Bandwidth » Videos

Imprint: Documenta

Will McConnell — Fri, 18 May 2012 14:44:05 +0000

We’re very pleased to announce our first collaboration with the very wonderful Imprint podcast. Imprint is collective of music lovers, mixtape compilers and videographers, headed by the marvellous Matt Hazley. It was thanks to their podcast that I was first introduced to Belfast’s remarkable Documenta, a psychedelic dreampop shoe gaze type of band cut from the finest cloth.

Here are 3 tracks filmed from Imprint’s night at the Menagerie in Belfast in April 2012.
Here more from the set in Imprint’s 30th edition of its podcast right here.

We also heartily recommend you
Subscribe to the IMPRINT PODCAST on iTunes.

IN STORES NOW#63: Bruce Joseph

Will McConnell — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 12:44:11 +0000

What we’re about here at IN STORES NOW is bringing you new and undiscovered music. This week, we present a very special session with the magical Bruce Joseph.

Bruce first came to our attention with his rather impressive homemade session videos, and it wasn’t long before we got working together. And we’re glad we did. His latest album “Look Out” is a knockout – here he plays two tracks from it, filmed in the stunning Wallace House in Lisburn.

[Download Video]

IN STORES NOW#62: The Man Whom

Will McConnell — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 14:35:44 +0000

It was a few months ago when we met Wexford-based Ian Doyle, who plays under the name The Man Whom. He was in Belfast supporting Chris Campbell‘s EP launch at McHughs bar.

Then, because of the way the music scene is here, he ended up crashing on my sofa. All in all, it was along night of music drinking and smoking – and the next morning much chat was had about the state of music today, vintage guitar amps and politics. After which, we also found time to record a session in my garage, with my cat busting some cool dance moves.

Iain is currently on a mini tour of the island – he played Kilkenny and hits Dingle tomorrow night. Catch him if you can at one of these fine venues.

[Download Video]

The Staves

Will McConnell — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 14:47:41 +0000

Back in February, Bandwidth had the great pleasure to meet up the rather wonderful Emily, Camilla and Jess Stavely-Taylor, three singing sisters collectively known as The Staves. All of them remembered the first time the band played Belfast, for the Open House Festival 2011 – now they were back in town with Michael Kiwanuka, playing the Communion Belfast night.

The exciting news is that they’ll be back in Belfast a third time, on 23rd April – the day after the release of the new EP ‘The Motherlode’. In the meantime, here are 2 magical session tracks.

[Download Video]

They’ll be back in Belfast on 24th April where they’ll play McHughs, then on 25th April they’ll be in Dublin, then Cork the 26th. That’s three chances to see them – do not – repeat, do not – miss them. After that, they’re off to support Bon Iver on his North American tour, and off into stardom forever.

Rae Morris

Will McConnell — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 14:35:45 +0000

Recorded live upstairs at Big Bang! Record/Clothes shop in Belfast, during a night of live music hosted by Communion Belfast, the amazing Rae Morris performs 2 tracks for Bandwidth.

For You

[Download Video]

Day One

[Download Video]

The Wonder Villains

Will McConnell — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 14:31:24 +0000

Time to wind the clocks back a bit – back in 2010, we released a series of exclusive sessions with Patricks Kane’s sadly defunct blog Secret Fireworks. It was a series of young upcoming upstart bands playing Belfast city’s Street Pianos.

Since then, it’s been great to see the rise and rise of one of those upstarts, Derry’s wonderful The Wonder Villains. You can hear their latest single ‘Ferrari’ on the BBC 6 music playlist these days, and in celebration, here’s a new look at an old rendtion. Oh how they’re all growed up now!

[Download Video]

IN STORES NOW#61: In Elegance

Will McConnell — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 15:26:51 +0000

This was the first In Stores Now shoot of 2012 – and its a goodun. A young talented and potentially lethal Belfast band called In Elegance – we tried a few set ups, threw out a few ideas and threw in a surprising acoustic version of a Pixies track and – well as you can see – the result was spectacular.

The band are playing dates in Cork, Dublin and Limerick in February and March – so look out for them if you’re there.

[Download Video]

IN STORES NOW#60: Tim Wheeler & Emmy The Great

Will McConnell — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 16:37:03 +0000

In Stores Now is 60 today – for nearly two years now we’ve brought you this innovative acoustic series, where the premise is we film bands playing off the stage and in kitchens, shops and alleyways around Ireland. Bands play out of their comfort zones, stripped down and with whatever they have to hand to play with. Some bands shine, others fall flat but we film them anyway – that’s the beauty of this wild experiment. It’s been loud, it’s been quiet, it’s been sacred it’s been profane, but it’s always, always, been a great laugh.

We’ve always brought you the best new music from Ireland north & south, and on our 50th episode we brought you something rather special by bringing you an artist we considered to be a pretty big deal.

But now the series is officially 60 episodes old, and to celebrate, we’ve gone up a notch. From Downpatrick, here is the amazing Tim Wheeler (from a band called Ash) and, from London, the amazing Emma-Lee Moss (also called Emmy The Great), performing a Sleater-Kinney cover in Tim’s mum’s kitchen. Now you don’t see that everyday (unless you’re a bandwidth subscriber of course).

[Download Video]

BANDWIDTH CHRISTMAS SPECIAL: Feet For Wings

Will McConnell — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 23:08:19 +0000

A very happy Christmas from Bandwidth and Feet For Wings. An extra special thank you to everyone who gave to the BandwidthAid event in Summer 2011 – your deep hearted generosity helped us to keep going and growing stronger.

Thank you and Merry Christmas.

[Download Video]

IN STORES NOW#59: The Jepettos

Will McConnell — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 16:57:26 +0000

Michael and Ruth Elizabeth Aicken are, along with a few friends, The Jepettos. They invited me to their house on a cold November evening in Belfast to play some songs for me. The result was catchy and wonderful.

[Download Video]

Check out The Jepettos on bandcamp.

Hilden Ale & Music Festival 2011

Will McConnell — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 15:06:02 +0000

It’s winter now, nearly Christmas – but if you miss the summer, then here’s a little lightener for you.
Back in the heady days of August 2011, I was asked to film at the Hilden Ale & Music Festival. Organised by a local independent brewery, one of the last in Ireland, it was something which had passed me by in previous years – but when I learned the line up included Farriers, Paul Shevlin, Aaron Shanley, Sons Of Caliber and the-newly-renamed Runaway Go – I was on it like a tramp on chips.

Piss up in brewery you say? Sure ok. Here’s the highlights:

Playlist:
1- Sons Of Caliber
2- Runaway Go
3- Paul Shevlin
4- Lee Hedley Band
5- Junior Johnson
6- The Inishowen Gospel Choir
7- Farriers
8- Clown Parlour
9- Aaron Shanley

Hallowe’en Hoedown

Will McConnell — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 16:46:25 +0000

Bandwidth was invited down to Communion Records Hallowe’en Hoedown at the beginning of this month. Held as a part of Belfast Music week, and the MTV EMA Awards in Belfast, it featured Foy Vance 6 support acts. Here’s a personal, Foy Vance performing backstage, and onstage for camera:

[Download Video]

Have a look at the playlist below watch all 10 videos, including performances from The Lowly Knights, Katie & The Carnival, Southern, Captain Cameron, Ben Glover & Anthony Toner and Rams’ Pocket Radio

[Download all 10 videos for ipod] – zip, m4v files, 672MB

IN STORES NOW#58: Naoimh O’Hagan

Will McConnell — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 14:07:54 +0000

Naoimh O’Hagan sings from the heart. At the moment, her heart is full songs of tropical islands, sun, sea and surf – having just returned from travelling – and in rainy November Belfast, the clouds literally parted for a day to allow us to shoot in the city’s Made In Belfast restaurant, and Belfast Exposed photo gallery.

Naoimh is in the process of mastering a new EP – and will tour Europe in 2012 – I urge you to see her live at some point.

[Download Video]

For those who can’t wait for the 2012 tour of course – Naoimh happened to be playing The Black Box in Belfast the day of shooting – here’s a bonus track, a rather startling version of an Adele song (a Bandwidth first I think).

[Download Video]

Camera: Will McConnell
Filmed Belfast, November 2011.

IN STORES NOW#57: Temper Prophet Temper

Will McConnell — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 08:45:59 +0000

It’s November, All Saint’s Day. And as we creep ever so gingerly into another dark Irish winter, In Stores Now would like to bring you something from a sunnier time – recorded at the Summer Solstice, it’s my pleasure to bring you this remarkable little session with a band called Temper Prophet Temper.

TPT is the musical project of one Ben Behzadafshar – Bandwidth regulars may recognise David Armstrong in the band, of Polar Beyond infamy. Though the project was short lived, I’m sure we haven’t heard the last from him as a recording artist.

[Download Video]

Camera: Will McConnell
Filmed at Giant’s Ring, Co. Antrim, June 2011.

Chris Campbell (Redux)

Will McConnell — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 15:03:13 +0000

Chris Campbell has appeared on this site a few times before – first in his very own In Stores Now session, then later as part of an ensemble with the Glory Days tour.

I couldn’t resist working with him again, being as he is, one of my favourite emerging artists from these parts. Full stop. Luckily for me and you, Chris is recording his debut EP. This is a little bit of what he can do:

[Download Video]

Filmed in Belfast September 2011

IN STORES NOW#56: Malojian

Will McConnell — Sat, 24 Sep 2011 10:55:12 +0000

We’re back after the summer break, with a whole host of great new sessions coming up. When I first started recording the ‘IN STORES NOW’ series, one of the bands I was dying to work with was Cat Malojian. Imagine my despair when they split sometime earlier this year.

But nothing lasts forever. Stevie Scullion, one half of Cat Malojian, continued as a recordign artist, and what’s more, he took the name ‘Malojian’ with him. The Cat is dea, long live ‘Malojian‘.

[Download Video]

Camera: Will McConnell
Filmed in Belfast, August 2011.

Open House Festival 2011

Will McConnell — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 11:36:32 +0000

Regular Bandwidthers will know I’ve been documenting elements of Belfast’s amazing Open House Festival this year – starting with some delightful acts for a unique cover sessions series – and even our intrepid Ian Shearer was blogging from the event.

And so, as fans of the festival facebook page will have seen last week – I now have a full document (of sorts) in 6 parts to enjoy, featuring highlights of the festival and live performance footage from, amongst others, Fleet Foxes, Laura Marling & Villagers. Thrown into that heady mix was also the annual Chillifest and Chilli eating contest, a healthy programme of Irish Trad music, a unique caravan jam series in open house square, and an amazing ‘Breakthrough’ line up of new undiscovered music.

