The result of years of graft, sweat and dogged like tenacity, 'Southpaw Niños' is a debut album long overdue from one of this country's great entertainers. Beginning his musical career in the beloved Colenso Parade, Mickey McCullagh has long since established himself as a prominent face in the Belfast music scene, whether it's supporting local artists or promoting gigs himself. Divine intervention from the BBC over in London halted Colenso's dreams of a debut album (though that seems a story for another time...), kick starting the journey to what would become Meb Jon Sol.

Multiple gigs, a revolving door of new bandmates and one fateful trip to Madrid later, finally the newly christened Meb would get there by himself. But how does the finished product live up to this legacy? Thankfully, bloody well. Here Taylor Johnson gives his opinion...

Opening with the pulsating single 'Captain Of This Ship', Meb Jon Sol's debut couldn't really have hoped for a more appropriate opener. A modern day sea-shanty of sing-along proportions, 'Captain...' manages to sum up the feel good nature of McCullagh's musical heritage within a three and a half minute burst of banjo riffs and tub-thumping vibrancy. All wrapped within a raw and emotive vocal, it is, in many ways, a timeless homage to everything Belfast represents. You'll be singing 'All this is yours my friend' after one listen or your money back.



Then comes 'Not Young Anymore', a swinging anthem of Pogues like fervour. Everything from the title's beautifully harmonized refrain, to the guiding electric guitar solo (which edges the song along without overstaying it's welcome) highlights a songwriting maturity that the singer perhaps doesn't get credited enough for. As it leads into the folk-era Springsteen inspired 'Leave All Your Troubles With Me'. Another song brimming with character, here we see Meb Jon Sol at his most reflective, as he asks a loved one to discard their worries to 'the cold white sea' and follow him instead, against a gentle Irish violin backing.


In 'Angie, Where Did Your Love Go?' we see the introduction of a more atmospheric sound, as some sterling guitar work paves a great intro. Again we see Meb attempt to comfort a lover he's leaving for the greater good. 'You'll see me in a million different ways' proves a perfect sentiment through a track teeming with a regretful acquiesce.

The next track proves a winding hark back to McCullagh's Colenso days, as 'I Am From Nowhere's three piece vocal harmonies and skiffle beat chorus radiates his old band's feel good vibes. The heartrending 'I Am Yours' continues the albums love-lorn sentiments, as he croons, 'I am a widow who does not cry, a dead man that did not die, a bird that does not fly, but I am yours' in real poetic fashion.

Penultimate track 'Everyone Has A Secret Song' is perhaps this albums real highlight. Though never an obvious choice for a single, it remains a hidden gem of real emotional potency. Melodically lifting, but with maudlin overtones, it may also contain  McCullagh's best lyricism to date.

"Everyone has to move on, everyone loves someone who's gone, everyone has a secret song, but yours and mine were one"

Honest and charming, everything from it's 'Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want'-esque mandolin solo, (as if you're floating down a Venetian gondola) to its closing soft acoustic guitar is utterly intoxicating.

Finally we reach the album's eponymous climax. Complex acoustic guitar work builds to a classic Meb Jon Sol fiesta of a chorus. Riveting, yet strangely melancholy, Southpaw Niños feels as much a closing to a chapter as the opening of a new one. It marks the successful triumph of years of dedication and in truth, there could be no other song as appropriate to mark the albums end.

In all, Southpaw Niños carries much of the same DNA as Bruce Springsteen's all too often overlooked Seeger Sessions ('We Shall Overcome'), an album of subtle genius and nostalgic warmth. It has the potential to achieve classic status, provided McCullagh doesn't decide to take on a new challenge too soon!

Gig news! Our good friends over at RedBeard Promotions have produced another fine indie-driven line-up for their next show. You can read our preview on each act below, to ensure you don't miss out on the chance to see your new favorite band for the first time...

