Hot Chip 'One Life Stand' Video

One Life Stand is the 4th studio album due for release from the mighty Hot Chip on January 29th (In Ireland). After releasing, in my opinion three top albums with Coming On Strong, The Warning and Made In The Dark in the space of five years, they return with yet another excellent release.

Each album has seen the band evolve from an eccentric lo fi pop band to an all out disco club outfit, so the question is where to next for Hot Chip? Well the first track to become a single from the new album is also titled One Life Stand and it's a fantastic and buoyant pop tune, something I have missed with the X-Factor cramming up the airwaves of late.

Fans of Ready For The Floor and Boy From School shouldn't be disappointed with this effort and to accompany it is an equally great video.



Hot Chip One Life Stand is out January 29th 2009

Photo's: You Me At Six supporting Paramore live @ The O2 Dec. 12th 2009

You Me At Six were the main support act for Paramore last night in The O2 and they certainly know how to bring it live. They played mostly tracks from their debut Take Off Your Colours including the super catchy Kiss And Tell, Finders Keepers and Save It For The Bedroom but also included one of their fantastic new tracks, The Consequence.

You Me At Six are set to release their second studio album Hold Me Down here on January 8th in Ireland and 11th in the UK.

Here are some pics from the show and you can view the rest HERE.

Josh Franceschi


Max Helyer


Matt Barnes


Chris Miller

The Dodos-Longform Video

The second track on The Dodos 2009 release Time To Die is the alluring Longform, a pounding and fast paced concoction of drums and guitar that they have just made a video to.

The video to Longform has me dreaming of summery days in the countryside and temporarily wipes away the winter blues. The perfect antidote to a cold day. Enjoy the warmth!

Chromeo - Night By Night Video

This track has been knocking about for a couple of months but finally there is a video to go with this belter. Chromeo's Night By Night is electro disco at it's finest and the accompanying video is like Dirty Dancing in a Strictly Ballroom haze with a touch of T.J Hooker but, without the grainy 80's quality and more of a polished 00's vibe.
Skream has also done an incredible remix for this track too and is well worth checking out here.

New Flying Lotus track Quakes on Warp compilation 2010

2010 is the title of a new compilation released on Warp Records which showcases brand new tracks from their newer signings as well as, some new material from their more established artists such as Flying Lotus and Bibio. Also featured is tracks from newbies Rustie, Nice Nice and De Tropix.
Quakes is a brand new track from Flying Lotus to feature on 2010 and press play below to have a listen to the dark, glitchy brilliance.




2010 is out now and Tracklisting is as follows with snippets of Bibio, The Hundred In The hands and Nice Nice plus more below.:

01 - Bibio - Jealous Of Roses (Pivot Remix)
02 - The Hundred In The Hands - Dressed In Dresden
03 - Nice Nice - See Waves
04 - Flying Lotus - Quakes
05 - Pivot - The Quick Mile
06 - Africa HiTech - Blen
07 - Rustie - Inside Pikachu's Cunt
08 - De Tropix - Adeyhey
09 - Hudson Mohawke - FUSE
10 - Gonjasufi - Ancestors

U:MACK 15th Birthday Party Preview

U:Mack’s 15th birthday is set to be a banging affair in Tripod on December 10th with huge favourites Battles heading the line up.

Battles have played 4 or 5 gigs in Dublin over the past three years, each time to a bigger crowd, bigger venue and with more energy than the gig before. They quickly won over the minds of the Irish music lovers with the release of the debut EP's and anyone in attendance at the U:Mack birthday will be in for a treat when they launch into monster tracks Atlas and Ddiamond. In short, they are a prog force to be reckoned with. Most importantly though, this gig will see previews of their new material due out next year.

Also on the bill are, the masters of instrumental rock, 65 Days of Static. For those unfamiliar with the Sheffield group, imagine the most beautiful Mogwai-esque soundtrack mixed with a heavy dose of electronic instruments and stunning visuals.

One of Europe's respected outfits The Ex, shall be definitely one the birthday highlights with their unrivalled reputation as an electrifying live band that hypnotise their audience with plenty no-wave/post punk offerings. Their body of work includes around 20 studio albums and as many EP's to boot making them a fantastic addition to the bill.

Local heroes Adebisi Shank are also lined up and should satisfy the Battles fans in attendance. These guys have been garnering huge support in Ireland with their critically acclaimed punk rock album This Is The Album Of A Band Called Adebisi Shank released earlier this year and are an excellent choice for opening proceedings on Thursday next.

