Talking life, love and music witH
Vi ll ag er s PLUS:
Berlin Insider’s Guide · How to Prepare for the Studio · 2015 Festival Preview FEATURING:
HamsandwicH · The Vaccines · Booka Brass Band · The Eskies · Muse · Duke Special Skelokrats · The Mighty Stef · Colm Mac Con Iomaire · Not Squares · All Tvvins
Issue 02 - Spring 2015 - Free
MAGAZINE
2 DAYS 4 STAGES OVER 70 ACTS Tickets €80 Ex booking fee available march 6th at 9am from knockanstockan.ie
24th & 25th JULY, BLESSINGTON LAKES JUST ANNOUNCED...
RUSANGANO FAMILY HOT COPS SHOOKRAH BATS LAND OF THE GIANTS SINEAD WHITE KICKING BIRD BAGELS KING MODO SARAH RED GREEN MONKEY SYD ARTHUR CULT CALLED MAN TWIN HEADED WOLF THE ESKIES BITCH FALCON GASCAN RUCKUS ROCSTRONG ROBOCOBRA QUARTET O EMPEROR KINGSTON RED ENEMY TUCAN CONTOUR NEW SECRET WEAPON BUNOSCIONN MAMA KASBAH REBECCA COLLINS VERNON JANE LEO DREZDEN BUNK MEGACONE INTERSKALACTIC POCKETS HECTOR BIZERK THE WITCH TRIALS MONGOOSE MORE ACTS TO BE ANNOUNCED SOON
Not Another Magazine!
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elcome to issue two of GoldenPlec Magazine where you’ll find interviews with two heavyweights of Irish music, Conor O’Brien from Villagers and HamsandwicH. Gavin Glass guides us through the recording studio and we talk sexism in the music industry. We also have an exclusive line-up announcement for KnockanStockan, in our four-page festival special. GoldenPlec has entered into partnership with Ireland’s biggest website, Independent.ie and the Windmill Lane Sessions, enabling us to bring more great Irish music to a bigger audience than ever before. Visit GoldenPlec.com for exclusive content, music news, reviews and competitions.
Art Director David Dooley Editor-in-Chief Aidan Cuffe Project Manager Ros Madigan Sub-Editors Bernard O’Rourke Ros Madigan
We’ll be back in July with issue three of GoldenPlec Magazine. Hopefully we’ll be living in a more equal society by then. Stephen Byrne, Magazine Editor
Industry Guide: Hitting the Studio Interview: HamsandwicH Interview: Villagers Insider Guide: Berlin Album Reviews Live Reviews Feature: Let’s Talk About Sexism Interview: The Vaccines Feature: Festival Preview
Magazine Editors James Hendicott Stephen Byrne
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Contributors Ally Daly Anna Job Bernard O’Rourke Catriona Graham Fionnuala Jones Frank Hughes Gavin Glass Gavin O’Leary Greg Synnott James Hendicott Justin McDaid Orla Conway Ros Madigan Stephen Byrne Photographers Aaron Corr Sean Conroy Tara Thomas Colm Kelly Michelle Geraghty
A Beautiful Racket
As an artist, engineer and producer, Gavin Glass - owner of Orphan Recordings - knows more than most about recording. So how do you get it right? Words: Gavin Glass Photos: Aaron Corr
Industry Guide - Hitting the Studio
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ith the development of music software over the last decade, it has never been easier for musicians and songwriters to record and produce their own music. Professional sounding recordings can now be achieved with just a laptop, a good sound card and a decent microphone. A professional recording studio, however, can offer many advantages that just can’t be achieved with a home studio. That’s not simply because of the experience and objectivity of the engineer/producer and of the possibilities offered by high-end equipment, it’s also down to the physical or emotive environment of the studio. Here are a couple of tips that I would recommend any musician consider before entering the studio and embarking on making musical history.
Plan Ahead Shop around. Not every studio/engineer/producer will suit your needs. Visit the studio, talk to the engineers or the producer. Make sure you will be comfortable Issue 02
locked in a room with them for ten-hours a day. Know your budget and what is available for it. Do your research on previous albums from the engineer, producer and studio. Know what songs you’re recording and practice the absolute bejesus out of them. Then practice them again.
looking for. He is not a mind reader! Have an idea of what guitar, drum and bass sounds you like. Reference tracks are a huge help to engineers. It’s always worth sitting down and playing some tracks you dig.
Get Everybody on the Same Page
Bands need to sit down together, outside of rehearsals Song structure, musical and discuss where each parts, drum patterns, vocal member sees the sound and lines and harmonies – figure direction of the group going. out as much as possible in There has to be some sort rehearsals. Then figure out of simpatico within a band. an alternative, too. Some directional struggle can be a great thing, but if one Working with a member of a band wants to Producer? make a big, wide, dry record Be sure you know your songs while another member wants inside out, you are then a small, lo-fi ambient record, somewhat prepared should a chances are you are going producer suggest a different to lock horns in the studio. approach. If you’re recording Figure out the compromise to a click track, practice to a beforehand, if possible. click in rehearsals and figure out your tempo maps. Have Before the recording session, a realistic goal of how many discuss potential overdubs. songs you are going to record. Set up a list of what parts, Young bands/songwriters overdubs, instruments etc. are consistently expect to record required and systematically too many songs in too little tackle each part in a suitable time. order. This is great for time management and there is Self-Producing? always a morale boost after Don’t expect the engineer striking a big dirty red “X” to know what sound you are through a tricky (continued) 5
Industry Guide - Hitting the Studio
guitar part or a vocal that you’ve been dreading.