Here it is then, enjoy. It was so much fun to do this and be a part of such an amazing institution for a fortnight, so hopefully some of that comes through.

Fleet Foxes

[Download Video]

Villagers

[Download Video]

Laura Marling

[Download Video]

Smoke Faeries

[Download Video]

Marcus Foster / The Staves

[Download Video]

Lost Brothers / Caitlin Rose

[Download Video]

Willowstone 2011

Will McConnell — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 15:11:41 +0000

We’re been fans of the Willowstone Festival in Delamont Country Park for years now. In previous years we’ve brought you exclusive sessions from some of the featured artsist, with a little backstage shenanigans to boot – and we’re proud to be back for 2011.

There were many highlights from this year’s festival; set within the walls of a plush victorian walled garden, and featuring arts, crafts and performance arts from across the country as well as the hottest new musical acts – this year saw in an amazing new venue, the Crafty Tea Rooms, propped up by the campsite, beside Delamont Park’s impressive monolith. It hosted Tim Wheeler and Emmy The Great the first night of the festival, and the monolith itself was the impressive setting for a dusk-drenched midsummer serenade form the Inishowen Gospel Choir.

The next day, The Minutes rocked, The Vals sparkled, Pat Dam Smyth dazzled, Robyn G Shiels emoted, Shlomo amazed and Not Squares partied into the night. Here are just some of the highlights from another amazing year:

Beat N’ Drum & The Inishowen Gospel Choir

[Download Video]

Tim Wheeler & Emmy The Great

[Download Video]

Robyn G Shiels

[Download Video]

The Vals

[Download Video]

Pat Dam Smyth

[Download Video]

The Minutes

[Download Video]

Shlomo

[Download Video]

Not Squares

[Download Video]

Camera: Will McConnell
Filmed in Killyleagh, Co. Down July 2011.

Open House Session: Sons Of Caliber

Will McConnell — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 13:14:22 +0000

In the final video of the series celebrating the Open House Festival in Belfast, we’ve asked another local artist from the programme to a track and a cover from another featured artist.

You’ve already seen John Deery of John Deery & The Heads and Skip Moses, now Sons Of Caliber covering Fleet Foxes.

The Open House Festival runs to the weekend Sunday and will featured Laura Marling, Villagers & Fleet Foxes amongst others.

[Download Video]

Camera: Will McConnell
Filmed in Belfast June 2011.

Open House Session: Skip Moses

Will McConnell — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 13:10:44 +0000

As part of our special session series leading up to this year’s Open House Festival in Belfast, we’re asking local artists featured in the programme to perform one of their own songs and a cover of a track from one other featured artist.

Last week we brought you John Deery of John Deery & The Heads – today it’s Jonny Black of La Faro and Skip Moses, performing a track by fellow locals, Sons Of Caliber.

The Open House Festival begins on Wednesday and runs through Sunday.

[Download Video]

Camera: Will McConnell
Filmed in Belfast June 2011.

Open House Session: John Deery & The Heads

Will McConnell — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 14:00:32 +0000

In preparation for the Open House Festival in Belfast in June, we’re showcasing some of the local talent that will play there, as well as some of the music that influences them, by asking each artist to perform one of their own tracks, and a cover from an artist featured in this year’s programme.

First up, John Deery of John Deery & The Heads, covering the Villagers‘ track “That Day”

[Download Video]

Camera: Will McConnell
Filmed in Belfast June 2011.

IN STORES NOW#55: Morning Claws

Will McConnell — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 11:45:10 +0000

55. The age at which Bruce Wayne fakes his own death.

On that note of reflection, we turn to Morning Claws, a group formed from the ashes of a band called Cutaways – and also containing elements of another band called Before Machines.

This is a track called ‘Slack Magic’ – it’s a single and you can buy it from their bandcamp – it’s also the catchiest thing I have heard from anyone in years.

[Download Video]

Camera: Will McConnell
Filmed in Dromore Co. Down, June 2011.

IN STORES NOW#54: The Salt Flats

Will McConnell — Mon, 23 May 2011 08:01:08 +0000

The Salt Flats is the probably the most unlikely supergroup collaboration in history.

Take a pinch of Mark Gordon from DJ/Remixers/Label/Live band Skibunny, a splash of Ewan Gordon (not his brother) of Coney Island Sound, stir in Katie Richardson (minus The Carnival) and simmer for 20 minutes with Cara Cowan. Erm, well, you get the idea.

Anyway, where better to place this musical wünderbeest than the natural history section of the Ulster Museum, in amongst the weird stuffed animals and pretty rocks.

[Download Video]

Camera: Will McConnell
Filmed in The Ulster Museum, Belfast May 2011.

IN STORES NOW#53: Southern

Will McConnell — Tue, 10 May 2011 13:17:02 +0000

Thom and Lucy Southern, along with drummer Johnny (not related), make up the wonderful band called Southern.

So here is a session with them.

[Download Video]

See more session tracks with them here and here.

Filmed by Will McConnell in Moira, February 2011

And So I Watch You From Afar: Gangs

Will McConnell — Sun, 08 May 2011 08:00:18 +0000

Our old friends And So I Watch You From Afar invited the Bandwidth cameras into the recording studio a month or so ago, with the plan to record their latest album ‘Gangs’ all through, live, in one go, without stopping. It was a great experiment, resulting in some high energy performance, and some practically-imperfect improvisation from the band, and from me behind the camera. A fun thing to do.

This is Fake DIY blogged the results, one track a day, leading up to the album launch last week.

Here it is on Bandwidth in its original unadulterated form. Enjoyez-vous.

Camera: Will McConnell
Recorded in Start Together Studios, Belfast March 2011

Foy Vance

Will McConnell — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 13:00:00 +0000

Regular Bandwidth followers will know that we often frequent the Communion Belfast night at the Black Box on the last Sunday of every month.

This March however, was a very special occasion, with the event moved to 17th, St Patricks Day – and the headliner one Foy Vance. This marked somewhat of a return for Foy who – though he lives and works in London now – comes from Bangor Co. Down’s sunny shores – and here he talks about what it’s like to be back in his birthplace, and he plays a few new tunes too.

[Download Video]

Filmed by Will McConnell in Belfast, March 2011
Thanks to MASH & Graham Brown

Update: Here’s a bonus track – a demo Foy was working on while we were recording, he just wrote it on the plane the night before in fact – which has now made it into his live set, called “Belfast Is Born Again”. Enjoy!

Iain Archer

Will McConnell — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 15:47:08 +0000

Here is Iain Archer, one of my favourite ever artists, playing in Ward Park in Bangor – a kind of homecoming for him, since Bangor is his home town, and where he played his first gigs with Snow Patrol – and also the site of Snow Patrol’s amazing homecoming gig of 2010.

If you haven’t already, have a listen to Iain’s magical album ‘To The Pine Roots’.

Iain plays Belfast this Sunday at Communion Belfast in the Black Box.

[Download Video]

Thanks to Rachel Anne Coulter, Nicola Jordan

A Plastic Rose Live@The Mandela Hall, 27.01.11

Will McConnell — Sat, 02 Apr 2011 14:27:40 +0000

2011 sure kicked off with a bang; the final concert in an epic series celebrating local music, You Are, crowned an amazing 365 days of local music – the setting was The Mandela Hall in Belfast – and A Plastic Rose were front and center. Sad times too, because this date also marked the last stand of one our favorite acts The Good Fight. There were also added strains – the gig took place during Belfast’s infamous coldsnap and resulting water outage – and Plastic Rose’s frontman Gerry Norman was recently out of surgery for an ear infection.

Not to be put out, A Plastic Rose took to the stage to lift the room’s spirits (with a 4-piece orchestra in tow, no less) and the resulting effort captured really all that’s good about the Northern Irish music scene – friendship, devotion, passion and balls-put rock riffs.

Since then, things have only gotten bigger and better – with a mini album ‘The Promise Notes’ released last week on DiDiMau Records – and a supporting tour – A Plastic Rose have gone from strength to strength and are getting stronger.

Watch out for much, much more from them in 2011.

[Download Video]

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Camera/edit: Will McConnell
Filmed in The Mandela Hall, Belfast in January 2011

Paul Shevlin – Backfire (Set Them All Alight)

Will McConnell — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 11:17:40 +0000

Here’s the promo for ‘Backfire (Set Them All Alight)’, the latest track from a major new talent Paul Shevlin – watch this space guys, he’s got talent, he’s got connections and worst of all, he’s got youth on his side. What’s more he’s already done a Bandwidth Session.

For this promo we wanted to do something different – don’t adjust your sets – it’s a stop motion piece made out of approximately 10,000 individual photographs, hand drawn over.

Yup.

[Download Video]

Camera/Edit: Will McConnell

IN STORES NOW#52: Chris Campbell

Will McConnell — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 19:13:17 +0000

Today we’re proud to bring you an In Stores session with a great new emerging talent, Chris Campbell. We first heard about Chris through photographer and And So I Watch You tour manager Graham Smith and were blown away by the early demos.

This session, recorded shortly before Chris went into the studio with his band Paper Boats, constitutes the first *proper* recording session he had been in and is the first (as far as we can tell) times he’s ever played music to video.

So it’s quite an honour. For this this one, as with previous sessions, we’re trying out something new, or a new direction at least: making the In Stores sessions into proper little gigs, getting people involved, inviting fans down. We’re proud to report it went very well this time – and thank you to everyone who showed up and stuck around in the rain. Speaking of which, Chris knew a very picturesque place to shelter:

[Download Video]

From here we half had the idea to jump a train up to Belfast and play some more there – but happy as we were for shelter, we stuck about Helen’s Bay train station, on the platform. Then we found a picturesque little driveway opposite the station entrance – there was no one in to seek permission from, but we guessed that they would have said yes if asked. The neighbours seemed friendly enough anyway.

[Download Video]

Chris has an amazing variation of songs, and is as impressive as a solo artist as he is with his band. Feeling slightly guilty for asking 15-20 guests to hang around for a few hours in the rain without feeding them, we let everyone go, and caught an extra 10 minutes with Chris. As I’ve said before, this is usually when the best stuff comes out – we found a nearby field – the rain held off for just long enough – and it was magic. This guy’s one to watch. Watch out for his EP and a tour in the next few months.

[Download Video]

Camera/Edit: Will McConnell
Filmed in Crawfordsburn Co. Down, March 2011

Tracks
(Part one)
1. The Inability To..
2. Distance Broke Me Down
3. Lovin’s For Fools (Bon Iver)
(Part two)
4. Impressions
5. The Final Farewell
(Part three)
6. Let Me Rest
7. Her

Rachel Austin – Babydoll

Will McConnell — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 18:12:11 +0000

The latest music promo from the makers of Bandwidth – a crazy little thing called ‘Babydoll’ from the upcoming EP Age Of Love by the really rather wonderful Rachel Austin. Roll on..

