Music from:

Heliopause: The Let Go

More Than Conquerors: Home Is A Red Dress

The Ambience Affair: Devil In The Detail

Escape Act: Salt In Your Eye

Uber Glitterati: Tilt

Aaron Shanley: Somebody To Take Care OF

A Plastic Rose: All You Know And Love Will Die

The Q: Magpie

Enjoy and spread the word. We’re having a few issues with the iTunes feed at the minute but it should be working within the next few days.

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I came across the band at Trans:mission showcase at the Waterfront during the summer of 2009. Taking a break out from the music, I sat upstairs just outside the Penthouse bar with a friend, and we were both mystified by the gorgeous electro music from this band we knew little about. No words, no lyrics but just a serene sound.

When Pilots Eject want to be more than a band: they want to be a full audio visual experience. Visual artist Marty Martin is an integral part of the act, with intriguing live videos displayed via projectors at each concert.I may not be learned enough to grasp the full artistic sentiment of the project, but the music involved is wonderful. A dreamy sound with elements of shoegaze thrown in for good measure is the hallmark of When Pilots Eject. Complex instrumentals and hi tech wizardry go into creating this sound that is strongly reminiscent of M83 or Sigur Ros if they went a little bit overboard with synthesisers.

We at Secret Fireworks are pleased to offer “I Am Knopfler” as an exclusive free download. It’s a wonderful track from the “Pilots” EP that encompasses the essence of the band. A repetitive soft and blissful riff is the accompaniment to a rather bizarre spoken word piece, delivering unusual snippets of information from a father to a son. It unexpectedly builds to a climax where things just go haywire, with distorted guitar coming to the forefront and processed beats in the background, before the song slowly and softly grinds to a halt. Simply awesome.

The rest of the EP follows similar traits. Without a doubt, these songs are slow burners: “Pilots” has about four minutes of drones and bleeps while “Ages” lasts about 8 minutes or so. They take a great deal of time to get going as parts fall in one by one on top of each other and for those of us cursed with short attention spans you may be tempted to hit the fast forward button. However, control yourself. Sit back, relax, and let the beautiful music wash over you. The cello part in “Pilots” certainly makes up for the self control.

Check out: Pilots, I Am Knopfler

Download: I Am Knopfler – When Pilots Eject (right click, save as)

MySpace

I use the word “epic” far too much, but I don’t know how else to describe “Dieter Rams’ Got The Pocket Radio”. From the thundering piano introduction that’s ominous from the outset to the occasionally disjointed drumming there’s a  Elliott Smith vibe running through this track but the chorus is simply awesome. It’s loud, brash, cinematic and completely over the top yet strangely appropriate: they add to the track instead of just throwing in a string part for the sake of it. The instrumental solo in the middle of the track is fantastic, almost orchestral in its approach but sufficiently gritty. It’s a little bit difficult to make out the lyrics but I’m chalking this down to crap MySpace quality. It has been in my head for weeks and who knows, it may be the same case for you.

“Boats” almost feels like it was written by a different artist. It’s slow, soft and lush, with tender vocals instead of the power we heard in the previous track. If you’re a fan of Duke Special chances are, this is right up your alley. The originality continues, especially lyrically. “Can you hear the cadences resonate between you and I?” isn’t exactly a line you would be expecting in a piano ballad. The understated trumpet part and the string section make this song stand out: it’s the attention to detail that is most surprising and each track is the product of some decent songwriting.

All in all, it’s pretty darn promising. I’d wait for the EP before making any final judgements but if it is as strong as the material we’ve heard so far Rams’ Pocket Radio will be one to watch.

Check out: “Dieter Rams’ Got The Pocket Radio”, “Boats”

Download: “Boats”(right click, save as)

MySpace

Of course, it’s not all hyperbole. Edwin McFee (of Hotpress fame) and Will Johnson (best known for his work with BBC Across The Line) seem to be big fans and in fairness Before Machines have a great deal going for them. They’re the thinking man’s rock band. The lyrics contain words that often exceed four syllables, they can hold a decent melody and their concept of harmonies don’t consist of a band member shouting tunelessly over the lead vocals. Dan Larkin on drums is as important to the band as Sam Fogarino from Interpol: the constant complex rhythms make Before Machines one of those bands that grab your attention instead of lazing around in the background.

