Bipolar Empire are back with a new single and a new video. The single ‘Why So Sad?’ is taken from their debut album Feel That You Own It.

The video was filmed in El Salvador but was nearly never made. They had scheduled in a 5 day trip but upon arriving they were met with a hurricane and it wasn’t until day 5 that they managed to do any recording. Despite the time constraints they seem to have done a very good job. See for yourself above.

With the title race all but wrapped up, this weekend offered Manchester City a chance for some bitter-sweet revenge over their neighbours, in the race for fourth place Chelsea and Arsenal were in action while Spurs had a chance to put Everton’s top four bid to bed in their game at White Hart Lane. Meanwhile at the bottom the race to avoid relegation also hotted up as QPR hosted Wigan, Villa visited the Britannia while Reading entertained Southampton.

Manchester City’s defeat of United on Monday night by 2 goals to 1 is surely a sign of what might have been for the Blues in a season where they’ve struggled to get back their title-winning form of 12 months ago. For United whilst the performance was good it just was another bad result in what has been a horrible run of form since they were knocked out of the Champions League. On the night it was clear what United lacked, an effective winger who could deliver threatening balls into Van Persie and Rooney in the box. Once again Young and Valencia were anonymous on the night in what has been a season where all of United’s wingers have essentially been passengers. City meanwhile looked solid defensively with Kompany at the core of all good defensive work for the Citizens. Overall it was a case of damaged limitations as the victory will do little to stop the inevitability of the title making its way across the Manchester divide in May, however it will serve to inject a sense of pride in the City dressing room.

A draw at Loftus road saw both sides leave it late as Shaun Maloney’s 90^th minute free kick cancelled out Loic Remy’s equally exquisite strike 5 minutes previously. It really was a result neither side wanted, or in fact needed as QPR now lie 7 points off safety with a mere six games left to play. Wigan find themselves in a slightly more favourable position occupying the final sport in the relegation zone by virtue of the fact that they have an inferior goal difference to those above them, albeit they do have a game in hand. Aston Villa got a much-needed win away to fellow strugglers Stoke City in what was a late smash and grab as Paul Lambert’s men secured 3 valuable points. There’s really all to play for at the bottom half of the table with everyone from 11^th place downwards in risk of playing Championship football next season. From the neutral’s point of view it is really shaping up to be an exciting climax to the season.

A stalemate at Anfield against West Ham surely marked the end of Liverpool’s chances of Champions League football next season and indeed even Europa League looks some distance from their grasp. At the lane Garth Bale-less Tottenham rescued a late draw against Everton through a Gylfi Sigurdsson goal in what was an entertaining game from two attacking sides. It’s clear of late that Spurs are suffering greatly from the loss of Bale and Lennon on the wings as they’ve been forced to play the likes of Holtby and Dempsey out of their usual positions in an attempt to stick with the system they’ve been using all season long. Chelsea capitalised as the not so vintage Blues scrapped out a 2-1 against Sunderland in what was Paulo Di Canio’s first game in charge of the Black Cats. Meanwhile a brace from Tomas Rosicky either side of a James Morrison penalty helped Arsenal pile further pressure on their London rival’s as they continued their immaculate run of form. With just over a month left in the season its anyones guess who’ll go down and who’ll grab that precious 4^th place spot but one things for sure – it’ll be exciting for the neutral!

Had David Alaba’s 92th minute strike not gone in I fear I would be writing a very different article right now, one that tells the tale of the heroic Irish with their backs against the wall, with determination and passion, against all odds coming off with the win. Alas that was not the case and the brief illusion that the Irish football team had turned a new corner is shattered.

There were clear similarities between the first 45 minutes of the game and our previous qualifier as Ireland started brightly and attempted to play attacking football from the off. To an extent this worked and after a brief spell of possession from the Austrians the boys in green seemed to exert their authority upon the game. Ciaran Clark’s abysmal mistake in trying to hold the ball in possession proved to be a fateful one as he was  dispossessed and Austria duly put themselves 1-0 up as Stuttgart striker Martin Harnik found the back of the net.

