Do you ever stare at the ceiling at night, paralysed with dread, obsessing over missed opportunities?
Everyone is just trying to make some type of human connection, why is it so hard?
Crying Loser may be the key to unlocking your full potential and harnessing your inner truth, however depressing that may be.
With two highly regarded, unreleased albums under their belt they hope to snatch critical acclaim from the jaws of defeat
Originally hailing from Tipperary Ireland, Elaine Howley is a vocalist and producer who merges an expansive tapestry of experimental, analogue processes with a love of classic songwriting and melodic hooks, to create a sound world that is distinctly her own.
Immersed in both the experimental music scenes in her adopted home of Cork, and the DIY ethos of Ireland’s alternative rock community, Elaine’s music grew out of years of varied, extensive collaborative practise, performance and experimentation. She has toured across Europe and the UK as the singer in the acclaimed psychedelic rock group, The Altered Hours, sharing stages with the likes of Fontaines DC, Wooden Shjips, Clinic and the Brian Jonestown Massacre. Closer to home, she has played in ambient trio Crevice and folk group Morning Veils. It was through playing with these groups and performing with the improvisatory collectives The Dark Arts Orchestra and HEX and collaborating with composer Irene Buckley and musician Roslyn Steer that Elaine began to further explore vocal layering and manipulation, sampling, stretching and slowing things down to uncanny, enigmatic layers of sound.
After contributing to a host of critically acclaimed compilations, Howley released her first full length solo album ‘The Distance Between Heart and Mouth’ in 2022 through Touch Sensitive Records (David Holmes, Cherrystones, Documenta, Vox Populi). Pitchfork praised the album as “a spectral slow burn that refuses to trip over itself to get anywhere in particular. By absorbing the wisdom of the process, Howley permits her craft to resound deeper than ever”.
Elaine uses tape to process voice, drum machines and synthesizers, creating production that works in tandem with her songwriting to weave an intimate sonic tapestry that feels warm and esoteric all at once. The Distance Between Heart And Mouth was born out of a ritualistic practice of going to her home studio first thing in the morning, creating a daily audio-diary as soon as she woke. It’s unsurprising then that the resulting album emanates an intimate quality; blending deep synths, whisper-soft melodies, echoes, loops, beats and murmurs, recalling the likes of Trish Keenan, Tirzah and Leslie Weiner, while Elaine’s unmistakable voice cracks through the analogue gauze like a crystalline glint of daylight.
Electronic Sound Magazine praised The Distance Between Heart and Mouth describing the record as “nine detailed and hugely captivating vignette’s” while Backseat Mafia observed “The music bristles with experimental edginess but that doesn’t obscure the song craft or the clarity of the statements being made. Elaine Howley’s ‘The Distance Between Heart And Mouth’ bravely tells it like it is and we should be thankful that she does.”
The album, now in its second pressing, has received praise from The Sunday Times, The Examiner, The Thin Air and has been played by Mary Anne Hobbs and Tom Ravenscroft on BBC6 Music. Elaine has been playing live across Ireland in support of the record and made her London debut at the ICA gallery in May 2023.
BELIEVE.
His relentless work ethic and deeply idiosyncratic style have built him a Cult following worldwide. Now he’s fresh off the back of his sold Out US tour & looking forward to performing once again for his Irish fans.
In a genre defined by self-seriousness, A Burial At Sea are the outsiders of the outsiders. The usual rock n’ roll setup of guitar, bass, drums is bolstered by a mini two-man horn section, which has resulted in the band to be labeled as “trumpet-core” and “post-rock mariachi”.
Gwenifer Raymond began playing guitar at the age of eight shortly after having been first exposed to punk and grunge. After years of playing around the Welsh valleys in various punk outfits she began listening more to pre-war blues musicians as well as Appalachian folk players, eventually leading into the guitar players of the American Primitive genre.
In 2018 she signed to the American label ‘Tompkins Square’ and released her first album ‘You Never Were Much of a Dancer’ to widespread acclaim. In 2020 her second album ‘Strange Lights Over Garth Mountain’ shifted somewhat from straight Americana and started to take more of a spiritual influence from the landscape of her homeland of Wales. Recalling from her childhood memories of spooky trees, black against the grey sky and breath misting in cold air there is present a style of guitar playing that could be referred to as ‘Welsh Primitive’.
