Tag Archives: Alternative

Alt Rock, Indie, New Music, Singer/Songwriter

Badhands ‘Monday Morning’

Badhands (aka Daniel Fitzpatrick) has released his debut album this week along with the video for the lead single, ‘Monday Morning’.Badhands is the musical project of Dublin songwriter and musician Dan Fitzpatrick. His recently completed debut album, entitled ‘Predictable Boy’, began as a collaboration with producer and bass player Tom Cosgrave (The Minutes), then quickly evolved in to a more expansive project with the enlistment of multi-instrumentalist Aoife Ruth, drummer Ken Mooney, and engineer Chris Barry. With a strong focus on lyrics and vocals the album explores themes such as laziness, loneliness, loss and madness. Badhands debut single ‘Waves’ was released in November 2017, and was soon followed by an impressive run of live gigs, namely a performance at the Whelan’s Ones to Watch festival, a packed headline show in The Workmans Club, and a sold out gig at Vicar Street supporting Michael McDonald.Predictable Boy marks Fitzpatrick’s first venture as a solo artist, having previously worked as a musician and songwriter for years with the likes of The Mighty Stef, The Last Tycoons, Paddy Hanna and Maud in Cahoots.

‘Monday Morning’ is a gloriously melodic number which floats upon a rich energetic backdrop of jagged guitar injections, punchy drums and an elastic rooted bass line that weaves and twirls its way into your spine making you groove and dance along. With a bitter sweet melancholic melody drizzled into your ears by Fitzpatrick’s warm raspy vocals, this track is drenched in passionate tender moments that are incredibly relatable and touching. With sombre tones perfectly contrasted against vibrant lush instrumentation, Fitzpatrick presents a wholly consuming, mature number full of gusto and honesty. His musicianship is refined, pure and brimming with opulent textures as he wavers between the darker tones of the brooding Monday monotony and the lively foot tapping energy seamlessly to create a charming little ditty that is sure to make your day better.
Badhands ‘Predictable Boy launch is at The Workman’s Club in Dublin this coming Saturday, November 17th make sure to check it out. More live dates below

November 16th – Bennigans, Derry
November 17th – The Workmans Club, Dublin
November 22nd – The Roisin Dubh, Galway
November 24th – Broken Home, Newbridge
December 7th – Pharmacia, Limerick
Plus More TBA

Watch the video for ‘Monday Morning’ below

 


Alt- Pop, Indie, Indie Pop, indie rock, New Music

The Flavians ‘Non Stop Fun (All I Wanted)’

The Flavians have released their new single called ‘Non Stop Fun (All I Wanted)’. The track was recorded over the span of a year in various spaces around Berlin, Germany and in Nässjö, Sweden using a mix of analogue and digital gear with instruments from the 60s and 70s. The track was finally mixed by Fabio Buemi in TRIXX Studios, Berlin and then mastered by Steve Fallone at Sterling Sound, NY. The single will be the second release from The Flavians’ first album ‘Ordinary People in an Ordinary World’. The band has been playing support shows across Germany and The Czech Republic while filling out venues such as Cassiopeia and Badehaus in their adoptive hometown. Furthermore, they have built up a strong following through social media and their last single ‘On the Radio’, has racked up over 150,000 streams and been played on over 50 radio stations worldwide.  

‘Non Stop Fun (All I Wanted)’ is an easy going pop sprinkled gem that bounces along in a dreamy soft 60’s-eque soundscape while intelligent witty lyrics glide upon the sugar coated melody. These guys tell a story perfectly as lush backing vocals lull in the background while jangly keys twinkle around laid back guitar strides and punchy drums. It’s candied exterior makes this track so easy on the ears as The Flavians flesh out their catchy melodies and infectious bopping light instrumentation. This track is sure to put a smile on your face as it bops its glorious way into your head until you are blissfully singing along.

