• Video Premiere: Aul Boy – Wait

    July 9, 2018 - By 

    Elaborated and delivering upon the promise laid down by his solo bedroom debut EP Blue Ghosts, Fionn Robinson, aka Aul Boy – now expanded to become fully fledged band – has given us a first peep of the video for their new latest single, ‘Wait’. Featuring Bjørn Patzwald, Peadar Coll & Jeremy Howard, the song is a wry, tongue-in-cheek, slice-of-life (“I’m not buying milk for two, baby“) distillation of Mac DeMarco, or Terror Twilight-era Pavement were they late-risers from Donegal. And, much like Mac reclaimed the vieux jeu Steely Dan, Aul Boy’s heartfully reclaimed Hendrix blues noodling works much to the song’s strength. The song was recorded and mixed by Percy Robinson…

  • A Litany Of Failures Vol. II Announced

    July 3, 2018 - By 

    Following the limited release of cross-Ireland Little L Records compilation, 2016’s A Litany of Failures – featuring Oh Boland, Shrug Life, That Snaake and Junk Drawer – an expanded second edition has been confirmed for release on July 13. Set to be released on 180g gatefold double vinyl, as well as through Bandcamp, Spotify and the usual outlets, it features 18 acts from Belfast, Cork, Derry, Donegal, Dublin, Galway & Limerick. The DIY, co-op endeavour aims to provide an opportunity to perform outside each of their hometowns, shortening the mental distances between bands, and encouraging a cross-pollination of musical communities. Splitting costs between artists and the organisers, a sense of…

  • Deadline Approaching for Help Musicians NI Transmission Fund

    June 21, 2018 - By 

    Music charity Help Musicians UK’s Transmission Fund is approaching the first round deadline of June 29 for applications. Although the scheme is UK-wide, we’re both heavily encouraging Northern Irish artists to apply – in recent years they’ve supported the likes of Joshua Burnside & Rebekah Fitch. In the words of Help Musicians UK: “The Transmission Fund is designed to help you build your career by providing grants of £500 – £1500 to fund opportunities allowing you to focus on developing your artistic and professional development at a crucial point in your career. We can support opportunities such as short courses, workshops, training and time limited periods of…

  • VerseChorusVerse – outro

    June 20, 2018 - By 

    Former ASIWYFA axeman Tony Wright’s VerseChorusVerse has surprise released his third album, outro, to accompany the news of his debut book later this year. Blending the literary & theatrical prowess displayed on last year’s The Tragedy of Dr Hannigan with the folk & blues he’s become known for under the VCV moniker, outro marks his return to Big Guitar Anthems, indulging in the alt. rock edge and dynamic he gave to ASIWYFA. The LP was minimally by Wright & Andrew Coles in a mansion on the North Coat, assisted on backing vocals & bass by Arvo Party/LaFaro’s Herb Magee. Stream it here: outro by VerseChorusVerse As explained in the following video, proceeds…

  • Final Mandela Hall Show Announced

    June 18, 2018 - By 

    You’d be hard-pressed to find someone who hasn’t forged a key memory in Mandela Hall since its 1986 naming, so the announcement of its closure – due to the development of the Student’s Union – came as a blow to many. Fortunately, the good people of the SU have invited And So I Watch You From Afar to headline and curate its final ever bill – a genre-spanning tapestry of some of the finest and fast-rising artists from here – taking place on Friday, July 27. On the bill are Mojo Fury, playing their first show in years, Robocobra Quartet – who’ve just put out one of the albums of…

  • Primavera Sound 2018

    June 15, 2018 - By 

    Four Tet – Credit: Sergio Albert Disclaimer: The punctuality of this review was brought to you by Vueling Airlines, whose inability to deal with two hours of stormy weather resulted in several hundred failing to make it home for up to 4 days without compensation – half this site’s editorial team included. We recommend sacrificing some extra budget allocation on transport. It’s easy to stress the festival experience with its clashes, transport and accommodation woes, but once you’ve arrived at Primavera Sound, it’s all vibes; that soft coastal breeze – and a €1 street Estrella to cushion the sun’s blow…

  • Giant Sand @ Whelan’s, Dublin

    June 13, 2018 - By 

    No word in the English language sums up Howe Gelb’s ever-mutating life’s work Giant Sand more than idiosyncratic. Threaded through by just one man and his broad-ranging – oft. cowpunk – plays on the idioms of Americana and the topics he’s always held dear: love, death, humour & wanderlust, never straying too far from wryly homespun existentialism. Despite a few of indefinite hiatuses in the last few years, Giant Sand’s original lineup were reconvened for a complete rerecording of their debut LP, a scattershot snapshot of 35 years ago accompanied by members of Gelb’s LA & Tuscon circles at the…

  • Open Ear Festival Announces Stage Times

    May 28, 2018 - By 

    One of the most unique and diverse festivals in Ireland, set in the beautiful off-coast sanctuary of Sherkin Island, Open Ear Festival holds its third annual outing from May 31-June 3, and times have just been announced. From avant-garde sound design and ambient music to experimental dance music and groovy electronics, it is a festival that champions the best of the best in the Irish undergrowth. As a festival of forward-thinking musical technologists, it’s nigh-on-peerless in Ireland right now. This year, the Thursday includes an opening concert featuring Dream Cycles, electroacoustic artist Roger Doyle and organist & drone artist Aine O’Dwyer in a hidden location on…

  • Primavera 2018 Preview: A Vibe Guide

    May 24, 2018 - By 

    Another year has come around and despite the weather we’ve been having, the growing thirst for a sunny escape is very much due a quenching. That perennial indicator of what’s both cool and good, Primavera Sound, has rolled around and with it comes that old safety net of acceptability over post-sunrise sleeping hours. We’ve kindly put together a little Spotify playlist of some of our favourites to accompany your preparation. (Heads up – those record stalls can hold onto your purchases until you’re leaving) Thanks to First Contact Music, this year will see five deserving independent Irish acts on the Day Pro…

  • Kurt Vile & The Violators Set For Belfast Show

    May 23, 2018 - By 

    In addition to his previously-announced Vicar Street show, one of indie rock’s finest and most understated guitarists and songwriters – not to mention chill dude – Kurt Vile brings The Violators to Belfast’s Limelight 1 on November 15. He’s released seven acclaimed albums, the most recent being his the wonderful collaboration with Courtney Barnett, Lotta Sea Lice, as well as working with J Mascis, Kim Gordon, John Prine, John Cale and Warpaint as the respect he commands increases exponentially. Tickets go on sale this Friday May 25 at 9am from Ticketmaster, priced at £21 + booking fee.