I’ve been a fan of Brendan Benson for many years now. It all started with the release of his 2005 album Alternative To Love, an album so chock full of shamelessly cheerful pop riffs I couldn’t quite resist, and even in my jaded gloominess had to break into a gormless ear to ear grin every single time I put it on the cd player (it was the days of cd players).

Then he joined a band and, in my opinion, became criminally eclipsed by his louder more limelight-hungry friends.

But he’s back – and with the added bonus that its now considered cool to like him again. Not even that would put Bandwidth off.

Last September, Brendan devoted himself to a whole month tour of Ireland, taking in every major sight and sound on the way, and with his family in tow. We met up with him in Belfast, and we made friends with some lizards, watch:

[Download Video]

Right, well after all that there was still time to head back to Auntie Annie’s, the venue, of the gig, of the reason he was there. And we got what I believe may well be an exclusive – the first video session of a song he’d been playing a bit live.

It’s a B-Side to Spit It Out called Baby In A Rug. And its wonderful.

[Download Video]

Camera: Will McConnell / Sound: Sean Duncan
Filmed in Belfast, September 2010

2 Comments

We’ve had a couple of great high profile acts on Bandwidth of late – but its good to remember that the bread and butter of this site is new Irish music – and in that spirit we’re very proud to bring you a session with young pups The Veronas from Omagh.

They drove down to Belfast all the way from Omagh on a sunny day during in the summer in search of a piano to try out two of their new tracks. The Black Box dutifully obliged (as well as keeping us well supplied with caffeine and sugar) – but the tuning was a bit off (we had been politely warned). So, we went for a walk. That, as anyone who has ever seen any In Stores Now episode will tell you, is when it really gets interesting..

[Download Video]

[Download Video]

Camera: Will McConnell
Filmed in Belfast, August 2010

No Comments

State Intervention is a collaboration between Bandwidth and State webzine in Dublin. Flash gigs in Dublin’s shops, bars, parks and street corners, promoted purely online through State’s Twitter and Facebook profiles. Details are announced on the day, so keep up to date and find your way down.

The 7th State Intervention gig – Heathers stop in for some tea and zen in The Tea Garden on Dublin’s Lower Ormond Quay.

Subscribe to the State Twitter feed and watch out for the next gig.

Read all about it on State.ie

Camera/Edit: Will McConnell
Sound/Mix: Ian Maleny

No Comments

Earlier this month Belfast gave a warm October to Caitlin Rose by being typically rainy and overcast, and threatening to piss it down on our video session. Not to be put out, Bandwidth was primed with cameras at the ready and had sourced out a comfortable looking tree outside Auntie Annies to shelter under should the heavens burst.

Caitlin arrived fashionably late, guitar in hand, wearing sunglasses indoors, with that kind of “follow me I’m a rock star” vibe about her. It was love at first sight.

Dominic, filling in on sound duties this week, is a huge fan of Caitlin’s latest album Own Side Now – its an amazing work – and its gathering a lot of critical whoo-ha (technical term). Despite all this, Cailtin Rose wears it all so lightly. Its like she doesn’t realise or doesn’t care about the ripples she’s about to cause in the UK music scene.

Anyway, dutifully, the Belfast rain started spitting. Shep, Caitlin’s tour manager made the rather sensible suggestion of retreating to the tour van where we could record in the dry and in relative peace and quiet – but that didn’t stop the locals peeking in.

[Download Video]

You gotta love Belfast at times. Time and time again people say it – its the people who make the city. Caitlin obviously prefers the “one fan at a time” approach, so she wasn’t afraid to converse, cover and serenade. This, from Randy Newman (from California it turns out) is the morbid, wonderful and weirdly apt for playing outside a grimy Belfast pub: “Marie”.

Caitlin Rose is currently touring continental Europe – we urge you to go and looksee.

[Download Video]

Camera: Will McConnell / Sound: Dominic Coyle
Filmed in Belfast, October 2010

5 Comments

Artwork by Will McConnell

‘I like it all man, all or nothing
I’m all in, even when I’m bluffing
I like the country, when I go to town
I get real gone when I’m hanging around.’

Supersuckers: I Like It All, Man.

I was doing some writing in my favourite coffee shop when I got the regular phone call from Johnny.
‘What’s it to be this week?’ I asked.
‘Something a little different this week. I have arranged to have a local music reporter interview you for their magazine and in exchange we get to publish the interview too.’
‘I don’t follow.’
‘You don’t have to write anything this week, just do the interview and they’ll send you a copy. You just post it on Friday like you normally would.’
‘How in the name of hell does that qualify as a This Is Not A Review article? I have a fucking fan base man. There are expectations!’
‘Well I’m sure your fan base will be delighted to read an in depth interview with you. Find out a little bit about the man behind the… the…’
‘Legend?’
‘No, not legend. I was definitely not thinking legend. Anyway it’s not up for discussion, be at the office tomorrow at three.’
‘Three? Great, I’ll miss Countdown for this. Any other bullshit you want to throw at me.’
‘Yes, actually. The reporter wears an eye patch. Do not make any jokes about it.’
‘What sort of person do you take me for, making fun of the visually challenged?’
‘I’m serious Ian.’
‘Aye aye, matey,’ I said, and he hung up on me. I decided to give up on writing for the day and went to Katy’s for a pint.

(more…)

1 Comment