Album: GODHATESDISCO - Great Radio

GODHATESDISCO, 'Incredible Technology'

Info: GODHATESDISCO are Dublin duo Neal Keogh and Andy Walsh, they've just released their debut LP Great Radio yesterday, an album that is slightly difficult to pin down in terms of genre, at times ambient, fleetingly electronic disco on one or two tracks. Maybe the closest I could get via making up a new hybrid genre would be doom-punk, that sounds gloomy, but it's certainly not. Slight references would be a half-way house between Primal Scream's XTRMNTR or Mogwai's Come On Die Young, but they are loose comparisons and there's more at play here as they outline below;

'Deliberately performed live on twin bass guitars & a table full of electronics, 
including second hand samplers, synthesizers, vintage drum machines and custom made oscillators, the duo make unknown wave music, composed to defy and satisfy all musical palates. 


Sampling natural sounds from other planets against the bickering voices of Irish television talk show guests, creationist and atheist debates combined with mouthless words recorded at an exorcism, merging the abiding tones of moving statues fanatics speaking in tongues with the choral power of children's choirs, this is a thoughtful record with a lasting message. It was already broken before we got here.'

The opening track on Great Radio rightly takes the prime spot on the album, 'Incredible Technology' (above video) is the perfect introduction to GODHATESDISCO for those who are unfamiliar with them. A foreboding bass-line intro, like a slow march to death, and samples of a Reagan speech at the U.N. General Assembly in 1987. Following track 'Belief System' sees a tempo increase which comes close to some of the anarchy found on XTRMNTR, you're moved from the impending creeping feeling to being surrounded by it. 

GODHATESDISCO, 'Nimoy'

'Nimoy' enters a more light-hearted space in terms of the atmosphere it creates, the bass and drumbeats are uniform in conjuring an image of a dance-floor full of robots with an android version of Gary Numan behind the decks in a 1950's B-movie vision of the future. 'Sunday Service' has a nice rapidity to it, GODHATESDISCO almost urging you on to some unknown destination of their choice, there's really nice beats here again and the creepy children singing hymns in the background add to the mild discomfort that rears it's head occasionally on the album. Great Radio is a very decent effort from Keogh and Walsh and it's nice to see an Irish act delving into perhaps neglected spheres of experimentation and sounds, they're certainly on to something in terms of the entire package delivered here and how it makes you feel.

Great Radio is released on Dublin independent record label and shop Little Gem Records www.littlegem.ie / https://soundcloud.com/littlegemrecords


Like, Listen & Follow:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GODHATESDISCO

SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/godhatesdisco

Twitter: https://twitter.com/GODHATESDISCO

Film Review: X + Y (2014)

'X + Y' (2014)

Director: Morgan Matthews 

Cast: Asa Butterfield, Rafe Spall, Sally Hawkins

Genre: Drama

Runtime: 1hr 51mins

Rating: 7/10

Synopsis: Nathan Ellis is an incredibly socially awkward and detached youngster whose struggles with an early diagnosis of autism, and an adversity to human relationships, are tempered by a near-genius mathematical ability. Recognition of this gift leads to as close a relationship Nathan is capable of with his personal maths tutor, Mr. Humphreys, culminating in him making the British Mathematics Olympiad team and a life-changing trip to Taiwan. 

X + Y was an engrossing film and story, difficult to watch for the most part, quite sad, painfully distressing with delicately placed humour, combined making what was an emotionally exhausting yet rewarding experience. The film's lead, played by Asa Butterfield (main role in Ender's Game, Hugo & The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas), was incredibly impressive and I was constantly taken by his acting talent throughout the entire story, he was thoroughly convincing to the point where it became hard to imagine him any other way outside of the role itself. The anxiety that he managed to create in the viewer in his many forced yet unwanted moments of human interaction was discomforting to say the least.

Among a strong cast in X + Y, I felt that Belfast actor Martin McCann ('71, Killing Bono) as Ellis' room-mate during the Maths Olympiad, and Rafe Spall (Prometheus, Life of Pi) as his tutor, stood out in particular. The path of the film was unusual as well, it began with despair and struggle, but the expected road to emancipation never really materialises in my opinion, perhaps a reminder of real life. Another thing I took from the film was a subtle emphasis by the director where he seemed to infer that telling children with particular categories of autism that they are gifted constantly doesn't necessarily make them feel special, rather, it serves to alienate them further from their peers and merely highlights to them that they are somehow markedly different from others. 

