SOUNDBLOB

Video: Nanu Nanu - Zero . Zero LIVE

2012-03-01T15:06:00.003-08:00

Myles and Simon strike again, with a beautifully shot live video of Nanu Nanu performing "Zero . Zero". The Arbutus team generally have a good ear for music as well as their indisputable eye for capturing live performance. This is a stunning track from this Dublin based group and I'm looking forward to hearing more. Check out their label: Flaming June Records

Download: THEESatisfaction- Enchantruss

2012-03-01T08:46:00.002-08:00

Taken from awE naturalE which is out on the 27th of March on Sub Pop. Featuring Shabazz Palaces.
Via

Download/Video/Remix: Little Xs For Eyes- In Three Years

2012-02-29T16:04:00.000-08:00

In Three Years from little xs for eyes on Vimeo.

Little Xs are really spoiling us releasing this package of gems for free. First off the track itself, is a super cute folk-pop tune, not what I usually blog about here but too pretty to let past by. What really grabbed me however was the video. It's a stop-motion film made by artist Johnny Fitzsimons, what's unusual is how Fitzsimon wanders away from the desk usually used in such clips. His studio comes to life, sometimes narrated by the stories told in the song, sometime completely not. Then the icing on the cake is the Sounds of System Breakdown remix. Who have taken only a few nuggets from the original and woven them into a beautiful house-y track.
<a href="http://littlexsforeyes.bandcamp.com/album/in-three-years">In Three Years by little xs for eyes</a>

Download: fLako & Brokenchord- Come Back As A Flower

2012-02-28T19:45:00.001-08:00

Download: Death Grips- Get Got/ Blackjack

2012-02-27T07:44:00.001-08:00

Death Grips are the fucking BO$$!

Stream: Ickis Mirolo- Pachydermy

2012-02-27T07:29:00.002-08:00

<a href="http://ickismirolo.bandcamp.com/album/pachydermy">Pachydermy by Ickis Mirolo</a>

This is Ickis Mirolo another very promising producer to come out NCAD (art college in Dublin). I still swing between liking and not liking some of the tracks. When I listen to this record the first thing I think of is IDM, I don't really know what that label means, but Ickis Mirolo uses the same label himself. I think the tracks could have been ordered in reverse as I find the final track Faw.Aj.Btr to be the best by far and the opening track to be the weakest. What is apparent throughout the EP is that Ickis Mirolo is a hugely talented producer with tons of potential and something tells me the best of his creations are still to come.
Face

Download: FOE- Cold Hard Rock (The Shabazz Palaces Remix)

2012-02-26T22:25:00.001-08:00

http://www.facebook.com/FOE

Download: Young Wonder- Flesh (SertOne Remix)

2012-02-24T16:55:00.001-08:00

I love SertOne.

Stream: Max Miller-Loran Various Beats/Productions

2012-02-24T15:37:00.001-08:00

&amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://maxmillerloran.bandcamp.com/album/various-beats-productions"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Various Beats/Productions by Max Miller-Loran&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;gt;So first off, apologies for the slow down in posting here, I really appreciate any of the messages from people telling me to keep it up. I'm on the road these days, couchsurfing across America and so have only sporadic internet connections. Its made me realise just how much time I usually dedicate to listening to new music and living on the internet. I had hoped that I would have a lot of opportunity to post about the music I would encounter along the way, but that's not the way things have worked out. I'm in San Francisco now and have finally come across a produced/musician that I'd never heard of and think you might be into. His stuff makes me think a lot of Thundercat in the way he combine wonky bass/beat music with some jazzy melodies and harmonies, and like Thundercat the result is a mixture of gold and cheese.

Radio: Wolfcries with Johnny Hallon

2012-02-24T10:08:00.001-08:00

The Wolf with guest Johnny Hannon . . . by Wolfcries on Mixcloud

Due to technical difficulties there were some glitches with the audio, but we have done our best to preserve the content of the show although there are a few anomalies.On this weeks show my guest is a true comrade. Galway’s finest, Mr Jonathan Hannon. Johnny is also host on “It’s Jazz Baby” on Friday evenings on FlirtFM. A man well know in these parts for “the chat” it was nice to be able to have him come on and talk.We talk about Bob Dylan and The Band, Talking Heads, Turner Prize winning artists, originality of thought, left-brain-right-brain synthesis, Neitzsche and other bits and bobs. Stop in have a listen and if you want to add anything to the conversation contact me at

Stream: Juk Juk- Unwrap

2012-02-15T18:48:00.004-08:00

How is that chopped up and repitched vocals can convey so much emotion, something about the the way they are cut short.. I dunno. This track is wrapping my Internet deprived ear with all the sounds I have missed in the last few weeks. They have previously released on Four Tet's label Tex.

Stream: Gang Colours- Botley in Bloom

2012-02-15T18:20:00.000-08:00

Stunning piece of work from Southampton producer Gang Colours (Will Ozanne). A universe of sounds packed into this track. It constantly builds and builds and keeps hitting new heights as it progresses. The track is taken from Ozanne's debut album The Keychain Collection. Preview tracks here.

Video: Mmoths- Heart (feat. Keep Shelly in Athens)

2012-02-15T17:37:00.000-08:00

Mmoths' "Heart" has been one of the most beautiful tracks I have come across since I started this blogging game. What I loved it for was its simplicity, the space and the absence of sound. Because of this I was sceptical of any vocals being added to it. But somehow this video provides a kind of glue between the ethereal vocals and Jacks minimal melody making. The video was created by Irish director Jamie Delaney. The track is still available for free download here.

News: Death Grips announce two new releases.

2012-02-07T14:26:00.000-08:00

Death grips said:
"We're releasing two full length albums this year world-wide .. first one drops in April .. " Their last release "Ex-Military" was one of the best releases of last year in my humble opinion.

Download: Young Wonder- Tumbling Backwards (Daithí Remix)

2012-02-07T12:10:00.000-08:00

Nialler blogged this track last week. Its a wonderfully produced track with golden vocals provided by Rachel Koeman, and the video by Feel Good Lost is predictably beautiful, however I thought it could do with a bit more of a roughness and the vocals could do with even more chopping. Daithí delivers this in perfect style, chopping up the track into something really special. This track is out now on Feel Good Lost Records.

Video: Feist- The Bad In Each Other

2012-02-07T09:04:00.000-08:00

Directed by Martin de Thurah
If someone can find the story in this video please tell me. It seems as if it is clips from a film, but there is no mention of that in the credits. It's a strange collage of stories and faces that speak a thousand words. Anyway let me know what you think. It reminds me a lot of the texture in all those PJ videos.

Wolfcries Radio (in assoc w/ Soundblob)

2012-02-06T06:25:00.000-08:00

The Wolf with guest Rob McComish - editor of Soundblob by Wolfcries on Mixcloud

Here is a post by Mark James (The Wolf) whose show on Flirt FM will from now on will be done in collaboration with Soundblob. I won't be talkin' shit every week but will be submitting tracks and posting the show right here. I'll let Mark explain:

The apparatus that once pumped the chocolate into the croissants a la boulangerie, la boulangerie famous for its cakes, has being rendered insufficient, its discontinuation due to the nature of the product it served to produce. The people want cake, not the meagre croissant. Thus, to roll in the world that endeavours to whet appetites, we have had to upscale and exchange the croissant pumping chocolate machine for the superior model that pumps the chocolate into the mother fucking chocolate cakes baby yeah. Whereupon, the earlier model is now resigned to a concept that exists merely in the residual cognitions of your mind, or more specifically your memory. (Which one should strive to be free from as fast as humanly possible. For some help with that click here). The latter model, the new and improved model is instrumental to that which you desire, that which you strive towards, that which quenches your appetite and fortifies your gluttony. Of course, I speak metaphorically. New beginnings begot beginniraries (it is not a word, but we will hasten to keep the truth from hindering a good story) and these are those.The Wolfcries show has being resurrected, not from the ashes but from something more dour, from mediocrity. What I am attempting to say here is that on considering the quality of the standard and content of the minor institutions I serve, FlirtFM & Soundblob respectively, I wish to up the standard of the presentation of the show with regards to its formal structure. Previously the show was presented fairly off the cuff with little appreciation for editing or the actual talk content. I appreciate that some people enjoyed this style of presentation and I am grateful for the positive response I have received hitherto. However, change is good and with that in mind I have decided to recalibrate somewhat. Of course I will still be bringing you the best music I possibly can, but in addition I will have a guest in the studio with me each week to talk music. I myself am a student of philosophy and psychology, both subjects that I truly love and enjoy. In an effort to consolidate both my studies and my passion, which is music, the show, in its conversation at least, will lean towards philosophical ponderings around that which we term music and its inclusive expressions. However, don’t be expecting me to be rocking some Hegelian or Heideggerian analyses of music as a temporally constructed phenomenon arising from a synthesis of the cognitive processes derived from our comprehensive conscious experience or any shit like that, but indeed some of my guests may have such analyses. The show will be airing live from FlirtFM 101.3 every Friday night from 11 to 12; however, this signal is only available in the west. For those of you elsewhere you can catch the show at Sounblob.blogspot.com, from listen back on FlirtFM.ie or mixcloud.com/wolfcriesIf anyone out there wishes to come talk to me on the show, or you just want to make me aware of something that you think may add to the conversation, or you wish to have your tracks heard and aired (I unfortunately cannot guarantee airing of all the tracks I receive) you can reach me at wolfcriesmusic@gmail.com. Also feel free to debate any issues that arise during the conversation. All polemics are encouraged.With such formalities addressed, on this weeks show my guest is the man (or machine) behind the machine that is Sounblob, Mr Rob McComish. The conversation this week revolves around the genesis of Soundblob, the present nature of the music industry with a specific focus on the Irish industry and music’s role in our society.Keep listening, and as I mentioned earlier feel free to contact me for any reason (music or philosophy related of course, I don’t particularly want to hear about your cat or your ingrown toenails, or your cats ingrown toenails (Unless both of you have ingrown toenails at the same time, that might be interesting) at wolfcriesmusic@gmail.com.Kinds RegardsThe Wolf

Video: Shabazz Palaces - Are You... Can You... Were You? (Felt)

2012-01-30T14:14:00.000-08:00

Directed By Maikoiyo Alley-BarnesDirector of Photography: Futsum TesgaiPure magic!