Andy Melville’s vocals are angsty and strong but have a slight air of vulnerability and emotion beneath them. In “There Was A Grand Alliance” we see the band at their best: a decent bassline that chugs along in the chorus, intriguing lyrics, surprisingly good harmonies and some excellent drumming, especially during the outro. Perhaps the comparisons to Biffy Clyro are a little easy to make but there’s a clear influence from the Scottish band upon Before Machines. However, at times they’re more like a darker version of now defunct local band Rivals (remember them?). “We Were Stayed”, the free download available from Secret Fireworks this week, is one of the more anthemic songs the band have released so far. Featuring a guitar riff that could have been plucked straight from Death Cab for Cutie’s first album and a reference to Newsnight (Newsnight! Seriously!) the band deliver a gritty, balls to the wall tune that short and not at all sweet. If I could make one point of criticism it would be the actual mix of the track: the vocals should be given a little more attention as they can be overshadowed by the sheer volume of the guitar. Imaginative, energetic and intelligent, Before Machines deserve the hype and then some.

Check out: We Were Stayed, There Was A Grand Alliance, The First Age

MySpace

Download We Were Stayed (right click, save as)

The first time I saw the band was at Unconvention in Belfast’s Black Box last November, but they were honestly rather disappointing. The set didn’t flow at all and the vocals were rough (which was putting it mildly) which put a dampener on proceedings. However, there were promising elements. Strait Laces seem to have music ADD: just as they get the listener familiar with a riff or a melody, they tear it up and do something completely different. They take hundreds of musical risks, some major, some minor. Occasionally they fall flat on their face when they fail but when they succeed it’s something to behold. Quite frankly, it’s musical insanity, and insanity can generate genius sometimes.

Let’s take the track “Romantic Issues” as an example of this. It’s a gorgeous guitar part, funky in its execution. The bass is doing its thing as ever, while “Pando” on drums is having a whale of a time. Dave’s vocals start off alright and the lyrics are wittier than your average. However, when it gets to the chorus, it hits the fan. It’s like a musical cut and shunt, two songs merged together. The guitar part is no longer laid back but uppity and in your face, the drums are even more energetic but it’s a little bit awkward listening to the line “for the first time”. The vocals are always going to be a love/hate affair, similar to Panama Kings and Funeral Suits. It’s not always noticeable but it does stand out occasionally for me.

“Clap” is a track that you could throw into a Skins soundtrack and it would fit perfectly. There aren’t any passengers in the band: everyone’s imaginative, whether it’s the constantly mental drumline, the bass breakdown just ater the middle 8 or that awesome chord progression in the chorus. You’re never quite sure what’s going to happen next. The vocals are much improved as well, as Dave shares a tender moment with us. It’s like a track from We Are Scientists’ first album With Love And Squalor but with Northern Irish accents and a hell of a lot more attitude.

The new single “Seconds Out” (released 2nd November)  is reminscent of Arctic Monkeys, or the material that Panama Kings would come up with if they ditched the synths. There’s tons of attitude and swagger in this track, with some excellent guitar work. Once again, it’s just a bit crazy. The first two minutes are pretty rough and ready with the occasional “wooooooooaaaaaaaaaaaaah” thrown in there for good effect, then Strait Laces’ imagination goes into overdrive. The guitar line completely changes and Jonny goes bonkers on the bass. It’s all very promising.

The free download for today is the Uber Glitterati remix of Seconds Out, and it’s gorgeous. The synthesisers are wonderful and the understated xylophone in the background puts the icing on the cake, completely reinventing the track into a possible indie dance favourite with tinges of Madonna thrown in there for good value. Strait Laces aren’t quite there yet, but exciting times lie ahead for the band and fans alike.

Check out: Romantic Issues and Seconds Out (released 2nd November on iTunes and the usual music outlets)

MySpace

Download “Seconds Out” Uber Glitterati Remix (right click, save as) – huge thanks to Bruised Fruit for granting permission.

Nakatomi Towers declare they are “the musical equivalent of a hug on the dancefloor” and I’d be inclined to agree. I’d even go one further and describe them as the musical equivalent of getting a sneaky kiss from the pretty girl you’ve been dancing with in the Stiff Kitten for the past hour. Synthesisers, boy girl harmonies (with sultry vocals from Julianne Shawe and able support from Dave Frecknall of Jane Bradfords fame ) and an unabashed desire to make awesome electro pop dance music are the foundations of Nakatomi.

