NEW TRACK: NewDad – ‘Angel’

A magnetic, heady guitar tune exploring noxious behaviours in romantic relationships, Galway alt-rock four piece NewDad have shared their latest single ‘Angel’. Taken from their upcoming debut album, Madra, which is set for release on 26th January 2024 via Fair Youth/Atlantic Records, the track is inspired by the destructive relationship between characters Rue and Jules in hit TV show Euphoria.

Initially guided by the sounds of Pixies, The Cure and Slowdive, NewDad blend cinematic influences with personal epiphanies to create their bittersweet shoegaze sounds. Their debut full length record Madra – which means “dog” in Irish – is a culmination of these inspirations, centered around reflections on self-sabotage, self-medication and depression, whilst finding catharsis in being openly vulnerable about these issues.

Written in their home city of Galway, before the band relocated to London this year, Madra was produced by NewDad’s long-time collaborator Chris W Ryan (Just Mustard) and mixed by Alan Moulder (The Smashing Pumpkins, Nine Inch Nails, Wet Leg). Vocalist and guitarist Julie explains more about the themes behind the band’s upcoming record: “Madra explores various difficult parts of the human condition and the idea of the title is that these feelings that come up are sometimes ones you can’t escape – feelings that follow you around like a dog. We had an amazing team around us who helped bring these songs to life and we’re so excited for this album to be out in the world. We hope that people connect with the songs and that Madra can be a comfort to everyone who listens.”

Opening single ‘Angel’ is a culmination of these elements. Fuelled by hypnotic riffs, brooding bass lines and Julie’s distinctive, lullaby-like vocals, it’s a melodic musing on the spiralling nature of toxic romance. Listen to ‘Angel’ below.

NewDad UK & Ireland Tour Dates 2023 & 2024
1 Dec 2023 – Galway, Roisin Dubh
24 Feb 2024 – Leeds, Belgrave Music Hall
25 Feb 2024 – Manchester, Band On The Wall
26 Feb 2024 – Glasgow, St Luke’s
28 Feb 2024 – Dublin, Button Factory
2 March 2024 – Birmingham, O2 Institute
3 March 2024 – Bristol, Trinity
5 March 2024 – London, Koko

Follow NewDad on bandcamp, Spotify, TikTok, Twitter (X), Facebook & Instagram

Photo Credit: Zyanya-Lorenzo

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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Track Of The Day: Dott – ‘Extra Introvert’

A tender, buoyant guitar tune that helps to playfully shake off feelings of social anxiety; Dott have shared their latest single, ‘Extra Introvert’. Self-described as a “sombre summer bop”, the track confronts the “Lockdown Anxiety” many of us have been dealing with during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Galway-based dream-poppers Dott were in the middle of recording their third album, the follow up to 2018’s Heart Swell, when the pandemic put an abrupt stop to proceedings. ‘Extra Introvert’ was recorded in a cottage in Leitrim with Frankie Pollard (Oh Boland) and mastered by Steve Fallone (The Breeders, Alvvays), and provides a breath of fresh air for anyone who’s been feeling apprehensive about re-joining their social circles.

The accompanying video features the band’s vocalist Anna using her smart phone to interact with friends again, and by “friends” we mean some very, very cute dogs. Most people have been extra reliant on their devices to help them socialise during the lockdown period, so the video is shot vertically and best appreciated on a phone screen. The visuals compliment the upbeat nature of the track perfectly, proving there’s still space for joy and distraction even when you’re not feeling your best.

Watch the video for ‘Extra Introvert’ below and follow Dott on Facebook & Spotify for more updates.

Photo Credit: Kim McCafferty

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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WATCH: Dott – ‘Wedding Song’

On the third anniversary of band members Anna and Evan’s wedding day, Galway’s Dott have shared a new video for their track ‘Wedding Song’, taken from their recent album Heart Swell. It’s a poignant ode to love in all its forms, and a celebration of Ireland’s vote to legalise Same Sex Marriage in 2015.

The video, shot by Madra Dana, shows footage of ‘traditional’ weddings before the Marriage Referendum, as Anna’s lyrics systematically strip away the expectations that come with wedding ceremonies, revealing the only thing that truly matters when you consider spending the rest of your life with someone: Love.

Anna explains the track further: “It’s three years since Evan and I tied the knot, and it has been so beautiful to see all of the people who have been able to legally marry the person they want to be with. For me, getting married had nothing to do with a big white dress, a trip to the church and a Priest’s blessing. It was about announcing that I intend to spend the rest of my life with someone I love, and celebrating that with all of our friends and family. Since 2015, everyone in Ireland can do just that too.”

Dott will be playing for Get In Her Ears on October 26th at our first gig at The Five Bells (RSVP here), so make sure you head down to hear ‘Wedding Song’ in all its live glory. Watch the video for the track below and follow Dott on Facebook for more updates.

Order your copy of Dott’s Heart Swell here.

Photo Credit: Alison MW

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

Get In Her EarsLeave a comment

ALBUM: Dott – ‘Heart Swell’

A shimmering blend of optimism and adrenaline, Galway band Dott‘s sophomore record Heart Swell lives up to its name. Released via Grave Face Records, from start to finish the album make your garage-pop loving heart palpitate with glee.

Upbeat single ‘Bleached Blonde’ opens the record, and it’s the perfect soundtrack for those who love sunshine, surfing and intensely singable choruses. If you’ve ever tried to surf on an ironing board (watch the video below, you’ll understand), you’ll sympathise with guitarist & vocalist Anna’s struggle when it comes to catching waves.

Activism and garage-pop collide in anthemic style on second track ‘Like A Girl’. The band released the song ahead of Ireland’s vote to Repeal the 8th Amendment on May 25th, but it rings out with truer intensity now the “yes” result has been confirmed. The song features an impressive guest appearance from Sadie Dupuis of Speedy Ortiz on guitar too.

The unapologetic, carefree ‘Not Sorry’ transitions gently into the restless bass lines and riffs on ‘Floating Arrows’, whic will keep your feet twitching and heads bopping. ‘Swim’ paints an enviable picture of losing yourself by the seaside, with Anna’s clear vocals as bright as the sun she sings of here. The eponymous ‘Heart Swell’ is a wonderful ode to finding love, a genuinely satisfying aural head-rush. It flows into the gentle sounding ‘Self-Help’ which shimmers with sensitivity. “I try to live my life without forgetting anyone,” sings Anna, a poignant and admirable sentiment.

‘How Do I Feel?’ is another joyous offering of buoyant guitar and feel-good lyrics, before listeners are urged to reject the “double standards” that girls are subject too on ‘You Don’t Have To’. The age of independence and ambition is reminisced about on ’18’, which fades effortlessly into penultimate track ‘Do Ya?”. The beautiful ‘Wedding Song’ closes the record on a reassuring note. Anna’s lyrics systematically strip away the traditions and expectations that come with wedding ceremonies, revealing the only thing that truly matters when you consider spending the rest of your life with someone: Love.

If you’re searching for the soundtrack to Summer 2018, invest in Dott’s second album Heart Swell now. Download it here.

Follow Dott on Facebook for more updates.

Photo Credit: Alison MW

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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