• Album Premiere: Katie Kim & Crash Ensemble – Salt Interventions

    September 28, 2018 - By 

    Ethereal Waterford drone-folk artist Katie Kim is one of Ireland’s most enchanting auteurs, and prolific collaborators, having worked on projects with Radie Peat, David Kitt, Milosh & The Waterboys over the last few years. She’s set to drop Salt Interventions tomorrow alongside Crash Ensemble, and we’re delighted to be able to bring you an early listen ahead of its release tomorrow. The album was recorded at the Grand Social back in 2017 in a performance of the same name by Guerrilla Studios’ Spud Murphy, with the show being performed at the likes of the Music Town and Body & Soul Festivals. Based around Katie’s Choice Music Prize-nominated debut album Salt, it…

  • Watch: Gnarkats – War Cry

    September 27, 2018 - By 

    Recorded with The Answer guitarist Paul Mahon, ‘War Cry’ is a statement of intent from Belfast trio Louis Nelson, Jordan Evans and Stuart Robinson AKA Gnarkats. Having already revealed their knack for blending heavy rock riffs with indie-pop melodies via previous effort including ‘Something to Say’ and ‘Enigma’, their new single shows a band whose huge choruses and fuzzed-out tangents are quickly setting them apart. Check out the band’s DIY video for the single below.

  • Climax

    September 27, 2018 - By 

    There are not many films out there that leave you exasperated, yet exhilarated by the time the finale has played out. But then there are films by Gaspar Noé, the undisputed victor for the title of ‘l’enfant terrible’ of the filmmaking world, who has a writing and directing back catalogue that has to be approached with caution by even the hardiest of filmgoers. His latest, Climax, while not as harsh as some of his previous – for example, the notorious Irreversible’– is a film that will undoubtedly shock many. Thankfully, because there is so much to appreciate and marvel in…

  • Video Premiere: Bróna Keogh – Sea Witch

    September 26, 2018 - By 

    After a busy year of writing and performing, supporting the likes of David Kitt, I Draw Slow & Wyvern Lingo, singer-songwriter Bróna Keogh’s new single ‘Sea Witch’ has arrived. With a vibrant video by Ed Cleary that accentuates the organic quality of her writing, Keogh melds folk with the hopeful wist of 60s pop, measured in its use of diverse acoustic instrumentation and harmony. It was recorded by Michael Hogerzeil & mastered by Eoin Whitfiled. As with the many Irish music festivals she’ll win hearts and weary minds at, ‘Sea Witch’ possesses the ability to restore basic human functions and feelings…

  • Built To Spill Announce Dublin Return

    September 26, 2018 - By 

    Idaho indie rock heroes and TTA favourites Built To Spill will make their long-awaited return to Dublin next year. Coinciding with the 20th anniversary of the Doug Martsch-fronted band’s fourth studio album, Keep It Like a Secret, the band will play Workman’s Club on Sunday, April 28th. The band last played Dublin back in 2010. Tickets for the show are priced at €21 and go on sale this Friday, September 28th. Revisit our Monday Mixtape with Doug Martsch here.

  • Uprising: Spirit of ’68

    September 25, 2018 - By 

    Bringing together some of the North’s finest artists to produce and perform new live soundtracks to films made in 1968, Uprising: Spirit of ’68 is primed to be an unmissable night in Belfast on Saturday, September 29 Each of the short films are all experimental in nature; in technique and content they reflect the spirit of the era. The event – which is held at Carlisle Memorial Church – is co-presented by Belfast Film Festival, BFI Film Audience Network and Film Hub Midlands. Off the back of appearing on David Holmes’ Late Night Tales compilation (and a run of shows…

  • Arctic Monkeys @ 3Arena, Dublin

    September 25, 2018 - By 

    The bitter nights may have crept in but a jam-packed Luas to The Point Depot keeps makes it a cosy spin. This is the first of two sold-out Arctic Monkeys shows in Dublin’s 3Arena. A lush stage setup resembling a hotel lounge illuminates at 9 o’clock as the house lights go down. The now packed venue explodes as the Sheffield heroes walk on stage dressed in tailor made suits and shiny leather shoes. Alex Turner, sporting a tight new haircut, has developed a hybrid aesthetic of a skin head and Nick Cave. They launch into ‘4 out of 5’, the lead single…

  • Mothers – Render Another Ugly Method

    September 24, 2018 - By 

    “Hard to focus and efforts fruitless…” So sings Mothers’ frontwoman and creative nucleus Kristine Leschper on the jagged ‘MUTUAL AGREEMENT’, crystallising the looming themes of dread and futility that permeate the band’s woozy second album. Sadly, the quote also serves as a succinct review of this imperfect and ultimately exhausting release. Downcast opener, ‘BEAUTY ROUTINE’ comes tentatively into focus with shivering fronds of detuned guitar and the first of many keening but gloomy vocal performances. The track drifts idly along as if bobbing underwater, seemingly reliant on tidal micro currents to sluggishly propel itself to the end of each verse. Leschper…

  • Preview: Peter Brötzmann’s Full Blast

    September 27, 2018 - By 

    For over fifty years, German saxophonist & clarinettist Peter Brötzmann has exemplified European improvised music. His excoriating, volatile style soundtracked a continent ravaged by division & civil unrest, tearing up convention and laying the groundwork for the defiant late 60s European avant-garde. Pitchfork describes him as “one of the most devastating forces to ever touch a saxophone”. In the first of what’s planned to be an ongoing collaboration, we’re delighted to co-present his Full Blast project, in partnership with esteemed Belfast-based tastemakers Moving On Music. Self-taught on saxophone, Brötzmann was originally a painter, schooled in the Cage-influenced Fluxus movement in before moving through Dixieland, ultimately turning his hand to…