Wednesday, 11 November 2009

Two new songs from The Indecent Cigar Emporium

Dublin newbies The Indecent Cigar Emporium play their first official gig as part of the second Noises In Our Heads gig in the Twisted Pepper next Wednesday November 18th. To celebrate this momentous occasion they have put two new tracks up on their MySpace for all to enjoy. The first is 70's inspired funk driven Hydromedusa while Love Simulator is a four minute funky electronic, psychedelic jam that will have you dancing your toes off. You heard all about it here first!

Also playing the Noises In Our Heads gig is Lumière and The Evening Watch who shall headline the evenings proceedings. For more info go HERE.



Tuesday, 10 November 2009

Warp Records introduce Nice Nice

Warp Records are yet again on the ball when it comes to signing decent talent and Portland Oregon's Nice Nice are no exception. Duo Jason Buehler and Mark Shirazi have been playing together for about 10 years and their music is all about the loops which they prefer to do rather than use samples and the result is ace.
A wonderful mish mash of hypnotic rhythms and intense, consequential guitars all ready for the listening.

The first track to be released from Nice Nice on Warp is
One Hit which shall be available on 7" format from November 20th but, as an introduction to the band you can download the mp3 of One Hit and it's B-side Ark Drum from the Warp website for free. This precedes the bands new album Extra Wow which is released here in April.
Nice Nice are also about to embark on a European tour so head to the Warp site for dates and details.
In the meantime have a listen to both below.


One Hit


Ark Drum

Wednesday, 4 November 2009

These New Puritans to release new album in 2010.


Southend-On-Sea favourites These New Puritans have just announced details of their brand new studio album Hidden, released here on January 15th 2010. The album is produced by band members Jack Barnett and Graham Sutton and was mixed by the man who has mixed and produced for J Dilla, Madlib and MF DOOM, Dave Cooley. A note posted in the news section on the Domino Records website said 'the album draws equally on on the rhythmic lexicons of dancehall and 20th century post-minimalism, with instrumentation redolent of both the oceanic brass of Benjamin Britten's Peter Grimes and the plastic textures of modern U.S. pop. It is sometimes brutal, sometimes melancholy, and sounds like nothing else'.

Instruments used in the recording of Hidden include; six-foot Japanese Taiko drums, a thirteen piece brass and woodwind ensemble and Foley recording techniques (including a melon with cream crackers attached struck by a hammer, used to simulate the sound of a human head being smashed)...lovely!
Angular Records shall be releasing the album in the UK and Ireland while Domino shall release the album worldwide.

The tracklisting is as follows:
1. Time Xone
2. We Want War
3. Three Thousand
4. Hologram
5. Attack Music
6. Fire–Power
7. Orion
8. Canticle
9. Drum Courts–Where Corals Lie
10. White Chords
11. 5


Friday, 30 October 2009

Photo action-Biffy Clyro live at The Olympia, Dublin.

Last night I got to witness the superb Biffy Clyro live @ The Olympia Theatre in Dublin.
Their live show was insane and the crowd were, it has to be said, a fantastic contribution to the whole proceedings. From grand opener Golden Rule to anthems such as Who's Got A Match?, 9/15ths, Mountains and current single The Captain, Biffy Clyro brought it all. Screaming guitars, pounding drums and huge sing-a-long choruses ensured a momentous performance and here are some pics I took at the start of the show.
Only Revolutions is their highly anticipated new album out here in Ireland on Friday November 6th and in the UK Monday November 9th. Thanks to Warner for organising my photo pass.

Simon Neil
Biffy Clyro live @ The Olympia Theatre, Dublin October 29th 2009


Simon Neil
Biffy Clyro live @ The Olympia Theatre, Dublin October 29th 2009


James Johnston
Biffy Clyro live @ The Olympia Theatre, Dublin October 29th 2009


Ben Johnston
Biffy Clyro live @ The Olympia Theatre, Dublin October 29th 2009


Simon Neil
IMG_0636



You can view more HERE

Thursday, 29 October 2009

Introducing Blackchords...

Blackchords are from Melbourne, Australia and I think by the end of the year they shall be on every hot tipped list for 2010 if they are not already. They have been likened to early Radiohead, Elbow, Jeff Buckley and Explosions In The Sky and while yes, there are elements in their sound to suggest such comparisons Blackchords stand out on their own.
Despite drawing from various influences they are a genuine indie rock band who are really great at being just that, a great indie rock band with no gimmicks. Their self titled debut is available now on Dust Devil Music in Europe and the first single to get some form of recognition this side of the planet is
At World's End, which you can check out below.

The Noises In Our Heads Present The Evening Watch plus guests


A big thanks to Cian Walker for designing the poster for the second Noises In Our Heads gig in the Twisted Pepper on November 18th. You can read all about HERE.

Tuesday, 27 October 2009

Jamie T- Man Machine video

Mr T as in Jamie not the bling wearing Snickers addict, releases his third track from Kings & Queens next month with the very brilliant Man Machine. If you haven't checked out Jamie T's second album yet then do so as it's pretty damn awesome. Man Machine will be released as an EP with three brand new tracks; Jenny Can't Rely On Me, Man Not A Monster and Believing In Things That Can't Be Done. This is the third EP from Jamie this year following the release of Sticks N' Stones and Chaka Demus and while he may have postponed his UK and Irish tour due to a bout of Laryngitis he promises to reschedule as soon as he is fit enough.

In the mean time enjoy the very catchy Man Machine.