirl sharp buzzing guitars over a punchy acute wall of sound while the lush honeyed melody and soft backing vocals sweeten the blistering backdrop with a hazy shoegaze tonality. The band melt a hefty dose of psychedelia over the track creating a multi layered song that bubbles and broods within a prismatic sunny glow of delight while an acidic sting ferments beneath this rosy hue. The lyrics discuss the theme of mental health and suicide as Cabbage use gripping, woozy and blazing musicianship to create a truly invigorating track.
About the track the band’s co-frontman and songwriter, Joe Martin says its a “brutally honest exploration of mental health and suicide within young men and the survivalist, Victoria Wood-esque juxtaposition of salvaging a smile through dreariness and despair. After much deliberation, we feel that the time is right to share this. The chorus line actually originated in a ‘Coronation Street’ script in 1988, with Deirdre remarking to Ken: ‘I wonder what advanced state of dither we’ll find you in today, Ken, you make an art form from falling to pieces.’ We don’t mind sharing our complete love and adoration for those old, hilariously crafted dialogues.”
Watch the video for ‘You’ve Made An Art Form (From Falling To Pieces)’ below
Blackpool alternative rock band JEKYLL have released their new EP ‘The Whispering Gallery’.The band consists of Joel Foster (vocals / guitar), Lewis Armistead (bass), Liam Singleton (drums) and Mike Spence (guitar). Jekyll hooked up with fierce panda at The Great Escape in 2018 in time for the lively, driving debut ‘Jekyll’ EP. Much of that release, as well as the ‘The Whispering Gallery’ singles, have been championed by Huw Stephens, Steve Lamacq and John Kennedy, while their summertime BBC Maida Vale session for Radio 1 was played out on the Huw, Jack Saunders and Daniel P Carter shows.
‘The Whispering Gallery’ is an ambitious collection of tracks as JEKYLL present their wonderfully embellished musicianship through a dramatic ethereal wall of sound. The band magnify their hyper alternative rock through a prism of implosive guitars, relentless bass lines and pounding drums. ‘The Whispering Gallery’ streams energetic alternative rock into a distortion filtered kaleidoscope to create sublime facets of shoegaze hues and indie pop undertones. The invigorating rush of ‘The Escapist’ kick starts the EP with a flurry of guitars ricocheting off the punchy drums as the band build a haunting crashing sound tightly entwined in an exhilarating sense of tension and mystery. With crisp vocals and climactic progression there is a Muse – esque vibe about the track. The constant jogging rhythms and western – like tonality mangled between an epic arrangement displays maturity and growth in the band. ‘I Do What I Can’ and ‘Marionette’ follow the intensity, splurging a spine chilling bass rumble over the bands bracing melodic foundation. The eerie crawling melodies and equally implosive and explosive soundscapes make each track thrilling and tantalizing to the ears as the band flesh out sublime songwriting and lushly textured songs. With shredding solos, sharp falsettos and bitter sweet tones between blistering instrumentation each track is one energetic bursting eruption after another. JEKYLL display their shoegaze swagger through ‘Echoes (Uncut)’ with crashing razor sharp guitar lacerating through a buoyant backdrop while a sweet laid back melody grooves throughout as if innocently oblivious to the perilous heavy background. The verses drift beautifully into the mighty chorus with ease allowing each blossoming instrumental burst to flourish wonderfully for the psychedelic tinged crescendo. It’s a doozy of a track that is both charming, sweet and epic all at once. The band close the EP with a sweet little gem ‘Midnight Swim’. The calmest and most delicate number on the EP. This track, sways with soft piano and subtle twinkling soundscapes. As the song unfolds the piano wisps you away in an elegant arrangement while soft tender vocals coo with passionate and supple emotion. It’s a calming and utterly time stopping piece to bring the EP to a superb and mature finale.
JEKYLL show maturity beyond their years with ‘The Whispering Gallery’. They present a sound rich with lush textures, masterful intricacies and refined majestic musicianship that is sure to revolve in your head all day and leave you in awe of their grand and dignified arrangements.
