• Premiere: Alpha Chrome Yayo – Cerberus 3000 (Killing Time)/A Sweet Car Named Demented

    Last month, we had the pleasure of premiering ‘Breakfast in Daytona’ by Belfast producer and musician Alpha Chrome Yayo. It was, as we saw it, “soaked, SEGA-leaning gem” from an artist who, alongside the likes of the equally mysterious Danny Madigan, are flying the chequered flag for Belfast’s surprising, yet thriving synthwave scene. A self-proclaimed “hi-octane hellride”, new single ‘Cerberus 3000 (Killing Time’) ups the ante from ACY. Building on previous releases, the track – just like shorter, but no less inspired b-side ‘A Sweet Car Named Demented’ – is a pure-cut dose of synth-drenched, shred-heavy retromancy from the producer.…

  • A One-Off Event Will Explore the Weird & Wonderful Work of Irish Video Director Bob Gallagher

    If you’re in any way au fait with the likes of Girl Band, Villagers, SOAK, Pillow Queens, Saint Sister and Myles Manley, you’ll be at least familiar with the name Bob Gallagher. Over the last few years, the director and cinematographer has emerged as a force to be reckoned with in the world of Irish video direction On April 18, Dublin’s Button Factory will play host to Under My Garage. It’s an evening of discussion, music and live visuals that will explore Gallagher’s work by inviting attendees on a “journey through his subconscious, transforming the Button Factory into the set of a…

  • Watch: The Man Whom – Nothing Gained (Live)

    Ian Doyle aka The Man Whom is an artist whose craft weaves together acoustic balladry with an ambient-folk sensibility. Having been quiet since 2011’s The Greatest Event LP, the Wexford singer-songwriter has returned with a gossamer tale that delves into the mind of the songwriter struggling with the devastating effects of recession. “I wrote Nothing Gained in the middle of the last recession in Ireland when its full effects had become apparent,” Doyle said. “Working in the construction sector up to that point the recession hit hard. Luckily for me and my family, we managed to struggle through. Unlike others around us who had…

  • Premiere: RUNAH – Shame

    Tara May is a Dublin musician who makes mesmeric art-folk in the guise RUNAH. It’s something that’s on full display on her new single, ‘Shame’, which we’re pleased to premiere today. Conjuring the likes of Cat Power, Lana Del Rey and Kimbra, May said the song is “based on the changeable feminine divine being painted as shameful, but also how shame is constantly perpetuated in society. “We are ashamed of sexuality and sexual expression, we endure shame around self-expression, we endure shame for the space we take up, always coming from a feeling of lack. In a society where we are…

  • Stream: Oranges – Upside Upside

    Last December, we premiered ‘The Way You Look’ by Dublin three-piece Oranges. The lead single to be taken from Hey Zeus, the band’s forthcoming debut album, we said it “recalled the abrasive, minimalist alchemy of The Fall”. In truth, this is something that – all credit to its players – could be as comfortably applied to the latest track from Gavin Duffy, Mici Durnin and Ed Kelly. Across three minutes, ‘Upside Upside’ is skeletal post-punk riposte that, in its simmering climb and surging climax, hints at something special in the works for Hey Zeus. Set for release on limited orange + black coloured cassettes and…

  • Listen to a New Four-Track Split From Out on a Limb and Strange Brew Records

    Some collaborative releases were just destined to be. As two of the country’s finest indie imprints, Limerick’s Out on a Limb and Galway’s Strange Brew have spent many a long year championing the worthiest of homegrown sounds. Now, the labels have teamed up for Out On a Strange Brew, a new quadruple a-side collaborative release featuring two artists that we’ve loved from the start: Limerick quartet PowPig and Kerry experimental folk artist Ronan Kealy AKA Junior Brother. Kicking off with two new tracks from the former – the equally assured ‘Mayday’ and ‘Pretty Woman’ – the release culminates on two sublime efforts from the…

  • Anderson .Paak w/ Tayla Parx @ The Olympia, Dublin

    The Olympia is at about half capacity and there’s a gentle chitter-chatter in the air as support act Tayla Parx takes to the stage. For those not in the know, PARC is better known for her behind the scenes work, having recently collaborated with Ariana Grande and Panic! at the disco. If you look at the songwriting credits for the big pop hits of 2018, you’re bound to find her name on a few of them. Parx’ energy on stage is like that of an excited child, in the best possible way. She is giddy, charismatic and bubbly as hell,…

  • Minding the Gap

    For about a half hour, Minding the Gap lulls you into a false sense of security. The opening passages of the documentary introduce us to two Rockfort skaters, Zack and Keire; Zack is a young father struggling to support his family, while Keire is a timid teenager who becomes increasingly desperate to leave the city. The film intercuts stories of their troubled youths with incredible footage of them skating around the streets of Rockfort. While Keire and Zack still reel from the abuse their fathers inflicted upon them as children, they rhapsodize about the escapist nature of skateboarding. More importantly,…

  • the arts column: March 20th

    In this week’s edition of the arts column we’ve details of a symposium, a journal launch, children’s workshops, an exhibition opening, talks, walking tours and funding applications. As always, if you have an event, talk, exhibition, or would like to recommend one please get in touch via aidan[at]thethinair.net Symposium | VOID//PVA This Saturday, March 23rd, VOID gallery in Derry are hosting an afternoon symposium in collaboration with Paper Visual Art Journal. Titled Fault Lines, the panel discussion is directly linked to the current exhibition taking place in the gallery, taking a look at borders and the impact these can have on the everyday lives of…

  • Last Podcast on the Left Set For Vicar Street

    Spanning everything from Jeffrey Dahmer, werewolves and Jonestown to iconic hauntings, the history of war crimes and more, Last Podcast on the Left has established itself as a supreme go-to for all things horror in the world of podcasting. Hosted by Ben Kissel, Marcus Parks and Henry Zebrowski, the series will stop off at Dublin’s Vicar Street for a live show on September 4th. Tickets cost €30.00 and go on sale this Friday at 9am. Check out LPONTL here.