The goal saw a reaction both on and off the pitch as the fans were once again in great voice. On the pitch James McCarthy ran the show once more from central midfield while James McClean always looked a threat on the wing. Up front it was a tale of two cities really as Shane Long was in great form, winning the penalty the Jon Walters dispatched to make it 1-1 on the night, and causing a constant nuisance to the Austrian defence. His spectacular back heel attempt cannoned off the post in what was an extraordinary piece of ingenuity. Long’s man of the match performance was in stark contrast to that of his of strike partner Connor Sammon who despite his positive work ethic is simply not good enough for international level. There is a reason Sammon is playing for Derby County and not a Premiership side so playing him up front while the likes of Walters are standard on the wing is poor management on the part of Trapattoni. The same can be said for Kevin Doyle who also would be a much better option and has the international record and experience to match.

Poor decisions on the part of Trap have been the hallmark of his tenure thus far and it was the player selection decisions that cost Ireland the win on the night. Sammon was clearly exhausted with half an hour left on the night and instead of bringing him off he substituted Long effectively leaving Ireland playing with 10 men on the night. Likewise it was clear that the Austrians were dominating and had Ireland under the kosh for most of the game so ball possession and retention was key to nullifying the threat posed by the visitors. Trap’s answer to this was pathetic to say the least as he deployed Paul Green, another player not adequate for the international level, and whose introduction did little to change the inevitability of an Austrian equaliser. Meanwhile Wes Hoolahan, a Premiership regular with Norwich, sat twiddling his thumbs on the bench and Everton midfielder Darren Gibson watched on from Merseyside, a victim of Traps poor man management.

Regardless of whether you disagree with Traps system and style of play, the failure to pick the best players available is inexcusable, it’s common sense that a player’s league is indicative of his ability, something Trapattoni clearly fails to recognise. If this team is to move forward, the manager needs to give up his personal vendettas and pick the best players available for us to have any slim hope of qualification.

Sounds like fun, right? Well that’s only the start of it. Whilst they’re on the road, other GP members will be back in Dublin meeting numerous other acts in the National Concert Hall on Friday and in Whelan’s during the day on Saturday. Expect to see performances from the likes of Delorentos, Liza Flume and The Statics and many, many more. Videos from both venues and from the road crew will be uploaded throughout the two days.

How on earth will they manage to do all that in just two days? They must be mad! No, they’re not mad, they’re bloody insane. As if all of the above wasn’t enough, they’re putting on a grand finale in Whelan’s on Saturday night. Headliners Raglans will be joined by Shadowplay, Elaine Mai and The Dirty 9s for an all out party. Tickets for the show are selling out fast so get them now. They’ll set you back a mere €10 which will also get you a ticket in the raffle where you can win a Nokia Lumia 920, gig tickets or one of many more prizes. Tickets are available from TicketFriend and WAVTickets.

Here’s a little taster of what you can expect over the weekend from some little known band, Kodaline.

Picture courtesy of Darren Farrell

On a typically grim night in Dublin, Conor Linnie played to a packed-out in Whelans to celebrate the release of his debut album, Astray. Accompanied by an ever-increasing band that is clearly quite adept at fitting on very small stages, the set demonstrated his rapid maturation into a confident, charming performer, and a musician with understated, but very real, talent.

Throughout the performance, it was evident that Conor is a skilled lyricist. Touching on themes of love, heartbreak and retribution, he frequently displayed a bare-all honesty that was affecting without ever sounding forced or contrived: ‘Soft spoken she draws me in/and I am helpless’ he sang on the wonderful “Moths”. Incoporating well-crafted metaphors, images, even tongue-in-cheek humour on the crowd-pleasing “Crash Bandicoot Blues”, his words were evidently very carefully chosen and, thankfully audible throughout, served as a centrepoint throughout the set.

When well-crafted prose is married to a voice that can deliver it, the results always hold the potential to be dazzling. “The Fire I’m Kindling” provided one of these moments, silencing the lively audience as the delicate harmonies of the songs opening wove a hypnotic spell around the room. His voice displayed a gentle, soulful timbre, and it carried the set, never faltering or straying off-key.

Instrumentally, the performances were similarly impressive. Already gaining a bit of a reputation for his fingerpicking dexterity, the evidence on display showed little reason to question it. His technique was well-honed, his progressions complex, the lead sections in particular drawing cheers from the crowd.

His band did a fantastic job: Clearly a well-rehearsed, tight unit, they added texture, dynamics and weight to the songs, never overplaying but not afraid to take the lead when necessary. Fiach O’ Briain’s performance on drums notably added a great sense of groove and movement. A poor instrumental mix towards the back of the room (which was quickly amended, thankfully) did little to dampen proceedings.

