Flutter Madness

Sligo pop-punk merchants The Dead Flags release blistering debut Gentlemen’s Club on April 9. The long-player follows excellent singles ‘O My Love! O My God!!’, ‘Anymore’ and EP We’ve Got The Ways And The Means.
Produced by Karl Odlum and mastered by Steve Rooke (The Beatles, Franz Ferdinand, Last Shadow Puppets) at Abbey Road, the album is full of sonic treats. The official launch night is in Whelan’s on April 16, and there will be a nationwide tour to follow. Check hotpress.com for details…
Dublin combo Our Little Secrets have released debut single ‘A Good Or A Bad Thing’ (featuring Lisa Hannigan on guest vocals). It's the title track from their forthcoming self-titled debut LP, out on April 30.
The outfit is the brainchild of Rhob Cunningham (yes, Rhob with an 'h') and features collaborations with like-minded folk such as the aforementioned Ms Hannigan, Cathy Davey and Jenny Lindfors.
The album was produced by Gavin Glass, mixed by Keith Farrell of Duckworth Lewis Method fame and mastered in the late Liam Clancy’s studio in Dungarvan. It features the talents of Cormac Curran (Villagers/Cathy Davey), Ross Turner (Jape/I Am The Cosmos) and Shane Holly (Jennifer Evans & The Ripe Intent). A national tour in support of the LP is mooted for early summer…
Delighted to see that the very charming Hedge Schools are coming out of hibernation for a rare live appearance upstairs at Whelan’s on April 19. Debut album Never Leave Anywhere is a must for any iPod...
Butterfly Explosion have unleashed a magnificent new collection, Lost Trails. The band have returned from a short US tour and SXSW appearance. Catch them live in the Roisin Dubh, Galway on April 9 and Crane Lane Theatre, Cork the following night…
Cork band Palko have just unleashed their debut album Dreamers. They've been hard at work honing their live skills of late and also reached the finals of Cork’s Red FM Transmission Battle of The Bands and the UCC and CIT BOTB competitions. The album is currently available from HMV in Cork and iTunes…
Fellow People’s Republic residents Together We Are Nobody have recently unveiled their self-titled debut EP. Get a live fix when they support Gavin Mulhall in Whelan's on April 23…
Kildare act Juliet’s Rescue have an eponymous EP out, which was recorded in Manor Park Studios in Antrim with Neal Calderwood.
Formerly known as Box Social, they became one of the youngest groups ever to play Oxegen when they appeared last year on the Hot Press New Bands Stage…
Ian Whitty and the Exchange have released excellent new single ‘While The Drunken Sailor Sleeps’. The track is taken from longplayer The Lucky Caller Number 9, produced by Ken McHugh and mastered by Dave Collins of Bruce Springsteen and Jane’s Addiction fame. The band have recently shared the stage with Florenece and the Machine and The Magic Numbers…
Limerick’s Keith Forde (ex-Vesta Varro) has made it to the final of the folk/singer-songwriter category of the International Songwriting Competition with his track ‘Pop Them Pills’.
The ISC is one of the biggest songwriting competitions in the world with over 15,000 entrants. Judges including Tom Waits, Jeff Beck, Robert Smith, Timbaland, Jerry Lee Lewis, Frank Black, Kings Of Leon and Steve Winwood wil pick the winner.
With his former bandmates Keith supported Editors, The Frames, Bell X1 and Ocean Colour Scene. He plans to release a solo EP in July and will be gigging to coincide…
News from the Jimi Cullen camp is that the third album is progressing well. Jimi admits it will be a little different to previous outings and confesses he may be turning into a hippy in his old age! Check out his cover version of The Cranberries ‘Zombie’ at www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZDl7b8VlRg. Seriously – do it now!
Former Blonde Majority singer Aoife Cleary has released her debut solo single, ‘Us And The US’. The ethereal number displays a more pop/electronic influence than she peddled in her previous guise…
Von Shakes launch new album The Routine in Buck Whaley's, Dublin on April 15. Admission is free and there's a DJ set from Monster Disco after the show!