With the new year we wanted to introduce a new feature: Artist of the Week. Each week we pick an artist that’s been consistently on our minds and in our headphones. It could be someone that’s had a new release that week, someone we’ve seen live, someone we’ve just discovered, really anyone that makes us stop and think “okay I need to hear more.” These are posted weekly on our Instagram and at the end of each month we’ll do a roundup here.
Week 1: Dogpark
This US based indie rock quintet grabbed our attention with their 2023 single Now It’s Over (yes 2023, how were we so late to the party?!) Now It’s Over is an upbeat catchy song with emotionally charged lyrics, it seems to describe a messy breakup, one that ends up with you wondering if you even really know the person you were with because of the way they’re behaving.
Now It’s Over features as the final track on Dogpark’s 2024 EP Breaking In Brooklyn. The 5 track EP tells a story of navigating life in a new city, exploring themes of ambition, connection and self-discovery.
Since Breaking In Brooklyn, the band have released two more singles, Caviar and Storefront Cabana. and have teased further new music on their socials, as well as completing two headline tours across the US. We’re holding out hope that we’ll see them in the UK in the future!
Listen on Spotify
Week 2: Cliffords
We first heard Cliffords in 2024, just before the release of their EP, Strawberry Scented. Their song Sleeping With Ghosts popped up on our daylist and they’ve been a staple in our playlists ever since. They’re a five piece indie rock/indie pop band based in Cork, and they`re quickly establishing themselves as a standout act in Ireland’s music scene.
Sleeping With Ghosts explores themes of regret, emotional turmoil, and the aftermath of a broken relationship. The tone throughout ranges from reflective and soft to intense and almost angry, mirroring the shift between sadness and frustration in the lyrics. The build up to the final chorus further emphasises the “exploding” feeling referenced throughout.
Since the release of their EP Strawberry Scented, Cliffords have been busy playing shows across the UK and Ireland, and have announced further dates across the UK, Europe, Australia and the US for 2025.
Listen on Spotify
Week 3: Chloe Slater
If you aren’t listening to Chloe yet then you should start now. Her music blends upbeat, indie rock vibes with relatable lyrics about the struggles of being a young adult in today’s world.
Our favourites are “Nothing Shines On This Island”, which hits hard with its critique of British politics, and “24 Hours” which is inspired by the infamous “everyone has the same 24 hours” incident, highlighting influencer culture and how disconnected from the real world internet personalities can seem. Her newest single, “Fig Tree”, delves into how societal beauty standards and consumerism intersect with identity and self worth, and rebelling against these norms by choosing what makes you happy instead of what’s expected of you.
She’s heading out on a UK tour at the end of February and has a busy summer of festivals coming up, so there’s plenty of chance to get yourself to one of her shows.
Listen on Spotify
Week 4: Sunday (1994)
One for all your indie dream pop needs, Sunday (1994) began teasing their music on social media in 2023 and they quickly gained attention and built up a dedicated fanbase, with requests to release their songs rushing in. They released their debut single “Tired Boy” in in February 2024, and ethereal indie pop song that seems to describe a relationship with someone you just hate to love. Their self titled debut album was also released last year.
The band’s name was inspired by their love for old films, a love which shines through in their music as their songs evoke a whimsical nostalgia that feels both timeless and unique.
This week they announced their first ever headline tour, “the debut tour”, something we’ve been hoping for for ages! They will be covering North America, the UK and Europe, combining small venue appearances with festival shows in the Spring of 2025.
Listen on Spotify