Recently , I had been thinking that perhaps the Irish music scene had stagnated somewhat. Shut up shop , like so many a town centre during these recessionary times. Ten years ago , there was a purple patch of classic Irish music that gave us BellX1 , Damien Rice , Damien Dempsey , Gemma Hayes , David Kitt and Mic Christopher.
And then , sitting at home on the Friday night before Christmas , I find myself watching The Late Late Show. That nights opening music act was Dublin four piece Raglans. That night they performed the brilliant Sand In My Pockets , a jangly , irresistibly uplifting track from their Long Live EP. Admittedly I was quite taken by Conn's beard and tambourine. But hey , thats just me. But there was an undeniable , hopeful charm to them.
And any doubts that the Irish indie scene had hopped on a plane to Oz were quickly and brilliantly dispelled. Raglans are an Irish band that are sure to become a must see live act this year.
The lads are made up of Ste Kelly , Rhos Horan , Conn O'Ruanidh and Sean O'Brien. Meet Raglans.
Their debut EP Long Live was released in may 2012 and quickly hailed by Hot Press whom noted they "recalled the golden era of indie rock ". The EP was produced by Morrissey cohort Baz Boorer. Tracks such as the fantastic The Man from Glasgow and Digging Holes have created a buzz around the band. Clocking up 20,000 YouTube hits and fast gaining a huge Twitter following after their recent Late Late appearance.
The lads recently played a barnstorming gig in Cavan over the festive period and are becoming one of the countrys best new live acts. Indeed , coming a long way from the festival tent where they were formed in 2010 , to being one of the first signings to Whelans Records
They've played the length of breath of the country from The Forum in waterford alongside Delorentos to Indiependence , Grand Social and Sea Sessions , as well as the usual top Dublin indie venues.
Raglans are an uplifting band for a time when we need to be uplifted. But dont be fooled either , theres a depth and substance to these boys that is authentic and endearing.
2013 is definitely the year of Raglans. As they said themselves on their Tumblr site " 2013 is getting the neck boxed off it " Katie Taylor would be proud. Its gonna be some wallop.
Follow Raglans on Twitter @Raglans and raglans.tumblr.com
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