Gigs: Michael Kiwanuka & Shabazz Palaces

Not together, although that would be awesome. But both soulful singer-songwriter Michael Kiwanuka and wonderfully obscure hip-hop duo Shabazz Palaces are coming to Cork.

Kiwanuka plays Cyprus Avenue on February 12

 

Shabazz Palaces will play the Pavillion on May 19th.

Kool Thing – Light Games (REID Remix)

More haunting brilliance from Cork based REID who is climbing up the ranks of Ireland’s burgeoning solo electronic scene.

Video: Former Monarchs – Bills Bills Bills

Former Monarchs are one of the most exciting things coming out of Cork these days, bringing an aggressive energy to their live punk/math rock performances.

Here they are covering Destiny’s Child’s classic ‘Bills Bills Bills’….

Gig: KVX bid farewell

The times they are a changin in the Cork music scene. On July 2nd The Quad bar closed its doors for the last time marking a body blow to the artists and music lovers of langerland. Just over a month later Cork stalwarts KVX will play their last gig. It may seem strange to refer to a group of 20/21 year olds as stalwarts but KVX have formed part of the fabric of the Cork scene for the past six years. For as long as I can recall going to gigs in the various venues across the city there always seemed to be some KVX representation. With guitarist Ciara heading to China this split was always kind of inevitable, I guess many of us hoped it might just mark a hiatus. Whatever happens in the future, Saturday presents us with one last chance to see Leah, Daire, Niamh, Ciara and Eimear as KVX, a chance not to be missed. Just as the Quad left us with the mother of all parties, we owe it to KVX to celebrate the great times they’ve given us over the past six years in style.

And is if THAT wasn’t enough, sher arn’t Hope is Noise, Overhead the Albatross and Agitate the Gravel performing too.

Saturday 7th, The Pavillion, doors 9.00pm, entry €3.

Album: Former Monarchs – The Wisdom of Crowds

They say our generation are too lazy or cowardly to take to the streets in rebellion against the political forces which have left our country in its present dire state. They may not have been waving placards outside Leinster House, but the lads in Former Monarchs were doing the other things synonymous with economic depressions, like the musicians of Seattle and Toronto in times past,they used their frustration to fuel their creativity. The result is EP opener ‘My Friend Has No Job’,an ultra-aggressive yet touchingly poignant portrayal of what the recession means for so many of the ‘lost generation.’

Read the rest of the review here.

Video: MOTHS – Summer

Much has been said on this blog and countless others about Jack Colleran (aka MOTHS) and his gorgeously hazy brand of glitch-hop. Summer is just one of the many fantastic tunes he has mad available on soundcloud. This trip-tastic video comes courtesy of Corkonian Brendan Canty and works perfectly with the music, taking you on a Big Lebowski-esque voyage…which is nice. Canty is also the man behind the brilliant video for Daithí’s Sleep Like a Stone.

Gig: Gold Panda

The man behind the gorgeous LP Lucky Shiner will be playing across Ireland in June.

June 8th – Auntie Annie’s, Belfast.
June 9th – Roisin Dubh, Galway.
June 10th – The Pavillion, Cork.
June 11th – the Workman’s Club, Dublin.

Weekly Watch

You may notice that I’ve not chosen Gorrilaz as one of this weeks three recommendations. It’s not an oversight, I simply never have and never will understand the hype about them. I really tried with Plastic Beach but I’m afraid I’ve thrown the towel in on Albarn and co at this stage. Darwin Deez gets the nod for his dancing displays.

ASIWYFA, Jape, Fionn Regan and Toby Kaar, The Pavillion Cork, Fri 12th, €15 (all but Toby play Roisin Dubh on the 11th)

Hope is Noise, An Brog Cork, Wed 10th, Free

Darwin Deez, Cyprus Avenue Cork tonight 8th €10, Academy 2 Dublin tomorrow €14.50

Free Download: Cork Rock City

Cork: Rock City is a compilation album which documents the vibrance and variety of the Cork music scene at the moment. It will be available for free download from drop-d.ie from the 1st of November. The compilation features over 42 tracks, as well as videos and band biographies. It’s exactly the type of venture needed to expose the rich talent in this island of ours. Artists featured on the album include KVX, When Good Pets Go Bad, Toby Kaar, Hope is Noise, I’ll Eat Your Face and many more.

Weekly Watch

This week I will be mostly recommending…

Jamaica, Academy 2 Dublin, €16.50, Sunday 31st

Windings album launch, Roisin Dubh Galway, Free, Thursday 28th

James Vincent McMorrow, The Pavillion Cork, €14.50, Friday 29th