On the record

JIM CARROLLon music

Every year, as the Christmas hustle begins, music coverage finds itself heading in two distinctly different directions.

There's the look back at the year that was, with endless lists of albums, gigs and tracks (and yes, The Ticket will be partaking in this exercise). Then, there's the look ahead at the year to come, with an effort to highlight and predict the acts who'll make a splash in the next 12 months or so (also guilty as charged).

In many ways, the latter activity has been accelerated by the annual BBC Sound Of . . . poll across the water. Sadly, this particular poll has become hopelessly compromised in recent years by record labels successfully lobbying judges for votes for their priority acts.

As a result, the selections tend to be stale and predictable with too many dull indie bands making the cut. It would be great, for example, to see more pop, underground and hip-hop in the final shake-up, but that's unlikely to happen.

However, the poll does give a timely emphasis to new music and acts as the old year gives way to the new. It's a chance for all involved to champion the new acts they dig and boost their profile.

With this in mind, On the Record has decided to select a couple of new acts we think people are going to dig in 2013 and put them together on the same bill.

On The Record Presents 2013 will feature Forrests, Katharine Philippa, Wife and Rosie Carney playing at Dublin's Twisted Pepper on December 22nd.

Both Wife and Rosie Carney are profiled below on this page, while Forrests and Katharine Philippa have featured on OTR in the recent past.

More acts may be added so stay tuned.

New music

Wife

James Kelly from black metal combo Altar Of Plagues also makes majestic electronic moves as Wife, with 2013 releases set for Tri Angle. The recent Stoic EP, especially the compelling Bodies, shows what to expect from Kelly.

[ facebook.com/ecstaticritual ]

Rosie Carney

Fifteen-year-old from Downings, Co Donegal, with a striking voice and some really sweet folky-pop tunes such as What You’ve Been Looking For. Recently spotted supporting fellow Northern youngster Soak.

[ rosiecarney.com ]

Queen Herod

Queen Herod is musician and artist Holly Pereira, a lady with a knack for swinging, hooksome, old-fashioned pop melodies. Her debut EP, produced by Niall Murphy and Solar Bears’ Rian Trench, is released with a show at Whelan’s, Dublin, on December 13.

[ vimeo.com/queenherod ]

Playing

Action Bronson

Rare Chandeliers (Vice)

The New York chef turns on the roughneck charm on his latest mixtape, produced by The Alchemist. Playing Dublin’s Twisted Pepper on December 18.

Hunter-Gatherer

Nighthood (Self release)

Second album of ghostly, eerie, murky bass tones from the man in the shadows.

The Weeknd

Trilogy (Universal Republic)

Rounding up Abel Tesfaye’s three 2011 mixtapes.

Hot 8 Brass Band

The Life Times (Tru Thoughts)

Ain’t no party like a Hot 8 Brass Band party.

The Avalanches

Since I Left You (XL)

While the wait goes on for a follow-up, the Oz crew’s 2000 debut remains a thing of great wonder.