Video: The Cast of Cheers - Family (and Jape remix)

2012-01-25T05:39:00.000-08:00

New video for Cast of Cheers "Family" is made up of 5,000 separate photographs and directed by Russell Weekes. Results are incredible and pretty funny. Jape has done a remix to accompany the release which is available for free download below. Cast of Cheers are starting to have a real about-to-be-huge aura.

Download: Come On Live Long - Someone's Home (Lemonada Remix)

2012-01-25T05:25:00.000-08:00

Yet another excellent remix from the Come On Live Long EP "Mender". This time from Dublin producer Lemonada. He rips the shit out of the original and turns it into a tropical whirlwind.

Lyrics: I'm not a coconut, but I'm not a vegetarian.

Download: Monto- Don't Stop

2012-01-24T06:28:00.000-08:00

New track from wicklow producer Monto is magic. Reminding me a little of James Blake in how it builds on very simple repetive loops but somehow manages to convey such emotional weight. Of course, this was just thrown together on the train on the way to a gig (as you do!).

Download: Nouveaunoise- ????

2012-01-24T06:07:00.000-08:00

So, on a podcast recently it was alluded to that I set up the blog to secretly promote Nouveaunoise or something. Mildly offensive, but sort of understandable since I am probably their biggest fan, but I'm pretty sure I'm not being overly biased by our friendship when I say they are in the top-tier of Irish producers. Anyway here I go again:
Check out this wonk-tastic little jam from the globetrotting duo. I'm pretty sure there is some sort of release in the pipelines. Its up for free download so go do it.

Stream: Quarter Inch Collective- Quompilation #2

2012-01-24T05:25:00.000-08:00

Massive respect to the Quarter Inch Collective for co-ordinating this project, anyone who has ever met a musician knows how hard it is to even organise a pint with them. Pulling together eleven top Irish acts and putting together such a quality compilation AGAIN is no mean feat for an independent label. QIC today announced "The tapes arrived today and they’ll be all packaged and made beautiful in time for Friday night." Friday night will see the launch of compilation in Crawdaddy, but it is recommended that you preorder here.

My favourite so far:
Cloud Castle Lake - Another Girl (Jacques Greene cover) from Cloud Castle Lake on Vimeo.

Stream: Kelpe- Inkerlitter

2012-01-24T04:51:00.000-08:00

Kelpe was a definite gateway act for me, introducing me to the wonderful world of wierd bass. Here is a new track from him "Inkerlitter". Enjoy.

Stream: Mmoths – Heart feat. Keep Shelly In Athens

2012-01-24T03:10:00.000-08:00

I don't think there is any artist that Ireland has been more collectively proud of this last year than, Jack Colleran, Mmoths. He is set to release his debut this March and here is the first track to be released from that E.P., a new version of <3 featuring greek singer Sarah P of Keep Shelly in Athens. Check out the great piece on Mmoths by Nialler9 in State's Faces of 2012.

It seems attempts to Keep Shelly in Athens have failed as the duo are starting to make a habit of collaborating with the cream of Irish electronica. Here is a track they did with Solar Bears earlier this month. I never like Solar Bears tracks on first listen but they all inevitably grow on me, so excuse the consistent late blogging of their consistently amazing music.
Alpha People by Solar Bears

Download: SertOne- Quesadillas

2012-01-23T12:09:00.000-08:00

New E.P. from Irish/ Liverpudlian producer SertOne, made to pay tribute to "the late, great, J Dilla. All profits going to the J Dilla Foundation. This is a free download, but please donate to help fight Lupus and spread the music of James D Yancey." While the E.P. does not attempt to immitate or recreate the sound of Dilla, SertOne manages to eloquently sketch out the progress of beat music while constantly refrencing Dilla. J Dilla was a pioneer in Hip-Hop production and is a hugely important figure in terms of his influence on conteporary hip hop and electronic music. If you haven't explored the musical universe J Dilla created, go do it now.

<a href="http://sertone.bandcamp.com/album/quesadillas">Quesadillas by SertOne</a>

Download: Ickis Mirolo and Swall: Ickis/Swall split EP

2012-01-23T11:44:00.000-08:00

I've featured tracks from Swall before and now she has brought out a split E.P. with Dublin producer Ickis Mirolo. Swall creates very dark tracks full of tension and foreboding atmosphere. She weaves found sounds, voice, electronic and acoustic instruments to create a very unique sounds. This is my first listen to Ickis and it seems he is yet another one to watch on the Irish underground electronic scene. His sound it unique not fitting into to wide fuzzy genres of bass or beat music, he rather opts for a much more intricate and delicate sound that is irresistibly appealing.
Head over to Bandcamp and name your own price for this E.P.

<a href="http://randrecords.bandcamp.com/album/ickis-swall-split-ep">Ickis/Swall split EP by Ickis Mirolo/Swall</a>

Video: ASAP Rocky - Wassup

2012-01-23T11:19:00.000-08:00

A$AP Rocky is making the best hip hop around at the moment and when he put out this track with Clams Casino it was an instant favorite of mine. Now he's released a very surreal video to accompany it: "Harlem rap sensation A.$.A.P Rocky teamed up with VICE to create a video inspired by Scarface, Belly, Enter The Dragon, The Warriors and, Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory." I'm completely missing the Willy Wonka bit, but maybe I'm blind.and here is a collab A$AP has done with ScHoolboy Q:

Stream: Lapalux - Gutter Glitter

2012-01-18T07:14:00.000-08:00

Gorgeous track from UK producer Lapalux who has now teamed up with LA beat factory Brainfeeder to release his When You're Gone album in early February. Oh, and speaking of Brainfeeder, there will be one of their team, Martyn, playing in Twisted Pepper this Saturday.

Download: Tara Masterson Hally - In the silence (Replete refix)

2012-01-18T06:40:00.000-08:00

Oh I love when you find a goldmine of an artist with a soundcloud full of amazing tracks to explore. Say hello to Peter Lawlor (AKA Replete) another formidable talent to emerge from Cork, no doubt taking cues from fellow Corkonians Reid and Toby Kaar. Here is a remix he has done of Tara Masterson Hally as well as some older tracks.

Download: Simon Bird - Nightcall (Kavinsky Cover/remix)

2012-01-17T12:18:00.000-08:00

This is the first track to be released from Quarter Inch Collective's second album of Irish artists covering their favourite tracks Quompilation 2. Simon Bird gives "Nightcall" a reworking. It's called a cover, but sounds more like a remix. However if you've ever seen Mr.Bird live you'll know that when he makes electronic music it is a very live performace and as such this is a cover and remix. (Blah blah I'm still jet lagged so I'm babbling). "The tape will be launched in Crawdaddy on Friday, January 27th with as many of the bands as can get on the stage playing for your amusement. It'll be a tenner in and you'll get a tape on the door, while stocks last. To make sure you get a copy, you can pre-order it here." And here is "Quompilation 1" from last year:

Come On Live Long - Elephants and Time (Bantum Remix)

2012-01-17T11:54:00.000-08:00

It is always great to see remixes of great Irish artists by great Irish artists. It seems, following in the footsteps of other Hive recordings, Mender will be given the remix treatment from the torch bearers in Irish music production. Here, Bantum manages to create an entirely new track while maintaining all the atmosphere of the original. Remix culture is a contentious one and all too often remixes are thrown together with little imagination, Bantum steers well clear of this, "Elephants and Time" is not a mere remix but a standout track in its own right.

Download: Come On Live Long - White Horses (REID Remix)

2012-01-10T15:34:00.000-08:00

Reid starts out in his usual chill style with that vacuum kick drum sound that defined so much of the music of 2011. But he quickly develops it into a far more aggressive stomper, looping up Ardiff vocals to make something entirely different from the original. This is only the first of a series of Mender remixes, looking forward to hearing the rest.