Don’t Forget the Vocals Different singers like to sing at different times of the day; some like mornings, some prefer later. Figure this out in advance and be sure to leave ample time. 99.9% of the time the vocal is the most important instrument on a recording. Fantastic recordings can be ruined by not giving the vocalist the time they deserve.
budget, leave the Dutch Gold and weed at home. It may There is nothing worse than have been acceptable for the Time is Money recording an instrument Rolling Stones, but until you Most projects are on a tight that has an intonation or have your own private jet and budget as they are being self- electronics problem. If you a fleet of buses on the road; financed. Be punctual! are going to drop money on a leave acting the maggot out professional recording, make until after the recording is While musicians may not sure your own house is in finished! be the best timekeepers, order instrument/amp wise… (no drummer jokes, please) or pick a studio that has a Enjoy It! arriving late to a session is suitable backline. Many bands put too much disrespectful to the engineer/ pressure on themselves and producer and implies you Rest Up the producer/engineer going don’t give a shit about your This seems a little obvious, into the studio. Trust the art. Most studios charge an but make sure you are fully people you have hired to hourly or daily rate. Don’t eat rested before hitting the help you with your music. Be into your budget by arriving studio – especially vocalists! patient. Many records don’t late or holding up line/mic begin revealing themselves checking because you have A day in the studio is an until late in the process. to replace and tune all your emotional and physically drum skins. Be smart, do that draining task. You don’t Making music should always the night before. want to burn yourself out be a joyous experience. Good too quickly. If you are an luck! independent band on a tight Issue 02
Have Your Instrument Ready
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Interview - HamsandwicH
HamsandwicH
S
itting down with coffee that contains more sugar than caffeine, Podge, Niamh and Ollie of HamsandwicH excitedly regale us with a story about telling a Garda that some shifty characters were hanging around the band’s van, which had all their gear in it. In the ensuing conversation, said Garda mistook musical instruments for Class A narcotics, creating 8
a scene that wouldn’t be out of place in a remake of ‘This Is Spinal Tap’.
we all came to the table with demos and completed them together,” Podge tells GoldenPlec.
Aside from almost accidently being arrested as drug dealers, the HamsandwicH posse have been kept busy with their third album ‘Stories From The Surface.’ “The recording process for this album was a bit different to previous times, where we would have written as a group. This time
Having reached a stage as band mates and friends where criticism is always taken as constructive, the creative process is infinitely easier. “We totally trust each other to make big decisions if some of us happen to be unreachable. Being on the same page is amazing,” Niamh explains.
Interview - HamsandwicH
The aim was to write in the traditional ‘album arc’ style of old vinyl records. Recently, some musicians have said the album is dead. This type of talk saddens Podge. “That attitude is counterproductive. I love albums and how each song has some context to it. In some instances, if you take a song out of the safety of an album setting it can sound totally different and is rarely as effective.”
“We waited four years for that moment and there I was in a fucking rabbit costume.” Being back in the studio again is met with mixed emotions. “There are good and bad days” is a line announced almost in unison with a fit of laughter and knowing glances. “You get to hang out with your friends and play music” Niamh says. But “on the flip side, it’s really stressful. Being productive on call isn’t easy. More than once, I have found myself close to tears with stress. Hearing the final edit (of the album) makes it somewhat worthwhile.” Issue 02
Recording in a “dark and dimly lit cottage in the back arse of nowhere,” is far away from what most people imagine recording sessions entail. “Podge ate a chocolate bar that Brian had been saving all day,” Ollie laughs. “We all thought World War III was about to break out. A piece of chocolate was the straw that broke the camel’s back. It can be a tense time… I’m not sure if Brian is aware that it was Podge. This could cause some tension.” For ‘Stories from the Surface’ the band had producer Karl Odlum on hand to act as babysitter, shrink and confidant. “The importance of a person like Karl cannot be described,” Podge tells us. “He knows exactly how far to push someone and how to get the best out of a song. We rewrote a few songs thanks to him and they are infinitely better because of it.” Touring, equally, isn’t easy. Despite this, none of the band ever have the urge to find a nine-to-five job. “Once we learned how to pace ourselves we were okay,” Niamh says. “There was one particular gig