Dance/pop ensemble !!! or Chk Chk Chk DJ set pad out the evening. For those of you there purely to dance these guys will be just what the doctor ordered. Allan Wilson and Tyler Pope shall be on hand to spin some well placed tunes and speaking from experience these guys know how to ensure a party keeps going until the wee hours.

The Skinny Wolves DJ's are also onthe bill to balance out the right kinds of tunes on the night so expect to hear your favourite kinds of Krautrock, Dance, New Wave and Punk plus a whole lot more.

To be part of this momentous occasion just head over to tickets.ie and grab yourself one.
It is going to be one of the most talked about gigs of 2009 and with good reason too.

Preview by Liz Duffy & Danielle Graham

Maximo Park-Let's Get Clinical (Clark Remix)

Chris Clark's nebulous and frenzied electronic style has earned him a few fans since his Clarence Park album was released on Warp Records in 2001 and this was pretty much proved when he played to a packed crowd at the DEAF festival last month.

Totem's Flare released earlier this year, gathered him a new breed of followers, but it's hard to say if his remix of Maximo Park's Let's Get Clinical will do him any favours. Don't get me wrong I think it's a cracking remix that makes an average track really good, I just can't really see the majority of Maximo Park fans who love their indie pop getting this.

A fine remix for a Friday. Enjoy!

Fever Ray-Keep The Streets Empty For Me Video

The Fever Ray album is definitely one of my favourite albums of this year. It's eerie demeanour throughout is somewhat unusual, yet comforting because of that and an array of ghostly video's have accompanied the album's strange manner since it's release earlier this year.

So Keep The Streets Empty For Me is no exception to their ongoing theme. It's dark and features a girl creeping around a deserted area of a city at night and is shot beautifully.
Directorial duties came from Swedish duo Jens Klevje and Fabian Svensson who wanted "to catch the feeling in a very direct and true way and create a video where dream and reality intertwine", a feeling they definitely have captured well.

Yeasayer to play the Academy on February 20th 2010

After announcing the release of their brand new studio album Oddblood, out the first week of February, Yeasayer are set to hit the road and have just confirmed a gig at The Academy in Dublin on February 20th 2010. Happy Days! You can get all the info you need HERE.
Tickets on sale this Friday November 27th.
In the meantime enjoy the fabulously weird and wonderful video to Ambling Alp.

NEW Late Of The Pier track Blueberry

Last month I blogged about the new release due from Late Of The Pier.
It's no secret that Fantasy Black Channel was my favourite album of 2008 and just as the withdrawal symptoms set in and I waited eagerly for some new LOTP madness, they go ahead and announce details of their brand new double A-side single. Nice one!

Best In The Class and Blueberry are two brand new tracks from Late Of The Pier and both were produced by DJ supreme Erol Alkan.
They also got their first airing on Erol's 6Mix radio show, the latter only a couple of days ago and you can hear it below. I must say Erol's magic dust, sprinkled nicely on this makes Blueberry a whole different track from the live version doing the rounds on Youtube.

The release of Best In The Class/Blueberry is due in for February on Zarcorp. Watch this space for more details and let us know what you think.

White Rabbits - Percusion Gun Video

Brooklyn, NY keep churning out the goods as another band to emerge from their very healthy music scene and slap you in the face with goodness are White Rabbits.

Originally from Missouri, this six piece indie rock band are about to drop their second studio album at the end of January and it is titled It's Frightening through Mute Records. Despite already having released this in the US, White Rabbits are still fairly new in this part of the world.
They cite Bob Dylan and The Specials as their influence of choice and have toured with The Walkmen and Richard Swift. Percussion Gun is their new single out now also through Mute and it is one of those 'on repeat' tracks. Test it for yourself!

Messiah J & The Expert launch brand new single live @ The Twisted Pepper this Friday!

Ireland's finest hip hop outfit Messiah J & The Expert must never sleep, as they return with two brand new tunes, to be released exclusively through the Richter Collective Singles Club.
This hard working twosome are set to bring out a double A-side, 7" single this Friday November 27th and the only way to get your hands on it is to turn up to the launch gig in The Twisted Pepper where, limited copies shall be given to the first 200 punters through the door.