Stream: Thom Yorke- Stuck Together/Twist

2012-01-09T04:44:00.000-08:00

I have a tendency to post any sound that comes out of the Radiohead camp and though I think Yorke's solo exploration tend to lack the sophistication of Radiohead tracks these two are definitley worth a listen, Twist being the stronger of the two. According to Abeano they were premiered at a fashion show, and he has released previous tracks on Twilight soundtrack. Questionable choice, but I suppose it's not how, but what, you release that matters.

Stuck Together

Twist

Video: Cocaine Ponytail- Dirt On My Face

2012-01-06T23:43:00.000-08:00

Some excellent sleazy electro from new Wicklow funk trio Cocaine Ponytail (Lips, Niall & Shane). The equally excellent videos followsReuben Poutch throwing some serious shapes around Dublin. An excellent track, and based on the other jams I've heard, Cocaine Ponytail are going to be a band getting a lot of attention in 2012.

Download: A$AP Rocky- Pretty Flacko

2012-01-01T23:41:00.000-08:00

"The birth of Pretty Flacko" "THE MEANING BEHIND PRETTY FLACKO: Forever Legendary As Cool Kidz Observe...A.$.V.P... PRETTY FLACKO " Looks like ASAP/FLACO is going to continue making game changing hip-hop into 2012. Beats by SpaceGhostPurrp.

Download: Lemonada- State Mag Beat #1.

2011-12-30T22:58:00.000-08:00

Here is a new track from Lemonada (being an absolute boss again). Incredible music that stands miles apart from so much of the electronic music around. For some reason I always feel his tracks sound very un-Irish and very LA, really very Brainfeeder. Every wonky beat and detuned synth takes the track in a thousand directions at once while still maintaining absolute musical coherency. Genius.
I guess the mix is for State Magazine, but I don't see it there.

Radio: The Wolf- Soundblob Monster Mega Massive Mix 2011

2011-12-30T18:07:00.000-08:00

Soundblob 2011 Monster Mega Massive Mix . . . . by Wolfcries on Mixcloud

Drum roll// fire works// boom!, here its is the Soundblob Monster Mega Massive Mix 2011. Presented and compiled by the Wolf. Me and Mark have been listening to and exchanging music together throughout the year so it's very appropriate that he presents some of the best tracks I've been blogging about and some of the tracks that I missed. So I hope you enjoy it wherever you are. I just want to say a massive thanks to everyone who has helped me with the blog throughout the year and all those who contributed. I also want to add that this has been an amazing year, for me, of musical discovery and I don't know whether I wasn't looking before, but it definitely seems that this year has been an incredible one for Irish music. It has been great to see some of our friends put out such great records. Much more to come in 2012. Happy New Year.

Funny FriendsBy Unknown Mortal Orchestra
ElephantsBy Come On Live Long
Video GamesBy Lana Del Ray
BtstuBy Jai Paul
Thunder BayBy Hudson Mohawke
Masta BlastaBy Dillon Francis
Thinking About YouBy Frank Ocean
Wicked GamesBy The Weekend
Midnight CityBy M83
MonkeytownBy Modeselektor
SummerBy Moths
TrillaBy Asap Rocky
Who Gon Stop MeBy Jay-Z and Kanye West
Over My Dea Body (Star Slinger Jetlag Edit)By Drake
SeasonsBy Jeremiah Jae
Hold OnBy Alabama Shakes
The Noise Of Jay CityBy King Krule
DirtBy Wu Lyf
Minnesota, MiBy Bon Iver
ShouldaBy Jamie Woon
BelieveBy Nouveau Noise
Space Is Only Noise If You San SeeBy Nicolas Jaar
Through CloudsBy Gold Panda
Bright ShadowsBy Tokimonsta
After LightBy Rustie
WildfireBy Sbtrkt
Another GirlBy Jaques Green
Far NearerBy Jamie Xx
It's OverBy Doborah Cox
Battle For Middle YouBy Julio Bashmore
Getting Me DownBy Blawan
212By Azelia Banks
Silver Screen (Young Montana_Remix)By Beat Connection
VicesBy Made In Heights

Stream: Faws- Antonym

2011-12-24T17:10:00.000-08:00

&amp;lt;a href="http://faws.bandcamp.com/album/antonym-ep"&amp;gt;Antonym EP by Faws&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;A wonderful EP from new Dublin act Faws. I'm in a zombie state between time zones in Hong Kong and this is rescuing my melted mind. More high class electronica from Dublin. Go like them on Facebook.

Video: James Blake- A Case of You

2011-12-23T04:19:00.000-08:00

Beautiful video for the best James Blake track to come out since his self titled debut album that came out earlier this year. (Kind of crazy to think that that album was released this year.) I'm not making any end of year lists, but if I was, Blake's gig at Electric Picnic would be near the top of live performances I've seen.
Original:

Download: Lil B- Real Life (bit1 remix)

2011-12-23T02:35:00.000-08:00

Excellent new mix from Cambridge beat maker bit1.Original by Lil B:

Stream: Gang Colours- On Compton Bay

2011-12-22T12:43:00.000-08:00

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Stream: Phreshy - Puff Puff Pass (Machinedrum Remix)

2011-12-15T00:51:00.000-08:00

Machinedrum give swag hip hop their own twist on this remix of Phresy's Puff Puff Pass.
Original:

Video: Lana Del Ray- Born To Die

2011-12-15T00:33:00.000-08:00

Here is the new video from Lana Del Ray for "Born To die." It shows princess Lana in a big castle with tigers and slutty Lana driving in a car with a dude with loads of tattoos. (Spoiler warning) She dies at the end. (Via)

Stream: CFMeister- Food Coma (Rough Edit)

2011-12-13T14:32:00.000-08:00

More amazing sounds coming out of the Loud Mouth Collective. This is a rough edit from CFMeister, but it's too good to wait for a final edit.

Remember:

"The Loud Mouth Compilation Volume 3 launch party & the Loud Mouth Christmas Party will be taking place on the 22nd December in the Twisted Pepper's Loft. We welcome all musicians, artists designers, fans and music enthusiasts to join us for this double celebration.

Our launch party will feature a variety live sets and DJ sets from some of the collectives newcomers as well as a headline performance from founding member Cian aka KIKI. So come join us on 21st in The Twisted Pepper for what is going to be a hell of a show.

Line-up:

Rusty Child
DJ M-1
edit;erase
Benny Smiles
Lorem Ipsum
Plastic Rhythm
Cian aka KIKI

In 7 short months we are happy to announce the 15th LM release, ‘The Loud Mouth Compilation Volume 3.’ This early Christmas present will be available as a free download form the 21st of December from the LM Blog.

As always Loud Mouth are bringing an eclectic mix of music to the table with 18 brand new tracks that cross and mashing-up genres such as hip-hop, hard & soft electronica, ambient instrumentals, house, post dub-step and more.

To get on the €6 concession list go here and leave your full name.

The more the merrier!"

Download: Laura Sheeran- Winter's Call

2011-12-13T07:55:00.000-08:00

<a href="http://laurasheeran.bandcamp.com/album/winters-call">Winter's Call by L A U R A   S H E E R A N</a>

New release from Laura Sheeran of a collection of remixes of her ghostly track "Winter's Call" (taken from Murderous Love). The original makes me think of Christmas in the same way "Let The Right One In" does. Unlike other bands embracing the Christmas cheer, this release from Sheeran conjures images of the dark, white solitude of winter. Enjoy the free download of remixes. I'm especially into the SertOne mix.

Stream: The Cast of Cheers- Family

2011-12-13T02:36:00.000-08:00

New track from The Cast of Cheers "Family" has a very The Police feel to it, mainly achieved through the driving yet dynamic beats layed down by Kevin Curran. The Cast of Cheers previous album received widespread acclaim and if this track is anything to go by they are only moving towards better things. According to Mr.9 their forthcoming album is being produced by Luke Smith who worked on Foals’ Total Life Forever.

Stream: Slow Magic - Feel Flows (Sun Glitters Remix)

2011-12-13T01:45:00.000-08:00

Slow Magic - Feel Flows (Sun Glitters Remix) by Sun Glitters
Slow Magic have released a string of magical tracks over the last few months. The recently drew on the skills of Cork film maker Brendan Canty (Feel Good Lost) and have now enlisted the skills of Luxembourg chillwaver Sun Glitters to remix "Feel Flows".

Download: Squarehead- Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)

2011-12-12T09:44:00.000-08:00

Squarehead - Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) by Richter Collective

Released by Squarehead and Richter Collective. The original was recorded by Darlene Love in 1963 on a Phil Spector Christmas compilation.
Download.
Released as part of this Popical Island Christmas Comp:
Ding Dongs Merrily Get High - Christmas with Popical Island by popical_island

Stream: Arms That Fit Like Legs- Plane Figures

2011-12-12T09:28:00.000-08:00

<a href="http://armsthatfitlikelegs.bandcamp.com/album/plane-figures-ep">Plane Figures EP by arms that fit like legs</a>

Arms That Fit Like Legs are a Dublin based trio. This is their second EP 'Plane Figures' which was released on10 December. The EP exists in a strange space between electronic and electric, more so than your average math rock band. Live bass and guitar are accompanied by electronic beats. My personal favourite on this EP in the third track "In Vivo" where instead of the drums sounding like acoustic drums trying to sound electronic being played on an electronic kit they take a much simpler and more effective route.