Conor, on the surface, is another Irish acoustic artist, but, seen in a live setting, there is more to consider. Of course, there is the folk “Gossamer Girl” and the blues of “Praying Mantis”, but there’s also an undercurrent of sadness, a longing that echoes his native Irishness, occasionally a sense of belief that references a Springsteen-esque Americana, rhythms that feel, at times, African. Conor incorporated influences from an wide variety of musical sources and histories, yet never sounded overstretced. This was the most impressive aspect of the performance. Perhaps my point is best served by the smart inclusion of Paul Simon’s “Diamonds on the Soles Of Her Shoes”, a moment that may have threatened to unsettle the set’s flow, instead one became a highlight the fitted in naturally.

This was because, at the heart of it all, was a talented and disarmingly charming young artist (“Where did you all come from?” he exclaimed delightedly, surveying the packed room) that managed to glue all the musical fragments back into a complete whole. No small feat. A impromptu, unrehearsed cover of Dylan’s “Make You Feel My Love” was a fantastic close: On a miserable Saturday night on Camden Street, Conor transported a packed room to different musical worlds and cultures. I loved this set. Needless to say, one to look out for.

Follow Conor on Facebook, or on Twitter. Make sure to pick up his debut album Astray here.

Prior to Friday’s clash with Sweden you’d have be hard pressed to find an optimistic Irish fan especially given the rumored line up, however after the 0-0 draw in Stockholm a wave of optimism has swept football fans on the island.

The line up forced upon Trapattoni through retirements/injuries was one which many have been advocating for years as the likes of James McCarthy, James McClean, Seamus Coleman and Marc Wilson were all given first team opportunities. McCarthy in particular showed what he can do as he looked calm on the ball and his possession distribution was something that was sorely lacking in the previous partnership of Keith Andrews and Glenn Whelan. In the defensive department an all Premiership back four showed their ability as they nullified the threat of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, a player who only months earlier single-handily destroyed England with a hat trick that included a 30 yard bicycle kick. One encouraging aspect was the free rein given to the wingbacks of Wilson and Coleman to roam forward and join the attack, Wilson in particular linking up well with his fellow Ulsterman James McClean on the wing.

Despite the encouraging tactical changes implemented and a clear change from Trapatoni’s usual rigid formation that offers little room for creativity, there are some clear points of note that could be improved upon, namely ability to seriously threaten the opposition goalkeeper. For all our attacking conviction and passing play we failed to yield a shot on target and created only one clear-cut opportunity which Shane Long blazed over. A large part of this is due to Trap’s selection policy and his unwavering support for Robbie Keane, who despite his undeniable contribution to Irish football is clearly over the hill.  This resulted in Jon Walters being played out of position on the wing, something the manager has made a habit of. The exclusion of Kevin Doyle from the squad altogether also restricts the variety of play styles to pick from with Long, Walters and substitute Connor Sammon all of similar ilk.

Going into Tuesday’s clash with Austria nothing less than a win is acceptable if we are to keep pace with Sweden in the race for the second qualification spot in the group. The Austrians come to Dublin brimming with confidence off the back of a convincing 6-0 win over the Faroe Islands. Although there is a clear drop in quality from the Swedes with a large majority of the Austrian squad plying their trade in the Austrian and German Bundesligas; many football fans will be familiar with David Alaba given his impressive performances for Bayern Munich in the Champions League this season while Premiership fans will be familiar with Aston Villa’s Andreas Weimann and West Ham’s Emanuel Pogatetz. All in all a win for the boys in green is a good bet as Trapattoni and his players look to push on in what will be a close race for 2^nd place.

Check out the brilliant video for “Foundations” by Blind Yakety. They make some strange, beautiful music. Like their Facebook page here.

Northern Irish indie rockers, Snow Patrol are set to release their first Greatest Hits package on May 14th of this year. It will be a single disc 14 track album featuring songs from four of their six studio albums to date.  The claim that this is their first greatest hits compilation, however, is not exactly true. 2009′s compilation album ‘Up To Now’ was essentially a greatest songs compilation, as opposed to a greatest ‘hits.’

