STL's Top Songs of 2011:: Part One - 60-41

So here we go again. Another year over means another 365 days (give or take) of musical output has to be recollected, distilled and ranked. I have something of a love/hate affair with these sort of lists because as much as I enjoy looking back on the treats the year has produced (and 2011 has delivered plenty) I find the decision process itself to be a difficult one. Songs have little personalities of their own and our view of them is constantly shifting according to time, occasion and place. A one-time classic quickly becomes jaded with repetitive plays, while a relatively recent discovery is still basking in the after glow of its emergence. On the whole however, I'm pretty confident that this batch of tracks are an accurate account of the year's best music according to my ears and these pages.

Unsurprisingly it is again dominated by the home-grown contingent - with 2011 besting a 2010 that was oft-defined as the best ever for Irish content. It's genuinely exciting to think that this time last year an artist like Moths was just messing about in his bedroom, making the tentative steps on songs that have now been blogged about the world over. As I trace the soundtrack to my 2011 what really excites me is the mound of great Irish music that I know I'll be writing about over the course of the next year. Anyhow, here's the first instalment with the final list to be completed in the coming days...



 60) The Ambience Affair - 'Weeds'

The Ambience Affair - Weeds by statemagazine 


59) No Monster Club – ‘Who Wants A Man'

Who Wants A Man by No Monster Club 


58) The Eulogys - ‘Bouquets'

Bouquets by TheEulogys 


 57) Nouveonoise - 'Believe'

Nouveaunoise - Believe by nouveaunoise 


 56) Tracksuit Warrior – ‘Suit Up and GO’

03 Suit up and GO by Tracksuit Warrior 


55) This Club – ‘I Won’t Worry’

I Won't Worry by This Club 


54) Leaders Of Men – ‘Up Against The Wall’

Up Against The Wall by leadersofmen 


53) Ghost Estates – ‘Paris'

Paris by GHOST ESTATES


52) British Sea Power –‘Mongk II’

British Sea Power - Mongk II by Brett Chapman


 51) REID – ‘Genesis'

Genesis by REID 


 50) SOnance HOtel – ‘Living Is For Dreaming’

Living Is For Dreaming by sonancehotel


49) Patrick Wolf – ‘Time Of My Life’

Patrick Wolf - Time Of My Life by infinityyeah 


48) The Vaccines – ‘Post Break Up Sex’

Post Break-Up Sex by The Vaccines 


47) The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart – ‘Heart In Your Heartbreak’

The Pains of Being Pure At Heart - Heart In Your Heartbreak by Slumberland Records 


46) Bibio – ‘K Is For Kelson’

Bibio - K is for Kelson (taken from 'Mind Bokeh') by Warp Records 


45) Millionyoung – ‘On and On'

  MillionYoung - On On by DBF Music 


44) We Are Losers – ‘Sunset Song’

We Are Losers - Sunset Song by i-con  


43) The Minutes - 'Black Keys'

Black Keys by The Minutes  


42) Oh Land - 'Sun Of A Gun'
Oh Land - Sun of a Gun by infinityyeah 


41) Dogs – ‘Underbeats'
 
Underbeats by DOGS

Free gig: Pick for the Picnic Final this Thursday in Crawdaddy

Over the last two weeks 16 home-grown bands have battled it out in the heats and been whittled down to just four finalists, each of whom will perform at the final of Heineken Music's Pick for the Picnic. Taking place the day before the festival itself, September 1st, in Crawdaddy, the winning band gets the excellent opportunity of opening the Crawdaddy stage down in Stradbally.

This year's finalists are Tandem Felix, Eatenbybears, The Depravations and Leaders of Men.

It's completely free in and as if that (and the mounds of amazing Irish music on show) wasn't enough to tempt you out - your first drink is also free courtesy of Heineken. What more could you want?

