A big shout-out to my good friends The Japanese Popstars. Their latest album, Controlling Your Allegiance, has been nominated for the 2012 Meteor Choice Awards! The Derry band are one of 10 acts on the shortlist. The winner is announced at a ceremony at Dublin’s Olympia Theatre March 8. Good luck lads! Check out one of my favourite videos from the band here: youtube.com/watch?v=LQ_LUoLTKLo.

In Dublin this fortnight, it’s all about Maya Jane Coles. This half-British, half-Japanese DJ/producer has remixed Tricky, Gorillaz and Massive Attack. She is also one half of dubstep duo She Is Danger as well as operating as Nocturnal Sunshine. She’s gigged everywhere, has released a slew of EPs and has over 64,000 Facebook followers. Plus her new album is in the works. And she is only 23 years old!
Maya says, “I’m so excited about my solo album dropping this year. I’ve had to make about a hundred tracks to get to the point where I’m happy with it.” Maya makes her Irish debut in Dublin at the Twisted Pepper on February 16. Get on it at mayajanecoles.com.
Supporting her is well-known Dublin producer and label head Perc. He’s recently put out his label’s newest release with UK-born, USA-based James Clements, aka ASC. His Boundary Scan EP, is a three-track techno fueled monster, available for you as we speak. Check out Perc’s first ever Berlin showcase, at Tresor March 3. To stay in the loop visit beatport.com/#label/perc-trax/368.
Many Irish labels are starting 2012 on the right foot. Another new release is from Cork-based Vision Collective. The lads at VCR headquarters have sent us their new EP, by East Cork producer John Collins. It’s a four-track, house/deep house driven collection titled The Introspective EP. For more details check visioncollectiverecordings.com.
In Dublin, 2 Bears are coming out of the woods for their debut Irish show February 17 at the Button Factory. This house duo, Joe Goddard from Hot Chip and former press officer Raf Rundell aka Raf Daddy, have released their debut album, Be Strong.
Speaking to She’s Electric, the bears growl, “Expect a night of bear necessities and full-on hairy fun”. The night is presented by Nightflight/Hidden Agenda, and they have a picnic basket of a double header planned for all you all.” Visit facebook.com/events/340396422643786.
In Limerick, Bunga Bunga is at it again. After a well-deserved break in January, this chilled-out club night is raring to go.
The weekly event takes place every Friday, in Bentleys Courtyard. It is run by Limerick DJ Darrah Flynn, who you can most certainly expect to be taking to the decks. See Bunga Bunga on Facebook.
In Belfast, check out one of Madrid’s most essential DJs, Oscar Mulero from Warm Up Records, February 17, in Brownes. Get more info here [link]facebook.com/#!/events/318518821512921[/link]