Seems the internet is currently experiencing a frenzied mid-90’s Dublin music scene buzz. Well not exactly but 2 sites have appeared, seemingly out of the blue and coincidentally at the same time, that recall a fertile time for art in the city when you could record several classic albums in the basement of a run down block of flats on one of Dublin shabbiest streets. I’m talking of course about the Dead Elvis and Blunt websites, which chronicle the records labels of the same name. Our association with the former is well documented as the reissue of In Motion’s debut (and to a lesser extent Sunbear’s eponymous effort) took the work of several ex Dead Elvis’ers to come to fruition. We’ve got another classic from that particular canon on reissue alert for Indiecater sometime in October sow keep your ears peeled. Dead Elvis and Blunt had a good deal of crossover in their rosters and that came to a head when they jointly put out the greatest compilation of underground talent this country have ever produced. The seminal ‘Zip Up Your Boots For The Showbands’ not only made its way onto a U2 song but is remembered fondly for the quality of its songs (I was only talking to Dave from Road Records about it recently). The song I fell for most was ‘Homeward’ from a band called Capratone (they have an unreleased album somewhere apparently, you know where to go lads if you want to publish it). It still sounds transcendent, and oddly out of tune, all these years later. As glorious as the far canals.

You can download ‘Zip Up Your Boots For The Showbands’ for nadda from the Blunt Records blog. KD

Capratone - Homeward

More Info: Official & Officiality
Download Songs: Capratone
Year: 1996

Candy Claws are a band we hold tightly to our hearts, a creative who dare to do it differently and who effortlessly realise their ambitions in the process. They released an album on Indiecater just last year (as well as contributions on a couple of our compilations) that mangled the competition through its lush velveteen dreampop melodies. 'In The Dream of The Sea Life' was startlingly good and the voluminous critical praise heaped upon it proved that we were not alone in our dewy eyed adulation. Now the Fort Collins collective are back with a newbie called 'Hidden Lands', out on August 3rd on the New York twosyllable label. The album took its direction from Robert Ketchum's book 'The Secret Life of The Forest' and if that wasn't a tricky enough task the band decided to record it using instruments they hadn't quite mastered. It is the definition of organic creation and only Candy Claws could storyboard such an abstract theme. 'Hidden Lands' captures the essence of life in the fauna and the action in the lengthy shadows is consistently dramatic. I'll leave you with 'Sunbeam Show' from the album to twig your interest even more. KD

Candy Claws - Sunbeam Show

More Info: Official
Buy Songs: Candy Claws
Year: 2010

It's scratchy, experimental, lo-fi and has almost 40 seconds of background toy keyboard tugs to kick things off. Yep, something this scattershot shouldn't really work but 'Haitian Noise Piece' is a gorgeous rambling mess. Mike Nyhan is the man at the controls and Clean Equations is what he calls himself when this chaotic noise erupts. It should appeal to those who enjoy making the join between No Age, Times New Viking and the Beastie Boys and there'll be lots more where that came from when Clean Equations' debut record 'People/Variables' comes out in September. If it is as memorable as 'Haitian Noise Piece' there will be a lots of people itching to attend ‘a cool record release party’. KD

Clean Equations - Haitian Noise Piece

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Clean Equations
Year: 2010

This might be about as wet as a baby wipe that’s spent half an hour in the company of a leaking Avent but boy does it stir up memories of a time when the coolest sounds were of the electro pop bent. Don’t give me the contemporary version because that’s just poor imitation. Instead you should wallow in the genius that was Ultravox, Erasure, the Human League and these saps. Even by O.M.D. standards ‘Forever Live And Die’ is indecently inoffensive and I shudder as I recall the amount of times I returned the needle to the start of the 45 to sway alone in my country bedroom as the boys crooned in unison. Hugger has a dark and innocent past, thankfully the Stone Roses were to come along and throw a life raft. P.S. This is a low bitrate mp3 which will self-destruct in 6 days, there are buy links to OMD's music below, so don’t shoot me major label hounds. KD

Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark - Forever Live And Die

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: OMD
Year: 1986

Given that this normally drenched land mass has swapped sub-zero for sub-tropical on 2 consecutive days it would seem kinda remiss not to mark the occasion with something altogether sunshinesque. And it doesn’t get much more sun-blissed than Beat Connection’s ‘In The Water’. Reminiscent of the Tough Alliance in its 1980’s adoption of the dance music format this is positively tropical (and that’s before the electro steel drums kick in) and should add several points to the happiness index. There are even several moments of euphoria which can only bode well for the Seattle duo of Jordan Koplowitz and Reed Juenger. Sincerely yours, mine and theirs. KD

