This year’s Hard Working Class Heroes was a testament to the quality and volume of excellent domestic talent on this island. Everyone had their highlights from the weekend but personally I was once again blown away by a stellar performance from We Cut Corners.
Since winning the JD Set as Camogie Lovers earlier this year the band have been working hard writing tracks and preparing their debut EP – full details to follow soon (hurry up John and Conall!). They have also been honing their live skills and recently supported Joan As Policewoman.
If you haven’t heard them yet go to www.myspace.com/wecutcorners for a life-altering/mind-melting experience!...
Another HWCH success were Sligo-based pop-punks The Dead Flags. The band release their second single ‘Anymore’ on November 6. Since they unleashed debut single ‘O My Love! O My God!’ and EP We’ve Got The Ways And The Means, their star has been firmly in the ascent.
The single was produced by Karl Odlum and mastered by Kevin Metcalfe of The White Stripes, Supergrass, Snow Patrol fame.
This summer saw them touring Germany and The Netherlands but fans can expect a slew of live nationwide dates to support the release. Check hotpress.com for details…….
Dublin’s beguiling Sleep Thieves launched their charming ‘City Lights’ single recently with a synthsensational show in Kennedy’s featuring The Holy Roman Army and Nakatomi Towers. The track is available on www.myspace.com/wearesleepthieves and is accompanied by a kick-ass video directed by Killian Broderick. Editing should be finished shortly so keep checking the site to get your audio visual fix. The single follows hot on the heels of the very fine It Was Only A Satellite EP. Catch them live upstairs in Whelan’s on November 23….
Mullingar alternative rockers We Go Go launched debut single ‘Nitpicker’ recently in The Stables with support from Dublin indie merchants Vodkopter. WGG are the follow-up project to critically-acclaimed alt-poppers Tornado Lovely.
The Dubs also got a great response on the night, you can catch them live in the Academy 2 on November 27 with The Whiskey Limbs and Urban Folk Project…
Fellow midlanders Ever 27 delighted fans with the joint release of ‘Closer’ and ‘Wake Up’ at the end of October. The proceeds from both tracks are going to Temple Street Children’s Hospital.
Greg Haver of Manic Street Preachers, Lost Prophets and Super Furry Animals fame jetted in especially to record the songs in Nutshed Studios in Clare.
The band are currently on a promotional jaunt that will climax in a support slot with The Blizzards at the Olympia on December 12...
Tuam native Noelie McDonnell releases his third confection, Come Alive, on November 6. The album was recorded in Austin and Toronto with producers Mark Addison and Don Kerr whose CV includes Ron Sexsmith and Rheostatics.
The first single from the album The Big Release has just hit the streets. This follows on from 2008’s lauded ‘Nearly Four’ which remained at number one in the iTunes Folk Chart for a very mpressive 6 weeks!...
Readers Wives launch their debut EP Secrecy And Sex on November 9. The band recently wowed the crowds at Electric Picnic and 360 Degree Music in the UK. At the behest of Steve Albini they’re currently recording their second album in their apartment building in Temple Bar, a 2010 release is expected. London dates and an industry showcase at The Odessa Club, Dublin are also on the cards…
Fans of The Specials will be delighted to hear that Neville Staple takes to the stage in Pravda after the band’s November 15 Olympia show for a MC/DJ set. Support is provided by Dublin ska merchants The Bionic Rats. More info on www.tickets.ie...
Ex-Diablo member Herm’s ‘Year Of The Horse’ single has garnered rave reviews. The song is a duet with Nina Hynes and received an honourable mention at this year’s International Song Competition, whose judges included Tom Waits, Ray Davies and Robert Smith.
It will feature in the Mexican romantic comedy El Otro Lado Del Corazon, due for release next year and ‘The Long Way Down’ was chosen for inclusion in recently released American horror flick Rotkappchen: The Blood Of Red Riding Hood.
November sees Herm skip across to the UK for some London dates.
Keep Thursday November 19 free for a great double-header in Whelan’s featuring House Of Cosy Cushions and Katie Kim. Both acts released debut long-players last year to great acclaim and are in the process of recording an EP together which is due for a vinyl release later this year – will keep you posted!