• First Electric Picnic Stage-Times Unveiled

    August 29, 2016 - By 

    Set to make its annual return to the 600 acre Stradbally Estate in Co. Laois this weekend, the first stage-times for this year’s Electric Picnic have been unveiled. With times for the likes of Cosby, Little Big Tent, Electric Arena and more yet tom be announced, start planning your weekend for the likes of the Main Stage, Body and Soul Main Stage, Rankin’s Wood, Other Voices and more below. Friday Main Stage 22.30-00.00 The Chemical Brothers 21.00-22.00 The 1975 19.30-20.30 Nas 18.15-19.00 Abc 17.00-17.45 Ryan Sheridan Body And Soul Main Stage 02.45-03.30 Whilk & Misky 01.30-02.15 Mothxr 00.00-01.00 Flexfab 22.30-23.30 The Altered Hours…

  • Download: Fixity – FIXITY 2 & Live In What Used To Be A Church

    August 29, 2016 - By 

    Cork drummer maestro Dan Walsh AKA FIXITY likes to keep himself busy. From his work and creative endeavours with The Great Balloon Race, Cork Improvised Music Club, jazz night Blue Note and many musical projects, there’s a forward-moving momentum to his multifaceted musical trajectory to date. With his first, self-titled album as FIXITY released via Cork tape imprint Kantcope in July, Walsh has just released two new releases: FIXITY 2 and Live In What Used To Be A Church, the latter released featuring Emil Nerstrand, Kevin Terry, Fortune, Declan O’Shea and Dan Walsh. A restless, six-track release, FIXITY 2 is a perfectly…

  • Other Voices Make Open Call For IMRO Open Room

    August 26, 2016 - By 

    Having offered the likes of Villagers, James Vincent McMorrow and Rusangano Family a platform over the years, the annual call for applicants for the IMRO Open Room at Other Voices 2016 has been made. In December last year, the IMRO Other Room was filmed in front of a live audience as part of the Music Trail for the first time. This July an hour long special on the Other Room aired on RTÉ 2, featuring performances from Saint Sister, Talos, 2015 Open Call winner Saramai and others. To apply to play the IMRO Other Room in December 2016 go here.

  • Premiere: Scenery – Howlin’

    August 25, 2016 - By 

    Early days though it is, Derry’s Scenery have already established themselves on the live front as an act that won’t likely be slotted into a neat box any time soon. With a sound confidently traversing progressively-minded rock, soul, jazz and blues, the Stephen Whiteman-fronted band’s debut single ‘Howlin” is a feverish effort weaving wanton sax and vocals over a creeping chord progression that burrows deep. For a band proudly wearing throwback sounds on their collective sleeve, it’s a first gambit that edges into forward-looking, decidedly urgent territory. Taken from their debut EP, Far Out, exclusively stream ‘Howlin” – and check out forthcoming Scenery…

  • Stream: I Am Karate – Swayze

    August 30, 2016 - By 

    Scandinavia has been at the helm of what could be called Pop music’s glorious renaissance of the past couple of years. From artists like Denmark’s MØ to Sweden’s Rabbii, Ji Nilsson, and Julia Spada there is a plethora of acts currently doing a terrific job of bringing out the synth-pop fan in even the most hard-hearted listeners. Another act that fits comfortably into this realm while still operating with a wealth of individuality is Stockholm’s I Am Karate. The duo, made up of Erika Soldh Ahlström and Marta Pettersson, released their debut EP In Thin Air (I mean, how couldn’t we talk about them?) back in July and now unveil…

  • Premiere: Carriages – Moving Parts

    August 24, 2016 - By 

    Dublin duo Harry Bookless and Aaron Page AKA Carriages aren’t an act to shy away from idiosyncratic process. Following on from the stellar ‘Like a Child’ – released back in March – their latest single, ‘Moving Parts’, began life as a recording of Harry’s nephew Alex, who was 3 years old at the time, singing as he played with some percussion instruments. According to the pair, “A short loop was cut from the recording and a chord sequence was written around it and this became the basis for the song. Aaron wrote the lyrics and melody around Alex’s singing and the main hook…

  • Girls Names Announce Remix EP, stream ‘Zero Triptych’ (Mikey Young Remix)

    August 24, 2016 - By 

    Ahead of a new string of live dates that sees them zig-zag around European from the end of August to early October, Girls Names have announced Revisionism, an EP of remixes featuring the likes of Total Control’s Mikey Young, Broken English Club, Shift Work, Group Zero and The Horrors’ Tom Furse. The first track to be lifted from the release, Young’s re-workin of the band’s 2016 single ‘Zero Triptych’ is a blissed-out effort that re-frames frontman Cathal Cully’s words in a new guise. Revisionism is set for release via Tough Love on September 16. Check out forthcoming Girls Names dates, the artwork for Revisionism and…

  • Electric Picnic Reveal Salty Dog Stage Line-Up

    August 24, 2016 - By 

    With just over a week to go, Electric Picnic have unveiled the line-up for its shipwreck-like Salty Dog Stage. Set to perform at the stage over the course of September 2-4 are Bronagh Gallagher Band, Le Galaxie Soundsystem (above), David Kitt, Dr Strangely Strange, Kormac, R.S.A.G, The Eskies, Stomptown Brass, Prison Love, Buffalo Sunn, Mongrel State, Old Hannah, The Pete Pamf Sextette, The Trinitones, The Square Pegs, The Cronins, Mick Pyro and the Blues Cartel, Áine Cahill, My Fellow Sponges, Emma Lou & the Agenda, Leila Jane & the Healers, Gavin Glass, Manden Express, Mutefish, Third Smoke, Five By Five, Ross Breen, Sion Hill, Swords and Portside Hootenanny.  At this point we’d normally link…

  • More Acts Announced For Metropolis

    August 24, 2016 - By 

    With the likes of Grace Jones, Moderat and DJ Shadow already announced, Groove Armada, Floating Points (3 hr DJ set), Clams Casino, Shura, Novelist, Klangkarussell and Mall Grab have all been added to the bill for the second annual Metropolis in Dublin from November 3.5. Presented by POD and Hidden Agenda, this year’s festival will return to RDS at the end of the year after a sell-out first year. Set in the industrial array of warehouses and venues with the RDS complex, the indoor event offers a tapestry of music, art installation performance and conversation over 6 days. With more acts and…

  • Premiere: Son of the Hound – I.O.U

    August 23, 2016 - By 

    Not one to rest easy on one particular sound or approach, it’s safe to say there are many strings to Michael McCullagh AKA Son of the Hound’s proverbial bow. From his days as guitarist in Colenso Parade right through to his outfit in his previous musical nom de plume Meb Jon Sol, the Omagh musician is back with yet another change of direction in the form of 60s influenced indie rock n’ roll single ‘I.O.U’. Speaking to TTA, McCullagh said: “I.O.U was recorded in Milbank studios, with Mike Mormecha doubling up on drum and recording duties. It was recorded live initially and then cleaned…