Tag Archives: indie rock

Alt Rock, EP Review, Indie, indie rock, New Music

Mark Daly ‘Nothing to Lose’ EP

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Mark Daly has released his new EP ‘Nothing to Lose’. Cork-based Irish Rock musician Mark Daly’s artistic chops have never been up for debate. After building an impressive following touring with Geoff Tate (Queensrÿche), Candlebox, and more. In the summer of 2021, Mark teamed up with Avantasia guitarist and world-renowned producer Sascha Paeth (Kamelot, Rhapsody of Fire, Angra) to create a hard rock album, Peace in the Panic. The album was recorded in Sascha’s Pathway Studio in Wolfsburg, Germany. Mark performed at the MTV EMA Awards in Belfast with his previous band, The Voodoos, after beating 10,000+ other bands from Europe to the slot. He hit #1 on the Scottish New Music Charts with his Autism Awareness Charity solo single ‘Your World,’ inspired by his son, Noah. Adding to the list is his songwriting work with Geoff Tate-led supergroup, Operation: Mindcrime. He performed on the Monsters of Rock Cruise alongside Alice Cooper, Buckcherry, and more. He began with 2016’s ‘The Heart’s Reminder’ (no. 2 on the Irish Downloads Chart) followed by his debut album When the Stars Align. Mark Daly & The Ravens, the band that plays with him live, includes Mark Daly (rhythm guitar, lead vocals), James Brown (lead guitar, backing vocals), Jack Ross (bass guitar), Alex Hart (lead guitar, backing vocals) and Daniel Laverde (drums).

‘Nothing to Lose’ is a mammoth-sounding EP that roars with blistering rock n roll bravado and shredding riffs. With the swaggering stomp of ‘Nothing To Lose’ and ‘Gotta Run’ the EP oozes grooves that are so catchy you can’t help but dance and mosh along. From resounding drums to rapid bass licks and driving guitar refrains weaved between irresistible melodies, the songs within this EP exude irresistible energy and evoke images of live crowds screaming back the lyrics. ‘Nothing to Lose’ is a cohesive EP that expresses diverse facets to Daly’s sound. ‘Crying Shame’ and ‘Bottled Up’ are fine examples of this. The former boasts a wonderful indie rock edge while the latter takes a ballad-esque and more emotional stance on the EP that subsequently, ever so cleverly, injects a breath of fresh air into the EP’s immersive experience.

‘Nothing to Lose’ EP pulls it out of the bag and delivers a collection of tracks that displays Mark Daly’s expressive musicianship in all its glory. He is developing his sound with each release while also giving us heavy rock heads something tantalizing to mosh to.

Stream ‘Nothing to Lose’ below 


Author: Danu

Alt Rock, Indie, indie rock, New Music

Red Sun Alert ‘Literally’

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Post-hardcore four-piece Red Sun Alert have released the second single ‘Literally’ off their upcoming EP, titled ‘Assume Power’. The Cork-based group recorded at the studio in Munster Technological University, Cork School of Music, where the four members have just graduated. It was recorded and mixed by Eoin Hayes of Rebel Recordings and Drew Linehan of Hausu.

‘Literally’ deftly displays the intricate and enigmatic musicianship of Red Sun Alert. The band place ethereal vocals over a dark backdrop of choppy drum progression and turbulent bass lines while sharp guitars create waves of acute, blustery alternative rock throughout. Well crafted and laced in intricate instrumentation the track is a wholly immersive listening experience. ‘Literally’ is a fantastic new tune from Red Sun Alert. 

Stream ‘Literally’ below 


Author: Danu

Indie, indie rock, New Music

Binmen ‘Death by the River’

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Binmen. Copyright Miguel Ruiz.

