Irish 4-Piece The Academic Set to Invade U.S. With First-Ever U.S. Tour - New Single "Bear Claws" Out Now via Downtown

Thrilling young Irish indie rockers The Academic have announced the release of Bear Claws, a vibrant, anthemic piece of alt-rock mastery. The track, which casts a nostalgic glance over its now more adult shoulder, was inspired by those early youthful days when the band, still teenagers themselves, were trying to navigate their way through the minefield that is ‘youth socialising’. Listen here via Uproxx: http://uproxx.com/music/the-academic-bear-claws-premiere/

Following their independently released Loose Friends EP in 2015 and last year’s equally successful single Mixtape 2003, the band scored opening spots with Pixies, Noel Gallagher, Catfish And The Bottlemen, and Twenty One Pilots, in addition to supporting The Strokes at Hyde Park, London and recently completed a number of sold-out UK and Ireland headline shows. This fall they will embark on their first-ever US tour, supporting Judah & The Lion. Full dates below.

Having already earned considerable critical praise from the online community as well as nods from the likes of The New York Times and The Irish Times, the band have had significant support across European radio stations including support from BBC Radio 1 with airplay from the likes of Annie Mac and Huw Stephens, while Phil Taggart has earmarked the quartet as one of Ireland’s biggest emerging acts, drawing welcome comparisons to fellow Irishmen Two Door Cinema Club amongst others.

Discussing their nostalgic new single, the band stated: “Bear Claws is a song about when you are coming of age, that period of your life when you’re just starting to socialise, getting out there and doing it. We all do stupid things at that time of our lives, not thinking about the longer-term implications. It’s also about asking people to be honest and open rather than holding back, which in adolescence is easier said than done.”

Bear Claws, produced by Tim Pagnotta (Neon Trees, Saint Motel), will be available on all platforms July 7th.

The Academic is Craig Fitzgerald (vox/guitar), Dean Gavin (drums) and brothers Matt (lead guitar) and Stephen Murtagh (bass).

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“Biting indie rock” “intensity to the band's songwriting, making it impossible to dislodge” Clash Music

“Some bands have such talent that when you hear their music for the first time, you are instantly hooked. These are the bands you discover early on when they’re playing small clubs before they eventually headline festivals to audiences of 100,000 or more. One of those bands to watch is The Academic” – The Revue

The Academic Tour Dates:

Sept 28 – The Blue Note – Columbia, MO

Sept 29 – First Avenue – Minneapolis, MN

Oct 1 – The Intersection – Grand Rapids, MI

Oct 2 – The Rave II – Milwaukee, WI

Oct 5 – Newport Music Hall – Columbus, OH

Oct 7 – Minglewood Hall – Memphis, TN

Oct 10 – Maverick’s – Jacksonville, FL

Oct 14 – Music Farm – Charleston, SC

Oct 15 – The Ritz – Raleigh, NC

Oct 16 – Jefferson Theatre – Charlottesville, VA

Oct 19 – Town Ballroom – Buffalo, NY

Oct 22 – 9:30 Club – Washington, DC

Oct 25 – Metroplex – Little Rock, AR

Oct 26 – Cain’s Ballroom – Tulsa, OK

*All dates with Judah & The Lion