The first of the two tracks Acting The Maggot is described "as a banger in the classic Hip Hop mould on which MJEX celebrate the joys of being young, fighty and irresponsible in the modern day, over a concoction of swooping strings, snapping drums, sickly scratching and terrifically tasty guitars".
The second A-side is the psychedelic offering If You Don't Want To Know The Score, Look Away Now which features unique and wonderful vocals from Jennifer Evans.

Both tracks are a must have for Mjex and hip hop fans alike so don't miss what is sure to be a top notch night. See you up the front! Doors 9pm with support from Crayonsmith and tax is €10.

Twin Atlantic-What Is Light? Where Is Laughter? Video

Twin Atlantic return with the raucous What Is Light? Where Is Laughter?, the third single to be released from their sterling debut album Vivarium. The band shot the video in sunny LA last month and despite no sun actually featuring in the video it's still extremely slick.
The lads have just announced details of another headline tour of the UK to kick off in January with Irish dates to be added soon. Watch this space.

Crookers feat Kelis-No Security Video

There is a debate amongst Crookers fans right now over the Italian duo's latest single featuring Kelis (now you know what she has been up to of late) called No Security. Basically is it good enough? Famed for their electro based remixes of tracks for Kid Cudi, U2 and The Chemical Brothers to name three, Crookers have come up with a dub step track for their latest offering but surely that's not a bad thing right? I happen to like it anyway.

No Security is taken from Crookers forthcoming debut release titled Tons Of Friends out in March on Southern Fried Records.
In the meantime have a look at some marksman in full army combat out hunting in the woods...

Vampire Weekend-Cousins Video

Vampire Weekend return with a harder edge to their sound and image with their brand new single Cousins. Gone are the chino's and polo shirts that sit nicely with Oxford Comma and Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa, to reveal a slightly less polished sound and image.
The video to accompany Cousins is of the usual high quality you would come to expect in a Vampire Weekend video and this quirky number is directed by Garth Jennings (Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy & Son Of Rambow) who also directed A-Punk.

Cousins is taken from the new Vampire Weekend album Contra out on January 9th

Simian Mobile Disco feat. Beth Ditto-Cruel Intentions video

The third track to be released as single from Simian Mobile Disco's latest release Temporary Pleasure is the fabulous Cruel Intentions featuring The Gossip's leading lady Beth Ditto.
Already a favourite on dance floors all around the world it's no wonder this is next choice of release for the SMD lads.
The video itself is weird and a little sinister but I like it. Happy weekend folks.

Talulah Does The Hula, Slurps & Guilty Optics live @ The Twisted Pepper

It's almost the weekend and tomorrow night it kicks off with superb action in the Twisted Pepper on Middle Abbey Street with three kick ass band all taking to the stage.

First up is Slurps. There are six of them in the band and they played their first show back in June for the first Noises In Our Heads gig. Since then they have been travelling on Camel back around the country playing shows to nice people and even supported the mighty Bats last month. They play indie rock and are damn good too so get down there early.

Guilty Optics are a rock trio who play "melodic rock that will melt your face", so if you like the idea of a face melt down then this is the band for you. Having recently played with Elk, Jogging, Alias Empire and Sweet Jane, you shall be hearing a lot more about these lads in the near future.

Headlining tomorrow night proceedings are the uber fantastic Talulah Does The Hula. They are four girls born from the ashes of The Chalets and Neosupervital, combined with drummer supreme Michael and viola, you have a 60's inspired pop group that write 'Wickedly clever and sexy pop tunes". Their current single Bad Boyfriend is as contagious as swine flu and the video to accompany is slick.

So there you have it, tomorrow night is going to be a party and it shall cost you only a €5.

Poster designed by Cian Walker.

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.

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

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

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

Simon Neil

James Johnston

Ben Johnston

Simon Neil

You can view more HERE

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.

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.

Frightened Rabbit- Swim Until You Can't See Land video

This video has been doing the rounds over the past week and a bit but I love the track too much not to mention it here. Swim Until You Can't See Land is another cracking song from Frightened Rabbit filled with gorgeous melodies and swooning backing vocals all surrounding Scott Hutchison's distinct lead vocal. which as always, lends itself to a certain amount of vulnerability. This is the first taster taken from their new studio album due out on Fat Cat Records in early 2010 and it is titled The Winter Of Mixed Drinks .



Frightened Rabbit play the Academy supporting Modest Mouse on December 7th and 8th and Swim Until You Can't See Land is released on November 13th.

