The search is over for the perfect summer soundtrack! The Popical Island crew have thoughtfully compiled a cracking selection of cheery tunes to accompany outdoor beerswilling, barbecuing and other sun-related activities.
The stellar cast includes Land Lovers, Yeh Deadlies, Groom, Squarehead, Feed The Bears, Walpurgis Family, Pantone247, Tierannisaur, I [Heart] The Monster Hero and many more.
The album gets an official release upstairs in Whelan’s on June 19 when you can enjoy a full day of aural bliss from the aforementioned acts. The shenanigans kick off at 3pm and entry is FREE! CDs will be on sale for €10 each so get there early…
On June 9 the venue plays host to Ann Scott when she officially launches her third opus, Flo. On what is touted as her most personal work yet, Ann handles a variety of instruments and is responsible for most of the engineering. The release features long-term collaborator Karl Odlum, cello courtesy of ex-Hot Presser Kim Porcelli, Katherine Atkinson on violin and vocals from Gemma Hayes. Launch night support comes from Alice Jago who after many years on the scene has finally got round to releasing her Born Stubborn debut.
Continuing on an album note, Enemies launch We’ve Been Talking in the Wexford Street haunt on July 11, with fellow Richter Collectivites Super Extra Bonus Party and Mia Sparrow supporting.
The band hail from the Kilcoole DIY scene which has spawned such talent as Heathers, Adebisi Shank and Kidd Blunt. They unleashed their debut EP Alpha Waves in 2008 on Wexford-based independent Popular Records. The release was picked up in Japan and the band played four sold-out shows in Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto and Nagoya as a result.
The current collection was recorded at the Hive Studios in Wicklow and mastered by TJ Lipple (MGMT, Aloha, Medications) in Washington DC…
Moving west next… Castlebar indie four-piece New Sunset Hotel are enjoying rave reviews for current single ‘The Bitter End’, which can be downloaded from www.myspace.com/newsunsethotel and www.downloadmusic.ie. Although they’ve only been together since last August the band have gigged extensively and shared the stage with Bell X1 and Peter Doherty…
Another great single to check out is the new offering from B-Movie Lightning, ‘Triple Trouble’, available as a download on iTunes. The act is the brainchild of Mike Smalle previously of Galway outfit Cane 141.
Over the years Mike has worked with Mark Eitzel of American Music Club fame, Microdisney’s Sean O’Hagan and Super_collider legend Cristian Vogel. At the moment he’s in the studio with Ian Catt (Saint Etienne) putting the finishing touches to a long-player due this September…
In other release news, Wexford starlet Wallis Bird unveils her new single ‘An Idea About Mary’ on July 23. The track is taken from excellent second album New Boots. Wallis is currently wowing fans across Europe on her 50-date tour but Irish admirers can catch her at Oxegen on July 10…
Thurles combo Jester release new single ‘Sea Saw’ on July 2 following hot on the heels of lauded tracks ‘Maria’ and ‘Scream’. 2009 saw them emerge successful from the Sea Sessions Irish Unsigned Act Competition. They make a triumphant return to this year’s festival for a show on June 25. Dublin fans can catch them in Crawdaddy on June 5…
And finally… top gig tip – Heathers, The Funeral Suits and We Cut Corners play Whelans on June 3. What a bill!!!!!