The most promising young Irish band I’ve heard in a while. And Little Green Cars are certainly a young band (like Moths they’re all about 18). They were bestowed a Faces of 2011 tag by State earlier in the year. They previously impressed me during a rare visit to a battle of the band-type competition in 2008. Then, they were clearly a very talented bunch who lacked a prod in the right direction. Three years later and the Dublin band are beginning to do themselves justice.
Their new single ‘The John Wayne’ backed with ‘Glass Case’ is released on UK label Young and Lost Club (home to Noah & The Whale, Johnny Flynn, Young The Giant & Fixers) on July 25th (pre-order from the label or Rough Trade). They’ve benefited greatly from production from David Kosten (Bat For Lashes, Everything Everything) and their sound draws from folk-rock which seems to draw inspiration, at a guess from artists like Local Natives, Mumford & Sons, Fleetwood Mac and Arcade Fire. Little Green Cars are Stevie Appleby (vocal & guitar), Adam Little (vocal & guitar), Donagh Seaver O’Leary (bass guitar), Dylan Lynch (drums) and Faye O’Rourke (vocal & guitar).
‘The John Wayne’ is their debut single and is as rousing and anthemic as they’ve got so far. It’s dedicated to “both a beautiful American teen and a makeshift Drum Kit.”
After a failed attempt to gain entry to a nightclub and win the affection of his American dream, Stevie returned home to make a song about it.
The John Wayne (Radio Edit) by littlegreencars
The vocals on this tune by Faye O’Rourke’s are HUGE:
My Love Took Me Down To The River (To Silence Me) by littlegreencars
This is the B-side to the single. It’s got an Arcade Fire buzz towards the end:
Glass Case by littlegreencars
Definitely a Local Natives feel to this one:
Download: Little Green Cars – Witching Hour by Anorak London
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.
There needs to be more chillwave posts.
That battle of the bands was the last time I heard these guys too. Wow, sounding great! A little like Florence & the Machine in some places.. which is good! 🙂
About time Ireland has a proper band, there is no bullshit here. They’re good and they must know it! Harper Lee is huge, best lyrics ever. You must have the age wrong, they can’t be around 18?
WOW! Seriously seriously great stuff for such a young band. Turn up your speakers for the end of the John Wayne and Glass Case! AMAZING
Easily one of the best young bands around… just listen to the lyrics in harper lee and you know these guys have something special to say. Ok the influences, whether deliberate or accidental, are there for all to hear but I’m arguing that this is music with a distinctive sound. I know they are pretty young but having seeen them live a few times I know they are already accomplished musicians and singers. If they continue to develop as they have over the past year we may be witnessing the beginning of something very special indeed. Well done to you all for spotting them …. in time we may well be bragging about writing these early eulogies.
Wow! It’s easy to fall in love with this band!
Wow! It’s easy to fall in love with this band!
saw them last night – really impressive. the only thing I’d say is they hide their best assett, which is the female vocals. This girl is possessed when she sings, but probably only took the lead 20% of the time. Not raining on their parade though – they are as strong a new band as I have ever seen – defintely one to watch
There was some talk of that after the gig last night re: using more of her on vocals. My favourite track is My Love Took Me Down To The River (To Silence Me) so I would love to hear more of that.
Let us know if you hear anything about the album. I heard a new song at the gig (Brass or Blass or something) and it sounded great. They have 2 other cracking tunes on youtube – ‘The Outskirts’ and ‘Brendan’. They weren’t played Tuesday but I hope they’ll be used on the LP/EP.
Let us know if you hear anything about the album. I heard a new song at the gig (Brass or Blass or something) and it sounded great. They have 2 other cracking tunes on youtube – ‘The Outskirts’ and ‘Brendan’. They weren’t played Tuesday but I hope they’ll be used on the LP/EP.
Let us know if you hear anything about the album. I heard a new song at the gig (Brass or Blass or something) and it sounded great. They have 2 other cracking tunes on youtube – ‘The Outskirts’ and ‘Brendan’. They weren’t played Tuesday but I hope they’ll be used on the LP/EP.
Isn’t it up to the band themselves to decide what sound they want? Not trying to argue with you at all, she has a SUPER voice but at the same time I think it’s up to them as to how much or how little they use it.
absolutely, but as the audience we can decide how much or little of a part of a band we would like to hear. They were great, but she was out of this world, much stronger on stage than on the recording (and that is saying something). did mean to sound nit-picky, cos I thought they were outstanding
As I said after the gig last night, her voice is amazing and it would be nice to see it used a bit more, but it’s also nice to see a young band with the sense to exercise some restraint. They could easily have put her centre stage to belt out songs all night, but they’re using her talent sparingly and that could prove to be a great decision. Small doses can be far more enjoyable than hearing her bellowing impressively for a full hour.
I did think it was a shame that they started with My Love Took Me Down To The River (To Silence Me) though as I’d like to have seen that towards the end. Great gig though.
They have an amzing song as well called ‘Grow’. Think it was on youtube. Reminds me of something that you’d hear in a film like ‘into the Wild’ – Eddie Vedder
Davids,
Here is grow:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W2OswKej4ZI
Saw this band last night for the first time at Ruby Sessions, one of those life changing moments where you know you are watching something special. There was another song called constantly of sleep or something, sounded like a lost Paul Simon song. I hope they go all the way. Last nights gig was spiritual!
Davids,
Here is grow:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W2OswKej4ZI
Saw this band last night for the first time at Ruby Sessions, one of those life changing moments where you know you are watching something special. There was another song called constantly of sleep or something, sounded like a lost Paul Simon song. I hope they go all the way. Last nights gig was spiritual!
Thanks Ronan for that. They seem to have loads of loads of stuff up on youtube. Love the way they do those live video recordings. Nothing beats live music. Too many bands today hide behind their home based studios.
Witching Hour is by Little Greet Cars not Anorak London. Its a home recording too so no props for Anorak there!
Susannah,
Anorak is the PR company hired by LGC and they posted the track on Soundcloud.
Hi Niall,
This reminds me, I’ve been trying to remember what Irish band in the 80s had a song with the lyrics ‘is it a bird, is it a plane, no – it’s John Wayne’…any idea?
Kate
Apparently it’s The Rhythm Kings
http://irishrock.org/irodb/bands/rhythmkings.htmlThanks Cian Nugent via Twitter.
http://twitter.com/ciannugent/status/178855939233939457