Applause Music Reviews: Belfast and Northern Ireland

Paul and The Meanie - The Yellow Bedroom Demos If ever a more appropriate name was used in the making of a record, I don’t know what it is. Paul and The Meanie, a three-piece indie outfit from Armagh (Side question: Why does three seem to be the magic number for indie bands? Is it a satanic thing? Moving on.), have put out their debut EP. The Yellow Bedroom Demos, named for the space in which they were birthed (Like how everyone named Colin was conceived in Colin Glen Forest Park.), is a generous mix of energetic indie rock with a healthy stake in a fun-loving funk.  Combing poor men's versions of Kook-esque guitar arrangements and the jarring vocal practices made popular by early Arctic Monkeys, the uncomplicated attitude towards these demos is as endearing as it is enjoyable. This is low slung jeans, liberated indie rock, the type of songs built for sunshine and cider. At least, on the surface. It was on my third listen that I truly began to appreciate the vulnerable s

Cloakroom Q - Going For A Walk And Not Coming Back I first became aware of Cloakroom Q when I met one of their members by coincidence. When he mentioned the fact that they had released an EP recently, I approached the subject tentatively. By all means, I'd love to cover it, send it my way. I usually have an issue with this process, as now I'll feel like an asshole if I don't like it. Nevertheless, something felt right about this, and I tend to listen to my gut. What happened when I listened, was something completely unexpected. I  was floored by this, one of the more unique releases I have heard in a while. This 6 piece art rock group from Newry created something that sounds like Nick Cave, Villagers, and 100 other bands, but defend their ferocious vitality, never compromising on their allegiance to the forces of wilderness, thereby ensuring that their product is both fresh and interesting from start to finish. I found it impossible not to be struck by the unusua

Baroda - Lay Down New on the scene is Belfast based quartet Baroda. Self-described as a band influenced by ‘indie, blues and alternative music’, the four-piece have released their debut track ahead of their upcoming EP “Walk On Water.” Their released track Lay Down, recorded in the bedroom of frontman Neil Goss, shows plenty of promise and is telling of what to expect going forward. An acoustic track with a surprising country flavour, Lay Down establishes an early identity for the young band. The crooning vocals suit the relaxed nature of this number, while their blues pedigree is maintained through their lyrics (and no small amount of effort). There are noted growing pains, however, particularly during instrumentals. These tend to feel haphazard and muddled. This more of an indication of inexperience rather than poor composition, and will almost certainly be ironed out. The overall lo-fi aesthetic adds to the song in a positive way. It suits the vocals and allows each differen

Shizznigh Promotions, one of the most prolific companies of its type in the country, is celebrating its 8th birthday this month with a gig, showcasing some of the best bands on the scene. Shizznigh has been responsible for over 600 shows in venues such as Mandela Hall, Limelight 1+ 2, The Empire and Voodoo, as well as The Academy 1 and Fibber Magees in Dublin. Over the years, Shizznigh has put on shows with some of the best in the business, including Alien Ant Farm, The RubberBandits, I Am Kloot and many more. I sat down with owner Jonny Mc Kee, to pick his brain about the setup, the upcoming gig, and plans for the future. ►  Obviously, congrats on your 8th year Cheers man ►  You’ve promoted/put on over 600 shows. Has one stood out in particular? Good or Bad? Oh, there has been loads of good ones and loads of bad ones but I’ve never had a particularly shit show. I don’t think I’ve ever even had a really bad one. The RubberBandits, they sold out twice in a row in The Emp

Hiva Oa - Souvenir  Musical three piece Hiva Oa’s latest release is a continuation of their trend in producing crisp, curious tracks. Known for their diverse sound, a delicious mixture of electronic and funk music with ghostly vocals, Hiva’s newest release is one of their best yet. Souvenir is an overall restrained track, delicate in its construction and featuring collaboration from Edinburgh based musicians Matthew Collins and Daithí McNabb. Containing a little bit of everything that Hiva are known for, Souvenir is another in a promising number of singles for the Belfast trio. A jack of all trades, Souvenir does plenty of little things well. Soothing vocals float over a chilled, funky, bass-led beat that slowly builds into a cacophony of noise, with brief interludes of serious funk in-between verses. The ethereal overlays add to the airiness of the track, giving a floaty feeling that sounds like the soundtrack to an out of body experience. Existing on the line between hypno

