POSTS TAGGED : Eoin Dolan

Eoin Dolan – ‘June Hope’

Whenever Galway musician and singer-songwriter Eoin Dolan, one of Ireland’s finest talents as it goes, releases new material it is a great day.

Following on from last year’s Commander of Sapiens – Dolan’s third album to date – new EP June Hope is a gentle, carefully crafted collection of psych-inflected indie-pop. Dolan has a remarkable ability for crafting sci-fi-tinged surf pop, marrying heartbreaking melodies and gentle instrumentation, sadness with beauty and interstellar psych-pop exploration – and this signature sound is all over ‘June Hope’. Breezy, light and thoughtful, it charts a journey from youth to young adulthood through the prism of seasonal change. It is woozy and dreamy as it drifts along a gently waltzing groove flanked by Dolan’s breezy air and twinkly guitar, while radiating a sense of hopeful optimism. As always, Dolan has delivered an absolute treasure.

Listen to the single below and check out the David Boland aka New Pope crafted video – the EP is here too.


Eoin Dolan – ‘Quiet Christmas’

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Anytime Eoin Dolan pops up with new material, it is a good day and a short four months since the release of the superb, sci-fi-tinged Superior Fiction EP, the Galway musician / singer-songwriter is back a brilliant festive flavoured single, ‘Quiet Christmas’;

With ‘Quiet Christmas’ we find Dolan in his usual fine form. It is a bouncy wee tune that sees Dolan’s knack for crafting sci-fi-tinged surf pop that finds a space where sadness and beauty can coexist simultaneously. Melodic and catchy, ‘Quiet Christmas’ blends a jolly, jaunty and heady indie-pop energy with woozy, sinuous melodies and twinkling effects with sleigh bells and festive feels. And as per usual, it is a marvellous tune, a Christmas cracker if you will…..

Get acquainted with ‘Quiet Christmas’ below:

Eoin Dolan – ‘Superior Fiction’

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Anytime Galway musician and singer-songwriter Eoin Dolan, one of Ireland’s finest talents as it goes, releases new material, it is a good time.

Dolan recently released a new 4-track EP, Superior Fiction via Citog Records and the EP follows Dolan’s excellent 2016 self-titled debut and second album Ubique, and unsurprisingly, it is all kinds of wonderful.

The EP finds Dolan at the peak of his powers once again. It is a distillation of Dolan’s knack for crafting sci-fi-tinged surf pop, marrying heartbreaking melodies and gentle instrumentation, sadness with beauty and interstellar psych-pop exploration with the imagery and atmosphere of a vintage seaside town. The EP’s lead single and title track – a self-proclaimed “ode to truth” – is equal parts breezy, melodic and catchy. ‘Superior Fiction’ is blends a jolly, jaunty surf-pop sway with woozy keyboard lines, twinkling effects with a harmonic and soft, lilting lyrical sensibility. This marriage of surf and mild psych sounds with the allure and awe of space and sci-fi, not only binds the record together but makes his craft a joy to behold. From the organ led celestial drift of the yearing opener ‘Roman Voice’, to the ‘Brose’ more unsettling and slightly sinister stylised sci-fi pop tones of ‘Brose’ to the delightful closer ‘Lunar Drift’, and its dreamy pastoral, tranquil undulating balladry; it is just magnificent.

Along with Eoin, Superior Fiction features Conor Deasy on guitar/backing vocals, James Casserly on drums and Adam Sheeran on bass, and is out now via Citog Records.

Have a first listen to the title track and EP closer below. The full EP is here.

Eoin Dolan Announces New Album; Shares ‘Good Human Being?’

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Eoin Dolan, one of Ireland’s finest songwriters, has announced he will release his second full length album Ubique, on the September 22, in association with Citog Records.

Ubique is the follow-up to Dolan’s wonderful, self-titled 2016 debut, and as a taster for his forthcoming new LP, Galway musician and singer-songwriter has shared new single ‘Good Human Being?’ with us. Aptly described by the man himself as “an existential lament to a world of the future where humans travel to the stars, searching for comfort and solace in the darkness of space” – ‘Good Human Being?’ exudes all the brilliance that’s marked out Dolan and his work thus far. It is woozy, waltzing and enchanting psych-pop perfection, with an abundance of sinuous melodies. laid-back and spaced-out vibes. In truth, it is hard not to be taken by this wonderful, woozy number.

Ubique will be released on September 22 through Citóg Records and will be launched as part of the Notions Festival on Inis Oirr Island, followed by a tour Iceland from October 6 to 16.

Listen to ‘Good Human Being’ below now.

Eoin Dolan – ‘Rockerfeller Christmas Address’

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We are now well into December so it is safe to mention Christmas, right?

