Introducing: Tango In The Attic

Tango In The Attic are a four piece band from Glenrothes, Scotland, who’s niche is songs of cheeky charm and bounciness, topped off with a warm and inviting Scottish brogue.

Their songs are incredibly likable and eek out a perfect space between energetic pop and reverb laden garage rock. ‘Paw Prints’ embodies this mantra, as does ‘Mona Lisa Overdrive’, a superb, warm and wonderful ditty of lo-fi jangle. Nothing more to say really, just check the tunes out below.

Tango In The Attic’s second album Sellotape was released via Domicile Crocodiles this week.

Portasound – The Second Renaissance

London synth lovers Portasound released their debut EP, The Second Renaissance back in mid May.

The EP sees them blend a mixture of styles and genres into something of their own dance hybrid to accompany their own fictional narrative; the ensuing battle between light and dark forces. ‘Messerschmitt’ captures this essence, albeit at breakneck speed, fusing driving rhythms, hectic guitars, hefty beats and some noisy blasts of synth together into a highly charged beast.

The Second Renaissance is out now via the Pink Mist collective label Blood and Biscuit.

(Video) Akala – A Message (feat. Selah)

You forgot a username for the YouTube shortcode

Rapper, poet, call him what you like but Akala is undoubtedly one of the most talented MC’s on the planet.

Anyway Akala is back with a brand new record of articulate, intelligent and insightful hip-hop, Knowledge Is Power Mixtape Vol. 1. The first single ‘A Message (feat. Selah)’ offers an honest and insightful snapshot into problems and effects that one parent families can have specifically if theirs no father around. 

Introducing: Lizzie and the Yes Men

Based in east London Lizzie and the Yes Men conjure up a lovable blend of ’60s surf and mod sounds with wonderfully catchy indie jingles.

The result? Sharp, snappy and infectious three minute (ish) pop songs. ‘The Boardwalk’ is not only a perfect example of what Lizzie & Co. are all about, it is also one of the best indie pop songs you’ll hear all year. ‘The Boardwalk’ oozes a summery vibe, combined with catchy surf guitars and whistling with Lizzie’s upbeat and cheerful vocals. ‘The Boardwalk’, ‘The Lonliness’ and ‘You & I Both Know’ are utterly infectious and will undoubtedly become ingrained inside your head.

Double a-side single ”The Broadwalk/The Loneliness’ is released on the 4th June 2012.

You forgot a username for the YouTube shortcode

 Lizzie and the Yes Men – The Boardwalk 

 Lizzie and the Yes Men  – The Loneliness

Candice Gordon – Smoking Like The Barrel of a Gun

South African born, Irish songstress Candice Gordon is back with a brand new single ‘Smoking Like The Barrel of a Gun’.

‘Smoking Like The Barrel of a Gun’ is mouth wateringly rocking and filled with guts and grit. Her incredible vocals (and screeches) are imbued with soul and emotion, backed by sways of feedbacking guitars and pounding drums. Following on from ‘I See A Demon’ late last year, this is yet another impressive statement of intent. 

‘Smoking like the Barrel of a Gun’ and b-side ‘I Haven’t Eaten In Days’, will be released on July 9th via Fauna Records, both of which you can listen to below.

Candice Gordon – Smoking like the Barrel of a Gun

 Candice Gordon – I Haven’t Eaten In Days

(Video) Common – Ghetto Dreams (Feat. Nas)

You forgot a username for the YouTube shortcode

Common‘s ninth studio album The Dreamer/The Believer was released in December of last year but has been on constant rotation over the past few months.

As the title suggests, The Dreamer/The Believer, is a record of nostalgia that hankers back into the dreams and aspirations of his past, told with slick wordplay and tactile storytelling. ‘Ghetto Dreams’, featuring Nas, is one of the album’s standout and hardest hitting tracks, which like the album as a whole, is rendered with honesty and authenticity.

New Kid Karate | ‘Louder’ and ‘Wet’

Dublin ragged rock/punk duo Kid Karate have returned to the fray with a couple of tasty new tracks.

The tracks,  ‘Louder’ and ‘Wet’, are taken from Hot Press’ free downloadable album Genre Free. The good news is the lads haven’t lost any of the gutsy panache that made their debut EP, HEART, so good. The intervening time hasn’t seen the lads soften their approach, ‘Louder’ and ‘Wet’, are two slices of energetic, gritty riff-laden rock n roll at its best – fast becoming KK’s signature sound. In other KK news, there are rumours that a debut album may be with us soon. Let’s hope so!

You can grab the entire Genre Free album for free from here. It was produced by Hot Press in conjunction with Dublin’s Sound Training Centre and NDT Productions.

(Video) Blood Red Shoes – Lost Kids

You forgot a username for the YouTube shortcode

There is something undeniably special about Blood Red Shoes. The Brighton duo consistently deliver meaty chunks of straight-up rock n roll. In keeping with this trend, they have unveiled a video for their latest single ‘Lost Kids’, which captures the bands signature sound of big, bold and brazen indie-rock.

‘Lost Kids’ is taken from Blood Red Shoes’ third album, In Time To Voices. 

Eva Petersen – Femme Fatale

Eva Petersen has been busy working on her debut solo record with Echo & The Bunnymen’s Will Sergeant. The album is almost done and dusted and should be with us later in the year.

In other news, Eva has kindly posted an amazing version of The Velvet Underground and Nico’s ‘Femme Fatale’ on soundcloud. It’s not clear whether or not this will make the album but it is an astounding track, which enables her stunning vocals to take centre stage, soaring above a wonderful ’60s aesthetic.

A wonderful track and hopefully there’s not too long a wait between now and the release of the album.

BarryGruff Presents #6: w/ Sive, Padraig McCauley & The P Affection and Sea Area Forecast :: Flanagan’s Newbridge :: May 25th

So, ‘BarryGruff Presents’ returns to Flanagan’s Bar, Newbridge for its sixth instalment on Friday, May 25th.

The first 5 shows have been fantastic & ‘BarryGruff Presents’ #6 promises to be no less impressive, with the delectable talents of Sive, Padraig McCauley & The P Affection and Sea Area Forecast on show.

Sive, the brainchild of Naas musician Sadhbh O’Sullivan, who’s recent debut album We Are Moving was greeted by rave reviews. Drawing from a wide variety of alternative rock, jazz and folk influences, Sive’s gorgeous sound fuses these influences, with excellent musicianship and charm.

Accompanying them on the bill are Naas-based Padraig McCauley & The P Affection, whose genre hopping sounds of their debut album received notable acclaim last year. Meanwhile Newbridge based Sea Area Forecast take time out from prepping their debut EP, indie, folk and rock sounds. It is going to be yet another memorable night. 

Entry is FREE as always and starts at 9.00pm Friday, May 25th. More info & Facebook event here.

Sive – Sunkissed

Download: Padraig McCauley & The P Affection – Lingo

Sea Area Forecast – Marvelous With Tin