…Er, not really, unless it’s a secret, psychic gift. The truth is, Floyd Soul and The Wolf return from headlining CityFest and winning the Bank of Ireland National Student Music Award to a headline show at Dublin’s Sugar Club on June 1st while my birthday’s really the 2nd. The gig is a pre-tour warm up to keep the Waterford four on their paws; a new single Give It A Chance is on its way along with a super-sleek summer shoot with Ian Letcombe, one of their NSMA prizes and something I just can’t wait to see.

Watch out for their exclusive interview in the next issue of HotPress, on the shelves from 22 May!

A new vid popped up on the net from Webby-nominated Balcony TV featuring an acoustic Ladydoll performance above Dame Street…check it out!

In other news, Ladydoll are enjoying a busy buzz as they support the New Bloods on Sunday night at The Whiskey in their hometown of Cork. Later in the month you can catch them supporting the mighty Fighting With Wire in Dolans Warehouse, Limerick on 23 May.

A right stink was kicked up by one lone dissenter on the official Road To V messageboard regarding the inclusion of Galway band Blasterbra in the final 14 of the festival competition.

Apparently as the band are Irish and non-resident in the UK, they were not eligible to participate, despite the previous inclusion of the new-defunct The Immediate. V representatives contacted Blasterbra in search of a loophole to ensure they retained their place in the final but efforts proved fruitless and Blasterbra were dropped.

Read the band’s MySpace blog for more…commiserations guys

Here’s to Floyd Soul and the Wolf’s howlin’ success! The Waterford pack romped home to victory in the Bank of Ireland National Student Music Awards final at The Village last night. Chosen in the first heat of the competition in Galway along with last night’s joint runners-up, DISCOnnect4, their raw, rocking style impressed judges no end. Also in second place were Dublin’s own Jerome’s Law, who stole whoops and cheers from The Village crowd with an enthusiastic live performance. Dirty 9s, Ladydoll and Philtre conceded good-natured defeat and left to pack up their gear and drown their sorrows. Performing popular songs from their Acheiving Vagueness album were the The Flaws, who polished off the night for The Village crowd.

The winning band receives a slew of prizes including extensive rehearsal and recording time, CD duplication, legal advice and a cash prize from IMRO, which means we may soon see an EP from the Waterford four. Also in the mix is an interview with HotPress and a photoshoot with fabulous Ian Oliver.

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