Download: Chris Singleton - Free 3 Song EP

Acclaimed Dublin singer-songwriter Chris Singleton has made available a three song EP made up of songs from his excellent Twisted City album. All it costs is the price of an email address!

Download it here:
http://www.singletonmusic.com/ep/gen/

Album News: Sunset Rubdown - Dragonslayer

Sunset Rubdown are to release new album Dragonslayer on June 23rd (22nd in UK, so 19th in Ireland I'd presume). You can pre-order the album now, and also have a snake peak at it by downloading 'Idiot Heart'. You may know Spencer Krug from Wolf Parade, and in case you didn't know, Sunset Rubdown are his other band.

Tracklist:
1. "Silver Moons" 4:45
2. "Idiot Heart" 6:09
3. "Apollo and the Buffalo and Anna Anna Anna Oh" 5:23
4. "Black Swan" 6:54
5. "Paper Lace" 3:48
6. "You Go On Ahead (Trumpet Trumpet II)" 5:43
7. "Nightingale / December Song" 5:34
8. "Dragon's Lair" 10:28


Download:
Sunset Rubdown - 'Idiot Heart'

Preorder:
http://www.scdistribution.com

More info:
http://www.sunsetrubdown.net/

Live: Manchester Orchestra at the Academy

I reviewed Mean Everything to Nothing by Atlanta's Manchester Orchestra a few weeks back and I must say I really liked it. They'll be over in Dublin the week after Oxegen, so if you still haven't had enough music by then, I suggest heading over to Academy 2 on Wednesday 15th of July.

Tickets are on sale today at a cost of €13.

More info:
http://www.myspace.com/manchesterorchestra

Watch 'I've Got Friends':
Manchester Orchestra - "I've Got Friends"

Download: Okkervil River - Pop Lie

Okkervil River are one of the acts playing at this year's Electric Picnic. As you may know, their 2008 album The Stand-Ins was my album of the year, so I cannot wait for their live performance. Before then, they're playing some US dates supporting Wilco, a lovely pairing. 'Pop Lie' is their latest single, and I have it for download below.

June 14 Manchester, TN Bonnaroo- The Other Tent
June 25 Los Angeles, CA Wiltern Theatre w/ Wilco
June 26 Saratoga, CA The Mountain Winery w/ Wilco
June 27 Berkeley, CA Greek Theatre w/ Wilco
June 28 Stateline, NV Lake Tahoe Outdoor Arena w/Wilco
June 30 Jacksonville, OR Britt Pavilion w/ Wilco
July 03 Morrison, CO Red Rocks Amphitheatre w/ Wilco
July 10 Ottawa, ON Ottawa Bluesfest
July 11 Winnipeg, MB Winnipeg Folk Festival

Download:
Okkervil River - 'Pop Lie'
Okkervil River - 'Lost Coastlines'

Watch 'Lost Coastlines':

Stream: Passion Pit - Manners

One of the best new albums in a while gets its US release today, and AOL/Spinner has the full album stream. You can also buy it on Amazon for $2.99 for today only. They're set to play Lattitude and Bestival in the UK this summer, before returning to Ireland in September.

Stream:
http://www.spinner.com/new-releases#/1

Buy:
http://www.amazon.com/Manners/dp/B0027D4ADG/ref=nosim/%20frenchkissrec-20/

Listen: The Brilliant Things - Something to Say

Something to Say is the new EP from Irish synthpop duo The Brilliant Things. They recently played the UCD Ball and went down a treat.

More info:
http://thebrilliantthings.com/

Live: 2UIBestow Sessions at Boyle's, Slane

Press release from 2UIBestow Sessions. It promises to be excellent. The first night has the excellent Ham Sandwich, but for me the highlight will be August 6th with Groom and Van Cleef, two excellent upcoming bands!

The 2UIBestow Sessions will be launched in the intimate venue Boyles in Slane on Thursday 4th June and will run on the first Thursday of every month. This monthly showcase is brought to Boyles, Slane by the popular music blog http://www.2uibestow.blogspot.com/. The Sessions will have four acts playing for up to half an hour in the 65 seated capacity venue in the heart of Slane. The aim of ‘The 2UIBestow Sessions’ is to create a night showcasing the best of music in Ireland covering a variety of genres.

Admission is free, first act begins at 9pm.

Thursday June 4th [The Launch Night]
Ham Sandwich
Kiernan McMullan
Ruairi Coogan
Star Crossed Enemies

Thursday July 2nd:
Perry Blake
Margaret Healy
Henrietta Game
Garret Baker

Thursday August 6th:
Groom
Peadar King
Van Cleef
Joy Booth

More information about the gigs found here:
http://www.2uibestow.blogspot.com
http://www.myspace.com/liveatboyles