About the EP Joel Foster said: “I first got the idea for the name of the EP from a poem by Thomas Hardy called ‘In A Whispering Gallery. The poem, as I understand it, is all about whispers from an unknown source reaching you and making you believe in transcendental and / or spiritual communication. A Whispering Gallery is also what the inside of domes in cathedrals are usually called, because if you stand in them whispers carry as loud as any other sound and are clearly audible. One of the main themes of the EP is based around the idea that the relationship between people and the stars is similar to that of a whispering gallery. Many of the songs on the EP reference stars and astral nobodies: ‘Echoes’ is all about stars; ‘The Escapist’ talks about the stars watching you self-destruct and longing to save you from harm; and ‘Midnight Swim’ also references going for a swim in the moonlight – ‘where trinket stars hang upon bloated skies’ – to cleanse yourself of life’s chaos. It just felt like the most fitting title and it fits the sentimental and spiritual themes perfectly.”
Bio : Garsa is an indie pop / indie folk solo artist from the outskirts of Manchester. Working from his spare room, he writes, records and produces his own music on a budget home studio setup, purely for the enjoyment of doing it. Jimmy sour highs is his first release.
Track: Jimmy sour highs
Why We Like It: It’s an abstract buoyant track filled with cheery wholesome tones, rich intricate rhythms and wonderful layering. With an ethereal atmosphere this song holds an air of earthy euphoric bliss while creating a warm folk hued tonality. Soft velvety vocals drift over a melty melody while jangly sweet guitars caress the airy backdrop. ‘Jimmy sour highs’ is bursting with lush summer freshness and sublime unique textures.
Garsa said of the track,“Jimmy sour highs is a nod to the simpler pleasures in life whilst touching on the negatives of spending too much time under the influence”.
Bio : RADARS are an indie-rock quintet from Hull who formed in late 2019, and consist of singer Jack, guitarists Dave and Sam, bassist Calvin and drummer Joe.The band have received airplay on BBC Radio, via BBC Introducing.
Track: Same Page
Why We Like It: This jaunty indie track whirlwinds with a vibrant backdrop of blistering guitars, punchy drums and rampant bass lines to create an invigorating listening experience. The warm raspy vocals inject power into the catchy melody as the band create a hyper, blood pumping indie anthem. Kinetic bass lines ravish an energetic atmosphere filled with refined layering and zest filled guitars. ‘Same Pages’ is an impressive vigorous new single.
Bio : All Tvvins duo Conor Adams and Lar Kaye enjoyed a phenomenal start to their career. Their debut album ‘IIVV’ shot into the Irish charts at #2, earned a Choice Music Prize nomination for Irish Album of the Year and smashed the 20 million streams landmark. Meanwhile, gigs in the UK and Ireland included a life-affirming sold-out shows at Dublin’s historic Olympia Theatre as well as tours around Europe. The band continued this momentum with their critically acclaimed follow up album “Just To Exist” which was released in 2019 and produced and co-written by James Vincent McMorrow.
Track: Hope It Don’t
Why We Like It: With a pulsing, intense bass line ‘Hope It Don’t’ exudes All Tvvins dynamic indie pop.The track rushes with a sweet powerful nostalgia while the vigorous rhythm bounces with relentless stamina through a kinetic swirling soundscape. Tasty guitars lines and charming melodies chime with an anthemic epic quality throughout. The synths palpitate through a humid backdrop while expressive warm vocals echo between the ricocheting rhythm. With distant pines on guitar this track has a soothing yet dramatic quality that is sure to linger in your head.
Bio : Launching into the music scene in late 2017, FRUITZ quickly made a name for themselves as an exciting live band. The Dublin quartets first release was hard hitting single ‘KNOTZ’, which was followed up by the melodic rock/pop song ‘U & I’. FRUITZ earned themselves an international following, playing their UK debut to a sold out headline show at Liverpool’s Zanzibar Club and playing Gullivers’ in Manchester for renowned indie label ‘Scruff Of The Neck’.
Track: DayDream
Why We Like It: Swirling with bracing instrumentation, breezy soundscapes and a driving beat ‘DayDream’ swooshes through your mind in a frenzy. The band smudge shredding zealous stings on guitar over a blazing rhythmic bounce while a glucose melody and emotive vocals create an adrenaline rush. Soaring through with an arena ready, guitar heavy wall of sound this band present a number filled with nostalgia, blazing musicianship and oodles of vigor. These guys can grip your heart and take you on a whirlwind of emotions with just one sublime tune.