  In Horseshoes & Hand Grenades by Tandem Felix

  Tonight by The Depravations 

  Spite Houses by Eatenbybears

  Bite Your Tongue by damaged_audio

Free Mixtape: The New Wave Vol.1 - The best in new Irish music

The general consensus regarding Irish music is that we've entered something of a golden period and I'm in full agreement. In fact, I find the music to be that consistently brilliant that I want to do all I can to spread the sounds of this new wave to as far as possible. Hopefully my scribbles here do that a bit but I feel a collection of free-to-download mixtapes - each packed with the best Irish artists of late - are an even more effective way to invade your ear canals and convince you of their worth.

This first volume probably falls under the general indie tag but within that is a broad range of styles, such as Spies' brooding undertones, We Cut Corners' powerful melodies and Jape's synth-fuelled splendour. 

Enough talking - more listening. Click the small downward arrow on the right hand side below for your free download of the mix and keep an eye out for another volume next week...

________ Tracklist_________
 

1) Spies - 'Liars Call Me King'
2) Jape - 'Hands Of Fire
3) Squarehead - 'Axes Of Love'
4) Land Lovers - 'Cinema Bell'
5) Hello Moon - 'Vanity'
6) No Monster Club - 'A Morbid Fascination'
7) Kid Karate - 'Feel For You'
8) Come On Live Long - 'Animal'
9) We Cut Corners - 'Go Easy'
10) Leaders Of Men - 'Up Against The Wall'
  

  STL: The New Wave: Volume 1 by StopTheLights

STL: The New Wave: Volume 1 by Stopthelights on Mixcloud

* Disclaimer: This is all being done on a goodwill basis and if you like what you hear please try and support the artists involved by buying some of their music/going to a gig of theirs! If any of the artists featured would rather their music was not involved just get in touch.*

Gig Preview: Pick for the Picnic 2011 - Listen to each of the finalists

This year's Pick for the Picnic showcase will again see 16 emerging Irish bands battle it out across four heats for a spot at Electric Picnic. Each heat will see an eclectic mix of talented acts playing for FREE in Crawdaddy on Wednesday 10th, Thursday 11th, Wednesday 17th and Thursday 18th of August. One act from each heat will then go into the final on Thursday 1st of September, the eve of the Electric Picnic festival. Doors open for each gig at 7.30 pm.

Last year's winners Cloud Castle Lake have been on a steady ascent ever since and making it to the heats is a general indication that you're doing something right! There's some seriously strong competition this year and I could pick half a dozen bands who could easily romp home. I'm looking forward to seeing some personal favourites like Spies, Come On Live Long, Tandem Felix, Leaders Of Men and The Casanova Wave perform, as well as checking out the bands I'm less familiar with. Be sure to pop along to at least one of the gigs though - it's free and is the perfect opportunity to sample the country's finest emerging bands. 

Wednesday August 10th

Tandem Felix



Spies



Come On Live Long



The Razor Ball

Thursday August 11th

 The Casanova Wave



Eatenbybears

Women's Murder Club




Cfit

Wednesday 17th August 

Fox Jaw Bounty Hunters

 

The Midnight Phil Eoin Callers 

The Depravations

 

Fred and Bob

 

Thursday 18th August

Zombie Computer

 

Leaders Of Men

  Happy Here by damaged_audio  

Cheap Freaks

 

Ghostnote

  Offshore by GHOSTNOTEMUSIC

Festival Review: KnockanStockan 2011

Within seconds of arriving at KnockanStockan, it's clear that I'm in for a different kind of weekend. Shunning the nondescript sea of endless land that befalls many of the larger festivals, KnockanStockan instead takes place on a downright beautiful site overlooking the Blessington Lakes. As the night looms, Friday's eager punters are treated to a stunning sunset worthy of a thousand postcards. Punchestown this most certainly aint. 


