Problem Patterns Win Album of The Year @ Northern Ireland Music Prize 2024

Belfast-based DIY feminist queerpunk quartet PROBLEM PATTERNS are delighted to announce that they are the winners of the coveted ‘Album of The Year’ category at this year’s Northern Irish Music Prize 2024.

The four piece’s critically acclaimed debut album Blouse Club is out now via Alcopop! Records, with PP tipped by Kathleen Hanna (Le Tigre, Bikini Kill) and Henry Rollins (Black Flag) as one of the most exciting new punk bands on the planet.

Commenting on the news, Ciara King from the band says: “We’re a bit speechless about winning the album of the year. I guess it means so much to us to see a queer, feminist piece of work winning a prize of this scale. I think it makes me feel hopeful that queer voices are being appreciated. We absolutely did not expect to win and did cartwheels and tumbles on stage. We put everything we had into this album and we’re really proud of it. It’s a true reflection of who we all are as people. This means the world to a DIY punk band like us. Thanks to everyone who’s supported so far, bring on Problem Patterns 2025!”

To celebrate the news, the band have shared another new cut from the recently-revealed electronic rework version of the album, Blouse Clubland, which is also out now via Alcopop! Records.

An eclectic mix of melody, mash ups, and mayhem, this exquisite new version of the record sees the Belfast punk icons come together with a boatload of their finest friends, collaborators, and fellow musicians to re-work the original tracks into a sublime new listening experience.

It's Problem Patterns, but not like you've ever heard them before.

New single ‘Who Do We Not Remix’ is the latest track to be taken from the record—another searing reworked version that brings a completely fresh energy to the band’s vital output, and features Nymphowars podcast host Macy Rodman.

Commenting on the track, the band say: “When it came to putting Blouse Clubland together, there was a point to be made that a message can be just as powerful through a dance lens. The original version of ‘Who Do We Not Save?’ was a song directly critiquing the UK’s handling of the National Healthcare Service, and unfortunately circumstances have continued to get worse for the majority of people.”

“We’re fans of Macy Rodman from her podcast, Nymphowars, which has been a great source of joy when times haven’t been so positive. Beth introduced the show to all of us and had the idea to contact Macy, who we couldn’t dream would actually want to collaborate. We are so used to her making us laugh, and yet when we heard Who Do We Not Remix for the first time, it felt like a gut punch. We genuinely can’t believe she wrote her own verse and we are utterly inspired by the result. To hear this song through her lens, especially with the state of healthcare in America, is so incredibly powerful. We are so hugely grateful that she gave this to us.”

Blouse Clubland is available on limited edition cassette tape (pink) with an outrageously loud accompanying limited edition shirt/blouse in collaboration with clothing range The Dudes (see image below) - purchase now: https://ilovealcopop.co.uk/collections/problem-patterns

The remix album follows on from the standalone single ‘I Think You Should Leave’ released earlier this year, following a bumper summer of performances at Glastonbury Festival, Stendahl Festival, 2000 Trees, TRUCK Festival and Belsonic.

Fresh from supporting Dream Wife on their Irish tour in 2023 the band were tipped as The Observer newspaper’s Ones To Watch, rounding out last year opening for The Spook School at their reunion show in Glasgow.

The band have two remaining December support slots with Other Half and The Mary Wallopers to round out the year.

Further live dates TBA.

Blouse Clubland is out now via Alcopop! Records

Live Dates:

15.12.24 - Norwich - Voodoo Daddy’s (w/ Other Half)

29.12.24 - Belfast - SSE Arena (w/ The Mary Wallopers)