Blogger turned musician, Shane Culloty, has just released his EP The Wisp Sings. The Dublin-based singer goes by the name Winter Aid. The title track below is both visually and audibly stunning, no words I can write will give it any justice, so just watch and listen.
The Styrpes have been on the radar since they formed in 2011 and are already a huge hit. The incredibly effortless and talented band consists of four guys between the ages of 15 and 17, all hailing from Cavan. These guys offer a more back-to-basics sound of blues and rock n roll. Coupled with their recognisable sound is their strong visual aesthetic that even got them noticed by Vogue. For some bizarre reason they get compared to One Direction, presumably because of the age similarity and being grouped under the generic term 'boy band', but The Strypes see 1D as "purely just faces'' and refer to their music "candy floss pop". The Strypes, on the other hand, are so much more than this. They really know their stuff and are clearly something very special. More likely comparisons are to the early day The Rolling Stones and The Beatles. When you listen to their music you are immediately transported back in time and as well as this these teens have undeniably great stage presence along with a mastered unique sound. Their music and looks are completely their own, not like alot of other groups out their today. It's fair to say that there isn't any band like them right now and especially at such a young age. The band signed a record deal with Mercury Records in December and have already many famous fans including Elton John who claims "they’re like a breath of fresh air." They recently appeared on 'Later...with Jools Holland' and continue to wow audiences everywhere. Overall, The Strypes convey ridiculously cool vibes. While we almost lost any kindle of hope in rock n roll, The Strypes have restored our faith.
Introducing;Ireland's freshest electronic duo. Cove are not unsimilar to Crystal Castles, though lets hope that I don't get a kick in the face at one of their gigs. The Tipperary natives have just released their first EP, which is available to stream and download on bandcamp. Each track is really annoyingly catchy, which I think is one of the key factors in any successful record. I keep finding the songs stuck in my head and wanting to go back and listen to them over and over again. It's so hard to choose a favourite but I love the feel of 'Slow City'. It's nice to have a male electronic duo with vocals, as there's not many of them around and I'm very much looking forward to seeing the Cork-based duo live. I've been waiting to hear this EP with a while now, and does it live up to my expectations? Well, not really. It's actually so much better than I expected. I must say, definite stars in the rising!
The best thing about the Harlem Shake craze is Azealia Banks' remix of it. There's no better person for the job other than the Harlem native and rapping queen herself. It may not be as sensational as 212, but it certainly is up there. Banks always manages to maintain a place securely in my heart. She gets it right every time.
If you're looking for some lovely, catchy music - look no further than Raffiki. The exciting emerging Dublin-based band show great potential with their mesmerising songs and undoubted talent. They've just played Other Voices Music Trail in Derry and are set to play a number of gigs this coming March, so you'll be sure to see more and more of Raffiki in the upcoming months. Take a listen to their latest track, 'Hollow Charm', below.
Today's post on the 12/12/12, is a special one. A post, say if the world were to end very soon, this is the last post I'd like to do. A very special singer and songwriter I couldn't let go unwritten or god forbid, unknown. From the first time I heard her voice I was immediately taken aback. Who was she and where had she been hiding all along? For certain reasons she will remain anonymous, but the beauty lies in her unique voice and mesmerising lyrics. I cannot really say much more, other than the fact that she is a true talent and the evidence is in this amateur video I made (but don't let the quality of it hinder your judgement). Singing one of her own songs, here is 'warm wars'.
Something about the simplicity of the name and the
accompanying photo initially drew me to take a listen to KATE BOY. Though I'm thinking the comparison to Nicki and the Dove is quite deep-seated, these tracks from the Swedish electropop trio are more vocally milder. I can't refuse
an infectiously good beat that forces you to sway your body to the heavy rhythm. I'm starting to think that nothing bad comes out of
Sweden, at least musically anyways. If you like what you hear keep an ear out
for their EP in January.
New music hasn't been coming to me lately, or a more likely story is.. I haven't been looking for it, but just taking in what's already out there. So I was pleased and excited when I just happened to stumble upon SOAK, a sixteen year old singer and guitarist from Derry. I couldn't believe how young she was when I first heard ''Sea Creatures''. Praised by Fearne Cotton, supporting Snow Patrol and playing in Dingle this weekend as a part of Other Voices. It kind of makes you think, what was I doing when I was sixteen?
My new favourite video and song of the week goes to Young Hunting by OCHO, a Dublin-based electronic duo. With hints of Warpaint and 2:54, their soothing vocals and eerie harmonies tick all the boxes. Love a good song that can send you into a trance. After thousands of votes, OCHO have been nomintaed to play IMRO Other Room at Other Voices this coming weekend, lucky them!
Listen to their full album here: http://soundcloud.com/ochomusic
Saturday, 17 November 2012
Rhye are one of those special artists- all sweet and evocative- half of the mystery lies in who Rhye actually are. I first heard the LA duo when a friend sent me their video for 'Open', I was mesmerised. Basically it's a load of nudity and sex, but it's altogether very sensual. For along time, Rhye remained anonymous for the mere reason that they wanted the music to be in the spotlight and not lead with imagery of the artists themselves, but rather just for people to hear the music and gain their own experience with it. Anonymous or not, I like Rhye very much.
Having only been together two years, Rhye's intimate sound is of a unique one and there has been a long awaiting in the music industry for these two guys (yes guys, I was shocked too). As you can guess from listening to the lyrics or even watching the videos, love is the main theme within the songs. Rhye's debut full-lenght will be out in early 2013. I'm looking forward to adding a new genre to my ipod - seductive music.
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