And So I Watch You From Afar – Gangs (album stream premiere)

Album Of The Week:

The heart of And So I Watch You From Afar’s music comes from the band’s unyielding ability to create instrumental rock music that is as furious, energised and anthemic as it is frequently poignant. Most post-rock (as in music made with rock instruments) relies on grandiose chord changes built on ambience or subtle movements in their arrangements but ASIWYFA manage to do it all cohesively, loudly and usually at a blistering BPM.

The band’s sound hasn’t been refined or revamped drastically on Gangs but after two solid years on the road, it has been improved. There’s a sense that Tony, Rory, Chris and Johnny know each other better than ever, they operate as a considered unit, and their music emotes more than many bands with singers are able to.

Gangs was actually recorded with Rocky O’Reilly in Belfast’s Start Together Studios last summer on weekdays between festival appearances. The band had initially scrapped 22 songs after a year and a half writing. It would seem to have been a good idea as the eight songs share the same sparkling vigour.

As for the record title – Gangs:

“In the same vein, everything we’ve done, places we’ve played all, people we’ve met, all circulate around these pockets of people, pockets of scenes and pockets of culture. These gangs of people who emanate from everywhere. It’s that DIY / The Clash / Black Flag sort of thing that our band is like a gang sometimes.”

Gangs is available to buy digitally right now on Bandcamp. It’s released physically on Friday April 29th and on Monday May 2nd in the UK through Richter Collective.

Tour Dates

Friday, April 29th – The Mandela Hall, Belfast
Saturday, April 30th – The Button Factory, Dublin
Full May UK & Ireland tour dates are here.

Niall Byrne

Niall Byrne is the founder of the most-influential Irish music site Nialler9, where he has been writing about music since 2005 . He is the co-host of the Nialler9 Podcast and has written for the Irish Times, Irish Independent, Cara Magazine, Sunday Times, Totally Dublin, Red Bull and more. Niall is a DJ, founder of Lumo Club, club promoter, event curator and producer of gigs, listening parties & events in Dublin.

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