The inside track: this winter's soundtrack

'Love Like Nicotine’ was undoubtedly one of the summer’s domestic anthems and now Dark Room Notes have released what they hope will be the soundtrack to many people’s winter! ‘Dead Start Program’ was officially launched at a blistering show in Crawdaddy recently. The four-track EP features live faves ‘Slow Puncture’, ‘Oh How Your Roses Wither Fast’, ‘Shake, Shake My Ceiling’ and new track ‘I Walked To The River’. Each an electro-pop gem, the collection bodes well for the future.
The opus was recorded in The Loft, in Clara, Co. Offaly, and is truly an independent effort – all aspects of writing, recording, production and mixing were done by the band. Some new instrumentation used on the EP include a Glockenspiel, a wine glass and a baking tray filled with rice!
Another highly-anticipated release is the debut album from Cork’s Hooray For Humans due on October 26. Safekeeping is released on Limerick-based label Out On A Limb and is a delicious mix of pop indietronica suitable for the most discerning palette. It’s hard to believe the band came together a mere 13 months ago. Since then their upward trajectory has been rocket-like, garnering plaudits such as ‘Best New Cork Band’ (Cork Independent) and ‘Hot Press Ones To Watch 2007’ only a few months into their existence.
Also essential listening this month is The Coronas long-player Heroes And Ghosts out now on 3u Records. With three top 20 singles under their belt and a slew of sold out shows expectation levels were high but happily this fine collection of top-notch tunes does not disappoint.
Fellow Dubliners, The Kinetiks have just unleashed their debut download single ‘Shuffle Your Feet’, recorded at Grouse Lodge with Gareth Mannix at the helm. The northside combo have gone from strength to strength this year following the release of their debut EP and stellar appearances at Cois Fharraige and Castlepalooza.
In other download news Large Mound release ‘Your Holiday Sounds Boring’ (Scientific Laboratories), on October 19. The single is a taster for their new album, My Whole Life Is Have To, which follows on November 9. There will be live dates in support of the release so make sure to check hotpress.com for updates. In the meantime the band have made a brand new song from the album available online. ‘Rick Is For Sanity’ can be downloaded from www.largemound.com or www.myspace.com/largemound.
Also, keep an eye on hotpress.com for upcoming live dates from Television Room (risen from the ashes of The Marshals). Watch out for the debut single ‘Tinabelle’ due on October 26 on the Faction label.
In jet set news, Dry County, Oppenheimer and Rodrigo Y Gabriella join the cast of music luminaries at this years CMJ Music Marathon on New York. Over the past 27 year the festival has played host to artists such as Johnny Cash, PJ Harvey, REM, Red Hot Chili Peppers and thousands more!