Bad Kate

We were all pleasantly, un-horrified by the results of Kate's collaboration with Primal Scream, (isn't it amazing what they can do with computers these days?) Then there was the whole dueting with Pete Doherty, but we can blame that on the drugs.
Then there were reports that Simon Cowell is looking to recruit her for Team Xfactor. Yes Kate is no stranger to the music world;But.... how embarrassing is this?



At a charity event last night (the very same one Sienna Miller and Patrick Kielty left together!!!)Kate took to the stage and sang a version of Summertime with Pink Floyd legend David Gilmour on guitar, what she did next is the tragic part.... she ended up writhing about on the floor!! Crinnnnge!

Jamie Hince, never ever let her on stage with The Kills.

I have no words...

Can do better....

I'm disappointed....bad song... stupid video.... (although Brandon does have quiet an impressive mirrorball jacket towards the end)

C'mon guys!

Dizzy continues to Urdan-ify Dance

Calvin Harris - check. Armin Van Helden - check... Next up for Dizzee Rascal is a collaboration, we'll he's trying at least.

In an interview this week Diz’ said: “Yeah we’ve spoke, we’ve talked about it. I don’t wanna give too much away. I’m the kind of person who likes to do things.”

Dizzee Rascal supported The Prodigy on their recent UK arena tour, so they must be great mates now! The Rascal is expected to release his fourth studio album this Autumn. Woop woop!

Grizzly Bear

Fabulous Friday night groove....

If you saw Jools this week... you know.
Album coming late this month.

Boys Making Waves...

Don't ask me where these fellas came from, but all of a sudden they're everywhere I turn. Not that I'm complaining... good job all round. I was at their last launch in Whelans, and if that's anything to go by, Friday night's launch & release of new single 'I Will Protect You' at Whelans, will be a corker of a night also. They're a little bit Weezer and a little bit Shins...check them out here

Support on the night comes from Harrows and Stone Throwing Youths.

And you can pick up their rather cute looking debut EP "The City, The Tree and The Fox" in Tower Records.

So wrong...

that I love this...

But c'mon, the UK music buying public(aged 11-15) agree, it is number 1. in the charts!

Temporary Pleasure

Simian Mobile Disco have been chatting about their new album.... which is due in August....
Perhaps an earlier summer release may have been better, for some sunny day listening? But anyway... they've some cool collaborations, including; Gruff Rhys, Hot Chip, Gossip, & Yeassayer!!

The first single..... 'Audacity Of Huge', featuring vocals from Yeasayer's Chris Keating, (who is amazing) will be released on August 3.

Here's the tracklisting :

'Cream Dream' (featuring Gruff Rhys)
'Audacity Of Huge' (featuring Chris Keating)
'10,000 Horses Can't Be Wrong'
'Cruel Intentions' (featuring Beth Ditto)
'Off The Map' (featuring Jamie Lidell)
'Synthesise'
'Bad Blood' (featuring Alexis Taylor)
'Turn Up The Dial' (featuring Young Fathers)
'Ambulance'
'Pinball' (featuring Telepathe)

And in the meantime.... here's a beaut of a Simian Mobile Disco Tune....


And a bit of Yeasayer too... I promise the collaboration will sound better then playing these two at the same time.

Nice hair Tom!

Looks like album number three will be as good as number one if this single is anything to go by;



Fire is released June 1st.

I'm excited!!

Quite possibly the most exciting thing to happen to the Irish Music scene in years!!

Hahahaha - celebrity endorsment fail

An insurance ad on TV, featuring Iggy Pop has been ordered not to be broadcast in future, after being judged "misleading" by UK advertising authorities.

The Swiftcover advert sees Iggy Pop say: "I got it Swiftcovered. I got insurance on my insurance!"

But, as Swiftcover doesn't actually provide car insurance to entertainers, it's been pulled for being misleading!

And it only took 12 complaints to do it...that's people power for ya!
Good luck getting the money back dudes! Might be cheaper to do an edit!

Maximo Park are back! Yey!


Check out the vid for the first single "The Kids Are Sick Again"



Their third album "Quicken The Heart" will be available on May 8th.

The album has been produced by one of the most popular producers around Nick Launay, who has just finished work on The Yeah Yeah Yeahs new album 'It's Blitz!'.

So obviously, it'll be a-mazing!

Newsy News

The Academy & FMC are launching “The Once a Month Club” it'll be on the second Thursday every month kicking off on May 14th with Giveamanakick. All profits are going to Special Olympics Ireland & Pieta House. They're also going to have stalls, and are inviting bands to come along and try selling their music. Bands who wish to be considered as part of future bills can apply via info@firstmusiccontact.com.

Oxegen have launched a deposit scheme in order to shift some more tickets! and have announced the following acts; Calvin Harris, The Horrors & Starsailor, among others.

