Who?
Only Villagers’ Conor O’Brien’s next big thing, and the man should know. The singer took some time out during our recent interview just to rave about these newcomers from Limerick, telling us he can’t wait to bring them out on tour. They were a new name to us, but we went home, stuck their Soundcloud on, and we have to agree: Bleeding Heart Pigeons are absolutely enthralling. They are Mícheál Keating (vocals, guitar), Brendan McInerney (drums) and multi-instrumentalist Cathal Histon (synthesizers, sampling, percussion, backing vocals).
What?
Depth, and oh how spectacular it is. How about 20-odd minute tracks with titles like ‘Soliloquies, Massacres’, subtle weaving electronic background-suited brilliance that’s normally the preserve of the willfully obscure, or those huge enough and game enough to slip a twenty minute track aural experience (as that’s what these guys are) into a live set without thinking twice. Then there’s the poppier edge, delivered through tracks like the melodically subtle ‘Catharsis’, or, incredibly, in a twenty minute track that actually sounds like a pulsating pop fusion, the self-titled, depression-ridden exodus that is ‘Bleeding Heart Pigeons’.
Things take on some hint of standard musical format (why not, the once) with the hollering ‘In The Forest I Feel Bizarrely At Home’, which sits oddly alongside tracks that occasionally demonstrate such magnificent levels of angsty fucked up-ness, we can’t help but fall a little bit in love. These are tunes for a generation stepping out into a nation where prospects are desolate: the perfect environment for one of the most creative and apt newcomers we’ve stumbled upon in some time. To think one of the band hasn’t even finished his leaving cert – potential galore.
Why bother?
Well, if you don’t want to take our word on it, or Conor’s, how about Nialler9, who recently gave the Limerick lads ample praise in one of his career-boosting intros. Other Voices already took notice, and had the three-piece down to Dingle to record a set this December, which – given their record for uncovering gems – is another surefire pointer. Alongside all the niche credibility, though, what really makes Bleeding Heart Pigeons stand out is their willingness to experiment and quirky approach to writing music. 20 minute tracks you’ll want to listen to again and again just to explore the hidden depths are always worth a try, surely?
And the flip side?
We can’t vouch for Bleeding Heart Pigeons as a live act, but if they’re anything like the level they’re at as a recorded set up, you’d be in for a treat. They’re not the kind of band that pop fans are likely to fawn over, either but anyone with a love of ambient, electronic or experimental vibes is going to be thrilled.
Catch them…
The band tell us they might be up in Dublin come early March, though no date has been confirmed just yet. Limerick dates seem to be an ongoing concern, though their Soundcloud and Facebook pages don’t list any of them just yet, either. One to keep an eye on, then.
Links: Soundcloud | Facebook |
Up & Comers is jointly produced fortnightly by Goldenplec and
