Electro songwriting wunderkind Jape, AKA Richie Egan, has just released a brilliant cover of David Bowie’s ‘Ashes to Ashes’ as a tribute to the singer who died on Monday following an 18 month battle with cancer. Jape had this to say:
“Just like all the rest of us, I was so shocked and sad to hear of David Bowie’s death last Monday – it felt like such a surreal day. I couldn’t really process it and the only thing I could think to do was record a version of Ashes to Ashes – I think when somebody dies their spirit hangs around the world for a bit, kind of like the last flames of a fire, I locked myself in studio for last four days and tried to feel his immense spirit in the ether. Matty B helped with some keys and him and Emelie did this cover .. Check it ..”
Are you sick to death of the same old Christmas songs from Mariah Carey and The Pogues? Looking for something new to share with friends and family this festive season? Well TMFTML has you covered!
Dublin grunge duo Pranks dropped into Today FM to see Fergal D’Arcy recently and recorded a riffed up version of Mitch Miller’s 1960 classic ‘Must Be Santa’, apparently pulling it off in one take!
Cork/Kerry two piece Electro Funk band White Boys have released a really unique version of ‘Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas’ featuring beat-boxing and a Talkbox.
Frankie Goes to Hollywood’s ‘The Power of Love’ has become synonymous with Christmas since being used in the John Lewis advert in 2012. Cronin have released a new cover of the song featuring Matt McManamon from the Dead 60’s.
Croupier may have broken up, but we’ll always have their delightful Math Rock version of ‘Carol of the Bells’ to get us through the winter months, this is one of my absolute favourites!
Thumper, the noisy brainchild of Oisín Furlong, have recorded a distorted cover of Darlene Love’s ‘Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)’.
The first original on the list comes from Dublin indie band Blades Club with their track ‘What You Get Me (For Christmas)’
Next up, another original! This one comes from Dublin singer-songwriter Sinead McConville. It’s a classic sounding pop song with some clever little arrangements including bells and glockenspiel .
Some of the tracks in this list along with a whole sleigh load more feature on a compilation that the good people over at The Co-Present have compiled just for Christmas!
Overhead the Albatross took over the Workman’s Club in Dublin last Saturday for what promised to be a night to remember. Participant started things off, playing some of the songs off his new EP ‘Content’. These songs are really great, but the live iterations were less fully formed than I was expecting. While everything was there, the energy seemed to dip in parts that were heavy on the backing tracks. Participant could definitely benefit from more involved live arrangements or possibly a live band. Either way I’m very interested to see what he does next.
The crowd started to swell for Galway Electro-Rockers Race The Flux. The band made their presence felt immediately, bursting in to ‘Olympus Mons’ from their Olympians EP. These guys really set the tone for the evening, coaxing the crowd into coming closer and rewarding them for their bravery with song after song of chest thumping RAWK! Upcoming single ‘Matty Rusko’ is a welcome addition and the instantly recognisable ‘Can I’ threatens to bring the house down. If you get the chance to see these guys don’t hesitate, their recent Electric Arena set at Electric Picnic suggest that they won’t be gracing such small stages for long.
At last the main event! Overhead, The Albatross made their way to the stage to greet a now completely sold out crowd. The guys really outdid themselves in terms of lighting and stage production and it really adds to the already electric atmosphere. ‘Flubirds’ is first up, starting slow to ease the crowd in to things before building to a triumphant climax. Every person in the room now knows what they’re in for. ‘Telekinetic Forest Guard‘ comes sweeping in next followed by some new tracks ‘Bara’ and ‘Daeku’. Could these be from the fabled first album? Let’s hope so, because they’re both fantastic! Just when things were starting to get sweaty, disaster struck. 2 minutes into the bands most recent release Big River Man, the power in the entire venue(and half of Temple Bar) just went. It was a strange moment, it happened really suddenly so the crowd we’re still jumping and Ben was still playing the drums along side some really tinny sounding unamplified electric guitars. Than everyone was just standing around confused for a second before they realised what had happened. Someone actually captured the moment here:
Frontman Joe, never one to let a good crowd go unsurfed launched himself off the stage and got carried all the way to the back of the room.