I enjoy films for a variety of separate reasons which in my own mind I can categorise quite easily and will watch depending on my mood, X + Y certainly falls into my 'mood-altering' box, something very positive for me, the unfolding story uncomfortably pricking at your feelings, it takes a good story and convincing actors to achieve that and that's what I got here.

Track: King Fantastic - Wet Hot American Summer

King Fantastic, 'Wet Hot American Summer'

Info: "When they used to ask us to describe our sound, I always said, "WestCoastSynthesizerBeachBumGangsterMusic." Our latest and greatest is the personification of that original sound." Hard to disagree with that, at some point between 10 and 11 seconds into L.A. duo King Fantastic's first track since 2014, 'Wet Hot American Summer', the instantly recognisable sounds of 2011's Finger Snaps & Gun Claps are back. That was the KF album I discovered by complete accident online a few years ago and it was the best rap album I'd heard in years, god bless the internet!

What sounds like the description of the perfect summer day (we can only imagine as another shite summer rolls by in Ireland), it gets the all-out Troublemaker and Killer Reese treatment, positively saccharine dollops of rich beats, layered synths and an overall message of chill and enjoy life's naturally made pleasures! 'Wet Hot American Summer' is an interesting and unexpected release in more ways than one, after the markedly different 2014 album The Great Man Theory are King Fantastic working on FS & GC mark II, or is it just a brief interlude before the next departure? We'll see, in the meantime here's one of my favourite tracks from Finger Snaps & Gun Claps...

King Fantastic, 'All Black Ying Yang (The Party Song)

http://thekingfantastic.com/

Get 'Wet Hot American Summer' here http://apple.co/1MkV6Y0

Interview & Single: The Wood Burning Savages - Premier League

The Wood Burning Savages, 'Premier League'

Info: Today sees the release of new single, 'Premier League' from Derry punk rockers The Wood Burning Savages. The band released their first recordings back in 2012 with a small collection of demos and have had a consistent output since then, including a self-titled EP in 2013, the highly enjoyable Boom E.P. last year with a spattering of singles in between, all geared toward releasing a full album in the near future. Their aim? 'the creation of a relentless yearning to sing about the things everyone else is too afraid to sing about...the band are currently laying the foundations for their first album which is guaranteed to grab listeners by the lapels and shake the build up of mainstream popular culture candyfloss from their heads.' A noble cause.

New single 'Premier League' is a rip-roaring punk rock single that doesn't let up from the off with it's hyper-intensive bass and drumming, rally calling chorus and swaggered guitar-playing. Nods to old school punk, 90's indie such as Supergrass and a more recent drift into Maximo Park territory, all melded together with the bands very own dark hard rock edginess providing the energy and pow. 

Having already cut their chops on the BBC's Introducing Stage at Glastonbury, The Wood Burning Savages are about to set off on a tour of Ireland and the U.K., with local gigs in their hometown at Rock for Pride this Thursday, as well as dates in Draperstown and Lisburn at the start of August, all followed by four dates in Scotland. Before all that though, I caught up with Paul, Dan, Shea and Aaron to shoot the breeze about the music, dopplegangers and Karen Carpenter.

Remy: First up, can we get a whistle-stop tour of The Wood Burning Savages

musical history, previous bands and getting together etc.?

Paul: The Wood Burning Savages have kinda been going with our foot firmly on the pedal since mid 2013. We clock up crazy miles in the van and have played all kinds of crazy gigs all over Ireland and the UK. Before that myself, Aaron (drums) and Shea (guitar) had played around in a garage rock group called The Q. We got together again after The Q when myself and Aaron had seeds of ideas and Dan came on board, then Shea joined us a while after. It’s strange as Dan and I went to university together, in the same building, just one floor apart. Point being, it’s odd how people do the ships-in-the-night thing sometimes only to meet at the right time.

Remy: You've had a very eventful and successful 2015 so far playing at Vantastival and recently being nominated in the Best Irish Act category for Pure M Magazine, any other excitement on the cards for the remainder of 2015?

