I believe that memories and music tie themselves with places. This is a list of some of my favorite up and coming bands currently active in Dublin. Although many members have come from other counties, towns, and countries their music in my mind’s eye will always and forever remain a part of this city. I have gone to college with members of every band on this list and many of them are very good friends of mine but sure look, that’s the industry. Welcome to my mental map of Dublin City, 2024, sorted alphabetically.
Mulholland Drive | The Amniotics
The Amniotics are what I would consider the premier feminist alt rock band of Dublin City. This band perfectly straddles the line of being catchy and hooky melodically and socially critical lyrically. Over the past year they’ve had an incredible rise including playing at Ireland music week. My favorite single of theirs is entitled Mulholland Drive and I recall listening to it in the Dublin Airport the day my visa expired. It is by far the most spacey of their three released singles and captures this sort of overwhelming melancholy that is rare even in contemporary shoegaze
Chambers first caught my ear while I was sitting on the Dublin bus where they had posted a sticker. They are one of those indie alternative bands that is able to maintain an interesting and original sonic palette. “My favorite of their two singles is Life in Doubt.” The bass lines tend towards holding it down by locking in a melodic groove while the guitar more so interjects with dissonance creating a unique texture.
Omnibus Boners | Martina and the Moons
I first became aware of Martina and the Moons while waiting in line for a breakfast roll at the Ginger Cafe on Francis Street and I saw a flyer advertising a new single entitled “Omnibus Boners,” which remains my favorite of the singles they have released. I wouldn’t know how to categorize them genre wise but I think this single quite captures the feel of Pixies/Breeders style 80s alternative with stark dynamic contrast between a slinky isolated bassline during verse and a catchy fuzz drenched la la la filled chorus, mixed with quotidian lyricism.
I’m pretty sure I first met every member of Pants on Fire in the Workmans Club smoking area, which I would say is thematically appropriate for their 2000s style indie rock which I find reminiscent of the Strokes or the Arctic Monkeys. My favorite thing about this band is the fun atmosphere of their live performances, it’s definitely the type of music that is made just to boogie and have fun. A rarity in a time where indie bands tend to take themselves far too seriously. Their latest single “ATISSUE” is a stomping number worthy of a coming of age soundtrack.
How to Land a Plane – Live From Whelan’s | Politik
Politik makes my favorite type of music and I am very grateful that they had a single release out on Soundcloud so I could include them in my list. Their recording of “How To Land a Plane – Live From Whelans” is a slice of Radiohead type experimental alt rock goodness, from the hypnotic bass and phase shifter intro right to the unresolved tension at the cutoff. I believe it is entirely in character for them to not only have the only live track of this list but also the only track not on any major streaming.
