Inside Track - Songs For The Stef

Hats off to local ledgebag Stefan Murphy, taking matters into his own hands and launching a new label, Burning Sands Records. Stooges fans will get the nod to Iggy and the chaps!
Based in Dublin with worldwide distribution and PR, the debut outing will be The Mighty Stef’s Alain Johannes-produced Year Of The Horse on September 26, preceded by the single ‘Stella’ on August 29.
BSR is aimed not only at Irish acts: artists worldwide are invited to send Soundcloud submissions to [email protected]. Taking its cue from such seminal labels such as Factory, DFA, Creation and Postcard the new imprint aims to release a compilation followed by a series of split singles.
According to the missive, TMS “is sick of the ruse that the record industry is dead and we strive to create an outlet for passionate people making passionate music and art.”‘ Hurrah!...
On the subject of highly-regarded labels, some news from the Reekus camp next. Death In The Sickroom are enjoying rave reviews for current single ‘Tonight’, the lead track for their Brick To The Face EP due in August.
Since forming in 2012 the outfit have made quite the name for themselves on the live circuit impressing audiences at Hard Working Class Heroes, Retro Revival, Youbloom and elsewhere. Cork fans can catch them in Crane Lane on August 6…..
New Reekus recruits Gangs have just finished recording their debut with Brian Foley. The lads were pinching themselves recently when Andy Bell and Gem Archer of Oasis and Beady Eye fame were heard singing their praises on Soho Radio’s The Modcast.
After Gangs’ soon to be released debut single ‘Back To School’ received a spin Andy commented: “That was pretty good… sounds very accomplished,” while Gem remarked: “That is way beyond anything I was doing when I was 17.” Impressive!..
London-based Limerick duo (and Hot Press Hot For 2014 act) Sisters return to these shores at the end of the month for a whirlwind tour. They play The Roisin Dubh, Galway (July 31); Whelan’s, Dublin (August 1); Kasbah Social Club, Limerick (2) and are Tullamore-bound on August 3 for Castlepalooza.
They're promising to give the fruits of their recent recording sessions an airing: miss these dates at your peril!...
On a darker note goth songstress, Ballyfermot Rock School graduate and serial punner Venus De Vilo is hard at work on her debut LP, which will feature 13 tracks with such eerie titles as ‘Handle With Scare’, ‘I’ve Got 99 Zombies And A Witch Ain’t One’ and ‘Absinthe Makes The Heart Grow Fonder’! The collection follows accomplished EP Edgar Allen Ho And Till Death Do Us Party.  She currently has a date in Fibber Magee’s on October 29 in her schedule but keep an eye on hotpress.com for other announcements....
And finally a very important date for your diary: HP faves Swords have announced a headline show in The Button Factory on July 25 with support from Deaf Joe and Elastic Sleep. They'll be showcasing a batch of new tunes at what is their own summer gig!!!