(..and thanks to all who helped in the making of it)

Made by:
Rachel Austin, Will McConnell, Katie Richardson, Alexandra Moore, Ben Behzadafshar, Korny Devenney, Susan Duncan, Jamie Langston, Lindsey Mitchell, Michael Sampson, and Shauna Tohill with help from Dave Frecknall, Sean Duncan, & Ricky McQuillan

IN STORES NOW#51: Gascan Ruckus

Will McConnell — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 14:05:57 +0000

In Stores Now: a nice gentle place, where bands can take time out of their day to play slow and acoustic versions of their music to an empty room.

Er.. no.

We’re about going to the music and finding it out where it lives, the dirty oil-filled garage or untidied bedroom where it was born, filming it as it’s meant to be.

And in that spirit, Gascan Ruckus are kind enough to just get the rock out, in a garage in Co. Armagh, with a bunch of select fans.

Don’t worry – there’s an acousticy bit too, when after much sweaty moshing, they swapped their guitars for banjos and beer bottles and played into the night (with the appearance, unexpectedly, of a Quarrymen cover).

Now that’s more like it.

[Download Video]

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Camera/Edit: Will McConnell
Sound Mix: Ryan McCann
Filmed in Co. Armagh, February 2011

State Intervention#10: Republic Of Loose

Will McConnell — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 13:27:06 +0000

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.

People of Ireland North and South beware, State Intervention has escaped Dublin and crawled north to the sunny climes of Belfast. No one is safe – so expect a State Intervention in your town soon. And in that event, you know what to do. Why turn up and dance of course!

For the tenth turnaround, Bandwidth and State collaborated for the first time with the really wonderful Sean Duncan at RedCap Productions to bring you the actually funky Republic Of Loose in the totally whacky Viva Retro on North Street. *Phew!*

Many thanks to all who came down.
Subscribe to the State Twitter feed and watch out for the next gig.

Read the original article here on State

Camera/Edit: Will McConnell
Camera: Sean Duncan

VerseChorusVerse – Inches From A Fairytale

Will McConnell — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 19:38:23 +0000

A weeks of firsts for Bandwidth Sessions. This week we celebrated the 50th IN STORES NOW with the fabulous Cashier No.9, and today we give you the exclusive first play of the new project of Tony Wright, VerseChorusVerse.

Tony also plays guitar in another band – but that’s another story.
VerseChorusVerse is playing Crawdaddy, Dublin on 5th March in support of The Danger Is.

[Download Video]

Camera/Edit: Will McConnell
Filmed in Belfast, February 2011

IN STORES NOW#50: Cashier No.9

Will McConnell — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 12:27:53 +0000

Happy birthday In Stores Now, you auld bastard. At the risk of sounding nostalgic, we never thought we’d make it this far – and as we’ve bored you with before, we only ever meant to make 12 episodes.

We’ve had many many great acts in the the history of this series – it’s truly been an honour to work with so many talented musicians. As a treat to all of you, here’s 3 tracks from the mighty Cashier No.9 in perhaps the greatest store yet.

Sail on In Stores Now.. you’re a good ship, and you’re sailing to new harbours this year – stay tuned…

[Download Video]

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Camera/Edit: Will McConnell
Filmed in Belfast, December 2010

IN STORES NOW#49: Kasper Rosa

Will McConnell — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 22:41:53 +0000

All hail Kasper Rosa, a post-rock instrumental group from Belfast so damn mighty they can control the universe.

Today’s aptly timed Coronal Mass Ejection, comes in time to promote KR’s new single (likewise named). Just ahead of their single launch on 24 February at the Queens Union Radar night, we crammed 30 or so people into an empty office of Botanic Media in Belfast, and made eruptions of our very own.

In heaven all IN STORES NOW are like this.

[Download Video]

Camera/Edit: Will McConnell
Sound: Clark Phillips
Filmed in Belfast, February 2011

State Intervention#8: Broken Records

Will McConnell — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 09:23:14 +0000

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.

No articles on Bandwidth for 2 weeks then two come along at once. Here’s the latest State Intervention. Want to get Interventions organised in Belfast, Cork and Galway soon, so drop your comments below on who you’d like to see.

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

Read the original article here on State

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

Communion Belfast#5 @Black Box, Belfast, 28.01.11

Will McConnell — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 14:30:12 +0000

Bandwidth has been following Communion Belfast over the past few months, as it brings the best new music to The Black Box in Belfast city centre.

Part 5 of the ongoing series features some old bandwidth favourites, Pete Roe, Napoleon, and an artist finally getting the recognition he deserves, Nathaniel Rateliff.

Pete Roe

[Download Video]

Nathaniel Rateliff

[Download Video]

Napoleon

[Download Video]

Camera/Edit: Will McConnell
Filmed at The Black Box, Belfast in January 2011

IN STORES NOW#48: Colly Strings

Will McConnell — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 01:10:23 +0000

In Stores has been running in Belfast for a few years now (*gulp!*) and thus far we’ve been sparing on the traditional city landmarks, with a few notable exceptions. So for the first session of 2011 we wanted to pre-empt all that and just notch down two landmarks on the trot: Victoria Square and former fancy hat-shop turned hat-laden pub, Muriels.

The band in store is Colly Strings – and if you like what you hear you can see them playing the Mandela Hall Thursday 27th January with A Plastic Rose and The Good Fight as part of the final in the series of ‘You Are’ gigs – and if you manage to miss that you can also see them supporting Feeder at The Spring & Airbrake on 4th February.

Sit back, enjoy!

[Download Video]

[Download Video]

Camera/Edit: Will McConnell
Filmed in Belfast, January 2011

Communion Belfast#4 @Black Box, Belfast, 26.12.10

Will McConnell — Sun, 09 Jan 2011 15:53:37 +0000

Bandwidth has been following Communion Belfast over the past few months, as it brings the best new music to The Black Box in Belfast city centre.

The latest installment is also the last thing I filmed in 2010. It was just after Christmas, Boxing Day to be precise, tummies were full, turkeys were being trimmed for a week of sandwiches, and the Christmas snow had all ceremoniously melted that morning.

Headline act Lee Mitchell was sick with flu, but we still got to enjoy the sounds of MJ Vincent, Leah McFall and Dave McNair (aka Monoline), along with a special guest DJ slot from Two Door Cinema Club.

[Download Video]

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Camera/Edit: Will McConnell
Filmed at The Black Box, Belfast in December 2010

Baddies

Will McConnell — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 13:40:34 +0000

So it’s back down with a bump from Christmas and the New Year – in Belfast all the snow’s melted and the taps are slowly coming back on around the place. I hope all Bandwidth’s readers, watchers and listeners had a fattening and warming festive season – and we’re looking forward to burning it all off with an exciting 2011 of more great music sessions.

To ease us in, here’s an archive piece – filmed waaaay back in 2009 backstage at Auntie Annies – its an amazing band from Saaffend, England called Baddies – and if you’re in London they’re playing a heavier version of what you see here at the Queen of Hoxton on Feb 11th.

Happy 2011!

[Download Video]

[Download Video]

Camera/Edit: Will McConnell
Filmed backstage in Auntie Annies, Belfast in October 2009

IN STORES NOW#47: Napoleon

Will McConnell — Tue, 21 Dec 2010 22:05:01 +0000

Its Christmas week, so Bandwidth has joined with the very incredible Belfast band Napoleon to bring you a very special Christmas In Stores Now.

First up, the lads have two original tracks recorded indoors by the fire, a Listen To Me and a specially written Christmas tune called Celebrate This Christmas.

[Download Video]

[Download Video]

After the festive sweaters and eggnog were taken off and wore off respectively, it was time to venture into the cold snowy air of Carrickfergus, determined to find a Seasonal Winter Tree and sing some carols. I had some suggestions, but a traditional hymn won out.
We’ve seen some stinkers of trees on the TV news recently, so we were determined to find something pretty looking. Carrick didn’t disappoint. It really is quite lovely, prospective shoppers.

And after that, where else to head but the famous castle itself – for a heart stopping track Brother.

[Download Video]

[Download Video]

Napoleon launch their EP at Belfast’s Out To Lunch Festival on 28th January in The Black Box – where they play with Bandwidth veteran Nathaniel Rateliff. Be sure to be there.

From all at Bandwidth and from Northern Ireland, have a very happy Christmas and New Year wherever you are..

Camera/Edit: Will McConnell
Filmed in Carrickfergus, December 2010

Frightened Rabbit

Will McConnell — Wed, 15 Dec 2010 15:09:03 +0000

I first saw Frightened Rabbit supporting Sons & Daughters in Belfast at the Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival in, I think, 2008. Cramped into a weird looking marquee tent, a few dozen people had shown up early. They, like me, probably listened to the advice of a friend “There is this band you have got to check out”. There was a little album doing the rounds called Midnight Organ Fight, and the more people heard it, the more people bought, it, recommended it to a friend, they bought it, and so on. That’s how bands get big. So it’s 2 and a half years later, a stunningly heartbreaking work of genius called The Winter Of Mixed Drinks is out, and I’ve finally caught up with Frightened Rabbit – specifically frontman Scott Hutchinson.

We had 20 minutes to spare in between soundchecks and doors opening. Fortunately, backstage at the The Empire in Belfast is.. cavernous to say the least. Cavernous and, paradoxically, crowded, as you’ll see, its easy to run into the same people more than once..

[Download Video] / [Watch in HD on Vimeo]

Frightened Rabbit were on a short UK & Ireland tour – they’ll probably be back next year with more shows and more heartache. In the meantime, enjoy this gem..

[Download Video] / [Watch in HD on Vimeo]

Camera/Edit: Will McConnell
Sound: Joe Laverty
Filmed at The Empire, Belfast in December 2010

Boy & Bear

Will McConnell — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 16:03:41 +0000

I promised you two videos today, both are from Belfast’s Communion night which happened a week and ha;f ago. Boy & Bear were the headliners – and you can check out their sensational live show here – in the meantime there’s the small matter of a live acoustic session with the band. Now, if I trust my sources correctly, Boy & Bear’s Belfast Communion gig was their first ever live show in the Uk or Ireland. Making this the first ever time they’ve ever played a performance in the British Isles (second if you count soundcheck). Right, so hot new band. Check. Bandwidth in the frame. Bullseye. An amazing live session. Howzat!

Boy & Bear – Rabbit Song
[Download Video]

Camera/Edit: Will McConnell
Filmed at The Black Box, Belfast in November 2010

Communion Belfast#3 @Black Box, Belfast, 28.11.10

Will McConnell — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 15:50:21 +0000

Two posts today thanks to my obsessive filing system – one for the live archives, and another for the Bandwidth Sessions drawer.