where we may have gone a bit overboard the night before. I’m pretty sure I threw up in my mouth onstage. After that gig we all swore to cop on.” Playing Electric Picnic for the first time after years of enquiring was a turning point. “They put us on at 12 o’clock in the morning and I pretty much didn’t sleep the night before.” Podge says though a sheepish grin. “I was wearing a bunny costume and in the middle of the deepest fear of my existence. We waited four years for that moment and there I was in a fucking rabbit costume. Everyone in the band still gives me a slagging over that. We’ve started to take much better care of ourselves now though.” Which leaves one final frontier: a desire to conquer the UK and US. “Taking that next step is so important to us. We have a few things in the pipeline so we are so excited for the future”, Podge tells us. You wouldn’t bet against them. ‘Stories From The Surface’ is out April 17th Words: Gavin O’Leary Photo: Dara Munnis 9
Return of the Jackal Words: Anna Job Photos: Sean Conroy
Conor O’Brien – better known simply as Villagers – is widely regarded as one of the most songwriters to emerge from our island in recent years. His poetic lyrics and heartfelt melo taken him around the world, seen him nominated for the prestigious Mercury Music Prize, home an Ivor Novello. His broad experiences have informed much of Conor’s more recent Love, life, music and equality are all on the singer’s mind when we meet him to talk third re ‘Darling Arithmetic’. ‘Darling Arithmetic’ was born in rustic home demos, and many of those early versions live on in the album you hear today. “As it progressed over the months I realised it was going to be much more of an intimate album and much more spacey, quiet and direct,” O’Brien explains. “Sometimes when you redo stuff you lose the initial spark. What I liked about these recordings is the vocal takes were done when I didn’t even realise I was going to be releasing this. They’re more unguarded.” The unshielded approach turned ‘Darling Arithmetic’ into a polygon of emotions, quite different to previous albums. “With my older songs there’s much more symbolism in them, they’re flights of fancy. These are much more direct and about relationships”. As the record unravels, Villagers waltz between topics such as courage, love and serenity. The new style is epitomized by Dawning On Me, one of the album’s standout tracks. It’s a delicate, hypnotizing love song, which magnificently depicts the early morning hours of slumber with a partner. “Particularly with that song,” O’Brien tells us, “I was just trying to write the simplest song about when you’re lying beside your partner thinking, ‘this is incredible and the sun’s coming through the window.’ I just wanted it to be this simple moment.” 10
skilful dies have and take work. lease
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Interview - Villagers
Midway through the album we’re dealt a card with a memorable line. “Remember kissing on the cobblestones/in the heat of the night and all the pretty young homophobes/looking out for a fight”. There’s a striking juxtaposition as O’Brien manages to sweetly drop a word with such ugly connotations into this hazy, romanticised, Hot Scary Summer scene. “That song is about a certain stage in a relationship… and kind of about homophobic experiences that I’ve had. I think as a writer, the best way of doing it is: you take the anger from the experiences and take the time to process it so when you put it back out, it’s full of love and openness. I wanted to put in a bit of humour. Kind of like saying: ‘Oh look at you, you’re cute.’” O’Brien explains that he hasn’t really spoken publicly about love because it wasn’t a topic that featured prominently on his previous albums. Now that it’s a central theme in ‘Darling Arithmetic’, he’s open to discussion. “It depends on the interviewer. If I’m writing songs about relationship experiences, I’m not going to go into specifics, but as long as I draw the line to a certain extent, I’m comfortable talking about it. Now that I’ve written an album about love, I know I’m going to spend the next year talking about it.” The Marriage Equality Referendum will take place about a month after the release of Villagers new album, a fact O’Brien refers to as a “happy mistake.”
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Interview - Villagers
“I’m really happy about that actually. I mean, I don’t want it to be too tied into a political movement but anyone in their right mind can see equality is essential, and I can lend the voice a little bit.” “There’s a certain energy – in Ireland anyway – you can feel it getting more and more open minded by the day. I grew up in the ‘90s and I think if I was a teenager growing up now I’d be happier. I’d feel far less repressed and less scared of just being myself.”
dangerous idea. When I’m writing, I always try and write from an emotional perspective. While we were touring I was reading more and more about the situation in Russia and putting myself in their shoes. I remember we were going to release the single and I was thinking if I didn’t write about this, anything else would have been dishonest. It was just out of necessity.” At a time when much of the mainstream music industry still struggles to navigate the blurred lines
Ceiliúradh. The latter, was a celebration of AngloIrish relations, hosted by President Michael D Higgins in the Albert Hall last year. “I remember singing My Lighthouse and the words just took on a new meaning literally while I was singing. I was just thinking ‘Oh fuck, this is amazing, I’m in the Albert Hall, this is really important’ and the words are quite open: ‘You are needing a friend /for to follow, for to fend’ could have been directed at two nations.”
