CITÓG RETURNS to the Róisín Dubh, not only for a new series of its monthly gigs in the Dominick Street venue, but with the first Galway gig in a number of years from Music For Dead Birds, who have also just released a new EP.
Music For Dead Birds, the indie/folk/grunge duo of vocalist/songwriter/guitarist Jimmy Monaghan, and drummer Dónal Walsh, make a welcome return on Wednesday October 7 at 9pm. Their new EP, Your Brand New Life, was recorded in The Hive Studios, County Wicklow, in August, and features the songs 'Shopping Mall', 'Hootie & The Blowfish', and 'Throw My Life Away'.
Speaking about the songs, Jimmy says The Kinks-esque 'Shopping Mall' was written after being in such an establishment and "realising the goods on sale were nothing more than useless products that appeal only to people's vanity and not needs". 'Hootie & The Blowfish' was inspired by a long theatre tour with Jimmy "feeling isolated from my friends, my family, and my girlfriend at the time". It was originally titled 'What You Crave' but Donal thought it sounded like a Hootie & The Blowfish song, "which in fairness it does, so thought it would be funny to name it in their honour. Thanks Hootie". 'Throw My Life Away' is "about growing up, becoming an adult, seeing how the world you have rebelled against for years actually works, and realising that you haven't been missing out on much".
Support is from Pa Reidy and Tobi Kaye.
Next up on October 14 at 9pm is Slyrydes, a Galway rock band full of swagger. In their short existence they've played headline slots, festival appearances and supported Palma Violets. A band that prides themselves on their live performances. Also on the bill are Mollusk, a new project by Oh Boland leader, singer, songwriter, and guitarist Niall Murphy. He describes the band as "a mellower little brother to the Oh Boland stuf", that draws on diverse influences, as exemplified by 'Cruisin' Along' which marries Status Quo with Big Star. "That was a jokey song dedicated to my father going on and on about his love of 'American rockin' road music'," says Niall.
Support is from singer-songwriter Stephen McLoughlin
Concluding this month's Citóg are The Witch Trials on October 28, at the later than usual starting time of 11.30pm. One of Ireland's leading psych bands, their darkly poetic blend of trip-hop, jazz, and dance has impressed critics, with Louder Than War's John Robb calling their music "floating, dreaming pop bubblegum psych"; and The Last Mixed Tape declaring it, "a rapturous cacophony of jumping-jangling and fuzzing psychedelia...a curious melting pot of pysch-rock and indie with some jazz overtones added for good measure."
Support is from Strays and Ghost Rats.
Admission to all gigs is free. For more information see www.facebook.com/citog and twitter.com/CitogMUSIC