As you know, Bandwidth has been following Communion Belfast over the past few months, as it brings the best new music to The Black Box in Belfast city centre.

Communion Records first started this night, hand and glove with the Brighton folk-scene – and its influence stretches far and wide. Check out footage of the first ever Communion Belfast gig here and the second ever one here.

First up, a Bandwidth veteran, Andrew Davie. Check out his absolutely sensational Bandwidth session from when he was last in Belfast in September. And this time we actually got to chat with him too.

[Download Video]

Now a local lad, Gareth Dunlop, who I’ve been waiting to film for absolutely ages, and quite frankly I was disappointed in myself that I hadn’t thus far. Anyway, here he is.

[Download Video]

Now to the main attraction, Oz’s very own Boy & Bear, and could you believe it, their very first musical performance on UK soil – except for the session I filmed with them earlier of course..

[Download Video]

And.. a wee bonus. The kind thing this night is all about.. and amazing cover of a Bon Iver track…

[Download Video]

Camera/Edit: Will McConnell
Filmed at The Black Box, Belfast in November 2010

Sarah Pray / Thomas Kivi (Minnesota Nice)

Will McConnell — Sat, 04 Dec 2010 14:01:23 +0000

Sarah Pray & Thomas Kivi are two songwriters from Minnesota, USA. They contacted me a few months back to tell me that they’d be doing a self-funded tour around Europe and passing through Belfast under the tour name Minnesota Nice – and would I like to meet up? Well, how could I resist?

As it turns out, a show didn’t transpire for this stop of the tour – so this, as far as I know, is the known sole recorded performance of the duo in Belfast. And quite an honour too, because they are absolutely magnificent – and its crying shame that Belfast missed out on them (until now that is).

So it was a foggy cold winter day when I went to meet Sarah and Thomas at the apartment they’d found on a couch surfing website. In the kitchen we chatted about country music, movies and Minnesota’s surprising contribution to popular culture (Bob Dylan, Prince, Low, Bon Iver and, in the film realm, The Cohen Brothers). Maybe it was something about the arctic weather made them feel at home – because they seemed to channel all these musical greats over the course of that day – starting with this brace of tracks, one from Thomas and one from Sarah:

[Download Video]

Then it was from leafy Belfast suburbia to the even leafier Lady Dixon park, a few miles out of town, for a bit of ramblin’, tree spotting and some wonderfully appropriate music:

[Download Video]

Deep within the grounds of Lady Dixon there’s a Belfast version of a Japanese Zen garden. I’ve visited this garden in sunnier climes, and believe me its impressive – with water pools, lilly pads and cherry blossoms. On this muted wintery day, it was a dark dead place – and all the more dramatic for it really, not least when a gust of wind caught all the dead leaves and they all seemed to fall at once into the water during Sarah Pray’s once-in-a-lifetime ‘End Of The World’, which evoked Low in my mind again. It really did feel like the end of the world, and if I were more in touch with my fem side I would freely admit that it brought big man tears to my eyes. But yeah aye it was just a speck of dust, honest.

[Download Video]

Camera/Edit: Will McConnell
Filmed in Belfast, November 2010

IN STORES NOW: Silhouette

Will McConnell — Sun, 28 Nov 2010 08:39:39 +0000

As the nights start getting darker, and November rolls in – we’re going to light the dark evenings with some excellent session performances for you from Shauna Tohill’s band, Silhouette.

We promised to update this post every fortnight to bring you 3 amazing sessions tracks recorded earlier this year at the Safehouse Gallery in Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter.

So here it is in 3 marvellous parts:

First up, the appropriately titled Touch Of Cold:

[Download]

Here is the magnificent Watching The Stars.

[Download]

And finally, the rather epic Gloria:

[Download]

Camera: Will McConnell
Filmed at the Safehouse Gallery, Belfast, 2010

IN STORES NOW#46: Feet For Wings

Will McConnell — Thu, 25 Nov 2010 07:32:18 +0000

When Feet For Wings first contacted me a few months ago through the website to ask about filming an In Stores Now session, my attention was caught immediately. The band’s myspace page has a few sample demos that I ended up listening through again and again and again – each time cranking up the volume and leaning in closer and closer, straining to hear more of this tiny sound emanating from the computer.

The band aren’t necessarily just quiet – even though they’re as shy and retiring as 4 early-era-Michael Stipes – but the sound they create is, in one word delicate.

It must be obvious by now that I’m totally intrigued by this band, and shall be watching their progress closely. I, as ever, urge you to give them a listen and a look.

I had the feeling listening to those demos of a still moment in the middle of a hurricane – of a whole world of shit swirling round these intelligent wee guys, and their reaction being very… quiet. That, and the fairground was in town.

[Download Video]

[Download Video]

[Download Video]

[Download Video]

Camera/Edit: Will McConnell
Filmed in Belfast, November 2010

King Khan

Will McConnell — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 17:21:57 +0000

It was a rare sunny day in Belfast today and, why, with Christmas round the corner, my mind started to wonder to summer of course..

So I thought it would be appropriate to resurrect an old Bandwidth Session once thought lost, one that always reminds me of those surprising, late, Belfast summers. It was in late 2009 and the legendary King Khan (really Arish Ahmad Khan to biography fans) was in Belfast, at the Black Box, fronting King Khan & The Shrines.

We originally recorded 2 tracks with him, one a lullaby he recorded as a tribute for his kids, and the second a cover from Mississippi John Hurt. And the perils of live recording meant that I didn’t realise until I got to the edit suite that a mic lead must have been lose or something, because no useable sound had been coming through. So that one went in the ‘IN’ pile and inevitably got buried in more pressing issues.

But a good track is still a good track – and there was one good track in there – a rare and sweet session with Khan, playing a beautiful track, again a lullaby, by a country blues legend, called Aint No Tellin.

So here it is in all its glory:

[Download Video]

Camera/Edit: Will McConnell
Filmed in Belfast, October 2009

Communion Belfast#2 @Black Box, Belfast, 31.10.10

Will McConnell — Sun, 07 Nov 2010 12:25:00 +0000

As promised, Bandwidth will be following Communion Belfast over the next few months, as it brings the best new music to The Black Box in Belfast city centre.

Communion Records first started this night, hand and glove with the Brighton folk-scene – and its influence stretches far and wide. Last month, Communion came to Belfast for the first time – check out our footage of that gig here.

First up, Stephen E. Caswell of Lowly Knights fame.

[Download Video]

Rams’ Pocket Radio‘s Peter McCauley:

[Download Video]

Maguire & I

[Download Video]

Camera/Edit: Will McConnell
Filmed at The Black Box, Belfast in October 2010

The Jane Bradfords – Judicial Duel

Will McConnell — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 13:40:42 +0000

Good things happen when Bandwidth and The Jane Bradfords team up.

This is our 3rd collaboration, after the highly appreciated 2008 video for Evening Angels Gather Here, and 2009′s Valentines Day Session, which kind of started this whole Bandwidth Session business off really.

Oh and there’s the small matter of the Christmas 2009 Bandwidth mix tape – which was curated by Deci Gallen, the JBs frontman. So. Go and check that out please.

So, yes, The Jane Bradfords, Judicial Duel – the best song ever written about the struggle to recognise civil partnerships. Really.

[Download Video]

Brendan Benson

Will McConnell — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 14:53:51 +0000

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

IN STORES NOW#45: The Veronas

Will McConnell — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 18:19:30 +0000

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

State Intervention #7: Heathers

Will McConnell — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 13:01:11 +0000

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

Caitlin Rose

Will McConnell — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 14:20:59 +0000

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

State Intervention #6: Sons Of Noel & Adrian

Will McConnell — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 12:21:14 +0000

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 6th State Intervention gig, a busking session with Sons Of Noel & Adrian from Brighton, bravely competing against Dublin shoppers and the GAA cup final – for those who caught the gig it was a great day, and we made 50 cents profit to boot – roll on good times!

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

Communion Belfast#1 @Black Box, Belfast, 12.09.10

Will McConnell — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 14:33:15 +0000

Last week we brought you highlights from Belfast’s Open House Festival- now here’s extended highlights from an event during the closing of the fest that deserves a whole page to itself.

Communion is to the London-Brigton folk axis what Apple was to The Beatles – a collective, a community, a label and an excuse to party. Founded in 2006 by members from Cherbourg (the band) and Mumford & Sons – it now has band nights all around the UK and Dublin too. This was its first night in Belfast, the first of many, and Bandwidth was there to film it all.

Heading up proceedings was local folk heroes The Lowly Knights – the only local band to headline a night at Open House this year incidentally – supported by a string of totally amazing musicians you’ll be glad you knew first.

First up, Pete Roe:

[Download Video]

Point of Order here. Marcus Foster played so loud he managed to blow out all our mics – which is a shame because his performance was so epic that we knew we still had to show it. So null points for sound recording – but here’s at least a taste of what Marcus Foster is capable of and might be enough to convince you to check out some of the other great videos that exist of him online.

[Download Video]

Fans of Mumford & Sons jump up and take note – Matthew & The Atlas are in town and in support – if you’re in Big Britain this month and you’re going to a Mumford & Sons show, be sure to turn up early and catch this eclectic, soulful, magic group. That’s all. Watch this:

[Download Video]

Oh yes, and the Lowly Knights. We knew them well Horatio – and filmed them playing in a Coffee Shop during the summer. This small event also turned out to be the occasion of their EP launch. So what better way to conclude than with this rather tearful and wonderful track Weight On My Mind, which ~~concludes~~ is the penultimate track of the new record.

And that was Communion Belfast, the first wonderful night of many more to come.

[Download Video]

Camera/Edit: Will McConnell
Camera: Sean Duncan
Filmed at The Black Box, Belfast in September 2010

Nathaniel Rateliff

Will McConnell — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 17:53:03 +0000

While filming for the Open House Festival in Belfast we bumped into a chap called Nathaniel Rateliff. He was just hanging around for the whole week of the fest – no one pestered him – if they’d known he could have held daily concerts in the living room of his crashpad. A short appearance on “Later.. With Jools Holland on BBC TV” later that same year, and he was somewhat of a cult hit.

Well, I hate to say I told you first, but…

[Download Video]

[Download Video]

Open House Festival 2010

Will McConnell — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 17:12:52 +0000

September’s quickly becoming my favourite time of year. Firstly, we say goodbye to that oppressive (slightly warm) Irish summer rain – there’s a crispness in the air – and mince pies start appearing in shops.

