On this week's radio show we featured both Forfey and Tanglewood, festivals taking place in Enniskillen and Newry this weekend. So who better to chat to than the only band playing both. Here's Chris Jackson to give us a guided tour of the good ship RunawayGo....
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The first record I bought was REM's 'Automatic For The People'. There was a copy in my house for about a year that belonged to my uncle and I listened to it constantly when I was about 14. Eventually, he took it back so I saved up and bought it for myself. It's an amazing record and I still keep going back to it.
More recently - I just bought the latest Gaslight Anthem album, 'Handwritten'. I've only had it for a few days but it's great!
Hallo, good sir! Brian Coney here, stuck in the 1800s, having the craic. So, Glasgowbury has come and gone for another year and, as expected, with the dust (hangovers) having finally settled, the general consensus is that it was another stellar year at the annual Draperstown music festival on the hill. Alas, we don’t live in the past here at That New Band Smell – far from it, in fact! This week I take you on a brief journey, north and south, to shed light on some of our country’s best new emerging talent.
Mindburner is the moniker of proficient Belfast electronic musician, Alan Watkins. Bearing the indelible influence of the likes of Kraftwerk and - mostly notably - Gary Numan, his music betrays what he calls his "keen interest in music that shows intelligence". If you like the cunningly retro, synth-heavy voyages of the aforementioned, you will love the music of this criminally clandestine solo musician.
Alex Trimble from Two Door Cinema Club and Belfast producer David Holmes have both spoken to Across the Line about their involvement with the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games on Friday night.
Alex, who sang the lead on a specially composed song 'Caliban's Dream' explained to ATL presenter Rigsy on this week's show how he was obliged to keep his role a secret until the very last minute. "Kev and Sam (from Two Door Cinema Club) knew from the beginning but no one else, none of my family none of my friends. I had to sign a load of contracts a load of papers saying I wasn’t gonna say anything."
Alex also explained how he dealt with singing to a TV audience of over one billion people. "It didn’t feel real - it was hard to kind of process. I didn’t get nervous at all before I went on because the whole thing just felt so surreal" the singer explained.
"Friday night was actually the fourth time I’d seen the ceremony because I’d been around the stadium all week doing rehearsals and stuff. That definitely made me feel more comfortable".
While ATL thoroughly recommends getting ones hands (and ones wellies) dirty with a visit to either Tanglewood or Forfey this weekend, our GOTW is something for those who like their music indoors. Yes Cadets have been on our radar for quite a while, offering something a little different and getting us all very excited with a string of subtly epic indie-pop releases...all while waiting in the wings. Their time seems to be coming, with a deal signed, a tour booked and an official release on the way. But why read my words when you can read those of vocalist Alan Haslam, who's kindly volunteered to make something of an official invite....
'It's a single launch show for 'Le Mans', which is being released by Berlin-based label Humming Records. You can download the track for free at www.soundcloud.com/hummingrecords.
It's the first track from a brand new EP, to be released in September, and our only NI show ahead of a full European tour in Oct/Nov/Dec. Doors are at 19.30, and to say thanks for coming you'll get a little pressie at the door if you get down early enough!'
PRESSIES!!!!
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Yes Cadets play The Menagerie, Belfast this Thursday. They also play Whelans, Dublin on Wednesday.
Adebisi Shank, Toby Kaar Bunatee Bar, Belfast Thursday July 26th
Given that tonight's gig in the Bunatee Bar is first and foremost an opportunity for Dublin rockers Adebisi Shank to test out new material as part of their "New Tunez" tour, it would be natural to assume that they might be a tad rusty on the live circuit these days - particularly as their most recent round of serious touring came towards the end of last year. This crowd aren't buying into that notion for a second though, as a quick look around the Bunatee reveals a loyal fan base that are expecting to be entertained. And entertained they are, first of all by Cork native Toby Kaar. Setting up behind a laptop and a few samplers, the audience might be expecting a relatively tame head-bobbing DJ set- but what makes Kaar's performance stand out tonight is that it's just that - a performance.
NI blues-tinged rockers The Bonnevilles will play a show in Derry on September 1st as well as a headline gig the same night in the Menagerie Bar, Belfast.
The Lurgan two-piece have been recording the follow up to their debut LP 'Good Suits and Fightin' Boots' and will be supported on the night in Belfast by The Hard Chargers plus more to be confirmed.