Binmen have released their second single ‘Death by the River.’ The Wicklow outfit have been steadily building a loyal fanbase following a string of gigs across the country and the release of their debut single ‘Backhammer and Tongs. Binmen were born for sweatbox venues and musical escapism. Their debut single ‘Backhammer and Tongs’ was released in August 2022 to support a relentless gig schedule. Having played shows all across Dublin, Cork, Wexford and London over the past few months, alongside the likes of Big Sleep and Last Apollo, finding time to record has been a challenge. Nevertheless, Binmen are expecting to release their debut EP in early 2023. 

‘Death by the River’ creeps in on haunting soundscapes, poetic lyrical content and compelling music. The track is a joy to listen to with a dark narrative that is enhanced by sprawling guitars and steady rhythms that create a sense of loneliness between harsh bursts of alternative rock while deep vocals croon expressive lyrics “Waits the wife and the lovely child / By the river, they light no fire / May they rest, may they rest in time.” ‘Death by the River’ is a well-crafted tune that marks Binmen as a band to keep an eye on. 

Stream ‘Death by the River’ below 


Author: Danu

Indie, New Music, Pop Punk

Tyler Keel ‘I Say’

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Tyler Keel has released his debut single, ‘I Say’. Originally a game developer, Tyler Keel is a fresh face to the music industry, and yet he is already such a promising talent. The artist picked up game development at just 13-years-old, but it was the songwriting that allowed him to be even more creative and find an outlet for his thoughts/emotions. Now fully emerged as a performing artist, Keel describes his process as very much music first, finding a beat that he resonates with before he starts to let the lyrics flow.

Surging with emotion and pop-punk bravado ‘I Say’ is a dynamic debut from Tyler Keel. The track sits on a bed of gritty guitars, pummeling drums and elastic bass lines that fill out the energetic foundation while Keel’s gritty vocals express the evocative lyrics. “so I have to know if my heart is in purgatory… put me in a spiral of grief I don’t know how to get you off my mind”. Laced with shredding riffs and oodles of energy ‘I say’ is a compelling and impressive new tune.

Stream ‘I Say’ below 

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Author: Danu

Indie, Live Music, Live Music Review, New Music

Inhaler Live at The 3Olympia Theatre

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Dublin indie rock four-piece Inhaler kicked off their 36-date world tour, with two shows in Dublin’s historic 3Olympia Theatre last week. I headed down to the second date which proved to be a momentous affair. Right from the get-go, I got a sense of the “Beatlemania” effect this band has on their fans. A member of the audience collapsed almost halfway through the first song prompting vocalist and guitarist Elijah Hewson to stop the performance until he was sure the fan was looked after and ok. Perhaps that’s one of the facets of this band’s appeal; their love and care for the safety of their fans …but mostly it’s the wonderful musical earworms these guys create, their youthful adrenaline- fuelled sound and relatable lyrics that discuss the trials and tribulations of life as a 20-something. 

Inhaler continued their set with a myriad of fan favourites that immediately went down a treat with the crowd as they bellowed back the lyrics as if their lives depended on it. ‘When It Breaks’ had the pit in a bustle of bouncing bodies and flailing limbs, even fans in the seated section of the 3Olympia were up on their feet dancing. This band have natural charisma and an irresistible charm about them. They don’t need flamboyant stage antics. Their chilled, suave stance and magnetic tunes speak for themselves and draw the crowd in effortlessly. Keen to get as many songs into their set list as possible the band whacked out catchy banger after banger and it became instantly apparent these guys are competent and talented musicians with a checklist of stadium rock-worthy crowd-pleasing tunes.

As performers and artists, the four-piece have grown rapidly. They ooze more confidence since the last I saw them and it is clear they are more comfortable on stage as well. A fine example of their musical growth on the night was their performance of ‘A Night On The Floor’. Much to the delight of the crowd, Josh Jenkinson fleshed out his intricate guitar manoeuvres between Elijah Hewson’s silken croons, Robert Keating’s malleable basslines and Ryan McMahon’s rhythmic drumming. There were many memorable moments throughout the performance and as the night progressed the venue became a bubbling pot of euphoria, fans bounced and sang along to the entire setlist without fail and it is easy to why. These guys create fun, dance-able tunes that blend indie rock, pop and funk embellishments with ease creating an atmosphere for fans to let everything go and enjoy themselves. As Inhaler belted their way through ‘Love Will Get You There’ and ‘It Won’t Always Be Like This’,  the mania of the crowd only intensified. There are not many bands around that can whip a crowd into a frenzy the way Inhaler do and it was a wonderful sight to experience and be a part of.

