• A Litany of Failures: Volume IV is Announced

    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…

  • Myles Manley and Aoife Wolf at McHughs, Belfast

    Two years on from releasing one of the best Irish albums in recent memory, Cometh the Softies, we’re delighted to host Irish experimental popstar par excellence Myles Manley’s long-awaited return to Belfast at McHugh’s on Friday, 13th January. Taking place as part of his Wet January mini-tour of Ireland, and nine years on from his first show in the city (The Pavilion in 2013 – remember everyone?) the Sligo-raised, Dublin-based will perform a full-band show of new and some less-new material. Support on the night comes from fast-rising Co. Offaly psych-folk artist Aoife Wolf, songs from whose recent EP The Wetlands will get a special…

  • Myles Manley Announces Irish Mini-Tour

    Myles Manley has announced details of a new Irish mini-tour. Kicking off 2023, the Dublin-based, Sligo-raised experimental pop artist will play four full-band shows in Dublin, Belfast, Limerick, Galway on his Wet January tour of the island. Coming two years on from the release of his critically-acclaimed debut album, Cometh the Softies, support will come from various acts, including a solo set by fast-rising psych-folk artist Aoife Wolf in Belfast. Check out the full dates and revisit one of Manley’s first efforts to date below. January 12th – Fibber’s Dublin w/ The Deadlians January 13th – McHughs, Belfast (tickets here) w/…

  • Merchy Christmas at the Grand Social, Dublin

    Returning for its second consecutive year, Merchy Christmas will take over Dublin’s Grand Social later this month to throw Irish artists a lifeline in the face of the huge challenges presented by COVID-19. Running from 10am-4pm on Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th December, countless TTA favourites including Lankum, Myles Manley, Junior Brother, Pillow Queens, Silverbacks, Nealo and Loah will set up stall for a real-life merch market. “The Christmas merch sale last year was one of the highlights of the year for me,” said Nealo. “It was heartwarming to meet people face to face and to hang out and chat…

  • The Thin Air’s Top 100 Tracks of 2020 (#50-1)

    Ah, 2020 eh? Unless you were living off the grid in a self-made banana bread house whilst rocking yourself gently to various iterations of ‘Happy Birthday’ as you washed your hands, then you will know that despite collectively living through the pandemic there were plenty of Irish songs to get excited about. 100 to be precise. We’ve listened to them on repeat since we couldn’t attend gigs, raves, or house parties so we’re certain we’ve selected the finest this little locked down island has to offer. It’s safe to say this year epitomised the true meaning of community in this…

  • The Thin Air’s Top 50 Irish Releases of 2020

    In years to come, when someone asks me what The Thin Air was and represented, I’ll likely direct them to features like the one you have just opened. Much like other publications of our ilk – Nialler9, The Last Mixed Tape, Goldenplec and others – we spend 52 weeks of the year relentlessly championing what truly makes Irish music special and, very occasionally, genuinely world-beating. We all do it in different ways, and to slightly different audiences, but the impetus and desire to shine a light on what we have is one and the very same. Although they’re almost never…

  • Myles Manley – Cometh The Softies

    Myles Manley’s new album has been a long time coming. After a series of EPs earlier in the decade, along with ironically titled compilation Greatest Hits 2012-13, the last few years have only seen occasional singles emerge from the hive, though his live shows have promised plenty, with a string of new songs and a sterling three piece band lineup completed by Chris Barry and Solamh Kelly – the former expertly juggling guitar, bass and keys, while the latter takes his place as one of the country’s most impressive drummers, full of jerky, jazz-inflected rhythms across a kit that even…

  • Irish Tracks of the Week – November 20th

    As we creep steadily closer to the end of an… interesting year, things are still very much delivering on the Irish music front. Doubling up as twelve cases in point, here are the very best tracks from the island released this week. Myles Manley – Shiteshow Cometh the Softies by Myles Manley Ryan Vail & Ruth McGinley – Chrysalim Licehead – Perfect Death Forever Perfect Death Forever by Licehead Thumper – Topher Grace (Senu Remix) Dani Larkin – Samson & Goliath Meljoann – Trophy Wife F.R.U.I.T.Y. – Not Quite Exceptional Not Quite Exceptional by F.R.U.I.T.Y. Sal Dulu – B feat.…

  • Spilt Milk Festival Announce New Online Weekender

    Spilt Milk, Sligo’s premier annual celebration of forward-thinking Irish independent music, have announced a new online weekender. Running from Friday November 27 to Sunday November 29, Transmission will feature sets from Jessica Bruen, The Clumsy Giantess & Trenchurion, Amanda Feery & Declan Synnott, The Hills Have Ears, Howlbux, Junk Drawer, Mhaol, Moving Still, Myles Manley, Ailbhe NicOireachtaigh, Brigid Mae Power, Pretty Happy, The Split Milk Sunday Brunch with Willie, Natalia & Rooster, Ten Past Seven band and Yop. Best of all, all events are free. Hop over to the Spilt Milk site for more info and the full schedule. Poster…