There’s also the small matter of the Open House Festival in Belfast. This little music festival in the city has been trundling along for exactly 12 years now if you can believe it – celebrating all that’s good about session music, big hats, cold beer and chilli. It had always attracted an incredible flux of hairy hidden talent to the city for one week a year – tempted by Northern Ireland and Scotland’s very old connection to appalachian bluegrass they came far and wide from the States and Europe.

Then a little something happened called a folk revival, and all of a sudden it was cool to play the banjo for hours outside the pub after your gig has finished, drinking beer and generally staying up late – and with that Open House became the coolest thing in town.

For the past 3 years the festival has had a phenomenal line-up – hosting the likes of Mumford & Sons and Laura Marling while they were still unknowns. This year brought Wilco, Modest Mouse, Old Crow Medicine Show and Seasick Steve to Belfast – as well as an amazing lineup of the next Wilcos, Modest Mice, Old Crows and Seasick Steves. And its to these acts that we turn your attention today.

First up, a trucking company employee turned good. Nathaniel Rateliff was just hanging around for the whole week of the fest – no one pestered him – if they’d known he could have held daily concerts in the living room of his crashpad. Next year he will folks, next year..

[Download Video]

[Download Video]

Another exciting act that people are starting to make wee noises about – mostly due to this Hank Williams cover you’re about to see/hear here. I literally had 6 minutes with Lissie before they (they? She? either?) jumped on stage, so this is the entirety of that time on tape for you now. Amazing band. Amazing sound. Amazing festival for bringing her (them? both?) over.

[Download Video]

After 3 or 4 days of music, more beer and chilli, everyone was a bit tired out. I’d arranged to see Andrew Davie at some point during the festival (no exact date given) so we met up on the Friday. It turns out that he, as with most of the support acts, were all crashing in a house all together, cooking, drinking beer (spot a theme here) and playing music all together. God I LOVE THIS FESTIVAL. What you’re about to see is just a snippet of the day. Andrew Davie. Remember you heard his name here.

[Download Video]

[Download Video]

Once you put a guitar in this boy’s hand he can’t stop putting out melodies each more beautiful than the last – he’s like a beautiful song machine. I thought bringing him to the beach and letting him out of the car to run around might calm him down – and it did perhaps have an effect. We drove up the coast, walked on the sand, played a few songs, and, well, what you’re about to watch is… simply put.. stunning.

[Download Video]

Camera: Will McConnell
Filmed in Belfast, September 2010

Mt. Desolation

Will McConnell — Sat, 25 Sep 2010 10:03:43 +0000

Mostly when two men decide over a pint in a Dublin pub “hey let’s record a country album some day,” its usually filed away with “let’s sail a boat to greece some day” or “let’s open a bagel bar”. They don’t often go home and actually do it.

But then most people aren’t Tim Rice-Oxley and Jesse Quin. In the city they are the insanely successful band called Keane – but out in the country they are Mt. Desolation.

Mt. Desolation was born in Dublin, out of a love for Hank Williams and a penchant for Guinness. Right now, they’re giving a little something back to the city by disturbing the peace within it. And the most peaceful place we know at Bandwidth Sessions is the beautiful Victorian Iveagh Gardens – in the heart of the city – not bustling and touristic like St Stephen’s Green – and with far fewer security guards.

And in the heart of the garden in the heart of the city – a tiny maze.

[Download Video]

Iveagh Gardens is a sprawling, beautiful place, full of little nooks and crannies to hide in. We finished our session hiding in a rose garden, trying to avoid the snapshots of Japanese tourists. To be fair to them, its probably not what you’d expect to see on a quiet timeout during your Dublin holiday. Hey, if you’re reading this, yes you with the mobile phone who was filming this session from the corner of the garden… hold onto that, it might be worth something someday..

Keepin her country, Mt. Desolation are currently touring the highways and byways of Britain, having just finished a strew of shows in the outer Hebridean islands. This is not an exaggeration. But from October they’ll be hitching their wagon to the Mumford & Sons convoy out in the US. I urge you.. to go see them…

[Download Video]

Camera: Will McConnell
Filmed in Dublin, September 2010

IN STORES NOW#44: Like Statues

Will McConnell — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 17:54:29 +0000

In Stores Now is back in business with a bunch of great acts lined up- every time we think we’ve sucked the well dry of new musical talent, a bubble comes up and shocks us, reminds us of what an amazingly talented wee bunch we all are.

Like Statues contacted me directly through the site with a link to some new tunes they had been working on – including this first one, A Journey To Speak of. I’ll tell you what I told the band – that I’ve been at this band recording malarky for a few months now, and this is one of the loveliest tracks I’ve heard in ages. Period.

The band played in a hallway – because we couldn’t fit the drum kit through the door or move the piano without re-tuning it – so this track was played across two rooms – benefitting from the reverb of the entire hallway and – well – it’s just brilliant. It took a few takes to get this right – and you can hear our relief at the end of the clip. But it was worth it. Bravo Like Statues.

[Download Video] / [Download MP3]

Then it wouldn’t be In Stores Now unless we shook things up a bit – the guys had an unfinished experimental instrumental track they wanted to try out. Normally I’d shudder at the words “experimental”, “unfinished”.. you get the picture.. but for some reason I trusted them. Then when we spotted the location, an old shed full of noisy hollow farm equipment – it all fell into place.

[Download Video]

Have shed will play. I humbly suggested the band played a cover of Nick Drake’s “Man In A Shed” for this one – but they didn’t know the chords. It’s open G to f5 with a capo on the 2nd fret in case you’re wondering. This did just as well though.

[Download Video]

To finish off, another single contender – “Fracture The Facts” – with some quality bongo playing and an audience of ..er.. cows of course.

Like Statues launch their EP on 4th October in Auntie Annies in Belfast – I urge you to be there.

[Download Video]

Camera: Will McConnell
Filmed in Lisburn, July 2010

Paul Pilot

Will McConnell — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 11:36:32 +0000

So a few weeks back, we brought you a session with the rather lovely Rue Royale – on tour with Paul Pilot. As promised, here’s Paul’s session.

This time, the roles are reversed and Ruth and Brookln are providing backing for Paul – first up for the heart melting “You’re The One” – and then let’s not forget the very capable and multi-talented Phil Harrison on decks for the insanely catchy “Dunno What Happened To You”. It really was a lovely tranquil day all in all!

[Download Video] / [Download Audio]

[Download Video] / [Download Audio]

These things usually happen this way – we had five minutes left over – and as the others were packing up kit and putting on the kettle, me and Paul sneaked out to record this quick track – simple, stripped down, beautiful stuff really.

[Download Video] / [Download Audio]

Filmed by Will McConnell in Belfast, July 2010
Thanks to Matthew Rodger

Vanwidth 2010: Willowstone

Will McConnell — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 01:17:22 +0000

Summer rolls on and Bandwidth continues to bring you the best of the festivals from around Northern Ireland. A fortnight ago we brought you our view of the Glasgowbury Festival in the Sperrin Mountains – today, the van rolls up in picturesque South Down.

Once upon a time, it was the Innishfree festival, it was run by a small group of enthusiastic music fans – and it was like nothing else. Then in 2009, the feat was repeated, and this time it had moved to a walled garden in Delamont Country park. Willowstone Festival was born, and it was a good thing.

20 or so musicians, art installations, decent food, families running around unembarrassed – not a Diageo banner in sight – Willowstone is an original independent boutique festival run by those who care about festivals – set in the most beautiful place in Ireland. Its a sight to behold. And here’s the highlights.

Colenso Parade kick off the proceedings – lowering the tone as always. Last time we met up was on top of Belfast’s iconic big wheel structure – this time we went for a something a little more sedate.

[download for ipod]

Scorpion Jack are self styled Pirate Folk musicians. They’re currently making waves, splicing manbraces and raping our venues and pillaging our ears. Hoist the flag.

[download for ipod]

John Shelly & The Creatures – Now renamed Master And Dog - are old favourites to the Bandwidth stable – they never disappoint. In our search for venues in and around the park, we found a disparate group of fans, put outside for bad behaviour. We thought it was only right to stage a benefit gig, and promptly attempted to sneak them back in. Only fair.

[download for ipod]

Here representing the Republic of Ireland, Wicklow’s own Bocs Social finally brought a bit of class to the proceedings. Coming hotly recommended as they do, even when a particularly angsty security guard insisted on barging past us to boil a kettle for his tea, we just knew they couldn’t stop the bop.

[download for ipod]

Bored? Nothing on TV? Thank Stoke Newington International Airport for inspiration on this one. Willowstone 2010 was somewhat of a Bandwidth-extended-family affair all of a sudden when Katie & The Carnival turned up – but this incarnation of the group is nearly totally different from previous versions (apart from 2 core members) – expect new tunes, news instruments, 250% more puppets and an album in the coming months. Bandwidth is very pleased.

[download for ipod]

Oh yes and you might of heard of this lot, they’re called Cashier No.9 and everyone thinks they’re just great. Thanks then go to Pony Dance Theatre Company for enlightening us in the end, and thanks also to everyone involved in the Willowstone Festival. Long may you reign.

[download for ipod]

Filmed at Delamont Country Park, Killyleagh, July 2010
Camera/Edit: Will McConnell
Camera/Sound: Sean Duncan

Rue Royale

Will McConnell — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 16:43:19 +0000

Chicago-Nottingham duo Ruth & Brookln Dekker are Rue Royale. They were in Belfast recently for the city’s Trans: festival, playing with another Bandwidth favourite Paul Pilot.

We caught up with them all together and filmed two wholly separate sessions. They share duties on some tracks in their set, but they’re also two distinct identities. Paul Pilot’s session will be ready in a few weeks, bu first up, two tracks from Rue Royale.

[Download "Rue Royale - Halfway Blind" for iPod (167.6 MB)]

Listen to “Rue Royale – Halfway Blind”

[Download (Mp3, 5.4 MB)]

[Download "Rue Royale - Walls" for iPod (221.1 MB)]

Listen to “Rue Royale – Walls”

[Download (Mp3, 6.2 MB)]

Filmed in Belfast, July 2010
Camera/Edit: Will McConnell
Thanks to Matthew Rodger

Vanwidth 2010: Glasgowbury

Will McConnell — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 17:13:09 +0000

Each year, on a quiet hill, in the middle of a quiet valley, near a not so quiet town, a man named Paddy Glasgow invites some friends over for the biggest celebration of Northern Irish musical talent of the year. This event is called Glasgowbury.

We filmed up there last year, and this year we’re back with our pick of our favourite bands from the festival, all from the back of the Bandwidth Van.

Watch out for more from Bandwidth at Northern Ireland’s festivals this summer.

