The Inside Track

The wedding preparations of our own Colin Carberry are only one of the many productive sets of activities taking place in the north at the moment….a new single from Robyn G Sheils, a second long-player from Berkeley and a new monthly gig night in Maghera kick-start summer action on the domestic front….
Robyn G Sheils’ new single ‘Playing Host To Ideas’ is taken from the highly acclaimed album A Lifetime Of Midnights from the No Dancing Records stable. So far this year Robyn has supported, The Brakes, Antony and The Johnsons, Will Oldham, Cat Power and Two Gallants. He has also just recorded a Maida Vale session for BBC Radio 1….
Donegal lads Tommy, Eugene and Hugh aka Berkeley have just released their second album In Moments on Supremo Records following on from the excellent Hope, Prayers and Bubblegum.
The recent split single with Giveamanakick spawned a dual-headline tour but fans can now catch them on their own when they hit Dolan’s Warehouse, Limerick on May 18, Whelans, Dublin on May 19 and McKenna’s, Monaghan on May 20. The Berkeley live experience is not to the missed – they remain one of my outstanding memories of the first Hard Working Class Heroes Festival.
Rock Bottom is the brand new monthly gig night in Basement Jack’s in Walsh’s Hotel, Maghera. The idea behind the night is to give upcoming bands the chance to play with more established acts. If you would like to get involved you should email [email protected].
Gimik, having just received the prestigious Best New Irish Band Award at the Big Buzz Awards in The Millennium Forum, got the proceedings off to a blistering start when they played to an enraptured crowd at the recent launch. The next gig night will take place on June 1 and will be headlined by Su Casa. On June 29 Rock Bottom in association with the Alternative Ulster Incoming Tour will feature Engerica and Fighting with Wire plus two lucky local bands yet to be chosen. Get emailing!
…Some interesting goings on in the Trustmeimathief camp….
the wonderful Si Schroeder debut album Coping Mechanisms was officially launched in Crawdaddy recently and has received many rave reviews (see album section for Mark Keane’s verdict). The album will be available from the online store as a digital download and mail order CD and from all good record stores. If you missed the launch get along to the IMRO showcase in Crawdaddy on May 26 for a live fix.
In other live news, labelmates Jape play Whelans with Humanzi, Channel One and Twin Kranes for the launch of Myspace Europe before travelling to the Czech Republic at the start of June to play the Reviste Alternative Music Festival.
Other live label action comes from Goodtime John who visits the ever-popular Crawdaddy on May 28 and Somadrone in the Project Arts Centre on June 8.
…Irish-Italian rockers Ginseng also hit the live circuit in support of their chart single 'She Screams'. Gigging duty gets underway in the Music Centre on May 18, The Harbour Bar in Rush on May 19 and then they hit Kilkenny’s The Zoo on May 20 (there will also be an all ages show the following afternoon at 4pm in the venue).
And finally…best of luck to The Immediate who have been selected from over 4,000 entrants for the Road To V competition. 14 bands will compete to win opening slots on the two days of this year’s V Festivals. The finals will be televised on Channel 4 later this month. Fingers crossed!