Inhaler are a joy to experience live. The band possess a professional manner and enviable musical talent well beyond their years. They have had to master their craft fast with a lot of eyes on them and last Thursday night was a triumphant middle finger to anyone who doubted them. 


Author: Danu

Indie, indie rock, New Music

Blood Donor ‘Man, What Have You Done?’

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Fresh from the release of his latest single ‘Lonely Street’, Blood Donor (the solo project of ex-Otherkin frontman Luke Reilly) returns with his new single ‘Man, What Have You Done?’.Blood Donor’s debut album is due to be announced very soon and is slated for release in the Summer of 2023. His releases to date have drawn press acclaim and enjoyed considerable airtime on radio stations in both Ireland and the UK, having been named a ‘Future Artist’ by BBC Radio One’s Jack Saunders and having received healthy rotation on RTÉ 2FM, Today FM and FM104. Known for his magnetism and presence as a frontman during his Otherkin years, he is now touring with a 5-piece band featuring some of Ireland’s finest live musicians. You can catch them live at Other Voices on the 2nd-4th of December.

‘Man, What Have You Done?’ is an irresistible musical delight that displays Blood Donor’s deft ability to create truly compelling music. With warm jazz-speckled keys fluttering between edgy guitars, psychedelic moments and pounding drums; the track moves with ease between light mellow tones and sunkissed indie rock bravado. Reilly slips into his sweet falsetto for the bright chorus that is relaxed, and peppy with a hint of indie grit while the airy melody is so sweet you can’t help but crave to hear more. Lyrically Reilly takes a deep dive into his musings on friendships that come and go and wonderfully expresses these thoughts through illustrious instrumentation, lush harmonies and upbeat soundscapes. ‘Man, What Have You Done?’ is a radiant bop that is a joy to listen to and beckons repeat plays. 

Stream ‘Man, What Have You Done?’ below 


Author: Danu

Indie, indie rock, Live Music, Live Music Review, New Music

SweetCake, Reserved for Rehab and Sean Looney Live In Fred Zeppelins Cork

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Last night three up-and-coming indie bands SweetCake, Reserved for Rehab and Sean Looney electrified Fred Zeppelins in Cork.

Sean Looney kicked the night off. His tunes exuded good old-fashioned danceability with funk hues blended between indie and jazz tones. With his musically tight band behind him, the room bounced with vigour as Looney crooned over slick key refrains and smooth melodic flows. These guys are naturals on stage and their organic knack for sweet-toned riffs, rhythmic drums and catchy melodies left no doubt they are a talented band with a lot of potential.

Reserved for Rehab followed. A heavier band in sound, they knocked our socks off with lush grunge tones, dense riffage and pummeling drums that reverberated through the venue. These guys have something, an exciting Je ne sais quoi that I can’t put my finger on. Perhaps its the expressive sinister tone of their unreleased tune ‘Ivory’ ( though unreleased, the song had the crowd singing as if it was a fan favourite of a well-known indie band) or the well-paced track list that showcased very sleek instrumentation and musical prowess but there is a sense that with a bit more time this band could move on to bigger things. Consider me intrigued. 

Just as the name suggests, SweetCake brought the night to a close with some very sweet and lush tunes. These guys are impressive in the live setting. The band exuded charisma with a hint of suave nonchalance onstage however the set list was fun, funky and kept the crowd lively and dancing throughout. Musically their sound is very expressive: guitars effortlessly glide from catchy heavy riffs to debonair licks with ease while grooving basslines stylishly complement rhythmic drums and warm vocals. Unfortunately, I had to rush off before their set finished but keep an eye on these guys.