The Bonnevilles new album is entitled 'Folk Art and the Death of Electric Jesus' and will be available in the Autumn. They will also play Sunflowerfest in Hillsborough on August 18th.
If you've listened to Across the Line at all in the last few years, there's a fair chance you've heard a track by Belfast's Ed Zealous. Well, their time has finally arrived with the eventual release of a debut album later this year. First taster 'Diamonds for Eyes' (check it out via their bandcamp) is a belter - it bodes well! Here's Pete from the band to talk us through the making of....Ed Zealous!
The one gig that made me want to be in a band was The Roots at Glastonbury - they opened their set with a drum solo by ?uestlove! The whole group were outstanding live performers & I think I was lucky to catch them at their pinnacle when Leonard "Hub" Hubbard played bass & Rahzel was still beatboxing for them.
L'Derry noise merchants Triggerman have been confirmed as support for Brazilian noise legends Sepultura in the Limelight next month.
The four piece, who were one of many standout performances from last weekend's Glasgowbury festival, have been chosen by the metal stalwarts for the gig on August 12th.
The band play the Cellar Bar in Draperstown this weekend (28th), Stendhal Festival in Limavady on August 18th and the Playhouse Theatre, Portrush on August 31st.
The singer songwriter, and former ASIWYFA and Pepperbook member has created the six song mini-album in order to raise funds for research into cancer and mental health.
The songs include reversions of two Northern Irish acts, Stiff Little Fingers and the Undertones as well as Nirvana and Fugazi.
Duke Special has curated a series of events fort he newly opened MAC theatre in the Belfast's Cathedral Quarter.
The Belfast performer has hand-picked music, comedy and cultural happenings all under the title of 'In the court of.. Duke Special' and will run from September 4th until 9th. Acts confirmed include The Futureheads, Cathy Davey, The Blockheads and an evening of wine tasting.
The shows will culminate in a gig from Duke Special '...and Friends' on September 9th.
The 'In the Court of...' series will now run as a yearly concern with other luminaries from music and the arts programming their own personal wishlist of concerts and events.
Duke Special's new album 'Oh Pioneer' was released in June. He plays Belsonic, at Custom House Square, Belfast on August 16th alongside Emeli Sande and Foy Vance with a show the evening before in the Cellar Bar, Draperstown.
General Fiasco are our gig(s) of the week - they've both an all ages and over 18s show this weekend. Having almost ran out of great things to say about the band given the awesome-ness of their second album, Rigsy thought it a good idea to have the lads to do his work for him! So here's Leaky and Owen's video invite with all the support info...
Apologies for the appalling camerwork. Rigsy did it ;)
Snow Patrol singer Gary Lightbody has revealed that he will have a minor role in the upcoming series of the HBO hit television show Game of Thrones.
The fantasty drama series, based on the books by George R R Martin has been filmed largely in Northern Ireland.
The Bangor singer posted a photo of himself online last night dressed in full costume, saying "So I did my scene this morning for Game Of Thrones, I looked like this. Can't say much - just it's no pivotal role. Fun".
ATL sincerely hopes that Dr. Lightbody is House Stark.
Derry's CultureTECH Festival have revealed that one up-and-coming act will have a chance to support Duke Special at his recently-announced free gig.
In partnership with Breaking Tunes, one or more acts will support Duke Special at his outdoor show on September 1st. At least three more acts will be invited to play a showcase as part of the festival, with CultureTECH covering travel and accomodation costs.
Festival organiser, Mark Nagurski, explained: “Since we announced the Duke Special gig we have been inundated with bands from across Ireland keen to get on the bill. One of the reasons we're organising the festival in the first place is to showcase great talent so we'd love to give a young band or act a chance to support such a successful Northern Irish artist."
To apply, bands who are registered with Breaking Tunes can apply directly. Those that aren't registered can sign-up for free at www.breakingtunes.com. Closing date for entries is August 6th.
CultureTECH takes place August 29th to September 1st. For more information, visit www.culturetech.co
The band will play both a 14+ show and an 18+ show in Mandela Hall on Friday 30th November. Special guests for both shows are yet to be announced.
ATL is hearing rumours of new material already being recorded with a release in the pipeline. The band's label Richter Collective announced at the start of the summer that they were calling time on the imprint, leaving the band currently without a home.
