The Ocelots are twin brothers Ashley and Brandon Watson from Wexford. Building on the folk-rock character of their debut album, they will release February 2025. their long-awaited second album, "Everything, When Said Slowly,"This album reveals a richer, more expansive sound, masterfully produced by longtime collaborators Cillian and Lorcan Byrne (who have also worked with Ailbhe Reddyand Susan O'Neill ).
The stories woven into the album revolve around themes such as Irish migration, the perception of time, love , and the simple joys of cycling.
"The title ' Everything, When Said Slowly' is an old Irish man's response to the people who have left our hometown of Wexford over the years. He said it had been a very long time since they left – but not so much time if you said it quickly. I thought that was wonderful and profound, but also very moving and fitting for the album's overall feeling. How time passes or drags – depending on what you're experiencing. Especially when it's time spent in a place you've said goodbye to."
Blood harmonies – that special harmony that arises when siblings sing together – are central to The Ocelots. This includes small imperfections: a voice that breaks, a rhythm that wavers.
Recorded live at Orphan Recording Studios 's Gavin Glass (where he has worked with Lisa Hannigan, BellX1, David Keenan, John Grant, Villagers), the band's performances coalesce into an energetic, dynamic sonic collage – enriched by flutes, synthesizers, harmonica , and harmonium.
The twin brothers blend absurdity and sincerity in a multitude of literary-inspired thought worlds. Open guitar tunings and the clawhammer banjo style lend the whole thing a country-folk depth – but the imagery is clearly urban and deliberately distances itself from the romanticized image of log cabins and nostalgic cottage idyll.
Support Act: The Belgian Blue
Pádraig Mac Mahon is the lead singer, guitarist, and songwriter of the indie rock band The Belgian Blue. His sound blends modern indie rock, alt-country, and folk with traditional Irish influences. Since 2022, he has been a prominent figure in the Viennese indie scene, performing sold-out concerts, releasing singles, and releasing the EP *Summersweeps*. In 2025, he performed with Glen Hansard at the Vienna Konzerthaus and received high praise for his songwriting and live performances.
is curated Live on Stageby Klaus Totzler (Blue Bird Vienna).
