New single from Ash Red; our review of Sligo's Milk Harbour album; June's Spotify playlist
Ash Red's second single Philby is a cover of the Rory Gallagher track from his album Top Priority. Although born in Donegal, Gallagher was raised and spent his formative years in their home city of Cork. At first glance it deals with Kim Philby, one of the infamous 'Gang of Five' Soviet spy ring. At the same time he is drawing parallels between himself and others on the edge of society. He toured constantly, seemed to rejoice in his outsider status and you'd have to wonder where his mind was at when he wrote 'I'm lost in transit in a lonesome city, I can't come in from the cold'. Although reasonably faithful to the original, the Ash Red version is faster, rawer and benefits from Arthur Murray's great vocals. And fabulous artwork. Two tracks in, are Ash Red staking a claim as Irish music's new outsiders? Maybe too soon to tell but we're looking forward to finding out.
Sligo's Anthony Wall records and produces as Milk Harbour and gifts us dark, rock-inflected electronica. He released one track a month in 2020 and these are now remixed, remastered and collected together as Milk Harbour vol. 1. Our review finds it ... 'a beautifully crafted and produced set of songs with some real standout moments and a couple of surprise twists. And the lyrics are deliciously dark and thoughtful throughout - like finding a pub with great Guinness and great craic.'
The Blowtorch Records June playlist is up and running on Spotify. It features a fine mash up of post punk and electronica with tracks from TV People, Nerves, The Umlauts, Slyrydes, Durutti Colmun and Working Mens Club. All kicked off with the mighty Undertones - here comes the summer indeed! Get in touch if you'd like to be added.
Thanks to Enda Burke for the image.
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