It's just gone five and Kowalski may be winning this festival. Old songs and new are decorated with bubbly synths and a healthy gathering are lapping it up. Three minutes of 'Get Back' encapsulate what we love about our annual trip to Eagle's Rock - fun, engaging, unique. Subtly brilliant. Glasgowbury!
They've been brave. The site is fairly different. For a start, the second 'G Sessions' stage is back under cover - an impressive circus tent. The main stage has moved a little, with the 'Spurs of Rock' and 'Eagle's Rock' bolting us in. A new stage, 'The Generator' lives above a cocktail bar and there's more for families, a food village in the middle, increased dance music and comedy and a proper coup in the form of our legendary headliners. More on that later.
Two Door Cinema Club will be debuted their brand new single 'Sleep Alone' tonight on BBC Radio 1 last night. You can then pick up a free download of the single for the next few hours over at their website twodoorcinemaclub.com.
The Bangor / Donaghadee trio will release 'Sleep Alone' digitally on July 21st and as a 7'' single on September 3rd alongside thier new album 'Beacon', the follow up to their 2010 debut 'Tourist History'. The band headline a night of the Belsonic festival series on August 23rd at Custom House Square, Belfast.
Time for another 'The Making Of' as we find out what makes our favourite bands tick. Ahead of his band's new EP coming out next month, it's over to Dave from kings of the hefty riff - Stillpoint!
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The first record I bought, or remember buying, was Chef from South Park - 'Chocolate Salty Balls'. I'm not really sure what that says about me, but there you go!
The last record I bought was Easy Meat by LaFaro - we caught them in Edinburgh while we were on tour. I'd never actually seen them before and they blew my mind. Bit late off the mark with that one...
Given it's our biggest day out of the year and something we've been looking forward to since, well since last summer..... it's very hard to see past Glasgowbury for this week's GOTW. So we didn't!
This Saturday then, it's back up the mountain for a day in the company of a few thousand like minded souls and the most varied and curious collection of bands Glasgowbury has had on offer in it's twelve year history.
But who to speak to? Well, we put out a facebook message to a random selection of bands and comedians on the bill asking 'in a sentence, why are you looking forward to Saturday?' Here's what they said:
Hailing from Kildare dead label are a three piece who have achieved a great deal in very little time playing! Signed to rising records last year their debut album sense of slaughter was released this February and they supported machine head in belfast at the end of may so definitely one to keep an eye (or ear) on.
BATS, The Rupture Dogs Auntie Annies, Belfast Saturday July 12th
Since the release of their album ‘Red in Tooth & Claw’ back in August 2009 BATS have been tirelessly promoting their frantic mix of science inspired progressive hardcore post punk to anyone willing to listen. Tonight sees Bats delivering the varying and energetic sound of their back catalogue as well as treating us to a preview of some of their new material from forthcoming album The Sleep of Reason due for release in September.
'Good Vibrations', the story of Belfast's punk Godfather Terri Hooley opening a record shop during the Troubles in the 1970's, is set to be released in Irish and UK cinemas towards the end of the year.
This week we go under the bonnet ofSeven Summits, ahead of the release of their new single 'The Worrier' and second album 'Fossils'. Responsible for 'Burning Heart', one of the finest, dreamiest and down-right lovable tracks ATL has played in recent times, this is a band on the verge of getting everything they deserve. Over to frontman Rory Nellis to find out what makes him (and his band) tick!
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The first record I bought was The Muppet Show album. 'Halfway Down the Stairs' was and always will be a great tune. The last one was 'Love At The Bottom Of The Sea' by The Magnetic Fields. Love their work!
As for the people who inspired me to make music in the first place - it has to be The Beatles.
Good day to you, keen explorers of sound. It's Phily Taggart here, armed with a bodacious bunch of bands for your consideration this week. Ok, so enough with the pleasantries, we all know what we have to do, get down and intimate with the green horns. Welcome to 'That New Band Smell'.
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Conor Brown - On Thin Ice Having been classically trained and a penchant for Swedish electro pop, the question is, how are you going to not listen to 18 year old songwriter Conor Brown?
Mmoths has been announced as support for At The Drive-In 's London show at O2 Academy Brixton.
The ambient electronic project (AKA Kildare's Jack Colleran) will play with the reformed post-hardcore band on August 28th. The show is the band's only UK date aside from the Reading & Leeds Festival the previous weekend, August 24th - 26th.