The Q

[download for ipod]

Listen to “The Q – Magpie”
[download audio]

Team Fresh

[download for ipod]

Listen to “Team Fresh – Rhythm Tradition”
[download audio]

Furlo

[download for ipod]

Listen to “Furlo – Your Entire Glows”
[download audio]

Here Comes The Landed Gentry

[download for ipod]

Listen to “Here Comes The Landed Gentry – Evil Woman/Leadbelly”
[download audio]

Camera/Edit: Will McConnell
Sound: Sean Duncan
Filmed at Eagles Rock in Draperstown, July 2010

State Intervention #5: Mountain Man

Will McConnell — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 10:28:18 +0000

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.

This is the 5th State Intervention gig, a walk in the park with Mountain Man. We brought strawberries and umbrellas, and the rain was warm – a typical Irish summer. Watch out for more Interventions in the great outdoors, and consider bringing your wellies if you fancy coming along to the next one?

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

Tracklist
1. Mouthwings
2. Arabella
3. Whale Song
4. Animal Tracks

Read all about it on State.ie

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

State Intervention #4: O Emperor

Will McConnell — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 14:14:53 +0000

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.

This is the 4th ever State Intervention gig. This time around it’s Waterford’s very own O Emperor, competing with the crowd at the Twisted Pepper against the Brazil-Holland match. It ended 2-1 Holland people, eyes front.

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

Tracklist
1. Po
2. Into The Sea
3. Don’t Mind Me

Read all about it on State.ie

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

IN STORES NOW#43: Polar Beyond

Will McConnell — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 15:03:17 +0000

Polar Beyond take to the rooftops this week. Their track “Suns” is one of the loveliest things I’ve heard for a long time – it’s nearly anthemic – and they have the making of an anthem in them. All they need is a little push – so we gave it to them

So where else is better to take the band than the roof of Belfast’s most famous building – the totemic Europa Hotel – still standing after all that nasty violence. And here Polar Beyond came alive. Standing on that rooftop overlooking the wee city turn to twilight, I all of a sudden came over all emotional.

The mood was hardly even ruined by the small point that we had to all sign death wavers before being allowed up there.

Download “Polar Beyond – Suns” for iPod (62.6 MB)

Listen to “Polar Beyond – Suns”

Download (Mp3, 4.1 MB)

Download “Polar Beyond – Chapter Two” for iPod (88.2 MB)

Listen to “Polar Beyond – Chapter Two”

Download (Mp3, 6.9 MB)

Camera: Will McConnell
Filmed in Belfast, April 2010

State Intervention #3: Turin Brakes

Will McConnell — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 15:01:23 +0000

The 3rd State Intervention gig – a collaboration between Bandwidth and State webzine in Dublin. This time around Turin Brakes play to a select crowd in St Kevins Park, right beside Whelan’s.

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

Tracklist
1. Mirror
2. Feeling Oblivion
3. Painkiller
4. Underdog (Save Me)

Read all about it on State.ie

Camera/Edit: Will McConnell
Camera: James Goulden
Sound: Ian Maleny

Photo by Kieran Frost.

IN STORES NOW#42: The Lowly Knights

Will McConnell — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 18:09:09 +0000

This week In Stores Now celebrated its first birthday with some exclusive B-side material, and some performances that never made it to the final cut.

When the series first started we had a list of bands in mind who would suit the style of the series perfectly. Pretty much top of that list was The Lowly Knights, and its a great privilege to finally present this session – and it was worth the wait.

So, better late than never, here’s 4 tracks recorded in Belfast’s Common Grounds Café. Two tracks, Even Keel and This Other Boy will feature on the new EP coming this September, so this is an exclusive first listen.

The Lowly Knights play Belfast Empire Music Hall on Thursday 1 July with Queer Giraffes, Rams’ Pocket Radio and Farriers. Babysweet Session’s Gregg Houston will MC the proceedings.

Download “The Lowly Knights – Even Keel” for iPod (57.7 MB)

Listen to The Lowly Knights – “Even Keel”

Download “The Lowly Knights – Hollow” for iPod (49.5 MB)

Listen to The Lowly Knights – “Hollow”

Download “The Lowly Knights – This Other Boy” for iPod (58.7 MB)

Listen to The Lowly Knights – “This Other Boy”

Download “The Lowly Knights – You Can’t Help Who You Love” for iPod (58.8 MB)

Listen to The Lowly Knights – “You Can’t Help Who You Love”

Recommended viewing:
For fans of this session and of The Lowly Knights, check out this awesome concert film from their gig at No Alibis Bookshop in Belfast, as filmed by our friends over at Babysweet Sessions.

Filmed by Will McConnell in Belfast, May 2010

THE IN STORES NOW B-SIDES

Will McConnell — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 12:03:45 +0000

12 Months ago today, Bandwidth launched a little series called IN STORES NOW, and we started as we meant to go on with two superb sessions from Escape Act and Clown Parlour. Originally the series was meant to run once a week for 12 weeks, all based around the Cathedral Quarter. 41 episodes later and we’re still going strong..

The Cathedral Quarter golden rule went out the window by about episode 9, and by the time we broke episode 13 we were already developing a reputation for uncovering major new talent.

During 2009 we made movies, got arty, had festive fun, things got a bit freaky at points – there are also fan favourites and personal favourites.

So after a year, the plan for IN STORES NOW is to continue documenting new Irish music North & South – and we’ll be taking it on the road to other towns outside Belfast over the summer. There’s an infinite amount of great talent on this wee island. But seeing as there’s only so many of these things in the world, I just can’t promise they’ll always take place in stores per se….

Aaron Shanley – Cotton Fields
(B-Side of In Stores now#25: AARON SHANLEY)

Download “Aaron Shanley – Cotton Fields” for iPod (53.7 MB)

Furlo – Logic Too Late (Take 1)
(B-Side of IN STORES NOW#22: FURLO)

Download “Furlo – Logic Too Late (Take 1)” for iPod (88 MB)

Maguire & I – On Time
(B-Side of IN STORES NOW#10: MAGUIRE & I)

Download “Maguire & I – On Time” for iPod (74.1 MB)

Colenso Parade – Find Your Mother
(B-Side of IN STORES NOW#35: COLENSO PARADE)

Download for “Colenso Parade – Find Your Mother” iPod (83.1 MB)

Filmed in Belfast 2009-2010 by Will McConnell
Sound recorded by Will McConnell & Sean Duncan

THE BANDWIDTH B-SIDES EP

Download the isolated audio tracks from these sessions for your listening pleasure – as individual tracks or download the entire EP as a zip file

→ Download Audio Zip file here (4x Mp3s 22.1 MB)

—————————————————————————–

1. Aaron Shanley – Cotton Fields

→ Download “Cotton Fields” Mp3 (3.9 MB)

2. Colenso Parade – Find Your Mother

→ Download “Find Your Mother” Mp3 (6.2 MB)

3. Furlo – Logic Too Late

→ Download “Logic Too Late” Mp3 (6.4 MB)

4. Maguire & I – On Time

→ Download “On Time” Mp3 (6 MB)

All Content:

Bin Bag – The Rags

Will McConnell — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 08:00:16 +0000

Another track from the session I filmed in April with Dublin band The Rags. Daniel Anderson from the band recorded a series of acoustic tracks around the town and the plan is to release one clip a week for the next few weeks featuring tracks from their new album A National Light.

You can hear a track from A National Light on this week’s new music podcast.

Read more here: THERAGS.COM

IN STORES NOW#41: CARA COWAN

Will McConnell — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 15:50:56 +0000

Cara Cowan is one one of the very first artists ever filmed by Bandwidth. Even back then we had nice things to say about her. Like this wee quote:

“An artist with true character, captivating creativty and enough imagnation to run for years and years. This is just the beginning.”

One year on and its just getting better and better. Cara has a full band behind her now and is developing a unique and magical voice of her very own. So it’s with great pleasure we present this In Stores gig with Cara and her new band.

It took place on April saturday, a busy shopping day in Belfast. Wehre else to start but in cococouture, a luxury chocolate shop in Donegal Square?

Download ‘Surprise Surprise’ for iPod (46.7 MB)

Full credit to Joe Laverty for spotting this one. We were on our way to the next location when he pointed out this place. Sliiiiiiide as it’s so affectionately known in Belfast is.. well, its not the kind of place I’d be caught dead in, unless its from an ecstasy overdose or something. But damn it if they don’t have a pretty bar and a great looking 30s-speakeasy-type-dancefloor. Cue Cara.

Download ‘Names’ for iPod (45.3 MB)

And finally thanks to all the staff at Best Vintage for providing this video with some well deserved classy nudes, and Cat Power laying in the background on vinyl (vinyl!!). A very classy conclusion to the most enjoyable session Bandwidth has done in months!

Download ‘Go Quietly’ for iPod (45 MB)

Filmed by Will McConnell in Belfast, April 2010
Sound recorded/ Mixed by Joe Laverty

La Faro Live@The Menagerie, Belfast 28.04.10

Will McConnell — Sat, 12 Jun 2010 16:08:52 +0000

The very awesome La Faro booked a three-night residency in Belfast’s Menagerie this April to promote their latest album.

Each night a different support act were invited – and there were some great acts like Fighting With Wire and Jetplane Landing. Bandwidth was there the third night, where the admittedly unexpected announcement was made that Farriers would fill the final support slot.

Bandwidth is totally gay for La Faro and our friends will be no strangers to Farriers, so it goes without saying how excited we were to be there. Let the videos commence.

Download for iPod (89.3 MB)

Download for iPod (71.8 MB)

Download for iPod (72 MB)

//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

No we couldn’t resist this opportunity. A little kept secret of this century is that La Faro frontman Johnny Black is partial to a little bluegrass and folk – and that he and Farriers’ male singer Stephen McCartney share a fancy for a little Old Crow Medecine Show.

So this film was in the half an hour between soundcheck and doors open. Prizes to the person who names every folk and blues reference in this acoustic jam. Not really.

Download for iPod (163.1 MB)

Filmed by Will McConnell & Sean Duncan in Belfast, April 2010

David Kitt

Will McConnell — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 08:02:02 +0000

David Kitt was in Belfast in April – we took some time out with him after soundcheck to film a rather magic moment. Belfast was weirdly quiet – and with David’s subdued, minimal versions of a track which on record has a electronic/dancy edge, well it all seemed so fitting.

Say No More is taken from the 2006 album Not Fade Away. Listen to how the song comes alive with the reverb of David’s voice in the pedestrian tunnel on High Street. Belfast residents are quite used to hearing buskers in this spot because of the great acoustics there – maybe we should start a clubnight there.

The Nightsaver is out now and David Kitt plays with Tindersticks who will be touring Europe in August.

Download for iPod (77.6 MB)

Filmed by Will McConnell
in Belfast, April 2010

Love Is A Lie – The Rags

Will McConnell — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 09:05:12 +0000

I spent some time down in Dublin last month with Daniel Anderson from The Rags, recording a series of acoustic tracks- and a great time was had by all – and he previewed 5 or 6 songs in various locations all around the town.