Beat Connection - In The Water

More Info: Official
Buy Songs: You Don't Have To!
Year: 2010

Chappo are a duo from New York that may sound like a lot of bands you've heard before. Where they soar though is in their frisky delivery and a lyric sheet that is undeniably loveable. The vocals have that Band of Horses/My Morning Jacket/Neil Young nasal whine but are so freewheeling they ably cut their own individual swagger. 'Come Home' from their new single 'Plastique Universe' is a burner, a fast one at that and one that should make an instant impression on Friday night rumbles down the local indie emporium. It's not often you get such a fluid expression of youthful vigour this charming. KD

Chappo - Come Home

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Chappo
Year: 2010

Given that most people with a lust for melody tend to look to Sweden for their kicks it was a bit of a no-brainer when the opportunity arose to work with a band from there. The fact that said band were one that we’d tracked for years, one that had released a near perfect ode to shoegazeism on a dream record label named after a canine merely sweetened the deal. That was 2009 and we’re now onto our 3rd release together and our love affair with South Ambulance is getting serious. They’ve matured as a band so the themes are getting more serious without losing any of their innate humour. What hasn’t changed though is their grasp on writing the perfect tune, a tune that you’ll hum until dawn breaks and the birds take over. Here is a taster from EP#6 which is available for download on Indiecater for a pocket cuddling 3 euro. KD

South Ambulance - Simple Obligation Of A Man

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: South Ambulance
Year: 2010

Not what you’d expect from Sub Pop but then these kiddies are too much fun to ignore. And they’ve got some pretty impressive party tricks to boot as evidenced by ‘Girls FM’, a exact 3-minuter that might have filled lots of indie mixtapes if such things existed today. It can be found on their self-titled debut that came out last March. Hard to resist really, especially since it throws in a bit of wackiness when all around little birdies are singing their sweet little heads off. KD

Happy Birthday - Girls FM

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Happy Birthday
Year: 2010

In a world without Belle & Sebastian (or Acid House Kings if you are especially tuned in) this band would reign supreme. That world doesn’t exist so This Is Ivy League should at least be considered esteemed underlings. Chew on this ditty, the opener from their 2008 eponymous debut, and you’ll see what I mean. It really is quite perfect; vocals drift by like finely tailored butterflies with only the jangle of a floating armada of honeybees to divert attention. The duo of Ryland Blackinton and Alex Suarez and their label have been quite of late so let’s hope they are charming the furniture in their home studio. Would be a shame given B&S have also slipped from view. KD

This Is Ivy League - The Richest Kids

More Info: Official
Buy Songs: This Is Ivy League
Year: 2008

Just about an infinite spread of galaxies away from the band of the same name and while we’ve been known to king monkey to their groovy swagger sometimes it’s nice to immerse oneself in something altogether more soothing. The Innocence Mission are a most beautiful proposition and in Karen Peris they have a singer to swoon for (her husband Don plays chords). You’ll find their name pop up on this site every few years and appearances usually coincide with a new record. The latest is called ‘My Room In The Trees’ and doesn’t veer too far from their pristine template. Apart from Peris’s gorgeously fragile singing there is much to admire in the music, which never distracts from the main event but is essential to the trio’s sound. Perfect for any day of the week. KD

The Innocence Mission - The Happy Mondays

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: The Innocence Mission
Year: 2010

It won’t win many awards for lyrical ingenuity but this little beauty has made someone hung up on that early 90’s sound quite happy this evening. It takes some time to pick a bit of steam but once the, admittedly enjoyable, noodling is out of the way ‘Entire Empire’ becomes a free flowing stream of shoegaze thumping consciousness. The duo behind it, Alberto Hernandez and Sean Moore, come for Florida and one can only imagine the fogged raybans were this given the open top platform it deserves. The vocals are pretty and ably bolster the breezy and memorable chord sequence. One hopes this will be heard all around the world in less than, say, 80 days. KD

Viernes - Entire Empire

More Info: Official
Buy Songs: Viernes
Year: 2010

The first piece of vinyl I picked up (from the caravan floor) as a kid was by the Cotton Mill Boys. Even as an impressible dot I was still not taken in by them so as it warped by the leaking gas heater I was slow to alert the authorities. I am constantly reminded of the event whenever I read about similarly named bands. Cotton Jones soon vanquished such shiver inducing memory queasiness though through their downright adorableness. Made up of Page France lead man Michael Neu and Whitney McGraw they are another play on she/him vocal sweetness and on ‘Glorylight And Christie’ they’ve hit the jackpot. It’s taken from their upcoming ‘Tall Hours In The Glowstream’ LP and displays a grasp on country aesthetics that will appeal to the hair clipped thick-rimmed glassed brigade. The odd old fogy is also likely to be enamoured, if not totally cured. KD

