I doff my cap to anyone who can claim to have worked with Garth Hudson. Like his musical heroes The Band, Gavin Glass has opted for an epoymously titled sophomore long-player and what a fine record it is. The opus was recorded live in his new studio, The Sound Asylum, in Ringsend, Dublin. The album celebrates a world long-forgotten by the skinny-jean clad indie brigade. The americana/alt-country cocktail of guitar, piano, bass and drums is augmented by a gloriously uplifting brass section. In other Band parallels, The Modern Gospel Ensemble do a Staple Singers adding some fine backing vocals, while harmonica legend Don Baker pulls a Paul Butterfield and Cathy Davey does a Joni, duetting on the stunningly beautiful ‘Ragdoll’. Fortunately this record is no Last Waltz for Gav...
In other long-player news Cork’s Hooray For Humans release their long-awaited debut Safekeeping on October 26 on Out On A Limb Records. The album is preceded by the highly infectious single ‘Signature on’ October 12. Safekeeping is a delicious cocktail of post-rock/new wave/indietronica but most importantly is the sound of a band enjoying themselves.
Some news from the Pale next... The Prescriptions launched their new single ‘Get Up And Get Around’ at a blistering show in the Cherrytree recently. Eoin Boyle and Barry Brennan provided support on the night. The track is available as a download from www.outersounds.ie…
The Hub is the place to be on Saturday October 13 for the Oxjam Festival. Top-notch entertainment on the night will be provided by Revolution For Dogs, The Laundry Shop, The Ultra-Montanes and The Neon Stars. The gig is followed by a late club and an iPod and singles from the bands are up for grabs! All proceeds go to Oxfam Ireland and the night will be filmed for MTV’s Get Seen Get Heard show…
‘Download Me’ is the new release from Dublin outfit Wonderland. The song is taken from the new album 21centurybluez.com which is due for release in early 2008. Go to ww.myspace.com/wonderland and follow instructions!
Hot Press faves Kopek are gearing up for their second single release ‘Morning Light’ on October 10. The release will feature four tracks including a rare acoustic cut of ‘Bring It On’ and two electronica remixes of the single title ‘Morning Light’. It will be a strictly fans only affair with only 444 copies of the single being pressed. The band are currently shooting their video and getting ready to start the recording of their debut long-player which is due for release in early 2008. There will also be plenty of live action over the next few months so keep checking hotpress.com for updates…
Carlow’s Carnival recently released their double a-sided single ‘Andy’s 15’ and ‘Tunnels’ with launch gigs in The Factory, Carlow and The Voodoo Lounge, Dublin. The songs were recorded in Digital 1010 Studios, Longford and flown across the Atlantic to be mastered in Noise Studio, Miami, at the request of Kramer (Rolling Stone Producer Of The Year for his production of ‘Girl You’ll Be A Woman Soon’ by Urge Overkill for the Pulp Fiction Soundtrack). The opus is available in Tower, Dublin, Heartbeat City, Kilkenny and Rainbow Records, Carlow.
And finally… The Gorgeous Colours' new download-only single ‘Holy Moley’, the follow-up to the much acclaimed ‘Hunting Something’, is now available from www.myspace.com/thegorgeouscolours. The band have been busy burning the midnight oil working on their forthcoming debut long-player. Watch out for progress reports!