The Thrills
Already carving their own distinctive mark on a scene dominated by sweaty Americans that brandish filthy guitar-hooks and even filthier garages (one suspects, at least), The Thrills are the year’s latest, welcome entrants to the league.
Weirdly enough, though, they don’t hail from the States, nor do they adhere to the present conventions of making a racket in a sleazy club. Instead, singer Conor Deasy, guitarist Daniel Ryan, drummer Ben Carrigan, keyboardist Kevin Horan and bassist Padraic McMahon conjure a fine art of dreamy, 70s-esque melodious trappings, singing of far and distant US destinations, hallmarking the classic spirit evoked by such acts as Brian Wilson, Neil Young or Super Furry Animals within just the same timeframe.
Yet, despite their original heritage in Dublin, Ireland, the band have now relocated to Los Angeles at their studio set-up, a whole 20-minute walk from Hollywood Boulevard. The five-piece’s debut-album is hotly under-way and rumours have emerged that it’s already reached near-completion. Our luck, since their debut-EP of ‘Santa Cruz (You’re Not That Far)’ featured four songs that locked Britain’s music-press within unanimous awe, setting a high precedent towards which we can only all hope the band are ordained to continue working.
THE RAFT: This is Virgin\'s new-media website which details all of their acts - and also happens to feature tracks from The Thrills\' debut-release.