DATE ARCHIVES : December 2012

Best of 2012: w/ Gary Mackey of The North Sea

The North Sea

It’s that time of year when every music website, publication and blog (including this one) are busy compiling end of year lists. This time around, I thought I’d shift the focus to the bands and artist’s who’ve played a ‘BarryGruff Presents’ show this year and ask them for their ‘favourite album of 2012’, ‘favourite song of 2012’ & ‘favourite Irish song of the year’.

Without further waffle from me, here’s Gary Mackey of The North Sea and his picks from the year that was 2012.

Favourite Album of 2012: Ghost Estates – ‘Ghost Estates’

My favourite album of the year is Ghost Estates self-titled debut. Expertly crafted songs that perfectly marry electronic sounds with more traditional ones. They’re also an amazing live band that will make you dance. Guaranteed!

Favourite song of 2012: Tame Impala – ‘Nothing That Has Happened So Far Has Been Anything We Could Control’

‘Nothing That Has Happened So Far Has Been Anything We Could Control’ by Tame Impala also has a pleasant effect on me. It sounds a lot like John Lennon’s second coming. Stunning.

Favourite Irish Song of 2012: Death in the Sickroom – ‘Tonight’

It’s a bit cruel to pick just one Irish tune but I’d have to say ‘Tonight’ by Death in the Sickroom. They have a sound unlike any other band around at the moment. Really worth seeing live if you get the opportunity. Thoroughly decent chaps, too.

Best of 2012: w/ Dan Shanahan of Wayfarer

dan wayfarer

It’s that time of year when every music website, publication and blog (including this one) are busy compiling end of year lists. This time around, I thought I’d shift the focus to the bands and artist’s who’ve played a ‘BarryGruff Presents’ show this year and ask them for their ‘favourite album of 2012′, ‘favourite song of 2012′ & ‘favourite Irish song of the year’.

Right, that is enough from me, over to Dan Shanahan of Wayfarer and his picks from the year that was 2012.

Favourite album of 2012: Lau – ‘Race The Loser’

On a whim, I agreed to go see these fellows in the Riverbank Arts Centre in Newbridge one wet Thursday and by grud, it was a show I would never forget…I was sitting two rows from the front in a near empty venue watching three of the finest folk musicians to emerge from the British Isles, playing as if it were just for me. I was wrapped tight in a blanket of sounds that made me close my eyes and lose myself in the intricate musicality. Chris Drever on guitar with his tightly controlled and constant chord changes, complimented with a soft aching Scottish voice, singing songs about unrequited love in old folk songs. Aidan O’ Rourke holds his own with expert fiddle playing that gives soul to the compositions while Martin Green is unbelievable on the accordion, jumping in his seat as if possessed by the music…he’s the Hendrix of accordion players, no joke! These guys have featured on Jools Holland after they released this album and seem to be on the up and up so whenever they come back to Ireland, I dare say, check ’em out! And in the mean time…buy this album!!

Favourite song of 2012: Field Music – ‘Start The Day Right’

I’m crap at finding new music that I like, I’m old school…preferring the comfort of listening to Led Zeppelin’s Physical Graffiti for the millionth time than pretending to enjoy such and such’s album because they’re “cool” or “the in thing” or whatever. I know, i sound like an old fart but good music always seems to creep its way onto my now defunct, 29 year old radar in random ways. Field Music’s Plumb was one album, blasting out of a mate’s car speakers one day, that grabbed my attention. This is the first song off of Plumb and it doesn’t mess around. These guys wear their influences on their sleeves with a prog-rock 70’s sound, some grandiose Beatles inspired moments and amazing musicianship. Check them out!

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Favourite Irish song of 2012: Villagers – ‘The Waves’

What can I say about this band that hasn’t already been said? Conor’s beautiful words and melodies are always a treat for the old ear holes. I’ve seen them play a lot of new material at a gig in Kilkenny a few months back and I’m eagerly awaiting their new album next year which I’m sure will be a guaranteed thing of beauty. Also check out MMOTHS remix of this song, it’s jaw-droppingly good!

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Best of 2012: w/ Nathan Conway of Nathan Conway & The River Valley Band

It’s that time of year when every music website, publication and blog (including this one) are busy compiling end of year lists. This time around, I thought I’d shift the focus to the bands and artist’s who’ve played a ‘BarryGruff Presents’ show this year and ask them for their ‘favourite album of 2012’, ‘favourite song of 2012’ & ‘favourite Irish song of the year’.

Without further ado, here’s Nathan Conway of Nathan Conway & The River Valley Band, and his picks from the year that was 2012.