Paul: Yeah! We’re just happiest when we’re busy, so we’re always looking to play in front of new crowds. We were delighted about the Pure M nomination, it lets us know that people are digging what we do live. 2015 got pretty busy pretty quick! We had a sold out show in LOFT in Belfast just last Friday (17th) promoting our single which was great fun. As far as the remainder of 2015 goes, we’re really looking forward to Knockanstockan next week, we love that festival. We’re hitting Scotland in August for a set at a great festival called Belladrum alongside Manic Street Preachers, Idlewild and loads of other acts we love. We’ll be playing at the Edinburgh Fringe too as well as a few other Scottish dates.

The Wood Burning Savages, 'Colza Hotel', Boom EP (2014)

Remy: Listening to new single 'Premier League' which is out today (20th July) and your previous E.P. Boom, I get the comparisons to punk and indie bands such as The Clash and Manic Street Preachers. With that in mind I notice in the lyrics that there are many brief nods to political and cultural figures and events, would you consider yourselves a socially conscious band, and are there any recent domestic or international events that have particularly pissed you off?!

Paul: Absolutely. Without sounding like an asshole, I think when you write a song it really has to be about something. I’m rubbish at writing love songs so for me the music we write is a perfect framework for getting across important messages and reminding people that there are bands out there who want to sing about more than holding hands and candyfloss. Nationally, we have politicians who are groomed for positions as politicians who have the sole aim of serving their pocket not the people. That pisses me off. The weird glass ceiling in Ireland and the UK of ‘jobs for the boys and to hell with the plebs’ irks me to no end. 

I’m not a tie-die wearing hippy by any means but one of my mantras in life is to be decent to your fellow human. On an international level, I’m concerned with upholding the free movement of people for work or refuge, minority rights, gender equality and fighting prejudice with every fibre of my being. We touch on each of these issues in our songs, if we don’t who else will?

Remy: I've covered some excellent bands from Northern Ireland over the last few years including Go Swim, Abandcalledboy, the mysterious Lilla Vargen, as well as fellow Derry artist, Catmando, can you recommend any other local acts that are worth checking out?

Paul: We’re big fans of a local electronic group called Strength, they make music that just creeps up behind you, puts a sack over your head and makes you dance with them…metaphorically speaking of course. We also love Son of the Hound, Ports, The Bonnevilles and Plain Zebra. 

Remy: As you'd expect during this time of year most of your live performances have and will be at festivals including 'Rock for Pride' in your home city, the Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival in the Highlands (which Manics are headlining) and the Edinburgh Fringe. From the selfish perspective of a Dubliner, any gigs planned for here in the near future?!

Paul: We’ll be living in the van and eating cereal bars for dinner at the festivals for a while this summer, which is great. As far as Dublin goes we’re working on a couple of dates for September as we chat. We love playing Dublin, Whelan’s have been very appreciative of what we do and had us on their WhelansLive stage at Sea Sessions Surf Festival this year, so if we’re ever in the big smoke it’s always a treat to be playing in there.

'Man, these kids these days, so much noise'

Remy: Can each of you share a piece of music you like from any genre or artist whatsoever, that is totally at odds with either (a) The Wood Burning Savages 

sound or (b) that people you know personally would be shocked / horrified by?

Aaron: I like Charlie Landsborough, there I said it. 

Shea: I’m a big fan of Mike & The Mechanics, I’m glad to get that out in the open actually haha. 

Paul: I love The Carpenters track ‘Superstar.’ No messing, I actually just do. It’s good music to drink a beer and have a cry to. I have a The Carpenters t-shirt which I wear around and people think it’s some sort of weird joke, I actually just like the band.

Dan: Kate Bush’s track 'The Dreaming'. It’s just class from start to finish. 

Remy: I agonised over my next question because I think it's an awful thing to draw attention to people's personal appearance (particularly those born with say, facial hair - it's not always a lifestyle choice). But Dan, we need to talk about the uncanny resemblance between yourself and another bassist from an English band called Motorhead, surely you've performed 'The Ace of Spades' live, and if you haven't, why not?!

Dan: Many's a time I’ve wanted to, believe me, but there’s a prophecy written under one of the tables in our local pub (Sandinos, they do good stout) that states if two hairy, facially furnished, western European bassists should unwittingly play ‘Ace of Spades’ live at the same time that the Earth’s tectonic plates will reverse and Pangaea will be reconstructed thus resulting in cities colliding and volcanic islands sunk. So it’s best I don’t chance it and let Kilminster do his thing. Plus, the chorus is a bit tricky. 

