Another year, another festival season over. Electric Picnic was a great high to end on. Lots of domestic gems were to be found amongst this year’s treasure trove, including Mmoths, Young Wonder, Halves, The Lost Brothers, Enemies, Little Green Cars… the list goes on and on. Did we mention the cricket-pop-tastic Duckworth-Lewis Method on the Main Stage on Saturday?

Gypsy Rebel Rabble went down a storm in Stradbally, the bluegrass/folk outfit bringing their high energy show to the Salty Dog Stage Friday night. The group are releasing debut album Take My China (recorded with Gavin Glass) with a launch show in The Workmans Club September 21. So if you missed them in Laois make sure to get along!
On another EP note, we have to give a special mention to the Pete Pamf Sextette. Their raucous set on the aforementioned Salty Dog was one of this year’s highlights. The troupe includes Neil Hannon on keyboards, Cathy Davey on percussion and the wonderful Emmeline Duffy-Fallon on drums. More shows please Pete!.....
Some album news now and a big welcome back to Derry’s Jetplane Landing who end a six-year absence with the excellent Don’t Try. It is their first with new drummer Craig McKean (Fighting With Wire). Dublin fans can catch them in Tower September 12. They play The Stables in Derry on September 13 and Limelight 2 in Belfast on September 14……
John Lambert, aka Chequerboard, releases new album The Unfolding September 27 on Lazybird Records. He marks the occasion with two launch shows in The Little Museum of Dublin on September 27 and 28.
After a successful crowdfunding campaign in late 2011, a demo of the album attracted the interest of world-class producer Ken Thomas (Sigur Ros, Cocteau Twins, M83) who mixed the record. Production duties were taken care of by local legend Stephen Shannon (Halfset and Strands) at Experimental Audio studios in Crumlin….
On a ukulele note, Minnie And The Illywhackers have just released debut album Make Me Yours on Rualla Records. The outfit is based around the talents of songwriter and ukulele player, Angie McLaughlin (The Sick and Indigent Song Club). The rest of the band is made up of Shane McGrath (guitar, mandolin), Gerry Fitzpatrick (guitar, dobro, accordion), Christian Volkmann (double bass, harmonica), Sheila Sullivan (fiddle) and Carl O’Byrne (cornet)…
Dublin rockers Diablo DC are delighted to announce debut single ‘The Losing Game’. It’s been a busy year for the combo who have been building up quite the live following. Catch them in Whelan’s (Upstairs) for the single launch on September 13. Support comes from the uber-talented Tarantella Fall!