So the plan is there’ll be one clip a week for the next few weeks featuring tracks from their new album A National Light, which is stonking.

Thanks again to the lads and to Colm Russell, and here’s the first clip:

Read more here: THERAGS.COM

IN STORES NOW#40: PAUL SHEVLIN

Will McConnell — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 10:05:58 +0000

Life begins at 40, John Lennon once sang. Then he died. Paul Shevlin doesn’t look a day over 18. I think he might even be younger. Either way, the future looks bright.

When I met Paul we spent the afternoon in Belfast searching for pianos – first Marcus Music obliged, then the Black Box, only to find their piano is pretty badly out of key. No matter, they didn’t kick us out. Then the Oh Yeah centre came to the rescue (for the 2nd time in a month), and before we got kicked out of there (only joking), we recorded another little number..

Download for iPod (48.5 MB) / Watch on Youtube

Download for iPod (38.2 MB) / Watch on Youtube

Paul plays Laverys bunker tonight and again on the 4th, 5th and 6th June at Queens University as part of the Keynote mini-fest.

The Good Fight – Hats On Sticks

Will McConnell — Fri, 28 May 2010 08:01:45 +0000

This is the third promo Bandwidth has made with The Good Fight , and we grow to love them more and more each day. The band will release their new single ‘Hats On Sticks’ free on their bandcamp page 14th June with a free download of this video, and B-side ‘Hospitals’ already available.

In the meantime, you can stream the video right here:

Camera/Edit: Will McConnell

IN STORES NOW#39: THE FRIGATES

Will McConnell — Wed, 12 May 2010 23:08:18 +0000

The Frigates were first brought to my bright attention by the enthusiasm of one Steven Rainey. Inspired by a love of Pavement and all things lo-fi, the flame haired reporter shared his findings with us late last year in this article for Bandwidth.

This is In Stores Now, after all – so we were luck on a busy Saturday in Belfast to find 3 accommodating stores – firstly the record fair at Bandwidth’s alama mater, the Oh Yeah Music Centre. Then to two distinctly… nautically themed locales. Let’s see if you can spot the irony of it all.

Since then things have moved apace. The band got in touch to arrange a session – I love everything about them – and before you could say 10 Downing Street a partnership was made.

Download for iPod (29.4 MB)

Download for iPod (42.4 MB)

Download for iPod (76.3 MB)

Filmed by Will McConnell in Belfast, March 2010

State Intervention#2: Scroobius Pip

Will McConnell — Sat, 08 May 2010 09:05:34 +0000

Here’s the second collaboration between Bandwidth and State Magazine – which we call “State Intervention”.

State Intervention is a series of flash gigs organised around Ireland. Again, all the gigs are free, and you’ll be able to come along to any one of them by keeping up to date with State’s twitter and facebook feeds, where the gig will be anounced on the day.

Without further ado, here’s Scroobius Pip.

Read all about it here on State.ie.

The Low Anthem

Will McConnell — Wed, 05 May 2010 12:42:40 +0000

The Low Anthem were in Belfast earlier this year for the Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival’s pre-festival, called Out To Lunch.

So I was lucky enough to blag 20 minutes with the band during their soundcheck at the Black Box, and record two tracks – including the hauntingly beautiful To The Ghosts Who Write History Books.

Thanks to the band and Kate Landau for this.
Enjoy!

Download for iPod (33.6 MB)

Download for iPod (41.7 MB)

Filmed by Will McConnell
in Belfast, January 2010.

IN STORES NOW#38: DISCONNECT 4

Will McConnell — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 12:07:02 +0000

Such is the way of a ‘proper’ music scene: I was first introduced to Disconnect 4 by a Bandwidth old faithful, A Plastic Rose, who had made a habit of gigging with them between D4′s native Galway, APR’s native Sligo and a common ground for both, Belfast.

We’d promised each other we’d record a session together for months, and thought about ways of doing it. Playing in a bin, or a music shop, or anywhere near a plug so that we could keep just a little of the signature Disconnect 4 electronic/guitar sound. In the end, we settled on 20 minutes together, worryingly close to their stage time at Belfast’s free-music Radar night at the Students’ Union. And in the end, once again, an apple iphone came to the rescue, and a little £1.19 app called iSynth.

Cheapest video ever made? Perhaps. Most dangerous thing the band have ever done (letting me near them with a camera that is)? Just maybe.

Disconnect 4 play Whelan’s in Dublin 30 April with Funeral Suits.

Download for iPod (47.8 MB)

Filmed by Will McConnell
in Belfast, February 2010

Fionn Regan

Will McConnell — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 12:01:15 +0000

I’m a little obsessed with Fionn Regan at the moment. The Shadow of An Empire hasn’t left the proverbial, virtual (read: mp3) record player for weeks (remember them?) and ‘Protection Racket’ was making me a little stir crazy late last year, rolling around in my head all night as insanely catchy as it is.

So it is with great pleasure that Bandwidth can finally arrange a session performance for you, loyal readers. And it was well worth the wait.

The band had a spare 20 minutes before soundcheck at their Belfast gig in March, at the over elegantly blithe settings of the grand old Empire Music Hall – an auld church building that was an even audler Victorian Vaudeville Hall.

They cleared the tables from the floor and set up in a circle under the giant glimmer ball, brought out the electric organ, and launched into this sublime rendition of “Violent Demeanour”.

Without further ado, pour vous…

Download for iPod (53.8 MB)

Filmed by Will McConnell
in Belfast, March 2010

Photograph by Gerard O’Mahony

State Intervention#1: And So I Watch You From Afar

Will McConnell — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 13:11:05 +0000

We’re pleased to announce a new collaboration between Bandwidth and State Magazine – called ‘State Intervention”, it’ll be a series of flash gigs organised around Ireland norther and south, with established acts.

They’re all free, and you’ll be able to come along to any one of them by keeping up to date with State’s twitter and facebook feeds, where the gig will be anounced on the day.

So first up, here’s Bandwidth’s favourite son, And So I Watch You From Afar playing the Music Maker store in Dublin to a select group of 30 or so.

Read all about it here on State.ie.

IN STORES NOW#37: FARRIERS

Will McConnell — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 11:02:36 +0000

It was a cold day when we arranged to meet up with Farriers. Bitterly cold. That didn’t stop us. Stephen McCartney and I got started early in Cutters Wharf, a few Guinnii to warm the cockles and get everyone in a singing mood, as a boat race glided by. The sun broke the clouds, and the first hint of summer was in the air, even though it was still only february. These are good times.

The rest of the guys arrived in dribs and drabs – and we ran an hour late, two hours late – and well, maybe I lied when I told the band the location was only 20 minutes away. Yet by happy accident, when we arrived in the heart of lagan valley park, the sun was setting between the trees, and all was good.

Farriers – San Remo / A Final Harvest

Download for iPod (137 MB)

Sometimes a location just speaks to you, telling you to hang around, explore, play around. This otherworldly woodland area, about a half hour from Belfast city centre, the city’s best known secret in fact, has a magical draw.

We spent another hour, chasing the sun, in a meadow that seemed to roll on forever, hiding under trees, trying that walking/playing/chewing gum thing. This was a beautiful day, even though we couldn’t feel our fingers in the end.

It was February, after all.

Farriers – Mission Hall / The Last Long Evening

Download for iPod (89.1 MB)

Photography by Liz Wade:

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

Ablespacer, Live@Auntie Annies, 16.03.10

Will McConnell — Sat, 03 Apr 2010 09:11:56 +0000

Ablespacer have been absent from the Belfast stage for a few months now. But in March they came back with a bang, with a new single and, a clutch of gigs and a support slot for Blood Red Shoes at the end of April.

Here’s two tracks from their 16th March set in Auntie Annies.

Download for iPod (64.8 MB)

Ablespacer’s new single ‘Draw A Line’ is available free from bandcamp, so find it here.

Ablespacer play Skinny Love at Auntie Annies on 7th April, and support Blood Red Shoes, again at Auntie Annies, 24th April.

Download for iPod (58 MB)

Filmed by Will McConnell, Sean Duncan
in Belfast, March 2010

IN STORES NOW#36: JUNIOR JOHNSON

Will McConnell — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 15:22:23 +0000

Randalstown’s very own Junior Johnson spent much of 2010 in the USA, meeting his musical heroes, shaking the right hands and playing to crowds up and down the east coast. Junior has one eye on the world, and his feet firmly in the blues. His music is outspoken, barefaced political at times, and always heartbreaking. That’s my opinion.

Best perhaps to sum the man up in his own words:
I write songs that I believe in. I hope that the lyrics reflect some sort of honesty from my own experience in life. I’m not trying to fool anyone. Except myself maybe.

Incidentally, on his travels, Junior picked up a song from an English singer called Andy Barnes, “The Last Of The Great Whales” (not just a song about whales, apparently) It’s a real treat – watch through to the end to catch it.

Junior Johnson – Born In The Wrong Time / City Girl / The Last Of The Great Whales (Andy Barnes)

Download for iPod (121.5 MB)

Filmed by Will McConnell
in Belfast, February 2010

IN STORES NOW#35: COLENSO PARADE

Will McConnell — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 14:18:49 +0000

We’ve been planning this one for a while.

I first filmed with Colenso Parade at a very damn and very raucous Glasgowbury Festival. Crammed into the back of my van (long story) and chock full of brown wine, the lads took the whole thing surprisingly well. Have a look at the car-nage (err sorry), which features 3 other bands, right here.

So how could we top that?
Well, there’s a very special location in Belfast that I was saving for just such an occasion.

Oh and by the way – watch the video through to the end for a little surprise. Sometimes these little magic moments happen – and this really is magic. The band were on a high, they’d been strumming this little Everly Brothers ditty all day – and then they found their audience, two unsuspecting citizens just trying to walk through the grounds of the city hall.

And so it was, a case of hello darlin’, goodbye loneliness..

Colenso Parade – Fall At Your Feet / Bye Bye Love (Everly Brothers)

Download for iPod (93.9 MB)

Filmed by Will McConnell
in Belfast, February 2009

Master And Dog – Long May You Reign

Will McConnell — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 23:51:07 +0000

I’ve been following John Shelly & The Creatures around for a while now. You may remember this little session that I filmed with the guys last year, that a lot of people have been talking about.

And since then the lads have secured a promotional deal, and have been touring the country up and down. Oh and then there’s the small matter of this little seen TV advert.

In February, The Creatures were invited down to play RTE’s Late Late Show. A watershed moment. And here’s the story of that, and, in a glimpse, of their career thus far.