Hull band Little Blue Thula have released their new single ‘Lemons’. The song trudges along with a mournful moody atmosphere as Little Blue Thula create a sunken alternative number. The track broods gently to start as lonely strums on guitar accompany the dismal vocals. Slowly the band build the track adding soft elegant piano as the vocals become more bitter for the chorus. With a lamenting sting on electric guitar paving the way for the thumping beat and lush backing vocals the track becomes a swaying doo wop hued ditty. The song blossoms for its crescendo with a blasting wall of sound. Crashing guitars smash against the punchy rhythmic backdrop before slipping into a shredding instrumental. The soft elegant piano plays the track out, resounding with a sweet melancholic tone. It’s a rich and diverse track from Little Blue Thula that shows their refined ability to build and cultivate their songs for maximum impact and emotive listening.
Alternative rock quartet Long and Greasy have recently released their new album ‘The Rock/Pop Show’. Formed in school during a music module, the band instantly clicked on their musical influences and began jamming and writing. Made up of members Naoise May, Elias Dempsey (guitars and vocals), Tim Sweeney (bass) and Paul Gleeson (drums), the band have a blistering, exciting and unique sound.
Drenched in slinky guitar lines, meaty rhythms and dripping in panache ‘The Rock/Pop Show’ is an unbridled collection of Long and Greasy’s infectious sound. The band shake things up a lot in the album, weaving between genres, making for a refreshing listening experience. ‘Missing Out’, Hide Your Grin’ and ‘Doubt’ are the indie rock punk flavoured back bone of the album. Jaunty guitars, vibrant drum and sublime rumbles on bass embroider the track in a dark groove rooted wall of sound while quirky vocals and smooth catchy melodies inject vibrant energy into the tracks. As well as their knack with pop melodies and catchy sing along refrains the band showcase some beautiful guitar flourishes in ‘Na Na Nah’, Lads’ and ‘Couch to Couch’. ‘Worse Off’ is the sultry gem within the album with sleek smoky guitars and dark undertones while ‘Skidmarks’ exudesa cheeky country and “Sweet Home Alabama” vibe.
The album flows with an effortless charm and bubbling texture that keeps the listener engaged. Long and Greasy manage to make every track fun and jubilant while packing in some refined instrumentation and swagger. These guys aren’t all fun and games though. The brooding guitar twinkling in ‘Climbing’ takes the mood down with the aid of whispered vocals before the band build into their psychedelic-hued chorus. This brooding number cools the EP, introducing the lofty ethereal side to the bands sound with lush harmonies and moody melodies. However the band leave the best for last with ‘Long and Greasy’. This rampant instrumental number steamrolls in on fiery riffs ricocheting off the crashing wall of sound as the drum pulverizes throughout. It’s a sticky mosh ready track which bleeds out into psychedelic lush textures and swirling dizzying soundscapes before returning to its frantic mania – its a well crafted, diverse and ever changing number and an intelligent finale for an album.
‘The Rock/Pop Show’ is an invigorating, wonderful collection of exciting tunes. Long and Greasy display a fun, refined and blistering sound with rich intricacies and sublime groovy moments.
Villa in France have released their 3rd single ‘Man on a Bridge’. Villa In France are a 4-Piece indie rock band from the North Coast of Northern Ireland consisting of Aidan Davidson (Vocals, Rhythm Guitar), Nino Morelli (Lead Guitar, Backup vocals), Adam Moore (Bass) and Matthew Gillan (Drums)..Their debut single ‘1990’ released on September 13th 2019, gained over 7000 streams with their nationwide tour opening them to a growing audience.Their 2nd single also gained popularity in the media, being put on the 2019 Northern Irish songs of the year.
‘Man on a Bridge’ is a jaunty yet chill indie number which shows Villa In France’s mature songwriting. With slicing sharp guitars, rumbling bass and punchy drums the bands buoyant backdrop is steeped in their usual energetic style.The theme of suicide is presented with dry matter of fact vocals as the rippling bass and lamenting guitar entwine on a sweet melodic foundation – creating a conflicting turmoil and bitter sweet contrast. With a shredding solo soaring over the bands biting soundscape ‘Man on a Bridge’ is an impressive track from Villa In France.
