Local bands joined together for a great night of local music on Friday 27th January in an unusual music venue The Yellow Yard. It was our first time there and the place was packed to the rafters. There was a mixture of various local bands from all over the northwest including Blue Jeans, Luna Kicks, The Docs and travelled up from the north coast was Little Arcadia.
The evening started with Little Arcadia playing a great set of tunes to kick off the night and we caught up with the bands before their set
There was a mixture of various different bands played from around the northwest area and the evening finished with headline act The Docs played a set of covers of Oasis tracks and also with a mixture of their own songs in between and the crowd were really going for it. It was a night not to be missed for local music lovers...
The evening started with Little Arcadia playing a great set of tunes to kick off the night and we caught up with the bands before their set
There was a mixture of various different bands played from around the northwest area and the evening finished with headline act The Docs played a set of covers of Oasis tracks and also with a mixture of their own songs in between and the crowd were really going for it. It was a night not to be missed for local music lovers...
Little Arcadia Interview:
The first band we caught up with after performing was Little Arcadia, a band from northcoast area who recently involved with Volume Control album which is an album made up of local bands and artists from across Northern Ireland.
How do you feel being a part of The Docs single launch tonight in here in Derry?
“It’s pretty good yeah, it’s nice been down in Derry as we don’t get down that often. So it’s cool to come down to the end of the country and play a few tunes. It’s always nice to get outta the northcoast. It’s a bit of a change which is good.
Tell me a bit about your band Little Arcadia?
So we are just a group of friends formed a band in 2012 or so and went through a lot of different genres for like half a year and find one that we were comfortable with so just kept at it and also a Russian joined our band too.
How do you feel being a part of The Docs single launch tonight in here in Derry?
“It’s pretty good yeah, it’s nice been down in Derry as we don’t get down that often. So it’s cool to come down to the end of the country and play a few tunes. It’s always nice to get outta the northcoast. It’s a bit of a change which is good.
Tell me a bit about your band Little Arcadia?
So we are just a group of friends formed a band in 2012 or so and went through a lot of different genres for like half a year and find one that we were comfortable with so just kept at it and also a Russian joined our band too.
So you must be quite familiar with the music scene around the northwest as you played Nerve Centre in December?
Yeah we are kinda all about playing places that people wouldn’t expect us to play and where we grew up playing and it’s kinda cool to get down to Derry as well and the Nerve Centre was a great gig, it was pretty fun.
We were basically formed through the Nerve Centre Camp Rock programme were we all met Euan first and then say we humped the board down the road. Also being so unfamiliar to Derry and been asked to come and play up in Nerve Centre where people from Derry knew very little about us so that was a good feeling cause it felt like ah you actually listen to our music even though they can’t put a face to the band but was cool.
There must be not much of a music scene along Northcoast?
See when it goes, when it happens its class absolutely amazing and yes its quiet and there are bands from around where we are from who say it doesn’t exist but the thing is it still exists and we play like 4 or 5 other bands who are all on the same page as us and just want to play gigs. So it does exist. It’s also a lot nosier on the northcoast you wouldn’t get this kind of music down here like Punk so there is like a harsh sound that comes from the music there.
Yeah we are kinda all about playing places that people wouldn’t expect us to play and where we grew up playing and it’s kinda cool to get down to Derry as well and the Nerve Centre was a great gig, it was pretty fun.
We were basically formed through the Nerve Centre Camp Rock programme were we all met Euan first and then say we humped the board down the road. Also being so unfamiliar to Derry and been asked to come and play up in Nerve Centre where people from Derry knew very little about us so that was a good feeling cause it felt like ah you actually listen to our music even though they can’t put a face to the band but was cool.
There must be not much of a music scene along Northcoast?
See when it goes, when it happens its class absolutely amazing and yes its quiet and there are bands from around where we are from who say it doesn’t exist but the thing is it still exists and we play like 4 or 5 other bands who are all on the same page as us and just want to play gigs. So it does exist. It’s also a lot nosier on the northcoast you wouldn’t get this kind of music down here like Punk so there is like a harsh sound that comes from the music there.
You recently announced that you’re going to be featured on the new album been released by Volume Control in Belfast?
Yeah that was last Christmas time and there also was the Sync one as well and one done by Nerve Centre too. The Volume Control one was cool as it kinda came out of the blue for us and we know a guy works up in Volume Control and he moved down to the northcoast and he wanted to suss out the scene and he just said come up and play and well put you on the record and ended up our song got first on the record which was pretty intense. It’s always flattering when something like that happens.
It must be amazing to be asked to something like that as Belfast is a big massive music scene?
