ALARMIST

ALARMIST are an instrumental four-piece from Dublin, consisting of Neil Crowley, Elis Czerniak, Osgar Dukes and Barry O'Halpin.

Recorded with Solar Bears' Rian Trench, their 2013 EP Pal Magnet retains the frenetic energy, playful melodicism and constant experimentation of their first release, while incorporating a wider and more colourful and sophisticated palette of sounds. A wealth of influences can be heard across these four tracks; their sound world can instantly shift from a twanging mutation of 50s surf guitar to glitchy 8-bit electronics or cinematic, big-band influenced crescendos.

After the release of their 2011 self-titled debut EP, Alarmist gained a wide following, establishing themselves as a standout act on Dublin's independent music scene, praised equally for their sonic experimentation and for their dynamic, visual arresting live show. While inevitably compared to many acts on Ireland's healthy post/math-rock scene, Alarmist gained attention for their audibly wide range of influences. Within their configuration of electric guitars, double drums and electronics, instrumental guitar music is only one touchstone, with the various members' backgrounds in jazz, electronica and contemporary composition infiltrating their tightly wound tracks.

They have featured in 'Ones To Watch' lists for Ragged Words, State.ie and Hot Press, received airplay on RTE, Phantom FM, and BBC radio, and featured in Nialler9's Top 10 Best New Irish Acts and Best Irish EPs of 2011, as voted by readers.

Live appearances have included Camden Crawl Dublin, Hard Working Class Heroes and Whelans' Ones To Watch festivals, as well as a 2012 tour of Ireland and the UK. Their performances are often enhanced by projections by live visuals artists Slipdraft.

"It’s hard to think of a more accomplished live act than Alarmist, an instrumental foursome from Dublin who put precision before pride..Marrying the sweet with the murky and the spiky with the smooth, Alarmist have presumably sauntered through every genre known to man before arriving at their signature sound, and now that they’ve found it, there’s nary a note out of place." Hot Press.

"The four guys in Alarmist wasted no time getting themselves noticed on the live Dublin circuit...as a killer live band. Yes, they’re another instrumental band but rather than taking their cues from rock histrionics, they are clearly inspired by a wider range of sounds." Niall Byrne, Nialler9.com & State.ie.

"Their extraordinary multi-layered sound will go down well with fans of Chicago instrumentalists Tortoise and, locally, members of the Richter Collective family...On their harmonious debut, you’ll find bizarre, yet intriguing song titles aplenty (specifically speaking, ‘Bathtime For Squid’), otherworldly static hissing, and staggering drum patterns. Easily one of the Irish EPs of the year" Hot Press.

"Dublin four-piece Alarmist [craft] dense, multilayered post-rock that’s equal parts rocking and restrained – all without so much as a single throat being cleared. Check out...their tight-as-fuck live show – for proof of Alarmist’s growing potential." Ragged Words, "11 for '11"

"Alarmist are a flawless live band...Their musicianship and timing is so perfect, yet their songs can be so spontaneous and harsh...Their ability to play various instruments simultaneously is a spectacle in itself..' Goldenplec.ie