Blue Whale - Shortbread Fingers Music collective Blue Whale has gained quite a name for themselves on the local and national scene. The experimental five-piece from Belfast is known for pushing the boundaries with their music, bringing questions such as “what is a song?” and “what instrument is that?” to the mouths of fans. A promising and fresh group that unfortunately seems to have suffered from an acute case of ‘can we' instead of 'should we.’ Their absolute dedication to structured chaos in their composition is worthy of applause but their latest release Shortbread Fingers is a haphazard construction that leaves me with only one question: “Why?” It is essential to note that Shortbread is not necessarily a bad song. However experimental music is, by its very nature, hit or miss. The positive notes are solid, with modern, technical riffs adding to a palpable sense of unease, and the songcraft that has made Blue Whale so popular still present. It was this sense of u

Dandelion Tea - Unknown EP Dandelion Tea return on their newest EP, remaining as elusive as ever. A band known for actively avoiding genre specifications like the plague, their newest releases can go from artsy pop to indie rock to gritty and dark in the same verse. A lexicon of instruments highlight a bright and ambiguous EP that is driven by lyrics filled with sadness (“…Upholstery is the only thing holding me together”), nostalgia, promise (“I dream in colour”) and potential. Like a poor mans 1975 mixed with the acumen of Wolf Alice, Dandelion Tea seemingly have it all. While overflowing with musical variation, Dandelion Tea leave a lot unsaid and implied, shedding irony and pretension and instead conveying a wealth of pathos. Spirited vocals filled with a graceful mania only add to an EP filled with complexity and nuance. Despite the hyperbolic highs, however, there are no airs given off. Instead, there is emotion and uncertainty, a vulnerability that matches the ethos

Red House - Red House EP Self-proclaimed ‘sharp four-piece unit’ Red House (RH) release their debut EP, a three-track rock and roller that ticks all the boxes for any indie rock hopefuls. A strong guitar pedigree takes centre stage throughout, complemented by fierce vocals and lyrics brimming with hormone-fuelled poetry. Rolling from their success at The Goats Toe Battle Of The Bands 2018, RH has captured the live sound that makes their music exciting and mixed it with their recent confidence boost, writing an impressive inaugural record. As with life, the best parts of Red House’s debut are the simple things. Basking in the liberty that accompanies the unfiltered and uncomplicated, RH fly free and straight, performing at a level that belies their debutant status. Riffy solos and booze driven ballads flavour the EP, drawing complaints of repetitiveness from those looking for them. How you cannot admire the blunt tenacity, however, is beyond me. Good guitars are universal, an

Glass Wings - Believe Glass Wings is the moniker of Belfast based musician Stephen Jones, one of the rising faces in the cities music scene. His latest single Believe released ahead of his upcoming album launch, is now available on Spotify, to which this young writer was understandably interested in. This interest was well placed, as Jones’s newest release is breathlessly charismatic, full of finger-snapping rhythm and an addictive positivity. More impressive, however, is Jones ability through his music to convey a message that can be seen as nothing short of compelling. A charming ballad with inspired lyrics (Jones particularly shines during verses, for example in the first comes the line “The weight of your opinion, you’d be surprised how deep it dives”) that are accompanied by indie inspired backing vocals and whistles. These facets are aided by the up-tempo pace (that sounds almost, dare I say it, country) which matches the upbeat message behind the lyrics. An ode to se

The Fugues Thursday 11th October 2018 – Voodoo, Belfast I’d just reached the halfway mark through Fountain Street when I began to hear them. Faint reverberations coming from an upstairs window, distant echoes of what can only be a soundcheck. I make my way upstairs to observe and pass through the open doors to Voodoo’s performance space without hassle. From my seat at the back of the room, I see  The Fugues  begin their next song. They sound tight. They look good. Its hard to believe they have been absent for so long. And then the song stops. To my ears, it does not sound like they’ve missed a beat, but the sound engineer disagrees. There is much back and forth, as instructions are barked while the band quickly make their adjustments. It is in-between numbers that a visible nervousness creeps in. I back out the door as the opening chords of the next tune begin, wondering exactly what the show will be like. The Fugues are the only band playing tonight, a symbolic statement for

Zeal - Queen Of The Rodeo EP Zeal (fervour for a person, cause, or object; eager desire or endeavour; enthusiastic diligence; ardour. - dictionary.com) is the pet project of one Patrick J Hodgen. Under this moniker, Hodgen’s has birthed a sound that dips its toes in country, pop, indie and everything in-between. A stripped back, lo-fi take on modern music, where no genre is safe, this otherworldly release is fearless in its ventures, while demanding everything its listeners can muster. Quite unlike anything I have heard this year from a local artist, the newest endeavour from Zeal is driven by bold expansive strokes that retain a sense of claustrophobia usually reserved for the most introspective of albums. A paradoxical invention, Zeal manages to combine elements of genres that should not work together and yet manages to make a dark and adventurous EP that sounds like everything from David Bowie and Neil Young. I know what you’re thinking, “temper your hyperbole Ben ffs” bu

