Whilst endeavouring to come up with a suitably witty introduction to this column your humble writer found herself browsing the net in search of the inside track on a particular model of classic car.

However the exercise was fruitless so the reasoning behind Gala, Cormac and Darren’s choice of band name – 79 Cortinaz – remains at large. What I can reveal, however, is that their debut single, ‘The Amazing Sound Of’, will be launched in the Dunamaise Theatre, Portlaoise on Saturday August 28.
Admission on the night is a measley 112 (10 with concession) and includes a copy of the single which features two original tracks recorded in the band’s shed in Carlow…
Hopefully the night will be as successful as Trip Hazard’s recent launch night in the Sugar Club. The capacity crowd enjoyed material from the latest EP Stumble and the debut release ‘I Keep Falling’ as well as other live favourites. The new material reflects a shift in the band’s writing towards a rockier sound. Catch them live on August 20 in the Music Centre…
Also returning to the live circuit are The Dudley Corporation, just back from a European tour with American indie rockers Pinback (who have invited the Corpo out to the States as their US tour support for a slew of dates in May 2005). See Hotpress.com for details….
On a cyber note, check out the new Symbiotick website at www.symbiotick.net. The band’s debut EP is near completion and will be available soon via the site. MP3s, videos and other media are just some of the other online delights on offer...
Other creative endeavours from the north come in the form of ‘The Selfish Gene Vol.1’, the new EP from Zombie Safari Park featuring three new sonic treats from Portrush’s finest.
Another fine act making a name for themselves is Limerick’s Vesta Varro whose Nick Seymour-produced demo has been garnering many a favourable response from UK industry heavyweights. The band, which includes former members of The Sutras, recently played an electric gig to a packed Roisin Dubh…Watch this space!
Also on the up and up are Louise Byrne and Shane Cullen. Having recently contributed to the radio hit ‘Sunshine’ the pair will play their first Dublin headline gig as Delta Line at the Sugar Club on Sunday August 15. Described as a rockier version of Zero 7 by certain elements of the UK music press you should be hearing a lot more from this act who are due to release a debut single shortly – will keep you posted…
And now to some album news…Electronic artist The Last Sound has just released his new album Skids on sinkorswim records. The album is now available in Dublin in Road Records, Tower Records, Freebird, Selecta, Spindizzy and Big Brother. It can also be ordered online from Road Records...
Another new long-play offering, this time from the lovely Steve Fanagan is Northstation’s Bears. This opus was recorded by Steve at home over the past year and is dubbed “a meditative collection of fractured electronics and chiming guitars that brings to mind things like the hum of Labradford, the electronic warmth of Four Tet, and a host of other stuff from Polmo Polpo to This Heat.” Not to be missed I’m sure…
Also not to be overlooked by any aspiring muso worth his/her salt is the series of workshops taking place as part of the River Rock Music Revolution in Lisburn. Workshops in voice and song writing, recording and sampling and sequencing and arranging are offered as a special package. Each one logically progresses onto the next. At the end of the three days (choose either morning or afternoon sessions), a production and evaluation workshop on Saturday Aug 21, will give tutors and participants an opportunity to put their skills to the test.
For booking and further information please contact Island Arts Centre.
Tel: 028 92 509509. Email:[email protected]

For live updates tune into The Last Splash, Sunday nights 9-11, with Alison Curtis on Today FM
(email: [email protected])