I’ve been keeping my eyes and ears out for former Blue Ghost drummer Jeremy Hickey over the last two years. This Friday he will release a debut album The Organic Sampler under his Rarely Seen Above Ground moniker. Those of you who have witnessed Jeremy’s incendiary live show will know what to expect – a one man band in the form of a drummer, percussion and singer who performs with the aid of self-created backing tracks and silhouetted visuals.
At times he sounds like Talking Heads, one of his many influences.His music is psychedelic, heavy on the percussion, brimming with bassline and filled with drum rolls galore. Get caught up in the maelstrom of his ebullient, textured album, because you know this Kilkenny man isn’t going underground for much longer. Plus, Matt Vinyl likes it so that’s good enough for me.
Buy the album on double gatefold from Psychonavigation.
Photo by Ian Oliver. Taken from a live session on The Indie Hour which you can listen to here.

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.
Pre-ordered this, cant effin wait! Im more excited about this release then anything else Irish this year – have caught Jeremy 3 times this year and every times a gem!
Just got my pre-order yesterday. Fantastic stuff. Amazing live too. Double cd for 12 quid – result. World domination awaits.
Don’t be fooled by my recommendations. I predicted an Englebert Humperdinck revival this year and I’m still waiting.
Fantastic live – cant wait to pick up the album
Very strong lineup of irish albums this year
good