Sure, the lyrics are hardly incisive (a chorus of do do do do doesn’t do much for me in “Cut Me Out”) but we’re not expecting Dylan or Waits moments of literary magic. Simplicity seems to be the goal of Julianne and Dave. You won’t get crazy over the top symphonies and you won’t get 20 minute instrumental tracks with more peaks than a mountain range from Nakatomi Towers, but what you do get is rather good electro dance music that will please the girl that just wants to dance, the musical snob and the guy that just likes his electro music. With undercurrents of M83 and Friendly Fires running through their music Nakatomi’s debut EP isn’t half bad.

“Cut Me Out” is a cracking wee track and you can download it exclusively from Secret Fireworks. While I’ve already made my comments about the chorus, it’s imaginative in other ways. The funky bassline and Julianne’s vocals in the first verse are a decent intro as the layers fall in one by one. I’ve never been a fan of drum machines and if I was being super critical I’d prefer a little bit more variety in the drumline but it’s not a big deal. With a nice little guitar solo and overlapping synth parts I can’t shake off the feeling that the song is going to ask me to take them to Funkytown. That, by the way, is a good thing. “What You See” is equally danceworthy and follows the same sort of formula as the first track, applying layer upon layer as time goes on. It’s a little bit more relaxed than “Cut Me Out” but it’s arguably the best track from the EP. There’s more musicianship on show for this track, with a decent chorus and a great outro after a synth solo and a keyboard part that Kraftwerk would be proud of is added to the mix. It’s good stuff, not the most original music in the world but it’s hard to be cutting edge all the time.

Of course, an act like this band are more at home upon a stage instead of a recording studio. NT recently supported Moon Unit at the Stiff Kitten in mid July and are set to support Pocket Promise at Mandela Hall’s Radar night on the 24th September: go ahead and check them out!

Check out: “Cut Me Out” and “What You See”

MySpace

Download “Cut Me Out” (right click, save as)

“Hold On Pet” is probably the strongest track on show and it’s an exclusive download from Secret Fireworks. The song has more peaks than a mountain range, increasing and decreasing in intensity time and time again. It sounds like a happy go lucky folk track at first, but peer behind the sweet vocals and you’ll pick up on the ominous piano part and the Panda Kopandaesque violins. Maguire & I shine in two ways: their songcraft and their attention to detail mean that each track is layered with imagination and sentiment instead of bland emotions and meaningless lyrics as is too often the case in folk and country music. The numerous moments where the music breaks down to vocals and a solitary guitar remind me of early Ryan Adams, a sound that just makes your soul feel warm. “On Time” is a catchy, summery upbeat number that features glockenspiels and a pizzicato violin part. A few unusual chord changes and a decent chorus make this track into a lovely little number. Comparisons with The Lowly Knights would be far too easy to draw, but if you’re looking for a talented folk act with substance instead of just happy go lucky tunes, Maguire & I are hard to beat.

The band are planning on recording a live EP in September and recently featured on our friends Bandwidth Films’ “In Stores Now” series, the episode of which you can see below.

Check out: “Hold On Pet” and “On Time”

MySpace

Download Hold On Pet (right click, save as)

Belle and Sebastian have been a long running obsession of mine. Ever since the first few bars of “I’m A Cuckoo” back in the day the ever changing troupe have never been off my MP3 player- twee they may be, but without doubt they’re one of the best bands to come out of the UK in the past 20 years. Witty lyrics and ridiculously poppy melodies are all the hallmarks of Belle and Sebastian and with seven albums released they’re stalwarts of the music scene. From the techno brilliance of “Electronic Renaissance” the disco extravagansa of “Your Cover’s Blown” and the T Rex inspired “Blues Are Still Blue” there simply isn’t a genre that Stuart and the lads haven’t explored.

With the upcoming release of the God Help The Girl soundtrack (the soundtrack is scheduled to be released before the film of the same name, oddly) I thought it was time to pay homage to Belle and Sebastian. I went to see the band at the Ulster Hall the last time they played here, and to be honest I was disappointed. Musically they were excellent, but the crowd were lacking a certain something. It’s difficult to appease everyone in a crowd when you’ve been around for so long- everyone has their favourite album or favourite track and it’s pot luck whether you get your perfect setlist. However, this Washington recording of the band at the 9:30 Club shows what can happen when the crowd and the band are on form. 

It’s a long ol’ concert but it doesn’t drag on- Stuart Murdoch and Stevie Jackson have this wonderful on stage chemistry with a fair bit of banter and a live “confession” from Stevie. There’s even sectarianism! Joys of joy. Old favourites like Expectations and newer tracks like Sukie in the Graveyard seamlessly mix while tracks from Tigermilk sound better than ever. Stuart even gets to fulfill the dream of every single frontman alive- he introduces his band, part by part, as an intro to White Collar Boy. Quality. 

