Cork's Pretty Happy share self-directed video for 'Conn Boxing'

Cork City band Pretty Happy have shared a video for 'Conn Boxing', taken from their debut EP Echo Boy, which landed in November 2022 on the Foggy Notions label.

Marking Imbolc, the DIY video was produced and directed by Pretty Happy themselves and filmed in the famous “Linehans” sweet shop in Shandon, Cork. The clip stars actor Niamh Santry - who also appeared in their previous video for the single 'Boots' - and Laura Dineen.

'Conn Boxing' is a intense, raw track that has forged special connections with live audiences since the band debuted it last year. The song explores the nuances of Irish rape culture, how men and their status are protected at all costs. What starts as a soft narration ends in a raged outcry and a cathartic reclamation.

Check out the new visuals below, which starts with sweet-making but ends with flames.

"Conn boxing has been producing superb athletes for years / You walk in there and just feel it / Conn boxing has been producing unbelievable athletes for years / ugh, I can just smell the sweat," the song begins. "You can just feel the testosterone...they don't even have a women's bathroom," the band start, instrumentation building in tension.

"That's where you got your strength from, I never stood a chance...Conn boxing taught you to tap into your anger, and don't you thrive on it..."

For Echo Boy, the art-punk trio teamed up with producer John ‘Spud’ Murphy (Lankum, Black Midi) at Hellfire Studios in Dublin to record all four tracks. The EP was later mastered by Harvey Birrell (Stereolab, Therapy?).

The EP title and artwork references the Echo Boy statue in Cork City by sculptor Barry Maloney, which commemorates the paperboy street sellers of the Evening Echo newspaper.

This February sees Pretty Happy return for another UK visit opening for Canadian post-punk band Preoccupations for four dates in the UK as well as headlines in Southampton and a return to the famous Windmill venue in Brixton. The band will also perform a long overdue hometown show at the Cork Opera House supporting The Sultans of Ping.

Pretty Happy enjoyed a massive 2022, touring with hero Kim Gordon through Europe, supporting Pavement, performing at festivals such as All Together Now, Raw Power, and Other Voices in Dingle and Wales, as well as headlining their first oversees show at the famous Windmill venue in Brixton.

They also made a love-letter documentary about the history of Cork post-punk entitled Leeside Creatures, funded by the Triskel Art Centre’s WRITE RECORD PERFROM residency.

Listen to Echo Boy below.

Pretty Happy Upcoming Live Dates

09 February – New Adelphi Club, Hull (supporting Preoccupations)
10 February - Brudnell Social Club, Leeds (supporting Preoccupations)
11 February – Cork Opera House (supporting The Sultans of Ping)
12 February - District, Liverpool (supporting Preoccupations)
13 February – Boileroom, Guildford
16 February – London Scala (supporting Preoccupations)
18 February – Windmill, Brixton