That layered, poetic approach to song writing “Anyone in their right mind – positively crammed with can see equality is essential” diverse, personal meaning – is what keeps Villagers Just over a year ago, between values, integrity so vital. ‘Darling Arithmetic’ Villagers released the and money; it is refreshing is a change of pace, a single ‘Occupy Your and important to speak change of subject and an Mind’ with the following to an artist who clearly exploration of the loving message: “In the advent understands the purity of soul of one man. It could of the 2014 Olympics in music and the impact it can still only be Conor O’Brien. Sochi, please find attached have without corporate a song written for you, infiltration or egocentricity. ‘Darling Arithmetic’ is out your mother, your father on April 10th. and your gay brothers and Outside of his core sisters in Russia.” activities, Conor often opts Villagers play the Olympia to take part in culturally Theatre on May 20th & “For me the idea of significant events such 21st. the protest song is a as Other Voices and
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insider guide
Berlin
erlin
Our resident of Germany’s techno heartlands gives us the lowdown on Europe’s clubbing capital
“Wide once y previou Berlin is widely touted as the clubbing capital of the world; once you’ve experienced this buzzing city’s nightlife previous experiences can seem somewhat pedestrian. Summertime is the city’s clubbing peak, with all-night parties, world-class DJs and hedonism galore. Once in Berlin, Resident Advisor should be your first port of call. All major events are listed on this site in a day-by-day format.
Clubs are often located in peculiar venues: former noodle factories, warehouses and swimming complexes. They resemble playgrounds for grown-ups, even boasting climbing frames, Pingpong tables and hammocks. Some venues, like About Blank’s Homopatik, host club nights that run over a whole weekend. As soon as the weather heats up, open air season begins with one-day mini festivals attracting top names in techno and house. Last July, for example, Caribou played a free gig in Mauerpark. Keep an eye out for DIYNAMIC and Lichtpark too.
Berlin is notorious for strict door policies, and it pays to prepare. Make sure you are coherent and know the name of the event and a DJ that is playing when you arrive. Bouncers will often ask how many are in a group and prefer to let people in to the event in pairs or three at a time. The philosophy behind this is to encourage people to mingle
Insider Guide - Berlin
ely touted as the clubbing capital of the world; you’ve experienced this buzzing city’s nightlife us experiences can seem somewhat pedestrian.” when they are inside as opposed to staying in large, anti-social packs. Many clubs do not open before 12AM and most people turn up around 2AM.
dance floors, Berghain and Panorama Bar, which reside amidst soaring concrete walls. Berghain’s resident DJs include the likes of Ben Klock and Marcel Dettman.
In a previous life, Griessmuhle was a noodle factory. Today it houses a large club with several dance floors and a spacious outdoor area containing old cars, containers and climbing frames. Perched on the banks of the Neukölln canal, rumour After a beer or two in has it some clubbers swim Klunkerkranich, there “Once you make it through across to avoid the entry fee. is a wealth of clubs to the door, you are Alice and choose from. First up is Renate is Wonderland. It’s If you’re on the lookout Zur Wilden Renate in theatrical, quirky and the for something completely Friedrichshain. Once you different to anything in DJs are exceptional.” make it through the door, Ireland, we’d recommend you are Alice and Renate is checking out Stattbad Wonderland. It is theatrical, Wedding, a 1907 quirky and the DJs are exceptional. The venue swimming pool revamped as a club and sprawls across an old apartment building cultural complex. with three dance floors and various rooms to explore. The outdoor area has a hanging boat, Other clubs of note are Suicide Circus, mini bonfire and other bizarre knick-knacks. Ritter Butzke and Prince Charles. Every time you visit, you’ll find something new. Despite the name, Suicide Circus can be a lot of fun – it’s a small venue with beach party Berghain is one of the most famous clubs in vibes. Unlike many of the Berlin clubs, you the world. Renowned for an uber-strict door won’t find graffiti in Prince Charles but you policy, monster sound system and of course will catch the likes of John Talabot playing all the whispers of X-rated happenings. If you night long. The possibilities are almost endless. make it through the doors, you will find two Words: Anna Job Issue 02
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Photo: ekvidi under CC
Looking for some pre-club drinks? Then Klunkerkranich is the place to start your evening. Located on top of the Neukölln Shopping Centre, it offers spectacular views of Berlin, especially around sunset.
Reviews - Albums
Album Reviews
The Eskies
Villagers
After The Sherry Went Round
Darling Arithmetic
‘A
F
fter The Sherry Went Round’ is a time warp of sorts. The album is a whirlwind brass and string soundtrack plucked from spaghetti westerns and bar mitzvahs, complimented by clean, modern percussion. Despite sounding like they belong in a century past, The Eskies are far from archaic. At the heart of the record is a vibrant thrill-seeking soul. ‘After The Sherry Went Round’ may not bleep and click with contemporary sounds but is no less adventurous and experimental in spirit. The Eskies are just chasing a different kind of bliss.
