• Sound of Belfast programme launched

    October 23, 2014 - By 

    The programme for the inaugural Sound of Belfast in mid-November has been launched at the Oh Yeah Centre. Set to see twenty-five events take place throughout Belfast across the eight days – November 7-15 – the series of events will be kickstarted with a solo gig by Tim Wheeler (picture) and culminate in the presentation of the Oh Yeah Legend Award to alt-rock gurus Therapy? Speaking of Sound of Belfast, Stuart Bailie, CEO of Oh Yeah said: “We couldn’t have asked for a better beginning for Sound of Belfast. Tim Wheeler has written two number one albums and has an Ivor Novello…

  • Stream: Mmoths – Yago

    October 23, 2014 - By 

    Having been taking some time off to focus on the writing and recording of his second studio album, Jack Colleran AKA Mmoths has dropped the rather lovely ‘Yago’. Bearing the marks of some serious transformation over the last twelve months, the track is a subtly ecstatic electronic trawl, culminating in a sigh of quietly shattering, skittering noise. Speaking ahead of the release, Colleran said, “I’ve spent the past twelve months writing this album. ‘Yago’ and ‘Santo’ were both written during that time although they aren’t a representation of the record itself = they come from the same place in a way they’re a sign…

  • Stream: Subplots – Future Tense

    October 20, 2014 - By 

    Having reared their head after a five-year absence back in June with the release of ‘Colourbars’ – one of our favourite tracks of the year, no less – Dublin duo Phil Boughton and Daryl Chaney AKA Subplots have announced they release a new album, Autumning, on January 30. The second single to be taken from that, ‘Future Tense’ is an unravelling art-pop gem, marrying juddering, Interpol-esque bass lines with bubbling synth lines and exquisite vocals contortions. exceptionally-produced. The result is three-and-a-half minutes of sonic majesty that ends too soon. Stream ‘Future Tense’ below via Bandcamp, where you can also pre-order Autumning. Autumning by…

  • EP Stream: Silences – Sister Snow

    October 20, 2014 - By 

    Having experiencing a very encouraging 2014, Armagh indie-folk outfit Silences is the harmony-driven, effortlessly impressive brainchild of one Conchúr White. With a voice instantly conjuring two of the band’s biggest influences in Villagers and Death Cab For Cutie, there is an earthly, delicately pastoral allure to their craft; something that is in abundance on their second EP, Sister Snow. Over four wonderfully wistful tracks, the release never strays too far from its source – a distinctly provincial air of yearning, propelled by subtly hypnotic acoustic instrumentalism and White’s breathy meditations upon home, belonging and adulation. The fact that the band manage to set themselves apart…

  • Stream: Southern – Cool Kid

    October 20, 2014 - By 

    With new Irish dates expected to be announced soon, Belfast-derived, Liverpool-based brother and sister band (Thom and Lucy) Southern have really grown in stature and repute over the last few months. Currently doing the rounds supporting Jake Bugg on his UK and Irish tour, the band – also featuring Eoghan Clifford on drums – really hit home with their new single, ‘Cool Kid’. At just under three minutes in length, the track is all business – catchy, digestible, immediately familiar, it bears no sonic fat to trim, encouraging repeated listens from the get-go. We’re also a fan of the claps. Where…

  • Stream: OneKnown – JST BKZ

    October 19, 2014 - By 

    With the recent announcement that his previous outfit UNKNWN are no more, Belfast-based electronic producer Chris Hanna has wasted no time in getting back on his feet. Released under his new moniker, OneKnown, ‘JST BKZ’ is sweet cut of skittering, arpeggiated instrumentalism, conjuring the shadowy electro doom of Lorn. OneKnown is part of Belfast-based electronic imprint Champion Sound, who hold a showcase at Belfast’s Menagerie on November 15 (also featuring a DJ set from Hanna). Stream ‘JST BKZ’ below. Why? JST BKZ. Sorry.

  • Watch: 7.5 Tonnes of Beard – The Fear

    October 19, 2014 - By 

    Comprised of expertly gruesome artwork by Rich Stuart and live footage of the band performing, Belfast-based sludge metal five-piece 7.5 Tonnes of Beard have unveiled the aptly-accompanying video for their pulverizing new single, ‘The Fear’. Released ahead of a run of Irish dates with Hornets, the band – comprised of Johnny Adger and Rory Friers of And So I Watch You From Afar, Blane Doherty of Gacys Threads, Andrew Coles and Micky Higgins – comprehensively pummel over the track’s six-and-a-bit minutes, conjuring everyone from Eyehategod, Burning Witch, Down and Converge in the process. 7.5 Tonnes of Beard play the following shows over the next…

  • Exclusive: Floor Staff – Gift Horse (Live)

    October 17, 2014 - By 

    Set to perform the Oxjam Takeover in Dublin this evening, we’re pleased to present the first of three exclusive live videos by one of the city’s finest alt-pop bands, Floor Staff. Filmed at Elektra Studios, the video – featuring the band performing the earworming ‘Gift Horse’ – was directed by Bob Gallagher. The music was record by Chris Barry and James Feeney. Go here for the Oxjam Takeover Facebook event page and watch the video below.  

  • Stream: Jape – The Heart’s Desire

    October 14, 2014 - By 

    For the last couple of years, Richie Egan has been residing in the Malmö, Sweden, recording material that will rear its head on Jape’s forthcoming fifth album, The Chemical Sea. As was perfectly illustrated in Ian Pearce’s photo feature with Egan last year, there was no shortage of equipment and sonic gadgetry at the latter’s disposal in the studio, something that is more than evident on ‘The Heart’s Desire’, a new track melding Hot Chip-esque electro musing and forward-moving synth-pop that is unmistakably Jape. The Chemical Sea will be released in January. Stream ‘The Heart’s Desire’ right here.

  • Album stream: Women’s Christmas – Too Rich For Our Blood

    October 13, 2014 - By 

    In his review of the album in the first issue of our physical magazine – out now – Mike McGrath Bryan called Too Rich For Our Blood, the debut album by Dublin indie-rock trio Women’s Christmas “an enjoyable excursion into the pop sensibilities of its constituent parts.” And that it is. Comprised of members from Villagers, Jogging and I Heart the Monster Hero, the band have delivered on what came across in our Inbound feature with them back in February. If you like your lo-fi catchy and your catchiness lo-fi, this is well worth a listen. Women’s Christmas will play…