Tag Archives: Rowan

Indie, Indie Quick Picks, New Music

Indie Quick Picks – Featuring The Flies, Rowan, Ryan Egan and Y!KES 

The Flies

Genre: Rock and Roll

Bio: Teen Roscommon rock and roll band The Flies will release a self-produced new single ‘Split in Two’ on all platforms on Friday 25th March. A new video will be released to coincide with the release. The song was produced and engineered by Flies bassist JJ Doherty and mastered by Luke Devaney at The Blue Room, Sligo. The Flies have released two EPs since the COVID 19 pandemic began in March 2020. The ‘Looser’ and ‘Back in the Garage’ EPs attracted significant critical praise and the lead tracks from both have gained significant national radio play. In the period before the pandemic, The Flies were a busy live act. Some of their last gigs before things shut down in March 2020 were support slots with Jinx Lennon and The Stunning. They are looking forward to taking things up on the live front where they left off.

Track: Split in Two

Why We Like It: It’s a catchy slice of indie rock that showcases The Flies’ knack for infectious melodies and energetic musicianship. With radiant guitar jangling through a tight drum foundation and irresistible bass groove, it’s a tune sure to have listeners singing along in no time. Oozing confidence and charm ‘Split in Two’ is a lively ditty that marks The Flies as a band to keep an eye on.

You can follow The Flies on Facebook here https://www.facebook.com/FliesBandIRL

Stream ‘Split in Two’ below 

Rowan

Photo credit: Nicholas O’Donnell

Genre: Alternative 

Bio: Irish trio Rowan have released their second single, ‘Honesty’, from the band’s upcoming debut album, Does It Make You Happy? due out May 6th via Beverly Martel. ‘Honesty’ is the follow-up track from the band’s previous singles ‘Irish To My Bones’ and ‘Youth & Youthhood’ which have received support from the likes of Steve Lamacq and Lauren Laverne at 6 Music.

Track: Honesty

Why We Like It: Filled with sunkissed melodies and shredding guitar moments, ‘Honesty’ is a glorious new single from Rowan. The band weave garage rock elements over dreamy shoegaze tones to create a thoroughly enjoyable listening experience. Rowan’s exquisite sound is blossoming wonderfully. Looking forward to the debut album from this talented trio.

You can follow Rowan on Facebook here https://www.facebook.com/Rowanofficialmusic

Watch the video for ‘Honesty’ below 

Ryan Egan

Photo Credit: Hugo Cohen Sprun

Genre : Singer-songwriter

Bio: Ryan Egan has announced the release of his long-anticipated debut album ‘Soft Power’, set for release on April 8th, 2022. The album’s fourth single ‘We Do It On Purpose’ has been released alongside the announcement. The album was produced by Kevin Basko (Foxygen, The Lemon Twigs).

Track: We Do It On Purpose

Why We Like It: It’s a dreamy slow jam, filled with nostalgic melodies, mellow guitar and soft beats. This tune is a fine display of indie-pop and Egan’s lush musicianship as he croons over a supple melody while elegant keys and a soothing choir fill out the song’s ethereal soundscapes. ‘We Do It On Purpose’ is well crafted and beckons repeat plays.

You can follow Ryan Egan on Facebook here https://www.facebook.com/thisryanegan

Stream ‘We Do It On Purpose’ below 

Y!KES

Genre : Alternative rock

Bio: Birmingham anti-pop quartet Y!KES have released their new single ‘Iron Deficiency’. Produced by Jim Pinder (BMTH / WSS) at Treehouse Studio, the single is accompanied by a classic music video shot inside Birmingham’s botanical gardens.

Track: Iron Deficiency

Why We Like It: It’s a mighty alternative rock mammoth that boasts the mesmerising sound of Y!KES. The band blast a blitz of crashing guitars over a pounding drum assault while eerie bass lines create a chilling tone throughout. The song is smothered in distortion and ominous soundscapes to create a thrilling listening experience for listeners to immerse themselves in. Filled with fiery alternative rock angst, ‘Iron Deficiency’ is a fantastic new single from Y!KES. Enjoy.

You can follow Y!KES on Facebook here https://www.facebook.com/yikesofficial

Watch the video for ‘Iron Deficiency’ below

Follow Our Indie Quick Picks Playlist On Spotify Here


Author: Danu

Indie, indie rock, New Music

Rowan ‘Nothing’s Gonna Change’

Photo credit: Paul Trojner

Rising Cork trio, Rowan have released their new single ‘Nothing’s Gonna Change’.It’s the second track to be lifted from their upcoming EP Everybody Talks, due on July 23rd via their new label home, LA’s Beverly Martel. Born out of the early pandemic last year, when the three accomplished musicians were forced into a hiatus from session work, Rowan are fast becoming one of the most exciting new Irish acts around.

