Sunday, 2 March 2014

New festival alert!

Here.
I literally don't know how I haven't heard of this before, but it popped up on twitter, so I decided to do a bit of investigating...

"Eight Artists, One Night, One Venue..."

Spectrum Festival returns this year, for only the second year in June. Last year saw acts such as RunawayGO, Pretty Child Backfire and Hologram play the Black Box in Belfast.

Like I've said - no idea how I haven't heard of this sooner, but sounds like one festival I won't be missing (provided I do not have exams on at the time, which I most likely will but aw well.)

Tune into Across The Line on BBC Radio Ulster Monday 10th March from 8pm to find out more and get syked!

Calling all bands/musicians!

I'm feeling a bit slow this Sunday evening - so I need you to help me out!

If you're a band or musician from the North or South of the country - hit me up. Got a gig coming up? Tell me. Want me to review a song? I'll do it. 

Go to the CONTACT page to email or tweet me if you wanna be on More Than Bullets and Bombs.

What are you waiting for? Come at me bro!

Tuesday, 25 February 2014

Album No.2 for More Than Conquerors!

See that little drawing of the guy in the waves in my banner image and the one on the right? That's Kris Platt. He plays in a band called More Than Conquerors. Their label, Smalltown American Records, describe them as "Dynamic Alternative-Punk-Rock Quartet from Belfast, Northern Ireland. For Fans of: Manchester Orchestra, Brand New, Reuben & Twin Atlantic..."

Well, they released a stunning debut record "Everything I've Learnt" in September of last year and set off touring around the UK and Ireland to promote it. Now the band have announced that they are in the midst of album number two! They certainly waste no time - fair play to them! I have no doubts that, despite the fantastic first album, the second is going to be even better.

If, like me, you want to watch their every move, clicking HERE will take you to their Facebook page where you can find more info. Also click HERE to watch/listen to the stunning 'Pits of Old' taken from 'Everything I've Learnt' and was filmed at the Belfast docks at two o'clock in the morning. 

Not Quite General Fiasco...

General Fiasco: A progressive/indie-rock band from Co. Derry, Northern Ireland who were impossible to dislike. They were established around the same time as Two Door Cinema Club, but for some strange reason, didn't get as much hype. They split up last January. It broke my heart - They were the first Northern Irish band I ever got into, I wouldn't honestly be writing this if it wasn't for them.
Oh Volcano: Half of General Fiasco - brothers Owen and Enda Strathern to be exact. Only one song in existence as of late, got it's first play on BBC Radio 1 by Northern Irelander Phil Taggart last night. 

Yes, of course I am still gutted that General Fiasco are not together anymore (a year is not long enough to heal my wounds) but I am absolutely buzzing that Owen and Enda are up and making music again. I had this nightmarish image of them sitting and twiddling their thumbs for the last year, or sitting at some monotonous office job when they should be on a stage, playing in front of an audience or in a studio doing what they do best.

It's still early days yet, but I have a good feeling about Oh Volcano. You can click HERE to check out their first video for 'Oceans.'

Sunday, 23 February 2014

All hail ASIWYFA

Today is an And So I Watch You From Afar kind of day - their music works well as the kick up the arse you need if you have a tendency to be miserable (like me) and seems to shoot motivational energy from multiple cannons.

Bit of background for those who do not know: ASIWYFA are a four piece largely instrumental-colour-rock band from Belfast, Northern Ireland (I say colour rock because listening to their music is like a pallet of watercolours exploding in your ears and infusing your mind.)









I guess the music demonstrated by this band just gives me life; gives me energy and hope and the mind-frame that I am invincible, even if it is just for a couple of minutes.

All I can really say if if you have the opportunity, no matter where you are in the world, you MUST make it your mission to see them live. Forget about the music - even watching them, and the people around you, will send a shiver down your spine. 

