#511
Soul Plateau - Firing
Thursday 13th July, 2017

They say: "The track Firing is about reconciling with solitude, and spending time alone with yourself.

It's a broad and expressive take on this thread of writing. The music was designed to portray the vastness of retreating inward for answers."

We say:  "Another delicate piece of music from producer Scott Walker under the Soul Plateau moniker.

This one is particularly deep - a lonely refrain and spaced out production makes it one for the headphones."

‘Firing’ appears on the latest compilation from Derry record label, Culture Glitch, along with tracks by Shammen Delly, Thran, Planting and more.

As often as possible Across the Line aims to bring you a great new, recent or interesting track each day, Monday to Friday. To get your new music to Across the Line send it via the BBC Introducing Uploader.

#510
Brona McVittie - Under The Pines
Friday 7th July, 2017

They say: "I recently returned to living in my native County Down after many years in London and have found myself beside ocean, forest and the Mourne mountains. 

The stark contrast between the urban chaos of London and the pastoral beauty of County Down has been rich inspiration for my new compositions, and Under The Pines arose spontaneously after a jaunt in the forest.

One day while out running my usual circuit I stopped at the kennels on the edge of the pine forest to catch my breath. 

As I listened to the dogs barking I noticed they were replying to their own echoes; the build up and reverberation of sound off the trees seemed almost supernatural, and on the way home I began humming Under the Pines."

We say:  "Nature reverberates wonderfully in an alchemy of traditional and contemporary instrumentation, making for an exquisite listen from this post-folk electronic chanteuse."

'Under The Pines' is the first single from Brona McVittie's forthcoming album, 'We Are The Wildlife'.

As often as possible Across the Line aims to bring you a great new, recent or interesting track each day, Monday to Friday. To get your new music to Across the Line send it via the BBC Introducing Uploader.

#509
The Sea, Close By - Humphrey's Got A Heat Lamp
Thursday 6th July, 2017

They say: "Humphrey's Got a Heat Lamp represents from the outset our desire to play with the fluidity of structure and dynamic in modern rock music, with the aim of inciting excitement through unpredictability. 

This song demonstrates what we can now confidently identify as a large shift in genre towards math rock instrumentation, alongside tones of '90s emo rock, which we are currently implementing across our live setlist. And on which we will elaborate and build upon in future releases."

We say:  "Sporadic, half releases over a couple of years mean they’ve not a chance to make a proper impact - but this one's splendid enough to have made up for lost time. Noisy yet thoughtful, huge yet weirdly fragile - Humphrey’s… is immensely creative and an absolute whopper of a debut single proper."

'Humphrey's Got A Heat Lamp' is the debut single from Belfast three-piece The Sea Close By. It is officially released this Friday 8th July, 2017.

As often as possible Across the Line aims to bring you a great new, recent or interesting track each day, Monday to Friday. To get your new music to Across the Line send it via the BBC Introducing Uploader.

#508
Fox Vicious – Worlds Apart
Wednesday 5th July, 2017

They say: "When writing 'Worlds Apart', we immediately agreed it was going to be our 'intro' song to our EP; we wanted something ambitious, and explosive with an intro riff that people can sing along to instantly. We were all so excited to be hanging out and writing music again (after years of doing our own things), and we think it definitely shows in this track."

We say:  ‘Worlds Apart’ tastes of sugar synth pop and lush ethereal production - echoing All Tvvins and Owl City – their next summer release cannot come soon enough."

Fox Vicious are a trio originally from the North Coast now based in Belfast, with Shay Reynolds, Jake Woods and Kristam Moffett. ‘Worlds Apart’ marks the start of the release cycle for their debut effort - [FVEP].

As often as possible Across the Line aims to bring you a great new, recent or interesting track each day, Monday to Friday. To get your new music to Across the Line send it via the BBC Introducing Uploader.

#507
Oisín ó Scolaí - Boy In A Well
Tuesday 4th July, 2017

They say: "Boy In a Well was first recorded as a solo, stripped down acoustic song, but not long after playing it live a few times with the full band, we decided to beef it up with Scenery's Ruari Coyle on drums and Chris on bass. 

It's a step in a different direction in terms of genre for us but still tells a story of isolation and identity loss, whether you're crossing dangerous borders to a new life or just moving from the country to the city, like myself."

We say: “Lo-fi, with touches of the Sea Pinks and a 90s revival vibe, Oisín ó Scolaí & The Virginia Slims have created an indie folk bedroom anthem.”

Oisín ó Scolaí and the Virginia Slims are performing at The Atlantic Lounge, Portrush, on Saturday 23rd July. Support comes from John Ross and Kieron O'Grady.

As often as possible Across the Line aims to bring you a great new, recent or interesting track each day, Monday to Friday. To get your new music to Across the Line send it via the BBC Introducing Uploader.

#506
Gerry Norman - Everything's A Lie
Monday 3rd July, 2017

They say: "The day I wrote this I woke up hating the world and everyone in it, including myself, but especially our political ‘leaders’. The world we live in is a messed up place!