Young L- Loud Pockets (Hudson Mohawke remix)

2011-12-08T13:34:00.001-08:00

Young L, "Loud Pockets (Hudson Mohawke Remix)" by The FADER

The original was pretty good to start with but the HudMo mix takes it to a completely different level. The collab has been curated by Fader as part of their X Squared series.

Mix: Soundblob Female Voice Mix

2011-12-06T08:28:00.001-08:00

So it's not yet the end of my first blogging year but it is coming to the end of 2011. I've noticed that a lot of the blogs I follow are putting together best of 2011 lists, so I thought I do a couple of mixes to highlight some of the best tracks that I got a chance to listen to this year. The first is a kind of "best-female" mix, which is obviously no where near complete, just a few tracks I think everyone should hear. Here it is, and thanks for helping the blog grow this year. Lots more to come in 2012 (before Armageddon).
1. Azealia Banks- 212
2. Tokimonsta- Breathe On My Contacts
3. Purity Ring- Loft Cries
4. Made in Heights- Wildflowers
5. Chrome Sparks (ft.Steffaloo)- Still Sleeping
6. Warpaint- Majesty
7. Anika- Yang Yang
8. Friends- I’m His Girl
9. Tune Yards- Bizness
10. New Look- Nap On The Bow
11. Katie Kim- Wicked Game

Video: Come On Live Long- Animal

2011-12-05T07:16:00.001-08:00

A moving video directed by Simon Keenan and filmed by Dee O'Toole for Come On Live Long's "Animal". I think a great music video amplifies the original emotion and intention of a track, this has been achieved here with great success. "Animal" is off their debut self titled EP. Come On Live Long will be releasing their latest EP Mender this Friday in the Crawdaddy.
Mender by Come On Live Long

Download: Giselle - Silk (SertOne Remix)

2011-12-05T00:53:00.001-08:00

Giselle - Silk (SertOne Remix) by SertOneMusic

Giselle is a 20 year old singer/producer based in Sydney, Australia made famous by the disco-tastic Flight Facilities track "Crave You". Another one of these classically trained kids that got their hands on a synth with incredible results. Giselle fuses elements of folk, classical, looped vocals and electronic sounds. Listening to the original of "Silk" it screams out for a beat, which Irish producer SertOne delivers in predictably excellent style.

SertOne:
Soundcloud
Facebook
Twitter

Giselle:
Facebook
Twitter

Secret School of Sound

2011-12-04T12:20:00.001-08:00

A friend of mine, Ross Fortune, has set up in a school in Twisted Pepper, Dublin. Secret School of Sound is a sound training centre which offers students a number of short courses and weekend workshops in Ableton Live, Logic Pro, DJing and music production. Students will learn to DJ on a proper in house system of Twisted Pepper and learn production techniques in "The Suite, a fully equipped audio production and education suite decked out with KRK studio monitors and hardware by Novation, M-Audio and Akai." I haven't got around to booking myself into a course, but can tell you Ross Fortune and Aaron Costello have years of experience and heaps of skill in writing and producing. Check out their pretty site.
Below is the first in a series of interviews Secret School of Sound will conduct with Dublin producers. The first is with Kiki from Loud Mouth Collective, seems like everywhere I turn this week LMC are doing something great.

Interview by SSS with Kiki:

"This week we interview Dublin based electronic producer Cian Corcoran, aka Kiki. A member of the Loud Mouth collective of musicians, producers, DJ’s, vocalists, artists, designers, photographers and film makers, Cian produces electronic music in a variety genres ranging from hip hop to house, using an impressive array of hardware and software tools to achieve his fine blend of organic and synthesized sounds. Taking time out from preparing for his headline slot at the upcoming Loud Mouth compilation release, Cian talks to Secret School of Sound about his creative process, hardware synths, and beatboxing on his phone…

Latest tracks by KikiCorcoran

SecretSchool: Can you give me a little bit of background about what you do and how you got into it?
Kiki: My strongest recollection of what inspired me to start making music was DJ Shadow’s Endtroducing. I’ve since been building up an arsenal of equipment and developing my sound by just playing with it. I began making hip hop instrumentals as part of a group called Exxon Valdez. From there I have continued to produce my own stuff.

SecretSchool: How would you describe your style, and crucially, how would your mother describe it?Kiki: My mum actually really likes my music! She does a thing called trance dancing and loves anything I play her with a decent kick! She also thinks I should send my music to film producers to use. I’ve experimented with a lot of styles and find it hard to focus on a particular genre. Right now I really enjoy making house. The inspiration generally comes from what I am listening to at the time.
SecretSchool: What do you use to create your music?Kiki: I have an MPC 1000, Machinedrum, Novation Drumstation, DS Mopho, Novation Supernova, Yamaha DX-7, some small things that I’ve built/tweaked and a few controllers including a monome. I’ve been using Pro Tools for a few years now and am quite comfortable with it, just getting used to Live. I also play a few instruments…casually. I have a terrible addiction to buying kit. I can’t seem to stop lusting after drum machines and I don’t see this stopping any time soon. At the moment I’m considering an OP-1 from Teenage Engineering. It just looks like all the fun parts of making electronic music balled into a very well designed package.

SecretSchool: Why these tools? What’s so good about them?
Kiki: I use all of these things because I feel they bring me closer to the music I want to create. Deciding to use mainly hardware means that I need to build up a vocabulary of sounds from a variety of sources. The act of programming something on one machine, then turning and interacting with another, adds a physical element to creating electronic music that you generally don’t get with software. Each piece of hardware also has a lot of it’s own character that you can sometimes pick out in other peoples music. The Machinedrum is my favourite. It’s interface is great to use and the depth of tweaking seems endless. There is also a distinct timelessness about its construction and sound.

SecretSchool: With technology people are finding new methods that can change the shape of the creative process. Personally, I use my phone to record ideas as they pop into my head when I’m out and about. How do you go about capturing your ideas and developing these into tracks?
Kiki: I use my phone sometimes too (I’d hate for someone to uncover my library of lame hummings and mouthed drumbeats). I normally sit down and just start jamming on a synth or drum machine and eventually bring in more elements. I used to get a lot of inspiration from samples but have been creating music from scratch recently. I find that samples often break that initial ‘blank page’ dilemma so I sometimes start with a sample, build around it, then strip it away. I also capture sounds that interest me and use them in tracks.

SecretSchool: Do you see programming as a joy or a necessary evil?
Kiki: I see programming as an integral part of how I make music. Some interfaces make programming fun and creative while others kill the spontaneity. I think there needs to be a good balance of technical and creative input into electronic music.

SecretSchool: Some of your tracks have quite an organic feel to them. Where do you pick up your samples and how do you process them?
Kiki: I collect samples from a few sources. Records are great for a variety of reasons. I also take a lot of field recordings that inspire and sometimes feature in tracks. I’ve also recorded some live instruments played by myself and others. I really like when there is a distinct ‘organic’ vibe to electronic music. It’s like a middle ground where man and machine meet. A lot of great house music has these two elements blended equally.

SecretSchool: Software like Ableton Live has really opened the doors for budding producers to get making music with not much more than a laptop. How do you think this has affected electronic music?
Kiki: I think this has led to a rapid growth in the quantity and variety of music available now. The speed at which music is created and shared means that genres are quickly being bridged, leading to more homogenised sounds. This then provides a good backdrop for innovative artists to stand apart from the homogenised sound. I love the fact that there are a lot of people making music now that otherwise wouldn’t. It has led to a lot of innovation.

SecretSchool: Any choice plugins you keep going back to?
Kiki: I don’t dabble too much in plug-ins. I try to adjust everything on my hardware to what I want it to be and then tweak it with a few native Pro Tools effects and EQs. When I’m happy with a mix I use some subtle mastering effects in Izotope. It’s a pretty amazing plug-in!

SecretSchool: Any mastering secrets you can share?
Kiki: Izotope! I’m not as knowledgeable with mastering or getting ready for mastering as I should be. It’s something I need to work on so that I can get the most out of my tracks without pissing off engineers! I used to underestimate the importance of EQing but now see it as an integral part of every artists sound. It’s as important as the equipment you use.

SecretSchool: Who do you reckon is cream of the Irish crop right now? Any favourite tracks of 2011?Kiki: Jeeeeez I don’t know. There’s a lot happening right now in Irish electronic music. I may be slightly biased but I feel that Ciarán and Blake who head the Loudmouth Collective are doing great things for independent Irish producers. They’re providing a platform for people to release and collaborate on tracks which can only lead to great things.

SecretSchool: Any future releases/upcoming gigs on the horizon?
Kiki: At the moment I’m doing a lot of freelance design work so it’s been hard to sit down and make new tracks. I might get some quiet time over Christmas to lock myself away! I’ll be headlining the Loudmouth Compilation Volume 3 Launch in The Twisted Pepper on the 21st of December. Blake is at me to do a live show but I haven’t done one in a long time… we’ll see.

