Northern Ireland Tunes - Round-up #22

It's a new year for all of us (obviously - that's how time works), and in terms of music-y things from Northern Ireland 2014 has got off to a cracking start, with news that Good Vibrations, the film about the birth of the region's punk scene in the 1970s, has been unexpectedly nominated for a BAFTA. The film was one of the best films released last year, with the legendary Mark Kermode calling it the best, so if you haven't seen it yet, then definitely get around to it. 

But let's not reflect on the past for too long, for there have been some lovely wee tunes from here floating The Metaphorical Boat this month. Here's a few of them:
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Rory Nellis - Mind Control

Rory Nellis has taken some time out from his Seven Summits duties in order to record a solo E.P, "Moon", which will be launched on February 1st at the Sunflower Bar in Belfast, one of the best new venues to pop up here in the past year. Taken from that release is the breezy "Mind Control", which is a great, uncomplicated little guitar-pop ditty.


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Mojo Gogo - 4.20

You've got to love a song with a rollicking, thunderingly great drum intro, like "4.20" by Derry 4-piece Mojo Gogo. Thankfully, the rest of the song is pretty decent too. Think "Dakota" by Stereophonics with a little bit more of an edge and you've got a good idea of what they sound like. It's the lead track from their E.P "Streets, Backstreets & Envy", which will be out around March.


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Morgan Macintyre - Dancing Down Ravenhill

Morgan Macintyre has only fairly recently begun to make a name for herself locally, but it's safe to say that she must have made a good first impression, with Gary Lightbody singing her praises and a well received launch gig in The Empire for her E.P, "Dancing Down Ravenhill". Listening that E.P's title track, it's easy to see why the praise has been to deserved - she's got a voice as delicate and beautiful as Hannah from London Grammar, which is shown off to great effect on this powerful, folky tune. Keep an eye on her - she's destined for great things.


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Meb Jon Sol - Captain Of This Ship

Well, there's no way I couldn't feature a fellow captain on TMB, couldn't I?

Meb Jon Sol is the new project of Michael McCullough, who was previously a member of the much lauded Colenso Parade (a band that also featured a certain Mr. Phil Taggart). His debut single is "Captain Of This Ship", a song which could be the first song in the newly-Christened genre of 'shanty-punk' (seapunk's already been taken). It's a great wee opening gambit of a song, and it's good to know that if this blog ever becomes important enough to warrant its own theme tune, we know exactly who we could turn to to write it.