Cotton Jones - Glorylight And Christie

More Info: Myspace
Buy Songs: Cotton Jones
Year: 2010

The is the alternate version (sung in English) of Spain's the Yellow Melodies prophetic song for their team from our World Cup Compilation ‘Fast Forward’. Congratulations Spain, we love you! KD

The Yellow Melodies - We Will Win The World Cup

More Info: Official
Buy Songs:
The Yellow Melodies & 31 Other World Cup Songs
Year: 2010

We had Tears Run Rings on here just February gone, a 2010 track (or should I say a demo) from their forthcoming LP ‘Distance’. The shoegaze memories that song elicited meant that we went foraging to see if there was more of the same in their vaults. And wouldn’t you know it their debut 'Always, Sometimes, Seldom, Never' is stuffed full of jumped up slowdive artefacts. Not that that is meant as any sort of diss as using that band as a template is both brave and intriguing. And on ‘Waiting For An End’ it is downright affecting, tear smudgingly so, conjuring as it does the sensation that so propelled the seminal ‘Just For A Day’. So happy there is no distance left to run. KD

Tears Run Rings - Waiting For The End

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Tears Run Rings
Year: 2010

Although slightly gloomier that his predecessors OMD John Jagos still manages to make angled sculptures from acquiescing machines. The niftily titled ‘Vision Tunnels’ from the EP of the same name emerges like a Cutting Crew workout but thankfully takes the exit before outer maudlin. The result is exotic electro pop and that's even before the female vocals drift in to seal the deal. A fine achievement then for a lad who looks like he prefers short pants over their bigger siblings. The ‘Vision Tunnels’ can be bought on bandcamp for $1, claws for delight you could say. KD

Brothertiger - Vision Tunnels

More Info: Official
Buy Songs: Brothertiger
Year: 2010

Day 2 of our 2-day ramble off the indie pop highway and quite by chance it is again a slice of alt country that is filling our senses with glee (or not given the melodrama on offer). This one comes courtesy of the Seattle alt country combo Kate Tucker and the Sons of Sweden and while initially quite morose it somehow finds a second gear that could indeed entice the young chap into making the trip with his forlorn girl. The band has been feted from Pitchfork to Sound Magazine and it is easy to see why given that they seem capable of creating genuine atmospherics. Our own Boca Chica do this even better but it’s always nice to have a credible back up plan. KD

Kate Tucker & The Sons of Sweden - In The End

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Kate Tucker & The Sons of Sweden
Year: 2007

You know things have reached crisis point when the first words spoken by your baby are goo goo zela. I'll admit I've been letting my paternal duties slip since June 11 and the guilt I'm feeling isn't likely to cease until late on Sunday. Of course being the sort that I am I'd been grooming my wife for what lay ahead since just after Christmas. Little witty asides, miscellaneous facts and joyful references to what was gloriously building up in South Africa - the idea being that familiarity, rather than breeding contempt, would instead foster a parallel sense of wonder - so that when the big event finally arrived the path would be clear for resistance free viewing. It has worked wonderfully up to a point; while no appetite has been orchestrated on the other side I have been able to bask relatively freely in everything this World Cup has to offer. Last night however the upcoming denouement revealed itself as I was coldly informed of the rocky 3 year, 11 month journey to redemption. Seems my ingenuity for marketing the new season will have to move up a notch or two in the coming weeks. Please god if Diego & co. make it to Dublin in early August I might just be in with a small shout. KD

Ida - The Pain of Loving You

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Ida
Year: 2007

When you get to album 8 you’d reckon that the chin strokers would finally have cottoned on to your craftsmanship. I mean it has happened so seamlessly for similar acts like Guided By Voices, Built To Spill and the kingpins themselves Pavement. Yet Windsor For The Derby go quietly about the business, releasing fine albums on marquee indie labels and the world looks on unmoved. The newbie ‘Against Love’ will be pushed at the bands’ 2 Irish shows later this month (Galway, Dublin) and if you are up for witnessing innovative indie rock then these should be unmissable events. The slow building drama of ‘Queen of The Sun’ almost fails to catch fire despite its longish running time but is altogether heartbreaking all the same. KD

Windsor For The Derby - Queen of The Sun

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Windsor For The Derby
Year: 2010

While they are prone to grand experimental flourishes (take a peek at the Christmas song they did for us) a la the Fiery Furnaces the Winks may have truly arrived with their new LP ‘Twilights’. There’s a title to attract young ears hung up on teenage vampires and they might just stick around for there is gothic scenes lurking amongst the lush melodies on this album. But it’s the memorable tunes that’ll suck the rest of us in and opening track ‘Wildlife of the Desert’ is a near perfect example of the fair on offer. Linearity is thrown out the window but this is no mundane sonic ramble because every new turn is better than the last. Get the Winks or you’ll miss ‘em. KD

The Winks - Wildlife Of The Desert

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More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: The Winks
Year: 2010