Favourite Album of 2012: Angel Olsen – ‘Half Way Home’

Bob Dylan’s voice, phrasing and delivery peaked on Tempest this year but his band were so full of tired moves that they killed off the atmosphere. And so, apart from my own Sonny Boy record, this year I find only one album worth attention. Half Way Home by Angel Olsen, her first full album. Last year when I heard her song ‘If it’s alive, it will’, I wrote to her record company to try and get her to sing on a song I was recording. I was turned down in favour of her going on tour with Will Oldham. To this day I can’t imagine why? I’ve no chance now.

I had first thought there was something French about her songs and later that she wouldn’t be out of place in Os Mutantes. It could be that the music here doesn’t conform. It has an international sound. Although she’s got a lot of style, her songs are unaffected by it. It’s all very natural. There’s a real patient, calm, learned hand in getting the sound settled for this record too. Its got the type of hofner bass sound that I love the most and shes the best singer around.

Favourite song of 2012: Django Django – ‘Storm’

My sister put me onto Django Django. I’m not gone on them. Everything I heard when I checked them out was this very contrived 80’s thing, but their song, ‘Storm’, is a cracker. Although they appear to be carefully cultivating the image of the nerd, there’s a rawness to the sound and a laziness to the lyric of this one that frees it up from all that and sets it apart from their other work. For a moment here they become a more dangerous breed of nerd like that French writer Michel Houellebecq. I would imagine this was a throwaway song that came to life in the recording because everything hinges on the rattley sound achieved here.

Favourite Irish song of 2012: The Brand New Switcheroo – ‘Diane’

Music in Ireland seems to be sinking ever further into the quagmire. The music makers are all still there alright, their voices drowned in the ceaseless tide of shite bands. Now and again I get lucky and hear something outside of the classical oeuvre that restores my faith and joy in music.

The Brand New Switcheroo are brothers and they are both really good writers. Because of the close tone of voice, brothers and sisters can’t be beat for harmony singing. So far as I know this song, ‘Diane’, hasn’t been recorded, so this rough you-tube thing is the best example I can find. It sounds simple but to whittle a song down to this kind of simplicity and clarity takes a lot of ability and confidence in ones work. There’s a ‘walking on the sand’ image here that pervades in the lyric and the whole song has a whoozy wash and eddy thing going on.

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Best of 2012: w/ Sadhbh O’ Sullivan of Sive

Sive

It’s that time of year when every music website, publication and blog (including this one) are busy compiling end of year lists. This time around, I thought I’d shift the focus to the bands and artist’s who’ve played a ‘BarryGruff Presents’ show this year and ask them for their ‘favourite album of 2012′, ‘favourite song of 2012′ & ‘favourite Irish song of the year’.

Right, that is enough from me, over to Sadhbh O’ Sullivan from Sive and her picks from the year that was 2012.

Favourite album of 2012: Sam Jackson – ‘Sharp and Flat’

I stumbled upon Sam Jackson by accident when I read a review of his album in the Independent and thought “hmm, this sounds like it might be up my street!” I took a trip over to his Bandcamp page and within the first few seconds of the opening track I was already compelled to buy the album (AND a ticket to one of his shows). Every track displays not only a top notch level of musicianship, but also a lofty helping of sensitivity and imagination. His sound is reminiscent of jazz, classical and some more contemporary music, without sounding like it quite fits in under any one label. For me this album is a perfect work of art!

Favourite Song of 2012: The Unusual History of Ether – ‘Innate’

I’m not entirely sure whether this song actually came out in 2012 or at the end of 2011, but I discovered it at the beginning of this year and was blown away by it. The band is fronted by Irishwoman Rebecca Collins, who is based in Copenhagen along with her band of Danish musicians. I’ve had the pleasure of seeing them live twice and they’re a lovely bunch of people as well as fine musicians. Their whole EP is worth repeated listens.

Favourite Irish Song of 2012: Wallis Bird – ‘In Dictum’

This was one of the stand-out tracks from Wallis Bird’s latest album, for me anyway. The first time I heard it was at her album launch in The Academy when she hopped down from the stage to perform an unplugged rendition of it in the middle of the audience. The entire crowd joined in and it was definitely one of those gig memories that sticks with you for a long time. When played live this song carries bags of energy and passion that can’t have been easy to capture in a studio, but I think Wallis and her band nailed it. Here’s a video of what happened that night in The Academy:  

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BarryGruff Presents #11: The P Affection, The Depravations & Appo :: Flanagan’s Bar, Newbridge :: Saturday :: Dec 15th

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All aboard for 11th and final BarryGruff Presents show (of this year) in Newbridge!

‘BarryGruff Presents’ returns to Flanagan’s Bar, for a very special Christmas show on Saturday, December 15th. It’s going to be a fantastic night of live music, as usual, w/ The P Affection, The Depravations & special guest, Appo.