Listen to the new LCD Soundsystem track Bye Bye Bayou

LCD Soundsystem have quite a following here in Ireland and it's been two years now since the release of the outstanding Sound Of Silver, so the feet have been itchy since they announced they would be releasing their own version of Bye Bye Bayou, a track originally by Alan Vega from Suicide. The good news is you can listen to it below and we have the link to the free download.

The 12" of this single is available through DFA Records and a selected amount of indie vinyl shops in the UK so get hunting when it hits the shelves on November 6th while it will be early 2010 before we get to wrap our ears around the new album. For your free download of Bye Bye Bayou then click HERE

The Noises In Our Heads Present The Evening Watch plus very special guests...

This is the second gig of 2009 for The Noises In Our Heads. After a packed out gig back in June with Incommunicado, Jennifer Evans & The Ripe Intent and Slurps in the Lower Deck, I am set to do it all over again. This time the fun shall be staged in The Twisted Pepper on Abbey Street and the lineup is as follows:

Over the last three months The Evening Watch have been working tirelessly on lots of new songs since their days as Incommunicado. This indie electronic outfit based in Dublin have influences ranging across the board from Kings Of Convenience to Jim O'Rourke and like to use a large range of instruments on stage including live strings. A feast for the ears indeed.

Next up is The Indecent Cigar Emporium, who are a 6 piece outfit that started out playing psychedelic bluegrass until the funk got the better of them and they have since evolved into a quirky funk, beat driven band with a large sense of humour. It's Metronomy meets The Flight Of The Conchords.

With a name like Lumière you would expect lo fi, ambient or classical music but not with this band. This alternative rock outfit based in Dublin tear it up with loud, breakneck guitars and drums. Fans of Hot Club De Paris and Foals should enjoy them.

November 18th is the date and the door tax is €6...Bargain!

Photographs @ HWCH '09

Hats off to the organisers of the Hard Working Class Heroes Festival '09. It was a fantastic weekend of live music, photography and panel discussions. Most importantly though it showcased a lot of Irish musicians from all genres and it left me in doubt that there is a serious amount of talent in Irelend. I took some photo's of that very talent I speak of and for more you can click HERE.

Distractors live @ Academy 2 for HWCH '09


Distractors live @ Academy 2 for HWCH '09


O Emperor live @ ALT for HWCH '09


O Emperor live @ ALT for HWCH '09


Gran Casino live @ ALT for HWCH '09


Gran Casino live @ ALT for HWCH '09


Sweet Jane live @ ALT for HWCH '09


Sweet Jane live @ ALT for HWCH '09

Midnight Juggernauts-This New Technology Video

My favourite Aussies Midnight Juggernauts are back with the wonderfully trippy, This New Technology, a prismatic synth pop track that at first, I must admit I wasn't too gone on.

After loving the superb Dystopia with all it's brilliance in the shape of Into The Galaxy, Tombstone and Shadows, I really hoped they would come back with something pretty great and I think they nearly have.The video itself reflects the psychotropic nature of the track and they have evolved further into a spaced out, synth pop band that would enjoy an episode or two of the Crystal Maze but I think it suits them. Let's hope the new album due out next year is up to par.

You can buy This New Technology EP on iTunes and it's worth it for the Nile Delta remix alone. Also check out the Emperor Machine remix on Discopunk.net

Florence & The Machine-You've Got The Love video

The wonderful Florence Welch (of And The Machine) is set to release her excellent version of Candi Staton's, You've Got The Love on November 13th. A crowd favourite when performed live, Flo's version gives this soul classic a wonderfully modern twist. The video for this is shot with Florence perched on a glittery, silver quarter moon dressed in feathers and sequinns, whipping her red mane into shape with the music. It's pretty girly so I am not gonna complain.



Florence and The Machine | MySpace Music Videos

Talulah Does The Hula-Bad Boyfriend Video

Dublin ladies (and man) Talulah Does The Hula have just released their first video to the wonderfully poppy Bad Boyfriend. It was shot over the summer by band member Jesse and it is uber slick!
The track itself reflects the summery feel good factor of the video and I love it.
If you like what you hear then you can them live next Friday in the Twisted Pepper as part of the Hard Working Class Heroes Festival.

.

Twin Atlantic live @ The Academy photo's

Last night I hit the Academy 2 for the mighty Twin Atlantic who are currently on their Irish tour and while I was there I took a few snaps. The band took in Belfast, Galway and Dublin while their Cork show is tonight.
Check them out below.