Watch the video ‘Non Stop Fun (All I Wanted)’ below

 

 

 


Alt- Pop, electro- pop, Electronic, Indie, Indie Disco, Indie Electro, Indie Pop, New Music

All Tvvins ‘Infinite Swim’

Electronic duo All Tvvins have released their new single ‘Infinite Swim’ from their second album ‘Just To Exist’ which is due for release early 2019 and produced by James Vincent McMorrow. All Tvvins 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 15 million streams landmark. Meanwhile, gigs in the UK and Ireland included a life-affirming sold-out show at Dublin’s historic Olympia Theatre as well as a tour as guests to Metric. All Tvvins, who consist of Conor Adams (The Cast Of Cheers) and Lar Kaye (Adebisi Shank) spent January and February of this year recording the new album and the album’s title ‘Just To Exist’ comes from a line in their new single ‘Infinite Swim’.

‘Infinite Swim’ is a funky flex of rich textures weaved through luscious melodies and pristine production. It’s swagger soaked panache strides and glides upon slinky guitars, groove infested bass and dazzling electronic whirls while it’s chic exterior smoothly drifts along with an effortless chilled tone and laid back vibe. The sweet creamy vocals caress and float upon the infectious velvety melody as it magnificently swoons it way comfortably into your mind.The track is rooted with a meaty funk foundation that adds a strut ready danceable shuffle while the electronics slide and glissade with an ethereal soul tinged elegance. A vapourous guitar solo brings this 80’s disco tinged  track to slick glorious heights, All Tvvins present us with a first rate glossy number to sink our teeth into.

To celebrate the album’s release, the duo have announced their biggest Dublin headline show to date at The National Stadium on April 13th 2019.

Stream  ‘Infinite Swim’ below


Alt Rock, Alt- Pop, Indie, indie rock, New Music

Ned Dylan ‘Life’s a Rave’

17-year-old original artist and songwriter, Ned Dylan has released his first single ‘Life’s a Rave’ from his debut album. The track is produced by Gordon Raphael (the Strokes’ first three albums/Regina Spektor’s ‘Soviet Kitsch’/Hinds), Wizard (M.IA./Chemical Brothers/Chase & Status/Wiley) and Freear (Slamboree).In the past Dylan has played festivals such as Glastonbury, Bestival, Secret Garden Party and Beautiful Days among others, leaving lasting impressions with his high-energy performances.He has also received coverage, airplay and praise from the likes of BBC Radio 2, Sir Tim Rice, American Songwriter, Amazing Radio and BBC News among others.

‘Life’s a Rave’ showcases Dylan’s sublime musicianship that encapsulates its theme perfectly through darkly coated soundscapes and catchy melodies. This cinematic number wavers between indie pop and symphonic rock to create a wholly enchanting goosebump inducing listen. Driving rhythms and sticky beats slap between an ominous piano feature while sinister strings elegantly lament in the chilling background. His vocals are filled with anguish and a sense of hurried danger and drama while lush backing vocals add a dash of soul into this adrenaline inducing banger. It’s intense, utterly mesmerising and well crafted with tight production teamed with the perfect and diverse use of instrumentation to slither and glide between genres seamlessly. Dylan oozes effortless swagger yet his delivery of the track seeps a sense of mystery and confusion through the vivid instrumentation.

About the track Dylan said “Life’s a Rave, is about ‘social media, isolation, escapism and how we connect with each other”

Watch the video for ‘Life’s A Rave’ below


Alt- Pop, Hypnotic, New Music

Voice of Aiko ‘Prescription Dream’

In collaboration with Voice of Aiko, Arts Council England, and charities REST, MIND & APRIL, Enya Belak Gupta unveils a powerful new film to help tackle the global prescription drug crisis. ‘Prescription Dream’ is a slick and stylish documentary that illustrates with chilling insight the terrible impact prescription drugs can have. The tense, unnerving tone employed throughout represents the helplessness and confusion of dependency sufferers. The film was released with the aim of generating cultural discourse around this pressing issue.Voice of Aiko is a creative collective of musicians, filmmakers and artists joining forces to campaign for real societal change. Aiko’s first project Prescription Dream sees founder Calista Kazuko collaborate with fellow musicians Samim, Miguel Toro and Jack Brown and filmmaker Enya Belak Gupta to spotlight an ongoing global prescription drug epidemic. 