I was thinking the only good thing I have in my life is my wife. It’s a song about death - “home is where I wanna grow old. It’s where I wanna go peacefully".

I’ve cheered up since."

We say: “Everything’s a Lie sees the much welcome return of Gerry Norman who, in the words of Gary Lightbody, is ‘the best front man from NI, maybe ever’.

Full of pensive melancholy, Gerry brings the sadness of the song’s words to life, in a way that will not fail to move you.”

Gerry Norman is the Dublin-born Belfast-based frontman of A Plastic Rose, now going solo and working on a debut album. Catch him performing live at Porstewart's Midsummer Sessions Festival, this Saturday, 8th July.

As often as possible Across the Line aims to bring you a great new, recent or interesting track each day, Monday to Friday. To get your new music to Across the Line send it via the BBC Introducing Uploader.

#505
Shammen Delly - Dreaming of Port Ban
Friday 29th June, 2017

They say: "Port Ban is the name of a beach in Dunree in within Inishowen in Donegal where I grew up. As a kid I would wake up to it every morning until the folks and I moved from the countryside and into the town of Buncrana. When I dream, it's very often that shades of Port Ban are always reminiscent, suddenly I will be swimming across Lough Swilly over to a utopian version of Portsalon, until the ocean stands tall to wash away everything in sight. Though it's always triggered by fun loving memories growing up there as a kid."

We say: “Beautifully glitchy, Shammen Delly have created a majestic sound dream - to be nothing but immersed in.”

The track 'Dreaming of Port Ban' is featured on the digital format on the new Culture Glitch record (Derry based label/collective releasing electronic music from the North), available via Juno Records, Beatport and Spotify.

As often as possible Across the Line aims to bring you a great new, recent or interesting track each day, Monday to Friday. To get your new music to Across the Line send it via the BBC Introducing Uploader.

#504
Allez Bartoli - Under The Sun
Thursday 29th June, 2017

They say: “We've been doing Allez Bartoli for about seven years now. Never really played any gigs but it was something we weren't that interested in at the time - it was more just writing music together.

We changed focus the last year though, writing stuff with the intention of going out and playing gigs. So we started going out regularly to practice spaces to work on songs, which was something we never really did before. It was mostly just writing in each other's homes and emailing ideas.

Under The Sun (and other songs) are what has come out of it so far. Hopefully this year we ll get a new record out, and be out playing shows. As it is at the minute, we've actually played more football matches as Allez Bartoli than gigs!"

We say: “Allez Bartoli continue to keep it unreal - and unpredictable - Under The Sun is dark yet strangely euphoric, a proper sonic exploration. The weird choice of synth sound, the treatment to those wonky vocals and the detail across the production - they sound like no one else at the moment.”

Allez Bartoli are Derry~Londonderry duo, Gregory McGeady and Emmet Colton.

As often as possible Across the Line aims to bring you a great new, recent or interesting track each day, Monday to Friday. To get your new music to Across the Line send it via the BBC Introducing Uploader.

#503
Before Munich - Never Again
Wednesday 28th June, 2017

They say: “Never Again was the quickest we have ever written a song. From coming up with the riff to the song being finished was about fifteen minutes! We wanted it to be utterly relentless, no quiet bits, no slow bits, just good old fashioned punk rock! It's been one of our favorites to play ever since.

I think its energy comes from the fact it was written so quickly, we didn't have time to get bogged down with "should we change this, should we tweak that?" it just came out like a stream of consciousness punk song! 

I think the main influences on this track were probably Nirvana and nomeansno. Although we've never really discussed it, it just sort of happened."

We say: “Caustic punk rock from the heart of Belfast, Never Again has shades of Nirvana at their angriest. With scuzzy guitar solos and untamed vocals from a singer who sounds like he’s eaten broken glass for breakfast, it’s immensely satisfying.”

Before Munich will perform in Voodoo, Belfast, on 11th August, along with Paranoids, Mosmo Strange and Bosco Ramos.

As often as possible Across the Line aims to bring you a great new, recent or interesting track each day, Monday to Friday. To get your new music to Across the Line send it via the BBC Introducing Uploader.

#502
Feedb+ck - System
Tuesday 27th June, 2017

They say: “The track system is just something that we wanted to have a lot of energy burrowed into. It's really about just positive thinking,  "everything will be okay, everything is going my way".

There's a lot of different elements that influenced the track but it's the main artists like Royal Blood,Wavves, Fidlar, and Arctic Monkeys that influence all of our music. When we write a track it always starts with the guitar and a melody, then the drums and the bass go into it. The lyrics are really the last thing that we think about. Everyone adds their own touch and it all comes together.”

We say: “It’s gruff and rough from the alt rock three-piece Feedb+ck and ‘System’ possesses a real no-nonsense attitude, something that we need more of in music!

The harsh vocals and classic punk vibe shines through and we’re excited to hear more from the boys from Portadown!”

Feedb+ck released their self-titled EP in Februrary this year and it is available to listen to for free right now.

As often as possible Across the Line aims to bring you a great new, recent or interesting track each day, Monday to Friday. To get your new music to Across the Line send it via the BBC Introducing Uploader.