Ross McNae


Craig Kneale


Barry McKenna


Sam McTrusty


You can see more on my Flickr.
www.twinatlantic.com

New Late Of The Pier single details.

Castle Donnington's finest exports Late Of The Pier are set to release a brand new single this side of Christmas or so rumour has it. A big hoorah! It shall be a double A-Side with new tracks Blueberry and an oldie featured on some early demo's Best In The Class.
Blueberry is a track you could expect to find deep in the vaults of your parents record collection as it's draped with psychedelic soundscapes and a Bowie influenced vocal, while Best In Class is more Late Of The Pier of now except it's jazzed up quite a bit from the early demo stage.
Erol Alkan who produced the bands surreal but fantastic debut Fantasy Black Channel, has bestowed his production skills yet again on the finished product and it's one I can't wait to hear. LOTP have played Blueberry live on a number of occasions including at SXSW earlier this year and you can check out the audio below as well as a live version of Best In The Class.

Blueberry

Best In Class

Twin Atlantic coming to a town near you this week.

After playing to a largely under age audience in The Academy supporting Taking Back Sunday in July, Twin Atlantic have released their debut album Vivarium and played a tonne of gigs all over the place including the hugely popular Sonisphere festival. Their own headline tour has seen them grace the stages of venues up and down the UK and they are about to return to Ireland for 4 gigs of their own.

Starting this Sunday the band are in to play the following dates:
Sunday October 4th- Auntie Annies, Belfast
Monday October 5th- The Roisin Dubh, Galway
Tuesday October 6th- The Academy 2, Dublin
Wednesday October 7th- Old Oak, Cork

Last month I wrote a wee piece about the band and their video for You're Turning Into John Wayne but check out the video to their first single released from Vivarium, Lightspeed.

Royksopp feat. Fever Ray - This Must Be It video

When Fever Ray are featured on one of your tracks, it's a given that the video must be equally as kooky and Royksopp's latest offering, This Must Be It is no exception.
The story in this is about a grey haired, half naked, drumming man whose "car" is designed around a drum kit and is powered off him playing the drums. He visits a cult like movement that in the middle of nowhere and he teaches them how to drum. Visually odd yet fantastic a combination I like.



This Must Be It is taken from the current Royksopp album Junior.

The Flaming Lips Feat. Karen O: I Can Be A Frog Video

The Flaming Lips have just released the video to I Can Be A Frog, their new song featuring Karen O on added vocals and when I say added vocals, I mean animal noises and not really singing. The track itself is taken from the bands new album Emryonic which is due out here on October 9th.
Check out the crazy lady pretending to be various animals through out the video.

Girls-Lust For Life Video

Lust For Life has been around for a couple of months now but I love it and thought it worth a mention today. It's wonderfully summer filled melodies have me pining for San Francisco and that's exactly where this duo are from. Girls are Christopher Owens and JR White, yes the band is made up of two males whose lyrics are less than sugar sweet against the pleasant musical façade.
In Lust For Life Owens sings about being crazy and fucked up in the head, good for you mate, it's good to know, but it is one of those songs that you end up humming and for hours on end and really enjoy. Definitely worth checking out.!



Girls debut album is out this Friday on Fantasy Trashcan and is titled Album while the bands UK tour kicks off on October 9th.

Interview with Irish band CODES

A couple of weeks ago I sat down and had a chat with newish Irish band CODES. With Dad jokes (Daragh) firmly put to the side, we talked to Paul, Eoin, Daragh and Ray about their forthcoming debut album TreesDreamInAlgebra which is released here on Friday (Sept. 18th), their music loves and how it's all going being signed to a major label.

Your debut album TreesDreamInAlgebra is about to come out in a few weeks time are you excited? Nervous?
All- Yeah we're excited. A little bit nervous more excited than nervous though!
Daragh-We recorded it in the UK in Gloucester and worked with a producer called Greg Haver who has also worked with The Manic Street Preachers and The Super Furry Animals and anyone Welsh. He basically did some demo's for us in Cardiff where he is based himself and when we worked with him we were really happy with the results and one of the songs made it onto the album.

Which track was that?
Daragh- Memorial is the track that made it onto the album. Greg was really really cool to work with and good fun, he helped us relax and get the best out of us rather than producing us too much and he recommended a studio in Gloucester that we would get really good results from. It also was within our budget, because we paid for it ourselves and that was very much on our minds. So basically he chose where to record the album and where he would be more comfortable doing it.

