Welcome to our new music series featuring the best in fresh, exciting Irish music.
Every month, we'll profile a new (or relatively new) Irish band or artist, give you a flavour of what they're all about, let you know what they're up to lately - and most importantly, let you hear their music.
The third act in the series is Elastic Sleep.
WHO ARE THEY? They are Muireann Levis (vocals), Chris Somers (vocals/guitar), Brendan Riordan (guitar), Ruairí Dale (bass) and Brian Kiely (drums), former college friends who, after different formations, bands and projects, became Elastic Sleep. "We're an excellent argument for free third level education," jokes Somers. Their releases to date include three singles and a very fine EP, 'Leave You', which came out last April
WHERE ARE THEY FROM? Cork.
WHAT'S THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THEIR NAME? "I was at a Rachel Zeffira gig and she had the worst support band I'd ever seen," Somers explains. "They seemed like they came off a record label drawing board, like a caricature of indie 'weirdo'. Anyway, the only thing I could make out lyrically was the phrase 'elastic dream' which stuck with me. That was taken, so we settled on Elastic Sleep."
[Photo: Bríd O'Donovan/showshotshare.tumblr.com]
WHAT DO THEY SOUND LIKE? In their own words: "quite dreamy and washy on top, with a lot of rhythm underneath; uncomfortably quiet at times, uncomfortably loud at times." To our ears, they're cinematic dream-pop with a sinister, nightmarish undercurrent. They reckon if you're fan of early Goldfrapp, My Bloody Valentine or Broadcast, you'll like the cut of their jib. We can imagine some of their songs, like 'Stay', soundtracking the new series of Twin Peaks. If you're reading, Mr. Lynch...
WHO ARE THEIR INFLUENCES? "I can only speak for myself," says Somers, "but Danny Elfman's score for the 1989 Batman movie is definitely a big influence; it's the first piece of music I remember. Beyond music, I'd count this second bout of teenage angst a guiding light of sorts." Their dream collaborators? "David Bottrill, Angelo Badalamenti, Jon Hopkins".
WHAT'S NEXT? They're currently working on a new EP and play Whelan's, Dublin tomorrow night (February 20th).
CAN I HAVE A LISTEN? Check out 'Leave You' and the thrashy 'Tzar Bomba (No More Tears)' below. You can hear more at their Bandcamp page.
MORE: Read our previous installments in the New Irish Music series: #1: Sunday School Sessions and #2: Darling.