The P Affection is the brainchild of multi-instrumentalist Padraig McCauley. The Naas based band’s self-titled debut was released to rave reviews and followed by Cakes For Occasions earlier in the year, has exceeded even their lofty expectations. They have grown as a band, their sound even tighter; a wondrous blend of indie-pop, rock, ska, and folk is formed into a distinct and cohesive sound, all of their own. The Depravations are Galway four-piece indie-folk band who take their influences from a combination of ’50s and ’60s surf music, old country and blues. With a couple of excellent EP’s filled with music of rich sounds, stories and harmonies; they are one of the West of Ireland’s hidden treasures and certainly not to be missed on their first appearance in Newbridge.
Meanwhile support comes from special guest, Newbridge’s very own, Appo. Always a scintillating live performer, the gravelly voiced troubadour’s blend of folk and blues is powerful, captivating and delivered with some gusto.This will be the last ‘BarryGruff Presents’ of the year, so let’s send of 2012 with a bang!

Entry is FREE as always and the show starts at 9.00pm in Flanagan’s, Newbridge on Saturday, December 15th. [Facebook event]

 

Best of 2012: w/ Ciaran Dwyer of Knoxville Morning

CiaranDwyer

It’s that time of year when every music website, publication and blog (including this one) are busy compiling end of year lists. This time around, I thought I’d shift the focus to the bands and artist’s who’ve played a ‘BarryGruff Presents’ show this year and ask them for their ‘favourite album of 2012′, ‘favourite song of 2012′ & ‘favourite Irish song of the year’.

Right, that is enough from me, over to Ciaran Dwyer from Knoxville Morning + 1/3 and his picks from 2012.

Favourite Album of 2012: Father John Misty – ‘Fear Fun’

One of my favourite albums of the last few years actually. Joshua Tillman used to be in a pretty boring Folk band called Fleet Foxes, luckily for us he left and went and made this incredible album. Lyrically it is such a joy. It is funny as fuck, but not in a joke song kind of way. Humour is a really hard thing to pull off in a song and when Its done well It sounds like this. Its always good to have music in your life that makes you smile and gives you a good buzz, this is music like that. His vocal on the album is just incredible too. I’d say Gram Parsons would love this shit.

Favourite Song of 2012: Mumblin Deaf Ro – ‘Cade Calf Call’

Again, Easy to pick. I get shivers down my back listening to this song every time. The lyrics in this song are pure poetry (“Feeling a kiss of the mother I miss, a love that’s now in exile”). ‘A Cade Calf’ is a calf that has been abandoned by Its mother and this song refers to the loss of the writers own mother. It is beautiful and heartbreaking at the same time. Ronan Hession is a ‘National Treasure’ of a songwriter.

Favourite Irish Song of 2012: Anderson – ‘History’

Another honest, simple and beautiful song and another from an Irish songwriter. Daniel Anderson, in my opinion is firstly a poet, secondly a musician (a very good musician at that, he plays on everything here). Inspired by our literary greats his songs take the shape of poems and whether they are set to the background of a Rock band like his first band The Rags or here in the shape of a beautiful piano balled, the passion and sincerity is always there, and is a trademark of Daniels work. “History” is a Gorgeous song which longs for the yesteryear and calls for us to take stock of what is actually important in life and not to be getting bogged down in the hustle that is society today. Also a mention must be made for the incredible video that accompanies this song. I for one am very excited to see what Daniel does next.

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Best of 2012: w/ Imploded View

imploded view

It’s that time of year when every music website, publication and blog (including this one) are busy compiling end of year lists. This time around, I thought I’d shift the focus to the bands and artist’s who’ve played a ‘BarryGruff Presents’ show this year and ask them for their ‘favourite album of 2012′, ‘favourite song of 2012′ & ‘favourite Irish song of the year’.

Enough chat from me, here’s Jerome aka Imploded View and his picks from the year that was 2012.

Best album of 2012: Nathan Fake – ‘Steam Days’

Beneath the bubbling and crackling yet driving percussion sounds, lie understated warbling synth melodies which are dripping with nostalgia and melancholy. Detuned analogue sounding leads which I love make this an album which nothing else quite matched in 2012.

Best song of 2012: Burial – ‘Kindred’ (from Kindred EP)

I’m a sucker for anything that sounds current, yet sounds like it’s spent decades buried under the earth. Wonderful textures, driven by a swinging rim shot heavy beat which works very well. Dark and moody, this track features a laid back vocal sample which helps everything meld. One of the more unique tracks around and clocking in at over 11 minutes, it makes for a great listen.

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Best Irish song of 2012: Monto – ‘Homage’ (From Best Boy EP)

This is a great track by Wicklow’s Monto (aka Ross O’ Sullivan). A sidechain heavy track, laid back, with a loungey eastern flavour, it features a host of sounds and crackles which really add to the overall texture. Really chilled out and lovely. Taken from the Best Boy EP, which is also recommended.

