• VA – Slowly Exploding: 10 Years of Perc Trax

    November 14, 2014 - By 

    Techno is in a very different place from when Ali Wells, better known as Perc, started up his Perc Trax label with his own ‘Ice Cream for Kenton’ single. A solid 62 (thus far) 12”s later, a bunch of digital releases and a handful of albums later, here we are in 2014 where Perc Trax’s brand of blistering machine funk is in vogue to an extent not seen since the 90s. To celebrate a decade of the label’s existence we’re given two CDs; a compilation of new Perc Trax material from both label regulars (Perc, Truss, Forward Strategy Group) and…

  • Stream: Crayonsmith – House Call

    November 13, 2014 - By 

    Albeit in demo form, ‘House Call’ by Dublin’s Crayonsmith is a lovely little slice of yearning indie-pop, hinting at some great things to come from the band. Culminating in an earworming closing refrain of “When you throw it all away” the track is propelled by its simple three-chord turn, lead guitar nuances and Ciaran Smith’s melancholic vocal delivery. Crayonsmith play Dublin’s Bello Bar this Saturday. Check out our Gigs of the Week here for more info.

  • Watch: Steve Strong – Contort/Retreat (Live)

    November 13, 2014 - By 

    Arriving in Ireland last night for a tour from the 12th to the 23rd, Plymouth-based one-man post-rock show Steve Strong heads for Cork this weekend, with Galway, Portrush and Dublin following next week, as part of his Agila November ’14 tour. The man is quite a sight to behold live, dextrously manipulating tones and textures with one hand while keeping a tight and tense percussion underneath with the other. From the tour blurb: Steve Strong is a one-man arsenal of beats, tapped guitar and lush, textural melodies. His music is as withheld as it is grandiose, as skeletal as it…

  • Playlist: Northern Ireland Music Prize 2014

    November 13, 2014 - By 

    A year on from Foy Vance walking away with the inaugural album award, this year’s Northern Ireland Music Prize will take place at Belfast’s Mandela Hall on Saturday night. Culminating in Northern Ireland alt-rock legends Therapy? (above) performing their landmark 1994 album Troublegum in full, the ceremony will see twelve of the North’s finest acts – from the quaintest to the downright behemothic – compete for the prize. Go here to buy tickets to the ceremony – also featuring performances by Robyn G Shiels, Sullivan & Gold and More Than Conquerors – and stream our Northern Ireland Music Prize playlist via Spotify…

  • Smart Casual Vol. 1: Come Down With Me

    November 13, 2014 - By 

    The Pavilion hosts a unique, new – to Belfast – night, tentatively titled Smart Casual – almost certainly a reference to this – in its middle bar on November 23. The night takes its cues from other clubs, with the likes of Body & Soul, Optimo, and the aim is to create something of a chillfest, with an eclectic but dubby/spacey atmosphere, which will progress to a conclusion of straight-up house and techno. The laid-back night is open deck, meaning anyone with the skills and the means is encouraged to bring their own wax and spin to their heart’s content. Admission is completely free and the event kicks…

  • Track Record: Anna McCarthy (Dott)

    November 14, 2014 - By 

    GO WEST! For this installment of Track Record we head to Galway to catch up with the delightful Anna McCarthy from garage pop quartet Dott. One things for certain, Anna sure likes her heft and she shares with us her ten favourite records, ranging from sludge metallers Kylesa to the classic riffage of our very own Thin Lizzy. Photos by Sean McCormack. My Bloody Valentine – MBV This was definitely worth the wait. Listening to My Bloody Valentine makes me feel like I’m wrapped in a fuzzy blanket and this came along just in time for when I really wanted a new…

  • Destiny (Multiformat)

    November 12, 2014 - By 

    It is fair to say that the development company Bungie knows a thing or two about making videogames. With the critically acclaimed, million selling Halo franchise in their portfolio, they would have been forgiven for hanging up their boots and never working on another project again. However, with that incredible success comes the incredible expectation that has weighed upon the release of Destiny since its initial announcement. It has, in one way or another, evaded neat pigeonholing, described in some quarters as a first person shooter in an open world setting, and in others as commingling MMO and RPG mechanics. It has variously been…

  • Axis Of – The Mid Brae Inn

    November 12, 2014 - By 

    Punk-cum-pop trio Axis Of release the their second album, The Mid Brae Inn, on New Year’s Eve through Smalltown America. The three – comprising Ewen Friers, Niall Lawler & Ethan Harman – launched their debut album Finding St. Kilda in the same venue over two years ago, an altogether more punk affair. ‘Wetsuit’ – the first track to get airplay from The Mid Brae Inn – hints at a much more indie-pop direction for the band who were out-and-out hardcore no more than five years ago. Time will tell whether or not it’s a complete revamp for the outfit, but it’ll be interesting to see how…