Despite the fact that there are 4.8 artists per square meter around these parts, there’s a shockingly small amount of outlets for local art to hit the fans.
Especially when it comes to rock agus roll.
Especially when it comes to rock agus roll.Here we are, with the likes of Adebisi Shank, Ronnie Drew, Enemies, Johnny McEvoy and Hozier all calling Ireland’s answer to Memphis home, and yet, when was the last time you caught a young band live around here?
It’s a problem that Eamhan Ní Leathlobhair and Evan Bruton have decided to do something about, by forming a music collective that will go under the rather funky and frank title of Indie Monster.
It’s a moniker taken from a track by Dublin band Fight Like Apes, who, like Adebisi Shank, Enemies, Solar Bear and many other local heroes, have decided to call it a day in the face of diminishing returns. And, in the case of local bands, a severe lack of venues to play.
With both The Hot Spot and The Castle Inn making more room for local artists, and Greystones’ soon-come new theatre, the future is beginning to look bright. For local bands such as Some Cult, Oyster Island, Feuds, Look To The Lady and MUNKY though, the future is now. And they need somewhere to play.
And that’s where the Indie Monster collective hopes to step in, organising showcase gigs for the many local artists who have no particular place to go.
Gigs like the just-announced Sober Sessions #1, featuring Feuds and Some Cult, at the Scouts Den in Kilcoole on Saturday, February 25th.
With the recently-launched Battle Of The Bands also giving local bands a chance to be seen and heard, there’s a growing sense of there being light entertainment at the end of the tunnel. If you’ll excuse the crappy but incredibly insightful and witty pun.
We caught up with Evan and Eamhan on this miserable Sunday afternoon to talk music, management and making a difference…