POSTS TAGGED : Irish Music

Introducing: The Saturday Morning Cartoons (The SMC)

The Saturday Morning Cartoons (The SMC) are Kildare natives Morris Faderlum & Tommy Inowan, who together brew Sparklecore Thrash with a pinch of kink.

These are real songs, with real emotion steeped in honesty and vulnerability – something that jumps out and grabs you from the get go on their debut EP ‘A Shock For Jimmy’.

‘Getting Old’ jostles between the frantic and energised, and light and dreamy, while lyrics come with a Rat-Tat-Tat-Tat energy while ‘Good As Gold’ introduces a slunken groove and acts a bridge toward ‘Livin’ In A Bin’ and ‘Got Let Go’ which up the swagger, increase the bite and dials up the hard-hitting lyrics.

The SMC have created something wonderful here – brash, feisty and jarring yet also very, very catchy at times. A welcome breath of fresh air – it is unique and honest, and importantly damn fine tunes.

Morris Faderlum & Tommy Inowan are ably assisted in the production stakes by Poggy (No Monster Club/We Are Losers) & Stephen Fahey (Super Extra Bonus Party).

‘A Shock for Jimmy’ EP is the first of four planned EPs and with its release coming on July 11, I decided to have a chat with the pair, to find out more about the music and what makes them tick.

First off, what brought this collaboration about? “Absolute sheer boredom” says Faderlum , adding “wanting to escape the inner workings of my own head, spewing forth into the world while ranting to a backing track. That’s pretty much it. I love ranting and ranting, and giving out. Any excuse for a give out” he chuckles.

Inowan discovered a desire to collaborate with Faderlum while working on another project which he felt Faderlum would be very suited to and very good at. Going back further, having witnessed Faderlum perform live and leave himself behind and immerse himself entirely in the performance played no small part.

“You don’t see that sort of bravery an awful lot. it is one thing to get up on stage and plug in, we can all do that and bash the shit out of instruments and play. I think to get up on stage and be vulnerable, even if it is under a different name or pseudonym, whatever helps project reality and honesty – that just really gets me.”

Seeing Faderlum perform was not only impressive, it was inspiring and it sowed the seeds of working together.

Faderlum “had forgotten how much fun it was to write, I had done that shit in years and it was just great to do that track with Tommy and it just got the creative juices flowing.

It seems like an easy partnership from the outside, which is a good thing but how does the dynamic work?

Simple, says Faderlum, laughing “I get an idea for a song, I pass it to Tommy, he goes away and does all the hard work. It comes back and the song is made. Tommy gets an idea for a song, goes away and does all the hard work and the song is made.”

It is more interesting than that Inowan chimes in, “what I have done more recently is ask Morris does he have an idea or can he sing me a line and he might sing me a line or three [accompanied by a short hummed tune / melody] and then that is the end of the Whatsapp message. And for me it is interesting because even getting those few seconds of melodies or ideas, it is almost permission to explore with less judgement”.

One important thing they both spoke about from the off was honesty and vulnerability. Can we be honest enough with each other if we don’t like something to not take offence, to get more out of the other person and to compromise? That is more of a relationship thing that allows the music to come through.

Faderlum totally agrees. “We’re both easy going people, we both have good ideas and we’re both grown ups so it’s okay to bounce ideas around.”

Roughly speaking it is Faderlum who is responsible for the vocals and Onowen who looks after the music. The process worked out by demos being sent back and forth before meeting up to record together and hammer things out in person.

Faderlum has a jotter where all his lyrics are written down. “An idea might be stewing in your head and when you put pen to paper, it looks crap but then you stew it a bit more and you think, ah, now that’s good.”

Inowan says from the beginning he has been conscious of trying to not be too precious about the need to wedge lyrics and vocals mechanically into the structure of the song. “While I know Morris might have songs in mind but they could just as easily read as poems, they are articulate and introspective. I would like us to explore the spoken word element and the theatrical, as well as they Sparklecore. Essentially, engaged energy.”

The plan for the near future of The SMC is 4 EPS and then an album – and gigs, well that is just a case of getting together enough material for a live show.

Listen / Buy the EP below – the super artwork is from Egi23 – it is a short, sharp breath of sparklecore.

Kelp – ‘Polygon’

Kelp is a Belfast-based purveyor of loungey cosmic electronica fronted by an inch high, ethereal deep sea diver with a preoccupation for vocoders and additive synthesis.

The surrealist project was introduced around this time last year through debut single ‘Spleen’; an ethereal, slumbering and woozy slice of escapism. Kelp is back with a new single ‘Polygon’. A two-and-a-half minute sojourn to a spellbinding interstellar loungey paradise. It slinks coolly on by, leaving us in a dream-like state, with an alluring blend of slinky, synth-pop with psych brush strokes and woozy synth lines bewitching us entirely. Instantly lovable, ‘Polygon’ breezes gracefully with a seductive soulful underbelly and charm to woo you, so powerful is this that it will have you headed straight for repeated listens.