Kiki headlines the release of the third Loud Mouth Compilation at the Twisted Pepper, Wed 21st December 2011."
(Source: Secret School of Sound)

Video: Community of Independents (Show 3)

2011-12-02T04:12:00.001-08:00

Community of Independents Weekly Studio Show 3 from DCTV on Vimeo.

"This is the third episode of a music show produced in the DCTV Shopfront Studio in Temple Bar. Join Danny Carroll for a rundown of this weekend's gigs in Dublin, a music video for Jape - The Oldest Mind from his latest album, a live performance by Glimmermen, a chat with Gary O'Neill who has compiled Where Were You?, a photo book which documents street style in Dublin over the past 50 years, as well as a live performance and interview from Junior 85 in Whelans and a look at what the Popical Island collective are all about.

All work on the show is, apart from the opening sequence visuals and the performance and interview from the 6 Minutes of Independents gig in September, carried out by unpaid volunteers using DCTV's facilities. People give anything from 2 to 16 hours a week to produce the programme.

Get involved at dctv.ie/coi"

Stream: Sibian and Faun - I'm Sorry

2011-12-02T02:24:00.001-08:00

Sibian & Faun - I'm Sorry (NMBRS19 out 5th December 2011) by Numbers
“In terms of our production ‘I’m Sorry’ marks a turning point. After a summer of making really positive music, winter came and sort of switched things up on us. At the time it was this really dark and intimate track; no synth, no crunchy bass. But we kept coming back to it and it grew.”— Sibian & Faun
When you hit play on track as soon as it finishes its always a good sign. This is my first time hearing Sibian & Faun, who fuse elements of post-dubstep, R&B and dubstep proper. Now I'm of to delve into they're Glasgow based label "Numbers" catalogue.

Podcast: Loud Mouth Podcast #6 - The Loud Mouth Collective

2011-12-02T02:00:00.001-08:00

Loud Mouth Podcast #6 - The Loud Mouth Collective by Loud Mouth

"For the Loud Mouth Podcast #6 we are happy to bring you the collectives favorite tracks released in 2011. Below you can find an eclectic mix of music and a note on why the artist picked that track.
Also keep posted for the Loud Mouth Compilation Volume 3 which will be released as an early Christmas present on the 21st of December. You can catch our launch party in the Twisted Pepper which will feature a combination of live and DJ sets from some of Loud Mouths new members.
Enjoy

1. Guillotine - Death Grips
(edit;erase - The most menacing sounding MC matched with the noise left from a digital apocalypse)
2. I'm Da Shit (Shlohmo Remix) - Gucci Mane
(Speech Impediment - cause its the only track from 2011 we both liked)
3. Detroit State Of Mind Houseshoes shout - Elzhi
(Gemsmiff - Live Band (WIll Sessions), Rapper (ELZHI), Illmatic (Classic), Thats a classic made out of a classic)
4. Glow - Mono/poly
(C.F. Meister - because of the killer drifting bass and synth lines)
5. Drama (Unreleased) - Roc Marciano
(DJ M-1 - Even though this was originally recorded years back, like all good music it's timeless and sounds fresh today. Roc Marciano is a great MC and producer who makes hard New York rap that still manages to have a jazzy, soul R&B heart)
6. Blame Game [feat. John Legend] - Kanye West
(Bingo - I love every part of Blame Game, I wish more pop music was like this)
7. Still Life - The Horrors
(Conall Kelleher - I like the way the instruments go together)
8. Chicago - Tom Waits
(Blake - Its pretty much everything i love about waits music in one track)
9. Honda Civic - The Felice Brothers
(Leigh - an excellent of a bands ability to evolve while still maintaining a connection with their roots)
10. Village & City - Gang Colours
(Redahan - Interesting, innovative and, most impressively, unpredictable. 'Village & City' is an all around great track, taken from an brilliant EP by a producer who is most definitely on the way up)
11. Who Wrote The Rules Of Love - Omar S presents Colonel Abrams
(Intuitive Travels In Sound - Really nice downtempo house/soul fusion. Always a fan of omar s' style)
12. Flash Back - Rustie
(Lorem Ipsum - It's 100% this track)
13. Professional Loving - EMIKA
(Sorcha)
14. Maze - Actress
(Cian aka KIKI - I chose it because it has a timelessness to it. It reminds me of space and the melancholy you would feel if you were up there on your own)
15. Groove La Chord - Original Mix - Aril Brikha
(Plastic Rhythm - A timeless classic, originally released back in 1998, re-mastered and re-released in 2011)
16. Jack Your Job - Faulty DL
(LUKE-B - This track captures that "90's House" sound real well,its what was all about...)
17. She's Just Tired - C.F. Meister
(Archetype - it's a track I can attach my emotions to)
18. Heaven Sent - DJ Rashad & Gant-Man
(Sir. Renovich - There is not one second of this song that isn't exciting)"

Video: Björk (Live on Later with Jools Holland)

2011-11-28T02:48:00.001-08:00

Download: edit;erase - Into The Static

2011-11-27T11:40:00.001-08:00

edit;erase - Dive from CFMeister on Vimeo.
Just saw this video over on Harmless Noise. Released to coincide with the release of Into The Static on Loud Mouth Collective. The EP title refers to a "visualisation of the constant never ending stream of music in this internet age as being like static on a TV screen becoming more and more dense." The opening track is far from the strongest on ths EP, but don't be dismayed, the second track establishes edit;erase as a producer of serious technical and musical inventiveness. Track three is a completely chilled affair that takes its time, but creates a rich gentle soundscape. Dive, for which the video was made, moves Into The Static again in a different direction, taking definite cues from HudMo in terms of drums and vocal cuts. This is an incredibly strong debut EP that stands high above the musical static its title refers to.&amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://editerase.bandcamp.com/album/into-the-static-ep"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Into The Static EP by edit;erase&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;gt;

Download: ASAP Rocky - Peso (Star Slinger Refix)

2011-11-27T10:49:00.001-08:00

ASAP Rocky - Peso (Star Slinger Refix) by Star Slinger
Turns out ASAP Rocky sounds good sped up as well as slowed down. Here is Star Slinger 'refix' of Peso. Below is the original of the track and the video of Purple Swag which has a cut to to Peso (I'll use any excuse to post this track).

Stream: Slow Place Like Home- Carte Blanche

2011-11-27T10:30:00.001-08:00

Carte Blanche by SlowPlaceLikeHome

I was sure I'd posted some of Slow Place Like Home's tracks before, but a google search proved my memory faulty. So, here he is, Slow Place Like Home from "North West Ireland". The track is built around a simple synth line but somehow manages to stay satisfying for the entire 5 minutes, as a result of the subtle texture SPLH develops in the background, complete with Baths-esque samples of kids playing. A great track and definitely another Irish electronica act to watch out for.

Video: John Maus- Hey Moon

2011-11-24T01:24:00.001-08:00

John Maus - Hey Moon from JJJJ on Vimeo.
For anyone who attended the incredible John Maus gig last week and are having withdrawal symptom, here is John drenched in fan made nostalgia. As far as I remember he didn't get around to playing "Hey Moon" in his 31 minute hyper-performance. It would be impossible to capture the energy of that gig in Whelans. Maus built himself into a complete exaggeration of everything a rock star can be and in so doing created something much more authentic and exciting than any rock star can be. By embodying this magnified energy (beating his chest, boxing his head, touching his eyeball, repeated power-grabs) he managed to bring the crowd along with him, we all became a hyper, frenzied unit. I had seem some videos of other Maus gigs, where the crowd stands back and carefully observes his performance as if at an art gallery. No such thing in Dublin, people went wild. Don't miss him next if you missed this one.

Stream: Madlib & Freddie Gibbs- Thuggin'

2011-11-22T01:18:00.001-08:00

New track from Madlib / Freddie Gibbs EP, Thuggin’, that they have surprise released today on Stones Throw. They are set to release a full album in early 2012, and if this first track is anything to go by we can expect big things. If you want to find out more about Freddie Gibbs check out this LA times interview. Madlib is a much better known figure in the hip-hop world and one half of one of the greatest collabs in Hiphop history Champion Sound with J Dilla.
Get the EP here.
Freddie Gibbs & Madlib - Thuggin' by Rappcats

Video: Fleet Foxes- The Shrine / An Argument

2011-11-21T06:27:00.001-08:00

The Shrine / An Argument from Sean Pecknold on Vimeo.
More Fleet Foxes videos here.
Get Helplessness Blues here.

