Inside Track: Rag Trade

What better way to whet appetites than dropping not one but two tantalising tasters for a forthcoming album in one day?! Raglans have done just that with their recent double-whammy of ‘Digging Holes’ and ‘(Lady) Hold Back The Years’.

Both slabs of sonic greatness are from the forthcoming self-titled debut long-player, due this month. The slew of promotional dates includes their biggest headliner yet at Dublin’s Academy on March 29. Check hotpress.com for tour dates.

The lads were always a hot live prospect, and with a batch of new material road-tested just last month with The Strypes, they're raring to go!

Since forming in 2010, the Dublin/Wicklow troupe have wowed domestic audiences and also built a hefty following in the UK, where they supported The Courteeners and Haim.

Hopes are high for the forthcoming collection, produced by Ivor Novello-nominee Jay Reynolds (Elton John, Pulp, The Verve) and mastered by Grammy award-winner Brian Lucy of Arctic Monkeys, The Black Keys and Beck fame…..

On the live front, the good folk at The Workman’s Club, Dublin have kindly scheduled two days of sonic treats dubbed the Paddy’s Weekender for those who wish to seek refuge from rampaging revellers in the city centre. Sunday March 16 sees Squarehead, Other Creatures, Jetsetter, Beach, Gallants and Ad Asteris providing a fine bill of fare and on Paddy’s Day itself Overhead, The Albatross, The Notas, Exploding Eyes, Otherkin, Death In The Sickroom, Late City Edition and Gav And Thee Icons provide the quality tuneage. And all for FREE!.....

Following an impressive Late Late Show appearance Wexford’s Corner Boy have announced a new EP, True North , landing March 14, with current single ‘Ghost Town City’ boding extremely well for the remaining tracks.

The band brought their infectious folk stylings to Knockanstockan, Indiependence, Westport Festival and Electric Picnic last year and went down a treat. The guys have been generating many positive murmurs from influential types so are ones to watch methinks!....

Since debut EP Dots won our hearts in 2012 the uber-talented Elaine Mai’s fanbase has been expanding at an impressive rate. Excellent single ‘EDC’ has been garnering rave reviews and hometown fans (sort of) will be delighted to hear she plays a free show in the Roisin Dubh, Dublin on March 14. In other good news, the Mayo lass’ second EP is in the pipeline so stay tuned for updates!.....

Hot Press faves Leaders Of Men play Whelan’s, Dublin on March 6 in support of latest single ‘For Want Of A Better World’. The track is from imminent EP Alexander House, which was recorded in Voltaire Studios with Cameron Blackwood (London Grammar, We Are Scientists, Jamiroquai). The outfit’s debut album, which is sure to be one of the year’s top domestic releases is pencilled in for the end of the year……

And finally there was much whooping when news reached HP Towers that The Minutes are back! Single ‘CherryBomb’ is due in April and we're awaiting album details!

Debut collection Marcata will be hard to beat but we can’t wait to hear what the guys have up their sleeves. Over the last few years they've remained a fixture on the live scene and were one of the local highlights at last year’s Longitude. Impressively they have appearances at T In The Park, Isle Of Wight and a support slot to The Stone Roses under their belts. We’re sure opus number two will catapult them to even greater heights!