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Cork-based band Cliffords may only have one EP to their name so far, the 2024 release Strawberry Scented, but they have already made a significant impact in the UK and EU press.
If you've been listening to our NEW NOISE show, you'll know that host, Stephen 'Steps' Lowe got a little giddy when introducing the latest single from the Cork quintet. That giddiness has caught on quicker than that seasonal flu that everyone's got but refuses to treat and/or acknowledge.
Cliffords, not to be confused with the enormous red dog, nor the south-west UK based estate agents, sound effortlessly soaring, blasting out alt-rock landscapes such as Wolf Alice, Crawlers, The Last Dinner Party and, yes, we may as well go there, the legendary Cranberries.
Blending melody-rich shoegaze with the raw intensity of grunge, Cliffords' 'sound', is the type of eyes-closed, head back, shoulder shaking, sing-a-long that is crying out for that sunset set at any sun dappled festival this coming summer and beyond.
Fronted by Iona Lynch, the band's music swells with emotional depth and cinematic grandeur, no better captured than in their latest single, "Bittersweet." This track marks a new chapter for the five-piece band, as it’s their first release under their newly formed label, Soil To The Sun. Produced by Richie Kennedy at Battery Studios in London, "Bittersweet" sees Cliffords stepping into a more ambitious and polished sound.
The band’s evolution from their self-financed debut EP to working with an outside producer signals their growing confidence and aspirations. "Bittersweet" is not just a single but a notice served: PAY ATTENTION. Iona Lynch’s vocals soar above a brooding instrumental backdrop, sweeping up ALL the feels and the swirling emotions of harking back to nostalgia and self-discovery and dumping them at your feet.
Further reading: Five Irish bands interviewed on Today Radio
Though Cork has not yet reached the musical export status of Dublin, Cliffords are proving that talent knows no geographical boundaries. Their ambition stretches far beyond local acclaim, with the band positioning themselves as torchbearers for the next wave of Irish talent. With Iona Lynch's magnetic stage presence and the band’s energetic sound, Cliffords are fast becoming a voice for a new generation of musicians, not just in their hometown but across the globe.
"The first few lines of the song, ‘the city begged look up,’ come from something my grandad always said to me: ‘Look up or you’ll miss half the beauty of the city.'" Lynch said in interview with Under The Radar magazine, late last year.
The five-piece: comprising Lynch (vocals), Daniel Ryan (drums), Harry Menton (guitar), Locon O’Toole (keys/synth), and Gavin Dawkins (multi-instrumentalist) - are rapidly establishing themselves as one of Ireland’s most promising emerging acts, following on the heels of Fontaines D.C, CMAT, The Murder Capital, Gurriers and The Clockworks.
Cliffords’ journey began in the heady days of 2022 with their first gig, and since then, they've made significant strides. A major milestone came when they were handpicked by Dermot Kennedy to perform at Misneach, his St. Patrick's Day festival in Sydney, alongside artists like Sorcha Richardson and The Scratch.
Further reading: Five more Irish bands interviewed by Today Radio
The band has also played at the prestigious Other Voices festival, cementing their reputation as one of the most exciting new acts on the Irish indie scene. Despite their early success, Lynch recalls a formative moment when Cliffords won a local battle of the bands competition, even though the band knew they weren’t at their best. "We roped in a large group of friends to sway it in our favour," she admits, but it’s clear that since then, they’ve grown into a band that’s more than capable of standing on their own merit.
With "Bittersweet" signaling a new era for the band, Cliffords are on the cusp of breaking out from the small circles of their early fanbase to, we would politely suggest, a whole lot of much larger stages.
The band’s journey is just beginning, and with upcoming performances, including at London’s iconic Dublin Castle and The Great Escape in Brighton this May, it’s clear that Cliffords are ready to showcase their craft to wider audiences.
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"Bittersweet" is out now on all platforms and is released via Soil To The Sun.
You can sign up to Cliffords mailing list and keep up to date with upcoming shows here.
© Band's Own