In response to the huge reaction that their song What If This Storm Ends received when it was used in a recent movie trailer, a new version of the song has been recorded and is now included on the Greatest Hits. You can check out the new edit below.

Tracklisting:

1. The Lightning Strike (What If This Storm Ends?)
2. Chasing Cars
3. Run
4. Set The Fire To The Third Bar
5. Called Out In The Dark
6. Chocolate
7. Just Say Yes
8. Open Your Eyes
9. Shut Your Eyes
10. Crack The Shutters
11. You Could Be Happy
12. Spitting Games
13. Take Back The City
14. Make This Go On Forever

Huge news reaching Headphone Jacks headquarters today. Bell X1 have just announced details of their new album. The record, their 6th, will be called Chop Chop and is set for release on the 28th of June. The album was recorded in January of this year at Tarquin Studios, Bridgeport, Connecticut andwas produced by Peter Katis and Thomas Bartlett.

If that news wasn’t exciting enough, the lads have also announced a gig at Dublin’s National Concert Hall on the 29th of June during which they’ll play Chop Chop in its entirety along with some songs from their back catalogue.

Tickets priced at €35 (Choir Balcony €25) will be available at the National Concert Hall Box Office from 10am on Friday 22nd of February and online at www.nch.ie  (no booking fees).

Liza Flume has been garnering vast amounts of recognition on the Irish blogosphere of late. With a debut EP in the pipeline, Niall sat down with her to discuss her past, present and future. 

Hey Liza, how are you?

Very Well indeed!

Tell us a little about yourself?

Well I’m a lady releasing an EP called Full Steam Ahead on the 1^st March, at The Twisted Pepper and featuring 2 tracks on the Toast Office Records Compilation being released on Saturday 16^th Feb at Whelan’s. My tunes are folk at heart but layered to the max by the greatest invention, a loop pedal!

Your latest single, What We Called Love has been getting a lot of praise from all corners of the media, how does that feel?

It feels amazing. I wrote the song a few days after arriving in Ireland after a rough break up on the road. I definitely felt the lowest I ever had and hardly recognised myself so when the song came out, it was the a glimmer of hope and strength that I hadn’t seen for a good while. A few weeks later I played it for Stephen Lyons (Toast Office Records) and he loved it. I had since discovered a loop pedal and started writing the other songs on the EP. A few weeks after that I played it at a gig and was surprised by the response, once the brilliant Sarah Corcoran made a music video for it I quickly realised that it is the strongest track on the EP. I’m still blown away by the response as I was really unsure about it to begin with. The video got picked up on a few online blogs, Nialler9, Broadsheet, Goldenplec (and of course Headphone Jacks! – Ed) which is more than I ever expected! I couldn’t be happier!

Can we expect a similar sound from your forthcoming releases, both the Toast Office compilation and of course your own EP?

I think that all the tracks on the EP and the compilation have a consistent thread running through them as they are all written with my loop pedal and each song is a representation of the different stages of a broken heart. But I think they all have something different to offer.

The acts at Toast Office seem to be a tight-knit bunch, do you have a lot of input on each other’s material?

Most of the acts grew up together and I just happened to be lucky enough to stumble upon such a warm, talented and supportive group. The most input would be the support. Sharing each other’s music and turning up to as many gigs as possible!   

Has a career in music always been a goal of yours and who or what inspired you to start writing songs?

I bought a guitar when I was 17 for the sole purpose of learning ‘Angus and Julia Stone’ songs and I started writing songs of my own not long after, they were terrible haha I’ve been playing and writing songs since but I was never in a city long enough or had the support that I have now with toast office, so it was a very distant goal.

You mentioned that you use a loop pedal in a number of your songs, how do you think the introduction of such technology has changed the way people write music?

A loop pedal is a gift from above especially for an acoustic artist. You can create so many different moods and build sounds the same way a band can. It has made my writing process incredibly free and limitless.

Finally, what can we expect from you and what are your hopes for 2013?

I hope to play as much as I can (I’ve applied for loads of festivals) and keep writing and recording and releasing. It’s just the best fun right?

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As Liza mentioned above, her debut EP Full Steam Ahead is set for release on March 1st with a show at The Twisted Pepper. If you can’t wait that long, she’s in Whelan’s Upstairs venue tonight for the release of Toast Office’s Compilation Tape. You can find out more info on Liza’s Facebook page or follow her on Twitter.