Showcasing the band’s deft musicianship and exciting blossoming sound, ‘Nothing’s Gonna Change’ is a tight, well-crafted gem. Rowan weave bright guitar refrains into a punchy drum and rugged bassline combo to create a gripping, adrenaline-inducing blend of indie rock with luscious pop sensibilities that is a joy to listeners’ senses. The track’s empowering lyrical theme is enhanced by the bubbling instrumental backdrop while moody undertones brood throughout as Dylan Howe’s deep vocals express the hard-hitting lyrics “ wasting daylights worse than intentional stealing”. Filled with majestic guitars and biting bass lines, ‘Nothing’s Gonna Change’ is a fantastic new tune sure to be stuck in your head for days.

About the track, Dylan Howe explains: “Nothing’s Gonna Change” talks about “coming out of your shell, gaining your self-confidence and growing into yourself” 

Stream ‘Nothing’s Gonna Change’ below 


Author: Danu

Indie, Indie Quick Picks, New Music

Indie Quick Picks – featuring Rowan, Graham Mitchell, SODAPOP and All Tvvins

Rowan

Photo credit: Paul Trojner

Genre: Indie Rock

Bio: Rising Cork indie rock trio, Rowan, have announced their brand-new EP ‘Everybody Talks’. Due out on July 23rd, it’s their first release via their new Los Angeles based label, Beverly Martel. The band have also shared the title track. The single is accompanied by a new music video based on a ‘groggy morning after aesthetic’ and shot at an old Georgian mansion just outside of Dublin. 

Track: ‘Everybody Talks’

Why We Like It: It’s an intense and exhilarating listening experience saturated in driving rhythms, pounding drums and a dizzying psychedelic blitz on guitar. Dylan Howe’s vocals croon the hypnotic melody while bubbling rhythmic pulses and ethereal synths create a bright atmosphere for listeners to indulge in before the song plunges into the swarming chorus. The chorus exudes a sense of paranoia and anxiety that mirrors the lyrics’ depiction of “the feeling you get when you’re having a bad day, and it seems like everybody’s out to get you.”. Showcasing refined, intoxicating musicianship, ‘Everybody Talks’ is a fantastic new tune.

You can follow Rowan on Facebook here https://www.facebook.com/Rowanofficialmusic

Stream ‘Everybody Talks’ below

Graham Mitchell

Genre: Singer-Songwriter

Bio: Off the back off his most recent successful spell with ‘I Don’t Have To’, the addition of ‘Be Alright’ to Frank Turner’s Spotify playlist, a feature in the Channel 5 and Virgin Media One hit series, ‘Blood’, sold-out shows in esteemed venues in the Irish capital, such as Whelan’s and the Workman’s Club, and support to major Irish artists such as Damien Dempsey, Up and coming singer-songwriter, Graham Mitchell, has released his new track,’ St. Anne’s Romance.’

Track: St. Anne’s Romance

Why We Like It: It’s a charming tune laced in the sweet and observant songwriting of Graham Mitchell. The song drifts upon a gentle nostalgic melody filled with jangly keys and warm guitars. The song exudes a subtle folk tone nestled between heartwarming instrumentation and soft vocal harmonies. Mitchell’s earnest songwriting and vivid storytelling oozes charm and poetic depth as he tells the romantic story of a ‘school dropout lad’ who fell for a high school achieving girl in the majestic ‘St. Anne’s Park’ – meticulously crafted ‘St. Anne’s Romance’ is an enjoyable romantic gem from Graham Mitchell.

You Can Follow Graham Mitchell on Facebook here https://www.facebook.com/Grahammitchellmusic

Stream ‘St. Anne’s Romance’ below

SODAPOP

Genre: Indie pop

Bio: Santa Barbara, CA artist SODAPOP has released his new single

Track: Your Body Is Music

Why We Like It: This upbeat indie-pop tune melds luxuriant melodies with rich rhythms to create a bossa nova infused gem. Oozing delicate chiming keys, jaunty guitars, and sugar-sweet melodies, the track follows SODAPOP’s exquisite brand of musically delectable soundscapes that are lush with tropical tones and soft electronics. Boasting smooth vocals, a velvety melody and sun-kissed atmosphere ‘Your Body Is Music’ is an irresistible tune for listeners to indulge in. 

You can follow SODAPOP on Instagram here https://www.instagram.com/sodapopsounds/

Stream ‘Your Body Is Music’ below

All Tvvins

Genre : Indie Pop

Bio: Electronic duo All Tvvins have released their new single ‘Something Special’.Having been touted as indie-pop darlings on their self-titled debut and, with a sophomore album released, All Tvvins have been quietly working away on new music remotely during the lockdown.

