Download : Red Kid
July 16th, 2008 by nayRed Kid’s album release date draws ever closer and to get you in the mood they’re offering five free downloads as a sample of their new album. All you gotta do is head over to their website: www.redkid.info and the songs are yours!
Due for release on 8 August, Rocket Ship boasts eleven vintage tracks built around decades of life and preferences: uber-Indie jingles against Seventies stoner rock and Brit Pop, orange clashes with blue. Including the eponymous single and favourites Soup, Kings of the Universe and No Reason - “you were living there alone, your boyfriend never came home” - possibly the most anthemic chorus of the moment? Epitomising the Irish knack for rollicking renditions of sing-along songs, Rocket Ship’s a record that’s been a long time coming - in the run-up to its release the band’s line-up swapped a bassist and more recently, saw drummer Dan Taylor test the tensile resistance between skull and cement. I’ve had the album for a few weeks - you lot ain’t the only ones to get the perks! - and it’s played a storming role in my summer playlists. I thoroughly recommend this shiny, happy, FREE slice of Irish pop.
Red Kid play Indie Week at The Village, 24 July.
Flyer : The Mighty Stef
July 15th, 2008 by nay 
The Mighty Stef’s Whelans residency kicks off this Thursday and NSMA faves Disconnect4 make a welcome return to Dublin in support.
I’m appreciating Upstairs at Whelans more as each week passes. It’s become a home from home for many bands with a host of stunning gigs since the new section of the venue opened at the start of the year. Displaying a true appreciation for Irish talent, variety seems to be the keyword with other resident guests so far including Adrian Crowley, David Turpin and The Minutes. The format of three week instalments means musicians can establish a good live reputation and leave the doors open for word to spread. For a performer as strongly rooted to the notion of live rock’n'roll as Stef, the residency presents a grand opportunity to embellish on the layered talent apparent in latest record, Death Threats EP.
News : Disney Sign Noise Control
July 14th, 2008 by nay
Disney Interactive snapped up two songs from the as-yet unreleased debut album of Dublin’s hardest-rocking electronic outfit Noise Control. The songs will feature on a new Extreme Sports-themed game titled Pure, available on Playstation 3, XBox360 and PC from September. The album release date is still to be confirmed.
Irish bands @ rOxegen
July 10th, 2008 by nayTonight’s the end of normality for anyone heading to Punchestown this weekend - you can even head down now, grab a good pitch for the tent and enjoy pre-fest entertainment from circus performers - who’s going?
Over a dozen Irish performers lead a home-front invasion on the Kildare site from the IMRO New Sounds Stage on Saturday and Sunday. A direct move by the Irish Music Rights Organisation to define exactly the hottest bands of 2008, the line-up includes C O D E S, Crayonsmith, Dry County, Fighting With Wire, Halves, Oppenheimer, New Amusement and Televsion Room. A truly legendary experience in the making, there won’t be a lull in schedule for anyone who finds themselves present.
Several other Irish bands pepper the Oxegen schedule - Paddy Casey, The Blizzards and The Coronas play the main stage while the Green Room tent looks very inviting with performances from Bellx1 to The Kinetiks. Republic of Loose will seriously fuck shit up at the O2 stage on Sunday as US hip-hop legend Styles P joins them live for I Love Music. Delorentos and God Is An Astronaut are set for the Pet Sounds stage, Derry’s dance power represents via The Japanese Popstars and Future Chaser on Saturday while the2FM NEW BAND STAGE / FUTURES stage promises Kill City Defectors and Fight Like Apes. With such an impressive whack of talent it’ll be a miracle if you manage to drag yourself away from Dry County’s Sunday night headliner to check out RATM.
People come up to me every now and then, saying “hey, I found your blog, it’s great but I’ve never seen these bands live!” Now’s the chance to get your fill of Irish at its tantalising best. I’ve laid out the full stage-times and line-up. Feast yo eyes…and ears!
FULL OXEGEN 2008 LINE-UP AND TIMES:
Friday 11 July
MAIN STAGE:
23:30 KINGS OF LEON
21:55 INTERPOL
20:25 EDITORS
19:05 PADDY CASEY
18:00 THE CORONAS
17:00 AMY MACDONALD
Photo : Bellx1
July 10th, 2008 by nay
I stumbled into Bellx1’s Oxegen soundcheck yesterday in the Button Factory. I was on a job for HotPress and didn’t know they’d be there - it was just a random moment, exactly what this job is all about 
Bellx1 play Oxegen, Green Room on Friday 11 July @ 23:40.