The Bayonettes

Scathing alt-rock and dirty riffs have given The Bayonettes a fine platform with which to build their fan base. The Coleraine collective, who have played everywhere from  Barnfest to Tweedfest, have wasted no time since their formation little over a year ago, the release of single 'Kimono Hussies' adding gravitas to the hype.

Expect: Air guitar battles. Plenty of them.



Gone All Year

Currently recording their debut album, hard hitting pop-punk act Gone All Year are another group revered for their enthusiasm on stage. Comparisons to their genres big hitters of Blink 182 and Fall Out Boy could so easily be a curse, but in a band as naturally engaging as the Belfast five piece it only stands them in good stead.

Expect: Grown men screaming for "Sugar we're going down!" and un-ironed Paramore t-shirts.


The Couth

Lisburn's finest garage-punk band take the swinging beach boy melodies of the 60's and infuse it with the two fingers-relentlessness of The Clash. Another act beloved for their live shows, The Couth's energy, style and watertight tunes will have the crowd jumping in no time.

Expect: A sea of raised fists as their wavy debut 'Cycles' fades into new single 'BloodBreaker'.



The Titanics

Now boasting Aqua Tramp's multi-instrumentalist bass player Scott Joseph Anderson in their line-up, the local lads thankfully have a rocky sound to match their mammoth name. Having blitzed their way through to the final of The Pavilion's 'Battle of the Bands' competition this year, the weight of expectation is expected to get a lot heavier in the coming months...

Expect: Their very attractive entourage to be out in full force (complete with band t-shirts).


Havana House Party

Having been heralded as 'the next big thing' for over four years now, Antrim's Havana House Party are simply one of this countries best bands. Their EP 'Demons' still ranks as one of the strongest debut's in local memory and with a back catalogue as varied as theirs, it's difficult to see their new rise being halted by anyone other than themselves. If they can continue with this new found momentum, we may have another Two Door styled export on our hands.

Expect: A mass of dancing to the likes of 'Demons' and singalongs to their punchier lyrics. ("lying is a trait that you seem to enjoy" etc)

As our next Modern Life Is Rubbish looms ever nearer (tomorrow night, 9pm), here Encore NI have very kindly produced a list of songs and otherwise interesting things to watch out for on the night. It promises to be memorable...

1. Headliners Serotonin unleashing future new single 'Peel'.

One of the last tracks worked on with old drummer Mark McDaid, 'Peel' captures the fury of Serotonin at their most explosive. Not to be missed.

2. Opener Ash Smith ripping a tasty acoustic solo.

Okay, perhaps not a full on Joe Satriani job, but Ash can play and play he shall.

3. Barman Pearse Mccrory challenging Ash Smith to a rap battle.

It's no secret that Belfast's favorite bar man can spit serious lyrics, but when he witnesses acoustic singer-songwriter Ash Smith doing the same, don't be surprised to see him too take to the stage.

4. BLOOM briefly convincing everyone present that world peace is a very achievable thing.

The Belfast four piece will be making their debut, an undoubtedly big occasion, and you can be certain they'll make the most of it. Peace & love are very high on the psychedelic bands agenda.

5. The inevitable 'Cold Coffee' mosh-pit.

In all my years of gigging around Belfast, rarely has an audience reacted just quite so erratically to a local song as 'Cold Coffee'. The breakthrough track from Serotonin's debut EP 'Gestures', the tracks uplifting punk guitar sound and front woman Lucy Loane's pitch perfect vocals will undoubtedly get all present on their feet and dancing (dangerously).



6. That one old guy who drinks brandy in the corner. 

No one knows who he is, where he's from, or if he even speaks English, but right on cue at 9:15, old no name danders in, pays his way and stays til the bitter end. He's been there from our very first gig night and is often more reliable than the acts themselves. We salute you and your brandy sir.

7. The ghost of after parties past.

Also since day one of our gigs, someone has always thrown some sort of an after party. We don't always get an invite (sometimes we don't find out about it until weeks later...), but it always happens and it's usually messy.