Stream: Soil Creep- Arbour (and Whitethorn)

2011-11-20T13:15:00.001-08:00

I meant to post these tracks ages ago and completely forgot. Aidan Wall has featured on this blog in a number of different manifestations over the past months (Hipster Youth, Long Lost Records etc.). I was reminded about this latest project Soil Creep by another project Wall has undertaken, a tumblr page of some excellent comic book doodles on Vagatarian.
Soil Creep is a collaborative project which include Wall, David Geraghty and Ciaran Hoogendoorn, all label mates on Long Lost Records. The project differs from previous solo projects of each member. It is a much more glossy production than anything off Long Lost, much more digital than the usual rough-around-the-edges sound.
Soil Creep - Arbour by soilcreeping
Soil Creep - Whitethorn by soilcreeping

Stream: Radiohead RMX feat. Jamie XX, Anstam, Nathan Fake,

2011-11-18T02:43:00.001-08:00

These three tracks for some reason didn't make the final cut. It’s the third remix Jamie xx has done of Bloom. Anstam did Separator and Nathan Fake reworked Good Morning Mr. Magpie. In case you didn't hear all the other King of Limbs remixes here they are.

Video: Community of Independents

2011-11-18T02:13:00.001-08:00

Congratulations to The Community of Independents they uploaded the first episode of their series which will explore the world of independent music from around Dublin and Ireland. The project is a partnership between First Music Contact (FMC) and DCTV. It is produced by a team of volunteers and filmed in the DCTV Shopfront Studio in Temple Bar. The first episode features a live performance by Melodica Deathship, interviews with Bobby from Talkcha Productions and Slipdraft as well as an original documentary about La Faro.

Download: Monto- Charlie (and more)

2011-11-17T07:21:00.001-08:00

Say hello to down-tempo producer Monto. I'm going through his back catalogue at the moment and its blowing my mind. I didn't think 19 years old from my home town (Wicklow) were doing tracks like this. He'll be playing in the Pygmalion headlining a White Collar Boy Present night on the 24th of November.
Go say hello:
Facebook
Twitter
Soundcloud
Charlie by . Monto .
Throwaway 3 by . Monto . \
Throwaway 2 by . Monto .
Throwaway 1 by . Monto .
Nas - The World is Yours (Monto's Throwback Remix) by . Monto .

Fund it: Simon Bird

2011-11-17T02:52:00.001-08:00

Support Simon Bird:

By donating:
€8 + You will be credited for your contribution on the reverse side of the vinyl sleeve.

€15 + You will be credited for your contribution on the reverse side of the vinyl sleeve and will receive a signed copy of one of the the vinyls once they are printed.

€75 + You will be credited for your contribution on the reverse side of the vinyl sleeve and will receive a signed copy of one of the vinyls complete with a unique hand painted cover, which he will produce himself.

"My name is Simon Bird.

I am a 21 year old, self-taught music producer. Originally from Somerset, England, I have lived in Dublin for the past 5 years. One year ago I released my first online EP of electronic music that I wrote, recorded and produced, in my bedroom, entirely on my own. I did it mainly for fun and for my friends, and didn't really expect much to come of it.
Since then I have released another four EP's, a full length album under a side project, and have played a number of gigs, including festival performances at Electric Picnic and Hard Working Class Heroes. However, I am still an unsigned musician. To date, I have released all of my music entirely for free and the majority of my gigs have been unpaid.

On October 20th of this year I released ‘V’, my fifth EP, as a free download. So far, the reception for it has been fantastic. It has been reviewed positively by a number of music journalists and blog sites (including popular Irish blogs Nialler 9 & Harmless Noise) and was declared one of the “Top Ten Best Free Irish Music Downloads” of 2011 by the music correspondent for The Irish Independent’s Day & Night Magazine.

I am extremely happy with all of the music that I have produced to date and now, with the success so far of ‘V’, I can see for the first time a shimmer of hope that I could make a future for myself in this business. That's where you come in.

I need your help to raise money to fund the printing of a run of two hundred and fifty 12" vinyl copies of 'V'. The vinyls will be distributed world wide to music journalists, publications and media for review, as well as being sold independently by me. I plan to create completely original artwork for the release and, with a STRICTLY LIMITED run of 250 copies, I envision them potentially becoming something of a collector’s item in years to come.

To have music that I have written and recorded on vinyl is something of a dream of mine. In my mind, the experience of putting a record on a turntable and listening to it through quality headphones is the best way to listen to music. There is a depth to the sound that I feel is unmatched by modern day alternatives, and the aesthetic quality is infinitely more satisfying.

I have always released my music for free because I feel that people shouldn’t have to pay to download music. Creating these vinyls would enable me to fund my future music projects whilst feeling satisfied that I am giving back something tangible that represents my work in a format that I am entirely happy with.

Please give what you can, and thank you for your help.
Simon Bird"

FUND IT.

Video: Austra- Lose You (Acoustic)

2011-11-17T02:34:00.001-08:00

Shivers. (Via)

Stream: Come On Live Long- Mender

2011-11-16T02:15:00.001-08:00

Mender by Come On Live LongAnother release I missed in the last month was the incredible second EP from Come On Live Long Mender. Through the years front man Rob Ardiff has been appearing on stages around Dublin and what has remained consistent in every show and every recording is an unbending conviction and sincerity in his voice and lyrics. The opening track introduces a band with so much talent, who effortlessly combine rock solid songwriting, impressive musicianship and lush electronics. This first track centres around the electronica influenced beats provided by Steve Battle that meld perfectly with the live electronics. The second track is a more upbeat affair pushed forward the chugging bass lines of Ken McCabe. The looped vocals and electronics produced by David O' Connor blend with keys and backing vocals of Louise Gaffeny to create a rich wall of sound. The intro third track has a tripped out feel that reminds me of Tom Waits, but leaves that behind, as the track quickly develops into a sound that is completely unique to COLL. Those dirty bass wobbles shouldn't work in a psychedelic folk track but somehow sound perfect here (1.10 etc).
It was hard to imagine COLL surpassing their first EP by such a distance. A combination of top musicianship, production skills and the predictably excellent studio work of the Hive studio has created one of the best Irish EPs I have heard this year.
Give them some love:
Facebook
Twitter
Soundcloud

Video: Active Child on KEXP

2011-11-16T01:59:00.001-08:00

Sometimes when everyone is blogging about a band I subconsciously make some decision to ignore them and often manage to miss some of the best band because of this strange disorder. Active Child were definitely one of those band. Thankfully, a very reliable source posted a live video of them and now I'm hooked. This is a bit late, but hopefully some of you might have missed it too. An incredible live performance from AC on KEXP

Download: Keep Shelly in Athens- Our Own Dream (Blackbird Blackbird remix)

2011-11-16T01:03:00.001-08:00

Keep Shelly In Athens- Our Own Dream (Blackbird Blackbird remix)

Keep Shelly In Athens- Our Own Dream (Original)

This was the first track to be released from KSIA's EP of the same name. Since then they have also released Lazy Noon. The hard copy of the EP is currently sold out but can be preordered through Forest Family. The ever changing/evolving Blackbird Blackbird has remixed the track in great style, adding a thumping four to the floor kick drum, while retaining the etheral wistful feeling of the original.

Video: Simon Bird- Stillborn In Autumn

2011-11-15T12:56:00.001-08:00

Here is the new video for Simon Bird's "Stillborn in Autumn". The footage is edited from Super 8 footage shot by his grandparents in the 1960s. Simon Bird played last Saturday at the Soundblob showcase in Twisted Pepper. His live show is really special, huge intricate electronic compositions without a laptop in site. If you haven't seen him live (near impossible he gigs all the time) go and see him. Here is his EP in case you missed it last time:
<a href="http://simonbird.bandcamp.com/album/v">V by Simon Bird</a>

&amp;amp;lt;a href="http://simonbird.bandcamp.com/album/v"&amp;amp;gt;V by Simon Bird&amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;gt;

Download: Swall- Miss (and more)

2011-11-14T06:01:00.001-08:00

Am I the last one to hear of this? Saoirse Wall is a producer from Dublin/Mayo making music under the name Swall with huge back catalogue on Soundcloud. These delicate dark tracks fit well with some of the darker Dublin electronica of The Cold Dead Hands variety. It is always great to hear more women making electronic music in Ireland, because they do it so well. Saoirse creates emotive and chilling soundscapes looping her own vocals with minimal instrumentation. There are a lot more tracks on her Soundcloud page.

Follow her on
Tumblr (not for the faint hearted)
Twitter
Soundcloud

don't like this by swall
miss by swall
c.r.e.a.m. by swall
oh boy by swall
gnna find u by swall

Download: Inkships- Cassettes

2011-11-14T05:32:00.001-08:00

Cassettes by inkships
Most of the stuff that arrives in my inbox isn't great at all, and I'm genuinely shocked when something like this finds its way in. So this is Inkships, he (I'm guessing he- male vocals) is based in Manchester and has a Tumblr and that's all I know. The intro sounds as if it was sampled from some long buried Fela Kuti or Jackson 5 record. It progress into a lush electronic grooving sun burst of a track. Matt McMahon's vocals sit just right in this track and somehow remind me of Vampire Weekend/ The Very Best without really sounding like either. A great track, hopefully much more to follow.

