Music Video: Toy Soldier - Summertime

Another in a recent run of music videos from Cork director Shaun O’ Connor, electro pop band Toy Soldier have just released the video for their new single Summertime. A slow paced ballad, the track showcases the subtlety of performance that’s creeping into the band’s music. Every note, every effected beat and every lyric is placed perfectly.

Having been brought into the band’s lineup just about a year ago, singer Ciara Budds takes the lead vocal here, with the group’s other vocalist Cian Walsh taking a very much supporting role. It’s indicative of the work that Ciara has been clearly putting into Toy Soldier that she’s taking the lead here and it shows just how well Cian and Ciara work together vocally.

The video echoes the slow movement of the song, and Ciara’s prominence on it, as the focus is pulled between her and the ever changing background. The track is all about subtlety and the video is the same. Another great piece from a great director and band. We here at the D look forward to seeing their next outing together!

Published on Drop-D.ie - 8th September 2011

East Cork Showcase w/ Goldifsh Syndrome, MAKO, Time Is A Thief, Toy Soldier

East Cork seems to have had a knack of turning out some great acts in recent times, and last night at Midleton’s McDaids some of its best bands took to the stage for a full-on showcase. With four amazing acts, four diverse styles and some genuine legends on the bill, the show promised much and delivered even more.

First up were Electro-pop group Toy Soldier. With one third of the three-piece suffering from a stomach bug, you would expect at least a minor falter in the show, but none could be seen. The band breezed through their set that included their recent single Sunset Girl and the band’s future classics, Summertime and So Far Away.

Their live setup is in a bit of a transitional phase, as they move from a rock sound to a more electronic sound. The stripped back sound takes out the majority of the live kit, leaving behind a kick drum and a variety of cymbals, and combines them with a multitude of triggers and pads. This setup seems to be still in its early stages, so there are a couple of hiccups here and there, but once they crack that sound, it’s going to be massive. (8/10)

Next up were hard-rock four-piece, and Drop-D favourites, Time Is A Thief. Conducting their set with their trademark tightness, efficiency and energy, TIAT blew the crowd away with their short set.

Following the recent release of their single Our Game, the band have been playing incessantly. In fact, they’ve been playing incessantly even when they didn’t have a single to promote. They are quite possibly one of the most hard working unsigned bands in the country when it comes to gigging and it shows. Their stage presence, crowd interaction and tightness are all at an extremely high level, and that’s experience that only coming from touring. Great things lie ahead for this band. (8/10)

Third on the bill were MAKO and in all truth, they were the band this reviewer was most excited to see, having heard a lot about this band over the last couple of years. Spearheaded by Declan O’ Shea and Christian Montagne, two members of the legendary group CYCLEFLY, the band is the artistic and creative outlet for the two, and a very possible return to the limelight. Declan and Christian were joined onstage by Rulers of the Planet guitarist and drummer, Ian O’ Connell and Kieran O’ Neill, and by CYCLEFLY guitarist, producer, and brother to Declan, Ciarán O’ Shea.

With such a line-up, they were sure to give one hell of a show, and they did. Playing for just about fourty-five minutes, MAKO made their way through a set of songs that they performed with an such proficiency, such style, and such class that showcased their combined experience and skill. There really isn’t much more to say about them. They are almost beyond description. They are simply one of the best bands this reviewer has seen in a long, long time. (10/10)

Closing the show were straight up alt-rock aficionados Goldfish Syndrome. A set of nicely pinned rock songs, with a tinge of Oasis and early Radiohead, they performed as skilfully as any of the other acts on the night. Unfortunately for them, MAKO seemed to be a tough act to follow, and by the time they took to the stage, the once receptive crowd had morphed into a loud and drunken one, so they weren’t received as well as they could have been. Still, they’re a meticulously crafted band have some greats songs, and play them expertly. (9/10)

It was a night that showcased the talent of some of the up-and-comers, some of the staples, and some of the legends of East Cork music. But taking it a bit further, this was a showcase of great Irish music. The future is bright.

Published on Drop-D.ie - August 29th, 2011

Toy Soldier - An Réalt Dearg, April 10th

Local electro-pop champions Toy Soldier performed in the intimate setting of Barrack Street’s An Réalt Dearg last Sunday night as a warm-up show for the myriad of appearances that await them in the coming months.

The show was divided in two, the first was a stripped back, most acoustic orientated set but it still maintained a good deal of the electronic elements that the band are known for. The set was eight songs long and encompassed all the best parts of their full on set, as well as a few new tracks to keep things fresh. Songs like Goldigger, Summertime, and new track Run stand out, the third being perhaps the most recent addition to the set and led entirely by singer Ciara. The purpose of these stripped down songs is to prepare the band for an appearance in Los Angeles’ infamous Viper Room next week as the Soldiers march off to the states for a string of shows on the West Coast. The shrewd use of programming, perfectly harmonising vocals, and incredible guitar precision show that the band are sure to impress in the highly competitive atmosphere of the City of Angels.

Once the acoustic set was concluded, the crowd were treated to the full on Toy Soldier set. We were met with the true heart of the pop aficionados, and they are truly in their element when they’re fully electronic. Nothing against the more stripped back material, but Toy Soldier were made to get you grooving with their incredibly energetic, synth-pop swagger. They have a beautifully constructed set list, with intro music that leads seamlessly into the opening track, We Are Soldiers. The band’s past releases , Battles and Climbing Trees drop in and out of the set and hold their own with new tracks like My Oh My and Heat. The flow of the set is absolutely perfect, and the lucky few who saw them are treated to an encore in the form of So Far Away, a glittering way to end the evening.

I also picked up a copy of the band’s current single, Sunset Girl, which is a brilliantly infectious track. Edgy synth lines run throughout the song as Cian and Ciara’s vocals intertwine expertly, adding a nice depth to the light-hearted gem that the song is. The band released the track last month and it came in conjunction with a beautiful music video. It was shot by local director Shaun O’ Connor, whose previous work includes videos from Exit: Pursued By A Bear, Ladydoll, and local rap hero, Grandmaster Cash. The quality of the video is incredibly high, and the slow movements of the camera make a nice contrast to the upbeat track. The video is linked below, and you can find more of his work at www.shaunoconnor.com.

Well, in summary, Toy Soldier are perhaps one of the most enjoyable live acts I have seen locally in a long time. They are experts at their craft, and the quality of their material, both live and on record, is something to be marvelled at. Definitely a band to check out. Links below.

http://www.myspace.com/toysoldier

http://www.facebook.com/toysoldierband

Published on Drop-D.ie, April 12th, 2011