Northern Ireland Tunes - Round-Up #10

Here is the first round-up of various tunes from Northern Ireland that have piqued my interest this month. As it's a new year, this is the first time that these artists have gained a mention on this blog, and hopefully it won't be the last.

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Hannah McPhillimy - Jailhouse Blues

For the second year running, the Oh Yeah Centre is running Scratch My Progress, a scheme whereby four local performers are given guidance by industry professionals so that they can eventually have a long career in the music industry. Katharine Philippa took part in the scheme last year, and ended up playing in the Ulster Hall off the back of it. 

This year, the artists selected for the scheme include Go Wolf, Howl & Basic Translation. However, the artist from the scheme that seems to have piqued the most interest so far is Hannah McPhillimy. Take a listen below to "Jailhouse Blues", and it's easy to see why. It's the sort of song that instantly transports you to a smoky cafe in the corner of New Orleans. 

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Kept Under Glass - I Don't Even Like Clubs

Long drum introduction? Check. Power chords? Check. Lovely guitar riffs? Check. A distaste for sweaty clubs that play the same monotonous beats over and over and over again? The debut single from Carryduff alt-rocke trio Kept Under Glass, "I Don't Even Like Clubs", ticks all my metaphorical boxes. Plus, any guitarist who claims to have fingers of uranium-235 gets a big plus in anybody's book.


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Bellos - Something In My Mind

Formed in August 2012, Belfast trio Bellos seem to be channeling the spirit of Kurt Cobain, if their debut single "Something In My Mind" is anything to go by. It's a promising start for a band who seem to be channeling a different set of influences to many of their Belfast contemporaries.

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Bee Mick See - Hey Girl

And to finish off this round-up, here's some Norn Iron rap, courtesy of Oregon born, Belfast based Bee Mick See. "Hey Girl", the lead track from his new E.P "Birds Over Nupes" (whatever that means), takes influences from rock, ska (members of Pocket Billiards provide the horns), and grime (the song samples the same drums as "Fix Up Look Sharp"). Lyrically, there is no doubt the song could have been formulated anywhere but Northern Ireland, given the song references Boojum, Phoenix Gas, Antrim and Cow & Gate.

One criticism - using Bob Mould's name as an insult doesn't go down well with someone who considers "If I Can't Change Your Mind" to be one of the greatest pop songs ever written.