#501
Kippysmuse – My #9
Monday 26th June, 2017

They say: “The song looks at how mental health can affect everyone - from those suffering - to their loved ones. My number nine is the last life. The last life you still have. The album 'My #9' is available for pre order now and will be released on August 11th 2017.”

We say: “Beginning softly with a Parachutes era Coldplay riff, ‘My #9’ eventually blossoms into a big sounding but melancholic melody.

It’s also got an undeniable early 2000s grunge rock vibe, most similar to Kansas City band Puddle of Mudd coupled with hints of Johnny Cash. Great stuff from this County Down singer songwriter!”

Kippysmuse is a crowd funded project by Kris Marden. ‘My #9’ will be launched at the Sunflower Bar, Belfast on Saturday 12th August along with Andrew Train who will also be launching his EP that night, ‘Settle Into Your Mind’.

As often as possible Across the Line aims to bring you a great new, recent or interesting track each day, Monday to Friday. To get your new music to Across the Line send it via the BBC Introducing Uploader.

#500
Duellists – Old Habits
Friday 23rd June, 2017

They say: “Old habits is the first track we wrote together about two years ago. Musically I felt stuck in a rut, and with this band we wanted to really push out a lot of frustration and aggression into our new songs.

There are definite nods to early 90s acts such as Fugazi, Jesus Lizard, and The Bronx which we use to inspire an abrasive, high energy sound. Coincidently the lyrics actually mirror the feeling of writing the song, dealing with being stuck in a rut, afraid to deal with issues.

We say: “Fast paced and dirty, ‘Old Habits’ is the sort of song that makes you want to find the nearest mosh pit and go wild.

There’s a certain Soundgarden vibe emanating from this cracking tune and it really comes into it’s own with the more melodic side of the chorus, casting us back to the time of Incubus and Faith No More.”

Duellists are a three piece noise-rock band from Belfast and their latest single ‘Old Habits’ is available to stream for free now. They also play the ‘Keep The Faith Festival’ at Voodoo, Belfast which runs from the 20th-21st of August.

As often as possible Across the Line aims to bring you a great new, recent or interesting track each day, Monday to Friday. To get your new music to Across the Line send it via the BBC Introducing Uploader.

#499
Porphyry - Daedalus
Thursday 22nd June, 2017

They say: “Daedalus is an honest reflection on a close friendship that turned into unrequited love. 

It is the final track on the EP Ursa Minor/Coming Home, which will be released at the end of this month. 

I didn’t have any sound in mind when I wrote it, but I can hear the influence of Tim Buckley, Isao Tomita and Palestrina coming through.”

We say: “Bejewelled strum, intellect and whimsy. A bit choral, maybe a hidden madrigal in the mix. Bring your own wooze and ask your grandad about The Incredible String Band, Love and Midlake.”

Porphyry is a project by Derry~Londonderry musician Daryl Coyle.

As often as possible Across the Line aims to bring you a great new, recent or interesting track each day, Monday to Friday. To get your new music to Across the Line send it via the BBC Introducing Uploader.

#498
Gnarkats - Something To Say
Wednesday 21st June, 2017

They say: “We wanted to release a short and simple track but with heavy impact! 

Our bassist Louis sings lead on this one.  We have been writing a lot of new music and will be recording a new EP over summer. 

We think the track has a good energy to it and it's great fun to play.”

We say: “Vibrant, lurching art-rock with skyscraper riffs and a deal of lyrical challenge. An impressive step change for this band. Gnarkats have got the cream.”

'Something To Say' is the latest single from Belfast four-piece Gnarkats, available from 7th July 2017.

As often as possible Across the Line aims to bring you a great new, recent or interesting track each day, Monday to Friday. To get your new music to Across the Line send it via the BBC Introducing Uploader.

#497
Malojian - Some New Bones
Tuesday 20th June, 2017

They say: “Some New Bones is the first track I started working on for the new album. It was only supposed to be a demo but I ended up liking the sound of it and decided to stick with it. 

It's the first track I've produced myself and features Joey Waronker (Beck, R.E.M., Atoms For Peace, Roger Waters) on drums & Gerry Love (Teenage Fanclub) on bass. Two of my favourite musicians ever. Mental!

 It has a sample from a film which I found in Northern Ireland Screen's Digital Archive. Clips from the archive are mixed with new footage by Colm Laverty in the video for the track.”

We say: “Kicking off as the lead single from Malojian’s fourth album, Let Your Weirdness Carry You Home, our sense of time is questioned in Some New Bones, with added strings, archive voices and soaring guitars.

It is thoughtful and poetic, sprinkled with the ambience of Rathlin East Lighthouse.”

'Some New Bones' features on Malojian's forthcoming fourth album, 'Let Your Weirdness In'. It's set for release on 16th September 2017, with a launch at The Portico Of Ards, Portaferry.

As often as possible Across the Line aims to bring you a great new, recent or interesting track each day, Monday to Friday. To get your new music to Across the Line send it via the BBC Introducing Uploader.