The Inside Track: news and gossip

he past year has been a stellar one for domestic acts, many of whom can be seen at a venue near you over the festive season – check out our bumper What’s Going On guide for details. But if you’d prefer to curl up by the stereo on these cold winter evenings there’s plenty of new releases to keep you entertained.
Following 2005’s The Letting Go EP (Howl Records) Panda Kopanda’s second offering The Ocean Of Fire EP has just landed on the shelves of to record stores nationwide. The five-track CD is a shining example of their sincere indie angular pop. Through their website and myspace site the band are not only luminaries on the domestic scene but have built up a strong following in Malaysia, Mexico and New Zealand. Following the release and in between touring commitments they will begin recording their debut album early next year.
The EP is the second release from Cableattack Records, following hot on the heels of Envelope’s EP. Future releases on the label include The Star Department’s as yet untitled mini-album, due early next year.
Fellow northerners The Answer release a Christmas single. ‘Come Follow Me’ will be available by download from December 18. The track is taken from the wonderful debut long-player Rise.
On the subject of albums, former Ballyfermot Rock School attendee and Edison Falls man Eoin Boyle’s debut, Click On Star, is one of many contenders for the perfect Christmas gift. The stunning blend of folk, rock and soul is a beautifully arranged collection of songs.
Another possible stocking-filler is the new single from Bailer, ‘Watch Out’, which was recorded and co-produced with Martin Quinn at Jam Studios in Meath. Over their five-year lifespan the four-piece have released an EP and a single, gigged extensively and were Aslan’s special guests at The Point last December.
Live highlights this festive season include the Out On A Limb Christmas Party in Whelan’s on December 27, showcasing the finest talent the Limerick label has to offer and of course the Coldspoon Conspiracy’s farewell dates. You can still catch them at the Roisin Dubh in Galway on November 30 and Crawdaddy on December 2. The final six-track EP, ‘Cherry To Pony’, will be available at the shows. The songs are all new and were mostly written when the band were in Austrailia.
Delorentos, just back from CMJ in New York, hit the road as special guests to BellX1 on their festive gigging stint, while Simple Kid provides support on alternate dates. They are busy working on their debut album due for release early next year.
Dublin’s Skinny Wolves Club kicks the festive live season off to a blistering start on November 30 in The Hub. Austrailian indie royalty My Disco are joined by Threadpulls and ex Joan of Arse vocalist, Ross Hackett’s new combo French Letter A. Threadpulls are currently releasing a series of CD-Rs through their label 9-pt Records which are available at all live shows. Since their mini-album Summer Songs in 2004 the band have been recording and gigging and in 2005 they had the honour of being asked by Vincent Gallo to play All Tomorrow’s Parties. As for French Letter A, Joan of Arse fans will be well curious to find out how Ross fares in his current guise. Get down to The Hub and find out!