‘Prescription Dream’ is a luring seductive number saturated in dark tones and eerie instrumentation. With sultry cooing vocals melting upon the sweet buoyant melody, this track charms its way into your mind effortlessly. The weaving mysterious instrumentation unfolds upon the rich bouncy rhythm as this track entices and sedates you with its chic suaveness, glossy exterior, and jazzy elements. Muted brass features and shimmy ready flirtations create an infectious number that superbly expresses its theme. It’s crisp production and enchanting qualities mixed with a 60’s- esque mystery movie vibe make for one mesmerising listen.

Watch the video for ‘Prescription Dream’ below

 


Album Review, Electronic, New Music

Master of None Album

Little Red songwriter Ian Mitchell has released his debut solo album under the nom de guerre Master of None. The eponymous 10 track album takes influence from artists such as Ween, PJ Harvey, Tom Waits and Nick  Cave. Although some of these artists also inspire Ian’s Little Red work, these influences are displayed  more fiercely on Master of None. However this album doesn’t adhere to one genre, the common thread is the songs’ lyrical  darkness, dealing explicitly with alcoholism, substance abuse, sex, debt, death and mental illness.

From the electronic slapping opening track ‘S.R.I.’ Mitchell takes us on a unique journey into his world which is quite the step away from Little Red’s style. ‘Let’s get fucked up’ and ‘Hunter’s Quarry’  twinkle through with delicate acoustic guitar, or piano for ‘Hunter’s Quarry’ and eerie vocals. His stripped back approach is chilling and quite ominous with some tender tones swirled throughout. It’s an experimental album with a lot of vocal personalities weaving between each track as Mitchell ventures down the Lo-fi avenue with his production. ‘Fluffy Bunnies and Unicorns’ makes good use of sticky electronics and pulsing beats concocting dark atmospheres between the obscure lyrics and spoken vocals. This electronic flow builds and progresses with each track on the album sometimes appearing tribal like in ‘Big Boots’ which also feature a traditional string element giving a Celtic jingle of warmth to the track .’Francis Bacon’s Bae’ and ‘Master of Nones’ are perhaps the most melodic tracks on the album with a waltz like string in the former and an elegant piano feature between trip hop beats and sorrowful vocals featuring in both tracks. The album takes a menacing turn with ‘Prick’. This heavy track is head-bang ready and a bit of a rush. With distorted guitars crashing and slicing through flashing electronics as repetitive lyrics attempt to hypnotize you through spoken vocals. There is a Marilyn Manson feel about ‘Husk’ while ‘The Gallows’ closes the album on a contrasting melancholic, bittersweet tone of delicacy.

It’s an obscure album which blends the eclectic, erratic and often sinister side of Mitchell’s musicianship. From elegant to mind crushing, each track takes you on a unique journey into the dark. With most of the tracks coming in at around the 2 minute mark they are brief haunting encounters filled with mystery, sinister themes and boozy ballads. Fantastic.

Stream ‘Francis Bacon’s Bae’ below 

https://soundcloud.com/user-483877268/francis-bacons-bae


Album Review, Alt Rock, Alt- Pop, Glam Rock, Hypnotic, Indie, Indie Dance, Indie Disco, Indie Pop, Indie Psychedelic, indie rock, New Music, Pop Punk, Pop Rock, Psych-Pop, psychedelic, Rock, Rock and Roll

