Tag Archives: indie rock

Indie, indie rock, New Music, Singer/Songwriter

Stephen Kelly ‘Home Brew Volume 1’

Stephen Kelly – frontman and songwriter for Dublin rock band Raglans, has released ‘Home Brew Volume 1’ a lockdown concoction of newly written and home produced material. Working with mixing engineer, Eamonn Conway (Raglans, The Scratch, Sorcha Richardson, Otherkin) remotely from pandemic bedrooms, ‘Home Brew’ is a collection of new tracks and bonus unreleased older recordings that have never seen the light of day until now.

‘Home Brew Volume 1’ is a cohesive, melodically rich collection of tracks which showcases the versatility of Stephen Kelly as an artist. The EP has a diverse and engaging soundscape oozing alternative edgy elements blended between indie pop melodies, rock n roll tones with the odd country twang thrown in for good measure.

Boasting deft production and first rate musicianship, ‘Pile Up’ sets the EP in motion. The tracks luring, enticing beat is the perfect appetiser for whats to come. From the sun kissed swag of ‘Hollandia’ to the sweet ballad ‘Same Old Town’ the EP provides emotive and passionate tunes showcasing Kelly’s musical prowess – the latter displaying poignant songwriting “Forever lonely waiting on tomorrow”.

Exuding witty lyrics and wonderful melodic changes, the attitude soaked ‘Shit Song’ is a brisk, glorious assault on the senses. As in all of Kelly’s music his tracks are brimming with rich instrumentation as he spreads slinky basslines and slick guitar lines over a punchy rhythmic backdrop – a joy to listeners ears. Within ‘Home Brew Volume 1’ each song flows into the next with ease, subtly revealing different aspects of Kelly’s musicianship.

Arguably the most intriguing track on the EP ‘Icarus’ is a dynamic shot of adrenaline. Perhaps it’s the deft lyrics combined with invigorating use of instrumentation but there is something special about this track. Radiating ethereal guitars, eerie soundscapes and a rumbling bass the track is one of the highlights on the EP. The song emits kinetic energy and a magnetic personality that entices the listener to press the replay button repeatedly. It is utterly sublime.

‘Fallen Heroes (Live)’ triumphantly brings the EP to a close. A jangly live track laced in good vibes, witty lyrics and a heartening sing along refrain. This catchy ditty is a treasure at the moment. Providing us with a hint of live atmosphere through a fun, free spirited track, it is a superb way to end the EP.

Stephen Kelly presents a well crafted and charming collection of tracks which showcase his refined musicianship and exceptional knack with melodies. The earworm gems are a delight on the ears and mark Kelly as a first rate songwriter. Looking forward to Volume 2.

Check out ‘Home Brew Volume 1’ on Bandcamp here https://stephenkelly1.bandcamp.com/releases


Author : Danu

Indie, indie rock, New Music

Perfectparachutepicture ‘Lonely Landslide’

UK noisemakers Perfectparachutepicture have released their new single ‘Lonely Landslide’. Sharp concise and brimming in rock soaked bravado, ‘Lonely Landslide’ is a fantastic new single. The band spread a scorching guitar riff over snappy drums and raw basslines to create a hyper relentless pace as the track chugs into its explosive indie rock chorus. The vocals coat the fluid melody in swagger while the acute guitars jab and saw through the backdrop with majestic power allowing the coarse bass to maintain the punchy foundation. It’s a catchy, dark and well crafted track as the band flesh out their refined and adrenaline inducing musicianship to create a lean mean and thoroughly exhilarating new tune ready to ignite a live audience. It’s a song to blast from the speakers as the relentless pace of the track is too infectious to resist. ‘Lonely Landslide’ is another smasher from Perfectparachutepicture.

Stream ‘Lonely Landslide’ below


Author : Danu

Indie, indie rock, New Music, Singer/Songwriter

Jack Joyce ‘Electric Love Letters’

Up and coming unsigned Irish singer-songwriter Jack Joyce has released his new single ‘Electric Love Letters’. Joyce first embarked on his music career at the age of sixteen when he began performing and booking gigs in local pubs and clubs. He released his debut demo EP, ‘Get Down’, in October 2018 and spent the summer of 2019 busking through Europe. Following his return he sold out The Vintage Room in the Workman’s Club and the Whale Theatre. He followed this by opening for Cassia in Whelan’s and playing a slot at the New Year’s Festival in Dublin.

Vibrant, melodic and wrapped in slick indie goodness, ‘Electric Love Letters’ is a knockout bop from Jack Joyce. The track travels on bright jaunty guitar lines which hop through the shuffling beat as Joyce creates a fun, light and infectious gem. Joyce’s witty lyrics drift over a chugging rhythmic backdrop as his cheeky chappie charm and unique warm vocals highlight his impressive storytelling. All the fun lyrics aside the track is tight and well crafted, there are glorious little moments peppering the track in subtle refinement including a shredding solo and intricate weaving on percussion. ‘Electric Love Letters’ is another sublime pop sprinkled indie earworm from Jack Joyce.