Remy: Finally, with regards to recording which will probably not be on the cards until after the far end of the summer with touring etc., will 'Premier League' form part of a new E.P. or even album or is it far too soon to be contemplating such matters? 

Paul: We’re building these new singles with a hope to have them on an album at some point in the future. I think we’re an album band, an E.P. is nice but an album is the full cheeseburger that will hopefully have people eager for more.

Download The Wood Burning Savages brand spanking new single, 'Premier League' here https://thewoodburningsavages.bandcamp.com/track/premier-league

Look / Like / Listen & Follow:

Site: www.breakingtunes.com/thewoodburningsavages

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheWoodBurningSavages

Bandcamp: https://thewoodburningsavages.bandcamp.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/wbsavages

Single: LENNOKO - New Beginning

LENNOKO, 'New Beginning'

Info: Singer / songwrite Katie O'Connell formed Lennoko working with Rory Murphy (Rhythm Guitar) and James Ryan (Drums and Percussion) and more recently Chris Collins (Bass) and Chris Roche (Lead Guitar). Lennoko have been busy writing and performing since the start of 2013 and have played successful gigs across some of Cork’s Premier venues in 2013/14 including an appearance at the popular Indiependence Festival 2014. 

The band are currently riding high in the Irish iTunes Rock Charts with above single, 'New Beginning' and it's not hard to see why, it's a punchy, pop-rock number that advances from the standard of what you'd expect, with particular thanks to the breaking guitar work and solo as well as O'Connell's personality shining through via a myriad of late 80's and early 90's rock influences. The band play Cork's Crane Lane Theatre on Phoenix Street this coming Tuesday, 21st of July.

https://www.facebook.com/lennoko

Remix: Haüer - 'Solarsurf' (Bantum Remix)

Bantum, Ruairí Lynch

Haüer, Solarsurf (Bantum Remix)

Info: The Bantum remix of 'Solarsurf' is the second and final remix following Jessie White's re-working of Dubliner Haüer's 'Helicop' from his Solarsurf E.P. from electronic musician Ruairí Lynch. Bantum's mix is sharp, pointed and spacey, but more importantly very hypnotic, a more tripped-out affair than the original track whilst retaining it's 80's sound in the not too distant background. Solarsurf originally featured on 2014's E.P. Esperbyte which you can get your hands on here https://futurecityrecords.bandcamp.com/album/esperbyte-e-p Also, to hear more from both artists check out more great work on their respective SoundCloud pages below;

https://www.facebook.com/bantummusic

https://www.facebook.com/hauerlives

https://soundcloud.com/bantummusic

https://soundcloud.com/ha-er

Album Review: Running Red Lights - There's A Bluebird In My Heart

Running Red Lights, There's A Bluebird In My Heart

Info: Running Red Lights are a Toronto indie folk-rock four-piece comprised of singer Scarlett, drummer Kevin Howley, guitarist Dave Puzak, and bassist Jeff Carter with the latter two also weighing in on vocals. The band have been together for 10 years now and are coming to Ireland in August for a leg of their tour entitled Adrift In Westland Row, an homage to Oscar Wilde's birthplace at No.21. They will play Sweeney's Bar in Dublin on the 26th of August followed by Crolwey's in Kenmare and Courtney's Pub, Killarney over the next two nights before finishing up in Sin É in Cork. Although it's not their first time playing in Ireland with a show held in Whelans in September of last year also.

Their tour is entirely self-funded and will feature their debut album, the culmination of 8 years work, There's A Bluebird In My Heart, an album I think you'll agree bears the hallmarks of a long but fruitful journey when judged on the lyrical and musical quality of it's 11 tracks. In the bands own words; 'The leading single 'Mulberry Love' has drawn comparisons as far-ranging as 'Americana' Fleetwood Mac, Jeff Buckley and Chrissie Hynde, while the proposed second single 'Under the Wire' parallels the roots rock sounds of The Band and Alabama Shakes.'

