Turnpike Glow started out with just two members in Rome – Sandro Schiena (vocals / guitar / keys) and Giuseppe La Mela (vocals / bass / keys) started the band in Rome. Once they saw themselves supporting the likes of Cooper Temple Clause and The Futureheads, they decided to leave the sunny climes of Italy, and head over to London to try and make a name for themselves. They are currently giving away the free single, The Turn, The Pike and The Glow before kicking off 2012 with an official single. We caught up with them last week before their show at The Wheelbarrow. (more…)

Secret Rivals are a 4-piece indie pop outfit based in Oxford. Clouds (synth/vocals), Jamie Corcoran (guitar/vocals), Reece Chapman (drums) and Andrew Murton (bass guitar) are currently gearing up to release their latest single, the double A-side, Once More With Heart/I Know Something at the beginning of 2012. We managed to catch up with guitarist Jamie (or Jay) before the Christmas break. (more…)

The Funeral Suits play Animal Disco , Belfast on November 11th! 

Congratulations on the release of your new single, Health. Some images in the music video, like the haunting pigs head, would suggest inspiration was taking from literature classic Lord of the Flies. Can you clue us in on this?

The video was totally inspired by Lord of the Flies. One of our good friends, Shawn Ryan, put together the concept and directed the video. I was so excited when he pitched the idea too us because Lord of the Flies is one of my favourite books. We weren’t around for filming because we were on tour at the time but Shawn was telling me that they shot it really early in the morning in a public park somewhere in Dublin. Apparently when they were finished they left two mutilated pigs heads in the centre of the green area. Would have been nice to get some reaction shots from that.

Where did the name Funeral Suits come from? Is the dark, melancholy image it can portray something you want to bring across in your music?

I used to work in an office in town a few years ago where I had to wear a suit. I completely hated the job and having to wear a suit. So i thought it’d cool to start a band called ‘The Suits’ but I think some Australian band were already called ‘the suits’….. When i found that out i was sitting beside my computer and a copy of ‘Funeral’ by Arcade Fire was on a table in front of me. I was lost in that album at the time, its so good. ‘Funeral Suits’ just came into my head. Thats how the name came about……. I didn’t even think of the item of clothing until someone else said it. I think for us the name is something that has never meant anything melancholy or morbid. A Funeral is a celebration of life anyway.

With upcoming shows across the pond in New York and in London, is there one thing you miss about Ireland or like to take along with you on the road?

We usually make sure to bring a box of lucky charms and a picture of a field with us. I joke. Of course we love Ireland but while we’re away we’ll have a good time.

Your debut album saw you working with Stephan Street, who had the experience of producing for Brit rock legends such as The Smiths and Blur. Was this experience paramount in creating the sound you wanted?

Of course. Stephen is a great engineer and producer. It was great working with him and we learnt alot from working with him.

From watching your 2011 tour video on YouTube, you all seem to be up for a laugh. What was the funniest moment had or prank played while on tour ?

I really don’t know. When Brian just joined the band i woke up with him holding a knife around my throat which i’m still not sure was a prank.

What is your typical song writing process and what comes first, music or lyrics?

Anything and everything goes.

What’s the next step for Funeral Suits, what does 2012 have in store?

We’ll be bringing out the album and touring a stack more!

The Funeral Suits play Animal Disco , Belfast on November 11th! 

General Fiasco have been super kind and gave us a wee interview ahead of their up-coming tour! All tour dates are on the super stylish poster at the bottom of this post. Seriously try and get your tickets as soon as you can because they are flying out the door! So read on and find out how much you could buy a toe for . Also be sure to order your copy of Waves EP now! It’s really mega cheap so get your purchase on! You can get the EP on iTUNES >>> HERE  and get your Tickets at TicketMaster>>>>  HERE

How does it feel having your new EP coming out in a couple of weeks?

Yeah great, we have been writing this record for a year, we are really glad that it’s time to start sticking some of it out there and get back to playing shows. It will be nice having new material out there, kinda feels we have been playing the same set for 3 years, i’m sure people are ready for something different, we definitely are.

What can we expect from the new EP ‘Waves’?

It will be a little different to what we have done before, it moves differently anyways, more groove orientated. I guess our tastes have changed a little, it’s only natural, it’s still poppy but in a different way. Still plenty of riffs and hopefully a few hooks.

When can the fans expect to see the next album?

We are planning another Ep/Single in january and then the album will be lead in by another single, i’d guess April time, but i’m just guessing.

Stu Bell is the latest member of General Fiasco, he’s a bit of a funny guy on Twitter, but what’s he like in real life?

