Cutaways

Formerly known as The Betes Noires

Cutaways released their debut album Earth and Earthly Things on Monday 6th July 2009 on download and CD digipak, preceded by the download single, Milo of Kroton on Monday 11th May.

Cutaways use two boys, one girl, two synths, one guitar, a drum kit and bags full of hooks and melodies to make their jagged and boisterous pop music.
Paul McIver sings and plays guitar.
Grace McMacken sings and plays synths.
Ryan Simpson hits drums.

In 2008, Cutaways released the Start Stop! Start Stop! EP, receiving airplay from Colin Murray on national Radio 1 and rave reviews from the likes of Artrocker magazine. Cutaways have taken their vibrant live show all across Ireland, while also touring the UK and playing recent shows in Toronto, Canada as part of Indieweek Canada. The gigs themselves feature anything from impromptu puppet shows to 'rap' cameos. The band’s puppet counterparts also starred in the video for Lovers Are Lunatics; and Blue Bird, Yellow Bird and Red Bird from the EP's artwork sprung to life terrorizing the streets of Belfast in the video for I Don't Understand What You Don't Say.

2009 saw the NME hailing Cutaways as "your new favourite band" and Ireland's Hot Press and AU magazines both name Cutaways as one of the bands to watch in the coming year. In March the band made their first TV appearance on regional ITV1’s 'Live at The Limelight' while the summer saw Cutaways play some of their most exciting shows to date, taking to the stage at a number of festivals including headlining Belfast Pride and also taking in Indie Week Ireland, Glasgowbury and Feile Festival.