CABL

“Shoelaces” is the second single off Dublin alt-rock group CABL’s debut EP “See you In a Year
and a Half”, produced by Chris Ryan (Just Mustard, NewDad, Robocobra Quartet).
Shoelaces takes a narrative approach, influenced by the tradition of surreal Irish storytelling.
With menacing and melancholic inverted major chords on a double tracked and saturated
acoustic reminiscent of early Elliot Smith, CABL establish an ambiguity tonally which
foreshadows the unreliable narrative expressed through lead singer, Ava Durran.
Guitarist Luke White speaks on this unsettling energy throughout Shoelaces, “The song as we first
heard it with just Ava and an acoustic was so heavy and uneasy, that we instinctively knew we
needed to create a dark and ominous but somewhat hopeful atmosphere sonically.” Verse three
shows this juxtaposition of dark and optimistic. With disorienting feedback, oscillating delays and
screeches panning from left to right, contrasted against clean compressed major chords which
hide under double tracked drums that call and answer each other as the story starts to unravel.

CABL (pronounced Cable) are a self-proclaimed “indie rock band put through a broken
dishwasher”. Their subject matter often deals with themes such as addiction, flawed family
situations and mental illness surrounded by introspective ideas with carefully orchestrated noise,
harmony, and infectious melodies.
After spending lockdown shaping their sound, their hard work was actualised at a sold out
Workman’s Club supporting GURRIERS on Halloween night of 2021. CABL have since built up a
reputation as one of the most exciting live acts in Dublin. This reputation has secured them an
appearance in Vicar Street and support slots with bands such as Ulrika Spacek, Ducks LTD,
Robocobra Quartet, Cruel Sister and an Irish tour with Kynsy.
Through the deliberate juxtaposition of abrasive and ambient noise, CABL’s debut single ‘What a
Pop Song Sounds Like’, reflects the turbulent and fickle nature of dysfunctional relationships.
With the help of producer Chris Ryan, CABL's sophomore single 'Stranded at the Airport' takes a
more dream pop inspired approach. Described as a “Slow burning banger” by The Goo, the track
blends ambient glitch loops with fuzzed out Kevin Shields-esque guitar work and sampled
backing vocals that all accumulate to a crescendo of intricate noise. Void magazine described the
track as “ominous” and “undoubtedly Irish”, paying homage to the aforementioned Irish noise and
shoegaze heavies
The ”See You in a Year and a Half” EP focuses mostly on loss, difficult relationships and mental
illness. Often these themes are expressed lyrically through narrative surreal stories told through
dreamlike imagery. The irrationality and innate contradiction of these themes comes across
musically as a stark contrast of ambient and abrasive textures, and tonal ambiguity in the
harmony.
The first single released from the EP “B.1.” Falls halfway between a Phoebe Bridgers sad girl pop
banger and a sludgy DIIV shoegaze track. With narrative lyrics lamenting the lost idea of a lover,
draped over guitars that converse rhythmically atop a slightly swung Hip-Hop groove, B.1.
encapsulates the Noisy, Pop centric ethos in which CABL is rooted in. “B.1.” received nationwide 

radio coverage, being featured on Radio Nova, RTE, Dublin City FM, 8 Radio, UCC98.3 and Flirt
FM as well as features in playlists by Nialler9, Genuine Irish, Hot Press Golden Plec and many
other Irish press outlets.
Their sold out debut headline in Whelan's was dubbed by The Goo as "cacophony of blissful
noise”, focusing on creating one cohesive piece of music with instrumental interludes and
dynamic musicianship, rather than as a collection of individual tracks. A second headline show in
March 2023 was met with a similar reaction, selling out the Workman’s Cellar in conjunction
with MCD. This headline showed the musical growth CABL has undergone since first taking
centre stage.
Incorporating electronic loops that contrast a new found folk influence from the addition of
acoustic guitar and violins, further diversifying their musical palette which is evident on their
new EP “See You in a Year and a Half”.