It’s always refreshing to see the immense talent of upcoming bands displaying their raw talent without fluff or rehearsed bravado and just performing off the natural buzz on stage and feeding off the crowd. It’s a difficult thing to do but SweetCake, Reserved for Rehab and Sean Looney put on a fantastic show. 


Author: Danu

Indie, Indie Pop, indie rock, New Music

Thrillhouse ‘Fatal Flaw’

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Brighton-based alt-indie band, Thrillhouse return with their latest single ‘Fatal Flaw’. A love letter to those that stick with you through the tough times. With their debut album being mixed ‘Fatal Flaw’ will be their last single before beginning the release of the album in early 2023.

Thrillhouse have a knack for creating wonderful textures and nuances within their music. ‘Fatal Flaw’ is a fantastic example of this. The band’s taste for mixing and matching synth elements with chugging bass lines and buoyant beats keeps the tune bright and catchy while the melodies exude sentimental nostalgia throughout. Every track from Thrillhouse is a joy to the ears and with warm vocals, and chiming guitars that ooze charm from every note, ‘Fatal Flaw’ continues this band’s record of heart-racing irresistible gems. 

Stream ‘Fatal Flaw’ below 


Author: Danu

Indie, indie rock, New Music

Dylan Flynn & The Dead Poets ‘Life’

Photo Credit: Jamie Moore

Dylan Flynn & The Dead Poets have released their new single ‘Life’.Dylan Flynn and The Dead Poets make music for twenty-somethings living in a country that completely ignores them. The indie up-and-comers have amassed over 170,000 streams on Spotify, secured support slots with fellow Irish acts NewDad and Milk as well as embarking on their first Irish tour playing a number of sold-out headline shows. A recent clip of their last single ‘Running Away’ hit almost half a million views on TikTok.

‘Life’ displays Dylan Flynn & The Dead Poets’ mesmerising creative musicianship in all its glory. The band create a distinctive blend of Americana with modern pop/rock nuances to create a sound that is natural, relaxed and a joy to listen to. Filled with emotive melodies, bubbling beats and chiming guitars the track’s bright instrumentation excites the imagination while at the same time cushioning the listener from the sombre lyrics. Boasting lush harmonies and the right amount of guitar gusto to give it that powerful edge; ‘Life’ is a charming ditty from start to finish.

Stream ‘Life’ below 


Author: Danu

Alt Rock, Indie, indie rock, New Music

Savonarola ‘Ash’

 ‘Ash’ is the latest track from Canadian band Savonarola. The title refers to a chapter in Robert Bly’s novel ‘Iron John’ called ‘Road to Ashes Decent and Grief’. Savonarola wanted to pay homage to his philosophy that you must examine your own wounds to discover your gifts. It’s a sentiment that is brought to life by the track and produced/ engineered by Felix Fung at Little Red Sound Studios. ‘Ash’ is also accompanied by a hazy, chaotic and impactful video shot by Chris Catalano in Pandora’s Box Studios. This video, packed with flashing lights, eccentric camera angles, and trippy editing, brings another dimension to the striking emotions in ‘Ash’. The band once again reference another momentous piece of art with scenes of odd crowd behavior; these people move in circles comparable to Gustave Doré’s painting “Prisoners Round”, later reinvented by Vincent Van Gogh.

Saturated in dark indie rock,‘Ash’ is a refined and compelling new single from Savonarola. The track travels on a pulsing bassline, hypnotic guitar refrains, punchy drums and haunting melodies that create an immersive soundscape that is a joy to listen to. With raspy vocals and striking lyrics, “Watch and bare, the night’s despair, Faint of hope, come up for air, Treasons light, is my delight, The span of time, Don’t Shed No Light.” ‘Ash’ is an expressive and moving new single to indulge in.

Stream ‘Ash’ below 

Watch The Video Below


Author: Danu