Stream ‘Electric Love Letters’ below


Author : Danu

Blues Rock, indie rock, New Music, Video Premiere

Stephen Kelly ‘Pile Up’ Video Premiere

Frontman and songwriter for Dublin Rock Band RAGLANS, Stephen Kelly has embarked on his first solo crusade with his new single ‘Pile Up’, taken from his collection ‘Home Brew Volume 1’ a lockdown concoction of newly written & home produced material. Working with mixing engineer, Eamonn Conway (Raglans, The Scratch, Sorcha Richardson, Otherkin) remotely from pandemic bedrooms, ‘Home Brew’ is a collection of exciting new tracks and bonus unreleased older recordings that have never seen the light of day.

Steeped in loose laid back grooves and lush backing vocals ‘Pile Up’ is an enticing and tantalizing indie rock track from Stephen Kelly. The infectious guitar riff simmers with a western-esque humidity as Kelly’s warm, rasped vocals ooze panache and confidence over bluesy-soaked soundscapes. Soft sprinkles on keys inject a quirky and balmy element into the tracks muggy, sultry atmosphere while the catchy melody and rich instrumental components exude a relaxed persona within. Boasting deft production and first rate musicianship, ‘Pile Up’ is an exciting glimpse into the creative mind of Kelly as a solo artist.

‘Pile Up’ is accompanied by an animated video by Adam Daniels from London based visual media company PrimitiveEarth and Indie Buddie gets to premiere this amazing visual today. Have a look below. It’s a real treat!

Stephen intends to continue with Home Brew Volume 2 in Early 2021 before embarking on live solo dates, further releases and touring with Raglans but for now, ‘Home Brew Volume 1’ is available on Bandcamp and from January 2nd on Spotify and all major streaming platforms. Check it out and enjoy on Bandcamp here

https://stephenkelly1.bandcamp.com/album/home-brew-volume-1?fbclid=IwAR22wpBeui0YMkhagyzGGlfYdi2l7GnJ7avW-Sxwpi3eZXor_FecFwHiYfw


Author : Danu

Indie, indie rock, New Music

Hook ‘I Like You’

Hook have released their new single ‘I Like You’. Hook are a three piece new wave indie band from Dublin, Ireland. Formed in early 2019 Hook spent the year writing and recording their debut EP released to excellent reviews, joyful responses, numerous radio plays and many virtual and socially distant high fives. ‘I Like You’ was recorded in an old Victorian house in Dublin in early 2020.

Doused in blistering country rock ‘I Like You’ is a catchy fun tune displaying the vibrant musicianship of Hook. The band flesh out their catchy wall of sound with blazing guitars and dynamic drums to create a light radiant soundscape. The track flows on an infectious melody and boasts crisp production while the rasped vocals and energetic crescendo make this song a satisfying listening experience.

Stream ‘I Like You’ below


Author : Danu

Alt Rock, Garage Rock, indie rock, New Music

Bullet Girl ‘Panic 2020’

Dublin based noise punks Bullet Girl delve into new musical territory with the release of their garage rock inspired new single ‘Panic 2020’. Bullet Girl are guitarist Dylan Keenan, singer Aaron Doyle, bassist Tony Keyes and drummer Noel Dempsey.Like many bands this year, they had high hopes for 2020, especially with regards to live shows. An all Ireland tour was booked, a slot at Aiken’s Eastbound had been secured, their debut performance at Electric Picnic and they were on course to sell out their first headline show at Thomas House. While all of this was evidently cancelled, Bullet Girl still managed to put out four singles, a handful of live performances and three music videos. In January, they begin work on their debut album and plan to tour a live show around Ireland and the UK. One that they’ve been working on since early this year.

‘Panic 2020’ is a swaggering track which slips from chic, cruising rock n roll to anarchy-driven garage rock while maintaining the powerful and refined musicianship of Bullet Girl. The track creeps in on a laid back shimmy rhythm with an elastic bass groove weaving playfully between a buoyant drum progression as the band ease you into a false sense of charm, security and boppy lightness. The sense of breezy, sunny day fun twists, changes and becomes muggy and asphyxiating for the chorus. The song unravels becoming more harsh and frenzied as the crashing guitars explode into the pummeling drums to create a chaotic wall of sound. The prance on vocals ventures from a swaggered charm to screams and gravely exclaims as the track reaches it’s frenzied crescendo. The skillful shift from cool nonchalance to utter turmoil is masterful as the band present their most engaging and thrilling song to date. Love it.