Running Red Lights, 'Mulberry Love'

I really liked a lot of aspects of this album, released in January, 2014, there's a lot of folk / rock groups out there the last few years, and for the most part sometimes it feels like a template has been followed deliberately at the expense of feeling and musicians setting themselves free from pre-conceptions. As soon as you've reached the halfway point of opening song and single 'Mulberry Love' you feel an energy and passion that is genuine, on top of a superb track which scoops you up and brings you along with it's locomotive rhythm. It's evidenced as well in the above video, that in a way, the band are not only controlling the music but it itself has taken over the musicians, it's something you love to see, a performance where the song means just as much to those putting it on display as you, the listener.

Second track 'In Parentheses' adjusts the joy of the previous song slightly by lowering it's unbridled abandon while maintaining that same rhythmic flow, it's damn catchy too and the vocal effects and echoed guitar effects pull you inside a fantastical bubble of escape from the real world. 'Dear Liza''s opening bars are a throwback to slick 70's Americana rock before the song departs forward into more pop rock territories, but relapses once again to point A, like Finley Quaye meets The Allman Brothers with something new in between.

Another track I particularly enjoyed due to it's stripped bare nature was 'Parlour Cafe', the vocals are pained but soothing at the same time, a little bit Joni Mitchell even, and again provides an example of the versatility of styles yet close-knit genres that Red Running Lights have dipped their toes into. 'By Your Side' is a sunnier version of an unwritten Elliott Smith or Sufjan Stevens song that climaxes in an expansive rock finish more in line with Arcade Fire or The Drums. The final track on the album 'A Damn Good Way To Go' sees the band go into full indie-rock mode, small references to Bon Iver and Band of Horses vocally, nice subtle bass-lines and inching percussion all combine for another energetic burst to see out the album. 

There's no duds on There's A Bluebird In My Heart, and it really does traverse so many styles and genres (within it's remit of course) that it will keep you occupied and rewarded for a long time. The music is accomplished and the lyrics have enough substance that will only add to the enjoyment of the music as time goes on, all in all a highly accomplished folk-rock album bobbing above the water in a sea of repetitiveness. 

Look / Like / Listen & Follow:

Website: http://www.runningredlights.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RunningRedLights

SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/running-red-lights

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rrlmusic

Remix: Trails and Ways ft. Harriet Brown - Downright (Falcon Punch Remix)

Trails & Ways feat. Harriet Brown, 'Downright', Falcon Punch Remix

Info: Hard not to shake your booty to this one, remix of Oakland band Trails & Way's track 'Downright' by Avery Henderson aka Falcon Punch who hails from Minneapolis. The track comes from the bands recently released Pathology album, and 'the remix smoothly thumps the dancefloor, spins the disco ball, and gives a glowy spotlight to the guest verse from LA's Harriet Brown.' There's some really nice and mellow soulful funk tunes on the Falcon Punch SoundCloud as well that I enjoyed (highly recommend 'Donald's Bird').

Check out more of Falcon Punch and Trails & Ways below;

https://soundcloud.com/falcon-punch

https://soundcloud.com/trailsandways

Track: Silverbacks - The Pink Tide

Artwork: Cam Taylor

Silverbacks, 'The Pink Tide'

Info: I'll admit that when Silverbacks release a new track I get that little endorphine rush that modern day psychologist quacks describe when someone likes your Bookface post or Instavine photo. The latest offering 'The Pink Tide' continues the trend with the Dublin band, familiar across at least three different decades and contemporary at the same time, Television, Talking Heads, Pavement and American Analog Set traverse vocals and music in unequal yet working measures. Specifically love the electric guitar and chorus on this song, the solo at 2:30 is like an arrow being shot into Silverbacks future selves, perhaps. Great stuff as always. Here's a recentie oldie I'm quite impartial to while we're here, and if this is your first Silverbacks sampling...

Silverbacks, 'Fad 1995'

http://silverbacks.bandcamp.com/

Live: Neon Atlas - Upstairs @ Whelans, 16th July

Photo: Remy Connolly

Info: In the lead up to the release of their next album, Grafitti Reality, which is released on the 31st of July, Cork band Neon Atlas kicked off a three night mini-tour of 3 provinces with a gig upstairs in Whelans in Dublin. The show preceded last nights gig at the Galway Fringe Festival at Club K and tonight's performance in their home county at Pine Lodge in Myrtleville.

