In this, the sixth installment of Instatour, Belfast four-piece Girls Names give us an insight into their travels across the States and Europe over the last few months by sharing some of their favourite photos taken on the road. Seriously, at least just check out the shot of them standing in front of Mont Blanc. Toweringly awesome.
From the outset, This Is The End sets its stall out for all to see. It’s crass, self referential, and controversial. All to be expected “from the guys who brought you Pineapple Express and Superbad“. The real question is – is it funny? The answer, unequivocally, is yes. Presented with just enough of a wink and a nod to how obviously self-indulgent it is (“Dear God, it’s me, Jonah Hill… from Moneyball“), This Is The End manages to contort its few staple jokes (swearing, and booze/drug/sex references) into 107 minutes of laugh out loud absurdity. This Is The End breaks…
Draperstown man Dermot McBride, a man heavily involved with all things Glasgowbury-related, has unveiled his half hour documentary looking at the history and importance of the local homegrown music festival. With just over two weeks left until the 13th annual Glasgowbury festival in Eagle’s Rock, A Culture of Small but Massive features interviews with artists and individuals who have played or been involved in the festival including Cahir O’Doherty (Jetplane Landing/Fighting With Wire), Jonny Black (LaFaro), Tony Wright (VerseChorusVerse), Shauna Tohill (Silhouette) and Rory Friers (And So I Watch You From Afar). According to McBride – who filmed the documentary…
Distant, stand-offish, awkward in the extreme and too serious by half. With the music press expressing such sentiments to describe These New Puritans, you get the impression that, despite the praise heaped upon 2010’s Hidden, the Southend trio would be afforded little leniency or understanding if they were to make a misstep with its follow-up. Thankfully however, Fields of Reeds once again sees the brothers Barnett unequivocally delivering a record worthy of bountiful acclaim that will surely feature in many critic’s reckoning for album of the year come December. Recorded over the course of twelve months, throughout the LP’s conception Jack…
It has been an interesting time for Belfast in terms of some of the gigs hosted here in the last couple of weeks. The Breeders entertained Limelight recently, with Kim Deal announcing her departure from the Pixies the day before. Now it is the turn of Alabama 3, who are playing at the Mandela Hall just a few days after the death of James Gandolfini, star of the Sopranos, which helped introduce the band to millions by using their song in the credits. But before we experience the diverse palette of Alabama 3, it is up to the last minute…
Seven years after it was recorded, sadly missed Belfast-based noise rock band Yakuza have released their second studio album, Insane Plight In Plain Sight. Recorded in band’s hometown of Coalisland and mixed in Portland, Oregon’s Jackpot! Studios the following year, it features the album’s original eleven songs and the three tracks that make up the band’s live EP Ride The Bible, recorded at BBC’s Blackstaff Studios in Belfast. A wonderfully unremitting slab of veering, coursing, incendiary noise rock, download the release for £3 or stream below now. All proceeds go to the Parkinsons research charity. Insane Plight in Plain Sight by…
Scottish indie-pop band Belle and Sebastian have announced that they will release an album comprised of “rarities, collectibles and non-LP tracks from the last decade” in August. Titled The Third Eye Centre, the album – the band’s first release since their 2011 EP Come On Sister – will be released via Rough Trade and will feature remixes from the likes of Miaoux Miaoux and The Avalanches. View the album’s artwork and tracklisting below. 1. I’m A Cuckoo (Avalanches Remix) 2. Suicide Girl 3. Love On The March 4. Last Trip 5. Your Secrets 6. Your Cover’s Blown (Miaoux Miaoux Remix) 7. I…
Set to take place on Saturday, August 31st, the inaugural Harvest festival has been unveiled. Already positing itself as Northern Ireland’s ultimate outdoor festival, the first ever line-up – taking place at Grey Abbey House – will feature Hayseed Dixie (pictured), Duke Special, Gareth Dunlop, Farriers, Emerald Armada and Belfast Community Gospel Choir. Tickets for the festival – the centrepiece of Ards 1613 festival – are available to purchase here, priced at £20.00 (children under 12 go free).
Derry/Belfast lullaby-folk band The Jepettos have unveiled the video to their latest single, ‘Chemicals’. A charmingly melancholic tale of lost love, the track was recorded and mixed by Rocky O’Reilly at Start Together Studios Belfast, whilst the video was directed by Darren Lee and features the band’s front-couple Mike and Ruth Aicken. Download the track for free here and watch the video below.
Yeezus is Kanye West’s most polarising album to date, and it’s not just down to the testing sonic wonderland he’s created from such anti-pop genres as Chicago drill, house and industrial. Detractors who charge West with accusations of egotism, narcissism and a bloated sense of self worth are unlikely to tolerate the most confrontational and aggressive piece he’s ever made, with topics such as power, materialism and a creeping distrust of women on Ye’s increasingly insular agenda. Inevitably, deriving enjoyment from Yeezus comes down to whether you can endure what’s on the mind of the man who in a recent…