Cork 5-piece Pebbledash release the new single ‘Slowly Slowly’ (Jan 8th), the final single to be taken from the upcoming EP Four Portraits of the Same Ugly House (Jan 31st). Building a reputation for their unique blend of shoegaze, noise rock, dream pop and traditional Irish music, the band continues to build on their growing momentum on an EP brimming with rich musical ideas.
The new single is a reflection of the band’s exploration of the darker, more introspective side of their sound. Recorded in complete darkness to capture the feeling of isolation, with guitars that ebb and flow in a wave of catharsis and frustration, ‘Slowly Slowly’ is a deep dive into Pebbledash’s sonic approach.
Opening with a quick snap of fuzzy guitar and feedback, the track drops into gradually unfurling layers of drums and wobbling modulation-reverb soaked guitar. As the track introduces the melancholic vocals the track, layered with textured melodies and poignant lyrics about longing and self-awareness, a more obvious structure slowly locks in before bass and a complimentary second guitar part enters.
Gradually building momentum, the track reaches a frenetic wall of fuzz before dropping to a spacious and ambient second verse. The track ends with a fittingly cathartic and intense wall of distortion and glitching guitar pedal tones.
Speaking about the single, the band add: “Slowly slowly is a song about the desire to belong, be seen, and in many ways the selfishness of needing recognition. The lamenting tone of the vocals and harmonies glide upon the guitars and this frustration builds to the brief release of feedback at the choruses before returning to the echo chamber in the 2nd verse. Recorded in complete darkness in an attempt to capture that feeling of isolation and translate it to the music Slowly Slowly jumps between Catharsis and Longing, it is our statement of the ‘beautiful ugly’ the things you want but know you shouldn’t and the heartbreak when things don’t happen like how you dream, and I guess this is us saying its fine to be selfish sometimes about these kinds of things”
The upcoming Four Portraits of the Same Ugly House EP captures the essence of Pebbledash’s evolving sound, encapsulating a year of growth, change, and reflection. The EP is named after the band’s time spent in Cork city, referred to as the “Ugly House” in the title. The songs represent key moments in the band’s lives, marked by a sense of nostalgia and a longing for connection. Produced by Aidan O’Mahoney at Kitten Lane Studios and mastered by Pete Maher (known for his work with U2, Nick Cave, and The Pixies), the EP delivers a rich, dynamic sonic experience through experimental ideas, beautiful interlocking melodies and explosive, visceral explosions of noise.
Talking about the EP, the band add: “The EP is an exploration of my time in Cork city or the ‘Ugly House’ as it is referred to in the title. The Ugly House Is a term of endearment from us to refer to the charm of Cork taking in its beauty but also the imperfections. A house is where we all feel most safe and able to express ourselves and I think this ‘ugly’ imperfection is what gives Cork the allure and allows the freedom of expression we get when writing and recording.
Written at a time where music had become my main focus in Life and all experiences both negative and positive were growing from this, Encased in this small city I found myself becoming familiar with its places and people and these four songs are the portraits of the most impactful moments and feelings. Although many of the songs were started in Cork they were finished when I had to move away for a significant period of time and this feeling of missing friends and spaces I had come to love informed the melancholy of the EP, the songs are quite dynamic and reflected the changing emotions I was feeling at the time.
Somehow they appear as love songs but once heard they reveal a depth of my emotions captured over an entire year of change and growth condensed into songs that we have made lyrically and musically rich and now release with a cleanse to anyone who wants to listen.”
The band’s growing reputation is supported by a whole host of acclaim, including support from BBC Radio 6 Music, Radio X, Clash, Dork, Hot Press, Nialler9, District Magazine, Golden Plec and features, live shows and even inclusion in the 2024 tracks from the year from So Young Magazine. The band has also gained significant Spotify Editorial playlist support, appearing on Hot New Bands among others.
PREVIEW THE FULL UPCOMING EP HERE (DO NOT SHARE)
Artwork by Fionnbharr Hickey
Upcoming tour dates:
Jan 22nd – The Next Big Thing Festival, Workman’s Club, Dublin
January 29th – The Social, London (w/ So Young)
Feb 9th – The Hope & Ruin, Brighton
Feb 10th – The Elephants Head, London
Mar 28th – Dolans, Limerick (The Howlers Support)
Mar 29th – Whelan’s, Dublin (The Howlers Support)
Mar 30th – Ulster Sport’s Club, Belfast (The Howlers Support)
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