• Hot Cops – #1 Babes

    February 2, 2015 - By 

    Arguably one of the most exciting and idiosyncratic Irish indie-rock bands of a generation, Belfast-based three-piece Hot Cops are teetering on the brink of some great things in 2015. Released immediately off the back of their stellar double-single ‘Origami/Novelty’, the band’s new four-track EP, #1 Babes, coyly, often cryptically renders instability, heartbreak, and the human condition in first-rate, wanderlust-tinged lo-fi glory. Positively bursting at the seams with fuzzed-out tangents, earworming refrains and masterfully nonchalant hooks, the Carl Eccles-fronted threesome’s cunningly off-kilter, slacker-soaked anti-anthems instantly evoke their main influences in Pavement, Deerhunter and Cloud Nothings. At the root of that is…

  • R51 – Pillow Talk EP

    January 29, 2015 - By 

    Belfast’s R51 latest EP, Pillow Talk, has got powerful weapons hidden in it’s arsenal. The release is awash with lush guitars, brutal riffs and a genuine excitement. The influence of the Smashing Pumpkins, Sonic Youth and My Bloody Valentine is evident throughout. However, rather than parroting what those bands have done, the band seem intent on mixing these sources with their own voice to create something refreshing. Centrally though, the band seem intent on straddling that fine line between artistic and accessible and while they may not always be successful in that goal, they still knock it out of the park…

  • EP Download: Hot Cops – #1 Babes

    January 26, 2015 - By 

    Few young bands excel at their respective genre as convincingly as Belfast-based indie-rock trio Hot Cops. Set to play our Independent Venue Week show at Oh Yeah Centre on Friday night, the band have just unveiled their new release, #1 Babes, a four-track EP of cunningly off-kilter, slacker-soaked anti-anthems that instantly evoke their main influences in Pavement, Deerhunter and Cloud Nothings. The EP was recorded by the band’s bassist Nathan Rodgers and mixed/mastered by Chris Ryan. Stream/download it (for free, if you so like) via Bandcamp below. #1 Babes by Hot Cops

  • 15 For ’15: Robocobra Quartet

    January 14, 2015 - By 

    Set to feature in physical form in our forthcoming January/February magazine, we continue our 15 For ’15 feature today with Belfast band Robocobra Quartet. Playing both our forthcoming Independent Venue Week and Girl Band shows, the Chris Ryan-fronted foursome are easily one of the country’s most forward-thinking and exciting acts of a generation. Check out our live session with Robocobra Quartet here. Words by Laura Carland, photo by Colm Laverty. The unique spectacle offered by the Belfast based four-piece is energetic, menacing, fast and loose. With influences as varied as 90s era hip hop, ska, jazz, DC Hardcore, rap and…

  • 15 For ’15: Axis Of

    January 7, 2015 - By 

    Set to feature in physical form in our forthcoming January magazine, we continue 15 for ’15, a feature looking at fifteen Irish acts we’re absolutely convinced are going places in 2015. Over the next couple of weeks, we’ll going to be previewing each of those acts, accompanied by words from our writers and an original photograph by our wonderful team of photographers. Next up: Belfast-based three-piece Axis Of. Photo by Tom McGeehan. 2015 looks all set for take-off for the North Antrim act dubbed by Rocksound “the most exciting band to come out of Northern Ireland, possibly ever”. Axis Of launch into the New Year…

  • EP Download: Winterlude – Four Songs

    January 6, 2015 - By 

    An unexpected start-of-year surprise, Belfast-based musician Neil Brogan has released Four Songs, a wonderfully stripped-back EP as Winterlude. Whilst certainly redolent of certain aspects of Sea Pinks – the Brogan-fronted trio who have have recently released the stellar Dreaming Tracks – the EP is underpinned with more touches of Americana, country and jangle-noir. Download the EP for free via Bandcamp below. Four Songs by Winterlude

  • 15 For ’15: Elastic Sleep

    January 2, 2015 - By 

    Set to feature in physical form in our forthcoming January magazine, we continue 15 for ’15, a feature looking at fifteen Irish acts we’re absolutely convinced are going places in 2015. Over the next couple of weeks, we’ll going to be previewing each of those acts, accompanied by words from our writers and an original photograph by our wonderful team of photographers. Next up is Cork dream-pop band Elastic Sleep. Photo by Brid O’Donovan. There is much to be said for patience. After well-loved Cork pop combo Terror Pop abruptly bid adieu in mid-2012, the band’s core membership took their time about regrouping. Quietly and…

  • 15 For ’15: Alana Henderson

    January 1, 2015 - By 

    Set to feature in physical form in our forthcoming January magazine, we’re pleased to present 15 for ’15, a handpicked selection of Irish acts we’re absolutely convinced are going places in 2015. Over the next couple of weeks, we’re going to be previewing each of those acts, accompanied by words from our writers and an original photograph by our wonderful team of photographers. First up is Belfast-based songstress Alana Henderson. Photo by Joe Laverty. End of year lists are a funny thing. Every year the music industry churns these things out and every year the same names appear top of the…

  • Stream: Lantern For A Gale – Captain

    December 15, 2014 - By 

    Taken from their forthcoming debut album, From Adversity, Belfast-based hardcore five-piece Lantern For A Gale are streaming the blistering ‘Captain’. Stream the track below and make sure to catch them at Atlantic Lounge, Portrush on December 23 with 7.5 Tonnes of Beard and PigsAsPeople. Photo by Tom McGeehan.

  • Premiere: Callum Stewart – Gold

    November 20, 2014 - By 

    We’re pleased to premiere the latest video by hands down one of the most promising pop singer-songwriters in the country at the minute,  Callum Stewart. Released via OLD FANG, ‘Gold’ is a stripped-back, piano-led distillation of the hotly-tipped songsmith’s craft. Where strings and percussion very nicely lend to the song’s allure – name its impassioned climax – Stewart’s vocals are, without a shadow of a doubt, the focal point here. Familiar without sounding commonplace, earnest without veering soppiness, it sets the young artist apart from many of his peers – and several of his contemporaries. Supported by Jamie Neish, Stewart places the latest OLD FANG…