Whatever your feelings surrounding the commencement of Christmas, Galway-based singer-songwriter Eoin Dolan, has released a suitably festive new single, which will go a long way to getting you in the mood. Entitled ‘Rockerfeller Christmas Address’, it is a Christmas pop song wrapped in, as Dolan calls it “the political madness of the modern world. Global anxiety mixed with holiday convention”. Dolan’s recognisable charming, surfy psych-pop is treated with a sprinkle of festive magic – in sound at least – as a blend of woozy, soothing sounds, sinuous melodies, a gentle strum and splotches of synth evoke feelings of warm nostalgia. As well as festivities, nostalgia, friends and family this stage of the year is a time for reflection – and there is a lot to reflect on – and lyrically, Dolan offers his assessment on 2016. ‘Rockerfeller Christmas Address’ is Dolan at his dazzlingly brilliant best, capping of an great year for Galwegian, which saw him release his wonderful self-titled debut LP (you can find it here).

‘Rockerfeller Christmas Address’ is below for your listening pleasure and you can download it for free here.

 

Hard Working Class Heroes 2016 Preview: 8 Must See Acts

 

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Hard Working Class Heroes takes place in venues across Dublin this week.

Running from Thursday, October 6th to Saturday, October 8th and it will showcase well over 100 of Ireland’s most promising emerging acts. One of HWCH’s biggest draws (and festivals of its ilk) is rambling around, seeing acts you have previously been unfamiliar with. That said, there are a couple of names that immediately jump out and come highly recommended with the much sought after BarryGruff seal of approval*.

The full line-up / stage times for Hard Working Class Heroes 2016 is here. And as always, feel free to share your own recommendations in the comments section below. *May not be much sought after.

Eoin Dolan: Thursday, 19:40 – 20:10 @ Tengu Downstairs

Galway-based singer-songwriter Eoin Dolan is, without a shadow of a doubt, one of the finest finds from the past 12 months. Dolan has a real flair for twinkly and whimsical, good old fashioned pop gems, with a healthy dose of Brian Wilson, Syd Barrett and Lennon/McCartney (moments) threaded through the fabric of his sound. His brand of surfy psych-pop is totally charming, entirely irresistible, easy-going and timeless. Dolan’s self-titled debut album was released last month, for a taste of that & what to expect at HWCH, check out ‘Dear Brian’; a playful blend of woozy, soothing sounds, sinuous melodies, SFA-esque synth work, giddy-pop-playfulness and reverb-drenched vocals. Not to be missed.

New Pope: Thursday, 21:40 – 22:10 @ Tengu Downstairs

Galway-based New Pope – fronted by Dave Boland – deal in truly beautiful, timeless and carefully crafted acoustic folk sounds. Passing with a whisper rather than a roar, New Pope’s songs are delivered with warmth and tenderness, as Boland’s distinctive vocal creates a warm, lush atmosphere – and an overwhelming sense of sense of nostalgia. Last year’s YOUTH EP & LP are wonderful and New Pope were excellent at Electric Picnic this year, and if that doesn’t entice you? Check out the layered, lush and beguiling beauty of ‘Love’ below:

Slow Riot: Friday, 20:10 – 20:40 @ The Hub

Limerick trio Slow Riot‘s ferocious, tense and searing post-punk, has marked them out as one of Ireland’s most promising guitar bands in sometime. Taking classic post-punk influences – Gang of Four, Television, Wire – and infusing them with more contemporary ones such as Girl Band and Future of the Left, they create an irresistible and thunderous modern take on a classic sound. Still need convincing? Check out the intense, insistent and menacing ‘Trophy Wife’ below. Peerless.

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Eoin Dolan Shares ‘Dear Brian’, Ahead of Releasing His Debut LP This Week

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Without a shadow of a doubt, one of the finest finds from the past 12 months, Galway-based singer-songwriter Eoin Dolan, is releasing his self titled debut album this week.

Out through Citóg Records on September 22nd, Dolan has previewed his debut LP with ‘Dear Brian’ – a timely reminder of the dazzling brilliance of Dolan’s charming, surfy psych-pop. ‘Dear Brian’ radiates all the hallmark’s that have marked out Dolan and his work thus far. It is a playful, easygoing and enchanting blend of woozy, soothing sounds, sinuous melodies, SFA-esque synth work, giddy-pop-playfulness and reverb-drenched vocals. We already knew from his previous releases but ‘Dear Brian’ reaffirms that Dolan has a real flair for twinkly and whimsical, good old fashioned pop gems, with a healthy dose of Brian Wilson, Syd Barrett and Lennon/McCartney (moments) threaded through the fabric of his sound. His brand of surfy psych-pop is totally charming and entirely irresistible, and his debut LP coming this week promises to be just that, and more. Not to be missed.

You can check out ‘Dear Brian’ below and Eoin Dolan’s self-titled debut LP is out on September 22nd, through Citóg Records.

Eoin Dolan also plays Dublin’s Hard Working Class Heroes festival on Thursday, October 7th @ 19:40 in Tengu Downstairs.

Hard Working Class Heroes 2016 Line-up Announced

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The line-up for Hard Working Class Heroes 2016 festival has just been announced today.