As of 2010, the band are now renamed Master And Dog – but the sound’s the same.

John Shelly & The Creatures – Long May You Reign

Download for iPod (39.1 MB)

Filmed & edited by Will McConnell
Bandwidth Films 2010

IN STORES NOW#34: STRAIT LACES

Will McConnell — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 01:51:59 +0000

Strait Laces are simply one of the best bands in all of Ireland at the moment, I just can’t put it better than that. So what better way to mark St Paddy’s day than bring you tis session from last month.

Just as they were preparing for a trip over to Austin, Texas and the SXSW showcase, the band rocked into the upstairs of a tattoo parlour in Belfast city centre.

Dave had warned me the previous day that he had the lurgee and his voice was about to give any moment. So what we get in return is something like a blues version of ‘Where The Wolf Roam’ – stripped down, bare bones, just like Bandwidth likes it – and when you do it like Strait Laces do it, who needs a second take?

Strait Laces – Where The Wolf Roam

Download for iPod (32.6 MB)

Strait Laces play the Belfast Rocks Showcase at Latitude 30 in Austin, Texas tonight. They’ll hang around SXSW for the remainder of the week, and return to Northern Ireland with a show at The Limelight on 25 March.

Photography by Liz Wade:

Filmed by Will McConnell
in Belfast, February 2010

Peggy Sue

Will McConnell — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 00:34:09 +0000

Peggy Sue first arrived in Belfast from sunny Brighton in September last year for the city’s Open House Festival – which in my humble opinion is the greatest thing to come here since running water.

Since then, Peggy Sue have been back twice, including last week with Local Natives. This is a reminder of he first time, when I was allowed the rare luxury of spending a whole afternoon with them on a quiet Saturday morning in the Cathedral Quarter area of Belfast.

I was their host in the city for 2 hours. So where else to start than straight to the pub – the grand old ‘Duke of York’ to be exact:

Peggy Sue – Hatstand Blues

Download for iPod (74 MB)

The Cathedral Quarter in Belfast is a mixed up kind of place, caught up between council-funded gentrification and a genuine desire for artistic diversification, in a place populated by artisans and craft workshops, right beside hotels and travel agents. In short, amongst the cloy wine bars there’s still a few wee gems in the area, like the Safehouse Gallery – the entire ground floor of which has been a dedicated artist’s studio for the past few years. Play spot the icons.

Either way, this space really made an impression on the band, and we even got an audience for a while staring in through the windows..

Peggy Sue – Milk and Blood

Download for iPod (31.6 MB)

The reverb in this space was incredible – a long nondescript alleyway behind – you guessed it – a hotel, than really could be good to good use one day. A week later it was transformed into a ‘nightmare alley’, with montage clips from horror movies projected onto its white spaces But that’s another story. For now it would have to make do as a makeshift concert space for the unsuspecting office workers.
Not that they didn’t appreciate the distraction.

“Thank you. Now shut up.”

Peggy Sue is currently touring with Local Natives before heading to Europe in April with Archie Bronson.

Peggy Sue – Watchman

Download for iPod (50.9 MB)

Filmed by Will McConnell
in Belfast, September 2009

IN STORES NOW#33: ISOBEL ANDERSON

Will McConnell — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 11:27:39 +0000

So finally we return to the really wonderful talents of Isobel Anderson. Isobel grew up in Brighton, cut her teeth in London and moved to Belfast where she is now serenading unsuspecting crowds with her deeply soulful voice and multi-instrumental talents.

I first worked with her last winter when we the people of Bandwidth put on a show called Thank You For Watching, a free concert for subscribers to the Bandwidth world that featured Isobel and Albrecht’s Pencil.

This is an altogether different environment – a new song, so new in fact its not even yet named. Just raw, straight out of the box emotion. And an auto harp. In a kitchen.

Isobel Anderson – Untitled #1

Download for iPod (39.3 MB)

Belfast is full of wee surprises. That was kind of the spirit in which this In Stores Now series was born So sometimes a secret allotment beside a car park behind a row of houses in south Belfast comes along – and its just a the kind of place you want to film a video.

It was something about this space – the time of day with the sun setting, the freezing cold air – Isobel’s music seemed to fit – or vice versa. Her latest songs share this theme of travel, water, nature. It was all too perfect. Anyway, here’s two tracks together: one – View Out Of Sight – I’d heard on her myspace page and had specifically and humbly requested, the other a second new song, again so new it didn’t even have a name. Bliss.

Isobel Anderson – View Out Of Sight / Untitled #2

Download for iPod (119.1 MB)

Isobel Anderson’s next scheduled show is 20th March at the Black Box in Belfast – and keep an eye for her in cafés and music nights all over the city.

The brilliantly talented Gerard O’Mahony accompanied us that day, have a look at some of his photos from that day, as well as the rest of his portfolio, right here:

Filmed by Will McConnell
in Belfast, January 2010

IN STORES NOW#32: THE BONNEVILLES

Will McConnell — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 12:50:51 +0000

So The Bonnevilles were playing NI Chart‘s immense first birthday bash in Auntie Annie’s last January. And I promptly borrowed them for a session (and had them back in time for tea).

Lo-fi, lo-down and dirty rock. Blues so thick you could stir it with a stick.
Where else to showcase their charms?

Why a tasty kebab shop of course..

Download for iPod (71.6 MB)

Filmed by Will McConnell
in Belfast, January 2010

IN STORES NOW#31: THE 1930s

Will McConnell — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 18:26:28 +0000

Ok, maybe we were pushing our luck with this one.
On second thoughts maybe not.

I love the 1930s. I love ‘Break My Heart’. It’s a clumping, stomping, clapping, singing along song. One that needs a crowd of people. A crowd of people just like there was on Malone Avenue last Friday afternoon, where lensmesiter extraordinaire Matthew Alexander Patton was shooting a music video for a little band called A Plastic Rose.

So I hope he didn’t mind us borrowing a few of his extras. Who am I kidding, he was delighted.
Eagle eyes, watch for as many Northern Ireland band cameos as you can, here…

The 1930s – Break My Heart

Download for iPod (84 MB)

Filmed by Will McConnell
in Belfast, February 2010

Great Lake Swimmers

Will McConnell — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 14:48:26 +0000

Great Lake Swimmers were in Belfast for a show at the Speakeasy last November, so I grabbed 10 lovely mins with frontman Tony Dekker just after soundcheck, for two acoustic performances.

Also in attendance that bright winter day was the really wonderful Gregg Houston from Babysweet Sessions. Check out his session with Tony here.

Great Lake Swimmers – Pulling On A Line

Download for iPod (44.6 MB)

There was a certain football match on that day, so there was an eery calm to Belfast. I know someone who works in the student union office in the Mandela Hall – he opened his office window and let us climb out on the balcony, as the sun was setting over the city, and Tony had just the right song to play for that moment.

And suddenly all was right in the world for 4 minutes. And then I went home.

Great Lake Swimmers – Everything Is Moving So Fast

Download for iPod (28 MB)

Filmed by Will McConnell
in Belfast, November 2009

IN STORES NOW#30: JACKSON CAGE

Will McConnell — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 00:07:23 +0000

It was during that lovely in pre-Christmas week, I was invited over to Jackson Cage‘s house to hear some of their new tunes – including their first ever, ever single – “Help Me Mama”.

Sometimes this happens. After the camera comes out, and you do a few warm up tunes, you get some bands who just can’t shut up – they’ll keep playing, because that’s what they would have been doing before you turned up with a camera anyway.

So it is with Jackson Cage. They just fucking love music so much, and good for us, because they’re so fucking good – one song became two, or three and four. The moment you’re about to see with the ukelele in the kitchen (playing appropriately enough, “A Hard Night In The Kitchen”, mmm…) was as spontaneous and unrehearsed as it looks.

Part 1 – Jackson Cage – A Hard Night (In The Kitchen) / Help Me Mama

Download for iPod (100.6 MB)

Then it was back into the warm, for more tea and some heart-warming tunes.
Needless to say, this is only a highlight – when I left later that afternoon, they were still playing Fairport covers..

Jackson Cage’s new single “Help Me Mama” is out on 16th February 2010.

Part 2 – Jackson Cage – Rescue Me / Love Has No Feelings

Download for iPod (117.3 MB)

Filmed by Will McConnell
in Belfast, December 2009

The Rupture Dogs – Today & Tonight

Will McConnell — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 02:18:44 +0000

The majority of the awesome Rupture Dogs hail from Newcastle, Co. Down – so a gig supporting Fighting With Wire in the Square Peg, Warrenpoint was kind of a homecoming for them.

I went down to capture some of that atmosphere in the autumn of last year – and this is the result. Of course, if you want to see more, including a stunning acoustic version of this song, check out our acoustic session with the lads recorded at the same time.

The Rupture Dogs – Today & Tonight

Download for iPod (58.3 MB)

Directed by Will McConnell
in Co. Down, N.Ireland, 2009

© Bandwidth 2010

IN STORES NOW#29: ONCE BEFORE TAKE OFF

Will McConnell — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 02:57:57 +0000

Once in a while a band comes along and surprises you with their ability, their range, their influences.
So it was with Once Before Take Off.

These Omagh lads are known for their metal riffs, and for screaming a lot. They used to be called The Soviets if that gives you any indication. It sounds at first like they don’t give a fuck about you. But then they do cite Bob Dylan as an influence on their myspace. And they do have that.. yeah that cover, which finally has more balls now than Gwyneth and Apple and co ever envisioned. So I urge you to look again naysayers.

Of course punk/metal bands have done the acoustic for Bandwidth before. So we know the score. Find a couple of guitars – check – find a very reverby space – check – let it rip – check mate fuckheads.

Once Before Take Off – Effective Directive / God Put A Smile Upon Your Face

Download for iPod (59.8 MB)

Filmed by Will McConnell
in Belfast, January 2010

IN STORES NOW#28: LEE MITCHELL

Will McConnell — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 15:53:52 +0000

Part of what the IN STORES series is all about is bringing new talent to the masses, by presenting undiscovered musicians in a raw uncompromising environment, giving them just an acoustic guitar and five minutes to prove their skill to the world.

It was in that spirit I was delighted to discover Lee Mitchell. He’s an old friend of the lads from Six Star Hotel, and a stage manager at the Forfey festival. I was pleased to be able to prove too, that he’s also an amazing singer-songwriter.

Belfast’s Ormeau Baths Gallery was the setting, shortly after Christmas, and here’s how it went down:

Lee Mitchell – Part 1 – Heart Over Head

Download for iPod (43.2 MB)

Lee Mitchell – Part 2 – Regrets / Please Don’t Leave

Download for iPod (61 MB)

Filmed by Will McConnell
in Belfast, December 2009