Gwenifer has toured extensively throughout the UK and the Europe and has established herself as one of the leading lights of the scene, and not to be missed under any circumstances.
“Obnoxious noise fuelled punk for the dance floors.” – Birthday Cake For Breakfast
“Half of Thank’s songs feel like Hulk hands punching upward and the other half are akin to smashing dinner plates out of sheer frustration.” – Treble Zine
“This Leeds band pairs brawny arrangements with furious, bug-eyed vocals.” – Bandcamp Daily
The Busquitos are an energetic and versatile entertainment all-genre swing quartet (guitar, saxophone, violin, bass/vocals) for all ages. They play their music and improvisations with astonishing ease and contagious joy, actively involving the listeners in the show. With an eclectic repertoire ranging from the Roaring Twenties to modern pop hits, The Busquitos perform a mix of Hot Club, Jazz, Country, Rock & Roll, and more. Their songs include hits from Django Reinhardt, Louis Prima, Sonny Rollins, Irving Berlin, and even recognizable TV tunes like those of Benny Hill and Walt Disney. The band also writes and performs their own catchy and hilarious songs. The Busquitos are known for their ability to connect with the audience and get them involved in the show. They mingle with the crowd, spontaneously start line dances and limbo contests, and even play serenades. Their performances are a surprising mix of humor and great music, leaving audiences unable to sit still. The band has recorded several albums and has performed at festivals across Europe and beyond, earning international recognition for their lively and entertaining shows. Join Jelle Van Tongeren on violin, Thomas Streutgers on saxophone, Lex Reerink on guitar, and Matthieu Cleijne on bass/vocals for a fun-filled and unforgettable musical journey full of laughter, surprises, and great music.
They will be all over town: Catch them at the following gigs:
Thurs 8pm Scannells
Fri 6pm DeBarras
Sat 10pm The Courtyard
Sunday 4pm Astna Aquare
girlfriend. is a 5 piece band making visceral and emotional alternative rock music. Formed in 2015, the band began as a noisy emo-rock band playing shows in the local North Dublin area. They recorded their debut 5 track EP ‘3AM Rituals’ as teens in the drummer’s spare room. This EP was met with acclaim by DIY music groups, and thrust them into the Irish music scene where they paved their way as lo-fi rockers. The release of the singles ‘Spitkissing/Small Smile Grow’ in 2018 cemented their vital presence as experimental and impassioned musicians in the local music community.
Since their first releases, the band has played countless shows across the country – including opening slots for high profile acts such as Pillow Queens, The Garden and Dream Wife – and now have numerous festival slots under their name such as Electric Picnic and Other Voices.
The quartet’s sound has evolved and matured alongside them since their early days, veering now towards noise rock tinged slowcore. Their songs examine themes of intimacy, identity, and trauma in post-catholic Ireland and frequently showcase a deep appreciation for subtlety, physical space and catharsis. The band attempts to channel the chaos of the world around them into heartfelt, passionate nuanced rock music.
girlfriend.’s highly anticipated debut album was recorded in Orphan Studios, Wexford and Hellfire Studios, Dublin at the beginning of 2022. Produced by Peter Ashmore (Pillow Queens, Villagers, For Those I Love, We Cut Corners), their debut album will be released late 2023. The band made an explosive return to the live music circuit in 2022, with highlights including selling out their Cork debut headline show, headlining Feile na Greine festival in Limerick and supporting acclaimed U.S. band Mannequin Pussy on the Irish leg of their tour. They released their grunge rock single “Repent” in December 2022 before a headline sold out show at the Workman’s Cellar in January 2023. In March they released the shoegaze inspired ‘Trust’ to fan and critical acclaim.
After beginning guitar 6 years ago it wasn’t until lockdown that Andrew really began to drive forward with the instrument learning new songs and playing styles over this period of time. This, combined with growing live performance experience gigging in Limerick, DeBarras and trad sessions in Ardfield under the watchful eyes of Jim Murray & CIGF co- organiser Kevin McNally has him ear marked as one to watch for the future.
Andrew’s delicate finger picking and interpretation of modern pop through the lens of classic folk is a welcome addition to the burgeoning West Cork Musical scene …