DATE ARCHIVES : November 2012

Mazes – ‘Bodies’

Last year, Mazes released one of 2011’s finest, if somewhat overlooked indie-rock albums. A Thousand Heys was jammed with short, snappy and energetic tracks of brisk tempos and frazzled guitars charging into verse-chorus songwriting.

Back to the here and now, Mazes have announced they’ll be releasing a new album, Ores & Minerals early next year (February 18th 2013). Not ones to leave us hanging, the trio have made the first track from the record, ‘Bodies’, available as a free download. At almost 7 minutes ‘Bodies’ displays a more measured, focused side to the band. It’s a simultaneously repetitive, engaging and gripping track. Although slightly different, there are still shades of late 90′s British indie to their sound (for me, The Charlatans and The Bluetones in particular).

Enough of my yammering, give ‘Bodies’ a listen below. Also one for the diaries, Mazes play The Workman’s Club in Dublin on February 23rd 2013.

Introducing: Douga

Douga are a Manchester based band, born from the recordings of multi-instrumentalist song writer Johnny Winbolt-Lewis.

With the assistance of a full band, Douga produce eerie atmospheric indie which exhibits a dreamy quality. The likes of ‘Pale Lines’ and ‘Alarms’ combine utterly lovable melodies and seductive chords, to simply worm its way into your heart through perfect songcraft. Winbolt-Lewis in particular has a way with a tune, his lovable Mancuinian whining also provides layer of melancholy, a constant throughout. While essentially the driving force of one man it is certainly not one dimensional, finding space for more morose tendencies, creating dark, epic songs such as ‘China Dolls’. An utterly beautiful collection of songs from a frankly lovable band.

You can ‘name your price’ and download Douga’s debut EP, Mono No Aware from here.

The Big Sun – StickleBacker EP

The Big Sun revolves around the talents of teenage singer-songwriter Berry who is ably assisted by ex-members of ’90s stalwarts Candyskins and Ride. The Oxford based band featured earlier in the year, when a number of demo’s sparked an interest but they are now releasing their debut EP, StickelBacker.

The StickleBacker EP takes a surprising turn down the pop-orientated road with ‘Tiger’, ‘Hanging On’ and ‘Time I Bought A Boat’; all glistening indie-pop tunes with a feelgood ’90s britpop vibe at their core. Berry’s voice is magnificent, especially on ‘Folly’. Stepping away from the pop-centric sound she is joined by a simple, rough electric guitar, combining to pluck away at the heartstrings. The EP is a little more pop orientated than expected, apart from the latter, but is still a great listen. 

The Big Sun’s StickelBacker E.P will be released on November 16th, until then there’s a few tracks below. 

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Competition: Win Tickets to FMC Tour w/ Squarehead, The Lost Brothers and We Cut Corners | The Late Lounge, Kill, Friday, Nov 9th

It’s competition time again. There are two pairs of tickets for the Kildare leg of the FMC Tour with Squarehead, The Lost Brothers and We Cut Corners up for grabs. It’s all happening in The Late Lounge, Kill, this Friday, November 9th, with the local support from White McKenzie.

To be in with a chance there are no silly questions, just email your name to barrygruff [at] gmail [dot] com with ‘FMC Tour 2012’ as the subject title. Winners will be drawn at random and the competition closes at 12:00 on, Thursday, November 8th 2012.

It promises to be a really great show with three of the finest acts in Ireland sharing the same bill, all of which have featured quite a bit on the blog. If that’s not enough of a ringing endorsement, there’s plenty of choice cuts from the bands playing below, in case you need further persuasion.

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Django Django – Life’s A Beach + Steve Mason Remix

I’ve been banging on about the brilliance of Django Django for ages now. Their self-titled debut being my favourite album of 2012, I’ll never shirk an excuse to big them up. Part of Django Django’s appeal is their seamless ability to blend genres and sounds from a melting pot of influences into a splendid blend of indie, rockabilly riffs, with an electro groove at its heart.

Their latest single ‘Life’s a Beach’, taken from the aforementioned album, ticks all those boxes; propulsive garage-rock/rockabilly riffs meets an insatiable danceable fever. Django Django have undeniable similarities to The Beta Band, so it is a pleasant surprise to find they enlisted Steve Mason on remix duties. Mason’s rework retains the undeniable groove of the original, adding a slightly dubby feel and drenches it in a hazy fog.

‘Life’s A Beach’ is out November 12th on 10″ vinyl and download.

Only Real – ‘Backseat Kissers’

Only Real (20-year-old Niall Galvin) announced himself earlier in the year with the über infectious ‘Cadillac Girl’.

Returning with a brand new single ‘Backseat Kissers’, the young man from West London has nailed it again. ‘Backseat Kissers’, a tune about backseat fumblings, is a woozy, dreamy cut filled with all echoey vocals, lounging guitars with a real head nodding groove. It does, like some previous tracks, resemble what a love in between Jamie T and King Krule might sound like, never a bad thing surely?

‘Backseat Kissers’ is earmarked for release on the 10th of December through ASL. Check it & ‘Cadillac Girl’ below.

The Statics – ‘Holiday’

I’ve been singing the praises of The Statics for a while now. I’m a huge fan of the band and what they do, in fact, they are one of my favourite new bands of 2012.

Even though we’ve heard lot’s from the Dublin 4-piece, ‘Holiday’ (released on November 9th) will actually be their debut single ‘Holiday’. It is a fast, upbeat and energetic slice of well honed indie. The La’s/ The Coral influenced sound remains at it’s heart but there is a bit of a harder, rockier edge to this one, compared to what we’ve heard before. An absolutely cracking tune!

‘Holiday’ will be launched in Whelan’s (Upstairs) on Friday, November 9th. It’s €8 in (w/ a CD) and kicks off at 8pm. The Statics are great live too so this show is well worth checking out.

Some other tunes here too.