• A Different Beast: An Interview with Elaine Malone

    November 24, 2023 - By 

    Elaine Malone’s debut album roars “Fuck you, thank you” into the abyss. Words by Mike Ryan. Photo by Celeste Burdon Residents have long believed that there’s something intangibly special about the country’s second city, and the same holds true for its musicians. Cork has produced a plethora of transcendent acts in recent years, across the entire musical palette, including Fixity, the Altered Hours, Trá Pháidín and Pretty Happy to name just a few; the Cork music scene is a many-headed beast. The most recent of which has now reared its head in the form of Elaine Malone’s first full-length album,…

  • Irish Tracks of the Week – 8th September

    September 8, 2023 - By 

    It’s another big week for Irish music, from the latest installment of island-wide compilation A Litany of Failures, to new releases from Slomatics, Elaine Malone, Dollops, girlfriend. and more Slomatics – Strontium Fields Strontium Fields by Slomatics Elaine Malone – Pyrrhic Pyrrhic by Elaine Malone Dollops – Wire and Wood Wire and Wood by Dollops A Litany of Failures: Volume IV A Litany of Failures: Volume IV by Litany Of Failures girlfriend. – In Silence In Silence by girlfriend. Niall McDowell – Start Again Sprints – Up And Comer Soda Blonde – Dream Big Dream Big by Soda Blonde

  • Elaine Malone – Pyrrhic

    September 6, 2023 - By 

    Elaine Malone is nothing if not prolific. Whether it be the improvised folk horror of Mantua, Land Crabs’ punk noise, the Krautrock stylings of Soft Focus or the experimental sounds of Lisbon-based Pot Pot, Malone keeps herself busy in an outrageously diverse number of music projects with her multi-instrumental gifts. This vast and varied output over the years proves to have been ideal preparation for a full-length debut, as Malone executes a dazzling array of sounds on Pyrrhic that encompass plenty of the genres she has explored previously and an abundance of fresh ideas too. In the space between the…

  • A Litany of Failures: Volume IV is Announced

    August 9, 2023 - By 

    Irish compilation series A Litany of Failures, which features independent acts from all corners of the island, has just announced the pre-order and tracklisting for its fourth volume.  Set for release on double vinyl and digitally on September 8th, it’s available via Bandcamp. The compilation features 22 brand new, exclusive tracks from some of our favourite acts on the island, as well as some exciting new prospects. The double vinyl set once again features artwork by Pipe & Pallet, and the first 30 pre-orders feature a bespoke print from Belfast-based artist Phantom Powered Pixels.  The Litany of Failures series aims to document the grassroots music community…

  • Track Record: Elaine Malone

    May 11, 2023 - By 

    From Nico and Elliott Smith, to Suicide and Scott Walker, Cork-based psych-folk artist Elaine Malone, aka Mantua, selects ten records that have left an indelible imprint on her music and life Photo by Celeste Burdon Nothing is Real by Elaine Malone is out now via Pizza Pizza Records Nothing is Real by Elaine Malone Nancy Sinatra and Lee Hazlewood – Nancy and Lee The triumphant unity of Lee Hazlewood and Nancy Sinatra – finding mutual success in each other’s waning stars. Nancy was told by Lee to discard her saccharine pop persona and to “sing like a 14-year-old girl who…

  • Irish Tracks of the Week – 24th February

    February 24, 2023 - By 

    It’s been another excellent week for Irish music. Here’s the best singles and albums released over the last seven days, featuring Elaine Malone, David Kitt, Arborist, Mob Wife, The Plastic Ensemble, Pat Lagoon and more. Elaine Malone – Nothing Is Real Arborist – Matisse Mob Wife – The Oil In It The Plastic Ensemble – Light The Spark The Plastic Ensemble · Light The Spark Pat Lagoon – Jungle Cascando – Canyon Music David Kitt – Till The End/Balances Feather Beds – Really Disney Really Disney by Feather Beds Zeropunkt – Bitch Nails Phil Kieran – Atlantic PKR 037 'Atlantic' by…