Mugged by a Ghost -  Wasting Our 20s Pop punk Belfast quartet Mugged by a Ghost (M.b.a.G.) are influenced by the likes of Neck Deep, who they are attempting to follow in the footsteps of by introducing to the scene their own brand of upstart antagonism with a punk-inspired backing track. Their newest track, Wasting Our 20s, hedges its bets on an upbeat, guitar-driven sound that scarcely exists anymore, which allows for a healthy dose of nostalgia to meld with their distinctly modern take on the brand of music Blink-182 made a global powerhouse. Following the tradition of the aforementioned musical giant, M.b.a.G seem to have already grasped the fundamental twists that separated pop-punk from its heavier predecessors: well written, accessible and easily imagined lyrics. Even the title stays true to this, as it nestles within the common imagery and wordplay of relatable apprehension made so popular by Fall Out Boy. Amidst the distortion-heavy licks and feedback, there is an un

Crisis - The Bearcat Sessions Crisis, the nom de plume of the Belfast based rock unit, and their newest EP The Bearcat Sessions was recently brought to my attention, so naturally, I sought it out on Spotify. The self-described ‘former pop band’ are an unsigned Prog/Alt Rock band with a flair for anger and aggression, something that forms the aesthetic of their latest release. The three-part EP has elements that encompass all of their described genre affiliations: from the alternative snarl of Wake Up to the rocky bite of Barricades (which has more than a hint of Thousand Foot Krutch) and the anthemic roar of Brighter, there is plenty to enjoy but not a lot to surprise you. There's an impassioned energy that is infused in the lyrics which acts as the marshal for the EP. It’s an inspiring trait, one that could be so much more if the music that surrounded it was not so formulaic. While satisfying in the way in which only speedy, aggressive guitar music can be, the riffs and

Gnarkats - War Cry Belfast rabble-rousing trio Gnarkats return to the “New Releases” page with their latest single War Cry. Known for their blending of alt, indie and heavy rock, the three-piece surprise with a song that contains all of the aforementioned but with a much sharper, focused aesthetic. The familiar grunge is still there in the opening seconds, but Gnarkats have moved it ever so slightly into the background in favour of a new, fuller approach that sees them put out their best song yet. The reckless abandon has been swapped for a much more concise composition. This has served to create a beneficial effect by letting the vocals drive the song while the instruments follow. The same chainsaw riffs and machine gun drums remain but now with a touch more maturity. Gnarkats have reined in their power and are better off for it, sounding larger than ever before, as War Cry is a resounding, echoey rock tune that befits its title. After all, this is not the battle, merely th

SOAK - Everybody Loves You Derry-born singer-songwriter SOAK has returned from her sabbatical. One of the most prolific young artists in the country, SOAKs newest single Everybody Loves You is a melancholy tale of hopeless love. Emotive and refined, SOAK pulled out the stops for her first release in two years. By drawing on modern pop and soul music, SOAK sounds much like herself but more: a fuller, more mature sound, flanked by incremental changes the make all the difference. From the fuller pitch to the backing vocals and an addition of strings, Everybody Loves You has the same raw vulnerability of her first album but with a razor sharp sophistication. Dreamy thought the composition may be, the story in Everybody… is one of pain. SOAK does her best to convince herself she is immune (“I was built from concrete…”) but ultimately her efforts end in vain (“I been getting no sleep…”). The restrained pull of Everybody… matches the level-headed delivery of the lyrics which only seems

I had a chance to sit down with local rock and rollers Saint Sapphire during one of their practices at the Blackstaff Mill. I went in expecting a 15-minute recording, I left with just under an hours worth of material. The relevant text of the conversation has been recorded below, but what has been left out are stories ranging from perilous journeys returning from Tesco at 5am, making animal noises at Sunflowerfest and the worlds most beautiful McDonalds. None of which had anything to do with my questions, but that is very much the nature of  Saint Sapphire : unpredictable, funny and bordering on relentless.  ►  I’ll try and keep this sweet. So, first of all, how are you all doing? Adam Walker: Oh has it started? (I confirmed that we had indeed started) Oh sweet. Sam Morgan: I’m doing swell. ►  You guys are playing a lot of shows recently, is this a build up to a tour or are you just always working? SM : I think up until recently, we’ve always been doing (live) stuff but ri