Bonkers Tune For the Weekend

Lovin' it, lovin' it, lovin' it!

Two Door Cinema Club

NI superstars in the making "Two Door Cinema Club" share their hometown of Bangor with Snow Patrol, but that's pretty much where the similarities end. They're getting airplay on BBC Radio1 & Phantom, ones to watch. Lets hope they book some gigs down south real soon...

Check them out; 

Festival festivities...

Castle Palooza Boutique Music & Arts Festival
Aug 1st & 2nd

Cherrycool Promotions are “very excited about this year’s line up”, this year there’ll be two stages called “Metro Main” & “Le Boudoir.” Ooooh ER!


Announced so far; David Kitt, Project Jenny Project Jan, R.S.A.G, Channel One (yey!), Robotnik, The Lost Brothers, Dark Room Notes, Noise Control(yey!), 8 Ball, Glint, Le Galaxie (yey!), Nell Bryden, The Ambience Affair, Followers of Otis, Patrick Kelleher & DJ’s Tu-Ki, Baz and Steve Reddy. They assure us there’s more to be announced. So not only are they boutique like EP, they’re also incorporating "art” into their title. Fair enough as they say there’s gonna be a live Rocky Horror Picture Show; a Ceilí; dance workshops (including disco, burlesque, bollywood & circus tricks); performance artists, exhibitions and comedy to a cocktail bar and the now infamous party bus. Plus hot showers and flushing loos! Plus this year there's a Spa! – Fancy!

All that & you get to hang out in a castle…

Passion Pit

So Passion Pit played here a while back supporting a band called Hockey (who are incredibly difficult to Google btw) All I knew of them is their tune “Sleepy Head” which I adore, but now this new video is making me pretty excited about this band, loving the near-falsetto vocal and synthy synths. Check out their new trippy vid…



Good News: Their Album “Manners” is due out next month.

Bad News: Passion Pit have been forced to cancell their entire European tour including their May 9th gig at the Academy, Dublin, due to a "personal situation at home". A statement from the band said "We feel really awful about this and hope that everyone understands. We are looking forward to getting back overseas soon to make up all these shows for you."

Drummer Wanted!

Quite an interesting email has just arrived, given the fancy gigs these guys play, sounds like a pretty sweet opportunity;

hey boys // girls.....

We are on the look-out for a new drummer, Andy's been playing with us for nearly 2 years but he can no longer commit to our touring schedule & other Sweet Jane commitments whilst finding a happy balance for his home-life, so we've all made the grown up decision to find a replacement....If you... or someone you know is interested in coming along to a rehearsal with us Please just send a quick reply email here or to DeadFlowerRecords@gmail.com
and they'll let you know some more details.... Obviously theres no major requirements but we do require that people interested live in Dublin, and can commit to rehearsing / touring on a regular basis and are 18yrs+

Thank you from us in advance

US x (Sweet Jane)


So if you get the gig; remember me, won't ya?!

Radio Magic

I love Noel Gallagher, his dry wit, his boldness & his bravado. And although I reckon in real life I'd actually be scared of him, I also love Russell Brand, I reckon he's a bit of a genius, but hides it well under eyeliner and distracting clothes. Well they're mates, and both love footie. So if you're a fan of any of the above you might enjoy their talksport show which aired yesterday(Sunday). In this bit Noel explains how he got one over on Wayne Rooney, other magic moments include them trying to call Obama to ask who he supports, and leaving a voicemail...

Shut Up Morrissey

So Coachella is on, and sometimes when you have rock'n'roll delusions, and you're stuck in an office 9hours a day, it's best not to think about what cool things are going on that you're not experiencing! But had to bring you this story, even if it is just another reason for me to scream "SHUT UP MORRISSEY" at my computer screen.














The story goes;

Performing in front of a backdrop with a black-and-white photograph of the naked torso of a sailor smoking a cigar with the word 'Refusal' written across his chest, the singer said, "I can smell burning flesh and I hope to God it's human," as the smell of barbequed meat from nearby food stands wafted through the air. (mmmmm)

A few minutes later, the famous vegetarian walked off the stage in the middle of 'Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others'. He returned shortly afterwards, saying, "The smell of burning animals is making me sick. I just couldn't bear it." (eeew ...ok now you're turning me off my cheezepleeze)

So hot right now....

....but will I still love them next month? Who knows, I'm fickle like that.

The boys in question are "Bombay Bicycle Club", and the tune is "Always like this". But to enjoy it you're going to have to click here, as the evil record companies won't let me share the vid on here - sound! And a certain Mr. B. tells me that there's some savage dance mixes on the way, I'll share as soon as I find them!

Prodigy TuneCloud

Prodigy are back a while now, but I think, for me, this is the song that will signal the start of a new love for them.

Check out the vid...you'll see raving cigarrette packet people... it'll make more sense when you watch it, or then again maybe it won't.

