POSTS TAGGED : Belfast

Introducing: Les Pantalons

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Belfast outfit Les Pantalons formed in mid-2016 in response to an online ad which may have had some bearing on why the band’s sound is fused from such a wide and diverse mix of styles.

Taking in parts indie, punk, alt-rock, folk, some Balkan sensibilities and a touch of the macabre – and you’ve got what Les Pantalons are all about. To date, the Belfast outfit have released two very good EPs (their 2016 self-titled EP and The Double and Coke EP, earlier in 2017) and two of the finer moments being ‘Cold Ground’ and ‘Do You Believe’. The former, ‘Cold Ground’, is a racey guitar-pop stomp fuelled by twangy guitar, stomping beat and rich and distinctive vocals in a wonderful fusion of what sounds like Balkan-folk meets The Coral. ‘Do You Believe’ is no less memorable and showcases a more patient and dark side to their musical endeavours. Raw vocals, slow building instrumentation and sinister atmosphere combine to create a creepy, unsettling and altogether darker side to Les Pantalons. Two quite different but equally entralling sides of the Les Pantalons coin – an act to keep tabs on for sure.

You can check out ‘Cold Ground’ & ‘Do You Believe’ below, the rest of their catalogue is available here.

Sea Pinks – ‘Yr Horoscope’

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With the release of their new album Soft Days only around the corner – Belfast trio Sea Pinks have afforded us another taster from the LP, in the shape of ’Yr Horoscope’.

Neil Brogan and company have proven thus far, to possess an innate ability for incredibly catchy indie-pop jams; and with ‘Yr Horoscope’ the trio have repeated the trick, and how! ‘Yr Horoscope’ is a sub-two-minutes of peppy, upbeat indie jangle, bounding along a bouncy bassline with a rambunctious energy, while cruising some surf-tinged riffs and cheerful vocals. Spritely, inspired and utterly magnificent lo-fi indie rambling from Sea Pinks. As has so often been the case with the Belfast outfit, we’re not left short changed.

Soft Days is out this Friday, January 8 via CF records and it follows 2014’s excellent Dreaming Tracks – a very nice way to kick off the weekend. Till then, you can stream ‘Yr Horoscope’ and ‘Depth of Field’ below.

Introducing: The Lowly Knights

We seem to be currently witnessing a welcome revival of fortunes for folk music with Laura Marling, Johnny Flynn, Munford & Son et al proudly flying the flag but what of closer to home? Belfast’s The Lowly Knights look set to do the same and continue Ireland’s distinguished tradition in this genre.

Their journey began with humble beginnings, a one-off gig in their hometown led to further gigs (some sellouts), sharing the stage with numerous big names and critical acclaim for their expansive live shows and releases to date. They instil a real sense of optimism through their music which is hugely intricate and vastly layered with beautiful harmonies, soaring orchestral arrangements, and second to none melodic sensibilities – not leaving any of the ever-growing musical ensemble empty-handed.

While they broadly encompass much of what the folk fraternity is doing elsewhere their sound is very distinctive and has an authentic northern touch, due in no small to the instantly recognizable and endearing Belfast brogue – the final and key ingredient making them unique and familiar at the same time and one of the most exciting prospects on this island.

Make up your own mind below.

Mp3: The Lowly Knights – Devotion

The Lowly Knights – Miracle

[The Hollow EP is out now | The Lowly Knights play Castlepalooza 31st July/1st August]