Lot’s of chants of ‘LADDER, LADDER, LADDER’ ensued and then it just kind of….ended. Well, although a little disappointing it was definitely memorable and for me that’s enough. Here’s the full version of ‘Big River Man’ for anyone who’s jonesing for it after the show! Make sure to check out the photos below.
New Secret Weapon have released a new live video for their track ‘Epic of Gilgamesh’ filmed at a recent show in Dublin’s Button Factory. Titled after the ancient Mesopotamian poem (basically the prequel to the Bible) and clocking in at 7 minutes and 30 seconds it certainly is an epic by today’s standards.
The band have just gotten back from Chicago where they were recording the follow up to their 2014 self titled début with legendary producer Steve Albini (Nirvana, The Pixies, Mogwai and too many more to name) in his famed Electrical Audio Studios. The album will be released some time next year.
To tide us over, New Secret Weapon will be announcing a special Christmas show in a secret Dublin City Center location. Stay tuned for details!
Vernon Jane will be no strangers to anyone who have been keeping a close eye on the Dublin music scene and Ireland’s festival circuit. The band burst on to the scene 2 years ago and have been steadily building a live following through sheer hard graft, while also expanding their lineup to include full brass and backing vocal sections. We’re talking Arcade Fire levels of people on stage.
As they haven’t released any material yet, their considerable standing is built on word of mouth from the lucky ones who’ve caught them ripping it up on stage. That’s all about to change, with recorded material set to be released next year. As a sneaky peek, they’ve also released a live video of an original track called ‘Hunt Me’ filmed at a recent performance at BIMM Dublin’s Live and Lyrical Showcase.
Vernon Jane are truly a force to be reckoned with, a cataclysmic cacophony. Every piece plays it’s part in the big picture of each song, masterfully knitting together to form a whole which is greater than the sum of it’s parts. You’ll no doubt see them on a stage near you very soon.
Last Thursday I strolled into Whelans on Wexford Street not knowing exactly what to expect. The evening was billed as ‘Winter Longing- An Evening with Mongoose and Friends’ and promised to “explore unrequited love and yearning in the depths of Irish winter” and “Satisfy your winter longings at this night of music and poetry!”. What the packed venue was treated to was quite possibly the ideal way to spend a cold November night. It was an opportunity to slip comfortably into Winter and explore the emotions that this sometimes horrible, sometimes beautiful season often evokes.
In an unusual manner, the headliners opened the show playing some of the beautifully crafted songs from their self titled debut album. It’s hard to describe how amazing perfectly arranged harmonies sound when performed this well. Mongoose sound like they have been singing together their entire lives. Their harmonies blend so well they become one singular ocean of sound, it really is jaw dropping stuff. It comes as no surprise that they’ve been selected for the Other Voices music trail this year.
Next up was a stripped back set from the Young Folk, really lovely modern folk songs performed on Acoustic Guitar and Melodica featuring great harmonies(something of a reoccurring theme throughout the night).
Canadian born Dimitra Xidous, the first of the poets on the night, performed some very interesting and sexually charged poems, my favorite of which was Keeping Bees, which is also the title of her book of poetry available here.
Niamh Regan, the first solo act of the night, is a singer songwriter who plays captivating reflective pieces with some very interesting guitar work. I couldn’t find much recorded work online, so I’m interested to see what she does next.
Next up was Griff, better known for his work fronting New Secret Weapon. Griff’s solo work is very different to the band, but still similar in influence and performance. Fans of Jeff Buckley’s work will definitely like this material. Griff will be releasing a solo EP early next year so watch this space.
After a short interval to wrap our minds around the first half of the evening, The Eskies hit the stage for what they described as “Probably the least noise we’ve ever made on stage”. The band, well known for their energetic and raucous live shows, treated us to a rare glimpse of their quieter side on this occasion. They even gave us a sneak peek at a brand new song, their take on the archetypal story of crossing paths with the devil in the style of an old sea shanty!