Stream: Nostalgia 77- Sleepwalker (Ambassadeurs Remix)

2011-11-14T01:04:00.001-08:00

I hadn't heard the original of this track untill now, seems that Nostalgia 77, aka Ben Lamdin is very listenable smokey jazz/funk producer. On sleepwalker he collaborates with Josa Peit. It has been remixed by a number of producers; Lanu, Mark de Clive-Lowe and Ambassadeurs. I've been following everything Ambasadeurs has released for the last few months and this remix doesn't disappoint.

Nostalgia 77 - Sleepwalker (Ambassadeurs Remix) by Ambassadeurs

Stream: Slow Magic- ☾

2011-11-12T06:41:00.001-08:00

☾ by Slow Magic
I haven't been blogging so much in the last month, but it it so nice now to dive back into the ocean of incredible music out in the interworld. This track combines beautiful blissed out synths and vocals with wonky lazy beats and live guitar. Results are golden. It seems to be a bit of secrety internet project at the moment. S/he/they have put out a number of incredible tracks in the last couple of months and had a video done by cork based chill wave video master Brendan Canty, Feel Good Lost.

Slow Magic // Corvette Cassette from Feel Good Lost on Vimeo.
Feel Flows by Slow Magic
Toddler Tiger by Slow Magic
Sorry Safari by Slow Magic

Stream: Doldrums: Empire Sounds EP

2011-11-12T06:01:00.001-08:00

Doldrums: Empire Sounds by alteredzones

If I was to try and write a list of musicians this EP makes me think of it'd be a long one, sometimes Sinead O'Connor/Enya vibes then a lot of sounds from the Raliegh Moncrief and Hudson Mohawke world. Influences aside this is an incredibly fresh and boldy experimental EP from Canadian artist Eric Woodhead. Using all sorts of found sounds, samples, synths and beats he builds rich foundations for the vocals that are at the heart of every track. More info on his lable No Pain In Pop or down this dark alley.

Download: Azealia Banks- GRAND SCAM (LYRICAL EXERCISE) PROD. BY MACHINEDRUM

2011-11-11T16:23:00.001-08:00

GRAND SCAM (LYRICAL EXERCISE) PROD. BY MACHINEDRUM by Azealia Banks
This is her video that was down for a long time. Support her, follow her, buy her stuff here.

Stream: Monster Rally & RUMTUM: Raindrops

2011-11-11T00:16:00.001-08:00

Raindrops by Monster Rally & RUMTUM
Blogging will be back to normal pace after the soundblob showcase tomorrow in Twisted Pepper. This track was just too pretty to let pass by. Its out on Wagga records.
"We are pleased to announce the addition of Monster Rally & RUMTUM to the Waaga roster! Their collaboration EP, MR&RT will be out February 7th, 2012 and can be pre-ordered now from our store. The seven-track EP serves as a preview of whats to come from these two Ohio producers."

Soundblob Showcase this Saturday!

2011-11-09T08:52:00.000-08:00

Captain Daddy Issues by KaraKara

<a href="http://simonbird.bandcamp.com/album/v">V by Simon Bird</a>
For the first Soundblob showcase we present two of Dublin's best new producers Simon Bird and Kara Kara

http://breakingtunes.com/simonbird

"I am finding myself totally absorbed by what I hear [...] powerful, assertive stuff that has placed me firmly in the fan camp."
Harmless Noise (Nay McArdle)

http://breakingtunes.com/karakara

"Instant earworms from Dublin producer [...] Kieran Dold (Kara Kara) who uses a laptop and Gameboy to create superb wobbly electro tunes with huge hooks and interesting sonic asides"
-Jim Carroll (Irish Times)

This gig runs from 8pm-10pm, and is 2 quid in.

Stick around Twisted Pepper and head to the mega gig Eleven Eleven have lined up.

Download: Upset The Rhythm's Internation Tapes Mix

2011-11-07T14:34:00.000-08:00

Upset The Rhythm's International Tapes Mix by alteredzones

There is loads of great music on this Upset The Rhythm mixtape. Their is a track that was originally recorded by John Maus for We Must Become Pitiless Censors Of Ourselves and some other stuff. Mainly John Maus which I've marked with a big "MAAAAAAAAAAUUUUUUUSSSSSSSSS!"
Skinny Wolves John Maus gig: Whelan’s, Dublin. Friday November 18th, 7.30pm

01. GENTLE FRIENDLY – Speakers
02. ED SCHRADER’S MUSIC BEAT – Car
03. PEEPHOLES – Tunnels
04. WAY THROUGH – Halfway House (demo)
05. GROUP INERANE – Deran Deran
06. HALO HALO – Manananggal
07. JOHN MAUS – Castles In The Grave (demo)
08. QUIET HOOVES – Can’t Catch A Break
09. KIT – Lazarus Taxa
10. HIGH CASTLE – Crustaceans Demise
11. BOMBER JACKETS – Pauline’s Quirks
12. FUTURE ISLANDS with WAY THROUGH – We’ve Been Here Before (demo)
13. FORMER GHOSTS with ANNIE LEWANDOWSKI – 90245 (demo)
14. THE URXED – Staying At Home
15. TEST HOUSE – I’ll Never Leave
16. ISSUE – 4

Video: CLU- What Can I Say?

2011-11-07T13:43:00.000-08:00

I've been away from the internet a lot for the past few months but will be back to the blogsphere from this Saturday onwards, after the Soundblob Showcase. Some things are just too good to let pass by. CLU (Sean Cooley and Kevin A. Freeney) are an act I think deserves a lot more attention than they are already getting. They are a Dublin duo that combine visuals and sound to create the most perfect works. This is their latest creation combining beautifully shot and edited visuals with wonderful down tempo intricate electronica.

Download: Hunter Gatherer- Mask

2011-11-07T13:23:00.000-08:00

Chilling new track from Hunter Gatherer. I've never met the man behind Hunter Gatherer but I genuinely envisage him living in a cave, a dark cold cave in the mountains. He lives there and creates electronic music using a number of black magic techniques, if this isn't true can someone please let me know. On this track, like most of his previous compositions, he explores a rich textures of icy synthetic orchestral sounds.

Mask - single by Hunter-Gatherer

Download: Bantum-Lay Lay

2011-10-29T04:26:00.000-07:00

&amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://bantum.bandcamp.com/album/lay-lay-ep"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Lay Lay EP by Bantum&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;gt;Ruairi Lynch has put out a number of EPs in the last two years but this one leaves the others miles behind. Much more daring, exploring sonic territory I have never been introduced to before. Bantum's style play with many of tricks of 'post-dubstep' but uses so much found sound and live samples that it stands on its own two feet outside any genres. This EP is free! Support Bantum by going to see him live at these mega gigs:

30 Oct 2011 20:00 The Twisted Pepper, 54 Middle Abbey Street, Dublin 1 Bantum EP Launch at the Beatyard
10 Nov 2011 20:00 The Twisted Pepper, 54 Middle Abbey Street, Dublin 1 Elastic Witch Party
15 Dec 2011 21:30 Whelans, Wexford Street, Dublin, Ireland Support slot w/ Rarely Seen Above Ground

Download: Simon Bird- V

2011-10-26T10:01:00.000-07:00

V by Simon Bird

Download: Nouveaunoise- Freehands

2011-10-23T11:06:00.000-07:00

Freehands by nouveaunoise This is a new old track from Nouveaunoise. Recorded live (whatever that means) in 2008. I think that piano sample has been on some other NN track, but can't think which one. The intro reminds me of one of James Blakes tracks off his essential mix, but it quickly develops into something quiet different making me think of all the progressive jazz I love (The Bad Plus, EST, Mouse on the Keys, etc). Excellent work as always from the globetrotting duo.

Download: Sacred Animals vs Owensie - Cat and Mouse

2011-10-22T01:47:00.000-07:00

Cat & Mouse // Sacred Animals VS Owensie from Feel Good Lost on Vimeo.

Sacred Animals vs Owensie - Cat and Mouse by sacredanimals
In case you hadn't heard enough remixes from Owensie's incredible Aleins we just got another one. I'm not complaining, I think I blogged every remix that has been done. Owensie has incredible taste when it comes to picking collaborators. Its been 8 months since we've heard anything from Dublin's Sacred Animals and this is a very welcome return. Sacred Animals take a much more gentle approach to this track than previous remixers. I don't think the ping pong beat will ever get old, so satisfying bouncing around inside my head. Video by Feel Good Lost.
Some interesting insight from Owensie into the lyrics:''Cat And Mouse' was written about a Russian family who fell to their death in a housing estate in Glasgow last year. An apparent suicide from high in an old tower block used to house asylum seekers, it is thought they may have jumped for fear of deportation by immigration authorities. The father was also known to have suffered from mental problems. After the family were removed, a vigil was held by other local asylum seekers & many came forward with similar accounts of jumping from buildings in fear of deportation.' - Owensie

Download: KaraKara-My Laptop Just Broke

2011-10-20T00:38:00.000-07:00

My Laptop Just Broke by KaraKara

I think my headphones have broken, them are some big sounds. I am completely speechless. This EP is incredible. Fusing elements of dirty dubstep, a lot of influence from Adebisi Shank and some great live drum sounds that make me think of Man Man. I would usually get sick if I heard dubstep this early in the morning but this is special. Go and listen to this 21 yr old producers back catalogue on soundcloud.Tell his he's great here.

