EVENT – Radio Room Live at The Thomas House

Cookie FM Rating – 4/5

Last Thursday evening (June 16th) I was invited out to attend an intimate PR preview gig for local Irish alt band, Radio Room. Celebrating the release of their newest single, ‘Nobody Told You’ (2016), this Dublin four piece are hitting hard with big sounds, unique vocals and catchy lyrics – all factors of a successful combination. The gig took place in The Thomas House, Thomas Street, a bar & venue renowned for rock music and punk vibes that Radio Room sure did deliver. The band played three songs before closing the set with the new single, which I had been listening to all day as their music video was released earlier this year that has also been a big success for them. The feeling of attending this intimate gig was rather exhilarating, bringing me back to my younger years when small rooms & loud music were my go-to at the weekends and mosh pits weren’t too far in sight. But the energy brought by Radio Room is what really made this gig so enjoyable; as each member brought their own instruments to life, giving this performance 110%. Vocalist Robbie Murphy has that unique voice and singing style, that one can compare to Arctic Monkeys’ Alex Turner, that delivers on well-sung & held notes as well as pronunciation, volume and rhythm in time with the band. I had chats with the guys post-performance, and my inkling that I knew lead guitarist Colm was right – as we were in the same college class! Oh Dublin, you’re such a small city!

The song itself, ‘Nobody Told You’, was produced by James Darkin and mastered by Tom Coyne of Sterling Sound, both of whom have worked with music superstars including Rihanna, Beyoncé, Hozier, Adele, Justin Bieber & Mark Ronson, just to name a few! The music video is quite a thrilling experience, directed by Jay Branagan and stars Love/Hate actor Laurence Kinlan, that unfolds a dark story of a psychotic murderer. Of the new tour and single, Robbie said that “we wanted to bring an even darker, grittier sound to our music with ‘Nobody Told You’ and we’re really happy with the results. It will be great to gauge the reaction from fans first-hand during the upcoming UK and Ireland tour, playing live is what we love to do.”

In July, Radio Room will be back in the studio to finalize their much-anticipated second album, following the success of their EP, When You’ve Made It (2012), and also last year’s debut LP, 92 | 93 (2015). Working with acclaimed & contemporary producers to complete the album, the future of Radio Room is extremely bright as they plan to further showcase the evolution of their sound. But for now, see the boys in a town near you as they open for Scottish band wecamefromwolves across the UK.