I’m going to go out on a limb here and say we are witnessing Ireland’s, indeed the world’s, greatest musical miniature deep-sea diver fishbowl figurine. All joking aside, this is a marvelous single from a wonderful talent.

Listen to ‘Polygon’ below now – it is yet another absolute joy.

Blimp – ‘Always In My Mind’

Blimp is a Dublin-based producer with a penchant for lush, warm and woozy slices of seductive house/electronica – attributes demonstrated in abundance by the beautiful, feelgood and sunny electronica escapism of new single ‘Always In My Mind’.

‘Always In My Mind’ follows debut single ‘Back To Me’ (feat. Kareem Ali) earlier this year, and delivers something deliciously seductive; marrying the exquisite elegance of electronica, dancefloor focus and seductive grooves of house music – and in doing so, crafting something we’d expect from far more seasoned hands. It is a lush, lavish and sunkissed affair as warm synths fizz with life and effervescence, gushing over soft beats, deep seductive grooves and sparkling spurts of electronics, amid an abundance of uplifting and sunny vibes. ‘Always In My Mind’ is a beautifully, uplifting and lush jam, bound together by a feelgood vibe, seductive groove, and peppered by bouts of mild euphoria and compulsion to dance.

One to get lost in as it forms a real sense of familiarity, oozing nostalgic feelings for hazy summer days and nights – and something that will keep you coming back for more.

Listen to ‘Always In My Mind’ below now:

Elliott Mo – ‘Rest Here A Moment’

Elliott Mo is an Irish producer / electronic musician who introduced his wares in October last year with the stunning single ‘Oceans’, and Mo is back with the equally superb ‘Rest Here A Moment’.

While the previous single demonstrated a flair for dynamic dancefloor focused electronica, ‘Rest Here A Moment’ is a more chilled, meditative and ethereal affair. It is lush, woozy and wonderfully soothing slice of electronica that glides gracefully across dreamy surroundings and a soft tempo. Hazy textures swirl as lapping like sounds ripple below bright swells of synth and ebullient tone as we are lulled into soothing state of transfixed tranquility. It is beautiful, ethereal and dreamy – and one that will leave you all the better for making its acquaintance.

Listen to ‘Rest Here A Moment’ below – it does not disappoint:

Kelp – ‘Spleen’

“I know I’m not the hero you asked for, or wanted.. or needed… also I’m really not a hero. Presenting the misadventures of a miniature deep-sea diver fishbowl figurine.”

So goes the surrealist introduction to Kelp; Belfast-based purveys of loungey cosmic electronica fronted by an inch high, ethereal deep sea diver with a preoccupation for vocoders and additive synthesis. Kelp’s debut single is ‘Spleen’ an ethereal, slumbering and woozy slice of escapism. Anchored by a deep seductive groove, hazy vocoder vocals hover dreamily above a delicious blend of bubbling synths, lush strings and flickering electronics as we are treated to a whirring, cosmic and futuristic synth escape. Is the world ready for a loungey electronica outfit fronted by an inch high, ethereal deep sea diver? Maybe not but we’ve seen strange things happen in 2020 and judging by the music, we would be well to embrace this surreal experiment into our hearts.

Listen to ‘Spleen’ below now – it is an absolute joy.

Sal Dulu – ‘Alien Boy 96’

Dublin-based producer Sal Dulu has established a rep in this neck of the woods for fabulous hip-hop flavoured electronic productions with a series of stellar singles last year; ‘Duluoz Dream’, ‘Antasma’ & ‘Tyko’, ‘Buzzcut’.

Continuing this rich vein of form, Sal Dulu has returned with a hypnotic new single ‘Alien Boy 96′ and taster track from his forthcoming debut album, penned for an early 2021 release. It is yet another beautiful piece of instrumental hip hop that transfixes it slinks along a hypnotic groove, underpinned with dusty beats, jazz-inflected keys and slo-mo melodies. A fuzzy ambience and downtempo chill-out vibes, collides with snatches of eerie vocal peek through the atmospheric swirl. It is dreamy and hypnotic, cinematic and escapist, and most importantly a wonderful insight to what we can expect from his album come the new year.

Listen to ‘Alien Boy 96’ below now:

Arms That Fit Like Legs – ‘What it is is’

Arms That Fit Like Legs are an electronic instrumental-rock trio from Dublin – composed of Mark Lynch, Gordon McCaughley & Mike Mahon – who take their cue from the likes of El Ten Eleven, Battles, Redneck Manifesto, Fridge and Aphex Twin among others.