Video: Friends- "I'm His Girl"

2011-10-19T12:22:00.000-07:00

I fell completely in love with this track when it came out. So any excuse to repost it. The video perfectly reflects the badass gangsta attitude of the track. Directed by Samantha Urbani and Aurora Halal. Via

Video: Lisa Hannigan- Little Bird

2011-10-19T11:52:00.000-07:00

New video for Lisa Hannigan's "Little Bird". It seems that video director Myles O'Reilly (Arbutus Yarn) derives some sort of pleasure from torturing poor Lisa. First covering her in paint in the worderful video for Knots and he holds her under water for 4 minutes and 23 seconds. The results here are as beautiful. There have been a few good under water videos but this one could win Hannigan the Irish record for breath holding.
Get the album here.

Download: Raleigh Moncrief- Cast Out For Days

2011-10-19T10:06:00.000-07:00

Cast Out For Days by raleigh moncrief He will have a new EP coming out on Anticon later this month.

Download: Keep Shelly in Athens- Lazy Noon

2011-10-19T09:58:00.000-07:00

Keep Shelly in Athens- Lazy Noon

After a stressful day, finding the new track from Keep Shelly in Athens was the perfect come down. This track is taken from their forthcoming 12" EP, Our Own Dream and will be available on Forest Family. KSIA, as the name suggests, are a Greek duo "Sarah P, a 21-year-old studying acting and singing in the Greek capital, and her male partner: a self-styled "bedroom musician, remixer and music freak" called RPR" G.

Stream: Lorem Ipsum-Village Fire/ Garda Fight

2011-10-18T00:25:00.000-07:00

Village Fire/Garda Fight by *Lorem Ipsum Lorem Ipsum is a top secret Dublin based project. I will not write anymore as he/she/they are masters a misinformation and I don't like to be wrong. via
"Lorem Ipsum is the project of Howard H. Baker, a compact cassette enthusiast living at the foot of the Wicklow Mountains. It is entirely reliant on homemade tape loops garnered from his 10,000+ cassette collection, taking in carefully-scissored and respooled samples from 1970s RTE Talk Shows, drum n’ bass pirate broadcasts, and Nina Simone bootlegs."
Give them some love:
Facebook
Tumblr

Video: New Look- Nap on The Bow

2011-10-18T00:12:00.000-07:00

New Look - Nap On The Bow from Tim & Joe on Vimeo.
This is a band called New Look and Nap on The Bow is the first track to come off their self titled album released earlier this month on !K7. The track is bold and beautiful, while a tranquil mood is consistent throughout the track it manages to develop musically from start to finish in a number of strange directions. Anyway, it's the video that caught my attention, it is made using the Xbox Kinect camera and its body sensors. The results are a cold underwater digital world full of neon colours and shifting shape. For more uses of the Kinect camera check this out.
"Our concept for New Look’s video for ‘Nap On The Bow’ grew out of an interest in exploring the possibilities provided by the Xbox Kinect camera. The Kinect works by emitting thousands of infra-red dots onto a scene which it then interprets in order to track a person, enabling them to play Xbox games through body movement."

Give them some love:

FACEBOOK SOUNDCLOUD TWITTER
BLOG YOUTUBE MYSPACE

Chrome Sparks (ft.Steffaloo)- Still Sleeping

2011-10-17T13:52:00.000-07:00

Steffaloo gets a lot of coverage from the blob factory simply because she is not only a wonderful singer, but also seems to be a the center of a talente scene of producers, including Germany Germany, Blackbird Blackbird and Sun Glitters and she has recently started a project called Toy Camera (Download EP here). Anyway, here she is collaborating with chill producer Chrome Sparks (Jeremy Malvin) who seem to be moving into more post-dub step/hip hop territory.

Chrome Sparks (ft.Steffaloo)- Still Sleeping

Stream: Raleigh Moncrief- Runaway

2011-10-17T10:10:00.000-07:00

Runaway by raleigh moncrief
Raleigh Moncrief gives Janet Jackson classic Runaway a strange reworking. I don't think this really counts as a remix, more like some strange karaoke. He will have a new EP coming out on Anticon later this month.

Download: Girls Names- Black Saturday

2011-10-17T09:51:00.000-07:00

Super catchy new track from Belfast 3 piece Girls Names. Girls Names are a funny group in that their artwork, photoshoots and videos all go for this dark spooky vibe but their music tends to be joyful garage pop. They will be playing with Crystal Stilts on the 4th of October thanks to Skinny Wolves and Harmonic. More from Girls names on Soundblob here.

Girls Names - Black Saturday by AU Magazine

Tell them you love them:
http://www.facebook.com/GirlsNames
http://www.myspace.com/girlsnames
http://girlsnames-deadtome.tumblr.com

SOUNDBLOB

Video: Nanu Nanu - Zero . Zero LIVE

Download: THEESatisfaction- Enchantruss

Download/Video/Remix: Little Xs For Eyes- In Three Years

Download: fLako & Brokenchord- Come Back As A Flower

Download: Death Grips- Get Got/ Blackjack

Stream: Ickis Mirolo- Pachydermy

Download: FOE- Cold Hard Rock (The Shabazz Palaces Remix)

Download: Young Wonder- Flesh (SertOne Remix)

Stream: Max Miller-Loran Various Beats/Productions

Radio: Wolfcries with Johnny Hallon

Stream: Juk Juk- Unwrap

Stream: Gang Colours- Botley in Bloom

Video: Mmoths- Heart (feat. Keep Shelly in Athens)

News: Death Grips announce two new releases.

Download: Young Wonder- Tumbling Backwards (Daithí Remix)

Video: Feist- The Bad In Each Other

Wolfcries Radio (in assoc w/ Soundblob)

Video: Shabazz Palaces - Are You... Can You... Were You? (Felt)

Video: The Cast of Cheers - Family (and Jape remix)

Download: Come On Live Long - Someone's Home (Lemonada Remix)

Download: Monto- Don't Stop

Download: Nouveaunoise- ????

Stream: Quarter Inch Collective- Quompilation #2

Stream: Kelpe- Inkerlitter

Stream: Mmoths – Heart feat. Keep Shelly In Athens

Download: SertOne- Quesadillas

Download: Ickis Mirolo and Swall: Ickis​/​Swall split EP

Video: ASAP Rocky - Wassup

Stream: Lapalux - Gutter Glitter

Download: Tara Masterson Hally - In the silence (Replete refix)

Download: Simon Bird - Nightcall (Kavinsky Cover/remix)

Come On Live Long - Elephants and Time (Bantum Remix)

Download: Come On Live Long - White Horses (REID Remix)

Stream: Thom Yorke- Stuck Together/Twist

Video: Cocaine Ponytail- Dirt On My Face

Download: A$AP Rocky- Pretty Flacko

Download: Lemonada- State Mag Beat #1.

Radio: The Wolf- Soundblob Monster Mega Massive Mix 2011

Stream: Faws- Antonym

Video: James Blake- A Case of You

Download: Lil B- Real Life (bit1 remix)

Stream: Gang Colours- On Compton Bay

Stream: Phreshy - Puff Puff Pass (Machinedrum Remix)

Video: Lana Del Ray- Born To Die

Stream: CFMeister- Food Coma (Rough Edit)

Download: Laura Sheeran- Winter's Call

Stream: The Cast of Cheers- Family

Stream: Slow Magic - Feel Flows (Sun Glitters Remix)

Download: Squarehead- Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)

Stream: Arms That Fit Like Legs- Plane Figures

Young L- Loud Pockets (Hudson Mohawke remix)

Mix: Soundblob Female Voice Mix

Video: Come On Live Long- Animal

Download: Giselle - Silk (SertOne Remix)

Secret School of Sound

Video: Community of Independents (Show 3)

Stream: Sibian and Faun - I'm Sorry

Podcast: Loud Mouth Podcast #6 - The Loud Mouth Collective

Video: Björk (Live on Later with Jools Holland)

Download: edit;erase - Into The Static

Download: ASAP Rocky - Peso (Star Slinger Refix)

Stream: Slow Place Like Home- Carte Blanche

Video: John Maus- Hey Moon

Stream: Madlib & Freddie Gibbs- Thuggin'

Video: Fleet Foxes- The Shrine / An Argument

Stream: Soil Creep- Arbour (and Whitethorn)

Stream: Radiohead RMX feat. Jamie XX, Anstam, Nathan Fake,

Video: Community of Independents

Download: Monto- Charlie (and more)

Fund it: Simon Bird

Video: Austra- Lose You (Acoustic)

Stream: Come On Live Long- Mender

Video: Active Child on KEXP

Download: Keep Shelly in Athens- Our Own Dream (Blackbird Blackbird remix)

Video: Simon Bird- Stillborn In Autumn

Download: Swall- Miss (and more)

Download: Inkships- Cassettes

Stream: Nostalgia 77- Sleepwalker (Ambassadeurs Remix)

Stream: Slow Magic- ☾

Download: Ickis Mirolo and Swall: Ickis/Swall split EP