eaturing minimal accompaniment – guitar, piano, mellotron and brushes, all of which Conor O’Brien took on by himself – this highly personal album was recorded in the loft of a converted farmhouse in Malahide that is his studio. Immediately embracing intimacy, It deals The vocal harmonies on Fever and Eloise are unshakeable, with ‘desire, obsession, and push forth the theatrical qualities that the band’s live loneliness and confusion, and performances are renowned for. Chin Up Jack is a vivacious deeper into philosophical knees-up of brass and guitar. Current single Jesus Don’t Save and existential territory.’ Me crams everything from bluegrass to 1920s style woodwind ‘Darling Arithmetic’ is an into a blasphemous life-affirming cocktail that’s primed to evocative album brought to become a live favourite this festival season. you by a man who has no qualms with opening himself It goes without saying that this sort of signature sound is not emotionally to his audience, everyone’s, ahem, bottle of sherry. However, the record is not and introducing them to so obscure that it is inaccessible. True to form, the sound is his inner demons. Listening rich, luscious and served to perfection. Drink up. alone and absorbing is Fionnuala Jones highly recommended, if not required. Greg Synnott 16
Reviews - Albums
Colm Mac Con Iomaire
HamsandwicH
The Mighty Stef Year Of The Horse
And Now The Weather
Stories From The Surface
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A
fter The Gloaming’s triumph at this years’ Choice Music Prize, the limelight has been cast back upon modern traditional music. Colm Mac Con Iomaire’s latest is a great example; an instrumental album full of delicate, poignant, cinematic songs that feel at once contemporary and grounded in the past. It’s a musical journey that tugs at the spectrum of emotions, none more so than on the beautiful A Farewell to the Sea. String instruments are to the fore, with subtle touches of piano on The Finnish Line and guitar on A Study in Scarlet providing those memorable distinguishing moments. Frank Hughes
Issue 02
amsandwicH have always been the plodding, perfectionist types when it comes to releasing music, and it seems the superslow gestation of ‘Stories From The Surface’ has incited a notable evolution in approach. The power shift from the delicate, almost lullaby-leaning intro of Square 3 to the power-pop choruses of Fandango – a ready-made soundtrack for American coming of age movies – is subtle yet mesmerizing. ‘Stories From The Surface’ is more consistently impressive than previous releases by HamsandwicH, and is enhanced by its own minimalism. It’s a mature, poignant release that’s worth the wait. James Hendicott
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ounded, wronged, riled-up, spaced-out; ‘The Year Of The Horse’ captures the swashbuckling spirit of The Mighty Stef live, in amber. The coarse wallop of Stefan Murphy’s authoritative voice gnashes and caresses with equal effect throughout. Death and darkness pepper the rock ’n’ roll bombast of ‘60s revivalism on Everybody Needs a Grave, Murder and Ceremony. But, ‘The Year Of The Horse’ is definitely an album of two halves, they refuse sex on Blind Girl opting instead for an evening with Horse Tranquilisers ‘The Year Of The Horse’ is for rebel rousers with soul. Stephen Byrne
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THE ESKIES After The Sherry Went Round
ALBUM OUT 15TH MAY 2015 Pre-order on iTunes from the 8th of May 2015 See www.theeskies.com for tour dates
Dimestore Recordings Presents
Album Launch – The Sugar Club, 22 May
Doors 7.30pm Tickets €10 / €15 + album At mongoosetunes.com
Reviews - Albums
Album Reviews
Skelocrats
Duke Special
Not Squares
Bella Bella
Look Out Machines!
Bolts
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omemade wistfulness from the Popical Island collective here; ‘Bella Bella’ distils the best elements of its members’ various projects, from the lush lo-fi indie of Groom and Land Lovers through the more pastoral tones of Paddy Hanna to the ‘Fisher Price pop’ of Grand Pocket Orchestra. Over fourteen tracks, they rattle through a playful, eccentric, tempo-temperamental selection that’s variously plucked, strummed, thrashed and trashed. Big Bad surprises with its psychedelic detours, folky ballads sit amongst the more raucous cuts, and the personalities and musical leanings of each contributor shine through despite the gang-like cohesion ‘Bella Bella’ exudes. Justin McDaid Issue 02
ike everything Duke Special does, ‘Look Out Machines’ contains a degree of musical reinvention. Son of the Left Hand goes all but full Depeche Mode. It’s pulsating catchy chorus, sounding simultaneously anthemic and intimate. Likewise, Step To The Magical practically dances along to a delicious synth beat. Fortunately this new, electropop driven sound isn’t overdone. Duke Special maintains the stripped-back piano flourishes he is famed for, Statues fades in and out with a silky ripple of delicate piano notes, while Tweed Coat consists of little more than a naked tinkling of keys and barely audible sampling of street sounds. Sublime. Bernard O’Rourke
rom the pulsating dawn of Can Opener, it’s clear to see where Not Squares intend on bringing their long overdue follow-up to their 2010 debut ‘Yeah OK’. By the time lead single Oops Said Hi comes around, you already know this is an album that simply exists for the summer festival scene. It’s equal parts disco, throbbing basslines, meticulous melody and hairy hooks. Simpler Vibe and Hey You emerge and highlight the faultless production and towering sound on the record. It’s Irish disco/dance music at its best; made for an international audience. Welcome back guys, it was worth the wait. Ros Madigan 19
Reviews - Live
Live Reviews What unfolded was a sleazy romp through Bill Withers’ Use Me. Austin, clearly living out his cock-rock fantasies, strutting across stage and mounting monitors in a performance equally captivating as it was worrying. All it was missing was the phrase ‘smell the glove’, but Withers’ would surely have approved of the vocal if not the approach.
