• Video Premiere: girlfriend. – Trust

    August 4, 2023 - By 

    Back in the mists of time (2016) we introduced the first iteration of North Dublin alternative band girlfriend, tipping them for Big Things in the future. Judging by the cost of living yadda yadda help, it’s now the future and it seems that, for all our high praise back then, we might have actually, inadvertently lowballed the band in question. In their final Super Saiyan form as a five-piece, girlfriend. are taking their rightful place as one of Ireland’s most vital bands. “Vital how?” you ask? We hear you, and we see your concerns, but there’s a fair chance you slept on ‘Trust’. Released in March, off the…

  • Irish Tracks of the Week – 4th August

    August 4, 2023 - By 

    This Bandcamp Friday, delve into the very best Irish releases of the week, from Natalia Beylis, Soda Blonde, Heliopause, iSad2 and more Natalia Beylis – Afloat In Fog And Feathers <a href=”https://touchsensitiverecords.bandcamp.com/album/mermaids”>Mermaids by Natalia Beylis</a> Heliopause – Runaway <a href=”https://heliopause.bandcamp.com/track/runaway-single-version”>Runaway (single version) by Heliopause</a> Soda Blonde – Bad Machine Mark Waldron-Hyden & Peadar Tom Mercier – Bruach na Laoi: Fidil & Drumaí improvisations Vol. I ​​<a href=”https://blindheadrecordings.bandcamp.com/album/bruach-na-laoi-fidil-druma-improvisations-vol-i”>Bruach na Laoi: Fidil & Drumaí improvisations Vol. I by Mark Waldron-Hyden & Peadar Tom Mercier</a> Orla Gartland – Kiss Your Face Forever iSad2 – Money Back

  • Festival Preview: Another Love Story 2023

    July 31, 2023 - By 

    Here’s the story: if a singular sense of belonging sits at the heart of every great summer festival experience, Another Love Story can lay claim to being masters in their (Co. Meath) field. Since its inaugural outing in 2014, the August weekender has transformed the sublime, 18th Century Killyon Manor into a cosy yet sprawling playground of first-rate music, art, conversation, food and more. Centre-stage, every time, are the people. As you walk up to the manor, tent pitched and first can cracked, a deep-set appreciation of the urge mentioned above to be one with both close friends and new faces…

  • Féile Na Gréine Announce 2023 Line-up

    July 24, 2023 - By 

    The line-up for this year’s Féile Na Gréine has been announced. Doubling up as the Limerick DIY festival’s biggest programme to date, this year’s outing takes over various venues across 18th-20th August 2023. As ever from one of the island’s most tuned-in – and infinitely sound – creative collective and promoters, it’s another wonderfully eclectic, thoroughly stacked line-up of gigs, site-specific performances no workshops across three days and nights. Among this year’s many highlights are a whole host of TTA favourite including Robocobra Quartet (pictured), FONDA, Eimear Reidy and Natalia Beylis, Jane Deasy, Katie Kim, Naive Ted, Search Results and…

  • Video Premiere: Drew Makes Noise – Flame

    July 11, 2023 - By 

    As one-quarter of sadly-missed Northern Irish band Ed Zealous, Andrew Wilson played a sizeable role in soundtracking what’s long been held as the country’s indie heyday. But why look back? In Wilson’s case, it seems lightning most certainly strikes twice. Fast-forward to 2023 and the Belfast-based artist is digging deep to further his prismatic alt-pop craft as Drew Makes Noise. Where recent singles like ‘This Matter’ and ‘Hey’ were lysergic and widescreen in equal measure, new single ‘Flame’ is a feat of masterful restraint. One of several peaks from his stellar debut solo album Let The Whole Tape Run, it’s…

  • Irish Tracks of the Week – 7th July

    July 7, 2023 - By 

    Another stacked week for Irish music sees an incredible traditional and Sean-Nós collection from Nyahh Records, as well as new singles and albums from the likes of Lucy Gaffney, Anna’s Anchor, Larks, Ian Nyquist and Niamh Bury Various Artists – A Collection of Songs in the Traditional & Sean-Nós Style A Collection of Songs in the Traditional & Sean-Nós Style by Nyahh Records Lucy Gaffney – Just Friends Ian Nyquist – Thiar Thiar by Ian Nyquist Anna’s Anchor – The Merries The Merries by Anna’s Anchor Larks – Talking To Myself Niamh Bury – Beehive N.O.A.H – Sour Kiss Jillelli –…

  • Quarter Block Party 2023

    July 11, 2023 - By 

    Long the jewel in the gleaming crown of Cork’s annual festival calendar, Quarter Block Party makes its highly-anticipated return across 14th-16th July. Once again striking an incredible balance between supremely DIY and carefully curated, this year’s programme promises another another world-beating three days and nights across various venues in Cork. Among the many highlights on the live music front include a double bill from two long-time TTA favourites, Elaine Howley and Maija Sofia at Couglan’s, His Father’s Voice and Rose Connolly at the Green Room of Cork Opera House, a Sunwell Tapes showcase at Plugd Records and Flowers at Night and Mantua, also…

  • Belfast Musicians Set for UNESCO City of Music Initiative

    July 6, 2023 - By 

    Two fast-rising Belfast singer-songwriters have been selected for a new UNESCO City of Music Initiative. Off the back of Belfast being awarded prestigious status in late 2021, Niall McDowell and Ciara O’Neill will travel to fellow UNESCO City of Music London, in Ontario, Canada, to perform as part of the Home County Music and Art Festival. Arranged through the UNESCO Creative Cities Network, which brings cities together to share skills and develop networks between musicians, the trip will also see McDowell and O’Neill taking part in co-writing sessions with other artists and get the chance to work with world-class producers…

  • Irish Tracks of the Week – 30th June

    June 30, 2023 - By 

    On what’s been yet another stacked week for Irish music, delve into new tracks and releases by Rachael Lavelle, ØXN, Brigid Mae Power, Neil Brogan, Jafaris, Kelley and more. Rachel Lavelle – Let Me Unlock Your Full Potential ØXN – Love Henry Brigid Mae Power – Dream From The Deep Well Dream from the Deep Well by Brigid Mae Power Neil Brogan – Yrs Truly Yrs Truly, by Neil Brogan Jafaris – Breaking Bread Keeley – Floating Above Everything Else Floating Above Everything Else by Keeley Rory Nellis and Philip Watts d’Alton – The Evening Light Caoi De Barra –…

  • Christy Dignam Has Died

    June 13, 2023 - By 

    Christy Dignam has died following a prolonged battle with illness. He was 63. According to the family of the legendary frontman of trailblazing Irish band Aslan, Dignam passed away at home this afternoon (13th June.) On Facebook, Dignam’s daughter Kiera posted a statement, stating that the much-loved Dublin singer and musician died  “peacefully” after a “courageously long-fought battle, surrounded by his family”. The statement read: “On behalf of my family, it is with a broken heart that we convey the news of my father’s passing, Christy Dignam. Dad peacefully left us where he wanted to, at home today 4pm Tuesday,…