Yeah he’s hilarious like a old Frankie Muniz or a young David Baddiel

What’s the least amount of money you’d accept to remove your little toes?

Like for medical research, id like a couple of grand if they could stick em back on, but if they where taking them for good id like 200 grand…a toe

What do you order at McDonalds?

Big fan of the McFlurrys or chocolate milkshake. double cheese burger if you’re talking meat, i generally can take or leave the fries.

What goes into the perfect burrito?

Shredded beef or pork, cheese, sour cream, medium spiced salsa, rice i guess. Also discovered i dont really care for peppers. this is a question for Leaky really, he’s a burrito enthusiast , but he’s a veggie, no meat for that guy.

What’s the worst job any of you have ever had?

I think it was working in Iceland, I cant remember how long for but it wasn’t a barrel of laughs. I remember them showing us a motivational video about how it was a career opportunity and how you could climb the ranks, i was 18 at the time and had left school, i think that was the final kick i needed to focus my efforts on music. It was also pretty cold in there.

Tea or coffee?

Hateful answer, but either.. maybe tea at the minute.

iPhone or Blackberry?

Blackberry, i just got the new bold, it’s class, i like keys, typing touch screen seems awkward.

Owls or wolves?

Owls.

What question would you have liked me to ask?

which X men would you like to be.

If you want to follow General Fiasco, here are their Facebook and Twitter links! 

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And if you want more Panic Dots action follow us here… 

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2011 has maybe been Cashier’s most important year, an album release, getting signed to Bella Union and about to embark on a big UK tour. How different does it feel now to this time last year?

This time last year we were starting to get pretty nervous because our album had been finished for nearly a year and we still weren’t signed. Now we have huge sense of relief that we’ve managed to get our album released with such a great label (Bella Union).

With the backing of a great label and a new member to the back, do you think it’ll impact the sound of the next album?

With all the touring we have planned for next year we’re sure it will have an impact on the next album. Touring is a great means of tightening up as band and developing as a unit. We’re very excited about recording our second album with David Holmes.

Guinness is a great company to be involved with, are you excited about Arthur’s Day?

Of course we’re excited about Arthur’s Day.  This is the third year of Arthur’s Day and we’re following in the footsteps of some of the best international bands out there who performed at the celebrations in 2009 and 2010…the likes of Snow Patrol, Brandon Flowers, Kasabian and even the legend that is Tom Jones.  There’s over 40 countries taking part in Arthur’s Day this year so to be part of the global celebrations in Belfast is a real privilege for us.

Can you tell us where you guys will be playing or is it wrapped in mystery?

We’re playing The Ulster Hall and then an impromptu gig in one of the pubs and we don’t even know which bar yet. That’s the beauty of Arthur’s Day, the element of surprise – we could perform at any of the bars (The Cloth Ear, Lavery’s,  The Botanic Inn, The Errigle and The Empire Music Hall) across the city as well as The Ulster Hall.

There are many gigs across the country, if you weren’t playing who would you like to go see?

We can’t wait to see Ash perform at the Ulster Hall.

After Arthur’s Day celebration, what is next for Cashier No.9?

We go on our first UK tour at the start of November with Irish dates to follow in December.

The Enemy

Ash

DJ Fresh and Cashier No. 9

to play at the Arthur’s Day celebrations in Belfast on 22^nd September

Tickets for Arthur’s Day celebrations will go on sale this Thursday, 4^th August at 9am atwww.ticketmaster.ie with all proceeds benefiting the Arthur Guinness fund, which is helping entrepreneurs deliver change in communities all over the island of Ireland.

Arthur Guinness and his remarkable legacy are at the heart of the Arthur’s Day celebrations which once again feature an incredible line up of some the best international and local acts performing in the intimate surroundings of select pubs across Ireland, North and South.

Earlier today, Guinness® announced that The Enemy and DJ Fresh will join Ash and Cashier No. 9 as part of the celebrations in Belfast.

The acts will be playing at the Ulster Hall, the city’s studio venue.

Orla Flanagan, Brand Manager, Guinness said, “We are delighted to announce our fantastic additions to the line up for the Arthur’s Day celebrations. Last year, tickets for some studio venues sold out in seconds, so make sure to get onto Ticketmaster early to avoid disappointment. Tickets will be on sale from 9am on Thursday morning and with the line up we have in store we envisage a big demand.”

As well as playing in the studio venues each of the studio artists such as The Enemy and Ash will also turn up in a pub for a surprise, intimate performance on the night.