Sadly, such beauty also comes with a price. The picturesque location means the car park is located a reasonable distance away from the campsite itself. This would be perfectly fine if there were enough buses available to shuttle people up and down but on Friday there wasn't. The choice was to either wait on a bus - for what transpired to be well over an hour - or to take your chances on the walk while weighed down with camping gear. Such an unnecessary predicament can often be the precursor to a torrid festival experience but thankfully, it proved to be nothing more than an initial blip on an otherwise top-notch weekend.

Now in its fifth year, KnockanStockan has developed and grown through a commendable independent and DIY ethos, serving as a vital cog in the unsigned Irish music scene. A cursory glance at the stage times shows no mention of the Black Eyes Peas but beyond the fireworks and extravagant light-shows that would accompany such big hitters, there lies real talent and depth on show here. Enemies note-perfect post-rock workings were the highlight of the Friday night, dominating the Moon stage with an admirable confidence, while Scarecrow Disco blew the roof off a packed Circus Tent after sadly announcing it was to be their final gig. The arena itself was perfectly balanced, with the large Circus Tent and two outdoor stages ensuring there was always something to catch, with little noise overpsill evident. The real master-stroke however was the addition of the Faerie Fields. Similar to the other-worldly environs of Body and Soul, this little haven was adorned with chill-out areas, sanctual teepees and a performance area that played host to numerous DJs, hoola-hoopers and jaw-dropping fire performers. As well as offering another area to immerse oneself in, it also balanced the site perfectly, serving as an idyllic sanctuary away from the main stage and hectic confines of the camping area.  

Ghostbusters: Moon Stage

Sunshine and Irish festivals are normally mutually exclusive beings so it was no surprise that the scorching heat of Saturday raised the collective spirits. Ghostbusters were the perfect soundtrack to such a sunny disposition, treating us to an array of 80s guilty pleasures such as 'Gold' and 'Footloose', before The Gorgeous Colours lived up to their name with a smashing, uplifting set on the Sun stage. Come On Live Long were among my most anticipated acts of the weekend and they didn't disappoint, delivering a host of anthems with a slight folk-touch and a lovely use of synths throughout. Sun Stage headliners The Hot Sprockets also excelled, justifying their headline status and delivering a solid run-through of their alt-blues hits, which got the sizeable crowd going.  

Come On Live Long

The good weather may have disappeared come Sunday but that didn't stop Attention Bebe from having a ball. Specialising in funky reworkings of 90s cult hits, the 15 (I may have lost count...) of them opened the final day with a memorable bang. Leaders Of Men were also impressive and having reined in the sound issues which blighted their debut Workman's gig, the Tallaght lads now possess a handful of powerful numbers worthy any festival. Later on, The Young Folk were a revelation. Part O Emperor and part Fleet Foxes, the sterling vocals were the pinnacle of a set bursting with a rousing underbelly that demanded attention - this is a band more than capable of making a big breakthrough. Before The Stoney Brokes took to the stage the MC referred to front-woman Amy Kelly as having "one of the best voices in Ireland" and within minutes it's clear she wasn't mistaken. Kelly's powerful vocals propelled an energetic set that was brimming with catchy tunes and despite their youth this five-piece already have a number of radio friendly hits bubbling under the surface - a set that ensured smiles galore amid the exiting crowd.

Kudos must be paid for the reasonably priced alcohol (not to mention the ability to carry your own as you see fit), the diverse food selection, the designated family camping area and the general organisation and commitment from the team of volunteers (and the bands themselves) - none of whom get paid. It may seem trite to continually flaunt the organic, wholesome ethos on which KnockanStockan is based but when it is so undeniably palpable it really is hard to ignore. There are no haughty restrictions, nor heavy handed security, just a reasonable, balanced attitude towards having fun while catching some great, great bands. In a world of rising ticket prices and generic superstar names, KnockanStockan occupies an enviable, untainted little niche; one devoid of corporate pull or spin and one which proves the cliché of 'being in it for the music' is more than worthless hyperbole.