Booka Brass Band Vicar Street
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Photo: Tara Thomas
ooka Brass Band celebrated their second birthday by headlining Vicar St. cementing a remarkable trajectory to prominence in the Irish music scene for the octet who have capitalised on the unforeseeable amount of goodwill towards them.
Booka Brass Band were joined by Jape’s Richie Egan and The Minutes Mark Austin, the latter giving the crowd more than they bargained for.
Egan’s Floating was perfectly suited for a brass makeover and an excellent version It’s one thing to pique interest of Phil Lynott’s Old Town at a festival with an instantly - complete with legendary gratifying set of hip-hop piccolo trumpet solo - an classics. It’s another thing to early highlight. However, maintain interest with your from the moment Mark own compositions; thanks to Austin strutted onstage there their high-energy creations, was a sense that anything they have done just that. could happen. 20
Booka matched Austin’s energy tearing through Smooth Criminal, Cry Me A River and crowd favourites Apache (Jump On It) and Rapper’s Delight showcasing each member’s physical dexterity. However, the highlight of the performance came when Egan and Austin returned for Arcade Fire’s Wake Up. Booka Brass Band delivered on all fronts, bringing the crowd through spaghetti western and Film noir soundscapes and hip-hop classics, all delivered with individual panache and collective fair. Booka Brass Band is a band you should see at least once. Stephen Byrne
THE WORKMAN'S CLUB PRESENTS
DOLITTLE PRESENTS
MIXTAPES FROM THE UNDERGROUND
THE RAILS
DOLITTLE PRESENTS
THE WORKMAN'S CLUB PRESENTS
MAY 1ST €12
MAY 9TH €13
APRIL 17TH €7
MOON DUO
ICEAGE
(MIDNIGHT SHOW) APRIL 30TH €12
APRIL 29TH €15
THE PRIMITIVES
THE WORKMAN’S CLUB 10 WELLINGTON QUAY, D2
HARMONIC PRESENTS
VIET CONG MAY 13TH €15
@WorkmansDublin theworkmansclub.com
INTRODUCING
MORE HOPS. MORE TASTE. MORE CHARACTER. The GUINNESS word, HOP HOUSE 13 words, HARP device and associated logos are trade marks. ©Guinness & Co. 2015
HOP HOUSE 13
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Reviews - Live
Live Reviews All Tvvins
Sleater-Kinney
Muse
Whelan’s
Vicar Street
Ulster Hall, Belfast
While retaining that innovative All Tvvins style, some of the newer songs boast Adebisi Shankesque guitar riffs. It’s a potent combo: by the time All Tvvins get around to releasing an album, they’ll surely be in bigger venues than Whelan’s. Ally Daly Issue 02
As Sleater-Kinney brought their set in Vicar St to a close with Jumpers, Corin Tucker ended the song on the familiar refrain of “Four seconds was the longest wait.” Those in attendance in Vicar St. had been waiting a lot longer for the return of Sleater-Kinney to Dublin.
Tonight, Corin Tucker and Carrie Brownstein were like alternating currents of crackling electricity, sparking off each other throughout. Brownstein provided the theatrics, a contorting flurry of fretwork, while Tucker’s commanding vocals demanded attention. Boisterous, abrupt and compelling: welcome back Sleater-Kinney, just don’t leave it so long next time. Frank Hughes
Playing their first gig in almost a year, and in a venue the scale of which they rarely frequent these days, Muse surprise us by running through the classics. Newbies Psycho and Reaper are stronger live than their recorded forms suggest, but a rare outing for Uno and old favourites Hysteria and Plug in Baby offer the scintillating highlights of a set notably short on fresh material. Chris Wolstenholme’s driving bass is as stand-out exceptional as ever, forming the pulsing backdrop to Bellamy’s vocal explorations. The tracks flicker and blend into a whole greater than the career-spanning tracks, seeming to zoom in and out of focus. The Devon band has always been a quality live act, and tonight they string together link ups, riffs and swirling aesthetics as well as ever. A polished, lively blitz of a set that promises further stadium highs. James Hendicott 23
Photo: Colm Kelly
Despite not having a particularly substantial body of work out there, the crowd that packed Whelan’s are testament to the love already surrounding All Tvvins. Current single Thank You receives the best response of the night, but other songs such as Know Go and Two Worlds also provoke a dangerous amount of grooving in front of the stage.
Feature - Let’s Talk About Sexism
Let’s Talk About Sexism Words: Catriona Graham
From Stevie Nicks to the Spice Girls, Elisabeth Jacquet de la Guerre to Florence + the Machine, we’ve seen our fair share of musical powerhouses changing the course of the international music scene that just so happen to be women. On our own shores, we’ve seen Enya and Sinead O’Connor, Imelda May and Lisa Hannigan rise to fame. So why are some people still talking about a gender imbalance in the music industry?
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Feature - Let’s Talk About Sexism
W
e decided to look at the question, speaking to women from a variety of musical backgrounds trying to make it in the Irish music scene today, to find out whether gender equality is something we’re working toward, or if the fight is done and dusted.
are specifically sought after, you’re going to be welcomed with open arms. So while female choirs were considered the ‘devil’s chorus’ back in the AD318, it ain’t such a bad position to be in today.