The annual festival will return to Dublin once again, running from Thursday, October 6th to Saturday, October 8th in venues across Dublin, incl. The Workman’s Club, Wigwam, The Chocolate Factory, Odessa, Tengu and The Mezz, with more to follow.

Having been away for the past few years, I’m excited to check out a whole host of acts I’ve not had the pleasure of seeing yet. And of course, discovering some new music too. On a first glance a couple of names immediately jumped out; Oh Boland, New Pope, whenyoung, Eoin Dolan, A.S. Fanning, Adultrock, Galants, EXPLODING EYES, R.S.A.G, Slow Riot & Rusangano Family.

The full line-up for Hard Working Class Heroes 2016 is as follows:

HWCH 2016:

A.S. Fanning / Adultrock / AikJ / Ailbhe Reddy / Alana Henderson / BARQ / Basciville / Beach / Birds of Olympus / Bitch Falcon / Black Wing Bird / BlueMusic / Brian Casey / Buffalo Woman / Callum Stewart / Chris Kabs / Clarence & The Winters / Comrade Hat / Cormac O Caoimh / Craig Gallagher / Cult Called Man / Dammy Ari / Damola / Daniel McDermott / Davina and the Messengers / ELE / Elephant / Ella Naseeb / Elm / Eoin Dolan / Erica-Cody / Evvol / Exiles / EXPLODING EYES / Fangclub / Fontaines / Galants / Ger Fox Sailing / HAIL THE GHOST / Half Of Me / handsome eric / Harbouring Oceans / HAWK / Hiva Oa / JAFARIS / Jealous of the Birds / Junk Drawer / Kid Karate / Le Boom / Loah / Maija Sofia / Maria Kelly / Miles Graham / moossmann / Naoise Roo / New Pope / New Portals / New Valley Wolves / Nocturnes / Oh Boland / Oh Joy / Orchid Collective / Paddy Dennehy & The Red Herring / Paddy Mulcahy / PALE RIVERS / Participant / Patrick Freeman / Paul Creane / Peppy / Petty Youth / R.S.A.G. / Rocstrong / Rosie Carney / Rusangano Family / Samyel / SARAMAI / Search Party Animal / Slow Riot / Soule / Stephen Robinson / Strength / Super Silly / swords / Tablets / Talos / Tara Lee / Tebi Rex / The Blizzards / The Ocelots / The Shaker Hymn / Tiz McNamara / TOUTS / Train Room / Tuath / Video Blue / Vulpynes / Wake America / Wastefellow / We, the Oceanographers / whenyoung / Whim / WOLFF / Wyvern Lingo / Yonen / Young Earth

Early bird tickets to HWCH 2016 are €35 via DICE until August 10th. After that, weekend tickets will cost €45.00 & €20 for nightly tickets (excl. booking fees).

BarryGruff March 2016 Playlist

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Your regular monthly round up all the blog action, in a nice, neat and handy playlist of tracks featured throughout the month.

March was good, as was the weather but even better tunes and whatnot. We had tracks courtesy of Helen Love, Teleman, Weird Dreams and Kelly Lee Owens  from their respective, new and forthcoming albums. We had introductions to Estrons, Hannah Lou Clark, Deep Sea Diver, Games Violet, Pavel and Eoin Dolan, while there were excellent new singles/EPs from Bousada, Anderson, Junior Bill, Silverbacks, Slow Riot, Boxed In and David Harks. Oh, and there were two new episodes of ‘Millions Like Us’, Justin Beats & I’s new music podcast extravaganza for 604now (if you missed them, check ’em here). You can also subscribe to ‘Millions Like Us’ on iTunes & Podcast Republic or find us on Facebook & Twitter.

Well then, that’s that for another month – listen to BarryGruff’s March 2016 playlist below. Enjoy!

Introducing: Eoin Dolan

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Eoin Dolan is a singer-songwriter from Galway City, on the west coast of Ireland. Having released his debut EP, Placid Ocean in 2014, Dolan has recently joined forces with independent record label Citóg Records, to release his new EP Something Good.

Dolan has an inherent knack for twinkly, enchanting and whimsical, good old fashioned pop gems. These are easy-going and timeless songs blending a wonderful mix of surf/folk/pop, with elements of Brian Wilson, Syd Barrett and Lennon/McCartney threaded through the fabric of Dolan’s sound. Yet amid all the sinuous melodies, giddy-pop-playfulness and reverb-drenched vocals, there is a sombreness, nay a sadness at hand. Due in no small part to Dolan’s song-writing, which is steeped in the imagery and atmosphere of a vintage seaside town and we see the world through the eyes of an intuitive storyteller on the very top of his game. The beauty for the likes of ‘Something Good’ and ‘Heavenly Possessed’ flows from the juxtaposition enchanting and whimsical pop and the hint of melancholic sombreness.

Eoin Dolan’s Something Good EP is one of the finest wee releases to come my way so far this year; it’s a utter joy to behold. There are a few choice cuts below and Something Good is available, in full, from Bandcamp.