Ready the fainting couches! Galway’s Dott are gearing up for their debut album on November 5. The aptly titled Swoon will send audiences into a faint, we are sure!
The garage outfit, which comprises Anna McCarthy (vocals/guitar), Laura Finnegan (bass/vocals), Miriam Donohue (guitar/vocals) and Tony Higgins (drums), are celebrating the announcement by making two tracks available for free download. ‘The Day That I Found You’ and ‘Start All Over’ can be sampled at dottmusic.bandcamp.com/album/day-that-i-found-you-start-all-over
The long-player was recorded by former Hot Press-er Fiachra McCarthy, also responsible for the recent So Cow/Squarehead split album.
Whoop!
Going south to Limerick, news from the Windings camp is that their recent UK jaunt was a triumph. They also had a blast kicking out the jams at the Out On A Limb 10th anniversary show in Dolan’s Warehouse. Steve is still recovering from the Giveamanakick reunion set.
The guys popped into the Hot Press Hot Spot at Indiependence and got us all hot and bothered with news of a split album with a yet-to-be-revealed artist! They also treated us to two excellent new tracks, ‘Bladerubber’ and ‘Spiral Stairs’. Sample the footage on hotpress.com….
OOAL’s next release is the debut album from Hidden Highways, Old Hearts Reborn, out on September 13. Check out ‘Next Time Round’ at soundcloud.com/ooal/hidden-highways-next-time
The duo, Tim V Smyth and Carol Anne McGowan, peddle a beguiling blend of Americana-tinged folk. The two began working together in late 2010. Their eponymous four-track EP was released in April 2012. Impressively, they’ve shared the stage with The Staves, Lucy Rose and Daniel Martin Moore to name a few. ……
Some very important musician news next! The living legend that is Gavin Glass (lunch on you next time, Gav!) has relocated his Orphan Recording Studio to Jamestown Road in Inchicore. Orphan is unique in Ireland in that it specialises in rare and vintage recording. Plus it offers both digital and analogue recording options. 
The new premises consists of three large live rooms and a spacious control centre equipped with an Amek mixing console and racks of outboard by Neve, Universal Audio, Urei, Tubetech and Manley to name but a few. Some of the vintage instruments include a Fender Rhodes, Wurlitzer and Hammond Organ and a plethora of rare guitars and amps.
Recent visitors have included The Hot Sprockets, Jerry Fish, Lisa Hannigan, Gypsy Rebel Rabble, The Kilkennys, Edisons and The Grand Parade who recorded the number 1 single ‘Start Again’ there. American songwriter John Murry is set to record the follow up to his critically acclaimed The Graceless Age album in Orphan in October, with Sean Coleman at the helm…..
Wicklow post-rockers God Is An Astronut release their seventh studio album Origins through Rocket Girl Records on September 13. On the forthcoming outing the core band of Niels and Torsten Kinsella, drummer Lloyd Hanney, pianist Jamie Dean and guitarist Gazz Car were joined by Fountainhead’s Pat O’Donnell on vocals and guitar. Brass was provided by Donal McGuiness (trombone) and Kevin Foran (trumpet). Catch their spectacular live show at the Dublin Academy on October 26….
And finally Cork’s always excellent Young Wonder have made a new track available on their Facebook page. It’s a collaboration with Brooklyn combo Black Light Dinner Party. Check it out!