Belfast is like our next logical step; Belfast is defiantly the next stage for the band as most of us are going to uni up there. We will be separated but just a train ride apart and well keep going.
Earlier on in the year in 2015 we got a gig with Chordblossom up in bar with no name and that was our first gig in Belfast and that was great as it was an older crowd and people who haven’t heard of us before and was cool to play in Belfast that way and then we got the Volume Control one we got to play to people our age and we knew a few bands on the record as well. So was great to catch up.
Yeah that was last Christmas time and there also was the Sync one as well and one done by Nerve Centre too. The Volume Control one was cool as it kinda came out of the blue for us and we know a guy works up in Volume Control and he moved down to the northcoast and he wanted to suss out the scene and he just said come up and play and well put you on the record and ended up our song got first on the record which was pretty intense. It’s always flattering when something like that happens.
It must be amazing to be asked to something like that as Belfast is a big massive music scene?
Belfast is like our next logical step; Belfast is defiantly the next stage for the band as most of us are going to uni up there. We will be separated but just a train ride apart and well keep going.
Earlier on in the year in 2015 we got a gig with Chordblossom up in bar with no name and that was our first gig in Belfast and that was great as it was an older crowd and people who haven’t heard of us before and was cool to play in Belfast that way and then we got the Volume Control one we got to play to people our age and we knew a few bands on the record as well. So was great to catch up.
Where can we find you on social media to follow your music?
Yes we have Facebook, Twitter and we are on band camp and maybe Myspace or even Bebo.
Yes we have Facebook, Twitter and we are on band camp and maybe Myspace or even Bebo.
The Luna Kicks Interview:
After that we caught up with The Luna Kicks a local Derry band which were previously called Artic Crescent.
Let’s start by asking your name of the band recently changed names from Artic Crescent to The Luna Kicks so tell us the meaning behind the change?
Aye well basically we seen Artic Monkeys and we said it’s a bit like them so people were saying this. So well go for something different cause we are changing our sound as we go on a wee bit so it’s about new change.
Let’s start by asking your name of the band recently changed names from Artic Crescent to The Luna Kicks so tell us the meaning behind the change?
Aye well basically we seen Artic Monkeys and we said it’s a bit like them so people were saying this. So well go for something different cause we are changing our sound as we go on a wee bit so it’s about new change.
Recently you went to Google HQ in London as guests for “The Being Me Campaign” Tell us a bit about that and how your band got involved?
It’s a campaign about celebrating differences and we went over to Google as we got invited to go over and use it as a business trip to prepare for a tour that we are hopefully planning for in May or so like that but it’s a good experience and we loved every minute of it anyway.
How’d you feel been asked to be a part of Google then?
We felt privileged like to be asked by such a well-known company and we are sorta thinking why us and it’s our first time as band been out of the city to London like it’s my first time in a plane too, so it was some experience.
The band has also got a new music video out for their single Breathe so check the video out below
It’s a campaign about celebrating differences and we went over to Google as we got invited to go over and use it as a business trip to prepare for a tour that we are hopefully planning for in May or so like that but it’s a good experience and we loved every minute of it anyway.
How’d you feel been asked to be a part of Google then?
We felt privileged like to be asked by such a well-known company and we are sorta thinking why us and it’s our first time as band been out of the city to London like it’s my first time in a plane too, so it was some experience.
The band has also got a new music video out for their single Breathe so check the video out below
Breathe From The Luna Kicks Music Video:
You got new music and a video out at the moment Breathe?
Breathe is basically a song just saying that looking through all the trouble your through, you just need to take a few seconds back and just breathe in and relax and just think about what could be better you know what I mean like it could be worse even just relax and that’s what it’s all about.
So is the video online now so people can watch it or stream it?
The video is online now on our YouTube channel The Luna Kicks. You can get it up by searching for Luna Kicks or Artic Crescent. We are planning on going round the radio stations in the next couple of months.
So you planning a PR campaign then?
Trying to plan a wee radio tour and maybe in London too hopefully.
Breathe is basically a song just saying that looking through all the trouble your through, you just need to take a few seconds back and just breathe in and relax and just think about what could be better you know what I mean like it could be worse even just relax and that’s what it’s all about.
So is the video online now so people can watch it or stream it?
The video is online now on our YouTube channel The Luna Kicks. You can get it up by searching for Luna Kicks or Artic Crescent. We are planning on going round the radio stations in the next couple of months.
So you planning a PR campaign then?
Trying to plan a wee radio tour and maybe in London too hopefully.
How do you feel been part of the launch of the The Docs new single tonight ?
They are a great band and we are happy to be supporting them tonight and a great turnout too.
We also got a new member of the band Conor here and we’ve had him in for the last month and we are excited for new changes and is a great contribution to the band.
