It’s that time once again, as the countdown to the end of 2018 rapidly approaches we take a personal look back on familiar names, features and musicians’ best releases of the past 12 months. In what has been another crazy year of highs and lows- it’s the releases that have pulled a lot of people through the year. Now in it’s 8th year, Circuit Sweet will be hosting takeovers from the featured artists/musicians/labels and promoters of the site with their personal top releases of the year.
Continuing our annual end of year tradition; we let our favourites take over the site to tell us the records that have made their end of year lists. Telling us their favourite events/gigs and what we can look forward to from them next year.
Our next takeover comes from a trio who have annihilated 2018 with their recent standout debut album “Recipes from the Bible”, which was released December 7th. Irk the angular noise rock trio are currently reaping the rewards of their colossus new record which will effortlessly continue to bring fans and
Top releases of the year
1. Daughters – You Won’t Get What You Want
It’s really very good.
2. Tal National – Tantabara
A proper rock record.
3. Yves Tumor – Safe in the Hands of Love
An album of real love songs.
4. The Bad Plus – Never Stop II
Still killing it.
5. tUnE-yArDs – I Can Feel You Creep into My Private Life
Perfectly relevant pop music.
The best show you have played this year and why
“Spilsburyfest” at CHUNK in Leeds (12/01/2018)
It’s bittersweet; I was really sad when I found out our pal Miles was moving away to brighter and better things,
but there was no denying the excuse for a big old’ knees-up. CHUNK is our spiritual home, and we played with some of our best friends; Cattle, Thank, and ZoZo. It was what all good gigs should be – intimate, celebratory, a party. We were lucky enough to get
Miles back up to lay down some saxophone on our new album, what a fucking champion.
The best gig you have attended and why
Richard Dawson at Halifax Minster (16/06/2018)
Getting to see experimental guitar savant and proper North East nice man Richard Dawson in the setting of a 900-year-old
church was really very nice indeed.
Highlight of your year
Touring Europe with Bearfoot Beware. Getting to see and play so many beautiful places and meet so many wonderful people, is made all the more memorable and enjoyable when you can share it with some of your best friends. Getting to do all this with the Bearfoot boys, as well as our amazing Tour Da Stew (from Bad Owl Present) and driver Dan, was a fucking treat.
Band to watch for 2019
Blóm (https://www.facebook.com/blombabies)
Angry North East babies with a penchant for massive bass tone, punishing drums, and blistering Smoggie vocals.
I’ve been lucky enough to play some shows with them whilst drumming in my other band Thank, and they are consistently excellent.
Plans for the New Year
Irk play a gig in space? Irk launch a breakfast cereal? Irk: The Movie? Now our album is out, we’ll be making sure everyone gets to hear it, but other than that, we’ve got some big plans that you’ll just have to wait and see to find out about.
A huge thank you to Jack and all of IRK and a massive congratulations on the stunning debut album. Look forward to hearing more in 2019.
https://irkband.bandcamp.com
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