• Track Record: Michael McKeegan (Therapy?)

    November 15, 2013 - By 

    Ahead of our Belfast Music Week listening party with him on Wednesday, November 13, Therapy? bassist Michael ‘The Evil Priest’ McKeegan gave photographer Liam Kielt exclusive access to his enviable record collection for the latest installment of Track Record. Featuring  acts as diverse Kraftwerk to Iron Maiden, McKeegan talks Liam through some of his most prized records from down the years ahead of the release of his own band’s Gemil Boxset (which you can check out/buy right here). Bad Brains – I Against I It was one of the first punky harcore records I got into. I’d never heard anything like…

  • The First Time: David C Clements

    November 14, 2013 - By 

    Ahead of his appearance at the Belfast Music Week showcase at the Limelight tonight, alt-folk singer-songwriter David C Clements is the latest local artist to allow Belfast-based photographer Joe Laverty (responsible for the wonderful portrait photo above) insight into the “firsts” of their listening, loving and making lives. First album you bought? Bathroom floor by Booley First single you bought? ‘Spaceman’ by Babylon Zoo First live concert/gig? Phantom of the Opera in the Point, but my first actual gig was Stereophonics supported by Turin Brakes. First album you properly loved? Biffy Clyro – Blackened Sky   First artist/band to change your music-listening/making life?…

  • EP Stream: Chocolate Love Factory – Pickle & POG

    November 14, 2013 - By 

    Ahead of its launch at Belfast’s Radar tonight, Thursday November 14, Belfast-based four-piece Chocolate Love Factory have released a digital stream of their latest EP, Pickle & POG. A six-track release featuring the single ‘Motivator’, the EP was recorded between Clark Phillips and Ben McAuley over the last year and a half. Following the departure of bassist Pearse McClelland, the band have recently expanded to a four-piece, incorporating members of the equally progressively-inclined Yellow Car No Return and The Institute* into the fold. Go here for the event page for the band’s EP launch, also set to feature The Big…

  • The National @ The 02, Dublin

    November 12, 2013 - By 

    Dublin-based photographer Mark Earley was in attendance to shoot (not with a gun – it’s ok) U.S. indie rock band The National at Dublin’s 02 on Sunday, November 10. Check out his suitably stunning photo set below.

  • Darkside – Psychic

    November 14, 2013 - By 

    With a sound residing somewhere between Tangerine Dream circa Thief and Peter Green’s Fleetwood Mac, the debut full length from Darkside (Nicolas Jaar and Dave Harrington) makes for a compelling mission statement that should have the hippest of Brooklynites dribbling with pleasure. The New York natives have created something special in Psychic; unique even by contemporary standards and perhaps best measured by the spirit of independence that Jaar brings to the mixing desk and, just as importantly, by the melodic, bluesy sensibilities that Harrington offers.  This isn’t as straightforward as it sounds. The sheer beauty of the soundscapes on this…

  • Stream: The Rupture Dogs – Feral

    November 12, 2013 - By 

    Ahead of its launch at Belfast’s Mandela Hall on Saturday, November 16 as part of Belfast Music Week 2013, The Rupture Dogs have released a stream of their debut album, Feral Recored by James Lyttle at Millbank Studios and mixed/mastered by Neal Calderwood at Manor Park Studios, the twelve-track release is also available to purchase via the band’s Bandcamp page. Go here for the event page for the Ferali album launch (a show doubling up as the official launch of The Difference Between by Mojo Fury and featuring several more acts) here. Stream Feral below.

  • Psycho Live

    November 12, 2013 - By 

    Two special screening of Alfred Hitchcock’s classic 1960 film Psycho will be scored by the world-renown Ulster Orchestra as part of Psycho Live on November 22 and 23. Taking place at The Venue in Derry/Londonderry on Friday (8pm), November 22 and Belfast’s Waterfront Hall (7.45pm) the following evening, the performance will see the orchestra perform Bernard Hermann’s landmark score live. A truly unmissable opportunity to witness one of the greatest horror movies come to life, the Belfast concert will be preceeded by one of the orchestra’s much-love pre-concert talks at 6.45pm, essentially a free fifteen minute discussion featuring radio presenter,…

  • Gary Lightbody releases feature-length statement on NI Music Prize

    November 12, 2013 - By 

    Ahead of its inaugural launch at Belfast’s Mandela Hall tonight as part of this year’s Belfast Music Week, Snow Patrol frontman Gary Lightbody has released a feature-length statement about the NI Music Prize. The Bangor singer-songwriter – also frontman with supergroup Tired Pony, who are vying for the annual album prize – wrote: “Firstly I’m delighted that Tired Pony have been nominated for the Northern Irish Music Prize. I am gutted that I’m not going to be there tonight to see who wins. Now let me make the case for everyone else but us on this fantastic and diverse list….…

  • Watch: Travis Is A Tourist – Shaking

    November 11, 2013 - By 

    Having spent September in Nashville collaborating with fourteen other UK-based artists and singer-songwriters, former Colly Strings frontman Travis Gilbert AKA Travis Is A Tourist has unveiled the video to his latest single, ‘Shaking’. Featuring Gilbert and quite a bit of wool, the video is probably best described a slightly less psychedelic and hectic take on Mojo Fury’s recent video for ‘Origami Bird’. Available as a free download from Thursday, the song is a full band acoustic effort that suggests extremely promising things in the making for Gilbert. Travis Is A Tourist will play the Belfast’s Engine Room gallery on Linenhall Street…

  • Bouts @ Mr Bradleys, Cork

    November 12, 2013 - By 

    Brid O’Donovan was kind enough to capture Dublin-based indie rock masters Bouts play Mr. Bradley’s as part of their recent Irish tour. Check out her photos below and all hail the finest merch table (box) in Ireland.