They are a great band and we are happy to be supporting them tonight and a great turnout too.
We also got a new member of the band Conor here and we’ve had him in for the last month and we are excited for new changes and is a great contribution to the band.
So what do you think Conor of the new band The Luna Kicks?
Aye It’s different like compared to other bands and far better and I like the sound. So we are excited to see what happens next for the band.
What’s coming up next for The Luna Kicks?
We are playing down in Pitchers Venue in 2 weeks we think it is for Foyle Search and Rescue which is going to a great cause but plenty more shows and songs to come. Exciting things to come.
Where can we find you on social media to follow your music?
You can find us on Facebook.com/thelunakicks and same for Twitter/thellunakicks and we are on Youtube too
Aye It’s different like compared to other bands and far better and I like the sound. So we are excited to see what happens next for the band.
What’s coming up next for The Luna Kicks?
We are playing down in Pitchers Venue in 2 weeks we think it is for Foyle Search and Rescue which is going to a great cause but plenty more shows and songs to come. Exciting things to come.
Where can we find you on social media to follow your music?
You can find us on Facebook.com/thelunakicks and same for Twitter/thellunakicks and we are on Youtube too
The Final Interview with Headline Act The Docs:
Finally, it was such a huge turnout for the bands in Yellow Yard and we caught up with The Docs before they went on stage to perform as the headline act and promoting their brand new single “TwoThirtyFour” We got few minutes with the band before they had to rush on stage to entertain the crowd that come along to see them.
Tell us a bit about your band and how you formed?
We formed as me and a mate just jamming about and then we got the drums in and the line-up got built up over time. Then we decided to change from acoustic to rock and roll and ever since then we just been gigging flat out.
So you’ve been together a few years then?
We just been together just over a year as a band.
So you guys set up this night here in Yellow Yard on Palace Street this evening with support from Nerve Centre, Sync and tell us a bit about how it got set up?
Myself and Cathan were in a group called “Set The Stage” It teaches you all about behind the scenes and Nerve sort of helped of us then just come together as a band. We worked with Sync Records and Somewhere to as there are a lottery funded group and they basically find a space and sign up and they pay part of your space and cost of it and the rental whatever, Its brilliant like they paid for the venue tonight.
We formed as me and a mate just jamming about and then we got the drums in and the line-up got built up over time. Then we decided to change from acoustic to rock and roll and ever since then we just been gigging flat out.
So you’ve been together a few years then?
We just been together just over a year as a band.
So you guys set up this night here in Yellow Yard on Palace Street this evening with support from Nerve Centre, Sync and tell us a bit about how it got set up?
Myself and Cathan were in a group called “Set The Stage” It teaches you all about behind the scenes and Nerve sort of helped of us then just come together as a band. We worked with Sync Records and Somewhere to as there are a lottery funded group and they basically find a space and sign up and they pay part of your space and cost of it and the rental whatever, Its brilliant like they paid for the venue tonight.
It must be so helpful towards bands starting out?
Defiantly it so is we couldn’t do half the stuff without their support.
There is a lot of local talented artists and musicians around town, don’t you think? And these kind of events are a great way for local bands to showcase what they got to offer?
Yes, brilliant, all the support coming together for the night it just shows you what you got like.
Defiantly it so is we couldn’t do half the stuff without their support.
There is a lot of local talented artists and musicians around town, don’t you think? And these kind of events are a great way for local bands to showcase what they got to offer?
Yes, brilliant, all the support coming together for the night it just shows you what you got like.
What about all the other bands playing here tonight how did that all come about to get them to perform?
When you’re in like the music scene your kind of just get to know the other bands especially it might not seem long to some people but we have been in the music scene for just over a year and through that then it’s quite a long time for us we got to know a lot of people like Blue Jeans, Little Arcadia, The Luna Kicks are great bands.
So for anybody that hasn’t heard your music before what can they expect from The Docs?
Banging Tunes!
Where can we find you on Facebook, Twitter and online?
We are The Docs Derry on Facebook if you search for that and we are gonna be making our own sound cloud and sticking stuff up there as there is a lot more to come from the band.
When you’re in like the music scene your kind of just get to know the other bands especially it might not seem long to some people but we have been in the music scene for just over a year and through that then it’s quite a long time for us we got to know a lot of people like Blue Jeans, Little Arcadia, The Luna Kicks are great bands.
So for anybody that hasn’t heard your music before what can they expect from The Docs?
Banging Tunes!
Where can we find you on Facebook, Twitter and online?
We are The Docs Derry on Facebook if you search for that and we are gonna be making our own sound cloud and sticking stuff up there as there is a lot more to come from the band.