So you obviously would be fans of the Manics and Super Furries then?
Collectively-YES definitely. Their albums seem to have quite a big sound and are slickly produced.
Daragh-He says he doesn't make small albums so that's great.

What process did you go through to write the album?
Daragh- It all started off in the rehearsal room I think. We've been together since 2007 and so there was a lot of material floating around and we kind of got thinking to ourselves before we even thought about going and working with Greg, about what songs would make the final cut. We picked the final 13 songs ourselves and we were very calculated before we went into the studio about what we wanted to achieve in the time, so everything was kind of done before hand.

So there is 13 tracks on the album. Did you record more than that before choosing what songs made it?
Daragh-13 in total that's it. Memorial came from the Cardiff sessions, which we intended to do. We thought we might go back and do a few bits and bobs extra on it
Ray- For the most part it ended up being up to scratch.
Daragh. We remixed it a bit but it was pretty much the same version as we did in Wales.

Do you think if you hadn't signed to EMI Records that the whole process would be much different? How you chose your producer, studio etc?
Daragh- I think we would always be conscious of how much money we would spend because it's something you learn very early on in your musical careers that nothing comes for free. Even if we had signed to a label like we are now and they fronted the money we would still be conscious of how much we would spend because ultimately it's like a bank loan.
Eoin- We don't want to end up like Guns N' Roses and wait god knows how many for years to release and no matter how much money is spent it still wouldn't sound better for that.
Daragh- Yeah. The difference is in music is that usually the longer you take in making an album the better it is but sometimes and from bad experience the more you deliberate over something the more you end up wrecking it. I think if we were to do it again we would try and impose ourselves the same restrictions.

Do you find you still have that same creative freedom you would have had if you had decided to release on your own? Are there any restrictions?
Daragh- No not at all. I think one of the reasons we went with the EMI deal is because one of the things we had on our list when we were pitching it to labels, was that we didn't want to sign to a label who wanted to change any of the songs on the record or wanted it remixed because we are really happy with how it sounds and I'm really proud of it. So that's one of the reasons we chose the EMI deal. I don't feel any creative pressure at all I feel really comfortable.

A few people have commented that you guys could become quite a big success do you feel pressured by such statements?
Eoin- We don't see it as pressure, more of a compliment.
Daragh- If they hear something in the music that they relate to artists who are already successful and big then we are doing our job correctly, obviously not in the way where we are trying to emulate anybody, it just affirming again being told 'Yeah your record is good enough to go out via a major label', so yeah, we've done something right. People who have come to our gigs and seen us in Whelan's go 'I can see you guys playing on a bigger stage', that's the kind of affirmation you long to hear.

Your sound is quite epic and big and you used a lot of instruments on the album to get that sound. How are you going to bring it live with that amount of instruments?
Paul- They way we rehearsed it before we even went into the studio was us playing the songs as we are now on the album with the exception of a few strings, but all the synths and all the pads were all played live, we wrote the songs with that in mind.
Daragh- There is no layering on the album, when we were rehearsing everything, we rehearsed it live so we knew what sounded good with the four of us playing. Albeit we switch a lot of instruments a lot on stage. Ray will be playing guitar for a few seconds then you'll see him on keyboards and then he is hitting the keys with the top of the guitar. Paul will be on drums then electronic live drums so we're always running around on stage, there is lots going on. That is part of why we sound so big.
Ray- I think our logic was if someone is capable of playing their part they will play it.

Speaking of playing live. You are about to head on an expansive tour of the country. Have you done that before?
Ray- We have done it on a smaller scale when were promoting our own self released singles beforehand but this is first time we are trying to cover as many different counties as possible in a short space of time.
Eoin- It's about giving people the chance to see us and try and win them over as well.

Would you have any pre stage rituals to get you ready to play?
Daragh- Pint! Why are ye all looking at me? (laughter from the rest). We just relaxed and hang out together and try and detach as much as possible. We usually do some vocal harmonies, I know that sounds cheesy, warm the old voices up before we sing. Usually we don't stick around for other bands sound checks because you get a bit more nervous. We did the Academy last year but we are quite conscious that we were under the radar a little bit. We have been busy doing the album and behind the scenes work with the label so we are approaching it as a brand new thing not as expecting any particular crowd or reaction. So we're hoping most people coming to the gig will be coming to it completely fresh.

