The time for new beginnings is traditionally spring, but you’d never have guessed with the amount of debut releases arriving in these cold climes.
In addition to the previously announced news of Delorentos’ EP Leave it On, fellow Dubliners Humanzi release their eagerly-anticipated effort on Sound Foundation Recordings. The single, ‘Fix The Cracks’, is out on October 28 and may provide some clue as to whether they merit the "band to watch" tag they’ve been dragging on their right leg since they started impressing people, earlier than they should have...
Also debuting their wares are Dublin five-piece Morcrac, whose vocal-driven melodica can be found on the single ‘Happy’, released on Reekus Records. They will make copies exclusively available at their launch gig at the Temple Bar Music Centre on October 13, with Las Vegas Basement in support...
We like the enthusiasm – Acoustic Citadels are so keen to get out and about, that while the rest of the band wrap up the recording of their as yet untitled new album, frontman Cormac will be playing on October 4 at the Tikki Lounge in Cork, and then The Candlelight Sessions in Waterford on October 27, along with Aoife Regan, who’ll share vocal duties. They’ll then make their way to New York, for a couple of dates...
And on that international note, rising Irish bands have been given a welcome global boost at NEMO, which took place in Boston last week. The Bleedin’ Bleedins, David Hopkins, Fair Verona, The Urges, Twin Kranes and others entertained a crowd of industry figures.
Just a couple of days after and closer to home, at Manchester’s In The City industry conference, the Music From Ireland delegation comprised of The Immediate, Mainline, Alphastates, Delorentos, Stars of the City and Boss Volenti. According to sources the showcases were a roaring success and went some way towards creating a buzz about Ireland’s alternative scene.
Boss Volenti are also out and about in Dublin. They play as part of Breaking Down The Walls, a showcase featuring “high quality acts that we believe will be making a dent on the Irish music industry in the coming year” according to organiser Rory Broughal.
The Almos Funk Band, The Finest and Hidden From Nowhere featured on the opening night, and the standard continues with on October 15. Lined up for Eamon Doran’s in Dublin are the aforementioned Boss Volenti, Hidden From Nowhere again and Sundogs...
The unusually-named giveamanakick release their debut album We Are The Way Forward on October 14, and celebrate the release with an in-store at Tower Records, Dublin at 6pm on the same day. Having just won a hotpress-approved spot supporting The Revs, 79Cortinaz have also had positive feedback from their new single ‘Electric Hymn’, recorded in their famous creaky studio, The Shed. The song, which has already garnered some national airplay, bodes well for the future of the band.
To end with some good news, we hear that Grouse Lodge Studios are marking the opening of their second studio with a special deal for homegrown artists which includes accommodation for six people, use of the recording studio plus facilities like the swimming pool, sauna and other such diversions. You can't go far wrong, as the fella said...