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COLUMBIA MILLS

AwkwardSilence presents

COLUMBIA MILLS

plus guests

– Upstairs –

New single “Never Gonna Look at You The Same Again”, taken from the EP “Factory settings” will be released on Fri November 28th followed by a launch gig in Whelan’s on Nov 29th.

Emerging from Irelands’ coastal town of Bray and from the wreckage of an economic collapse, Columbia Mills are comprised of duo Ste Ward and Fiachra Treacy (guitars/ keys/ vocals). They create a hedonistic mix of musical textures, with lush reverb-saturated guitars and glorious beats that have inspired beautiful tragic sounds. The bands influences touch on the 80s synth sounds of New Order and The Cure and fuse them with the 90s indie guitar sounds of The Verve and Primal Scream on a bed of electronic and organic beats a la Massive Attack and LCD Sound System. However you also hear a fresh modern sound that aims to draw the listener into the unique headspace that is Columbia Mills.

While it is clear the band have worked hard on their sound it is important to note that underneath the production there are songs of real life, drawing their power from deep personal experience. Nothing is contrived. If you strip the songs down to the bones they will still get under your skin.

There is a harsh honesty and arrogance to the songs, this band have been through the mill and are not afraid to sing about it. Lyrically, subjects touch on urban decay, self-destruction, institutional abuse, family feuds and falling in love with the wrong people. Their music gets into your head, moves you, takes you someplace familiar yet new.

The band name itself, ‘Columbia Mills’, is a kind of name legacy, evolving from the legendary building based on Dublin’s Quays. In the early 90s the building became a mecca for the illegal rave scene bringing people together from all walks of life and all musical tastes. The diversity of music and social classes is something that has left a lasting impression on the city and indeed band, before its premature demise by an early morning police raid, which ended the cult location.

Listen up. You’re going to fall hard for this band.

TICKETS

€8 available online from WAV Tickets [Lo-Call 1890 200 078] (50c per ticket service charge applies on phone, internet or creditcard bookings from WaV).

After 8pm strictly over 18′s, I.D. may be required.

AFTER THE GIG

Whelan’s Indie Club w/ Late Bar from 10:30pm or check out the bands playing The Midnight Hour in the upstairs venue (FREE ENTRY, 12am).