8. 'Strawberry Flift' ~ a symphony of shoegazing love.

Until now only house parties have experienced the true trance inducing power of BLOOM ~ But come tomorrow night, we'll have a room of psychedelic love zombies ready to make peace with you.


9. 'Thoroughly Modern' getting casually dropped in...

A simply genius piece of acoustic action from opener Ash Smith. Don't miss it.

10. Serotonin (and their fans) losing their shit.

It's fair to say our headliners are well known for not taking it easy on stage. Whether it's Lucy Loane commanding the front of the stage, or Ben Bryson jumping off amps, you can bet that Serotonin will make the most of their headline slot.

It's gonna be a big one, see you there!

Wrapped in a winter haze, Londonderry//Derry born songstress 'Gaze Is Ghost' (Laura McGarrigle) has quietly went about building her haunting empire from nothing. Releasing her debut EP in January of last year, her rise has been as subtly infatuating as the music itself. The release of new single 'Revolvere' does little to quell this climb, further proof, if proof was indeed still needed, that Gaze Is Ghost is one of our finest female songwriters.

Easing into life, 'Revolvere's slow moving undertones are what gives it it's edge. Fantastic production aside (bravo once again Mr Rocky O'Reilly), McGarrigle's songwriting has developed in simple, but effective fashion. Delicate Lisa Hannigan styled vocals float over the type of tender melody too often ruined by impatient build ups. Here, Gaze Is Ghost is in no rush to bring this track to it's dark climax, instead allowing it to simply breath ~ not gasp for air.

In many ways, the maudlin sentiments which run through 'Revolvere' are what Snow Patrol may have aimed for on the darker end of the Hundred Million Suns' (The Lightning Strike) or even Fallen Empires (Broken Bottles Form A Star) spectrum; had they of been in a more reflective mood.

Dark, brooding and utterly engaging. Gaze Is Ghost has unwittingly written the perfect accompaniment to any artistically acclaimed, Cannes Film Festival winner.



For fans of: Regina Spektor. Lisa Hannigan, Melody's Echo Chamber
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Watch the new music video here

So as the festival season winds down to a halt, Belfast's music scene can expect the annual upturn in gigs, as our bands stop looking further afield for love and applause. Though there's been a slight lull in new releases of late, Encore NI has been searching for the essential sound of the city. Here's four tracks you have to hear this week.

1. Mere Moths ~ Time

The title track from teenage songwriter Patrick Wright's new EP marks a considerable step forward, both sonically and stylistically.  If the ghost of electric guitars and indie bands past suffocated Wright's progress as a solo artist before, here we see an artist much more comfortable in his own skin (and sounding all the better for it). Swaying with Paolo Nutini styled fervour, 'Time' continues down Wright's earlier carved path of honesty and self-discovery; with lines like "God know's I'm trying..." certain to keep the die-hards happy and intrigue a potential new audience.

A track as laid back as this' only potential draw back, perhaps lies in it's own assurance. It's almost too cool. Like a trippy haze, you could listen to it for hours on end and happily ponder the nature of existence. But somewhere amongst the looping guitar and 'Jake Bugg in an Amsterdam coffee shop' solo, you're likely to forget where you are or how long you've been there.

For fans of: Paolo Nutini, Gil Scott-Heron
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2. SOAK ~ B a noBody

Endearing, acoustic pop here from NI's most coveted young balladeer. 'B a noBody' is further proof that the scarily young SOAK, real name Bridie Monds Watson, has the art of the heartrending ballad down to a tee. Now signed to the legendary Rough Trade (yes, previously home to The Smiths) Monds-Watson's glacier vocals are given the sparse soundscapes they deserve and can grow into. Nailing the melancholic foreshadows of her famous label-mates within the first line, Soak once again displays a maturity far beyond her years. An album is imminent and not a moment too soon.