BRONCHO ‘Bad Behavior’ Album

BRONCHO have released their new album ‘Bad Behavior’ an infectious swirl of luscious, teasing and exhilaration tracks to keep you drooling for more. It’s a tasty collection of tracks filled with psychedelic indie pop, laid back tones and insanely catchy grooves to ensure a satisfying listen. ‘All Choked Up’ sets the EP in motion with its churning rhythm creating a danceable foundation for the buoyant guitars and smoky melody. The stop start beat establishes an atmosphere of suspense which is only subdued by the shredding slick guitar solo. This track is so sleek and glossy with dark undertones twirling beneath the hypnotic rhythm. The tracks on the album flow into each other with a smooth fluidity,‘Weekend’ continues the heavenly subtly psychedelic trip with ethereal guitars twinkling between a steady backdrop. Ryan Lindsey’s sweet falsetto vocals provide each song with a heavenly quality. The instrumentation is tight throughout- crafted to perfection with glorious guitar twinkles daintly accompanying Lindsey’s vocals and honeyed melody while the strong beat and elastic bass grooves between. ‘Boys Got To Go’ displays this perfectly, the melodic flow guarantees a soothing listening experience as soft guitars glisten playfully throughout before whining elegantly every so often. BRONCHO provide the most glorious comforting blanket with ‘Keep It In Line’. This track enfolds your ears in a candied soothing melody, beautifully weaved instrumentation and sedating vocals. It’s bouncy, bright but incredibly tranquilizing. These guys delicately unwrap their sound revealing lush textures with each track. Together they gel immaculately- each instrument has its part and yet the tunes they produce feel airy and freeing. The album continues to blossom with ‘Sandman’, bringing a slightly ominous tone into this dreamy mix. The guitar and bass in this track is riveting. The song bubbles and boils around the playful guitar as Lindsey creates a haunting atmosphere. It’s a little more gritty with a creepy almost sleazy vibe but an absolutely thrilling listen.’Undercover’ follows the darker tone of its predecessor lightening it with buoyant grooves stomping between a sliding swagger soaked melody and strutting guitars. This is one well crafted track.The subtle guitar changes from twinkling and gliding to prancing as they flood the track with panache and an infectious funk flavoured danceable quality. ‘Family Values’ is another infectious gem that is sure to put a smile on your face. If you can prise your ears away from the bouncy weaving instrumentation and focus on the lyrics BRONCHO showcase their humorous cheeky side,“I got a thing for your mother / I got a thing to teach your father”. One thing I have come to love about the Tulsa, Oklahoma-based band is their sublime ability to create dreamy woozy tunes like ‘Big City Boys’. Though the track is hazy and dreamy the instrumental backing is strong, pushing forward with a relentless goal of fun loving with a slick proficient style that is one to be admired. The summertime cruising ‘Get In My Car’ follows. The album version sounds a little tweaked and more crisp to the single version released last year. This summer time gem bops and wiggles over a smooth melody and gleaming guitars. Glissading over to a glam rock flavour, BRONCHO provide us with a tantalizing variety of genres to taste throughout this album. They close the album in the best possible way, leaving us hungry for more. The swagger steeped foot stomping danceable and infectious ‘Easy Way Out’ accomplishes this task without fail. It’s slick, pristine, panache driven indie rock drizzled in rock n’ roll flamboyance with nimble steamy guitar licks and a catchy melodic flow to keep us wanting to dance all night long.

BRONCHO is that band that are cool, fun and make you want to scream and tell everyone about. Their sound is appealing to everyone from the lazy daydreamer to the adrenaline punk-rocker and indie-head in between. The provocative lyrics, incredible musicianship and all out swaggering groovy persona within each track is what makes BRONCHO one heck of a band. The sound is distinctive, Lindsey’s vocals are distinctive and their tunes undeniably infectious. It’s music to make you feel, music to make you dance and bop or tap your foot and do air drums to while you relax on a lazy summer’s day, but either way you feel every delightful note.

Stream ‘Bad Behavior’ below


Alt- Pop, Indie, Indie Buddie Introducing, New Music

Indie Buddie Introducing : The Arthur Brothers

Tottenham based The Arthur Brothers have released their debut single ‘Ninth’. The Arthur Brothers began life as a recording project and quickly grew into an artistic alliance centered around the biological brothers Matt and Danny Arthur and the producer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist J. C. Wright. Their music is inspired by a mutual obsession for inventive song-craft and a cross-generational love of classic albums with dramatic, bold and intriguing productions. Driven by a devotion to the recording process and a passionate desire to make a record full of mystery, melody, diversity and depth – the Arthurs and Wright, along with a coterie of talented contributors have been on a long and challenging creative expedition. Their first single release, ‘Ninth’, is the opening stage of the nine part musical adventure that will eventually be unveiled as The Arthur Brothers’ debut album.

‘Ninth’ is a multi- faceted weaving prism glistening between a swirling concoction of dark chilling mystery. This richly textured number thrives on a meaty tribal drum foundation which whacks and rumbles under western- esque guitars and icy keys. Flashing soundscapes create a floaty breezy atmosphere for the eerie vocals to haunt through while twinkling chimes and desert evoking guitars lament and flood the track with a lonely tone. The melody slides between mysterious and cold to peppy and buoyant as the catchy chant-like chorus stomps its way into your brain with a relentless stamina that won’t rest until you sing along. The immaculate harmonies surge adrenaline through the song making for a completely submerging listening experience. It’s a cinematic track that will have you thumping your chest, stomping your feet and worshiping The Arthur Brothers tribal- esque indie sound blissfully.