Following support from Dublin indie band Admission and Killarney native Aaron Fleming who is also based in Dublin, Neon Atlas got down to business in front of a relatively small crowd compared to what they would face over the next two nights. I won't delve too much into the bands sound and what it touches on for me right now as there will be an album review on the way shortly, but it does in some ways take me back to a very enjoyable and specific period of the harder edge of alternative indie rock music from just over 10 years ago.

Photo: Remy Connolly

Out of the set played the definite highlight for me was 'Velocity', perhaps because I've fallen into the trap of flitting between both of the bands excellent singles which they've released to date as well as the opening track on Grafitti Reality, 'Panic Button'. Other highlights were the pop-veering 'Get Up' and also a throwback to their previous album Absolute Magnitude in the form of 'Juniper'. The strangest part of the gig for me was how the venue sat with the music, it was pleasantly bizarre to be in the upstairs venue of Whelans (which I do love) whilst witnessing some of Neon Atlas' harder tunes. 

The music was, at times, bursting to get beyond the confined spaces, along with new band member Tom Cahalane on lead guitar duties, Rob Cahill's drumming was a joy to behold, rapid and tearing shreds through you at points. Whilst the venue is limited in terms of space, this is the third gig I've been to now with more than three band members where the drummer is plunged into a dark corner and it's a bit of a shame, if understandable at the same time. All in all I really enjoyed hearing some familiar and new songs from Neon Atlas in Whelans and a very tight set that rolled together as one between all four band members, and I got to meet a sheep in the bar afterwards, but that's a story for another day.

Photo: Remy Connolly

http://neonatlas.com/

Single: Jessica Doherty - Wolves

Jessica Doherty, 'Wolves'

Info: After only picking up the guitar just over 2 years ago, Derry singer Jessica Doherty recently released her debut single, 'Wolves', on the 26th of June. Haunting and beautiful, 'Wolves' was produced and mixed by Conor Mason in Link Academy, Derry. The percussion on the track was provided by Conor's bandmate Mark O'Doherty. The single was mastered by Peter Maher, known for his work with U2, Katy Perry, The Rolling Stones and a plethora of world famous artists. 'Wolves' has already received airplay on BBC Electric Mainline and Radio Foyle which led to Jessica being selected by BBC Radio Ulster to perform live on The Arts Show for BBC Music Day in Smalltown America's studio.

It's always interesting to catch a young artist at the very outset of their musical path, and even more so when their debut release is more than competent, boding well for the immediate and long-term future. Doherty's voice is spirited, soothing and easy on the ear, and while undoubtedly similar to U.K. artists within the genre she falls under, their is also something familiar to be found in how it echoes Irish female vocalists past and present. I quite enjoyed the music as well, the brush-stroke percussion on snare reminded me of something you might find on a Bon Iver track from his eponymous album, such as 'Holocene' and there are some nice string arrangements which add nicely to the songs overall atmosphere.  


Look / Like / Listen & Follow:

Website: http://www.jessicadohertymusic.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jessicadohertymusic

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOEDzugKAH_DNDb0BT3YYRw

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jessicadoherty_

Jessica Doherty, 'Home'

Album: The Moves - Negative Space

The Moves, 'Sad Eyes'

Info: Today sees the release of the second album from Dublin three-piece The Moves, Negative Space is the follow up to 2013's Human Shield and has been released on the Éire Supply label. Vocals are shared by Paul Maguire and David Banim with programming by Philip Kelly and the album is available digitally, on CD and thankfully vinyl from today in HMV stores, it was recorded, pressed and mastered in Dublin.

There are stacks of bands from Ireland, the U.K. and U.S. releasing competent modern music with its primal foundations based on 80's influences, it's a route that I'm a fan of but often find you are left with 2-3 potential singles and the remaining tracks are either average or middling good, which is fine. The problem is that in today's world of instant gratification and entertainment (I include myself in that) we'll revert constantly to those 2-3 songs and the rest of the album becomes a bit lost.

The Moves, 'Arms to Karachi' (from 2013's Human Shield)

Thankfully this is far from the case on Negative Space, here we have 8 highly listenable and enjoyable tracks with the high standard set on opener 'Gates Wide Open', the pleasure derived from the song remains a constant the whole way through the album. The harmonies work very well here between Banim and Maguire, you're inescapably drawn into the sounds and refined nature of the lyrics, abrupt but delivered with feeling. Following track 'Subterraneans' lays out it's Gary Numan influenced musical style with enjoyable synth sounds in a short but sweet package. 

