Irish no-wave provocateur Skinner shares his cover of Grauzone's "Eisbär" (polar bear) + announces 2025 live dates
PRAISE FOR SKINNER
THE IRISH TIMES – ALBUM OF THE WEEK 4****
"an album that roils with ferocity and is propelled by the belief that art’s first duty is to make the listener sit up and give their full attention."
CLASH – 8/10
"A brilliantly infectious oddball debut...”
DAILY MIRROR
"It’s the sound of alienation, an antidote to soulless modern pop."
GOLDEN PLEC - 4*
“New Wave Vaudeville showcases the eclectic style and talent of a multi-instrumentalist who has also mastered the skill set of production, making a big splash in the no wave-jazz-punk arena.”
HEAD STUFF
"Skinner’s New Wave Vaudeville is an album that challenges its listeners to embrace the chaos. Whether you’re a fan of no wave or indie rock, Skinner’s debut offers something fresh—an album that refuses to conform to expectations. It’s wild, it’s fun, and it’s not afraid to be messy. For those ready to take the plunge, New Wave Vaudeville is an experience worth having."
LOUDER THAN WAR
"It’s bonkers at times, compelling, marvellous to witness live and makes us want to experience the whole show again."
*****
Following on from his highly-praised debut album ‘New Wave Vaudeville’ released earlier this year, Irish No-wave provocateur Skinner has now returned to share his cover of the 1980s synthwave classic ‘Eisbär’ (polar bear).
Originally recorded by the Swiss outfit Grauzone, Skinner’s rendition of “Eisbär”sees him swap out the shimmering synths in exchange for his own raw and gritty aesthetic. Adding a bold and cacophonous edge to the original, with soaring guitars and thunderous drums, he continues to make his mark as one of the more innovative names on the rise right now.
Speaking about the release, he said, "I’ve always had a real fondness for the song since I was a teenager. When translated to English the lyrics are so stark and I think it really captures the beauty and sadness of what it means to be lonely. The idea of wanting to be a polar bear alone in the arctic so you “wouldn’t have to cry and longer and everything would be fine” is so striking and I think a lot of people can relate to that feeling of isolation.
“We play the song live and I always ask if there are any Germans in the audience. Nine times out of 10, people come up to me afterwards and say how they’ve known that song since they were a kid in Germany and why is an Irish guy singing it in German haha. I’ve always been a huge fan of the German language so getting to perform a song in your non-native tongue is always very fun for me. Most of the time the Germans in the crowd say my accent is pretty good which is a huge compliment."
Alongside news of his latest offering, Skinner has also announced a string of live shows and festival dates for the year ahead. See the full list of confirmed performances below.
See Skinner Live:
Tuesday April 22 - Supersonic, Paris, France
Sunday May 25th - A Stone's Throw Festival, North Shields, UK
Sunday June 1st - Ealu Na Gra, Galway, Ireland
Saturday June 7th - When We Next Meet - Clonmel, Tipperary, Ireland
Sunday June 15th - Beyond The Pale, Wicklow, Ireland
Saturday 28th June - Night and Day – Roscommon, Ireland
Friday 1st of August - ATN, Waterford, Ireland
Saturday August 9th - Under The Drum, Ballyclare, Antrim, Northern Ireland
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