 

Stream ‘Ninth’ below

 


Alt Rock, Indie, indie rock, New Music

Bang Bang Club ‘Melody’

Sheffield rock n’ roll band Bang Bang Club are set to release their new single ‘Melody’ tomorrow September 8th. The band have been playing together since Singer/guitarist Jake Sissons forced the others ( Bassist, Adam Eaton,Drummer, Tom Barker and Guitarist, Sam Leader)  to join his Beatles tribute band at infant school.

‘Melody’ is a jaunty number brimming with infectious indie swagger over a weighty rock n’ roll backdrop. These guys whack out a charming pop sprinkled melody over rooted bass grooves and shredding guitar lacerations giving a garage- esue quality to this light catchy track. The stomping drums provide a relentless stamina and meaty quality while smooth vocals coo over the blistering instrumental backing. Filled with vibrant component parts weaving and blending together to create a sublime striking track these guys have a tight sound that will have you bopping and dancing along in no time. It’s smooth, sun kissed and brimming with subtle  juicy instrumental glimmers around each glorious corner.

You can follow Bang Bang Club on Facebook here https://www.facebook.com/bangbangclubband

 


Alt- Pop, EP Review, Indie, New Music

Sandra’s Wedding ‘Good Morning, Bad Blood’ EP

Indie four piece Sandra’s Wedding have released their new EP ‘Good Morning, Bad Blood’. The Goole based four piece comprised of members Joe Hodgson (Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Piano), Jonny Hughes (Electric guitar, Mandolin), Tom Hill (Bass Guitar), Luke Harrison (Drums, Percussion) released their debut album “Northern Powerhouse” in February 2017, which was well received by reviewers with the band subsequently invited to perform a BBC Introducing live session on the show. The sepia tinged songs on the album address love, loss and life in industrial towns across the North of England, with guitarist Jonny Hughes telling one newspaper that the group and lyricist Joe Hodgson try to write songs with lyrics that people can identify with, telling stories about residing and experiencing life in Northern, working class areas.’Good Morning, Bad Blood’ deals with similar themes to its’ predecessor with love, the complexities of relationships and the mundane side of romance all running strongly through the four tracks. The album was produced by Dan Foster at Hull’s Element Studios and mastered by Pete Maher.

‘Good Morning, Bad Blood’ is a charming warm collection of tracks that travel at an easy pace unfolding tales of heartbreak and love in a cosy wholesome manner. All four tracks hold a similar thread that confirms Sandra’s Wedding’s Smiths- esque brand however each track maintains its own identity and beautiful hold on your ears. The delicately chiming guitars throughout title track ‘Good Morning, Bad Blood’ teamed with a delicious soothing melody and punchy drums makes for an enthralling opening to the EP. Instantly you are relaxed and settled into the cosy sound of this quartet. Hodgson’s vocals are easy to listen to as his sweet and comforting voice caresses the melody while the jangly guitar laments with warm yet sorrowful tones. Even through the mournful ‘Titanic’ Hodgson’s vocals hold a firm grip on your emotions as the elegant piano adds a graceful classy tone to the sweet tune. ‘Saturday Night Television’ brings a foot tapping cheery quality to the lamenting feel of the EP. The trumpet and cello are a sublime addition to the instrumentation, they fill the track with a tender warmth while weaving through a doleful bitter sweet melody that could bring a tear to your eye. ‘Run, Rabbit, Run’ is the most vibrant track on the EP as lively trumpet blasts set a mysterious Mexican Mariachi vibe over buoyant drums and lively guitar strides. It’s a refreshing and striking end to the EP.

‘Good Morning, Bad Blood’ is a collection of four songs that are brimming with sleek guitars weaving their way meticulously through sublime melodies and immaculate moments making for a richly satisfying listen. Each track is so rhythmically appealing  and touching that the persistent listener is likely to find themself won over almost,without warning, by its pure honesty and wholesomeness.

 

Stream  ‘Good Morning, Bad Blood’ below