As word of mouth regarding this friendly, relaxed vibe gets out, more and more will undoubtedly flock to Wicklow to sample it. Never the less, the organisers should resist the temptation to grow too big. Its main strength lies in its intimacy, with a larger scale only likely to present logistical headaches that would ultimately deviate from its core values. As it stands, with the current locale, size and set-up, KnockanStockan has found the perfect mould and it's one that makes it the best kept secret on the Irish festival circuit.

The arena towards the Circus Tent

Fire Performers: Faerie Fields

The Stoney Brokes

KnockanStockan 2011 Preview: Full Timetable and Ones To Watch

Now in its fifth year the KnockanStockan festival returns to its picturesque site overlooking the Blessington lakes this weekend - primed with another batch of the country's finest underground bands. As you can see from the final timetable below there's a mammoth amount on offer so to help ease the 'who-to-see' conundrum here's a selection of artists that come with the STL seal of approval. Naturally, this kind of festival is all about being blown away by someone you've never heard of before but these acts are a good place to start and as ever, recommendations are welcome...

___________________________________________________________________________________

Enemies - Friday @ 11pm :: Moon Stage 

Superb post-rock workings from a ferocious live force. As supremely tight a band as you're likely to see all weekend.  

  Coco et Moi by Richter Collective  



The Hot Sprockets - Saturday @ 12.30am :: Sun Stage 

Accomplished blues-rockers with the songs to match their gusto and swagger.





Ross Breen - Saturday @ 7.30pm :: Sun Stage 

A burgeoning singer-songwriter from Kildare who I caught in a random pub in town a while back. Expect lashings of clever melodies and a strong, distinctive voice.

  When I Met The Devil (sample) by Ross Breen 



The Gorgeous Colours - Saturday @ 3.30pm :: Sun Stage 

Recent single ’It’s OK To Be Normal’ is the finest work yet from an outfit who specialise in expansive creations decorated with beautiful stirring melodies.

  It's Ok To Be Normal by The Gorgeous Colours 



Sounds of System Breakdown - Saturday @ 12am :: Moon Stage 

Strident electro-funk with a catchy underbelly. The perfect soundtrack to the beginning of the late night adventure.

  Colour by SOSB


Come On Live Long - Saturday @ 7.30pm :: Circus Tent 

Introduced on STL a short while back, I fell for this 'folk-tronic' outfit from the off. A brilliant mix of misty synths and guitars, which reward repeated listens.

  Animal by ComeOnLiveLong 


Bipolar Empire - Sunday @ 9pm :: Sun Stage

These lads are festival veterans at this stage and always deliver an anthemic, rousing set filled with the finest cuts from their recent debut album.

  Feel That You Own It by Bipolar Empire 



I Draw Slow - Sunday @ 8pm :: Sun Stage 

When I interviewed G-Star from the festival recently he chose I Draw Slow as the act he was most looking forward to seeing this year -  and when you consider the beautiful single ‘Goldmine’ it’s easy to see why. Mature country roots propelled by a delectable voice.




We Cut Corners - Sunday @ 5pm :: Moon Stage 

Promising two piece with a knack for a pop hook and bundles of clever harmonies. 

  dumb blonde by we cut corners  


Leaders Of Men - Sunday @1pm :: Moon Stage 

Interesting new Dublin creation whose debut tracks hinted at something special. Intelligent indie with a keen eye for building things up nicely.

  Up Against The Wall by damaged_audio 


The Stoney Brokes - Sunday @ 10pm :: Circus Tent 

Emerging Tallght five piece whose lovely debut track ‘You Don’t See Me' bodes well for their debut EP which is out next month.


Stoney Brokes - You Don't See Me by RisingStars 


The Young Folk - Sunday @ 8pm :: Circus Tent 

Acclaimed Dublin band whose thoughtful, layered Americana vibes have seen them gain much praise recently.

