The Riptide Is High

The wealth of stellar acts on display at The Music Show was a testament to the wealth of excellent home-grown talent currently plying their trade on the circuit. Fight Like Apes, Cathy Davey, Republic Of Loose et al howled, growled, wowed and wooed at a packed Live Stage in the RDS to a raucous reception.
Another barometer of the state of the domestic scene is productivity and looking at the list of recent and upcoming releases thriving is an understatement.
Albums from Thread Pulls, Noise Control, Supermodel Twins, The Brad Pitt Light Orchestra, Grand Pocket Orchestra, Babybeef, Sweet Jane, Luan Parle, Hogan and Bat Kinane have just hit the streets and the torrent continues as we brace ourselves for upcoming long-players from New Amusement, Bill Coleman, Halves, Windings, Electric Penguins, Alien Envoy and Tupelo. The Flaws, Neosupervital and Ham Sandwich also return with hotly-anticipated confections.
The upcoming Hard Working Class Heroes showcase which continues to go from strength to strength is also evidence of a flourishing scene. This year’s feast, which hits venues around Dublin from October 7 to 9, has a dizzying array of acts. Highlights include the exceptional Cast of Cheers, Limerick’s finest Fox Jaw Bounty Hunters, power pop outfit Dead Flags and post rock wizards Enemies.
Long may this golden age continue…
Following their HWCH appearance Kildare trio Planet Parade gear up for their EP launch in Whelan’s on October 22. Picking up where last year’s lauded debut EP Ghosts To People left off the second opus, Zulu Sound, is another slice of top notch ambient pop. 2010 has been an exciting year for the lads who went down a storm at Oxegen, opened for Ellie Goulding in Dublin and Belfast and entertained the student elite at The Trinity Ball…
In advance of long-player Battery Power, Neosupervital have just released tasty disco track ‘Do What You Feel’. Will keep you posted…
Dublin indie noiseniks Von Shakes have been busy of late supporting Shane MacGowan’s new outfit on some domestic dates as well as traveling to Russia for the third time to entertain their fans there.
Also in the pipeline is a dance remix ‘Obsession’ by US Billboard high flyers Martin Clancy & The Witness Protection Programme.
Catch them live at the Dublin Rocks Festival on October 22 in The Live Room, Portmarnock and at The Rockfall Festival in Kilkenny on October 23…
Hot on the heels of debut album Full Circle soul/jazz/raggae combo Fusion Family release new single ‘Last Time’ in Whelan’s on October 20. The band have just finished the production on debut video ‘Curious’ which is due out soon.
The debut confection was produced by Brian Masterson of U2 fame and is currently available from record shops nationwide as well as on iTunes. Support slots under their belts include Kila, Natty Wailer, Mary Stokes, Fujiya & Myagi and The Chieftans…
Meath songstress Wallis Bird heads out on the road this month – Cypress Avenue, Cork, October 7, Academy, Dublin, October 8, Dolans Limerick, October 9 and Roisin Dubh, Galway, October 10. Following a sold out Academy date in March Wallis headed off on a massively successful European tour which included dates in Germany, Switzerland, France and the UK.
On her upcoming dates expect plenty of gems from critically acclaimed album New Boots including latest single ‘An Idea About Mary.’
The Riptide Movement played a blinding show in Whelan’s recently to launch infectious single ‘Hot Tramp’. The track was awarded ‘Song of the Week’ on Today FM and Corks Red FM.
Catch them live in The Ivy House, Drumcondra on October 8 before they head off on a 12-date German tour!