Difficult one this, trying to put across the sheer volume of gigs taking place across Derry/Londonderry this weekend without breaking the internet. Link Fest, in its first year, takes over pretty much every venue of note in the entire city for three days and nights. In a nutshell - this festival is your average ATL playlist come to life.
Forcing Kevin from Link Fest to be concise, he said this:
'We are only small but have some of the best talent about and to have a chance to hear all these bands over one weekend is unbelievable. Live music rocks and can't be beaten for a night out!'
Van Morrison will play two shows as part of the festival: 'An Evening With Van Morrison' on October 20th and an intimate 'Supper Club' on November 2nd. Both shows take place at the Europa Hotel.
Van is expected to preview tracks from his new album ‘Born to Sing: No Plan B’.
Grammy-award winning South African group Ladysmith Black Mambazo, currently performing as part of Paul Simon's Graceland tour, play Waterfront Hall, Belfast on October 21st.
Buena Vista Social Club are also set to perform at the Ulster Hall, Belfast on October 30th.
The Belfast Festival at Queens celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. Full line-up details can be found at https://www.belfastfestival.com/.
Richard Hawley will play Belfast's Mandela Hall on Sunday 2nd December. He will peform the night before at the Nerve Centre in Derry, and on December 3rd in Vicar Street in Dublin.
The date comes as part of UK tour in support of his current album 'Standing at the Sky’s Edge', released back in May of this year.
The Sheffield based singer was formerly a member of the band the Longpigs and famously had a spell in fellow steeltown chart-toppers Pulp.
Hawley has also collaborated with Shirley Bassie, Elbow and Arctic Monkeys.
Richard is performing a set at the Electric Picnic this summer in Stradbally, Co. Laois.
The Japstars will play on Friday August 31st, supported by Paul Woolford, Psycatron, Screendeath, Fractious and John Craig.
Duke Special will play a free public gig in Guildhall Square on Saturday 1st September. Other free live music events are planned throughout the festival.
The CultureTECH festival is being billed as a four-day celebration of digital technology, media and music. Visit the official website here.
The Gifted Live concept has blossomed over the past few months, playing host to several fairly high profile acts for the enjoyment of both the masses assembled in the Empire Music Hall and those watching online. This instalment was no exception.
David Kitt may be more familiar with the upper reaches of a bill, but his opening performance ensured the night started off on the right foot. ‘Step Outside in the Morning Light' (even 12 years on) retains its youthful naiveté, Kitt plugging away on a battered Fender Jaguar and creating an intimate ambience within minutes. Closer ‘You Know What I Want to Know’ drags a little but on the whole it's a solid performance.
Spare a thought for Cosmo Jarvis. It's hard enough to make a first impression but to only have time for two songs makes the job a hell of a lot harder, and there's just not enough time to differentiate from the hordes of other musicians doing exactly the same thing.
The Stone Roses Phoenix Park, Dublin Thursday July 5th, 2012
After 16 long years in the making, one of the most unforeseeable and widely sought musical reunions is firmly underway.
Breaking all records to become the fastest-selling concerts in UK history, Madchester pioneers The Stone Roses are together at last to offer a long-awaited dose of nostalgia to their elated legions of fans. Now, a mere four days after their rapturous three-date homecoming stint at Manchester’s Heaton Park, the thirteenth date of the band’s headline-stealing reunion tour comes to Phoenix Park, Dublin.
No apologies for further bigging up the guys at Volume Control with our GOTW - once again they're pushing the boat out for people of all ages. This time it's a full day of live music and workshops over two stages at The Oh Yeah Centre in Belfast.
Callum from Volume Control can tell us more:
"This gig is going to be incredible for the all ages crowd. With a music industry advice session, a songwriting workshop with Cashier No.9's Stu Magowan, a drum workshop with Lafaro's Alan Lynn, jammin' sessions with our house band, as well as two stages with eleven of Northern Ireland's most exciting upcoming bands, it's surely one of the most exciting prospects this year for both new bands and under-age gig goers."
What a wonderfully promising, albeit quite long sentence that was.
With a unique, minimal sound, Bridie is one of the most captivating singers in the country. Not bad, given she's only 16.
'I was born in Belfast so it's nice to get down and play, plus the Oh Yeah Centre is really damn cool, in the nice way. Not that they have bad radiators! PREPARE TO BE SOAKED! P.S - Belfast people are 'da bomb' and have the best accents ever, ''lets go over thar….''
