New music to listen to this week: The Academic

Now Hear This

These lovely Irish lads first caught my attention with their debut single "Different".

Since then The Academic have released a string of similarly up-tempo, heartfelt tracks that are catchy as hell and easy to sing along to. They also ust finished recording their debut album.

Included among those is "Bear Claws", arguably their best song to date; a determined, anthemic indie-rock track with strong nods to The Strokes.

We're premiering the wonderfully retro video for "Bear Claws" today on The Independent, check it out:

Q&A with The Academic

What are you listening to at the moment?

There is so much good music out there at the minute but right now we are listening to the new War on Drugs record, ‘A Deeper Understanding’ Every song on it from start to finish is so good! Also we can’t get enough of Car Seat Headrest, Will Toledo is such a brilliant writer. Teens of Denial and Teens of Style are records that more people should hear.

What are your plans for the rest of 2017?

The rest of our year and early into 2018 is pretty manic, we just finished recording our debut album last month and we are really excited to get that out.

We also just got back from the US for a couple of weeks before we head back out there for a month long tour across 22 states. Then it’s back to the UK and Ireland for some shows in November before finishing off the year with a show in Miami in December with Weezer and Cage The Elephant.

What was the first gig you ever played and what’s been the best so far?

Our first gig was a local battle of the bands competition when we were about 15 where we actually came last! The best so far, that’s a tough one, we have got to play some amazing festivals and venues across the world now but probably our first show at Vicar Street in Dublin last year. We were nervous about doing such a big venue with only 1 EP released but the show was a complete sell out and the atmosphere that night was electric. Definitely one that will live long in the memory.

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