Still "Tune" though...

Wakey Wakey

POD & Festival Republic present ELECTRIC PICNIC 2009 Music & Arts Festival 4th, 5th and 6th September 2009 Stradbally Hall, Co. Laois

Tickets on sale at 9am!

Tres excited about waht Chis Cunningham has planned... maybe Batman returns!!



Here's the line up....so far!
Yey!

ORBITAL
FLAMING LIPS
BASEMENT JAXX
MADNESS
MGMT
FLEET FOXES
KLAXONS
BELL X1
RODRIGO Y GABRIELA
CHIC
SEASICK STEVE
2 MANY DJs
LISA HANNIGAN
EXPLOSIONS IN THE SKY
ABC
DAMIEN DEMPSEY
ALABAMA 3
BAT FOR LASHES
ZERO 7
EROL ALKAN
ROOTS MANUVA
THE SUGARHILL GANG
BILLY BRAGG
LYKKE LI
FOURTET
IMELDA MAY
ECHO & THE BUNNYMEN
MAGAZINE
E.S.G
MODERAT
SIMIAN MOBILE DISCO
SKREAM & BENGA’s MAGNETIC MAN
NOZE
HEARTBREAK
HALFSET
CHRIS CUNNINGHAM
OKKERVIL RIVER,
MAGNOLIA ELECTRIC COMPANY
LOW ANTHEM
VILLAGERS
TUNNG
JAPE
WHITEST BOY ALIVE
MICACHU & THE SHAPES
THE WALKMEN
EFTER KLANG
MICHAEL NYMAN
DUBLIN GOSPEL CHOIR
QUANTIC SOUL ORCHESTRA
JAZZANOVA

Stompy Stompy Stomp Stomp

Tuneage

That mentaler Jack White has got himself another super-band. (Seriously, if you've ever seen him you'll agree... mental looking) Yep it's a cover, a freekin great one, of Tubeway Army's - Are 'Friends' Electric? Enjoy!

Why Lindsey's a Ledge

NoDisko News!

OK, they did let Peaches Geldof “DJ”… but I think I’m just about ready to forgive that now. Dirty Epics play May 1st, and the sexy Von Bondies jet in on May8th. So it’s on late, Friday Nights at The Academy 2, Dublin. NoDisko with these Dirty-Bondies you really are spoiling us!

www.myspace.com/nodiskodublin

Oldies but Goodies….Starsailor

I’m so glad Starsailor are back in favor (I mean even Brandon Flowers has come out as a fan).
Their Ambassador gig a couple of years ago, was embarrassingly empty, cringing behind your plastic pint glass kind of empty, and you couldn’t help but feel they were flogging a dead horse. 2009 & the release of the serious choon 'Tell Me It's Not Over', sees these dudes back on form and in Dublin tomorrow night with support from The Parlotones (biggest selling band in South Africa) and Pete Greenwood (folky/americana Leeds lad), here’s hoping they do “Four to the Floor”!

Speak of the devil… The MacCabees

Gentle reminders in from MCD this morning… that The MacCabees are Dublin bound. They’ll play The Academy on 27th May, three weeks after the highly anticipated release of their 2nd album “Wall of Arms” due out in early May. That’ll be a good gig, as we’ll all have the album, and know all the words by then. Tickets are a bargain at only €16.

Tune Cloud

Tune Cloud.... float away with this lovely Maccabees Song. And don't let the fact that they're friends with loafer wearing, sockless, Matthew Horne put you off....

'Love You Better' is due out on April 27th & it will feature on the new album 'Wall of Arms' which is due out on May 4th, if you'd prefer to wait.

'Really Not OK' to be in Atomic Kitten.....

So Lily Allen is a right little mouthy brat, but I do think the parents (her dad) are partly to blame. Not a week goes by that she reveals yet another amazing fact about herself. So why oh why has it taken 5 year for this juicy gem of a news nugget to come out!

NME reports' Lily Allen has been outed as a secret member of Atomic Kitten. Yey! Not so cool & trendy* now are we Lily?!

The singer made her hush-hush debut with the band after she was brought in to replace Natasha Hamilton on the lead track from 2001 football film 'Mike Bassett: England Manager', which is directed by Allen's dad Keith. Allegedly, the Scouse pop band's original vocals weren't strong enough on the track, so Allen was brought in as a secret replacement (The Sun).

I wonder if they ever considered her as a replcement for Kerry? Spose she wasn't a scouse, but still would have been a damn sight better then that Natasha. But seriously, a girl's gotta work, and its not totally uncredible, Heidi outa the Sugababes was also briefly in Atomic Kitten, so don't worry Lily, at least you didn't end up as the face of Iceland... yet!

(Picture L-R, Liz McClarnon, Lily Allen, Jenny Frost and Natasha Hamilton.)

(*note to self, using the word trendy is not cool or trendy)