Track: Something Special

Why We Like It: Saturated in hyper synths, driving rhythms and blistering guitars, ‘Something Special’ is an exhilarating new tune. The track travels at a brisk and intense pace as the soaring guitars and rush of electronics create a bracing and epic indie-rock backdrop that is quite refreshing. As the pounding beats slap through the expanding soundscapes, smooth vocals drive the racing melody into the ears. This catchy tune is well crafted for maximum impact and captures superbly an urgent sense of escapism. Shimmering with an ’80’s infused guitar solo ‘Something Special’ is an exciting new tune from this talented duo.

You can follow All Tvvins on Facebook here https://www.facebook.com/alltvvins

Stream ‘Something Special’ below 

You Can Follow Our Indie Quick Picks Playlist On Spotify Here 


Author: Danu

EP Review, Indie, New Music

Rowan ‘No One Is Safe Here’ EP

Rowan photographed by Zyanya Lorenzo.

Following the success of their 2 last singles ‘Moonlight’ and ‘I Had A Dream’, and after a mini tour in Ireland, UK, Toronto and New York up until lockdown, Rowan have released their debut EP ‘No One Is Safe Here’.Rowan bursted onto the Irish and UK music scene with their first release ‘Finish Line’ being featured on titan Spotify playlists such as New Music Friday UK, Your Kitchen Stereo, The Indie List and many others. Since then, they have accumulated over 200k plays in total. The indie trio are currently commanding a great deal of attention for their symphonic indie-anthems, particularly in Ireland, the UK, Germany and Canada. The band have supported internationally renowned artists such as Badly Drawn Boy, The Walls, Duke Special, Brian Deady, Hamsandwich and many more and have earned international recognition as they were nominated for an IMA, judged by Robert Smith, Tom Waits, Roberta Flack and many others, with their song ‘Big Wave’. The band have also been awarded the ‘Colin Vearncombe’ Songwriting award.

Well crafted, and doused in emotion ‘No One Is Safe Here’ is a smashing debut EP from Rowan. The band use their musical prowess to pull out all the stops with this wonderfully rich collection of tracks. From dynamic anthems to moving ballads the EP flows with tantalizing arrangements and deft embellishments. Blending sharp zest stricken indie elements in warm undertones of folk, sweet surges of pop and edged rock the EP is a joy ride of lush soundscapes.

Rowan weave the EP’s soundscapes superbly, utilising jangly indie guitar, buoyant drums and resounding bass rumbles to inject ‘Moonlight’ and ‘Big Wave’ with vigor. Creating a full bodied wall of sound they provide meaty choruses and soaring sing along melodies to provide that passion igniting explosions of the soul worthy of arenas. 

Rowan cool things down with some heartfelt and beautifully crafted slow burners ‘Love Gets In The Way’ and ‘I Had A Dream’. Exuding cinematic arrangements, lush strings, powerful crescendos and earnest songwriting these tracks showcase the band’s maturity and heartfelt musicianship as they discuss longing for perfect love, and the loss of love.

‘No One Is Safe Here’ comes to a close with the animated piano led ‘You’re Not The One’. Doused in sombre tones while a building vibrant backdrop of strident strings and raw guitars ricochet off a tight percussive wall of sound – this blistering song is joy to the ears. The dramatic builds and grateful drops in tone on the track is masterful and showcases the versatility and mesmerising talent of Rowan

Rowan has created an exhilarating EP showcasing first rate musicianship. These guys aren’t just crafting their sound, they are thriving, pushing boundaries, exceeding expectations and releasing tunes of the highest quality.

Stream ‘No One Is Safe Here’ below


Author : Danu

Folk, Indie, Indie Folk, indie rock, New Music

Rowan ‘Big Wave’

Photo Credit: Zyanya Lorenzo 

Irish indie-folk band Rowan have released their new single ‘Big Wave’. Rowan is made up of multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Dylan Howe, with Fionn Hennessy-Hayes on drums and Kevin Herron on Guitar. The individual members of the band have worked with world renowned artists such as TOUCAN, Tiz McNamara, Ariel Posen, The Frank And Walters, Clare Sands, Stephanie Rainey and Little Hours, as session musicians performing to crowds of thousands in some instances. 

With melodies that hook you from the start ‘Big Wave’ delves deep into your skull and massages your brain with Rowan’s infectious luscious musicianship. The band carve a vibrant indie edge into the track as jaunty guitars slice through a buoyant backdrop and peppy rhythm. With a groove mangled bass, clap along feature and instant rush of vitality the track lays down an energetic foundation. This band swirls sweet glistening melodies into refined musicianship to create a heartfelt number that charms and warms the cockles of your heart while quick lyrics add both sweetness and a touch of humour. There is a folk element richly blended into the mixture of indie rock with a glorious sprinkling of pop on top.The band use wonderful percussive elements to flesh out the track and create a wholly invigorating sound with tropical undertones. With velvety vocals and lush harmonies ‘Big Wave’ is a tasty tune that I just can’t get enough of. 

Stream ‘Big Wave’ below 


Author : Danu