Brilliant new single from Dublin band: THE GANDHIS

The Gandhis are an ambitious band with an equally ambitious debut album titled: YOU ARE MY FRIEND. Despite it taking its time to reach me, I am most certainly glad it did. However, it is not the album as a whole that I draw your attention to: it is a new single which is out on March 4th via iTunes. Although it's safe to say that the entire album consistently showcases a dynamic songwriting ability for MAINSTREAM pop and is a refreshing twist on what in recent times has become something of an over done sound. Where have this band been hiding away?

The finely chosen and final single to come from the album is : You Are My Friend (which has a radio edit!!). It has a catchy sing-a-long chorus, with conventional guitar lines and up tempo beats mixed with perfectly delivered male harmonies. It makes for a song that is almost custom built for radio! BUY IT>>>> NOW.

PS:::you have got to check out the song they wrote for DATA from Star Trek- LOVE THIS BAND

also check them out on BTV_ BRILLIANT. Look at how great they are live.

ACOUSTRA: putting 'rad' back into TRAD

We have been hearing a lot about this Trad/folk band of late and with no wonder, they tick all the boxes. Fun, Talented and up for the mighty craic of it all...They are not in it for the debauched lifestyle, more so for the hell of it and for the lust of the music. Even though they can fairly find their way around the cover songs these past 10 years or more, its in the writing of original music that they relish in. 

March 2011 see the band release their debut EP and it's about time! We think this band will be shaking the floor boards of many a venue over the coming months and its just what we need in times like these. Speaking of recession, the band are giving the EP away for free also! Once you pass on the good word on and spread the musical love that is. The title of the EP, is The way it used to be and it also has a skit video to match: not so much in the rude mode of their fellow Limerick allies; The Rubberbandits, but a more a to the point dig at the Irish government and the state they have the country in. ( Video below ) But do check out TECHNO TRAD, by far one of the best pieces of original music I have heard, ever, in fact. And where the hell did the accordion player come from, word has it he also uses a wha pedal on it at live gigs!

CHECK IT OUT: FREE MUSIC- download and pass the link on!

  

Official band statement:

: "We wrote The Way It Used to be, as we’ve seen what the government has done to the country. They spoonfed us and squandered our economies cash, so who are we to ask the people of Ireland to dig deeper into their pockets at such a trying time. We thought to opt to give this EP away for Free- All we ask is that you download a tune & pass the link on! Or follow us http://twitter.com/Acoustra, see you all at a gig in the future!"

OFFICIAL VIDEO:

   

Stephen Young & The Union

STEPHEN YOUNG & THE UNION's album just arrived on my desk. Via special digital delivery, and to be honest there are many special things about this band. Based on the first listen, they are a mix between An Emotional Fish/ Imelda May (a male version on the more up tempo songs)  and The Waterboys. (Which, lets face it, it never a bad thing.) 

From the first track, the said single COKE & RUM, he brings us into the full fettle of what the band are capable of: that is creating a pounding heartfelt retrospect that will set him apart from his luminaries, with piano, roaring guitars, basslines galore and a seedy vocal that sounds like there was definitely Coke and Rum on the ready- this surely appeals to the repeat button!

Whether in a mellow mood or just plain aggressive, Young & The Union's music comes from the heart. 

The album’s title is ‘Wilderness Machine’. Young explains: “the concept of the album is loosely based on a character, who left his hometown after the break-up of a relationship and the death of a close friend. He moves to a remote house in the mountains where he writes a series of letters that lead to a novel”.

The recording process for the album took two years in total. It involved 11 different musicians in three different studios. Young was adamant on getting the right place at the right time to capture the imagery and overall sound of each song. 

A very good album- looking forward to having this on repeat.

new music 2011: GENTRY MORRIS

Gentry Morris: Awake ‘O’ SleeperHailing from South Georgia in the USA, Gentry moved to Bangor, Northern Ireland, in his mid 20s. Having honed his talent by touring the States for several years, including a stint in Nashville, he now calls Ireland home. He is about to release his third album, a mix mesh lucky bag of simplified & heartfelt musical treats delivered in an original voice that has become one of my favourites. His tone is one of pure audible luxury.

Attempting to following in the formative footsteps of Josh Ritter – it looks like Morris is using Ireland as a starting platform for his musical career. And what do we think of that, well we think it will work. 

AWAKE 'O'O SLEEPER is an acoustic masterpiece. Stunningly self produced and captures acoustic instrumentation to the full, leaving you with glowing lush sounds, which blends with Gentry’s vocals and the guest vocalists on the album. (including Juliet Turner). 

Stand out tracks: Fools Gold, Lie, Dervishes. Sublimely excellent third album that is well worth checking out.

9/10

also check out: very cool.