Hard Working Class Heroes – Bad Bobs

Hard Working Class Heroes Festival is on this Thursday, 2nd of October at the Bad Bobs.

Maija Sofia

8pm - 8.30pm Bad Bobs

Maija Sofia is a singer/songwriter from Galway. She taught herself to play guitar when she was 13, and has been writing songs ever since. When performing she blends vocals with sparse harp melodies and raw electric guitar before filtering it all through a dark lo-fi layer. She has been described by bloggers Rapunzel and Pie as 'mesmerizing and moving, dreamy, melodic and stunning'; by Harmless Noise as 'Luxurious and Raw' and by Hot Press as 'uber-talented.' In recent months her disconcerting lyrics and ethereal melodies have earned her notable recognition in Ireland and beyond.

Mere Moths

8.40pm - 9.10pm Bad Bobs

Mere Moths is Patrick Wright from Dromore Co Down. he released his first solo EP 'You Grew Up' in 2014

'The journey of Patrick Wright from guitar swinging, indie rocker, to the delicate and soulful acoustic tinged folk artists that he has became in recent times has been a long and intriguing process. Starting life as a promising indie four piece, ‘Mere Moths’ immediately grabbed the attention of the local music scene through their acclaimed ‘Water Of The Land’ EP. You felt the only thing that would hold the band back was their age, as despite the technical complexity of their compositions and Wrights clever and mature lyrical prowess, they were only young teenagers. Wright himself has admitted in interviews that he was only ‘about 14 or 15? when he wrote the songs that would shine the first spotlight onto Mere Moths and their rock filled potential. Sadly, life got in the way and gradually the band began to dissolve until only Patrick was left. Deciding the keep the name that had already gained the respect of his musical contemporaries, ‘Mere Moths’ began life as a solo project. 'Taylor Johnson Encore Ni

Leanne Harte

9.20pm - 9.50pm Bad Bobs

Founding her own indie label. A first ever live performance in Vicar Street at the tender age of 15. An electric guitar endorsement deal by 16. Award nominations, and subsequent celebrations. TV appearances, radio airplay, nationwide tours. Critically acclaimed releases in the form of debut EP Eradication, eponymous LP Leanne Harte, and live album An Irish Girl in Paris. Whilst most of her peers were embracing the mischief that teenage and college years bring, Dublin multi-instrumentalist singer songwriter LEANNE HARTE was embarking on an impressive musical journey...

But like any journey worth making, there are inevitable bumps in the road - and struggles with both herself and others around her eventually led to Leanne taking a well-earned break to embrace alternative projects. She successfully obtained a multimedia programming degree by day, whilst putting her musical talents to good use by night - recording and gigging as a member of Queen Kong, and wielding the axe as part of electro-rock burlesque troupe Midnight Burlectro by night (it’s always the quiet ones!)

Hugh Hick

10pm - 10.30pm Bad Bobs

Hugh Hick is a singer-songwriter who has been gigging around the Dublin scene since his first release in April 2013.

Since then, he has been featured on RTE’s 2XM and 103.2 Dublin City FM and has played many of Dublin's major venues including Whelan's, Sweeney's and The Mercantile. He has supported surf rock band Jet Setter for their first single launch, and most recently performed in The Liquor Rooms in the Clarence Hotel as part of the celebrations marking the end of The Gathering.

Hugh’s music juxtaposes the softer side of piano based balladeers such as Nick Cave and Tom Waits while also reflecting the darker tones present in both of those artists. His songwriting deals with a wide variety of themes, from politics to narcissism and everything in between.

The Academic

10.40pm - 11.10pm Bad Bobs

The Academic are a 4 piece indie band from Mullingar, Co.Westmeath. School friends, Craig , Matt , Dean and Stpehen have been playing together since there were in their early teens but formally came together as The Academic in 2013. With a natural ability to write great songs and play great live, it wasn't too long before their talent was being recognised both in Ireland and abroad. From playing Battle of The Bands competitions in their hometown to playing events such as Other Voices in 2013, Longitude Festival and Benciassim in 2014 as well as supporting bands such as Kodaline, Little Green Cars and The Pixies ,the future looks very bright for the band. Debut EP release - Autumn 2014

Walpurgis Family

11.20pm - 11.50pm Bad Bobs

Walpurgis Family is an indie chamber pop group, which generally consists of 3 to 7 members all playing in various Popical Island bands. In similar spirit as their fellow Popical Island acts, this Dublin-based band plays bittersweet tunes with a strong lyrical touch, which reminds of the minimalistic side of Yo La Tengo & the catchier work by Jim O'Rourke. They released two albums to date: the home-recorded debut album ‘Midsummer Party’ was released in 2010 and the critically acclaimed album Dawn was released in 2012.

"a band kneeling at the altar of great music" - Irish Times
"The Walpurgis Family produce beautiful, star-gazing melodically-charged indie pop" - Hot Press

Melys Manley

12pm - 12.30pm Bad Bobs

Myles Manley is a country&western singer from Sligo, Ireland who released a first greatest hits collection 'Greatest Hits 2012-2013' last year.