• Stream: Matua Trap – Meander Thralls

    Having very recently released their debut track, ‘Cleave’, Belfast alt-prog trio Matua Trap have followed it up with the equally impressive ‘Meander Thralls’ (see what they did there?) As with the first track, the song is propelled with exquisite harmonies, shifting rhythms and exceptionally imaginative guitar work. Comprised of members of Kasper Rosa and Affleck, the band will play their debut show at Belfast’s Voodoo on Wednesday, September 17. Check out ‘Cleave’ here and stream ‘Meander Thralls’ below. Meander Thralls by Matua Trap

  • Stream: SOAK – B a noBody

    The follow-up to her breakthrough release ‘Blud’ – released via CHVRCHES‘ single imprint – Derry singer-songwriter SOAK has unveiled her new single, ‘B a noBody’. Titled in such a way to such suggest her keyboard still needs repaired, the track is a sparse yet impressively layered anti-call to arms. Reverb-ridden, edging towards a semi-inevitable crescendo, the track was recorded across a summer that saw the songwriter pen a deal with Rough Trade for her forthcoming debut album, which is currently being recorded. SOAK will play the following dates in November: November 5: London – St. Giles In The FieldsNovember 6: Manchester – The CastleNovember 7: Derry – Christ Church       November 8: Dublin – The…

  • Stream: The Wood Burning Savages – Boom

    Ahead of setting off on their first UK at the end of the week, Derry quartet The Wood Burning Savages are streaming their brilliantly urgent new single ‘Boom’. Something of a stand-out from their live shows, the Motorik-driven release is a heady three-minutes, evoking the likes of Patti Smith, Can and Mission of Burma, whilst retaining the band’s own increasingly-distinctive brand of alt-rock.  See below for the band’s forthcoming UK dates and a stream of ‘Boom’, officially released on September 29.

  • Watch: Silences – Sister Snow

    Fresh from their debut performance at Electric Picnic, Silences return to our laptop screens with their fantasy-esque video for their new track ‘Sister Snow’ from their forthcoming EP. Sublimely shot by Dublin’s Alec Moore, the video echoes the woodland innocence of Where The Wild Things Are and aptly suits the song, which we previewed in our most recent podcast. Formed in 2012 and fronted by Conchúr White, the band have found themselves in the company of Bell X1, Lisa O’Neill and Foy Vance amongst others on RTE’s Other Voices and have played many festivals including Stendhal Festival and Vantastival. Watch the video…

  • Watch: UNKNWN – BBY

    Bound for Electric Picnic at the end of the month, Champion Sound-signed electronic duo UNKNWN have unveiled their debut music video, for the track ‘BBY’. Directed by Daniel Holmes, it is a nicely edited, suitably phantasmal affair, wonderfully accompanying the track’s hazy, drifting air. ‘BBY’ is taken from the duo’s DEVIL/BBY EP, which you purchase right here. UNKNWN – comprised of producer Chris Hanna and vocalist Gemma Dunleavy – have steadily grown in stature and acclaim over the last few months, something that will come into sharp focus when they play alongside labelmates Ryan Vail, Contour, Ghosts, Talkboy and Replete at the Body & Soul tent at…

  • Watch: Skymas – Build

    Having been steadily established themselves on the live circuit over the last few months, Belfast electronic trio Skymas have released a new track, ‘Build’. The follow-up to their Primer EP – released in October last year – the track is a typically gyration-inducing, rhythmically propulsive effort; main man Martin Corrigan’s refrain, “They give you tools to build your own prison. These are the walls with which you live in.” burrowing right into the inner ear and lingering long after the song’s five minutes. Watch the video to the track below.

  • EP Download: The Holy Ghost Explosion – Wolves

    A chugging, decidedly DIY five-track dose of teeth-clenched alt-rock, Dundalk five-piece The Holy Ghost Explosion have unveiled their long-awaited debut EP, Wolves. Two years on from the release of the EP’s lead single, the EP evokes early Biffy Clyro and Reuben in equal proportion, down-tuned riffs marrying feral smatterings of cymbals and potent, pissed off vocals. Stream and/or download (for free, if you like) the EP below via Bandcamp. Wolves Extended Play by The Holy Ghost Explosion

  • Watch: Rainy Boy Sleep – Ambulance

    Considered by many to be one of the country’s brightest and most promising young songsmiths, Northern Irish singer-songwriter Stevie Martin AKA Rainy Boy Sleep has unveiled the video to ‘Ambulance’, the first track taken from his forthcoming debut album, Waiting Games. Having been busy supporting the Waterboys on a few Irish shows – not to mention performing at this year’s Glastonbury – Martin has delivered quite a slick, infectious little package, the song’s earworming refrains and airy disposition gelling nicely with the accompanying video, which features the young songwriter going on a bit of a journey. Waiting Games will be released via Universal…

  • Watch: Oh Volcano – See No Evil

    Ahead of their debut headline show at Belfast’s Voodoo on Saturday night (August 2), Belfast-based band Oh Volcano have unveiled their second single, ‘See No Evil’. Maintaining their tight-lipped presence thus far, the video – featuring stock footage and some nifty editing – was created by Edward Butler. The band, comprised of ex-General Fiasco members/brothers Owen and Enda Strathern released their debut single, ‘Oceans’, back in February. Watch the video below.  

  • Watch: His New Atlas – His Young

    Taken from his forthcoming debut EP, Torn Out Lungs, Armagh singer-songwriter Eoghan O’Hagan AKA His New Atlas has unveiled the video for his new single, ‘His Young’. Filmed and edited by Darren Lee of Maverick Renegade, the video is nautically reminiscent of ‘Can’t Make You Come Back’ by Our Krypton Son, ‘Cathedral Street’ by Feet For Wings and ‘Holy’ by Frightened Rabbit. You can buy the single (including a remix by Krimson) via Bandcamp here for £1 (or more) and watch the video below. Eoghan will also be playing the Belfast launch of ‘His Young’ on August 7, at his…