'Zero Summer' is perhaps the most obvious homage to the trio's self-professed influences, there's a dark Tears for Fears tinge to the vocals, like something from Songs From The Big Chair and nice bouncy electronica during the interludes. Proceedings ratchet it up a notch again on 'Sputnik', veering more toward a contemporary and testosterone-induced slice of 90's Mancunian attitude. Above number 'Sad Eyes' is one of the true joys to behold on The Moves' new album, subtle but pointed electro drum-beats with vocals again traversing Tears for Fears ('Shout') and Duran Duran territory, reaching near-80's perfection in my opinion. 

Negative Space closes strongly with 'Take Me Back To The Stars', a rolling and uplifting track that displays another string to the band and musics bow, the vibe is serene and laid-back and could easily lead to some body-popping moves and grooves in the right environment. How this band have thus far gone relatively undetected is a bit of a mystery to me which became more puzzling the more I listened to their new release, but I'm not dwelling on it too much, that time is better spent just enjoying what in my view is a really great album from the Dublin band.

Like / Listen / Follow:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/THEM0VES

SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/themoves

Twitter: https://twitter.com/themovesband

News: HamsandwicH @ the HMV 'Supporting Irish Film' Party, Galway

HamsandwicH, 'Fandango' (acoustic sessions)

Info: Kells band HamsandwicH performed a busking session outside hmv Galway yesterday afternoon joining Film Fleadh revellers this afternoon, for an acoustic performance outside the cities hmv store. The band played a selection of their biggest hits, ahead of their appearance at the annual hmv Supporting Irish Film party, where they will be joined by popular home-grown act Keywest.

Bringing back the social highlight of the Film Fleadh, hmv will once again host this invite only event in the Veranda Terrace & Bar at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Galway, with live performances and exclusive DJ sets from popular Irish acts including thr two aforementioned acts.

hmv are celebrating their second year as main sponsors of the Galway Film Fleadh, further positioning the retailer as a leading supporter of Irish Film. The Galway Film Fleadh - now in its 27th year, is a six-day international film event held every July and welcomes a wide diversity of film-making from around the world. The Fleadh is very much a film lovers’ festival, and attracts directors, actors, cinematographers and artists of all generations and cultural backgrounds. The Fleadh’s diverse audience is made up of the general cinema going public, film buffs, industry professionals and invited guests.

Remix: Jesse White - Haüer 'Helicop'

Jesse White - Haüer 'Helicop' (Remix)

Info: Irish electronic producer, Jesse White, who is currently residing in Leeds, counts among his musical taste and influences everything from hip hop to jazz, electronic to classical. Above is his new remix for acclaimed fellow Dublin 80's electronic artist Haüer, who describes himself as '...a one man set-up cursed with a weakness for nostalgic 80's music production and synth-based cinematic film scores.' White's remix features on Haüer's latest single release, 'Solarurf', which dropped last weekend on Independence Day.

I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this track over the last few days, its edges remind me of M83, while at its core was a more alternative continental chill-wave vibe, un petit peu Francais perhaps, unsurprisingly given the aforementioned act. It's worth digging around White's other remixes on his SoundCloud, I particularly liked (as a fan of Childish Gambino) 'Bonfire' and Kanye / Seasick Steve 'Jesus Walks' / My Donny' (below), which is quite frankly, the goddamn bomb.

Kanye West / Seastick Steve, 'Jesus Walks' / 'My Donny' (Jesse White Remix)

https://soundcloud.com/mrjessewhite

https://www.facebook.com/mrjessewhite

https://www.facebook.com/hauerlives

Track: Alf Moon - Couleur

Alf Moon - Couleur

Info: Long time favourite Parisien of Remy's Music & Film, Alf Moon, is back, following his wondrous 4-track E.P., Saisons, which was released periodically over 12 months from inception to final track 'Printemps', each incrementally as good as the previous. The young Frenchman's talents continue to develop on 'Couleur' which maintains its predecessors ambient textures, whilst confidently marching in a new direction. If you like this, you'll love all four tracks on Saisons, 100% guaranteed, think St.Germain meets Groove Armada, here's 'Hiver' below.

Alf Moon, 'Hiver'

https://soundcloud.com/alf-moon