Self-described as the love-child of Pavement and Liza Minelli (get your head around that one!) the very wonderful Grand Pocket Orchestra unleash their new single ‘Little Messy’ on June 20. This follows the brilliantly eclectic Odd Socks EP released earlier this year. The band have been busy of late recording tracks for their debut album with Mario Thaler (The Notwist). The single will mark the band’s first release outside Ireland and will be available as a free download through New York’s RCRD LBL. GPO have cultivated a strong following on the domestic scene, toured in the UK and Germany and also played on IMRO’s Best Of Showcase last year. Get your mits on a copy asap…
In other single news Dublin’s Hassle Merchants have just released their debut ‘The Indie War’ with an in-store in Tower and a roof-raising show in Eamon Doran’s. The band were one of the highlights at last year’s Hard Working Class Heroes festival…
Fellow Dubs The Distractors have released their second single, the double-a side ‘Conversation Killer’/‘Post Or Prophet’. Also in the pipline is another single ‘Manly With A Stanly’ - ‘an urban nightmare swamp chant’ according to the press release! There’s also a club remix by Philth and Seki. The recordings were produced by Leo Pearson (U2, Elvis Costello, Howie B) and mixed by Jim Spencer (Johnny Marr, The Charlatans).
Bass and drum-rockers Boxes have just released their third long-player Animal on their own Branchy Tree Records. Recorded in Dublin’s Experimental Audio and engineered by Stephen Shannon, the six tracks provide a short, sharp dose of molten rock. The album follows on from the Steve Albini-recorded Bad Blood.
Impressively the band have shared stages with Dinosaur Jr, Nomeansno and The Ex.
News from Kilkenny next... Thomastown’s DALI launch single ‘Think Before You Think’ in The Sugar Club on June 25. This follows the well-received debut EP 27 recorded by Leo Pearson. Having supported Republic Of Loose, Delorentos, Hybrasil and Damien Dempsey, they played at last year’s HWCH and with an album in the works they’re definitely an act to keep an eye and an ear on...
Mullingar’s The Acid Test, who peddle an infectious brand of abstract electronica welded to mighty 4/4 dance grooves, release four-tracker Martyr on July 3 at a show in Radio City. The EP was recorded in Data Recording studios near Ballyheigue in Kerry with the help of Ross O’Donovan (Hooray for Humans, Waiting Room). In their first year together, the band have played on bills with Delorentos, Channel One and The Flaws to name but a few…
Acid Test bass-player and Limerick natve Nick Carswell is organising a series of acoustic unplugged gigs (www.myspace.com/thebelltablesessions) in conjunction with the good people of The Belltable Arts Centre in Limerick. Will keep you posted! 
Cork’s Jean Elliot launches her new single ‘Highest Hill’ on July 4. The track was written by good friend Gavin Ralston and Meteor winner Luan Parle. The song follows the self-penned ‘Walkaway’ and radio hit ‘Funky Intuition’…