Now winter has gone creative endeavours spring into action in the form of lots of releases from the domestic front over the next few weeks. First off, Estel launch their new album at the Voodoo Lounge on Saturday, February 12. Following on from 2003’s much-revered A Guide In Time Of Great Danger this year’s opus is concisely titled My Dreams Are Like Rabbits, They Built Tunnels, Fell On The Pavement And Died. The new album features eight songs, a vinyl release is due later in the year but in the meantime you can pick up the CD from Murder?City Records...
...A different type of murder… is the new offering from ex-Sunbear, Ten Speed Racer and Nina Hynes’ band man Joe Chester. His debut long-player A Murder Of Crows is released on February 18 on the BARP label. Material so far has received many plaudits – this is definitely one to watch out for...
...Speaking of exes, ex-Prayer Boat star Emmet Tinley has announced that he will be playing special guest to Mark Eitzel’s American Music Club in Ireland on January 28 at Roisin Dubh, Galway and January 29 in The Village, Dublin.
Emmet’s long-awaited new album will be released in the next two or three months on Independent Records. Will keep you posted on the confirmed date...
...Also working on their debut album, due for release in May, are The Chalets, this will be preceded by a new single in April. Catch them live at the Tsunami Benefit in Vicar Street on Feb 1 before they head off to Austin in March for this year’s South By South West.
...Appearing at the same Tsunami Benefit gig (headlining in fact) are BellX1. Other domestic dates for Paul Noonan and co include two consecutive nights in the Olympia on April 22 and 23.
Fans of the band will be interested to know that they have had two songs included on the new series of The O.C. as well as being featured on the official soundtrack CD...
...After a successful year with the release of the “Spark” ep Barry O’ Brien will be heading back into the studio with Pugwash and Halite producer Keith Farrell at the controls. Barry will also be hitting the gig circuit shortly with a batch of new material. Check What's On details...
...Dublin three-piece rock outfit and Hot?Press Hot Shots, Angels of Mons, release their debut album Last Of The Dead Empires on January 28. The band will play an in-store in Tower Records on Saturday 29 followed by the album launch that night in The Sugar Club...
…News from the City of the Tribes next... Galway punksters 35°, under the guidance of ex-Saw Doctor Pierce Doherty’s Go Go Go management company, have recorded their debut four-track EP. The CD, which was recorded in Dwan Sound, Ballina will be released later in the year…
…New Jersey bluesman Big Danny Gallagher has recently moved to the area so locals can expect some live dates very soon...
…Finally... calling all northern acts... Louise McHenry, who will be hosting a new show on Queen’s Radio called Twisted Disco, is looking for demos and ss from local acts. If you’re interested, please send your recording and brief biog/contact details to:
F.A.O. Louise McHenry
Queen’s Radio
Queens Student Union
University Street
Belfast
BT7 1NF.

For live updates tune into The Last Splash, Sunday nights 9-11, with Alison Curtis on Today FM (e-mail: lastsplash@todayfm. com)