"The teenage hope is an unguarded time, we're trying hard to make something of what we are" 

For fans of: Chvrches, Tegan & Sara
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3. In An Instant ~ Keep On Moving With Your Heart In Place

With a schedule as cluttered as the in demand Bangor four piece, it's understandable that they've had little free time to enter the studio. When they do, however, you can be sure that this gem will be given pride of place. A slow building electronic mass, "Keep On Moving With Your Heart..." proves that the magic combination of Hegan's emotional honesty and Davison's programming wizardry, has not been used up on their debut EP.  Richard Crawford's synth is also given space to breathe on this track, as drummer Andrew Rutledge continues his rock steady masterclass behind the kit. Production wise, there's already a mesmerising nod to U2's 'Songs Of Innocence', particularly the awesome 'Song For Someone'.

The hardest aspect will be channeling such a big track into one recording. If they manage it, this crowd favorite could further progress their breakout from Belfast.

For fans of: U2, Wheat, Snow Patrol
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4. Hot Cops ~ Slouching

Perhaps a slightly self indulgent choice, though it can't be denied that the final track off Hot Cop's phenomenal debut deserves much more credit than has been the case. Effortlessly oozing the kind of nonchalant steadfastness that takes many bands years to craft (if ever), Hot Cop's display a shockingly beautiful, maudlin prose, that is quickly becoming a trademark. While it's important not to proclaim them the saviors of alt-rock just yet, this is a very promising sign indeed. Go see them now, before the mainstream start falling in love.

For fans of: Smashing Pumpkins, Radiohead
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Whilst venturing through the streets of London's famous Camden Town, the unmistakable twang of an electric guitar in full flight was enough to pull me, like a magnetic field, into The Monarch, where here I found electronic-pop weavers BOYS. Taking the art of the three piece down a peculiar, synth drenched side road, I entered this gig with cautious optimism...

West London's 'BOYS' are a curious mismatch of poetic ambiance. Throughout their set they sway with sonic instability, yet that doesn't seem to matter as each song progresses. In fact, it adds to their charm. In Ross Pearce they have a front man who hasn't quite developed his full on stage persona, but clearly has a vision of where he wants to go. Stalking the stage like a young Ian Brown, Pearce maintains a Manc flair through the nonchalant gaze of a Londoner stranded during a morning tube strike. While sitting on the floor with your back to the audience may not seem like a great idea on paper, here it pays dividends, adding an intriguing quirk to compliment their sound. Elsewhere, lead guitarist Mike Stothard's riffs run through their songs beautifully, never settling for less than hypnotic, particularly on newer songs. It was a difficult gig, to a less than appreciative crowd, but somewhere amongst the technical malfunctions lies a band of real potential.

In truth, BOYS sound like Blur during a heroic acid trip, which is by no means a bad thing.

Hi folks!

Just wanted to take this opportunity to apologise for the lack of posts lately! It's been a crazy few weeks. I've just returned from London, working for The NME magazine, which was simply insane. I hung out with rock stars, radio one dj's and got an insight into the dirtier side of rock and roll. An experience that will not be forgotten.

 I've also been immersing myself in more amazing local (and some not so local) music and I believe we all have cause for optimism at the moment. The talent in this country is getting better and better, and here at Encore we want to push this even further.

 We have a few more great articles and surprises on the way, but in the meantime keep an eye out for the next Modern Life Is Rubbish gig, as well as a guest appearance we're lining up as well for the site. It's all very exciting.

If you or anyone you know is interested in doing some music journalism, and would like experience at Encore, we're always looking for promising young writers to help build our team. Simply send an email to EncoreNorthernIreland@gmail.com with a sample of your work & we'll take it from there.

We're also now considering a wider range of bands for coverage & gigging exposure through Modern Life Is Rubbish ~ Send us your demos via Facebook.

Thanks for your continued support,
Keep rocking in a free world,

Taylor