Happy New Year to all our followers and subscribers. We have enjoyed finding new artists and music this year and we look forward to listening to the songs 2022 has to bring. Thank you to all who have donated to the blog keeping us caffeinated all year round and the PR Companies, Tour Managers, Managers and Artists who have worked with us all year. A big Thank You, to the talented Musicians who performed as part of our Indie Buddie Sessions this year. We have created a playlist on Spotify with all the artists we have featured in 2021 for you to have a listen to. Enjoy!
Dublin quartet SUNDOWN have released their new single ‘Pirate’. ’Pirate’ was recorded and produced in-house over three sessions in Pirate Studios. The band have been featured on editorial playlists like Alternative Eire, Discover Weekly and Release Radar, with over 213,000 collective streams to their name.
‘Pirate’ is a psychedelic-tinged tune doused in retro tones, funky swagger and the lavish musicianship of SUNDOWN. Creating a lush well-layered wall of sound, the band weave thick funky bass lines through a chic shuffling rhythm while sleek guitars strut throughout. The song has a retro atmosphere that washes over your ears with soothing psychedelic vibes between sweet pop melodies while a smooth vocal delivery reinforces the guitars swaggered sashay movement. Filled with shimmering synths, ethereal textures and a sassy saxophone embellishment, SUNDOWN presents an irresistible, confident tune that showcases their refined songwriting, blossoming talent and infectious musicianship in all its glory.
Wicklow based artist David Boland has released his new single, ‘I was just thinking of you’, which contemplates love, purpose and existentialism.
This tender tune boasts the emotive and delicate songwriting of Boland. With warm guitar softly flickering through ethereal soundscapes, Boland creates a heartwarming wall of sound while his smooth, rasped vocals caress the dreamy melody with ease. Boland uses eloquent, poetic lyrics to depict his thoughtful reminiscence “I was looking through old conversations to find some pictures of pages I’ve not seen in ages From a book that spoke of dreams”. His lyrics ooze themes of longing and melancholy while lush harmonies and building sonic flourishes provide a glimpse of hope through the sombre tones. The track is a satisfying ditty saturated in passion, emotion and cosy supple instrumentation marking Boland as a singer-songwriter of depth and rich musical prowess.
KÎND have released their new single ‘Stripped Away’.KÎND are a five-piece melodic progressive rock band made up of members from all over Ireland. Led by songwriter Matthew Redmond, the band consists of Ryan McClelland on drums, Jane Patterson on lead vocals, Charlie McCarthy on bass and Eoin Butterfield on guitar and keys. ‘Stripped Away’ marks the 3rd release for the band following their release in conjunction with Devoy Records: ‘Piercing Light Live at Sun Studios. and their debut release ‘Fix of Dopamine’
‘Stripped Away’ is a brooding alternative rock track that boasts the majestic and impressive sound of KÎND. The band create an expansive and atmospheric wall of sound that haunts with chiming guitars and wispy soundscapes and tender vocal delivery. As the song progresses, the band slip into a more rock peppered aesthetic as sharp guitars weave between a pounding drum beat and intricate percussion. KÎND take their time buliding the song allowing it to unfold into a heavy alternative rock tune while still maintaining the ethereal aspect introduced at the beginning. With beautiful vocal harmonies and moving melodies, ‘Stripped Away’ is a thrilling rollercoaster ride that ebbs and flows with rich musicianship and dynamic textures. KÎND have created one heck of a tune that perfectly displays the potency of their sound.
‘Time’ is the brand new EP from Australian Folk/Rock duo Piperlain. Featuring songs written during the early stages of collaboration between Piperlain artists Ben and Bec, ‘Time’ is the culmination of years of work and partnership. Recorded at MusicPro studios by engineer Paul Iannuzzelli and mastered at Abbey Road Studios in London by engineer Geoff Pesche, ‘Time’ was originally scheduled for release in 2019 but was delayed due to the pandemic.
‘Time’ is a wholesome EP brimming with the bright musicianship of Piperlain. The duo blend warm folk sensibilities with alternative pop and indie elements to create a cohesive and engaging body of work. From the hearty and buoyant title track, ‘Time’ with its catchy “do do do” lyrics, radiant pop melody and lush harmonies to the icy piano glittering throughout the mournful ‘Deceived’, the EP has a charming and musically lush aesthetic. The EP is brimming with passion and gusto, featuring expressive vocal deliveries and sweet moving melodies as the duo layer each song meticulously, creating wonderful moments within the instrumentation that boasts dramatic solos and rock bravado.