Instrumentalists were a different matter. I’ve been interested in the role of So, what came from the women in the industry for conversation? It varied. years, ever since as a teenager Responses included people I realised that apart from the who were happy except for one girl I started classes with, the odd quip about taking (rumours were by 14 she had longer to get ready, to a fashioned a rather inventive horrific story about being bong out of her instrument), stripped by a conductor I’d never seen another female as a teenager and having trombone player. We’re a rare all subsequent complaints breed. It can be weird, but ignored. hey, it’s usually good craic and I love a sneaky drink As a trombone player, I’ve and laugh as much as the been on the receiving end next lad. Talking to other of an outrageous amount of instrumentalists it was clear ‘boner jokes’ (yes they’re still that the norm was exclusion funny after 12 years) however, and isolation. people being sincerely concerned for my safety Some were kicked out of as a girl playing such a big groups, with excuses like, instrument is progressively “They couldn’t carry enough less endearing. equipment”. Others had some pretty awful comments made Singers, according to our about their appearance that entirely unscientific study, you’d never hear about guys are happiest with their lot. It (at one concert a girl wearing seems that if you’re working a string top was a slut, but a in an area where women guy going topless a legend), Issue 02
or people openly assuming girls were trying to get by on looks not talent. One drummer said that she’d lost count of the amount of times she’d been in a pub, carrying equipment or setting up the kit, and been asked by a well-meaning sound engineer: “Where is your boyfriend?” Another said pictures of her were “stolen from her website” and posted on a misogynistic drum fetish site. It can be great and a lot of fun, but the resounding consensus was that there is still a huge imbalance between how women and men are treated, sometimes with awful consequences. Sure, if you’re the best you’ll get through, but, wouldn’t the fairest thing be that you get the same opportunities, even if you’re only as good? It’s time men and women talked about the problems, and better still; the solutions. GoldenPlec’s ‘Sexism in Music’ Forum was held anonymously, to allow participants to speak freely without putting future endeavours at risk.
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Interview - The Vaccines
The Vaccines “We felt beaten down, like people were ready to dismiss us.”
T
he world is full of bizarre twists and turns, and the continued success of The Vaccines – strange as they never really sought it – is one. A real-world example of how in art, having fun can sometimes be the best career move. The quick fire rockers started out simply aiming to provide a laugh-along outlet alongside a more serious folk project. Three albums in, they’re in demand, and taking themselves more than seriously enough. The third album, in fact, has them all aflutter. “I think it’s our best one, personally. It’s our best album by a fair bit and I can’t wait!” Pete Robertson, the band’s drummer and vocalist tells GoldenPlec, buzzing on the release of ‘English Graffiti’. 26
“It’s been very different. We’ve never taken quite so long to write before. When we came off the road almost eighteen months ago, we made a conscious decision that we were going to take some time off. About six-months of not doing anything was the idea; I think we all started writing as individuals pretty much straight away.” New single Handsome, with its robotic, electronic edginess does a decent job of highlighting The Vaccines’ new brand of fun, with the video depicting a kind of indie rock boot-camp that bought the Londoners to that sound. “We had this feeling of fearlessness”, Robertson says. “It might sound douche-y, but how we start off in the video, being down and putting ourselves through this rigorous training process and coming out the other end ready to
take on the world. That’s kind of what we felt the album process was.” “At the end of the cycle last time we felt beaten down, like people were ready to dismiss us.” That makes it all the more important to bounce back strongly, and with tracks like Want You So Bad, The Vaccines have taken a dramatic left turn, throwing in hypnotic swirls to top off their blasts of lad-rock indie. “There is a real cohesion between all the songs on the album. I think they sound like they come from the same place.” Robertson tells us, “But I feel like they also sound like they’ve been written over the period of a year or so. There’s definitely progression through them and they all delve into different areas of music that we like and all the stuff that we’ve been listening to over the
Interview - The Vaccines
last year or so.” With Robertson himself now head of a young family – and frontman Justin’s transition from straight edge vegan to dirty-rock frontman well-touted – perhaps a continued penchant for change was inevitable.
demise. “I think it’s pretty tragic but it’s kind of the way things are currently. To be a musician, you need money. And no one has any money. It’s a really bleak time.”
of expression.” Robertson doesn’t believe that this injection will be limited to any one genre “For us, variety is really important,” he says, a statement which rings true throughout ‘English Graffiti’. This is an album which has seen The Vaccines overcome their own adversity by embracing it.
The Vaccines believe that this financial adversity will not castrate creativity, instead The business side of music injecting a bold new wave of has taken its toll, too, but freedom into contemporary Robertson sees a certain music “What I think will happen amount of inspiration to be is that this bleak time is going to ‘English Graffiti’ is out May 15th taken from the industry’s slow transform itself into a new mode Words: Orla Conway
Issue 02
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Feature - Festival Preview
Photos: Michelle Geraghty
KnockanStockan
When? July 24th & 25th
Where? Beautiful Blessington Lakes, Co. Wicklow.
What’s the Damage?
