Dark Room Notes released one of the most inspired Irish singles of recent years in 2007. Love Like Nicotine was a pristine example of pop immediacy and smashing electro tinged, synth laden indie-pop. 2009 saw them released their Choice Prize nominated debut album We Love You Dark Matter and sign to BBE records. Onwards and upwards it would seem! The guys dropped into studio to talk about signing on the dotted line and playing CMJ...The Very Most come from Boise, Idaho and are purveyors of a twinkling brand of indie-pop. 2009 saw them realise an ambitious project and release an EP themed around each season of the year. The 4 EP's are now compiled onto a new cd (artwork above) and is being released by online Irish independent label Indiecator Records. The band dropped into studio prior to their short Irish tour at the end of 2009 to discuss the project and their Irish connections.Photos by Graham Halpin.The Lost Brothers shortly after their Electric Picnic '09 set with guest cellist (centre). Shane Cullen gives us a tour of his K9 Studio in south Dublin - responsible for recording a whole host of new Dublin band's including New Amusement and Funeral Suits, amongst others...Barry caught up with Portland power pop trio The Thermals before their Academy 2 show in June 2009 and asked them about their current (brilliant) record and future plans. St Vincent (aka Annie Clark) released one of the most beguiling, dark and downright fine records of 2009. Now very much a shining light in the indie firmament with two excellent albums to her name, Barry caught up with her and covered everthing from touring with Grizzly Bear and The National, to guitars, to why she's always playing Ireland on November 1st...Photo by Eric LukeHaving introduced themselves with a sublime slice of indie-pop early last year and followed it up with a smashing debut single, Two Door Cinema Club enter 2010 with hopes set firmly to stratospheric. Inclusion on the tastemaking BBC Sounds of 2010 poll, touring with Phoenix and a hotly anticipated debut album (Tourist History - out March 1st) are sure to make an impact. Barry caught up with them (in their van off all places) on the cusp of a very exciting year for the young Northern Irish band.Photo by: Dara Munnis
Cymbals Eat Guitars hark back to an early 90s American indie-rock "no frills" style with their sound. But their 2009 debut Why There Are Mountains is packed with an ambition that has seen them vault centre stage. Barry caught up with them before they played a jammed Crawdaddy in mid November 2009.
The wonderful Deerhunter create sonic palettes of noise infused indie rock psychedelia that is uniquely their own. Their most recent album, 2008's, Microcastle, was one of that years best. Barry caught up with frontman Bradford Cox before their May 2009 show at Dublin's Andrews Lane Theatre.For my money it's a fairly disappointing list lacking in imagination. No mention for Holy Roman Army, 8Ball (brilliant album), Patrick Kelleher and others. The inclusion of Laura Izibor and Swell Season merits the 'wtf?' response for this year.
Judges: Martin Burns (Sunday World), Tony Fenton (Today FM), Roisin Dwyer (HotPress), Josh Clarke (i105-i107), Cathal Funge (Phantom FM), Aoife Woodlock (Other Voices), Chris Wasser (Evening Herald), Eva Stack (Spin 103.8), Rob O'Connor (Beat 102-103 Waterford), John McMahon (2FM), Padraic Halpin (Ragged Words), Sophie Gorman (Irish Independent)
2005 Choice Music Prize Winner Julie Feeney joins us in studio to talk about her acclaimed 2nd album Pages, recording with the Ulster Orchestra, peforming and setting up her own label.
Texans indie rock chameleons White Denim chat to Barry ahead of their sold out Dublin show in June 2009.
Jan chats to legendary folk & blues-man Charlie Parr about guitars, gigging and the peril of laundry...