Piperlain have created a versatile and engaging collection of songs that exude refined musicianship and compelling songwriting.
Tainui Richmond has released his new record, ‘Forever A Boi’.This quirky album is a nine-track collection of melodically lush tunes with witty songwriting sprinkled on top. Richmond blends sugar-sweet melodies and twinkling warm guitar between intricate beats to create songs laced in laid back bliss. ‘Procrastinate’ is a sublime example of his rich layering and dreamy pop melodies while the lyrics discuss the dangers of putting tasks off and avoiding them until tomorrow. This album has a retro feel as Richmond takes supple doo-wop melodies like in ‘Complacent’ and peppers them with refined instrumentation of elegant keys and steady beats. His velvety vocals present the songs lyrical humour with charm as the track ventures into more psychedelic tones. There are plenty of opulent sounds to enjoy within ‘Forever A Boi’, there is something for everyone, from soft jazz elements to indie embellishments, psychedelic flurries, and warm country tones.
I sat down to have a chat with Daniel McCarthy and Jim Higson from KAWALA before their headline show in The Academy Dublin. We discussed their upcoming album ‘Better With You’, live shows and their YouTube sitcom ‘Paradise Heights’
Champagne Jacket has released his debut single ‘Walls of China’.With a host of diverse life experiences to draw upon, songwriter Jack Lewis infuses his blues-rock sensibilities with folk and funk to create Champagne Jacket, a project with an entirely singular and timeless sound.
Featuring guest vocalists Dana Ariel and Maesa, ‘Walls of China’ is a sultry blues tune that boasts the refined and sleek musicianship of Champagne Jacket. The track has a vaporous and luring quality with jazz piano elements speckled between a smoky string and guitar interplay. The blues hues weave between the soft melody and lounge-like soundscape to create a laid back yet mysterious tune filled with rich layers and oodles of sass. Champagne Jacket displays his lush and immensely tantalising sound through this wonderful debut single.
On the song’s title, Jack said “It could be the symbol of conflict and human achievement in The Great Wall of China, the fragile permanence of porcelain… or I’ve also heard ‘Chinese Walls’ used when people keep secrets to protect their relationships. There’s quite a bit in there really and I’m keen to hear how people read into it with their own experience.”
Hailing from Co. Kerry, 22-Year Old Singer/Songwriter Nially has released his third single ’Four Years’. While originally written on acoustic guitar in May 2021, the song was quickly brought to life in the studio by top producer Brendan O’Connor. From the age of 16 Nially has gigged extensively across Kerry, Cork and as far afield as Augsburg, Germany. His debut single, ‘I Want It All’ released in January 2021, amassed over 10,000 streams in it’s first 4 weeks and received support across a number of radio stations in Ireland such as Spin South West, Radio Kerry, Red FM, Dublin City FM and FM104 and also reaching listeners across Europe, the UK and the US.
’Four Years’ is a rush of passionate indie as Nially takes a heartfelt melody and douses it with vibrant instrumentation to create an anthemic bopper for listeners to enjoy. With strident guitars pining between a steady beat and soaring soundscape, ‘Four Years’ has a dynamic indie rock wall of sound while raspy vocals exude emotion throughout. It’s an earnest and relatable tune that describes the experiences, relationships and events a person explores throughout their college years through suspenseful and compelling musicianship.
Bristol-based premier indie trash quartet The Love Handles have released their new single ‘Little Yellow Jacket’. This blistering tune boasts the dynamic sound of The Love Handles in all its splendour. The band saturate the song in strident jaunty guitars that ricochet off pummeling drums and driving bass lines to create a turbulent indie rock sound. The song travels at a brisk pace; racing from the zest-filled intro right to the scorching rock smacked crescendo without a breather. This tune is sure to be manic live. With driving melodic hooks teamed with garage elements and subtle pop flirtations ‘Little Yellow Jacket’ is a blistering anthem ready for repeat plays.
Stream ‘Little Yellow Jacket’ below
Author: Danu
Indie: (n) an obscure form of rock which you only learn about from someone slightly more hip than yourself.
