When Gary Lightbody has confessed to being obsessed with your music and you've played to crowds of 46,000 you know you’re on the right track. Steve Scullion will surely only endear himself further to the Snow Patrol frontman and (hopefully) the masses with current release, The Deer’s Cry.

Cat Malojian were indie-folk darlings with two acclaimed releases to their name when the band decided to go their ways (recording a third opus by way of farewell). Frontman Steve continued under the moniker Malojian and his first solo collection is a gem, replete with sparse melodies and beguiling song-smithery.

On another northern note, Donegal’s In Their Thousands have announced a batch of dates to coincide with fourth EP Ends. The Play On The Day winners are no strangers to the domestic circuit with festival turns including Electric Picnic, Indiependence, Westport, Knockanstockan and Vantastival.

You can catch them at Odessa Club, Dublin (March 27); Metro 17, Wexford (28); Eddie Murphy’s, Thomastown, Kilkenny (29); Coughlan’s Live, Cork (April 25) and Pine Lodge, Cork (26). Afterwards, they head to the UK for a slew of dates...

Elsewhere, the fourth full-length installment of sonic bliss from Ginnels, A Country Life, lands on March 28 through Popical Island and Madrid-based imprint Tenorio Cotobade. A launch will be held in The Pop Inn, a new BYOB space run by Popical Island in Dublin. Check it out on the outfit’s Bandcamp.

The album follows last year’s Plumes. According to the guys it takes its cue from "classic songwriting and a desire to air grievances in public". It will be released on vinyl and very limited-edition cassette….

Cork’s The Vincent(s) have a new double A-side single, ‘Throne Song'/'Fever Dreams’. The former is a departure from their indie/grunge sensibilities, showcasing another side to the self-appointed purveyors of “Death Pop”.

Electro trio Swords showcase latest single ‘Hips’ when they support Ham Sandwich in The Olympia, Dublin on April 19. The nugget is the fourth track taken from from excellent Karl Odlum-produced album, Lions & Gold. The band’s trajectory has been firmly in the ascent over the last year, with appearances on Other Voices and The Works and a publishing deal with Smalltown America Music UK in the bag….

Fine purveyors of Gypsy swing Saint John The Gambler celebrate the arrival of new single ‘Balld Of Monday And Tuesday’ (a cheery number we’re sure) with a gig in The Workman’s Club, Dublin on March 22. The nugget is from the fi ne collection Five Miles To Vaudeville and support at the launch comes from The Eskies and Twin Headed Wolf. Admission is a snip at €5!