About the track the band said “The song is our take on mental health/suicide awareness and the thought process of a person going through this, we were inspired to write this song after Matthew Gillan (drummer) and I Nino Morelli (Guitarist) went through a personal experience, talking a stranger of a bridge in Derry a few months ago, seeing the effects of this person’s mental health first hand was very eye opening for us and after telling the story to Aidan (Singer) he used our unique perspective to write a song about the culture surrounding it. Our hope for this song is that people can connect with the lyrics and story and hopefully spread awareness about mental health in Northern Ireland especially in Derry.”
Galway four piece band Slyrydes are set to release their new single ‘I Claim To Be Intelligent’ on March 26th. In 2019 Slyrydes released their first four singles from March to October (Mental Health, Point of view, Out Patience & Dangerous Animals) The singles collected much critical acclaim nationwide and in the UK. Paul McLoone (Today fm/ The Undertones) has championed the band since the first single “Mental Health”. They have worked with Daniel Doherty in Darklands studio Dublin city (Fontaines DC/ Vulpynes/ Damien Dempsey) on every single so far. Slyrydes are currently working on their debut album while playing select shows around Ireland.
‘I claim to be intelligent’ is one snappy chilling live wire as Slyrydes take their engaging sound to a thrilling new level. The deep ominous vocals mutter through the verses while the punchy drums and dynamic bass maintain the bands elastic rumbling foundation. I for one have come to love this bands bass and drum interaction. They tightly entwine them together to add a rooted, brawny yet steamy and ominous quality through the tracks. The song jogs to its frantic crescendo, building tension and angst, ready for its mosh pit frenzied end. There is a sweet lamenting guitar refrain that holds a sense of vulnerability throughout the verses before the crashing chorus erupts.
‘I claim to be intelligent’ walks a fine line between masterfully sophisticated musicianship and unruly anarchy with ease – it’s an impressive and thrilling listen.
‘I claim to be intelligent’ is set for release on March 26th for more you can follow the band on Facebook here https://www.facebook.com/slyrydes/
TOYGIRL have released their second single, ‘Moonlight Velvet’ which was recorded at the legendary Windmill Lane Studios, was produced by up and coming Irish sound engineer and producer Daniel de Burca and was mixed by in-demand producer Cormac Butler (The Academic, All Tvvins, Coronas, Gavin James, Kodaline) and mastered by Deadeye’s Billy Farrell.TOYGIRL was formed by friends Hannah Worrall (Vocals/Keys), Fiachra O’Mahony (Guitar) and Ciaran Whelband (Guitar) in March 2018 with bassist Aran Hopkinson and drummer Cian O’Leary Hegarty finalising the line up later the same year. TOYGIRL have already gained a reputation for their exciting, hypnotic live performances. Despite their relative newcomer status, the band has clocked up a lot of ‘gig-miles’ on the Irish circuit including stints at the Button Factory, Levis’ Ballydehob, the Workman’s, and Roisin Dubh, Galway, to name a few, as well as the much-coveted support slot to Alice Phoebe Lou on Whelan’s main stage.The group has already been named in the line ups for this year’s Indiependence, K- Fest and We’ve only Just Begun music festivals amongst others.
‘Moonlight Velvet’ is a swoony gem which floats on a vintage bed of lush arrangements. TOYGIRL are developing their irresistible sound superbly. With a delicate yet lush backdrop the band twinkle guitars through soft soundscapes, angelic hushed backing vocals and a supple beat as the track softly wisps into an ethereal cloud of dreamy bliss. There is a faint yet deep flourish of jazz as soothing saxophone surges with a sweet loneliness through the hazy backdrop. The band masterfully create a delicate track which has depth and exudes rich rhythms without becoming overpowering.Hannah Worrall’s soulful vocals melt upon the bitter sweet melody with a pacifying comfort. Her voice is longing, sincere yet hopeful all at once.
‘Moonlight Velvet’ is utterly tender and sweet. The band provide comfort through melodic and sultry moments blessed with intricate guitar lines, glistening keys and an overall whimsical romantic soundscape. Presented with class and elegance ‘Moonlight Velvet’ is an immaculate emotive number that totally consumes you in the undeniably lush musicianship of TOYGIRL.
Stream ‘Moonlight Velvet’ below
Author : Danu
Indie: (n) an obscure form of rock which you only learn about from someone slightly more hip than yourself.
