Charlie Pinhey
Music journalist & online sub-editor for CLUNK Magazine based in Bristol. Fumbling around on social media trying to tell people about my interviews and reviews. Follow me @charvawritesstuff
Irish indie pop band All Thumbs return with the instantly uplifting ‘Chalk And Cheese,’ their second single
All Thumbs are an indie-pop band “with two left feet”. With that phrase, the four-piece from West Ireland conjure images of them pumping out happy melodies whilst flopping about on stage as they try to keep up with their own rhythm.
They’re a light-hearted band who clearly enjoy playing together, embodied by their first single of 2025 titled ‘Chalk and Cheese.’ At just over three minutes long, ‘Chalk and Cheese’ is instantly uplifting with a fast-paced motorcycle guitar hook and a swirling bass.
However, what makes this track stand out is the duo vocal approach between front person Rosa Kinsella and Ciarán Hearns. It’s unexpected when they first come in, but totally refreshing, and I’m reminded of the likes of D.I.D (Dog Is Dead) and Stornoway, bands synonymous with intricate 2010’s indie.
These two styles come together impressively and in celebratory fashion, which is where ‘Chalk and Cheese’ shines thematically as well. ‘Chalk and Cheese‘ is a track about celebrating our differences in the hope it brings us closer together. The single’s artwork of cramped kitchen depicts the likely setting of where Rosa’s neighbours were fighting one night, who had recently fled war with their young children.
Yet despite the highly stressful situation they were in, food was often shared between the family and Rosa, which is where the idea of eating a bowl of chalk and cheese came from and celebrating feeding one another.
All Thumbs are Rosa Kinsella (front person), Ciarán Hearns (guitar), Daniel Kinsella (bass) and Marcus McCambridge (drums).
Listen to ‘Chalk and Cheese‘ here:
Catch All Thumbs at the following:
20th June– Headlining Midnight show Róisín Dubh
21st June – Supporting The WU in the Cellar (Galway)
8th August – We’ve Only Just Begun Festival in Whelan’s