The Botanic Inn, The Errigle Inn, The Cloth Ear, The Empire and Lavery’s will all be hosting live music on the 22^nd September as part of the Arthur’s Day celebrations.

Tickets are priced at just £13.50 for studio venues and £7 for the pub venues plus booking fee (List of confirmed acts outlined below) and will be made available on www.ticketmaster.ie from 9am on Thursday 4^th August.

Due to its phenomenal success, this year there will be ticketed music hubs in four locations in Dublin, Cork, Belfast and Limerick, as well as a host of celebrations in pubs right across the island of island.

Now in its third year, Arthur’s Day has proven a massive hit with people throughout Ireland and around the world. The date will be marked by a series of high profile events and celebrations in over 40 countries around the globe to honour the remarkable life and legacy of Arthur Guinness – the legendary philanthropist and founder of Guinness.

At 17:59 locally on the 22^nd September, countries including Italy, Germany, France, Spain, Caribbean nations, Malaysia, Indonesia, Australia, Japan, Singapore and South Korea, will all join in the celebrations to mark the philanthropic legacy of Arthur Guinness.

It’s been a while since your last tour ended, are you excited to be back on the road?

Yeah, we’ve been playing the odd festival here and there but we prefere to just be on tour and playing every night!

You all must piss each other off at some point when touring because you are always together. How do you deal with that?

We’ve kinda got used to being on tour with each other all the time. We’ve had fights in the past, but we never really have them anymore we’re all best friends and can tell when someones annoyed or whatever so we know to give each other space.

Worst thing about being on tour?

Missing family and loved ones.

To someone that has never heard your new album, describe the difference between this one and past albums?

It’s a lot more grown up and musically its a lot more diverse than the previous ones we’ve become better musicians and i think it shows.

Ollie’s clothing line is doing exceptionally well and the range seems to be increasing, what do you think will be the next thing that is added? and does anyone else have any side projects?

He’s always on the look out for new things, i have no idea what he’s planning next! We all have things that we do when we’re not on tour but no official side projects yet!

How do you feel whenever a new single has been released? Are you ever scared that your fans won’t like it as much as other singles?

We hope that everyone likes it but you never know! We just write music we think is good and then all we can do is hope our fans agree!

Every band/artist recently have started naming their fans. For example, “Little Monsters”. Do you have a name for your fans?

Not really we just stick with fans!

What do you all do on your days off from writing music/touring?

Just relax mostly and enjoy not having a average speed of 60mph!

INTERVIEW:

BENJAMIN FRANCIS LEFTWICH

Congratulations on the creation of your debut album Last Smoke Before The Snowstorm. How was the recording experience for you?

I loved being in the studio making this record. The album is produced by Ian Grimble and it was great to have such a creative and experimental producer to work with. Ian really brought a lot to the record especially in terms of the actual sounds we used. It was kind of strange to spend so much time in the studio but it was a really positive process and we had fun…

Do you have a personal favourite song off the album?

I don’t really have a favourite song. I guess I have favourites at different times. It’s always nice to come back to a song after you havn’t played it for a while, it’s good when an old song feels fresh again.

I read that you first started working on the album when you were a teenager, did you always aspire to become a singer/songwriter?

I’ve always loved music as far back as i can remember and i always wanted to play guitar as much as possible! I don’t really think someone “becomes” a singer/songwriter though, I guess you class as a singer/songwriter when you write a song your happy with….

It’s early days to bring up the subject of your next album, but after having so long to write your first how do you think you will approach your second when you will have a lot less time to do it?

I haven’t really thought too much about album 2 yet but I will just aim to release another collection of songs I’m happy with. I really want to go away to somewhere quiet with a couple of friends/musicians for a little while and start working on some new stuff soon..!

What’s the best album you’ve ever bought, when did you buy it and why?

The best album I have ever brought is “Nebraska” by Bruce Springsteen and I brought it 2 years ago as a random buy! I love how all the songs are so powerful but without any huge production or arrangements. My favourite song of the album is “Atlantic City“.

Your cover of Arcade Fire‘s ‘Rebellion‘ from Dermot O’Leary’s Live Sessions has been downloaded online over 30,000 times, and your Youtube channel has passed the 400,000 mark, that’s amazing – how did you gather such a loyal fanbase?

I really don’t know! I guess people hear my music and connect with it, which is great! Things like Twitter and Facebook are also a really good way of staying in touch with your fans and giving away exclusive clips and songs etc.

If you could be the support act for any band/artist, who would you pick?

I would love to play with ARCADE FIRE so I could stand side stage and watch them while they play!

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