Two very different acts join forces on this 7" for Popical Island. Surf-pop/slacker-rock trio Squarehead and the gothic-synth-pop-leaning Patrick Kelleher have both released acclaimed albums this year, the former with Yeah Nothing and the latter with Golden Syrup (along with a similarly excellent splitEP with School Tour). Here they've teamed up and carried out a very cool idea with aplomb: each writing a song in the style of the other and then collaborating on both. Roy Duffy pens the inspired 'Attention to Detail', which matches his band's breezy garage-pop sensibility with a reverbed 80's-referencing arrangement; Kelleher's contribution combines his distinctive vocal croon with doo-wop-type harmonies and jangly guitar flourishes.
The 7" can be streamed from Bandcamp and is available to buy from selected record stores including Tower, RAGE and HMV Grafton St. in Dublin, Plugd in Cork and Wing Nut in Galway.
Some of the artists haven't yet been allocated a day, or at least hadn't been when I started this thing. So here's the best of that lot:
CARIBOU
Eclectic, unpredictable and massively underrated, Daniel Victor Snaith took on the moniker Caribou after previously being known as Manitoba, but the quality of his output hasn't dropped: his latest record Swim is one of the albums of the year so far.
Bristol-based producer has released a string of superb 12"s as well as the acclaimed LP Jarvik Mindstate, blurring the lines between dubstep, techno and dubbed-out soul.
THREAD PULLS
Experimental, no-wave-influenced electronic act who became the first band to be invited to play All Tomorrow's Parties in 2005. They've also recently been picked up on by the influential Altered Zones.
This Carlow-based duo deal in dreamy, hazy electronica. They released a free covers EP earlier this year, Desecrations, which included superb versions of tunes by the Pixies and Rollerskate Skinny.
NOUVEAUNOISE
West-of-Ireland based duo whose debut LP Paraphrase Accolade was released earlier this year to much acclaim. Organic, Four Tet-influenced electronics.
HUNTER-GATHERER
Haunting ambient electronica from this mysterious Dublin artist, who late last year released the higly-rated I Dreamed I Was A Footstep In The Trail Of A Murderer. He's also released a steady stream of free music online.
Dublin-base artist who shares sonic similarities to critics' darling Ariel Pink, his skewed aesthetic approach taking in influences like leftfield electronica, movie themes and lo-fi pop.
Is the Richter Collective the greatest record label in the world at this point in time? I would have to say yes. They've now gone and signed the very excellent Logikparty, just in time for the release of their High Risk Narcissist EP. The 7-track EP will be a joint release between Richter Collective and Logikparty's own label, White Plague Records. Release date: September 10th. The limited edition 10" vinyl (plus digital download) comes with artwork by Dublin illustrator Niall McCormack.
The EP launch will take place on September 11th at Block T, Smithfield, Dublin 7, with support from special guests Squarehead and Patrick Kelleher. That's a quality line-up right there.
Just when you think the line-up is more or less complete, eh? The Body & Soul stage at Electric Picnic have announced a slew of acts who'll be playing in Stradbally. The new additions include Bristol dubstep figurehead Peverelist, Irish electronic duo Nouveaunoise and the off-kilter pop sounds of Patrick Kelleher. List:
John Cooper Clarke Timber Timbre John Smith Peverelist Thread Pulls The Low Sea Jennifer Evans Daithi O Dronai Jimmy Penguin Martin Hayes & Denis Cahill Iarla O Lionaird Spook of the Thirteenth Lock Holy Roman Army Johnny Flynn I Draw Slow Tucan Lisa O’Neill Nouveaunoise Ultan Conlon Ambulance Kill Krinkle Club Twin Kranes Hunter Gatherer Natural History Museum Patrick Kelleher Butterfly Explosion Deaf Joe Maud in Cahoots
Incidentally, the Holy Roman Army's highly recommended covers EP Desecrations is still available to download from Bandcamp.
Telepathe's upcoming visit to Whelan's on 14th August promises to be a great night, and now there's added excitement in store: Patrick Kelleher & His Cold Dead Hands and fast-rising electro-funk purveyor Meljoann will be supporting on the night. Kelleher recently followed up his acclaimed You Look Cold album with the 'Contact Sports' 7", while Meljoann's Tour Guide EP should be followed by an album in September.
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