The Shaker Hymn
From the deep south of Cork, The Shaker Hymn have been a few different incarnations in the past. They met while at secondary school and formed Circus Cat, released three EPs under that monarch and built up quite a following. A few years on and they’re still not tired of each other, while most bands crumble under the pressure of trying to get along these Corkonians have made it work. Now The Shaker Hymn, they’ve spent the past year touring the States and recording their debut album. They list Tame Impala and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club among their favourite artists and it’s refreshing to hear an Irish act take this direction, it almost borders on Brit pop at times. An Irish tour is on the cards and while we wait patiently for that, here’s a track of theirs called ‘We Are Awake’.
Paddy Hanna
Paddy Hanna is one of the most prolific musicians in Dublin, the lead singer in Grand Pocket Orchestra he’s also heavily involved in independent label Popical Island. Grand Pocket Orchestra can be quite frantic onstage, a live show you won’t forget and Paddy as a front man is at the helm of that. With that in mind, it’s quite a wonderful surprise to hear his solo material take a different direction. His band is compiled of No Monster Club’s Bobby Aherne on bass and Enda Canavan on drums, both tracks were recorded by Mark Chester of Ginnels fame. These are gorgeous tracks, and who knew Paddy had such a warm tone to his voice. Both tunes are currently available for free via bandcamp so get them while you can. Paddy is due to play Electric Picnic this year; you can catch him at the Body and Soul Earthship stage on Sunday the 2nd of September.
Slow Skies
Back to Dublin, Slow Skies is one woman and her bass, one of the highlights of this summer’s Indiependence festival without a doubt. Karen Sheridan creates music that has such a haunting quality to it; it stays with you for days after. Slow Skies was something we stumbled across by accident at Indiependence and it went on to become a clean favourite of the weekend. There’s a sense that Irish audiences aren’t quite aware of the potential she has but when they do things will escalate for her. Reminiscent of Katie Kim, you can catch her next at the Academy 2 in Dublin with The Ambience Affair. In the meantime, here’s a stunning track of hers called ‘Walk Me Home’ available via bandcamp.
