Axis Of – Wetsuit
Chris: “I just think it’s a great return from Axis Of…I think they’re kind of maturing a little bit in their sound and in their song writing.”
Rigsy: “It’s a brilliant version of what they do…They’re always going to have the edge. Great, great track regardless of whatever spin you want to put on it. We absolutely love it.”
Robocobra Quartet - Knotweed
Chris: “Yeah these guys are really, really great. They’re a new band. I think it’s exciting when you hear a new band locally who don’t sound like anything else around.”
Rigsy: “It’s barely controlled chaos in this track, but it’s as if, it’s been created to sound as if that’s what’s happened”
Viola Dust – Trick
Rigsy: “This has got a massive, massive chorus and even though it’s the least curious of the three tracks there’s something about it, that makes it stand aloud a little bit”.
Chris: “A big chorus there - It’s definitely made to be played on the radio and it’s a big sound as well. It’s interesting to hear acts like this and see how it translates live.”
Slomatics – Ulysses My Father
Chris: “Their current album was nominated for the Northern Ireland music prize which is the only metal album on the list. It’s an absolutely fantastic record as well if you get the chance to check it out.”
We Were Giants – All I Want
Rigsy: “This is just a lovely, lovely track, big, big production, very, very lush… It’s difficult to get this sound right but they just hit the absolute sweet spot and it’s so important to do that.”
Chris: “I really like this. It’s kind of difficult to do something that melodic and heartfelt and lush without it sounding kind of trite or cheesy, but I think they walk that line quite well here. It reminds me of The Antlers. It’s impressive really good”.
Parnell March – Don’t Give Up
Chris: “The guy’s real name is Dylan. He was born in Australia to parents from here and moved over here when he was eight, and went back to Australia and considers himself half and half. Its good stuff this, really nice, kind of lush dreamy electronica. There’s a nice kind of groove to it as well.”
Vandettes – Horrible
Chris: “It’s bluesy, garage rock…it’s the vocals that draw you in. I would say this guy’s heard a bit of Tom Waits in his time, he’s got that throaty, gritty quality to it…It’s just a really catchy tune”.
Rigsy: “It’s insane how catchy this is…and the next time you hear it you’re singing along. To latch onto a track that soon is brilliant, so it’s good to have that impact...”
The Kid – When You Wake
Rigsy: “Epic strings in there… big EDM stabs. He’s taken all those aspect of things that make a successful track and put them together. Yeah, I just enjoy it. I think it’s really, really fun and unashamed and if you’re gonna do something, you might as well do it right and that’s what I feel he’s done.”
Chris: “Music like that, can act as a gateway so yeah maybe it serves a purpose to that degree.”