Listen and love, my dear readers. Ignore the negative connotations associated with Belle and Sebastian and enjoy.

Download NPR All Songs Considered (Belle and Sebastian Live In Washington)

Well, it’s not so much an album, but more of a sampler. In the next few days I’ll have my first interview with the wonderful Jane Bradfords, and in honour of that I’m choosing the lads for this week’s free download.

I first saw The Jane Bradfords as the support act to The National in Mandela Hall, and I was pleasantly surprised- a fresh, talented band that combine electro and a little rock into a neat little package.

The highlight of their set was “The Evening Angels Gather Here”: the closest to an anthem we’ll probably get from the JBs. The song gets a bit of time to get going but when it does, it’s great- be it the simple, wonderful guitar instrumental or the unique vocals of Declan Gallen, it’s a hit. “Starlight, starbright, the evening angels gather here” is one of the more memorable lines from local music in the past few years.

The next track, About Our Love, is a bit of a departure from the typical Bradfords song but the essential qualities remain- there’s a lovely repetitive guitar part, the occasional synth and Deci’s vocals, possibly paying homage to Matt Berninger from the National? Make up your own mind on that. I love the acoustic sessions because sometimes the lyrics are difficult to hear or understand, a terrible shame considering the lyrics are more perceptive and memorable than your typical band.

The track Ninety Nine is the more well known track by the lads- it would slot seamlessly into any indie disco. With a strong electro beat pulsating constantly and a harsher sound it’s a great track. I love the whole electro movement in Northern Ireland (such as Kowalski and Two Door Cinema Club) and Deci and the lads have got a great talent for a catchy hook and a decent melody. It’s wonderful live as well.

Finally, the last track is October Eleven from the eponymous debut album. It’s by far my favourite track from it: great guitar parts, some wonderful hooks and those memorable lyrics once again from the Jane Bradfords. “So beautiful I’d break a million hearts to be with you” is just one of many excellent lyrics within this song.

The Jane Bradfords are stalwarts of the local scene, and long may it continue. Their unique sound has gained support from Queen’s Radio to, well, Qatar, and if their recent Valentine’s Day session is anything to go by we’re in for a great 2009. Check out the lovely video for The Evening Angels Gather Here below.

Keep reading in the next few days to read the interview along with another couple of nice surprises….

About Our Love (right click, save as)

The Evening Angels Gather Here (right click, save as)

Ninety Nine (right click, save as)

October Eleven (right click, save as)

MySpace

Once again, welcome to the free album of the week post. This week’s offering is the debut album of Conor Mason, a wonderful songwriter originally from Derry that currently resides in Glasgow. “Let It Unfold” documents the first tentative steps of Mason towards musical brilliance.

Conor is a singer songwriter in the true sense of the word- on this album he doesn’t give into the temptation of just hammering out a few chords and singing along. Every song has a clearly sculpted melody and structure that includes bass and lead guitar as well as a pretty acoustic guitar line. With the drum machine and the desire to mess things up a little the comparisons to David Kitt are pretty darn obvious, but in some respects he manages to outKitt the Kittster.

The vocals are restrained and quiet, rather like the shy guy at a party instead of the boisterous shouts of the typical singer songwriter (Damien Rice, I’m looking at you). The lyrics can be lacking at times but apart from this, you can safely mention Elliott Smith and Conor Mason in the same breath: a wonderful ear for catchy and memorable tunes, lovely harmonies and a desire for complex songs. The gorgeous waltz that is “Nothing To Say” sticks in your head- there’s trumpets, a repetitive drum beat, lovely, unassuming vocals (with half hearted lyrics) and a wonderful guitar part. It wouldn’t be out of place on XO: indeed, it wouldn’t be out of place in Grey’s Anatomy.

“Let it Unfold”, the title track, slows things down a bit. A repeating guitar line, backing vocals that are reminiscent of Bon Iver and something unmistakeably wonderful that captivates the listener. Mason doesn’t waste words: indeed the chorus consists of the words “let it unfold, let it unfold” repeated over and over again, and it’s stunning.

There really isn’t a filler track on this album. Admittedly, it’s more of a demo than a properly produced album and it does show at times. However, the whole lo fi thing makes “Let it Unfold” just a teeny bit more intimate, especially on tracks such as “Save A Line” that could so easily be over produced. A great debut that promises a lot more.

Download album

Download Let It Unfold (right click, save as)

Download Save A Line (right click, save as)

Download Nothing To Say (right click, save as)