Best of 2012: w/ Stephen Connelly of Sea Area Forecast

Stevie Sea Area

It’s that time of year when every music website, publication and blog (including this one) are busy compiling end of year lists. This time around, I thought I’d shift the focus to the bands and artist’s who’ve played a ‘BarryGruff Presents’ show this year and ask them for their ‘favourite album of 2012′, ‘favourite song of 2012′ & ‘favourite Irish song of the year’.

Right, that is enough from me, over to Stephen Connelly from Sea Area Forecast (and Knoxville Morning + 1/3 BarryGruff Presents team) and his picks from the year that was 2012.

Favourite Album of 2012: Ty Segall – ‘Twins’

Definitely my highlight of the three albums he released this year. The opening tracks ‘Thank God For The Sinners’ straight into ‘You’re The Doctor’ will blow the head off you. Packed with DIY garage rock madness, the guitars sound like pure dirt which is definitely a good thing.

Favourite Irish Album of 2012: Nathan Conway & The River Valley Band – ‘Sonny Boy’

One of the best records I’ve heard. A perfect combination of country, soul and swinging 50’s guitar riffs all topped off with Conway’s unique vocals and lyrics. Each song, an epic story filled with characters doomed with the burdens of being human. I love every second of this record.

Favourite Irish Song of 2012: The Mighty Stef – ‘If You Can’t Give Me Everything’

A tribute to Greg Cartwright, released as part of the Bad Bad Men split EP with the Cheap Freaks. May not have been written this year but The Mighty Stef does a cracking version of this Reigning Sound favorite. Doing what The Mighty does best, his re-imagined rendition is even bigger with extra heartbreak. A beautiful take on a perfect song.

Best of 2012: w/ Colm from Ghost Estates

ghost estates

It’s that time of year when every music website, publication and blog (including this one) are busy compiling end of year lists. This time around, I thought I’d shift the focus to the bands and artist’s who’ve played a ‘BarryGruff Presents’ show this year and ask them for their ‘favourite album of 2012′, ‘favourite song of 2012′ & ‘favourite Irish song of the year’.

Right, that is enough from me, here’s Colm from Ghost Estates and his picks from the year that was 2012.

Favourite Album of 2012: Tame Impala – ‘Lonerism’

Favourite album of the year has to be Tame Impala’s second album Lonerisim. It’s a fantastic album, and betters their first one by a mile. As a band they just keep getting better and better. When are they gonna come here to Ireland!! Songs like ‘Apocalypse Dreams’ or ‘It Feels Like We Only Go Backwards’ are just so ridiculously good. It took me a few listens to get into it, but once your hooked that’s it. Start to finish its just full on madness. So many things going on.Loads of noises to get lost in.


Favourite Song of 2012: Dirty Projectors – ‘The Gun Has No Trigger’

This was a hard one to answer. There has been so many brilliant songs over the last year, but I went for this. Its not a ‘catchy’ tune with a huge chorus or anything like that. It is just real simple song that sticks in your head. Before I heard this song I didn’t know much about Dirty Projectors. Straight away after hearing it, I went and got their new album, ‘Swing Lo Magellan’,which is also a real strong contender for album of the year. I’m in love with this band now as a result. Start to finish it is a winner. It’s so subtle. The intro gets your attention straight away with this really tight drum beat and deep bass. The vocals just start in and your just going to yourself, “Who is this…??”. Dave Longsmith voice gets more and more emotional as he goes on. When all 3 vocals harmonise they just create this huge sound. There is nothing else that sounds like this band at the moment.

Favourite Irish Song of 2012: Sea Pinks – ‘Lake Superior’

I only recently got into this band through a friend. It has only been a few weeks since I got their album Freak Waves. But this song as a result has been on non stop in my gaff. Wake up in the morning and put this tune on and everything is all good. It just sticks in your head. Really buzzy and catchy. I don’t know anyone who could not like this song.There has been many great Irish songs and albums this year. But at the moment this one really sticks out for me.

Gross Relations – ‘Gross Relations’

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Gross Relations have impressed over the last 18 months or so, gracing us with a couple of quality singles and EPs. It’s fair to say news that the band released their debut LP back in October came as quite a surprise. It just slipped well and truly under the radar (well mine anyway!). 

Their self-titled debut sees a continuation of the Brooklyn band’s signature style set out in their preceding EP’s; lo-fi indie with thick chucks of beyond catchy pop melodies. The whole record, from start to finish, is bristling with energy, drenched in a sea of fuzz and catchy hooks. Slightly late to the party on this one, but hey, better late than never? A cracking album all end up!

You can download the whole album for free from bandamp now. What’s the world coming to when you get something as sweet as this for free?