Oh Joy released a new EP entitled Good Grief on June 8. The band, who jokingly describe themselves as “mope rock” follow up two critically acclaimed singles that came out last year. The miserabilist tag is something the band embrace but that melancholy is equally drenched in humour and their intention is to subvert the depressing rock band stereotype. The video for lead single ‘Cab Sad’ perfectly sums up that over-the-top melodrama juxtaposed with knowing wit.

Previous single ‘So Swell’ was likened to Frightened Rabbit by The Line Of Best Fit. A fitting comparison considering both band’s playful, almost ironic gloom. The new EP follows a similar path but these new songs are fuller, more accomplished, more adult.

First single ‘Cab Sad’ is a song about falling in love and how it can make you feel like a pathetic mess. Ollie Moyles, the lead songwriter wrote the song while experiencing relationship troubles. “It was written at a time when it felt as though I was being swallowed up by a hole, it is a love song about hating love” explains Moyles. The lyrics attest to that feeling of helplessness we can all relate to: “I’m biting my nails now/I’m back in that hell now”. Oh Joy take inspiration from the likes of Leonard Cohen, Elliot Smith and Father John Misty; artists who can communicate pain with humour and a knowing nod to the ridiculousness of it all.

Hard Working Class Heroes festival is once again making its annual call to Ireland’s musicians, bands and singer-songwriters to apply for HWCH 2018. 50 acts will have the chance to play and take part in this internationally-recognised event which runs in a variety of venues across Dublin showcasing Ireland’s best emerging talent. The festival will take place from Thursday, September 27 to Saturday, September 29 with an opening night networking event followed by the live showcases, which will take place across Friday and Saturday night.

Last year, the amount of bands was reduced to 50, and the festival highlighted the need for acts to have a development plan and an eye on international activity. The success of this move has resulted in a record number of Irish acts being selected for overseas showcase festivals in 2018 including Eurosonic, SXSW, The Great Escape, Primavera Pro and more.

Some of last year’s big successes to progress from the festival to the international stage include Soulé, Roe, Bitch Falcon, David Keenan, Fontaines DC, Æ Mak, Jafaris, Lilla Vargen, Jealous of the Birds, Le Boom and Paddy Hanna.

“With bands securing agents, managers and some label deals as well as a huge jump in national and international profile, a slot at HWCH is something of a bucket list achievement for a lot of developing Irish acts", says HWCH festival director, Angela Dorgan. “The payoff is also on view in the record amount of Irish acts on the bill at all our domestic festivals. It has never been more important to showcase Irish talent”.  

http://hwch.net/#bandsapply

Applications Close At Midnight On July 6