Bedroom-hero Headgear (strictly in the DIY-recording sense, natch) has emerged straight outta Limerick to become one of the nation's high hopefuls for 2003.

As noted in the recently published Hot Press Annual’s Contenders List, Daragh Dukes (as his mum calls him) attracted the attentions of BBC London DJ Sean Rowley via the double-A-side single ‘Wonderdog/Widescreen’ - so much so, in fact, that Rowley subsequently formed Diamond Head Records in order to release Dukes’ first EP, ‘Where This Good Life Goes’, last November.

The interim has produced a debut LP, due out in the summer, and a series of gigs nation- and continent-wide - not least a hometown-gig stopoff in Dolan's Warehouse tomorrow night (Friday, 7 February) - are also coming soon. But why should you have to wait that long? In anticipation of the album proper, hotpress.com are at hand to stream Headgear's brand-spanking new double A side, 'Halibut' / 'Hot Milk', to be released next week.

For your pleasure…

'Halibut' regular quality high quality

'Hot Milk For Hard Shoulders' regular quality high quality