Irish bands to watch for in 2006

Director
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Red Organ Serpent Sound
The Derry quintet first came to national attention with the inclusion of the magnificent ‘In Search Of Orgasmus’ on the Faction One compilation last year, and since then they have inked a record deal with Mercury Records. Their unique brand of musical mayhem combines the best bits of rock, new wave, punk and even country into a whole that is brimming over with energy, exuberance and more than a little edginess (some would say insanity), thanks in the main to madcap frontman Rory Moore.
Currently working on their debut album with Supergrass/Charlatans producer Sam Williams, they’re gearing up for a major no-holds-barred campaign. Expect great things.

Julie Feeney
Described in this very magazine as “the most intriguing female voice to come out of Ireland since Sinéad O’Connor”, Julie Feeney’s haunting and original debut album, 13 Songs, has amassed rave reviews everywhere from the Irish Independent to The New York Times, who proclaimed it “a charming, urbane and dreamy record”.
The Galway native has notched up a host of notable support slots, including both Rufus and Martha Wainwright, James Blunt, John Spillane and Architecture In Helsinki, and is set to appear on the new series of Other Voices later this month. Watch the legend grow.

The Marshals
Originally known as The Marshal Stars, this Dublin trio had to shorten their moniker following some less than amicable correspondence from a UK band of the same name. They’ve been around since late 2003, and have released three EPs – First Shot, Sixes High and My Girl & I – which are now practically impossible to get your mitts on, as well as having a song, ‘Tough As Old Boots’, included on last year’s excellent Faction One compilation of new Irish acts.
They signed on the dotted line with Vertigo in 2005 and have just completed recording their debut album, with a single, ‘Make Her Cry’ set for release on Valentine’s Day.

Red Sirus
Taking their name from Sirus/Sirus A, the brightest star visible from earth, Northern outfit Red Sirus’ own star has been very much in the ascent. Drawing influences from, and having been compared to, acts as diverse as Nick Drake, Elbow and Mogwai, they've clocked up support slots with the likes of Snow Patrol and Gorky’s Zygotic Mynci, as well as chalking up some impressive reviews, including one in this very organ, with Jackie Hayden won over by their confidence and panache.
Laura Izibor
A teenage prodigy, Dubliner Laura Izibor has been wowing the public and music industry alike with her remarkable voice and her ability to effortlessly ooze soul from every syllable since winning the Jacob's/2FM Song Contest in 2003. Indeed, Izibor was soon sorting through a host of offers from international record labels and publishers, as well as supporting Terry Callier and Jamie Cullum.
She eventually signed a worldwide deal with Jive Records, the home of Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake, and her debut album should be hitting the shelves this year.
Exit: Pursued By A Bear
One of the stars of the recent Cork Rocks series of showcases, Leeside four-piece Exit: Pursued By A Bear sound, of all things, like Mogwai jamming with The Waterboys. With songs that flit from soft acoustic moments to thunderous post-rock, they take the quiet/loud formula to intriguing new vistas.
Like the Spice Girls, the band's members have assumed 'amusing' monikers; say hello to Stern Bear, Boozy Bear, Born-Again Bear and Baby [Cynical] Bear. Unlike the Spice Girls, their songs have a tendency to creep under the listener's skin. Check out last year's Procession EP.
The Flaws
Hailing from the rock ‘n’ roll haven of Carrickmacross, Co. Monaghan, The Flaws released their eponymous debut EP in June 2005 to tremendous acclaim and radio play, prompting Today FM’s Alison Curtis (The Last Splash) to describe lead track ‘16’ as brilliant. Paul Finn, Dane McMahon, Shane Malone and Stephen Finnegan have been striking the right note with A&R people as well, with Universal tieing the knot on a deal that will see the band begin their campaign for world domination in 2006.
Humanzi
Possibly the most hotly anticipated of the new breed of Irish rock bands, Dublin quartet Humanzi have been making waves at home and abroad over the last 12 months. Anthemic and euphoric, their blinding (and deafening) live shows have won crowds over wherever they’ve played (including supporting the Pixies, Foo Fighters and Kings of Leon), and they caused something of an A&R feeding frenzy, with Polydor eventually winning the day.
Their debut single, ‘Fix The Cracks/Get Your Shit Together’ was the perfect signature tune, a sonic assault on the senses that picked up considerable airplay in Ireland and the UK, and their debut album is set for release early this year.
The Beat Poets
Despite being together for just seven months, The Beat Poets have already caused quite a stir at home and abroad. Their debut radio-only release, ‘Staring Stars Down/Bloodline’ notched up serious airplay in Ireland, Britain, Canada, Australia and the US. August 2005 saw them winning lauded London station XFM’s Unsigned competition, while also fitting in a support slot with The Chemical Brothers and Sonic Youth in Marlay Park. They had a track included on the SONI (Sounds Of Northern Ireland) compilation, and they continue to fend off interest from both sides of the Atlantic.