Now that we have officially welcomed our new EU neighbours into the fold we can delight in educating ourselves in the traditions and culture their rich heritage has to offer. As well as gorging on goulash and swigging back Staropramen think of all that new music awaiting your ears! A good starting point is the latest single from the cultural melting pot that is New Colour Soul – a sonic fusion of talent from Ireland, Poland and the Czech Republic. The band, whose sound has been described as “James Browntastic” have just released the single ‘Life’s A Party’ and are currently on tour – check hotpress.com for details.
On another live note, Waiting Room and Giveamanakick have both been confirmed for the Oxegen Festival. Precise days and times will be confirmed shortly.
In release news the next Out On A Limb offering will be from Kerry’s Ten Past Seven – the forthcoming album should hit the shops in the autumn.
A reminder that Athlone’s Bunny release the album Slick Corporate Music in June. In the meantime keep your ears peeled for a double sided single Alimont/What Went Wrong which is currently being serviced to radio.
Another June release comes from Wexford’s FireGarden, the debut single, ‘Believe Tonight’ is out June 10 on Cherish Records. The band formed in the summer of 2003 from the ashes of two local outfits, Otherside and Skinflint and have built up a healthy live following - in the past they have supported Aslan and Blink. The new single was recorded in the ever-popular Reverb Studios and will be supported by live dates.
Readers in the North should look out for live dates from The Vichy Government who release their debut single, ‘Rubbish’, on May 24.It’s being released through Fosse 8 and is number three in this month’s Mixmag electro chart. The tracklisting is: ‘Rubbish’; ‘The Reichstag Is On Fire’ and ‘Death On The Instalment-Plan’.
Vichy have also submitted a new version of ‘I Control Discourse’ to the second Angular Records compilation. Catch them live at the Waterfront Bar on June 25 and the Limelight on June 30.
HOWL records recently celebrated their debut release in the form of a two-track limited edition white vinyl single from Torgas Valley Reds. Treat your ears to ‘Torgas Valley Blue’ and ‘Me And My Buddies’ by picking up a copy at record shops around the country or over the web at www.howlclub.com.
In other news from around the country Lisdoonvarna-based alternative label Human Jigsaw have posted mp3 samples from all the artists signed to the label on their www.humanjigsaw.com website.
Lorag Records have released a 5 track ep from Dublin band SELDON CRISIS. The cd is available from Tower and Road or you can listen to clips on www.lorag.com.
More news from the north is that the Mr Redbrain EP is ready for public consumption. ‘Suicide Rock n Roll’ and ‘Nothin’ Less Than The Truth’ are available for free download at www.mrredbr...icideRockNRoll.mp3. Get a live fix at Frontpage on May 26.
Several A&R people were on the guest-list last week when Derry guitar merchants Red Organ Serpent Sound played the Empire music hall, Belfast. Expect more majors to check ‘em out soon.
And finally, moving to the land of Moz to find their muse are northern rockers Skin The Pig. The lads have decided to uproot and move across the sea to Manchester. Unfortunately the band have had to part company with drummer G and guitarist Dave but a new horizon beckons. If you want to play a gig in Manchester then just drop a line to [email protected].
Best of luck !