The lineup for this years Hard Working Class Heroes Festival has been announced. Taking place in the POD complex over the course of 3 nights (28th, 29th and 30th of September) HWCH '07 will see almost 100 Irish up and coming (and indeed some more established) bands given the chance to perform around Dublin in a festival like atmosphere.
For me, the outstanding bands in this year's line up are Alphastates, Ham Sandwich, and Dark Room Notes. Alphastates were the first band I saw at my first HWCH. A cold shower inducing fusion of sultry soul and near erotic electronica; the Alphastates sound is augmented perfectly by the breathless vocals of Catherine Dowling. If you don't believe me, check out the video for Kiss Me, a track from their 2004 debut Made from Sand.
Those of you who've graced the Key Notes blog before will already know of my admiration of Ham Sandwich. Currently working on their, as yet untitled, debut album they are undoubtedly one of Irelands finest live bands. Having toured relentlessly over the last 18 months or so you can expect a full house when Ham Sandwich hit HWCH. I don't think you're likely to see Lionel Richie there though.
Dark Room Notes are not only the saviours of wet and windy Monday evenings in Whelan's but also the purveyors of some of the finest electronic indie you're likely to hear. Usually all it takes is a Casio to draw comparisons between *insert band name here* and the likes of Depeche Mode and Joy Division but in the case of Dark Room Notes it's entirely warranted. It's a long time since a band excited me this much. The video for Love like Nicotine is available to view below.
The full line up of Irish acts performing is available here. Who are you looking forward to seeing most?
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2000 - 'Rock Criticism: Getting it Right', written by Mark Godfrey. A thought provoking reflection on the art of rock criticism.