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Sleep Thieves – City of Hearts
Chris: 'Sleep Thieves are a three-piece from Dublin, they’ve just recently signd to an American label called Minty Fresh who are going to be putting out their new album later on this year…I just thought It was really, really, really good stuff. There’s a real good atmosphere to it, it’s dark, it’s atmospheric and great vocals as well'
Freak’s – Number One
Rigsy: ‘The band talk of their being three song-writers in their midst which makes sense when you listen to this, there’s a lot happening on this track. I absolutely love this…hooked straight away’
Chris: ‘This was on my shortlist…I think it’s absolutely great. The harmonies and the drumming…it’s just a really, really well written quirky, indie-pop song….when you hear something that’s really interesting and original and special it hits you between the eyes and that did for me’
Rigsy: ‘It’s just an absolute belter, sounds like the finished product to me, really, really excited’
We Cut Corners – Best Friend
Chris: ‘They’ve just announced the details of their new album, their second album, which is called ‘Think Nothing’ which is out on 25th April…That’s the 3rd single that they’ve taken from it so far (Pervious single) YKK was one of the biggest underground…indie rock singles in Ireland last year….they have also announced details of a tour'.
Marc O’Reilly – Reach Out
Rigsy: ‘There’s definitely a fair bit of edge in there as well. Pretty alternative sound...think Villagers, for me anyway. Debut album came out in 2011 the follow up ‘Human Herdings’ is out at the end of this month, he’s from Waterford, has toured Europe and played the likes of Glastonbury and Electric Picnic.
Chris: ‘I really like this as well, this jumped out at me…real kind of gritty sound. It’s got a bit of attitude to it and I really like that.
Buz Ludzha – Rave With Love
Chris: ‘Some listeners may be familiar with ‘The Cyclist’…he released an album on Stones Throw which is a well-respected American, mainly hip-hop label…but All City Records in Dublin have a series going where they get producers to come in and put music out under a new alias so that is what he’s done. It’s out now, off an E.P called ‘Love Repetitive Rhythmics’ on 12” vinyl and digital. He describes it as distorted 80’s house.
Rigsy: ‘…I haven’t heard (production like this) done so well, so scratchy…it’s different.
Chris: ‘It’s done absolutely by design…I just love those kind of layers of hiss and noise and wonkiness and things maybe not quite sounding like they should do and underneath that there are some serious hooks in this track as well, so yeah I’m a big fan’
Phil Kieran – Going There
Chris: ‘It’s a great track, really, really like it. It’s got a lot of different elements going on. There’s some cow-bell, sort of house vocal, acid bassline…it’s got a real groove to it….(Phil is) longstanding, very well respected Dance producer. Also the man behind the Le Carousel album which did very well last year...This will be played as the sun is coming up probably at various European dance festivals this summer…also worth mentioning it’s coming out on Hot Flush Records which is the label owned by Scuba’.
Documenta – TV (Girl on Fire)
Rigsy: ‘album came out last year, coloured vinyl as you would expect. The references are very clear, early Spiritualised, kraut rock. The label themselves Dronepop which is pretty much all you need to know about what they do…one of two new tracks that they have, it’s my favourite thing of theirs. That little string refrain really, really draws you in, so, so sweet’.
Chris: ‘I am a big fan of Documenta…they’re also one of the best live bands in Belfast so if you’ve never seen them do so at once.
