Sometimes a song leaves you with an enduring image or vibe that often has no obvious connection whatsoever. This new single from Dublin based singer/songwriter Kate Dineen, with its sparse folk arrangement and its raw and honest lyricism, leaves me picturing late nights and red wine. That’s a far cry however from the track’s striking music video, complete with overgrown ruins and molotov cocktails. Her first new track since last year’s acclaimed Great Escape EP, there’s something remarkably mature and refined about ‘Flames’ that defies what you’d expect of an artist still in the early stages of their career. There’s some indescribable quality to Kate Dineen’s music that is rare to find in up-and-coming artists, like there’s some sixth sense telling me that there’s something special just over the horizon.
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Album Review: Arcade Fire – Everything Now
Arcade Fire – Everything NowTop Tracks: Brass Phantoms – City of Wolves
‘City of Wolves’ is the sound of a band ready and willing to carve out a name for themselves in a deeply competitive scene. This self-assured new indie hit from Dublin’s Brass Phantoms rivals some of the slickest hits, standing alongside some of the most well written music I’ve heard from Ireland this year. With bright and infectious riffs, stirring melodies and a palpable sense of a band striving to be the best that they can be, it’s a valuable addition for any indie playlist worth its salt. If Brass Phantoms keep this same drive and energy, and strive just a little further with each new track, they could soon become one of the hottest new bands on the scene.
Top Tracks: Red Kite – Take Care of Your Own
This expressive art-rock track from London’s Red Kite immediately makes a lasting impression; and not just because the video features the most disturbing teddy bear known to man. With a unique dynamic, boasting four guitarists and two drummers, ‘Take Care of Your Own’ displays a lush and expansive sound. The first half of the track is reminiscent of Funeral era Arcade Fire with its emphatic baroque pop flair, with the second half descending into a dark and menacing cacophony. Taken from the band’s upcoming second album, ‘Take Care of Your Own’ is one of the most rewarding singles I’ve heard thus far this year. If, like me, they have piqued your interest, I would add Red Kite to your list of “ones to watch”.
Interview: Bent Knee
Boston’s Bent Knee have to be the most remarkable and unparalleled band to emerge this past decade. Their genre bending music defies all expectations and classifications like no other act I know, and their new record Land Animal takes their inventive art rock to new heights. Already set to be one of the finest albums of the year, I just had to talk to the band about their latest creation. I was lucky enough to chat to astonishing frontwoman Courtney Swain about the record: Continue reading
Top Tracks: Hannah Featherstone – Solo
People say that there’s nothing new to be made in music, but even if this were the case, we can combine what is already out there in a myriad of unique and inventive combinations. A good case in point is the latest single from the wonderful Hannah Featherstone. Born in Britain but raised amongst the vibrant Parisian music scene, her new track ‘Solo’ combines classic jazz with contemporary electropop. With its off-kilter beat, it’s honest minimalist arrangement and a few little electronic flourishes, ‘Solo’ is one of the most distinctive and inimitable tracks I’ve heard this year. She is a curious artist, certainly someone to keep your eye on. With a new album due later this year, it will be interesting to see what other noteworthy creations Hannah has to offer.
Top Tracks: The Lavender Scare – Drag For A Queen
I do love a band with a dash of flair and ambition, two boxes that LA band The Lavender Scare have certainly ticked with their new single. Musically ‘Drag For a Queen’ reminds me of ‘Lillian’ by The Dear Hunter as it carries the same air of sleazy theatricality, albeit with James Delos Reyes’ unique gritty vocals. Lyrically it tells the tale of a drag queen that finds religion and later falls back into his old habits behind closed doors. With this vivid caricature that the song portrays, the band does a superb job at storytelling and at building up a whole other world within your mind. Dark, witty, and the very quintessence of style; if The Lavender Scare build on the successes of this track they will soon jump up my list of the most exciting bands around.
Top Tracks: Prism Tats – Brainwaves
Let’s not beat around the bush here, ‘Brainwaves’ is a plain and simple indie banger, end of story. Its memorable melodic hooks are a potent brew which is almost certain to be loved by festival crowds far and wide. There are some big name bands out there who could learn a lot from this track. Garett van der Spek, under his moniker Prism Tats, has provided an upbeat and addictive tune that carries a deeper message, dealing with our unhealthy reliance on technology. Raised in South Africa, though now based in LA, Garett is on to a winning formula with his new single. After this latest taster of his upcoming second album due later this year, I for one am hungry for more.
Live Review: The Last Hearts, Cafe INDIEpendent Scunthorpe, 14th July 2017
Photo by Carl Gac
“We’re guerrillas, we don’t announce gigs. We hit, then we sink back into the night.” While The Commitments is an immensely quotable film, that line to me has always felt like a testament to a long forgotten phenomenon. Modern life thrives on routine, modern living is done squarely within the comfort zone, and these days spontaneous gigs sound like a foreign concept unless you’re in the big leagues and just fancy messing with people. But then the message came through loud and clear that a little pop-up gig was occurring; a showcase of some of the finest local talent, at the delightfully cool and quirky Cafe Indie. This was very much a new experience for me and not one that I was inclined to miss! Continue reading
Oh Wonder – Ultralife
Belwood Music 