Free Music: By The Sea – Waltz Away

Wirral 6-piece By The Sea were introduced on the blog earlier in the year and coming from arguably one of the richest veins of musical talent in the world, Merseyside, their prodigious talent is no surprise at all.

Earlier this month they released 7″ single Waltz Away. With the advent of all 300 numbered singles being sold the generous folks from By The Sea decided to make it available for free digitally.

‘Waltz Away’ and b-side ‘Stay Where The Sun Is’ are shimmering indie gems, like their predecessors, they are steeped in 60′s psychedelia channeling parts The Byrds, The Coral and Shack into a blend of lush breezy harmonies and summertime haziness.

With By The Sea continuing to impress let’s hope 2012 is a very productive year for the band. You can download both tracks below or from BandCamp.

Download: By The Sea – Waltz Away

Download: By The Sea – Stay Where The Sun Is

Video: More Than Conquerors – A Lion, A Man

You forgot a username for the YouTube shortcode

Taken from Belfast band More Than Conquerors‘ second EP Boots and Bones, ‘A Lion, A Man’ is supreme blast of soaring hard nosed indie rock. Having spent November touring the UK  in support of the EP, they are certainly a band to watch out for. With a few more cuts of thunderous indie rock like this, who knows where they may go?

Boots and Bones is out now through Smalltown America. 

Introducing: Tashaki Miyaki

An air of mystery surrounds California duo, Tashaki Miyaki. Comprised of lead vocalist/drummer Tashaki and guitarist Miyaki little else is widely known about them, in an age of information saturation it is quite strange.

This mysteriousness only furthers the alluring charm of the music as does the elegance of their sounds. The duo combine forces to produce irresistible hazy, sun soaked pop songs with the equally charming laid back female vocals adding an air of wistful bliss.

‘Somethin Better Than Nothin’ and ‘Get It Right’ are both taken from Tashaki Miyaki’s eponymous debut EP, out now.

 Tashaki Miyaki – Somethin Is Better Than Nothin via edin2sun

Tashaki Miyaki – Get It Right via Sound Injections

You forgot a username for the YouTube shortcode

Introducing: Trap Door

For many people of a certain age ‘Trap Door‘ will be forever associated with cult claymation animated television series. Dublin trio Trap Door (formerly Triple Drop) are doing the level best to change the situation, releasing an excellent debut EP, Lata Town.

Similarities with Jamie T are undeniable, they like he, take the listener rumbustious rattle through urban life, combing a rich mix of punk, folk, ska and hip-hop with insightful flowing and streetwise lyrics, complemented perfectly by rich and catchy melodies. The EP has plenty of substance too with songs of lyrical depth dealing with wasted youth, social inadequacies and a generation lost between the cracks. It is given an added bite too with plenty of youthful lairiness and rebelliousness on show.

An excellent first shot across the bow, it will be intriguing to see how they and their sound evolves. You can catch them playing in The Mezz every second Wednesday, where they are now resident.

Trap Door – Lata Town

Trap Door – Wake Up 

Video: SertOne – ‘WIDTS’

You forgot a username for the Vimeo shortcode

This super mashup of live footage from SertOne’s live shows was posted on Nialler9 last week. 

The video features three-tracks ‘Courtyard Theme’, ‘Overheard’ and ‘Fly High’, and was produced by was directed by Brendan Canty and Conal Thomson to accompany Portadown-born hip-hop producer’s WIDTS album.

My adoration for this guys talent is no secret, do yourself a favour and download from WIDTS Bandcamp right now.

Our Krypton Son – ‘Catalonian Love Song’

Our Krypton Son is the alter-ego of Derryman Chris McConaghy who recently signed to his hometown label, Smalltown America.

‘Catalonian Love Song’ is his first release since joining their roster. It is a wonderfully captivating song which unfolds with his tender and touching vocals in tandem with some stripped back guitar and piano. This is the kind of swooning balladry we are used to hearing from a certain Alex Turner. Having shared the bill with David Kitt, Gemma Hayes, Jape and Cashier No. 9, McConaghy is currently putting the finishing touches to his debut album working with producer Sam Williams (Supergrass, The Noisettes & The 22-20’s).

‘Our Krypton Son’ is released on January 16 but you can stream it below or buy it now from here.

 Our Krypton Son – Catalonian Love Song

 Our Krypton Son – Somebody Else’s Love

Video: House Of Dolls – ‘ills’

One of the high points of HWCH ’11, House of Dolls, are busy readying their debut album which is expected early next year.

As a taste of what to expect they put together this video for ‘ills’ using footage of the band over the past twelve months. The track which is taken from their forthcoming debut is another fine slice of dirty rock n roll from the Dublin outfit.

Watch the video below and stream two tracks from their double-a-side single, which can be acquired for free on BandCamp.

You forgot a username for the Vimeo shortcode

House Of Dolls – Before She Wakes

House Of Dolls – Gimme Some Glory

The Catchiest Song of 2011: Metronomy – ‘The Look’

With the end of the year fast approaching we shall soon be inundated with a torrent of end of year lists, no bad thing, who doesn’t like lists right?

An album which will no doubt feature heavily in many people’s lists is Metronomy‘s The English Riveria. While the album didn’t totally win me over there are plenty of memorable moments, none more so than ‘The Look’. Through the sheer warmth in production and the song’s utter simplicity of muted keys, flickering percussion and a proggy synth solo, it makes for one hell of an addictive listen which will whisk you far, far away from the day-to-day toils. 

As the title of the post suggests this is the catchiest song of the year which has an equally remarkable longevity. Go on, do it, give it a spin.

You forgot a username for the YouTube shortcode

 Metronomy – The Look via Because Music

Video: The Rifles – Sweetest Thing

You forgot a username for the YouTube shortcode

Featuring one Paul Weller on guitar, ‘Sweetest Thing’ is the second single to be taken from The Rifles excellent third album ‘Freedom Run’. 

This hugely uplifting single is one of many sumptuous slices of indie from a record which sees the band embrace a newly smoothed out production style and luscious sound with enormous results. 

‘Sweetest Thing’ is out on January 16th 2012.

The Vagabonds – Oh My Why + Fundit Campaign

Long time Barry Gruff favourites The Vagabonds have been busy of late, re-locating from Dublin to London, supporting The View, sharing the stage with Frank Turner and the lads are booked to play XFM’s Winter Wonderland alongside the likes of The Maccabees and The Horrors.

The four-piece punk-rockers have also put the finishing touches to their next single, double a-side, ‘We Gave Up’ and ‘Oh My Why’ which was  produced by Stephen Street (The Smiths, Blur). The band have launched a Fundit campaign to record a new music video with Cavan-based film-maker Finn Keenan, which will be released in early January 2012. As The Vagabonds put it themselves 

The Vagabonds believe an honest day’s work merits an honest day’s pay and won’t dress slavery up as an internship or work experience. Your money will go towards the production of this video, ensuring the actors are paid, the director is paid, the cameraman is paid and anyone working on post-production is paid. The band do not stand, or intend, to benefit financially as a direct result of your generosity.

They are close to making their target and you can read more or donate to the cause over on their Fundit page. For now here’s a sneak preview of the ‘Oh My Why’, which finds The Vagabonds unsurprisingly on top form once again.

 The Vagabonds – Oh My Why