We were introduced to their electronic experimentations with ‘My Mind is Going’ and accompanying album Legwork earlier in the year, and have shared new single ‘What it is is’ and revealed plans for a new record next year. The single is an immersive and hypnotic cut, elegantly blurring the lines between experimental electronica and propulsive Krautrock leanings. It is a transfixed coming together of glistening guitars, soft synths and breezy chilled-out vibes that gracefully mingle above lush, fast paced grooves the woo the soul before all culminating an epic climax – and then, silence. It is majestic sound, one that is vividly imaginative and elegant, and all consuming.

Listen to ‘What it is is’below and why not check out their most recent album Legwork, here.

Video Premiere: Tomorrows – ‘Night Boat to Franklin’

Trading in psych, prog and pop, Dublin outfit Tomorrows have been treating our ears to wonky psychedelic pop songs for half a decade now, and back in February (that feels like a long time ago now) they released their stellar third album, The Night Chorus Part 2.

The core of the band, Conor Deasy, Ben Shorten, Michael Murphy, and Jethro Pickett, were joined by Will Whyte on drums, Ruth Kennington on synth and Julian Banks & Aran O’Grady on saxophone with a wonderful, wonky and beguiling record the outcome.

The latest single to be lifted from The Night Chorus Part 2 is album opener ‘Night Boat to Franklin’ – a woozy, meandering and lush slice of seductive cosmic pop – and it is my absolute pleasure to bring you the premiere of the video. 

Film maker Ursula Woods and Jethro from the band live on the edge of the world in Glaziers Bay Tasmania. Their house, an old apple shed turned livable cabin, sits on poles in the Huon River. ‘Night Boat to Franklin’ is a song that was written and partly recorded there when Conor visited them in 2019.

A beguiling, lush, neo-psychedelic beauty, the track bubbles along an undulating groove, dripping with melody and plenty of off-kilter sax appeal – ‘Night Boat to Franklin’ captures some of the river energy that can only be experienced at the dusk of day.

The video was made when Ursula and Jethro were isolating after returning from Ireland in March 2020. With a real sense of cabin fever, they literally took the boat out and headed for Franklin.

On the journey there was an eerie scene in the sky that particular day as Forestry Tasmania were burning large areas of woodland. The flames and smoke were hanging heavy in the sky with the freezing winter waters below. Upstream, the boat choked and came to a complete still. Ursula kept the camera rolling during the rescue, the video is what it is. Anything can happen on a Night Boat to Franklin.

Check out the video below and if you haven’t done so already, give The Night Chorus Part 2 a spin here.

Sean OB – ‘Teacher’

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Dublin songwriter/musician Sean OB – aka Sean O’Brien – is quite the ball of energy, as evidenced by new single ‘Teacher’.

The former Trap Door man’s latest is spirited to say the least, it explodes out of the blocks with vitality, releasing it’s ferocious pent up energy, like a coiled up spring. Fusing the streetwise poetry of Jamie T with the irresistible rock ‘n’ roll of Buddy Holly, Sean OB delivers an incredibly catchy ear-worm, with pop-hooks and a snappy pace to boot. ‘Teacher’ follows previous tune ‘Alive’, and is another glorious sample of what to expect in the coming months, with a flurry of singles and debut EP promised.

‘Teacher’ and its visual companion is below – tune in now.

JOHNNY FEENEY’S ALBUMS OF 2017

albums of 2017

Aside from compiling my own end of year lists, I really do enjoy checking out other people’s take on the past 12 months and none more so than Mr. Johnny Feeney.

A reliably insightful musical sage, Johnny’s guest appearances are always interesting and add an extra flavour to the blog and I look forward to reading – of which, surely I’m not alone?

A massive thanks to Johnny for taking time out to compile this list, and on that note, I’ll leave you with his Mr. Feeney’s favourite records of 2017.

10. Grandaddy – Last Place

Previously split up in 2006, Grandaddy’s first album in eleven years saw the ever-eccentric, cult Californians return with a bang with their trademark, electronica-tinged alt-rock. The familiar sounds of Jason Lytle’s distinctive, melancholic vocals, chugging guitars and synth flourishes are all present and correct on a wonderful comeback album that was well worth the wait.

09. Fangclub – Fangclub

Dublin rockers, Fangclub, have been tearing up stages around the country and further afield for a while now and, thankfully, their self-titled debut album delivers on the promise of their raucous live shows. In a classic guitar/bass/drums set up, the trio display a keen ear for an infectious hook and make a thunderous racket not dissimilar to Nirvana. If you like it loud then look no further.

08. Wolf Alice – Visions Of A Life

The London four-piece’s sophomore album sees a fine follow up to 2015’s commercially successful, Mercury-nominated My Love Is Cool. The adaptability of vocalist Elise Rowell means the group are equally comfortable on the melodic, anthemic indie-rock side of things (‘Beautifully Unconventional’) as they are on the heavier material (‘Yuk Foo’) and anything in between. It’s this broad range that makes Wolf Alice such an interesting proposition.

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