  The Young Folk - Way Down South by RisingStars 


The Altered Hours - Sunday @ 6pm :: Circus Tent  

Their bio says they aim for an ‘altered world’ and these Cork natives are true to their word, dipping a toe into a mish-mash of haunting styles. There’s a lot to take in here but the overriding theme is a psychedelic fusion that augurs well for a compelling live experience. 

  Daydream Parade by The Altered Hours by alteredhours 


Attention Bebé - Sunday @ 12pm :: Sun Stage

A sprawling collective bound by a love for reworking 90s cult hits and bringing a smile to the faces of those lucky enough to catch ‘em live. The perfect way sounds to kick off the final day.

  Ice Ice Bébé by Attention Bébé



Full Timetable: 

Friday:
Sun Stage:
00:30 – 01:30 – King Modo
23:30 - 00:30 - New Secret Weapon
22:30 - 23:30 - Hassle Merchants
21:30 – 22:30 - More Tiny Giants
20:30 – 21:30 - Kasper Rosa
19:30 – 20:30 – The Forbidden Itch
18:30 – 19:30 – The Deadly Mechanism

Moon Stage:
00:00 – 01:00 – The Whipround
23:00 – 00:00 – Enemies
22:00 – 23:00 – Saiga
21:00 – 22:00 – Noise Machine
20:00 – 21:00 – Glyder
19:00 – 20:00 – Shoctopus
18:00 – 19:00 – The Cold 100

Circus Tent:
00:30 – 01:30 – Scarecrow Disco
23:30 – 00:30 – 9 Bars
22:30 – 23:30 – Mutefish
21:30 – 22:30 – Gypsy Rebel Rabble
20:30 – 21:30 – John Fairhurst
19:30 – 20:30 – Nico Fitz & The Smelly Beggars
18:30 – 19:30 – Stefan Galt

Faerie Field:
00:00 – 01:00 – Miles Iwes (chillout dj)
23:00 – 00:00 – Adi (live electronic)
22:00 – 23:00 – Pixie Trix V Dark Mockery (UV acid hulo hoop)
21:00 – 22:00 – Alien Angel
20:00 – 21:00 – Barry Krishna (digital religion)
19:00 – 20:00 – Marka (trip hop acid jazz)
12:00 – 18:00 – Qpop Welcome Mix

Saturday:
Sun Stage:
00:30 – 01:30 – The Hot Sprockets
23:30 – 00:30 – The Cujo Family
22:30 – 23:30 – Blind Yackety
21:30 – 22:30 – Spook of the 13th Lock
20:30 – 21:30 – Veroa
19:30 – 20:30 – Ross Breen 
18:30 – 19:30 – Wyvern Lingo
17:30 – 18:30 – The Gandhis
16:30 – 17:30 – Saint John The Gambler
15:30 – 16:30 – The Gorgeous Colours
14:30 – 15:30 – The Rambleers
13:30 – 12:30 – The North Sea
12:30 – 13:30 – Love Notes & Ashes
Moon Stage:
00:00 – 01:00 – Sounds of System Breakdown
23:00 – 00:00 – Indecent Cigar Emporium
22:00 – 23:00 – The Amazing Few
21:00 – 22:00 – The Barley Mob
20:00 – 21:00 – Fitzafrenic
19:00 – 20:00 – CFIT
18:00 – 19:00 – Zealots
17:00 – 18:00 – Siv
16:00 – 17:00 – Rebecca Collins
15:00 – 16:00 – James Guilmartin
14:00 – 15:00 – Sons of Gingerbread
13:00 – 14:00 – S.O.S
12:00 – 13:00 – The Ghostbusters
Circus Tent:
00:30 – 01:30 – Absolutely Curtains
23:30 – 00:30 – Jifubuki
22:30 – 23:30 – The Hundred Flower Campaign
21:30 – 22:30 – Mescalito
20:30 – 21:00 – Son of a Beast
19:30 – 20:30 – Come On, Live Long
18:30 – 19:30 – Cold Comfort
17:30 – 18:30 – Markas Carcas
16:30 – 17:30 – Rhiannon & The Face Collectors
15:30 – 16:30 – Adela & The Meanits
14:30 – 15:30 – Pete & The Purehearts
13:30 – 14:30 – Jack & The Band
12:30 – 13:30 – Bob Glynn
Faerie Field:
01:00 – 02:00 – Psy Am (dubstep dj)
00:00 – 01:00 – Ghost Timez (spoken word hip hop)
23:00 – 00:00 – Sophis D Kate
22:00 – 23:00 – Saucy Jack & The Dimewhores (burlesque)
21:00 – 22:00 – The Side Up
20:40 – 21:00 – White Noise (beatbox)
20:00 – 20:40 – Razor Ball
19:30 – 20:00 – Dene Downes
18:30 – 19:30 – Oltremara
17:00 – 18:30 – Anunita w/special guests
16:00 – 17:00 – Arrow In The Sky
15:20 – 16:00 – Hypergiants
14:40 – 15:20 – Andy Earley
14:00 – 14:40 – Fear Of Folk
13:00 – 14:00 – Auto Psy
12:00 – 13:00 – Mixile (ambient electronic)
10:00 – 12:00 – Morning Chill