Friday, 21 February 2014

REVIEW: Aidan Logan - "Facing Forward"

“Facing Forward” is the latest EP from Belfast singer/songwriter Aidan Logan. His music takes roots in traditional country/folk, but subtly incorporates elements of catchy pop and rock; but unlike traditional country, he brings a youthful, upbeat energy to his songs.
The EP consists of smooth, warm guitars mixing with a clear, robust voice – I’ve always found this trait admirable in vocalists. The first track “Unfinished Melody” brings a more slow and mellow beginning with a build up of strings and an underlying piano coming in soon; giving a taste of what can be expected from the rest of the tracks. A sunny song follows, “Matter of Fact” – with a chilled out melody and a sweet message hidden within the lyrics. It’s catchy, rhythmic and I guess it’s quite hard not to smile along to this one. “I Just Want To (Let You Know)” is simple and carefully constructed, but well crafted, nevertheless with some soothing harmonies over the words “I just want to let you know I thought it through...” and ends with “Tell Me” which is definitely the most fun and certainly the most bouncy of all tracks. There seems to be a growing interest for people, especially the young people, in NI to listen to country music at the moment, so if country is your thing, then I recommend that you give Aidan Logan a listen.

If you’re in Belfast tomorrow evening, Saturday 22nd February, be sure to drop into The Black Box for the official release of Aidan’s EP “Facing Forward” (free entry guys!) and also, you can buy "Tell Me" right HERE.

Aidan will also be playing next Friday 28th February and Saturday 1st March as part of the 10th United Airlines Belfast-Nashville Songwriters festival. Click HERE for more information. 

Thursday, 20 February 2014

L.O.V.E.S.U.C.K.S.

I’d like to take you on a journey now – I was thinking today, and I spend way too much of my time stuck in some form of heartbreak and/or unrequited love. It sucks. And although I can’t stop feeling the way I feel about whoever for whatever reason, I can comfort myself with some music. Below are some tracks in a specific order according to how I respond to a broken heart. Cheesy I hear you say? Yes, well I am a cheesy person so get used to it.

Rudi - Ripped in Two (c.1980)
First one: oldie, but goodie from Rudi. Better than goodie – it’s a fucking goldie. This one is the calm before the storm; that old-school Belfast punk to lighten a heavy heart, if only for two short minutes. The title pretty much speaks for itself – I often find myself belting the words that give the song its name: “Baby, you've got me baby. You've got me ripped, you've got me torn, you've got me ripped in two. Cos I love you!” So at least this way, having a broken heart is kind of punk rock. Very cool. 

Yes Cadets - Le Mans (2012)
The next one courtesy of Yes Cadets, is the one which, usually, has me in tears. However, it’s a stunning indie record – the harmonious vocals sensually blend with the almost tribal drum rhythms and echoing guitars. The one simple riff, just lightly dabbled with reverb, is sweetly hypnotic. I've always liked the intimacy of this song, despite the indication of long distance; “It was never over... So cry the chlorine from your eyes, I’ll fall asleep between your thighs. I’m only twenty four hours, a thousand miles away...” The melody alone spills out a lot of emotion, so naturally, I spill my emotions out to the melody. 

Mojo Fury - All in Awe (2013)
The storm by this stage has sort of now passed – and our finale is presented by Mojo Fury (ironically, one of the lines in the song is “...you can start to rearrange the debris from the storm...” which, in a metaphorical sense, I guess I do.) There’s just something about this song that has always reminded me of a movie scene: It begins with trench coat-wearing attractive young woman streamlining the streets of New York in the rain (corresponding with the beginning of the song; the soft tones of frontman Mike Mormecha’s voice ringing smoothly with the piano and those moody drum beats), she’s contemplating life by the first haunting chorus  and she thinks that she has lost the love of her life (for whatever reason) – but by the final chorus, where the song has built up to this climactic event - she turns around to see the love of her life standing in the rain with a look of pure love and adoration. As the chorus repeats itself, the pair run to each other, soaked to the skin and embrace. Roll credits. I don’t know why, but thinking about this calms me.


So yes, that was my guide on how to survive heartache, and how to write a blockbuster film featuring Mojo Fury. Until tomorrow!