• Watch: Princess – Neverlook

    June 26, 2014 - By 

    Released last week, we said ‘Neverlook’, the new single by Dublin noise-pop band Princess was “balanced very nicely between with glacial indie tangents and rampant noise pop, boasting a distinctive, compelling surge; splatterings of rhythm morphing with gaze-y guitar patterns and bobbing bass lines.” Sticking by that assessment, we’re happy to see a visual accompaniment to the track emerge, directed by Kevin Freeney and Dan Finnegan. Without giving too much away: clothes are swapped, legs are shaved and vintage cars are driven. Watch the video below.  

  • Electric Picnic 2014: Must-See Acts

    June 25, 2014 - By 

    Electric Picnic is possibly one of the most eclectic festivals in the country. Each year the line up strives to provide something for every palate. In the picturesque surroundings of Stradbally, Co. Laois it began as a daylong event with Groove Armada in 2004 and has grown each year since. So what has this summer’s weekend event got in store? Headlining are Portishead, Outkast and Beck with each artist representing different aspects of the musical spectrum. In recent years, Portishead have almost leant toward noise music with their most recent album Third. The aforementioned Third is a far cry from…

  • Watch: The Vals – Quiet Part of Town

    June 25, 2014 - By 

    The full band medium of Belfast-based singer-songwriter Paul Doherty, The Vals have unveiled the video to their new single, ‘Quiet Part of Town’. A wonderfully crafted effort, the song channels a timeless, psychedelic-tinged sound, broad, serene guitar chords marrying delicate keyboard lines, shuffling rhythms and sweetly-placed strings, not to mention Doherty’s vocals – a real centre-piece. Directed by Thomas McKeown and Daryl Randal, the video proves a suitably hazy, nostalgic accompaniment. ‘Quiet Part of Town’ will feature on The Vals’ forthcoming album, Wildflower May. Stream the video via Vimeo below.  

  • Classic Album: The Divine Comedy – Promenade

    June 25, 2014 - By 

    I’m none too smart, a sumo-intellectual at best, but people often assume I am clever because of my large forehead, glasses and the fact that I talk far too much. My learning is skin-deep and a mile wide but I have a felicitous ability to put random things together in a manner that would answer Lautremont’s dictum: I can’t get any of my dissecting done as the whole place is lousy with sewing machines and umbrellas. But mostly what I like doing is showing off. And this is a record that really shows off. It is, if you like, a…

  • TTA TV: The Wood Burning Savages

    June 26, 2014 - By 

    Currently en route to perform at this year’s Glastonbury – an extraordinary feat for such a relatively new act – Derry quartet The Wood Burning Savagespopped into Belfast’s Voodoo last week for a quick interview and live session. Filmed and edited by photographer and filmmaker Colm Laverty, Paul, Dan, Shea and Aaron perform a couple of songs and talk about forming, recording and playing the greatest festival around.  

  • Track Record: Caoilian Sherlock (The Shaker Hymn)

    June 27, 2014 - By 

    In the latest installment of Track Record – a feature looking at the record collections of Irish musicians and artists – photographer Brid O’Donovan shoots Caoilian Sherlock, lead singer and guitarist for Cork alt-rock four-piece The Shaker Hymn choosing and selecting some of his all-time favourite records, everything from legendary West Coast rappers and local psych-rock masters. The Clash – London Calling This is the only Clash album I actually like. When myself and my friend Oran were fifteen we went to Kerry for a holiday and we had two albums. Oran was the first person I met that knew about records…

  • Stream: Courageous Endeavors – Prototype

    June 25, 2014 - By 

    Jazz is great. Isn’t jazz great? The genre seems to be enjoying a resurgence, fronted by Toronto trio BADBADNOTGOOD, who recently dropped a rather sublime record as well as collaborations with the likes of Danny Brown and Earl Sweatshirt. The newest release in this new wave of modern jazz comes from a quartet called Courageous Endeavours. Hailing from Minneapolis, their debut album, Prototype, is an enthralling and vital addition to the rejuvenated movement; it’s brilliant, and absolutely worth listening to. In particular, check out ‘Habits Of Entitlement’ and ‘Second Hand.’ You can listen to Prototype below, and watch the music video for…