KnockanStockan can seem like an obscure field at Glastonbury transported into rural
Wicklow. Now in its 9th edition, the festival claims to be run on ‘blood, sweat and volunteers’, and builds that stellar reputation on having what we’d argue is the best buzz on the summer scene. Think tent
€80 plus booking fee.
raves, an ear for great unknown acts, early morning
Who’s Playing?
yoga. The concept is built on giving exposure to
O Emperor, The Eskies, Red Enemy, Syd Arthur, New Secret Weapon, Tucan, Bitch Falcon, Gascan Ruckus, Leo Drezden, Twin Headed Wolf, Kicking Bird, Sinead White, Bats, Bunk, Mongoose and much more.
Why Go? 28
C
ompact and quirky, on a good day
A classy, bargain festival with a great buzz and crammed with top local acts. KnockanStockan offers you the chance to see the stars of tomorrow and Ireland’s best-kept secrets.
local musicians, with the headliners usually drawn from past success stories returning to repay the favour. If you ‘go local’ with your music and prefer a corporation-free festival with a relaxed approach to enjoying yourself; this’ll be right up your street. Keep an eye out for GoldenPlec at KnockanStockan. We’ll be overseeing plenty of loud and lovely things worth getting excited about throughout the festival.
Feature - Festival Preview
When? May Bank Holiday, 1st - 3rd
Where?
S
et up as a combination music/campervan festival, Vantastival’s boutique scale and loveable, family-friendly approach has
garnered the Co. Louth weekend more and more
Rustic Bellurgan Park, near Dundalk, Co. Louth.
respect over the years. Playful stage-settings, late-
What’s the Damage?
painting and raffling off a van each year gives it an
€95 camping or day tickets from €45.
Who’s Playing? Delorentos, Goldie Lookin’ Chain, R.S.A.G, The Flaws, Jinx Lennon, Temper-Mental MissElayneous, I’m Your Vinyl, Cult-Called Man, Bunk, Rackhouse Pilfer and an extensive glance at Ireland’s up and comers.
Why Go? A bit of everything: it’s wide open to interpretation and encourages attendees who like to do their own thing.
Photos: Ray Byrne, Andrew Miller and Keith Currams
Vantastival
night shenanigans and a happy habit of customeffortless charm, while the performances feature some of the best up and coming Irish talent out there. A great primer on the roots of Irish indie, it’s never short of a decent headliner, either. This year sees the arrival of a Welsh comedy headline act sure to entertain. This year also sees the arrival of the GoldenPlec Grotto to the festival. Set in a natural amphitheatre, the GoldenPlec Grotto provides the opportunity to see some of Ireland’s finest acts in a stunning festival venue. 29
Feature - Festival Preview
Photos: Lucy Dawson, Allen Kiely & Colm Moore
Body & Soul
When? June 19th - 21st
Where?
festival celebrates the summer solstice in a modern way, aiming to feed more than just
your ears. This unique take on the music festival
Ballinlough Castle Estate, Clonmellon, Meath.
experience aims to remove every aspect of your
What’s the Damage?
up your mind to new perspectives, activities and
Weekend €139.50 - €177.50
experiences. This outlook is reflected in the line-up,
Who’s Playing? Flight Facilities, Savages, Ásgeir, Austra, Goat, Nightmares on Wax, Rhye, Lamb, Matthew E White, Dan Deacon, Talaboman, James Holden, Clark, SOHN, Mmoths, Brandt Brauer Frick, Meltybrains? and loads more of music’s loveable leftfield.
Why Go? Celebrate the summer solstice by nurturing your body and soul.
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B
eautiful, blissful & bizarre, the Body and Soul
being from the captivity of modern living and open
which always contains artists who approach their work from alternative perspectives. This year is no different with the likes of Austra, Meltybrains? and King Kong Company on the bill.
Feature - Festival Preview
Photo: Tara Thomas
Forbidden Fruit
When? May 29th - 31st.
Where?
N
ow in its fifth year, Forbidden Fruit has become one of the most popular festivals on the Irish circuit thanks to its central
Dublin location and small circumference, which
Royal Hospital Grounds, Kilmainham, Dublin.
leaves every stage less than five minutes’ walk away.
What’s the Damage?
Flaming Lips, Little Green Cars and an unforgettable
Friday €49.50, Sat/Sun €59.50, Weekend €119.
show from Chic. There shall be no sitting on the hill
Who’s Playing? Fatboy Slim, Wu Tang Clan, Groove Armada DJ Set, Idris Elba, Jamie XX, Mr Scruff, Joey Bada$$, Earl Sweatshirt, Mount Kimbie DJ Set, Bakermat, Kelela, Damian Lazarus and loads more, including a top comedy tent.
Highlights over the years have included Wilco, The
watching the sun go down this year though. The latest line-up sees the festival’s focus shift away from mainstream guitar bands to superstar DJs, hip hop royalty and electronic acts with an order of rock ‘n’ roll on the side.
Why Go? A chance to see some of the best hip hop and electronic acts in the world and dance the night away in a welcoming atmosphere at a bargain price.
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