Young people of Belfast - in the past there was nothing like this. Now there is. Lap it up!
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The Volume Control Summer Festival takes place this Friday (July 6th) at The Oh Yeah Centre, Belfast. It features More Than Conquerors, Soak, The Emerald Armada and others performing over two stages and runs from 3pm-10pm.
Both bands complete the Sunday the 2nd of September line-up, which was recently-announced is curated by Pure Savage.
As part of a three day ‘Oxjam Gigwam’ organised by Oxfam, the Friday and Saturday will be curated by Dublin's King Kong Club and Rubysessions who have yet to unveil their line-ups.
Irish rock legends Kerbdog will play their 'On The Turn' LP in full at a concert in Dublin this Christmas.
The show will take place on December 8th in the Acadamy venue. The Kilkenny band, fronted by Cormac Battle were active in the early to late 1990's and released several well-received singles and albums on the Mercury label.
After they split in 1998, Battle went on to form Wilt and then became a specialist music broadcaster at RTE's 2FM.
The band will also play dates in Cork and Castlebar this Autumn.
Jogging have announced that they have joined Limerick-based Out On A Limb Records. This follows the recent news that former label Richter Collective is set to close.
The band release their second album 'Take Courage' on LP and download on August 24th. The album was recorded in June 2012 with U.S. producer (and ex-These Arms Are Snakes member) Chris Common, who has previously worked with Minus The Bear, Pelican and Mastodon.
'Take Courage' is officially launched on Saturday August 25th in Whelans, Dublin with support from Elk and Guilty Optics. The launch will be followed by dates around Ireland in September.
The band's debut album 'Minutes' can be streamed here.
For this week's 'The Making Of…' we chat to long-haired legend Cormac Neeson, singer with Co. Down rock behemoths The Answer. Check out the band's new single 'Rise', released this week, for a little orchestral goodness.
The Answer play a special show at The Empire tomorrow night (Thursday).
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The first record I bought was “Slippery When Wet” by Bon Jovi. You may laugh, but the riff that opens this album planted some distinctly rock'n'roll seeds that have held me in good stead to this day!
The last record I bought was “Only Revolutions” by Biffy Clyro. I’m ashamed to say I only got round to picking it up recently but what an album! From the opening tune “The Captain” onwards - you just know these boys mean business and I totally get why they're so massive these days. They deserve it.
Howdy, Brian Coney here (stuck in some strange dimension where people greet each other with “Howdy”). Let it be known: at That New Band Smell we are all about diversity and mixing things – i.e. genres – up. Indeed, while the idea of following up the most twee of indie-pop with the downright blackest of Scandinavian metal seems perfectly natural on this segment, this week I’ve chosen three up-and-coming bands that are different yet totally accessible in equal measure.
Lost Avenue – ‘Ethanol’ Much in the vein of another young local band I featured on That New Band Smell recently, The Late Two’s, Derry-based three-piece Lost Avenue play a distinctly rollicking brand of no-frills punk/garage rock. Listing amongst their influences the likes of Libertines, Babyshambles and Blur, the band will come good on the promise they currently show if they can take the unbridled energy contained on ‘Ethanol’ whilst simultaneously aiming to develop a part of their own sound that makes them stand out.
Glasgowbury announced their stage times for this years festival via the latest issue of Hotpress. The Sperrin Mountain music festival returns on Saturday the 21st of July with legendary NI rockers Therapy? headlining the main stage.
The only stage left to be announced is the 'Generator Stage' which will focus on new electronic artists.
SMALL BUT MASSIVE STAGE (Main Stage) 11.00 - 12.00 Therapy? 9.30 - 10.30 The Japanese Popstars 8.10 - 8.50 Fighting With Wire 7.05 - 7.40 Axis Of 6.05 - 6.35 Pocket Billiards 5.15 - 5.45 Silhouette 4.25 - 4.55 Katie & The Carnival 3.35 - 4.05 Intermission 2.45 - 3.15 Master & Dog 1.55 - 2.25 Mojo Gogo 1.05 - 1.35 Pretty Child Backfire 12.15 - 12.45 Tied To Machines
The ATL team write about anything and everything relevant to the Northern Irish music scene, the show itself and possibly some random stuff besides, and invite you to comment, discuss and participate.