The song’s mantra “We’re just sensitive people after all..” has now taken on a new meaning for the year that 2020 represents. Here’s what the band have to say about it: “This song has been around exactly a year now, we were reflecting on the year that was ahead and predicting what the new decade might hold. We recorded this song live in our studio on one of the hottest day’s of the year – we literally couldn’t breathe in that room. That claustrophobic, sweaty effect definitely seeped into the final recording – unintentional but fitting.”

Stream ‘Panic 2020’ below


Author : Danu

Alt Rock, Indie, indie rock, New Music

Echoviolet ‘City Of Impunity’

Bradford based alternative indie rock band Echoviolet are set to release their new single ‘City Of Impunity’ on 18th of December. Comprised of James, Rowan, Charlotte and George, the band are currently in the MASrecords program and will be releasing four new tracks over the next few months.  

Dark, gritty and steeped in chilling instrumentation, ‘City Of Impunity’ displays Echoviolet’s refined and thrilling musicianship in all its glory. The track has an epic 80’s rock hue with soaring guitars and dark wild undertones. Ominous vocals whisper and haunt through a punchy drum foundation as the track relentlessly maintains an enticing driving force throughout. As the sharp guitar slices through the thick muggy soundscape the song builds becoming more dynamic and animated for the catchy chorus. The quartet craft this track wonderfully as they create frantic moments of alternative rock between creeping haunting elements to provide an utterly thrilling and intoxicating new single to indulge in.

‘City Of Impunity’ is set for release on December 18th for more you can follow Echoviolet on Facebook here 

https://www.facebook.com/echovioletuk/


Author : Danu

Alt Rock, indie rock, New Music

MAUVE ‘Branches‘

London/Cambridge rock band MAUVE have released their new single ‘Branches‘ which is taken from their recently released EP of the same name.The band comprised of Steve Campbell (Guitar/Vox), Leuan Smith (Bass/Vox), Ben Smith (Drums) formed through Gumtree in 2018 and have 2 EP’s to their name, countless shows and sessions/features on Punktastic, BBC Introducing and disorder TV.

‘Branches‘ is a powerful display of alternative rock as MAUVE deliver their exhilarating wall of sound through an explosive and passionate number. The track travels on a jogging bass line as the band create tension for the verses before unleashing a lightning strike of a chorus. Capturing the frustrations of being a band during the pandemic, lyrically it tackles inner struggles but also wider subjects such as climate change through adrenaline inducing soundscapes and tight instrumentation. The soaring guitars swarm around punchy drums and a kinetic bass foundation while Campbell’s warm expressive vocals carry the catchy vocal line with confidence and emotive strength. Well crafted and refined ‘Branches’ is an expressive force to be reckoned with.

Watch the video for ‘Branches’ below


Author : Danu

Alt Rock, indie rock, New Music

Pilots ‘We Shall Overcome’

Alt-rock band Pilots have released their debut single ‘We Shall Overcome’.A song for the times, the message within this release is that ‘we shall overcome’ despite the current uncertainty. Written before the pandemic however, this track is strangely prophetic.

Uplifting and anthemic ‘We Shall Overcome’ is a dynamic debut single from Pilots. Laced in sharp nimble guitar work the track has an epic soundscape driven by ominous undertones and deep vocals. The band builds the track superbly creating an intense and muggy atmosphere while the bright catchy chorus exudes fist pumping energy. The track has a classic 80’s rock vibe and boasts a catchy shredding guitar solo and driving rhythmic section. ‘We Shall Overcome’ is a raw, well crafted track oozing refined musicianship. Looking forward to hearing more from Pilots.

Watch the video for ‘We Shall Overcome’ below 


Author : Danu

Indie, indie rock, New Music

Model Society ‘Are You For Real?’

Model Society have released their new single ‘Are You For Real?.’It’s the first single from Model Society’s brand new EP ‘Entertainment’ and is released through London-based Indie label Kitchen Disco Records. The band have recorded tracks with the likes of Paul Tipler (Idlewild, Placebo) and Fraser Smith (Shed Seven), they’ve also featured as BBC 6 Music’s Band Of The Week and made an appearance on Steve Lamacq’s Roundtable. With additional radio backing coming from BBC 6 Music’s Chris Hawkins, BBC Introducing’s Gary Crowley and Radio X’s John Kennedy.The band also has a successful list of live shows under their belt including festival appearances at Bestival, The Great Escape, Guilfest and a main stage performance at Northbound.

‘Are You For Real?’ is a blazing indie rock track doused in Model Society’s energetic, earnest songwriting and instrumental vigor. The track travels on sharp guitar lines which create a shoegaze -esque soundscape while punchy drums tie down the atmospheric keys. The song is richly layered as the band provide ethereal moments within a raw indie rock backdrop. Building to a dynamic blistering crescendo, Model Society display their refined musical prowess through this biting indie rock number. 

Watch the video for ‘Are You For Real? below


Author : Danu