Sunday
Sun Stage
22:00 - 23:00 – The Candidates
21:00 – 22:00 – Bipolar Empire
20:00 – 21:00 – I Draw Slow
19:00 – 20:00 – Raglans
18:00 – 19:00 – Enda Reilly
17:00 – 18:00 – The Gentlemens Club
16:00 – 17:00 – Nursery Crimes
15:00 – 16:00 – Spirit Riders
14:00 – 15:00 – Chayka
13:00 – 14:00 – Groove
12:00 – 13:00 – Attention Bebe

Moon Stage:
23:00 – 00:00 – Spellbound
22:00 – 23:00 – Lotus Eater
21:00 – 22:00 – Rocket Surgery
20:00 – 21:00 – Tongue Bundle
19:00 – 20:00 – Liz Is Evil
18:00 – 19:00 – Kill Goliath
17:00 – 18:00 – We Cut Corners
16:00 – 17:00 – Fox Jaw Bounty Hunters
15:00 – 16:00 – The Salad Circus
14:00 – 15:00 – El Hombre Jokes
13:00 – 14:00 – Leaders Of Men
12:00 – 13:00 – Mr Sands
 
Circus Tent:
23:00 – 00:00 – Fox. E + The Good Hands
22:00 – 23:00 – The Stoney Brokes
21:00 – 22:00 – Difference Engine
20:00 – 21:00 – The Young Folk
19:00 – 20:00 – Louis Barabbas
18:00 – 19:00 – The Altered Hours
17:00 – 18:00 – The P Affection
16:00 – 17:00 – Surfing Champions Of Mexico
15:00 – 16:00 – Fiach
14:00 – 15:00 – Lisa McLaughlin
13:00 – 14:00 – Tom Cooney
12:00 – 13:00 – Eric McGrath

Faerie Field:
23:00 – 00:00 – Elekrodouche
22:00 – 23:00 – gKb
21:00 – 22:00 – D3x (chillout Vibes)
20:00 – 21:00 – Zyme (retro futuristic data jockey)
19:00 – 20:00 – Wassa Wassa (african tribal drum + dance)
18:00 – 19:00 – Matt Creedon & The Bad Men
17:00 – 18:00 – Aisling Quinn
16:00 – 17:00 – Wicker Bones
15:20 – 16:00 – Pattanga
14:40 – 15:20 – Dave Clarke
14:00 – 14:40 – Pater Space Invasion
13:00 – 14:00 – Psytori
12:00 – 13:00 – Fortune Lynched
0:00 – 12:00 – Morning Chill out pop