You have toured a bit with Keane and the Delays how did those support slots come about? Daragh- Keane actually asked us to do the Irish leg of the tour so that was pretty cool and we did Dublin and Belfast with them. We supported the Airbourne Toxic Event as well in the Academy in March and they ended up liking us and invited us to come along to play with them in London a week later which we were surprised about.
Paul- It was a last minute decision, they were surprised with us and wanted us to come along. I think Darren their drummer said that he would be so much happier to have a band like us opening for them rather, than, what they usually would be getting which would be two local bands which were terrible and they much preferred a great opening act to keep the crowd entertained before they came on. They are really cool guys.
Daragh- Sometimes you get lucky where bands are in a position to ask you so it's nice and I think it was the same with Delays. Karl our manager was in contact with their management, sent them a CD and they liked what they heard so we played with them when they came over and I think we are going to be returning the favour.

Is the UK next on your list then?
Daragh- I think that's on the "What's next with Codes' list, which is stuck on the back of the rehearsal room door. Hopefully it will take on it's own legs and we're going to work as hard as we can to get as many people as possible to hear it in Ireland and if they like it, it spreads a bit organically as well as us pushing it. Then the UK next.

We have discussed loads of bands but who would be your influences? Obviously it's an individual thing.
Daragh- Interpol, Radiohead have always been a constant influence, personally Jeff Buckley and lots of soundtrack music for all of us, some Ennio Morricone and Murray Gold. Then Sigur Ros, Bjork. It's like even really shit things are an influence because it reminds you that you really ever don't wanna do that.

Are there any Irish bands that you would be fans of or admire?
Daragh-Yeah Halves are fantastic, Lines Drawing Cirlces I've been listening to a lot on MySpace, they are a really good band. Holy Roman Army, they are good. Villagers are pretty cool pity about The Immediate I really liked them when they were floating about. There is so much out there and because we were at the back of this trend, where lots of stuff was being influenced by this angular post-rock stuff like the Bloc Party-esque type of band, we were having a lot of bands in Ireland of that kind of ilk. Now that trend seems to have passed, you're not seeing so much of that type of stuff, so what is emerging is more original and quite different and I think it's really healthy for Ireland musically. It's not productive for a scene to encourage emulation, because what you'll get is loads of Irish bands trying to mimic what's going on in England and in the NME. When that happens, because we are little bit behind with scene setting in we often look to the English media as a stand point as to what's next and cool and a lot of people do. You then find that bands are at the back of a trend, when a genre stops becoming popular you still find Irish bands still doing it and it's not healthy, because you shouldn't look at what to copy but should be doing your own thing.

What would be you favourite albums of 2009?
Ray- I like the Doves album Kingdom Of Rust
Daragh- I really like TV on The Radio's Dear Science (we discussed it after being an '08 album). A discussion then ensues about the Bat For Lashes album Two Suns with the band collectively agreeing on Fur & Gold being the better album. (I disagree)
Paul- I started listening to the new Placebo album (Battle For The Sun), it's not too bad but i've listened to very sparingly.
Daragh- The new Mew album No More Stories, which came out there last week.
Eoin-Yeah it's not bad but it makes more sense when you listen to it as a body of work. Daragh-Crazy Danes
Ray- It's a little mental.
Ray- I like the Lisa Hannigan album as well, it's great.
Darragh- The new Mars Volta record, I want to support them but I don't think they would really go for us (laughter follows).

What sources would you use to discover new music? Particular websites, blogs?
Daragh- We're aware of the blogosphere as well as Pitchfork and Sterogum which is where I would find most new music.

Lastly before we finish. What would be your personal highlight this year so far?
Daragh-Probably getting the album finished and done and then....
Ray- The O2 maybe? Joint agreement there.
Ray- Also Oxegen, I always enjoy Oxegen. I think because between this year and last year we are new to it. This year more people knew who we were and we had interest in the media centre. I really liked that just going to various radio stations and got a beer per station.
Daragh- Just being busy in doing what we do. It's nice, you've been growing up doing it your whole life and you put everything of yourself into trying to make it a career and it's finally becoming a career this year. People finally take you seriously and there is artistic merit in what you do. We are really enjoying doing it all.



TreesDreamInAlgebra is released in Ireland on September 18th and they play The Academy on September 26th. Check out the CODES official MySpace for more tour dates around Ireland this month.