Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Women’s hour is here at last
There are three things I keep in mind when putting together a playlist for Across the Line – conscious that the whole point of our radio show is to thoughtfully represent the finest new music created in Northern Ireland.
First of all – a mix of genres is always nice. That’s never been a problem – in fact, if anything the show can sound a little disjointed on occasion, as we pinball from rock to folk to hip hop to house…. or whatever. A decent problem to have, I reckon. Secondly – representing the entire country – i. e not just Belfast – that’s also important. Granted the lions share of the notable gigs still take place in our capital – but the bands are from all over the place. We’ve acknowledged mini-scenes in everywhere from Lisburn to Warrenpoint – while Derry continues to punch well above its weight. Finally – it feels important to have strong women vocalists peppered throughout the programme. Not to tick any box or to satisfy some prediscussed obligation you understand – simply because it just makes the show sound more interesting, varied and…. just better. In the past, it’s been tricky. For whatever reason, there was nowhere near the amount of female voices coming into the show that you’d expect and hope for.
Happily, in 2017, we are spoilt for choice. Pick any Across the Line playlist and you’re introduced to some incredible acts fronted by a woman, or women. Indeed the three new acts we included on a bill for our 30th birthday last year were Soak (aka Bridie Mondswatson), Saint Sister (Gemma and Morgan) and R51 (fronted by the incredible Melyssa Shannon).
What a happy accident that the newbies helped balance out that particular bill.
That said – gender balance in the music industry remains an important issue – and often Born in England but here long enough we claim her, the video for is sinister and cute at the same time - just like the track. quite a concern. Women’s Work – a festival running primarily at the Oh Yeah Centre this week – is here to highlight and help. They’ve already hosted a bunch of shows, workshops and talks, with more to follow in the next few days. And while it’s a worrying situation and something of a disappointment that – broadly speaking – women remain underrepresented on festival bills, venue line ups, among production teams and throughout this industry, really – it’s still worthwhile acknowledging the strong female voices we have attempting to dominate the scene here in Northern Ireland.
Tomorrow night – at the Oh Yeah Centre from 5pm – Women’s Work host their main showcase.
The line up – just some of which is highlighted right – acts as a handy beginner’s guide to – and a celebration of – a selection of the magnificant acts doing the business here in Northern Ireland. Acts who just happen to have a lady pulling the strings... Another outstanding, hypnotic and beautifully crafter piece just in time for a UK and German/swiss tour. Exciting times. Lyndsey Mcdougal is the incredibly engaging frontwoman of (and lyricist for) what I reckon are the most exiting new band in the country. Girls Names’ bassist Claire Miskimmin is also involved, alongside former Fighting with Wire frontman Cahir O’doherty and renowned drummer Conor Mcauley. The resulting supergroup make intelligent, rasping alt-rock.
Worker’s Song – within a few seconds that earworm guitar riff and huge vocal capture everything that’s great about this band.
Julianne Shawe has previous – as vocalist with Coda, Nakatomi Towers and – most recently – Go Swim. While each was essentially an update on the last, Paths is a solo project, mashing guitars and synths with an extra, welcomed emphasis on slick production. Here’s hoping she settles.
Neoprene – itchy, relentless and ripe for remixing.
Derry teen Roisin came out of nowhere, seemingly the finished article, with wisdom beyond her years and talent by the bucketload. Comparisons to SOAK were inevitable, though her creativity (both on record and onstage) makes it impossible to work out how a debut record – due out this year – might sound.
Cheek, Boy is a pop song – but also a little bit weird and a little bit wonky.
Cheylene, Aimee and Ryan have had an outstanding first year as Beauty Sleep, gathering a decent fanbase and rewarding them with ridiculously fun shows. Beauty Sleep rely on colour, glitter, synths and huge choruses to bring joy to the masses.
new single ‘All In’ is a shimmering little gem, as Beauty Sleep find themselves in a reflective mood.
Formed in Seoul, based in Berlin and featuring Maggie Devlin from... Cookstown. It’s apt they sound so adventurous – each track I’ve heard bears no relation to wh at came before it. All over the place – in the best possible way.
In the Band is a catchy, vaguely silly and fun three minutes of indie-pop joy.
Difficult to know where to start – the film scores, the creepy video for Lunar Terminator, the fact the mysterious musician has a pair of homemade bat wings available to buy as part of a pledge campaign for a debut album – it’s out there. The music? Gothic ambience, beautiful in its own unusual way.
Siamese feels designed for a particularly unsettling moment in a David Lynch production. Another excellent female fronted act, with a Twin Peaks referencing b-side. Which is handy….