The second poet of the night was the wonderful Eoghan O’Ceannabháin, brother of Muireann from Mongoose and a musician in his own right in the band Skippers Alley. Eoghan’s poems explored the disconnect of the digital devices that simultaneously connect and distance us. His words are powerful and thought provoking. He is initially nervous but his words speak for themselves. One topical poem about the situation in France and Syria receives a standing ovation with clapping that refuses to die down. If you have a chance to see this man perform, do it.
Mongoose returned to the stage to finish off the night with some more tracks including the gorgeous ‘Can I see you tonight’ and their fantastic new single ‘Slow Burning Feeling’. As the evening came to a close their was a distinct air of satisfaction among everyone in attendance. Apparently it’s been suggested that they should make it a yearly occurrence. For all those who missed out on this gig, I sincerely hope they do.
The band will performing at the Christmas Craic’er gig in aid of Focus Ireland on December 20th along with some other fantastic musicians, details here.
Dublin Noise-Rock quartet Girl Band have announced a host of live dates for the new year, including their biggest Irish show to date in Vicar Street on April 1st (We really hope this isn’t an elaborate prank). The band were forced to cancel their previously sold out dates earlier this month due to health problems, so fans that missed out last time will be glad to hear this!
They will play in the Brewery Corner in Kilkenny on January 22nd, Garbo’s in Castlebar on January 23rd and Vicar Street in Dublin on April 1st with dates in Belgium and the UK in between these shows.
Girl Band’s new album ‘Holding Hands With Jamie’ has been one of the best recieved Irish albums of the year and is rumoured to be under consideration for the Choice Music Prize. To celebrate the news they have released a live version of ‘Baloo’ from the album, which is available now on Rough Trade.
Tickets go on sale this Friday via usual outlets.
Full Tour Dates Below
Fri 22nd Jan – Brewery Corner, Kilkenny
Sat 23rd Jan – Garbo’s, Castlebar Wed 17th Feb – Trix Antwerp, Belgium
Fri 19th Feb – John Peel Centre, Stowmarket
Sat 20th Feb – Concorde 2, Brighton
Mon 22nd Feb – The Hare & Hounds, Birmingham
Tues 23rd Feb – The Trades Club, Hebden Bridge
Wed 24th Feb – The Buyers Club, Liverpool
Fri 26th Feb – Tunnels, Aberdeen
Sat 27th Feb – Summerhall, Edinburgh
Mon 29th Feb – Village Underground, London
Tues 1st Mar – The Exchange, Bristol Fri 1st Apr – Vicar Street, Dublin
All Tvvins have just released a new video for their new single ‘Thank You’. The video, directed by the excellent Brendan Canty of Feel Good Lost features some very talented dancers and great choreography all chopped and glitched to match the theme of the song.
The song has been receiving a lot of radio play at home and abroad in recent weeks as was named XFM’s Track of the week. I can’t stop listening to this song, it’s got a seriously addictive bassline and some really interesting guitar work that echoes Conor Adams and Lar Kaye’s earlier work in The Cast of Cheers and Adebisi Shank but with a lot more commercial potential. Expect big things from All Tvvins. You can catch them live this weekend before they head of for a string of UK dates here:
Citizen or Ghost are a new four piece Alt/ Hard rock band from Dublin. They’ve just released the video for their début Single “The Great Deceiver” and it’s a cracker that’s sure to be a hit with fans of System of a Down and Deftones.
The band are advocates of the DIY approach and wish to use every resource available. This includes recording, mixing & mastering their own material and producing our own art concepts and videos.
“Our approach is simple, Letting the music speak for itself!
Not having any typical rock clichés pollute the creative process.”
Plans for an album will be set in motion for the near future.
“The Great Deceiver” is available for FREE download from their Bandcamp page, get it while it’s hot!
Phazam Haze is the brain child of Alex Harvey, Gavin Dunlea and Ricky Lahart. I’ve had the pleasure of catching them live on a few occasions and now they’ve teamed up with Creamy Sonic Studios to give you the chance too.
The band have been active for the last few months and are currently preparing to release under the BOPA Records Label (Also home to the wonderful Vernon Jane), highly recommended to anyone who likes a bit of Primus or Queens of the Stone Age.
