• Ought w/ Autumns @ Voodoo, Belfast

    Ought are somewhat of an anomaly on Constellation Records, a label known more for post-rock bands like Godspeed You! Black Emperor, but then they’re also an anomaly in that they’re a Canadian band without any Canadian members, their personnel having moved to Montreal from various US states and, in one case, Australia. Still on the touring trail for last year’s sublime second LP Sun Coming Down, their second European trek since its release sees them make a much anticipated return to Ireland and a Belfast debut. Derry’s Autumns kick things off, fast becoming Belfast’s support-band-in-residence, which is no bad thing.…

  • Interview: Noise, Lust and Depression with Autumns

    Ahead of three Belfast shows in the coming months, Derry’s Christian Donaghey AKA Autumns is a man on a mission. Having recently recorded his debut LP in two days at Smalltown America Studios, Donaghey chats to us about the art of improvisation, the literary impact on his work and his plans for the year. Hi Christan, you’ve recently finished recording your debut album.Who did you record with and how did it go? I recorded the album with a great engineer and long-time friend of mine called Caolán Austin, who I’ve known since I was around thirteen. We recorded it in my…

  • Stream: Autumns – The Fall

    As many of you will know by now, Derry’s Christian Donaghey AKA Autumns isn’t exactly in the business of snappy middle 8s and earworming refrains. Delving further into more experimental and decidedly murkier territory than before, his new track ‘The Fall’ summons the ghost of impoverished Düsseldorf winters and squalid cold water flats, bug-infested floorboards, insurmountable overdue rent and Suicide soundtracking the End on some barely musical engine of ruin. Donaghey said, “Lately I’ve been incredibly inspired and obsessed with transgressive authors and philosophers. This track is influenced just as much by the literature I’m reading than the dark industrial, electronic sound that I hear in my…

  • Monday Mixtape: Christian Donaghey (Autumns)

    In the latest installment of Monday Mixtape, Derry musician Christian Donaghey – best known for his noise-pop project Autumns – selects and talks about some of his all-time favourite songs, featuring the likes of The Telescopes, Psychic Tv and Medicine. Autumns support Blue Whale at our BYOB, filmed show at Belfast’s The Loft this Saturday night (May 23). They will also support The KVB in Berlin on June 17. James Chance and The Blacks – Contort Yourself There’s two versions of this song, the other is by James Chance and The Contortions. I love this version a lot more because they made guitars…

  • Psych-Rock Revolution: Ireland and Beyond

    When you consider Ireland’s rich history of iconic rock bands, those of a psych-rock persuasion don’t feature heavily on the list. Bands labelled as psychedelic were emerging in the US and Britain as early as the 1960’s. At the beginning it was defined by experimental songwriting, mind-altering drug culture, and a penchtant for flamboyant silk shirts. Tracing its roots back to the 1960’s you find bands like The Beatles, Pink Floyd, The Yardbirds, Jimmi Hendrix, The Doors, Soft Machine, Sly and the Family Stone and The Grateful Dead. Although Ireland could not be seen as a psych-rock hub, it has…

  • Premiere: Autumns – Blonde EP

    Fronted by Christian Donaghey, Derry noise-pop trio Autumns are easily one of our favourite live acts from Northern Ireland. Their shows are generally compact, explosive affairs; whirlwinds of feedback-soaked noise and jangling gusto. Released via Belfast’s CF Records, the band’s new four-track EP, Blonde, manages to contain the fervent, kinetic essence of their live show, bursting out of the traps on ‘Je Vous Être’ and crashing back down to earth on ‘You’re Not Tough Enough’. The follow-up up to their Downwards-released debut mini album, the EP was recorded in a single day at their first ever studio recording at Belfast’s Start Together. Blonde…

  • Premiere: Gross Net – Gross Net EP

    Recently-arrived post-punk/neue Deutsche welle-influenced duo Gross Net – comprised of Girls Names‘ Philip Quinn and Autumns‘ Christian Donaghey, completed by programmed drums – have announced a brooding, excellent new three-track self-titled EP in the form of a cassette, recorded by the band themselves over the course of a day. The EP is out on Sligo label Art For Blind, who have accommodated releases from The Altered Hours, Hands Up Who Wants To Die, Perfect Pussy and more. The limited edition coral red cassette is available to pre-order for just £3.50, with a free download code – or simply only £2 digitally – from the Gross Net Bandcamp. You can…

  • EP Download: Autumns – Live At Sandino’s Back Bar

    Having played our recent Output showcase at Belfast’s Black Box, Derry noise-pop trio Autumns have released a new live EP, Live At Sandino’s Back Bar. Recorded – wait for it – live at Sandino’s Bar, Derry, the six-track release was released via Cassette Tape Label, Number4Door, in twenty-five plum purple cassettes, which were hand dubbed with Dolby Noise-Reduction B in Glasgow earlier this month. You can purchase a cassette here and stream/download a digital copy of the release below. Autumns – fronted by Christian Donaghey, also of Gross Net – support Cork psych-rock alchemists The Altered Hours at Whelan’s, Dublin, on November 14. Go…

  • Line-up announced for inaugural Output showcase

    With just over a fortnight to wait, the line-up for the inaugural Output have been announced. Northern Ireland’s largest ever one-day conference and showcasing event, taking place throughout Belfast’s city centre and Cathedral Quarter on Thursday, October 16, it will see a series of free talks, workshops and pop-up gigs, attending by around 350 artists, businesses and creative students. We’re very happy to be involved, too. Teaming up with tastemaker par excellence Niall Byrne AKA Nialler9, we will host a most awesome showcase in the Black Box main room with Cork psych rock five-piece Altered Hours (pictured), Dublin electronic duo Contour, Derry…